While I’m sure about 99.9% of More Cowbell readers are well familiar with Tapes n’ Tapes, and at least 50%+ with Solid Gold, I’m guessing not too many of you are familiar with the band Wild Light, who are the middle act for tonights great triple bill (not to mention DJ’s TRL & Wes Winship) at First Ave.

Wild Light are an indie pop band from New Hampshire who have opened for some pretty big names in the past, most notably Arcade Fire. Not to mention one of their members Tim Kyle was in a very early incarnation of Arcade Fire as well.

‘California on my Mind’

From the sound of the lead off track ‘California On My Mind’ it’s clear that Wild Light have a much more fun/laid back west coast feel than most east coast bands. And whether it’s coincidence or not, the bouncy rhythm and “oooh oooh ooooh ooooh” vocals definitely wouldn’t sound out of place on an Arcade Fire record. I also love the juxtaposition of the song’s title with the lyrics “Fuck today, fuck San Francisco, fuck California”, it’s like the anti-thesis of Phantom Planet’s anthem ‘California’, take that you O.C. lovers.

For the most part the album is a bit more mid-tempo than the lead off track, but many of the tracks build towards the middle before breaking loose. Another of my favorite songs from the record is ‘New Hampshire’:

‘New Hampshire’

The track reminds me a bit of the band The Long Winters for some reason. It has one of those melodies that sounds very familiar yet fresh enough to not sound like a retread, and it’s rolling snare beat propels the song perfectly.

I’m really excited to finally see them live after having followed them the last few years, and I hope they pull off the great harmonies as well as they do on record. Do yourself a favor and don’t miss their set tonight (i believe they’re playing second in between Solid Gold and Tapes n’ Tapes).

Their debut full length ‘Adult Nights’ will be released on March 3rd on Startime International.