MERCURY GIRLS

“We put out a tape of live songs first, to sell at shows,” says Mercury Girls’ singer Sarah Schimeneck of their ‘15 demo tape. “Using money from shows, we went into the studio and while recording, Mike from Slumberland contacted us and wound up pressing the 7”.” The record, “Ariana” b/side “All that Heaven Allows” was released this past May and it is a perfect platter of jangle-pop informed rock with enough external influences to make it a solid dance-inducer. Schimeneck’s voice has the requisite levels of emotional detachment that guide the music through an ethereal landscape.

This Philly quintet is rounded out by Kevin Attics, Chris Schackerman, Kevin O’Halloran, and Andrew Hagiwara. Their past includes work with bands like Pet Milk and Little Big League and presently, members also stint in Literature and Horse Girls. Darlings of the City of Brotherly Love’s indie scene, they are ambassadors of their community. “Philly is really, really thriving right now,” explains Attics. “There’s an embarrassment of good bands, not to mention the proliferation of house shows and proper venues.”

On the road for two months supporting Balance and Composure and Foxing, Attics adds with a bit of cheeky disbelief, “when we were contacted, some of us were wondering if they had written the right people? We’ve been a band for about a year and a half and, while we’ve played consistently and toured, this was a different level. We’re really excited and everyone’s rushing to get their equipment repaired beforehand!” But it should come as no surprise that rewards come to bands who work hard. Often described as fitting perfectly into the New Music Express’ polarizing C86 compilation, Mercury Girls is a young band that is promising more dimensionalities than the comparison.

Mercury Girls

The best example of it is in the maturity the band exhibits on tape and live. “In the studio, you can obviously do things that are impossible onstage but, for us, we try to get the essence of the live thing down before we begin experimenting,” says Attics of the process. “Before we begin manipulating anything we get the soul of the track on tape.” This tour will help wrangle in the soul of their latest work—music that will be captured for a debut LP on Slumberland that Schimeneck deadpans, “we have been working pretty hard on it.” And their hard work, as it has proven, pays off.

Mercury Girls with Balance and Composure and Foxing at 8pm on Tuesday, October 18 at the Kelsey Theater. Mercurygirls.net.
~ Abel Folgar