Our podcast this week spotlights Master/Slave, a San Francisco duo who play highly danceable indie rock. It’s a big sound for a two-piece, layering drum machines and synths with live drums and guitars into tightly-wound pop nuggets; it’s also one that impressed us when we first saw the group about a year and a half ago at Bottom of the Hill. After a number of setbacks, the band, now consisting of Matt Jones (vocals/guitar/synths) and Ephriam Nagler (drums), is finally celebrating the release of their first full length album Scandal. The new CD is a very strong and exciting work, and the seamless blend of retro-referencing electronics and modern guitar pop is a credit to both Jones’ songwriting and Nagler’s production skills.
As the title Scandal might suggest, Jones broaches subject matter like “Expensive Goodbyes” and a “Top 8 Ultimatum” with a flair for melodrama and a self-aware sense of humor that informs but never overpowers the material. It seems apparent from the album that this band is having fun, although that element aids the band’s work, rather than hurting it. That sense of fun was confirmed by our interview with Matt, during which he discussed the five national tours he’s taken Master/Slave on in three years.
We’re pleased to include several songs from the new album in this week’s episode, along with excerpts of our interview with Matt, which we conducted at Muddy Waters in the Mission a couple of months ago. Master/Slave has several upcoming dates:
Thursday, April 17th
The Eagle Tavern
with Thee Oh Sees, The Mayors (Sacramento), and The Traditional Fools (Scandal CD Release Party)
8pm, $tba
Sunday, April 20th
RVCA
4pm, Free
Wednesday, April 30th
Hemlock Tavern
with Pants Pants Pants and Vows
9:30pm, $6
For more M/S news and music, head on over to their MySpace page. You can buy the band’s Slummin’ 7″ from Free News Projects here. We’ll keep you updated on how to purchase Scandal when it becomes available online and in stores.
Thanks for listening!
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