photo by Callie Schneider, February 2009

photo by Callie Schneider, February 2009

Another of the great, great bands on the Silverlake scene, Radars To The Sky has that wonderful sophisticated folk/pop indie sound with really smart lyrics that I was immediately attracted to when virtually exploring those bands regularly performing at places like Spaceland and The Echo. The husband and wife due of Andrew and Kate Spitser (guitar and keyboards) compliment each other beautifully, especially when also sharing the vocal duties, such as on the lovely “I Might”.

As far as I can tell, the current lineup is:
Andrew Spitser – guitar, vocals
Kate Spitser – keyboards, vocals
Dave Marchese – bass
Kenny Kupers – drums, vocals

Articles & Reviews

You Take It To Heart

Radars to the Sky debut EP (Feb. 2007)
Long Walk Home
Wave Bye to the Sun
Rude Surprise
Home for the Holidays
Basement

Long Walk Home – Right from the first song on their debut release, you’re struck by the lovely vocal interplay between Andrew and Kate, and the band’s bright, jubilant sound.

Wave Bye to the Sun – Highly literary quirky indie pop. Lyrically reminds me of Brian Eno’s solo albums.

Basement – Very different (and incredibly effective) vocal styling used for this one, half-whispered, quiet, introspective. Beautiful. “And it’s lonely in the basement of my heart, it’s even lonelier without you here, my sweetheart.”

The Big Bang EP (Dec. 2007)
I Might
Victoria
Prufrock
Zurich 1958
Big Bang

I Might – Simplicity and starkness of the song’s delivery underscores the rawness of emotions of an on-again, off-again relationship. The internal struggle, the indecision. Beautiful interplay of Andrew and Kate’s vocals.

“The rumble of each passing car, the tenor tone in a tender voice, the taste of bile at every call, the hope it’s him, the fear destroys my will. He calls, he begs, I bend, he leaves, I tell myself again, “I won’t let him back in.” But I might.”

Victoria – Bouncy dancy, pretty pop and Morrissey-like vocals from Andrew belies some ultra-heavy, haunting, disturbing lyrics. The result of the juxtaposition is incredibly powerful.

Live [Mondays [at the Echo] – April 21st, 2008]
(Spaceland Recordings)
You Take It To Heart (unreleased)
Prufrock
Victoria
Sunk My Teeth (unreleased)
Selfish Kids (unreleased)
Zurich 1958
Age of Consent [New Order]
Long Walk Home
I Might
Big Bang

line up for show – Andrew, Kate, Kenny Kupers, Martin Avelar (bass), Seamus Simpson (guitar, xylophone, percussion), Brent Dodson (trumpet), Matt Kozlov (saxophone)

In between songs, they mention The Airborne Toxic Event (Airborne Tox played at this show!) and they also thanked Rademacher (Rademacher played at this show!). You Me and Iowa came on last, and although I’m not familiar with them, I’m sure they’re brilliant as well. I’ll try to fight off my dismay and regret at not having been at the Echo this evening, but I have to explain what this feels like. Let’s see… it’s like being alive at the time of the Renaissance, but living in Peoria. Ok, so I guess Peoria didn’t exist at the time of the Renaissance, but if it had… that’s what it would be akin to. Fantastic live recording, you can feel the audience’s appreciation and excitement.

Lyrics here for their debut and “Big Bang” EPs. See their MySpace to purchase their recordings.

Update!

Radars To The Sky are currently finishing up their first full-length album, hoping to release it in July or August, which will include 5 new songs. In anticipation of the new release, they’ll be putting out a single of “Selfish Kids” (probably in June), with a video as well. Here’s hoping for an East Coast show!

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