The Key Studio Sessions: Catnaps (the band formerly known as When I Was 12)

Generally speaking, people resist change. So when the Philly indie-pop quartet formerly known as When I Was 12 announced earlier this month that it would now go by the name Catnaps, the reaction was predictable. Fans, followers, and friends were incredulous. Some cracked jokes, some griped. But as singer/guitarist Adrianne Gold explained when Catnaps recorded its Key Session last week, exactly one person too many had confused their old name with that of a tween band (as opposed to a twee band). “What, are you going on tour with Justin Bieber?” Something had to give. Despite the new nomenclature, I’m happy to report that everything else that had the four-piece buzzing this past year—the twinkling glockenspiel and biting wit (“Vanilla Vodka”), the K Records gang vocals and breezy acoustic strumming (“Pragmatic Is Not A Practical Word”)—remains intact, bright and fun as ever. Next month Catnaps embarks on its first national tour; listen to them talk about their plans (and their name-change rationale) when their session airs tomorrow, June 23, on the XPN2 Local Show (10 p.m. to midnight). Or ask them in person, when Catnaps performs at their tour-kickoff show on July 1 at Bookspace in Fishtown.