Strangers You Know - Used

 

 

 

1.   Who are these chaps?

Strangers You Know are an indie folk pop band with some electric influences from Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. They have been together since 2013 and have one long player in the bag. Used (Jan'16) comes off their second shorty Pre/Post (March'16).

2. What kind of tune does Used throw up?

Big bearded hipster chic comes to mind but that would be unfair. Used is a deep, rootsy, desert number with a gospel feel and sparsh accompaniment. Violins and layered vocals add some meat to the songs sun bleached bones. Used rolls with a suave folkiness that belies the bands years and with the kind of gravitas to make many a believer.

3. Who do Strangers You Know sound like?

Good golly miss Molly. Used sounds like The Score's Oh My Love or The Young Wild's Not A One. Coincidentally thats three bands in a row from L.A. There must be something in the weed out there. And, of course, The Avett Brothers.

Strangers You Know have been compared to The Beach Boys, Grizzly Bear, Band Of Horses and Cute Is What We Aim For.

4. What have the cut and paste brigade got to say about Strangers You Know?

Slim pickings compadre, slim pickings. The reviews are out on Used. About Strangers You Know's music in general Broadway World said it has a “thoughtful and poignant side, with intoxicating melodies and raw, heartfelt lyrics.” The Linfield Review highlighted the band's “ability to cross genres smoothly,” and Music Of My Mind praised the band's “solid pop-laced, indie-rock melodies and a confident swagger.” 

 

 

 

5. So which bands have influenced Strangers You Know's music?

The band get their bubble and pop from The Beatles, Beck, Kacey Musgraves and The Avett Brothers. Desert Sun intimated Strangers You Know are influenced by Coldplay, Willie Nelson, First Aid Kit and The Roots.

 

6. So why should I listen to Used?

As the immortal Stone Roses said This Is The One. Used is the game changer for Strangers You Know. Lightning has struck. Used is a fully fledged, soulful, pop folk masterpiece.

 

7. Do Strangers You Know have any more gems in the safe?

Is the Pope a Catholic? Attention will get yours. A very funky pop rock number with an assist from the sax. Be It wants to have fun and it is.

 

8. Are there any other pertinent facts to share?

There are my fine fellow and fellowettes. Strangers You Know have said the first two songs they released on Pre/Post, like Used from the new EP to be released in March, are a critical examination of Los Angeles harsh hookup culture and “follows drunken infatuation and the impact of sobering reality.” 
 
On the topic of their ability to effortlessly mix genres Adam Haagen revealed that “we are hoping to fully encapsulate the feelings you’d have at an Indie rock show, a Country hoe-down and a deep house club. From Banjos to Drum machines, we’re looking to blur the line.” 

In an interview with Crescentvale Adam tells an amusing tale of an FYF Festival after party and playing drums with the bass player from Guns'N'Roses and the keyboardist with Queen. He also gave it up on his compadre Grady singing in a trailer with Lorde and Fume. Way to represent Down Under.

Strangers You Know will be playing the Bottle Rocks and Coachella Festivals this year.

“I’m always straight with you

I wonder why you’re hiding from the truth”

 

 
 

Dessert is served today with the help of Strangers You Know’s musical inspiration The Avett Brothers. The American indie folk rock band hail from North Carolina and combine a raft of genres to make music described as having “the heavy sadness of Townes Van Zandt, the light pop precision of Buddy Holly, the tuneful jangle of The Beatles, the raw energy of The Ramones.”

The Avett Brothers have found critical acclaim and mainstream success, their last two studio albums featuring in the Top 5 of the US Billboard Charts.  Live and Let Die (2012) was one of three singles from their most successful album to date The Carpenter (2012).  Sit back and enjoy the magic.

“Left like a pharaoh,
sing like a sparrow anyway.
Even if there is no land or
love in sight”