Thao & The Get Down Stay Down - “Phenom”
SXSW 2020 - OEB Score: 9; Popularity Index: 8
Pairs Well With…Mitski, Girlpool, Angel Olsen
Thao & The Get Down Stay Down have a new record Temple out next month and judging from the two early singles, expect an eclectic, new wave rock vibe that’s a logical progression from their complex, indie pop fulcrum. Latest single “Phenom” is a creeping number, undercoated punk tension bubbling with a mysterious, staccato rhythm throughout. Descending guitar lines and weird vocal harmonies take “Phenom” to expectedly unexpected places given the band’s dense and varied catalog, a thread that feeds into the otherwise relatively straightforward title track, a song that lets the groove take hold overall with some nostalgic synthscapes waving throughout the infectious reintroduction. (Kevin McStravick)
2016 Review: Thao and the Get Down Stay Down, SXSW regulars and consistent OEB favorites, return this year to support their fourth record, 2016’s A Man Alive. Led off by the garage pop single “Nobody Dies”, this record should continue the band’s penchant for eclectic melodies amid an oddly catchy indie rock/pop sound. “Nobody Dies” is actually fairly pared back compared to the creatively jazzy We the Common, their previous record, a magnified display of Thao Nguyen’s make-it-sound-easy, engaging songwriting.
2013 Review: It’s hard to believe it’ll have been four years between records when Thao & The Get Down Stay Down release their third record, We The Common, in February. Early single “Holy Roller” is a nice little pop number that shows the band has learned that less is more in many of the best cases. If their 2011 sets are any indication, look for big crowds as the indie world has really embraced Thao Nguyen in recent years.
2011 Review: an indie pop/rock band with jazz-influenced vocals. Thao Nguyen, Adam Thompson, & Willis Thompson make up this band of rocking folksters, one of the stronger indie rock bands to rise in popularity over the past couple of years. Their earlier material leans more on folk-influenced material, but the band really shines when they incorporate more of an eclectic vibe, which seems to be the direction they are going judging from their last album. Thao’s voice is the driving force of the band. It’s a perfect blend of pop, rock, and jazz, edgy while still remaining accessible. Musically they range from upbeat indie pop to more dramatic material, but there’s still a minimal edge; normally they only incorporate a few instruments that uniquely own their space.