Since their formation in 2013, Shantih Shantih have enjoyed quite a string of successes. The Atlanta garage rockers have not only shared bills with the likes of the Black Lips, Dan Deacon, Crocodiles, and the Coathangers, but they’ve also toured Europe and played a number of festivals including SXSW, the Humanist SK Festival in Paris, and the Atlanta Mess Around. They’ve somehow managed to do all this while maintaining a relatively low profile in the city and releasing very little music, the highlight of which is the two-song “Ruby” 7-inch released by Italian indie Shit Music for Shit People.
This week, however, the group is preparing to unveil their long-awaited full-length debut, Winter in September, ensuring that the four-piece outfit will be a major part of the 2016 narrative moving forward. Consisting of 11 songs, the record skirts the line between sun-drenched surf-inspired tunes and psychedelic desert punk that is reminiscent of classic ’60s pop groups like the Shangri-Las mixed with the raucous garage rock ethos embraced by the likes of hometown heroes the Coathangers.
Lead single “Snails,” which we’re excited to be able to premiere today, finds Shantih Shantih at their sharpest and most distinctive, wrapping chunky chords and single-note surf riffs around a driving backbeat. But while the playing is loose and dynamic, the vocals almost go out of their way to set an off-kilter tone, veering between candy-coated playfulness and a kind of winking weirdness. The result is an upbeat yet slightly ominous summertime anthem that relies on more than just washed-out guitars and hazy reverb to kick out the feel good vibes. As aesthetics go, it’s less laid-back than day drunk, which is just fine by me. Listen below.
Winter in September is out May 20. In support of their new record, Shantih Shantih will embark on a two-week tour that will take them throughout the East Coast and into parts of the Midwest. Check out the list of dates below.
Shantih Shantih Tour Dates
May 20 – The Earl – Atlanta, GA
May 21 – Fond Object Records – Nashville,TN
May 22 – MOTR – Cincinnati, OH
May 23 – Empty Bottle – Chicago, IL
May 24 – Daytrotter Session – Rock Island, IL
May 25 – Cactus Club – Milwaukee, WI
May 26 – Lyric Room – Green Bay, WI
May 27 – Williamson Magnetic Recording Co. – Madison, WI
May 28 – Happy Dog East – Cleveland, OH
May 29 – Alphaville – Brooklyn, NY
May 31 – Cafe Nine – New Haven, CT
Jun 01 – Cake Shop – NYC
Jun 03 – Bourbon & Branch – Philadelphia, PA
Jun 03 – The Mothlight – Asheville, NC
Jun 04 – Caledonia Lounge – Athens, GA
Shantih Shantih will celebrate the release of Winter in September on Fri., May 20 at the Earl. Supporting them will be Tiger! Tiger! and Thayer Serrano. Doors open at 9 p.m. Admission is $8 in advance or $10 DOS.
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