These days, the mediums through which artists can present themselves abound: We’re in the midst of a momentous vinyl revival, and not far behind are the clicks of cassettes changing sides as their nostalgia seems to be having an ever-increasing influence on smaller music acts. On the other end of the spectrum is the Internet, where we can click, listen, watch, dig and tweet until our eyes are bloodshot.
Chicago, Illinois-based Colin Caulfield, a.k.a. Young Man, takes full advantage of the latter. Granted, most bands would be foolish not to use the Internet to spread their goods, but for Caulfield, it seems to be his birthing place.
The first time I heard Young Man was actually the first time I found SoundCloud, where his debut EP, Boy, was streaming in its entirety. For first time listeners of Caulfield’s music, I suggest starting from the same place. Boy is a concept work—about being five years old, playing in the backyard and the unfairness of life. Despite the latter item on that litany, the EP is a pleasant ride packed with excellent vocal harmonies and satisfying guitar work.
The reason you should begin with Boy and not, say, his extensive arsenal of YouTube covers (below), is because the EP is the first real output Young Man can claim as his own. One of my initial reactions to it was a subconscious revisit to a Sung Tongs state of mind. Lo and behold, the kid appreciates “Winters Love” as much as I do! I don’t like Caulfield’s music because he covers cool songs; rather, because the musical gene pool he selects from seems to be creating a solid offspring. Caulfield opens the blinds at the right angles where whatever influences you choose to pick out of his sound shine through to create a warm room that is his own.
Colin Caulfield covers Animal Collective’s Winters Love:
A more recent and unique cover of Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti/Rockin’ Ramrod’s “Bright Lit Blue Skies”:
Earlier this month, Young Man was picked up by Frenchkiss Records. Boy gets an official U.S. release on August 31 (digital) and October 12 (physical). The EP is already out in Europe on Kitchen Music.
Bonus mp3: “Fate,” Caulfield’s latest non-Boy track.
Young Man tour dates:
08/04 Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom
08/09 Iowa City, IA – Gabes Oasis
08/21 Nashville, TN – THe Basement
08/22 St. Louis, MO – Off Broadway
08/25 Minneapolis, MN – 400 Bar
08/26 Chicago, IL – Schubas
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