Read: CityBeat's 2015 profile of Us, Today.
A preview of the band’s forthcoming album due later this year, Us, Today’s single “What is Time Now. Goodmorning?” takes its title from a spam message the group received through its Facebook page. The similarity of Us, Today to USA Today has lead to endless messages intended for the newspaper, including, according to the press release accompanying the single, “invitations to join the illuminati.”
Who knows, though? Maybe the illuminati is looking for a good soundtrack for their meetings and future advertising campaigns. “What is Time” — an instrumental, like all of Us, Today’s music — would certainly fit that mood. A great example of the trio’s textural and eclectic compositional and arrangement skills, it’s nuanced, expressive, mysterious and enigmatic, with resonating vibraphone providing the melodic thread as the drums and guitar oscillate wildly. The sound is a wonderfully focused illustration of Us, Today at its best, as the band traverses, defines and destroys the crossroads of and borders between Indie Rock, Post Punk, Post Rock and Jazz Fusion to conjure its own distinct brand of compelling Art Rock.
“What is Time Now. Goodmorning?” will be available Thursday on major platforms like Spotify and iTunes, and also through the group’s Bandcamp page (ustodaymusic.bandcamp.com). Us, Today is also releasing a live video to accompany the single. The clip will be available on the trio’s own YouTube channel as well as via the website for the Vic Firth company (vicfirth.com), one of the largest percussion stick and mallet manufacturers in the world. Agee and Mellott use and endorse Vic Firth products, because outside of the Broadway production of Stomp, is there another musical entity more perfectly suited for such a partnership?
Here's a sneak preview of the single (we will update this post when the full track is available):
UPDATE: Here's the new song. Click the player to download/purchase.
This spring, Us, Today heads out for more tour dates, including a visit to Austin, Texas for the annual South by Southwest showcase/conference/festival in March.
For more on the trio, visit uscommatoday.com.
Contact Mike Breen: [email protected] and @CityBeatMusic
