#AOTW- Nelson Can

You guys ever get sucked into a Youtube Wormhole? If you’re unaware, a Youtube Wormhole is when you set out to watch just one video but then end up watching thousands. It happens when a clip ends and then Youtube gives you about two-dozen other videos that are in some way related to the one you just watched. You find yourself clicking them. Next thing ya know you can’t stop clicking. What began as a two-minute break to watch a guy fall down some stairs, turns into 4 hours of watching Dads get kicked in the dick. That my friends, is a Youtube Wormhole. In college while studying for finals, my roommate and I would find ourselves working hard, only to be side tracked by a barrage of kid fights and car crash videos. You may think that watching little kids punch each other is barbaric, but it’s also supremely entertaining. You should try it. Kids are idiots and they can’t fight. Youtube Wormholes aren’t just for violence and comedy. When used properly they can propel you towards bands and music you would have never encountered if not for whatever magic brings those links up.

I recently went on one of these music voyages while looking for an artist to write about this week. Going from music video to music video, trying to find something that was even remotely inspiring. Finally I landed on what can only be described as one of the worst DIY music videos I’ve ever seen. Visually I was bummed. But the music was rad. Hands down the most fun chick band dance rock I’d heard in a while. I continued down the tube and found more of their tunes and much more visually stimulating vids. I was in the Wormhole. It got me, and it got me good. This week’s ARTIST OF THE WEEK: Nelson Can. Here’s the first track I heard of theirs Apple Pie. The jam is great.

Nelson Can is a band made up of some badass Danish broads that formed together back in 2011. They are Selina Gin on lead vocals, Maria Juntunen on drums and back up vocals, and finally Signe Signesigne on bass and vocals. The first thing I noticed about this crew is they don’t have anyone playing guitar. My buddy Mike Clair always says, “If there ain’t any guitars, then I don’t want to hear it.” That dude is missing out. One of my other favorite groups of all time, Death From Above 1979, also features the stripped down bass/ drums set up. These two bands prove, that’s really all ya need. The power of the sound they create from relatively nothing is incredible. The bass throbs; the drums pulse, and the vocals from all three of these ladies are impressive as all get out. They had their first releases come out in 2011 but they were unavailable in the US. They released 3 total EPs (Nelson Can, The Freudian Slip, and Echo Me). AMERICAN iTunes was kind enough to make a compilation of these EPs for all of us to enjoy. One of my favorite tracks comes off their self-titled, it’s called Do You Really Wanna Get Rid of Me.

Their songs surge forward at a breakneck speed that then slam into really damned catchy hooks. This compellation is a great mix of their stuff and really shows their skill as musicians. While their early tunes are great it’s the new ones that have me most excited. Their newest singles Attack and Call Me When You Wanna Get Laid are phenomenal. Attack has a distinct Dead Weather vibe which makes a lot of sense. These girls can fucking wail.

Call Me When You Wanna Get Laid’s riffs have a sound a lot like another femme fronted band, The Heartless Bastards, but where the bastards tend to take a more eased back approach, Nelson comes at the listener with an edge.

Get down with this lady crew early. They’re already playing the Euro festivals. It’s only a matter of time before the US tours start. All you guys who got hated on for jumping on the Haim ship late, don’t let it happen again. Rock out to these dance rock tracks early and often. You won’t regret it for a single second.