Waiting on you
March 4, 2014 12:03 PM   Subscribe

Last night, the synthpop band Future Islands (previously on MF) previewed their new LP performingSeasons (Waiting On You)” on Late Show with David Letterman. Singer Samuel T. Herring’s performance is always something to behold, but his gravely shouts and epic dance moves had a particular effect on Letterman, who seemed even more jazzed than usual.
posted by Potomac Avenue (32 comments total) 17 users marked this as a favorite
 


I'm contractually obligated to mention that they are from Baltimore.
posted by josher71 at 12:08 PM on March 4, 2014 [4 favorites]


Am I crazy or does that dude look a heck of a lot like a young Marlon Brando?
posted by gwint at 12:14 PM on March 4, 2014 [2 favorites]


I think it's more Brando as channeled through John Belushi, but I see where you're coming from.
posted by Atom Eyes at 12:16 PM on March 4, 2014 [1 favorite]


Cool. New to me. The dude Herring is quirky, what with the crouching dance style and occasional metal-like grunting vocal interjections. Heading to Spotify right now...

Am I crazy or does that dude look a heck of a lot like a young Marlon Brando?

I'd say Herring's a mid-point morph between Brando and Burt Reynolds. And, yes, I'm crazy.
posted by mondo dentro at 12:24 PM on March 4, 2014


In the right light he looks exactly like a young Sean Connery for a split second.
posted by jason_steakums at 12:31 PM on March 4, 2014


This is Future Islands' hit.
posted by josher71 at 12:32 PM on March 4, 2014


Any word on whether that's the drummer's own kit or a rental?
posted by Ian A.T. at 12:34 PM on March 4, 2014 [4 favorites]


I've always thought of him as Morrissey in Jack Black's body.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 12:36 PM on March 4, 2014 [3 favorites]


"Any word on whether that's the drummer's own kit or a rental ?"

Dave was so excited he forgot to ask.
posted by Max Udargo at 12:37 PM on March 4, 2014


He sounds, in the best way possible, like Tom Waits and Tom Jones got up to some Brundlefly shenanigans.
posted by jason_steakums at 12:40 PM on March 4, 2014


Epic.

IMHO, Herring looks like the bastard child of Bill Murray and Kevin Spacey.

Both epic in their own way.
posted by Quasimike at 12:43 PM on March 4, 2014


I slept on their most recent album, but their second, In Evening Air, is really great.
posted by valrus at 12:46 PM on March 4, 2014


Letterman really loves a great musical performance the same way Carson used to live great stand-ups. He's been a champion of a number of artists (including but not limited to Warren Zevon). Letterman doesn't often do "genuine," but when he likes a song he can't stop himself.
posted by Joey Michaels at 1:05 PM on March 4, 2014


The performance looks nice, but I can't understand a fucking word he's saying.
posted by ZaneJ. at 1:23 PM on March 4, 2014


That was good, but the best frontman in the world right now is NoBunny.
posted by vibrotronica at 1:34 PM on March 4, 2014 [3 favorites]


I used to go crazy dancing at their previous incarnation Art Lord & the Self-Portraits shows in NC during high school! Recordings.
posted by scose at 2:02 PM on March 4, 2014 [1 favorite]


So that was great...
posted by Divine_Wino at 2:18 PM on March 4, 2014


Need...an...antidote...to this twitchy baby Brando.....ahhhhhh...thank you.

Better now.
posted by superelastic at 3:40 PM on March 4, 2014


Am I crazy or does that dude look a heck of a lot like a young Marlon Brando?

I'm going with a cross of Frank Black, Morrissey, and Vincent D'Onofrio.
posted by juiceCake at 6:35 PM on March 4, 2014


So we currently FPP's featuring both Fallon and Lettermen from last night.
posted by dry white toast at 8:09 PM on March 4, 2014


Since we're covered on doppelgängers for the lead singer, I'm going to go ahead and point out the bass player looks exactly like Dave Foley with an extra 40 lbs and a moustache.
posted by dry white toast at 8:15 PM on March 4, 2014


Actually, I think he's Living Legend Larry Zybysko's unacknowledged love child.
posted by Billiken at 9:25 PM on March 4, 2014


I had "Balance" on a few playlists when it came out, but I don't know about this. I find the vamping contrived and obnoxious, and I have to agree with Chris Ott that it sounds one step away from Kings of Leon. But more power to 'em, I guess, cool that they're starting to get big.
posted by naju at 11:40 PM on March 4, 2014


Am I crazy or does that dude look a heck of a lot like a young Marlon Brando?

Well he certainly has that Roland Gift thang down pat.
posted by humboldt32 at 3:26 AM on March 5, 2014


Is this guy even not anybody??
posted by Drexen at 3:28 AM on March 5, 2014 [3 favorites]


a jim carry lip sync...
posted by judson at 10:07 AM on March 5, 2014


Thanks comments.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 12:18 PM on March 5, 2014 [1 favorite]


From last October, Letterman reacting to Cage The Elephant's performance.
posted by Ian A.T. at 7:58 AM on March 7, 2014 [1 favorite]




Potomac Avenue, thank you so much for this post. I am now in love with this band and I would never have known about them if not for you and MeFi. I have watched that Letterman performance at least 25 times, it's astounding. Here's an interesting piece of news I found in my obsessive search for more info about them: Sam Herring's Film Debut
posted by miaou at 10:41 AM on March 19, 2014


I picked up In Evening Air in a used CD store based on the cover, as I am wont to do at least once on any such venture, and was blown away. This performance is electric, and I'm happy Future Islands are getting some exposure for this album.
posted by carsonb at 9:46 PM on April 3, 2014


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