Trophy Wife - s/t 7-inch - Private Leisure Industries
Trophy Wife – “Light Sockets” download
If I were to have four female musicians at my disposal, and I could direct them to create music of any stripe, I’d have to admit the result would probably sound a lot like that of Trophy Wife. They’ve found a way to harness chaos without sacrificing harmony, a unique trick lost on many in the underground that adds a thick coat of luster to the already-impressive instrumental tracks.
And are they saying “Somebody jizzed in the light socket” … hey, you decide for yourself when you listen to “Light Socket” by clickety-clacking the link above; I’m staying neutral.
So many precedents — mostly good ones — are popping into my head right now I must follow them before I trod any farther :
- Spires That From The Sunset Rise are always an easy choice because in a weird way, despite their obscurity, they’ve indirectly held a lot of sway over what’s come since. Or maybe I’m a little buzzed; it could go either way. But that ritualistic, almost tribal feel this nifty 7-inch is replete with is slathered all over Spire records like voodoo honey. Sweet but hex-ridden.
- T.I.T.S. and Leopard Leg both come to mind because they’re both comprised of righteously shot-out chicks that revel in the filth of the under-indie world.
- Tickley Feather and Rings, whom I’ve always sort of paired up because their records came out around the same time, fit snugly into the experimental-art-rock direction Trophy Wife call their own.
- Hell, how could I have left out Religious Knives up to this point? Also very witch-y, also very chant-obsessed, also very psych-y. Despite their great reputation, however, I think TW break a better egg.
- When they start slapping the tom toms and letting their chants ring out boisterously, they almost remind me of Tonstartssbandht.
- Jenny Hoyston, of Erase Errata, has good solo stuff. Shit, can’t remember if it sounds like Trophy Wife or not, but Erase Errata … don’t sound anything like Trophy Wife either. I’m … I’m gonna go lay down …
And so on. If you, like me, crave audio adventures that balance on the head of a pin and tiptoe around the precipice of dementia, you should probably hear this one. Very distinct, Trophy Wife are, a neon-green alien with pink spots walking around with the other humans as if there ain’t shit strange about it. Must I again mention the melodies and/or harmonies? Well, they’re just a shade below angelic. If my wife sang like this I would be on the goddamn road right now, backing her up and keeping my head down, I’ll tell you that much (though don’t get me wrong, me-lady can carry a tune).
What really brings me joy, above and beyond this 7-inch and this band and even this post, is the fact that women have become so vital to the indie sphere. X-Ray Spex notwithstanding, there are so many bearded dudes in hoodies running around you forget all the ladies that have always made the underground what it is. And now they’re finally starting their own bands, and not just that — they’re making it stick at a better rate than the boys.
I’m not kidding about this — the all-girl bands I’ve heard over the last decade hold a clear advantage of the all-boy bands. From Slumber Party to Sleater-Kinney to a few of the outfits mentioned above, as a Dude With A Daughter, I’m stoked to realize it’s not out of the question that my kid might someday front her own group instead of fawning over the music of some dipshit boyfriend. YOU GO!!
