Earlier releases from Washington DC foursome Priests have showcased their proclivity for no-wave nihilism and post-punk jabbing. When hearing the quivering buzz of “Pink White House”, it becomes apparent that those old recordings double as well-placed bricks on the road to this assured musical event. Another realization is that frontperson Katie Alice Greer shares the same badass spirit as punk forbearing Godmothers such as Kathleen Hanna and Kim Gordon. Her balance of resolute idealism and effortless cool rings truer than ever on “House”, allowing it to rage all the more against convention and expectation.
The motor chugs right away on “Pink White House” with an early-era Sleater-Kinney urgency, opening with Greer sneering intonations: “Anything you want/ Anyone you want/ Anywhere you want/ Anywhere/ Anywhere”. Her lyrics throughout are thrilling dares for her audience, nudges and urges for your understanding over guitar squalls and a battering ram beat. The accompanying video (dIrected by Greer herself) reveals the band preparing for newfound stardom. Tongue-in-cheek scenes include decadent feasts and getting in shape for an expectant fan base. In a press statement, she states: “I wanted to do something playing on the notion that pop culture repackages your identity and sells it back to you for ‘entertainment’.” As a result, Priests is finally making good on the intriguing promises of their DIY beginnings.
Live dates:
Sat. Jan. 28 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Night Bazaar
Fri. Feb. 3 – Philadelphia, PA @ Everybody Hits
Sat. Feb. 4 – Boston, MA @ Great Scott
Mon. Feb. 6 – Montreal, QC @ Casa del Popolo
Tue. Feb. 7 – Toronto ON @ Silver Dollar Room
Wed. Feb. 8 – Detroit, MI @ UFO Factory
Thu. Feb. 9 – Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen
Fri. Feb. 10 – Madison, WI @ Rathskeller
Sat. Feb. 11 – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry
Wed. Feb. 15 – Vancouver, BC @ 333
Thu. Feb. 16 – Seattle, WA @ Vera Project
Fri. Feb. 17 – Portland, OR @ Disjecta
Sat. Feb. 18 – Eugene, OR @ The Boreal
Sun. Feb. 19 – Oakland, CA @ Starline Social Club
Mon. Feb. 20 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Echoplex
Wed. Feb. 22 – San Diego, CA @ Che Cafe
Thu. Feb. 23 – Phoenix, AZ @ Valley Bar
Fri. Feb. 24 – Tucson, AZ @ 191 Toole
Sat. Feb. 25 – Santa Fe, NM @ Meow Wolf
Mon. Feb. 27 – Austin, TX @ Barracuda
Tue. Feb. 28 – McAllen, TX @ Yerberia Cultura
Wed. Mar. 1 – Houston TX @ Walter’s
Thu. Mar. 2 – New Orleans LA @ Siberia
Fri. Mar. 3 – Tallahassee, FL @ Wolf’s Den
Sat. Mar. 4 – Atlanta, GA @ Drunken Unicorn
Sun. Mar. 5 – Durham, NC @ Pinhook
Sat. Mar. 11 – Washington, DC @ Black Cat
Nothing Feels Natural is out January 27th. It is available for preorder now.
