Comments on: Waiting on you

Waiting on you

Potomac Avenue — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 12:03:06 -0800

Last night, the synthpop band Future Islands (previously on MF) previewed their new LP performing "Seasons (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.

By: Potomac Avenue

Potomac Avenue — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 12:06:53 -0800

Probably should have linked to their website somewhere in there too.

By: josher71

josher71 — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 12:08:06 -0800

I'm contractually obligated to mention that they are from Baltimore.

By: gwint

gwint — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 12:14:40 -0800

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

By: Atom Eyes

Atom Eyes — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 12:16:57 -0800

I think it's more Brando as channeled through John Belushi, but I see where you're coming from.

By: mondo dentro

mondo dentro — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 12:24:19 -0800

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.

By: jason_steakums

jason_steakums — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 12:31:24 -0800

In the right light he looks exactly like a young Sean Connery for a split second.

By: josher71

josher71 — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 12:32:24 -0800

This is Future Islands' hit.

By: Ian A.T.

Ian A.T. — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 12:34:07 -0800

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

By: Potomac Avenue

Potomac Avenue — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 12:36:41 -0800

I've always thought of him as Morrissey in Jack Black's body.

By: Max Udargo

Max Udargo — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 12:37:07 -0800

"Any word on whether that's the drummer's own kit or a rental ?" Dave was so excited he forgot to ask.

By: jason_steakums

jason_steakums — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 12:40:44 -0800

He sounds, in the best way possible, like Tom Waits and Tom Jones got up to some Brundlefly shenanigans.

By: Quasimike

Quasimike — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 12:43:33 -0800

Epic. IMHO, Herring looks like the bastard child of Bill Murray and Kevin Spacey. Both epic in their own way.

By: valrus

valrus — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 12:46:12 -0800

I slept on their most recent album, but their second, In Evening Air, is really great.

By: Joey Michaels

Joey Michaels — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 13:05:56 -0800

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.

By: ZaneJ.

ZaneJ. — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 13:23:41 -0800

The performance looks nice, but I can't understand a fucking word he's saying.

By: vibrotronica

vibrotronica — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 13:34:48 -0800

That was good, but the best frontman in the world right now is NoBunny.

By: scose

scose — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 14:02:34 -0800

I used to go crazy dancing at their previous incarnation Art Lord & the Self-Portraits shows in NC during high school! Recordings.

By: Divine_Wino

Divine_Wino — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 14:18:45 -0800

So that was great...

By: superelastic

superelastic — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 15:40:35 -0800

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

By: juiceCake

juiceCake — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 18:35:41 -0800

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.

By: dry white toast

dry white toast — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 20:09:14 -0800

So we currently FPP's featuring both Fallon and Lettermen from last night.

By: dry white toast

dry white toast — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 20:15:52 -0800

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.

By: Billiken

Billiken — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 21:25:32 -0800

Actually, I think he's Living Legend Larry Zybysko's unacknowledged love child.

By: naju

naju — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 23:40:24 -0800

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.

By: humboldt32

humboldt32 — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 03:26:05 -0800

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.

By: Drexen

Drexen — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 03:28:56 -0800

Is this guy even not anybody??

By: judson

judson — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 10:07:25 -0800

a jim carry lip sync...

By: Potomac Avenue

Potomac Avenue — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 12:18:09 -0800

Thanks comments.

By: Ian A.T.

Ian A.T. — Fri, 07 Mar 2014 07:58:39 -0800

From last October, Letterman reacting to Cage The Elephant's performance.

By: codacorolla

codacorolla — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 06:37:13 -0800

NPR is streaming the whole thing here, if you're interested in that.

By: miaou

miaou — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 10:41:54 -0800

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

By: carsonb

carsonb — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 21:46:55 -0800

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.