The Haunting Sound of Soft Summer Nights

While not a fan of The O.C. I still did see the first episode and was actually a little annoyed that they used a Mazzy Star song for the end of that premiere. Which, I guess qualifies as musical snobbery. Huzzah, I’m a musical snob. Not always, though. So it doesn’t count. Now, since I’m trying to be more generous with my musical tastes, I have decided to offer up the name of a musical duo that I am very taken with these days.

Beach House : Isn’t that picture all sorts of magical and ethereal?

The Beach House members are Alex Scally and Victoria Legrand. Undeniably memorable names, they evoke (in me) a vintage and romantic feel which is both British and Boho.

When I see pictures of Scally and Legrand, I know that I would be terribly hesitant to approach either as they seem intimidatingly royal (not to be confused with snobbish), with rich talent in every pulsing vein. I imagine that these veins are always waiting on cue to become something grand (whether a song, a step, or a sleepy-eyed wink). The duo appear as a photo that you’d find in the drawer of an old Victorian House full of creaky wooden stairs, artfully constructed spiderwebs, and the occasional visit from a friendly neighborhood cat (whom I bet once saw a mouse enter the house and is determined to bring it out with her clamped jaw of justice). In other words (and far less of them) - a house of mystery and character.

Now, suppose you turn that photo belly-down, as most curious people do. Unreadable and faint with aging, the blurred blue-ink image of words long gone would seem as though the eloquent scrawl had been a phrase of brief poetry. Perhaps lyrics. If you tilt your head and hold yourself very still, you might begin to hear a creeping echo of floating music that draws up your spine and into your steady heart.

But that’s just my interpretation. I’d love to hear yours.

myspace.com/beachhousemusic

beachhousemusic.net

(Note: It’s truly quite possible that you’ve heard of Beach House if you’re musically savvy, but we haven’t heard them on any TV shows — yet. At least, that is my wonderful excuse for talking about them here today.)

The photo is by the talented Elizabeth Flyntz.

Beach House: Devotion (Price = under ten bucks!)