Listen to a new song from Norwegian Arms (playing Kungfu Necktie tonight)

Dwindling are the days that we get to call Philly junkyard folk act Norwegian Arms “minimal.” The duo of Keith Birthday (Brendan Mulvihill) and Dr. Awkward (Eric Slick) continue to perform in their trademark mandolin-vocals- percussion approach, but without the washtub. In the new single the band released today, we also hear substantial growth in arrangements and sonic textures that’s another place altogether from Mulvihill’s previous bedroom-tape EPs. “Tired of Being Cold” was recorded by Michael Chadwick (late of The Armchairs) at Dr. Dog’s North Philly studio, Meth Beach, and will be featured on the full-length Norwegian Arms plans to release later this year. On the surface, it handily recalls the vaulted ceiling tones of The Walkmen and the off-kilter meditations of Devandra Banhart, but it seems more likely from Mulvihill’s lyrics the winter wind of Siberia was his sonic inspiration. Give a listen below, read our 2011 interview with Mulvihill and Slick here, and catch Norwegian Arms tonight when it plays a showcase at Kungfu Necktie.