The first time I ever heard The Olympics, I was about to graduate college and fretting over the fact that my college radio days were numbered. Reliving a decision from the previous spring, several friends and I made a rather impromptu 3-hour road trip see The Envy Corps in the middle of the week, down at The Blue Moose Tap House in Iowa City. (The year before it had been a desire to see Other Lives and S. Carey at The Mill, which was not regretted.) As a part of this journey, a fellow radio station DJ and I had set up an interview with Luke and Brandon of The Envy Corps; milking my college radio DJ position to the last drop. These guys are also originally from my hometown of Ames, Iowa, and despite the fact they are also one of my top 10 favorite bands, I had never seen them live. So my expectations were high as we sped south on the highway, attempting to get there early enough to make this all possible.
And yes, the interview was quite fun, and seeing The Envy Corps for the first time was memorable. But the memory that stands out the most is being surprised and impressed by the openers, The Olympics, who I knew nothing about beforehand. Then almost a year later, in the dead of winter at the Maintenance Shop on Iowa State University's campus, I drove 4 hours south to see Snowmine, another of my top 10 favorite bands. And who was opening? The Olympics. Coincidence? I think not. In fact, these guys have played with many of my other favorites, including Dear and the Headlights, Yellow Ostrich, Blackbird Blackbird, Now Now, Margot & the Nuclear So and So's, Miniature Tigers, White Rabbits, and more. My theory is: good bands who play with great bands, become great bands.
So the guys and I got to talking and we've kept in touch since. Although I've known for a while that The Olympics are working on a new album, this past week Jeff gave me a sneak peek at the latest music video, and now I'm passing that off to you. "Who Are You?" premiered today on Newdust.com, and I highly suggest you take a look.
Besides the fantastic camera work, both the music and the story-line are well thought out and well performed. Known usually for the brighter atmosphere in their sound and headnod to the time of sock hops, this time around The Olympics get dark and grungy: embracing a tone that has matured and allowed them to take risks, exploring the edges of expectation while creating a dynamic audio and visual experience. With elements of a Miyazaki nightmare, Jeff's character wrestles with a picturesque romance while demons roam in the mind, and possibly, on the beach. This dive into the dark and twisted for The Olympics is bold, but like every time I've ever seen the Olympics live, it meets and surpasses every expectation. I wait eagerly for rest of the album.
And yes, the interview was quite fun, and seeing The Envy Corps for the first time was memorable. But the memory that stands out the most is being surprised and impressed by the openers, The Olympics, who I knew nothing about beforehand. Then almost a year later, in the dead of winter at the Maintenance Shop on Iowa State University's campus, I drove 4 hours south to see Snowmine, another of my top 10 favorite bands. And who was opening? The Olympics. Coincidence? I think not. In fact, these guys have played with many of my other favorites, including Dear and the Headlights, Yellow Ostrich, Blackbird Blackbird, Now Now, Margot & the Nuclear So and So's, Miniature Tigers, White Rabbits, and more. My theory is: good bands who play with great bands, become great bands.
So the guys and I got to talking and we've kept in touch since. Although I've known for a while that The Olympics are working on a new album, this past week Jeff gave me a sneak peek at the latest music video, and now I'm passing that off to you. "Who Are You?" premiered today on Newdust.com, and I highly suggest you take a look.
Besides the fantastic camera work, both the music and the story-line are well thought out and well performed. Known usually for the brighter atmosphere in their sound and headnod to the time of sock hops, this time around The Olympics get dark and grungy: embracing a tone that has matured and allowed them to take risks, exploring the edges of expectation while creating a dynamic audio and visual experience. With elements of a Miyazaki nightmare, Jeff's character wrestles with a picturesque romance while demons roam in the mind, and possibly, on the beach. This dive into the dark and twisted for The Olympics is bold, but like every time I've ever seen the Olympics live, it meets and surpasses every expectation. I wait eagerly for rest of the album.
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