Cory Graves
This Week, Parquet Courts Went Late.
Each week, we take a survey of the local music scene and try to determine which acts in town are really putting in work and seeing it pay off. Which bands have the most intriguing shows coming up? Which bands are getting the most press around town? Which bands have accomplished the most notable feats of late? Based off these criteria, our music writers submit a list to be weighted and compiled into a master list revealed each week in this here space. We like to think it's fairly revealing. Check out our previous Buzz Rankings here.
A week into 2015, and Parquet Courts is already off to the races.
Sure, it's early, but it's hard to imagine too many bands will have a bigger week the rest of the year than the North Texas ex-pats are in the midst of experiencing right now.
Hopefully we'll be pleasantly surprised on that front. In the meantime, Parquet Courts is the talk of the town. It's no wonder, either, considering that, just a couple of days ago, the band performed “Bodies Made Of” of The Late Show With David Letterman. For his part, Dave was so enamored with the band's performance that he walked over and quipped, “Paul and I have talked it over, and we would like to manage the band!”
The Sunbathing Animal opener is a lovely track, to be sure. The folks at Texas Monthly agree, too, and chose to list it among its list of the top “Texas” songs of 2014. For what it's worth, fellow list-maker Ronnie Fauss and Old 97's showed up on that list, too.
Of course, Letterman's not the only new fan Parquet Courts picked up this week, either. Author Bret Easton Ellis tweeted this week that they were the “best newish band.”
Then, capping off the band's killer start to 2015 was fact the band was announced as one of the acts performing at this year's Coachella festival. Reverend Horton Heat and St. Vincent also earned their respective spots in the Rankings this week thanks to their inclusion in that announcement as well. But, unlike those two acts, which have topped the Buzz Rankings on multiple occasions, this week marks the first time Parquet Courts ever lands in the No. 1 spot.
Another big nod this week went to Crown the Empire, which was voted “artist of the year” in Alternative Press' annual reader's poll. T
hen there was Moth Face, which was profiled in both the Dallas Observer and D Magazine this week.
Elsewhere, Goodnight Ned keys man Jonas Martin prepared to release his solo debut this Saturday night at The Prophet Bar. That same night, Astronautalis will perform a bunch of new material at Three Links after having wrapped work on his next LP this week out in Oak Cliff. And, finally, Terrence Spectacle, Young Ejecta, Blue, the Misfit, Black Swan each released new songs and/or videos this week.
(Also receiving votes this week: Dark Rooms, Oil Boom, Lord Byron, Wesley Geiger, Blixaboy, Seryn, Star Music , Sealion, Buffalo Black, The Mohicans, Kelly Clarkson, Bobby Sessions, Yells at Eels, Def Rain, Bitch Teeth, Dripping Wet, Party Static, Tru Def, Pageantry, Sudie, Layer Cake, Son of Stan, Lily Taylor, Jordan Layne, Ishi, Dustin Cavazos, The Phuss, Problem Dogg, Bummer Vacation, Nervous Curtains, King Bucks, Daniel Markham, Devy Stonez, Goodnight Ned.)
Parquet Courts cover photo by Ben Rayner.
