I first became curious about Mothers while watching them open for Unknown Mortal Orchestra in front of a few hundred stupidly drunk college students. By this time, the band was already a four-piece garnering national attention, but as I delved into their music, what resonated most was the simplicity of frontwoman Kristine Leschper’s early work, when Mothers was still her solo project.

The group’s latest single, “Too Small for Eyes,” hearkens back to those earlier recordings with a quiet urgency. Leschper’s softly picked mandolin is framed by occasional piano chords and non-linear string patterns, proof that experimental doesn’t always mean complicated. Her afflicted imagery is delivered with a fragility which muffles the outside world and pulls the listener so close, even her heartbeat seems audible.

Leschper has been able to retain the delicate intimacy of her solo work even while the sound of Mothers continues to expand, but it’s refreshing to hear her weaving the old into the new, winding everything together like musical DNA. With “Too Small for Eyes,” Mothers take a step forward while looking back, assuring us that their upcoming album will be a bold display of the band’s musical growth. Listen below.

“Too Small For Eyes” is the opening track of Mothers’ upcoming LP, When You Walk a Long Distance You Are Tired, available February 26 on Grand Jury and Wichita Recordings.

Your last chance to see Mothers before they blow up is December 31 at the 40 Watt when they open for New Madrid and Muuy Biien. Fellow locals Grand Vapids open the show. Doors open at 8 p.m. Admission is $11-$16.

More Info
Web: nestingbehavior.com
Bandcamp: mothersathens.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @nestingbehavior
SoundCloud: @mothers-1