If I like the Moldy Peaches, who else would I like?
All reccomendations appreciated.
Stale bread?
It really depends on why you like the Moldy Peaches - is it the plucky, endearlingly awkward (yet infectious) lo-fi pop songwriting, or the outsider weirdness, or both?
The Moldy Peaches are considered to be a part of the NYC “anti-folk” movement, which is a misnomer as none of the artists are actually “folk” musicians. Sharing this scene is Regina Spektor. I found her record, soviet kitsch, to be cut from the same cloth as the Moldy Peaches’ Kimya Dawson. It should also be pointed out that MP core members Kimya and Adam Green have each released a handful of solo albums since that debut record that are the first logical step if you’re a fan.
Also sharing the scene are the Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players, a family (dad, mom, and 11 year old daughter on drums) who collect old slides, then make up weird, freeform “song stories” that accompany the slide shows. They play the same venues as the peaches, and generally have the same vibe.
Continuing to the direct roots and influences on the Moldy Peaches - if you don’t already listen to them, Beat Happening are the direct blueprint for the Peaches. They pioneered and championed the quirky, awkward, endearing lo-fi indie pop songwriting format in the late eighties and early nineties. Check out black candy or jamboree to get started.
On the goofier side of things (ie, the bands that informed songs like “steak for chicken” and “jorge regula”) lie Ween (the pod was undoubtedly a big Peaches influence) and the Swell Maps (i believe their stuff was just reissued on CD - Jane from occupied Europe is lifechanging). You also might want to check out The Frogs for the more “pee pee and poo poo” side of things.
Hope this helps!
Just have to say, as per Freejooky’s post - is it weird that I’ve seen (at separate shows) both the Moldy Peaches and the Trachtenburg Family open for They Might Be Giants?
Have you heard Adam Green’s solo CDs? ( I prefer Garfield better)
Freejooky’s mention of Regina Spektor is good.
Dan Bern might also fit under your radar.
Also, **Robyn Hitchcock’s ** “Storefront Hitchcock” is quirky and wonderful.
**The Ids’ ** “Psycho Babylon” is great, but difficult to find.
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I AM KLOOT’s ** CD “I AM KLOOT” is amazing and has been in heavy rotation on my iPod.
**Kings of Convenience’s ** “Quiet is the New Loud” and **Jens Lekman’s ** “When I said I wanted to be your dog” is sparse and lo-fi but not really quirky.
Get Kimya Dawson’s and Adam Greene’s solo stuff. I mean, duh. Also, the guy Kimya is touring with right now, David-Ivar Herman Dune, does really great quirky songs.
I actually met Kimya a few weeks ago. She is so nice and so sweet, I just love her. She made me a t-shirt with fish swimming in the sky with stars and comets and planets, and it says “Kimya Dawson Loves Me” on the front and “go love yourself” on the back.
Well, I’ve got Hidden Vagenda and My Cute Fiend Sweet Princess from Kimya Dawson already (“Chemistry” is a really cool song, btw). I think what I like about them is their goofiness, in addition to the sound they put out. My favorite song by them is either “Steak for Chicken” or “Who’s Got the Crack?”, if that gives you a good idea.
I’d suggest “The Mountain Goats”