Band of the Week: Commerce

Tender, twinkling melodies and sweepingly emotive lyrics - just the thing to ease you into the new year...

Posted Tuesday, 4 January 2011 in

This month's issue of Rock Sound - onsale tomorrow - is the definitive collection of the bands who will matter most this year. Some of them you know already and some, like Commerce, will come as a joyous surprise.

Playing the sort of twinkly indie that the likes of American Football and Braid did so well way back when, Commerce are hands-down one of the most beautiful bands we've heard in ages. The first time we played their last EP 'What Happens Now' the RS office - normally chaotic at the best of times - was quietly stunned as it was just staggeringly powerful; their new album, 'The Things I Say Vs The Things I Mean' is just as good. It's easy to be excited about bands who go heavy-as-fuck, because rocking out is hella awesome, but Commerce hit us for entirely different reasons. We think they're one of the best new bands in the world, and so here's Amy Bangs' feature from the new magazine as well as a couple of the band's finest tunes.

It’s easy to write and record music these days, but a mark of real quality is knowing how to put together an actual song and not simply a collection of notes.

“No song is ever finished just for the sake of having another one under our belt,” says Matthew Little, singer and multi-instrumentalist for Knoxville, Tennessee’s Commerce. “I think a listener will notice the layers of instrumentation and the dynamics we work so hard to create.”
Commerce - 'Ivory Buttons' by RockSoundMagazine
Initially a solo project, Commerce became a foursome after Little met Ethan Henley (bass), Tim Rufenacht (guitar) and Josh Shores (drums) while working at a summer camp. After pooling their influences with Little’s core inspirations (who include Bright Eyes and Death Cab For Cutie), the result is simply-crafted indie-pop interspersed with intricate instrumentals.
Commerce - 'Back Porch Of Your Mind' by RockSoundMagazine
Having approached their debut 09 mini-album ‘What Happens Now’ with “the idea of winning a girl’s heart”, current record ‘The Things I Say Vs The Things I Mean’ chronicles the events that came after; exploring themes of catharsis and anticipation, which symbolise for Little “the beginning of a new chapter, and trying to feel hope again”.
Even aside from Little’s personal involvement, Commerce’s dedication to their art means they’re impressively productive, with 40+ demos written for this album alone. They’ll be releasing some of these on an EP this year – so check them out now, or you’ll never keep up.