The Key Studio Sessions: Legs Like Tree Trunks

Legs Like Tree Trunks | Photo by Liz Waldie | lizwaldie.com

Legs Like Tree Trunks is a tight, high-energy four-piece that burst onto the Philly scene earlier this year. But it’s also the project of songwriter and frontman Matt Holden, who founded the band back in 2011 when he was living in Pittsburgh. 2012’s Future Reference EP caught our ear with its math rock licks and technical finesse, but there are infectious songs in Holden’s playbook as well, something I saw in an explosive way when the new lineup of the band played this January at Golden Tea House.

It was Legs’ first gig after re-launching with Philadelphia musicians – Holden’s brother Jake on guitar, as well as Sam Merc and Tim McMonigle of The Chelsea Kills on bass and drums respectively. The second song in their set was the propulsive “Here’s To Feeling Good All the Time,” and the progressive and poppy momentum of the song won me over, as it will do to just about anybody who sees the band in concert. It’s also the second song the band played in this week’s Key Studio Session, which – with the exception of “Dick Whitman” – features all new material that will be on Legs’ first full-length record, due out sometime next year.

Some bits are reminiscent of Death Cab for Cutie (“Bedhead” which, unsurprisingly, also reminds me of Austin cult faves Bedhead), while others are reminiscent of Blur (the closing “Death of Reading” seems particularly Albarn-ian). All of it is led by the locked-in guitar interplay of the Holdens, along with Matt’s emotive baritone and the tight rhythm section keeping everything in focus and plowing ahead. Dig in and get to know Legs Like Tree Trunks by streaming this weeks’ Key Studio Session below, or downloading it here via the WXPN Soundcloud.

Want more? Yes you do. The band opens for Vita and the Woolf this Thursday night, September 17th at Johnny Brenda’s, so get to that show early. Tickets are still available, more information can be found at the XPN Concert Calendar.