Preview: Ultimate Painting, EZTV, and Deeper to Play Jangly Rock ‘n’ Roll at the Hideout
The London duo Ultimate Painting wrote a song called "Song for Brian Jones," and that might be all you need to know to know anything about them.
They've been busy since they started in 2014. They've signed to Trouble in Mind, released three albums, opened for Parquet Courts during a string of UK shows, and then played more shows with Parquet Courts as well as White Fence and Twerps.
Now they've been touring through the US along with EZTV from New York, whose members more or less met while trying out for J. Spaceman's US touring line-up in the band Spiritualized. Ultimate Painting's debut fully embraced the Velvet Underground by showcasing noodly, bluesy guitar lines. Their early songs like "Ultimate Painting" and "Rolling in the Deep End" sounded mellow and breezy — these songs could almost pass as b-sides to the Velvet Underground's self-titled record.
But they brought darker tones to Dusk, which they released last September. Their songwriting grew by layering keyboards, acoustic guitars, and choirboy-like harmonies on songs like "A Portrait of Jason" and "Monday Morning, Somewhere Central." And they bring a more driving rhythm on songs like "Bills."
We often go to concerts for the headliners but each band on this bill fit together while offering a different energy. Local band Deeper opens before EZTV and Ultimate Painting, who embrace more of the psychedelica of the '80s like the Stone Roses or Echo and the Bunnymen instead of the '60s progenitors.
Ultimate Painting performs tonight. The Hideout will open its doors at 9pm and the show will begin at 9:30pm. The cover costs $10, which can be purchased here.