New York City’s genre blending band Parlour Tricks is kicking ass and taking names with their recent release (what i think about when i think about) Bodies. Profuced by frontwoman Lily Cato and Brian Kesley, recorded by Mission Sound, mixed by Justin Gerrish, and mastered by Joe LaPorta at Sterling Sound, this six track release is no less than an adrenaline-pumping celebration of sound. Cato’s soulful voice leads it all magically, and we’re thrilled to be able to stream it in its entirety to give you a taste of what this band is really about.
In honor of the release, Cato herself has come up with her top 5 favorite memories with the band. Check them out below, then head over to the Parlour Tricks Facebook page to get more info and check them out on a future date!
1. When we were recording “The Storm” (off Broken Hearts/Bones) in Nashville, one of the last things we had to finish was the whistled intro. That was when we discovered that no one in the band could whistle – or at least, nobody could whistle on command and under pressure. We each attempted it, one by one, and we all failed. A breathy, hissy, pitiful mess. Finally Emery (Dobyns, who produced the album) had enough of our sorry asses, went into the live room himself and nailed it in one take. Emery is who you hear whistling on the recording.
2. Early on in our existence, we got hired to play a birthday party out of town. Angelo (guitar) couldn’t make it, so my husband (boyfriend at the time) filled in on guitar. Everything was going great until we turned around at the end of a song (“Belle Gunness” actually, which is on BODIES) to find Brian (bass) bleeding profusely from the head. Apparently Brian and my husband had indulged in some aggressive – dare I say competitive – headbanging, and my husband’s guitar headstock connected with Brian’s face. Like the pro that he is, Brian finished the song without missing a note, even though he must have been blinded by the blood pouring into his eyes. I wish I was exaggerating but I’m not. I asked if anyone in the audience had a first-aid kit, and like a dream – or a porno? – all these beautiful women rushed to the stage to take care of him. As luck would have it, the birthday boy’s wife was a nurse, and so were all of her friends. They bandaged Brian’s head like a mummy and after a short break and some TLC, we played another 2 sets.
3. We had some interesting van games for long rides. Once Angelo started asking some hard “Would You Rather” questions, like “Would you rather have a baby carrot in your mouth at all times, forever, or have to call everyone ‘Ma’am’ once in every sentence, forever?” Jury’s still out on that one, 5 years later. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
4. We spent a lot of time in Nashville over the course of two years. When we were there for a stretch in winter 2014, we’d pile into the van every morning, cold, sleepy and quiet, and turn on “Cocoa Butter Kisses” by Chance The Rapper and listen to it on repeat however many times it took until we got to the studio. Whenever I hear that song now I’m transported to the back of the van; that feeling of not being fully awake but getting pumped for the day ahead.
5. Honestly one of my favorite memories is one that reasserts itself every few days. I’m really proud of the “Broken Hearts/Bones” music video, and touched by how people have connected with it. I had a clear vision for what the video should be, and Dani (Brandwein, director) took it and elevated it. It was a smooth, fun shoot and the response since day one has been amazing. Every few days I see a comment or get a tweet or a message from someone who was moved by the video; often people say they identify with certain characters (old lady with pineapple, pissed off stock boy) or say they want to find love in the supermarket aisle. The other day someone commented that they watch the video every single day. I never imagined we’d make something that had that kind of impact. That’s what you hope for in this line of work, you know? I’m grateful.
