Friday night’s Mates of State show at Le Poisson Rouge was the first time I’d seen them in six years or so, and the first time I was at a sold out show of theirs. A few things about their set up and sound have changed, but Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel are still cute
Recently, I got to talk with Jason Hammel from Mates of State, while they were in the studio in Bridgeport, CT, working on new stuff and recording their very first song since Mountaintops. I first heard about these guys circa 2003, when “Proofs” became my jam. Years later, they’re still going strong, improving, and expanding.
There is something magical about listening to a new album in full, not just a single, or a random track here or there, but to listen to a creation that a band has spent much time debating and configuring until they were ready to release their “baby” into the world. Chicago natives Yawn’s new album