(above): music that doesn't 'Blow'

With a name like The Blow, I wasn’t sure what to expect when my roommate eagerly offered to play this new song she had found. Let me clarify – The Blow is the band, not the song name.  But hey – I’m a fan of the Bare Naked Ladies so perhaps risque band names are a good sign? I think yes.

Based in Portland OR, The Blow consists of Khaela Maricich (and formerly Jona Bechtolt).  Maricich’s music is beat-happy and whimsical – definitely indie.  There’s a certain rhythm in each song – a style that’s hard to describe.  All I can say is that each song begs to be clapped or snapped to.  Does that make sense?

My two favorite songs are Parentheses (’cause I’m girly like that) and Hey Petunia (’cause I like The Police).  But True Affection has a great chorus and was featured as an iTunes free download in 2006. Meanwhile, Hey Boy tops the lyrics department:

“Hey Boy
Why you didn’t call me?
I waited for days
I can’t believe you didn’t call

A. You’re gay
B. You’ve got a girlfriend
C. You kinda thought I came on too strong or
D. I just wasn’t your thing
no ring”

You can find all of these songs on her myspace (www.myspace.com/theblowus) and others on Paper Television – the album.

Enjoy!

-B.C.Bodnar