The xx

I went to my hair stylist this weekend for the usual cut and color. I have been going to the same stylist for almost six years. It’s part of my control freak nature. I know her. I know she’s good at what she does. I trust her. I know she’s not going to let me walk out of the salon looking like a poodle or a super freak. On top of that, she’s one of the coolest people I know. Not cool like the popular kids in high school. Cool as in she’s 100% completely and totally her own person. Just the sight of her radiates an aura of coolness. If you didn’t know her you would be intimidated by her cool factor. Yes, she’s that cool. I must at least get some points on the cool-o-meter just for knowing her.

Every time I check in with her I learn something new in the world of music, literature, fashion. She’s one of those ‘go to guides’ for upcoming trends in anything and everything. And it’s not like she goes looking for this stuff, she’s part of it. She lives it therefore it surrounds her.

We were chatting about our love for Iron& Wine and Band of Horses when she said, “Hey, have you ever heard of The xx?”
My response: “No, who are they?”
“They are an awesome indie rock band. You’ll love them. I know the music you like and I know you’ll love them.
“Wicked, I’ll check them out when I go home.”

First I went to their Wikipedia page, then YouTube followed by their website. I opened about a dozen of their songs while I roamed their site and random articles about the band. One thing was clear. Yes, I love them already.

I’ve come to learn that The xx is a small indie rock back from London, England. They originally started with four members back in 2005 but now are down to three, two guys and a girl. They trade off with lead male and female vocals…I love this. It feels like two bands warped into one. I’d say it’s one of the stand out features of why this band is great. Their sound is uncomplicated and very far from mainstream. It’s a quiet rock...not to be mistaken with that soft rock crap. It’s the kind of music you expect to hear on the soundtrack to an independent film or on an iPod commercial. Or the kind of music that you hear at a music festival that causes you to stop in your tracks and take notice. Maybe you didn’t recognize them on the featured list of bands but now you’re hearing them and now you love them. It’s that quick.

You would expect to hear them in a small venue. At a place where everyone else knows all the lyrics to their songs too and although you don’t know a single other person in that venue, you are united through wicked music. Ah, music nirvana. Damn, why can’t I live in a cooler city?

I love finding bands like this one. There is a naive youthful pureness to their sound which can only get better with age. You aren’t fighting with overproduction to get the real feeling of the tracks. If you don’t like this type of music, and if I could persuade you to try at least one song, then it should be Crystalised: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZzjHMfz4_E&feature=related

You want to replay it, don’t you? Trust me, I know.

Sometimes music can be like trying a new food. For some reason you have a preconceived notion in your mind that you won’t like it, even though you haven’t tried it. Maybe it’s because of the way it looks, or the way it smells, in some cases maybe even the name just grosses you out. There’s just something about it that turns you off. Then at some point in your life you will try it and love it and beat yourself up over not introducing this to your palate years ago. As I age, I’ve come to realize that turning your nose up at anything is a colossal mistake. You could be walking away from ‘the greatest’. And if it’s not your thing, fine, whatever, walk away. But at least you said you tried it. Stay open minded – there are far too many great things out there patiently waiting for your attention.

Now, if you liked that first song I persuade you to try, then follow along and listen to these:

The Intro: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L73OLaG4_kA

VCR: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gI2eO_mNM88

Heart Skipped a Beat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HThCnCjikQ

Stars: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bA-de7O_7N4

Check out their website here: http://www.thexx.info

You’ll find music videos, upcoming tour dates, and their MySpace page among other things.

Rock on my friends!