Song of the Day: The Intelligence - Hippy Provider

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. This week, we’re featuring songs exclusively from artists playing the 2013 Capitol Hill Block Party. Today’s song is “Hippy Provider” by The Intelligence from the 2012 album Everybody's Got It Easy But Me on In The Red.

The Intelligence - Hippy Provider (MP3)

Wanna know how smart The Intelligence is? Not wanting to stem the group's prolific output, band mastermind Lars Finberg formed two lineups after moving part-time to Los Angeles, one there and one remaining here in Seattle, so that he could keep performing and recording no matter which city he resided. In fact, their last album, 2012's Everybody’s Got It Easy But Me, was recorded in both locations with both lineups! Perhaps it's because of that or because over seven albums the former A-Frames drummer insists on finding new ways for the band to grow, but Everybody’s Got It Easy But Me is perhaps The Intelligence's most diverse album to date as it combines the cleaned up sounds of the group's early lo-fi garage rock with the post punk angularity of 2010's Males with a touch of 60's beach pop and even some singery-songwritery acoustic ballads. Today's featured song, "Hippy Provider", though, demonstrates just how quirky they can get, as they spoof the classically bad 80's commercial: "Hey, man, is that freedom rock? Well, turn it up!" But "turn it off," Lars demands. It's the wise thing to do.

The Intelligence is playing Capitol Hill Block Party at 8:15PM on Friday, July 26, on the Vera Stage. Weekend passes for the Block Party are sold out, but single-day tickets are still available here. Keep up with The Intelligence on Facebook and watch the incense-filled official video for "Hippy Provider" here: