Song of the Day: Futurebirds - Deadbeat Hits

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 DJ’s think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Midday Show with Cheryl Waters, is “Deadbeat Hits” by Futurebirds from their 2015 album, Hotel Parties, on Easy Sound Recording Company.

Futurebirds - Deadbeat Hits (MP3)

Georgia band Futurebirds have been blending southern rock, country-twang and shoegaze-tones to great effect for six years now. 2015 release Hotel Parties shows them continuing their winning formula, balancing the devastating fragility that only the best country can hold with the fun of southern rock, filtered through a distorted haze. While much of the album takes a melancholy tone, song of the day "Deadbeat Hits" serves as an upbeat break from its beautifully sorrow-soaked counterparts. On it, a rolling rhythm guitar chugs along to a twangy lead riff, kicking with the drums and accompanying the tongue-in-cheek lyrics that soon escalate into a catchy chorus of "ooo-ooooo's." In a pleasant paradox, the band cleverly jabs at the desire to record a hit and get famous in a song that is certainly a hit record of its own accord.

Futurebirds will be in Seattle on February 5th to play a 21+ show at Tractor Tavern. Get more info on that show here, keep up with the band on their Facebook and website, and watch the music video for "Deadbeat Hits" below: