Hi! I’m Ethan Bloomfield here, the videographer for CityBeat. Every Wednesday, I’m highlighting a band or artist in the Cincinnati music scene I think you should check out.
This week, The Silkies have wormed their way into my brain and won’t leave.
The Silkies’ overall vibe really strikes me: punchy, danceable and polished to a mirror finish. “Lies” and “Milkman,” two singles from last year, feel right at home alongside the likes of Djo or The Strokes. Joe Pruitt’s fuzzed-out vocals ooze cool atop effortless post-punk tracks like “Idk,” summoning the spirit of David Byrne or James Murphy (if a bit more frantic). The energy and precision of the music, from Jake Merritt’s drums to Michael Takahashi’s synths, make for timeless grooves that demand attention.
The Silkies do more than the post-punk hits, though. Earmilk, an online independent music publication, described them as “a trippy cocktail of garage, new wave, psych rock and alternative”—and that all comes together in a crisp, tight package that’s distinctly modern. David Byrne never yelped over an anthem like “Digital Soo” (although the verses feel distinctly “Life During Wartime”-coded).
They’ve only got five songs on streaming (with “Digital Soo” clocking in at 14,000 streams on Spotify), so consider this your opportunity to get in on the ground floor. Check them out!
This is part of an ongoing video series where I highlight a band or artist in the Cincinnati area. Who should I talk about next? Shoot me an email: ebloomfield@linknky.com