The Finches (myspace) are a local band that I’ve liked since I saw them open for Jose Gonzalez about a year ago. I picked up their EP Six Songs at their time and have enjoyed it.

They recently released their first album Human like a House. I picked it up at Streetlight a couple weeks back. I’ve enjoyed it.

Have you seen The Jerk? There’s a scene where Steve Martin is singing Tonight You Belong to Me to Bernadette Peters (and she eventually pulls out a cornet out of nowhere and plays along) on the beach. It’s light and pretty and sort of old sounding. The Finches are sort of like that. They are mostly just Carolyn Pennypacker Riggs and Aaron Morgan, both on guitars and vocals (Carolyn on the lead). They often employ country-like upbeat rhythms (note-chord-note-chord etc). Carolyn has a really pretty voice.

Because of her voice and the airiness of their music, I’ve taken to calling her an indie songbird. (Yeah, I like coining phrases.) I also apply this term to Nedelle (who I may post about soon).

the Finches - the House under the Hill (mp3)

the Finches - Last Favor (mp3)

Bonus song from their EP Six Songs:
The Finches - Daniel’s Song (mp3)

I’ll be sure to catch this date:

4/28/07 San Francisco, CA. Hemlock Tavern

Their only other day currently, it looks like, is one in Big Sur.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 3rd, 2007 at 4:02 pm Posted by adrian in SF bay area, local and I'm listening, mp3s. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.