Review: Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s

Eclectric Ink | Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s is the best band you probably have not yet heard. I had the pleasure of seeing my third Margot performance at the Troubadour on 11/25/06. Before I describe the show, there are a few housekeeping matters to get out of the way. This is solely for introductory purposes because I promised Richard (lead vocals/primary songwriter/guitar) that I would not dwell on the same facts as every other article. Out of the eight members in the band, no one is named Margot. Rather, the use of Margot came from Gwyneth Paltrow’s character in The Royal Tenenbaums. The entire band lives together in a house in Indiana. Emily (keyboards) and Richard went to prom together. Emily is also not related to Tyler (bass), with whom she shares a last name, but Andy and Chris are brothers.
Upon entering the Troubadour just prior to Margot’s set, bodies in the club were scarce. After a brief stint in the VIP lounge, I returned to the main room to find it packed with a cult following of indie youths. Once Margot took the stage, the audience members feverishly took photos and cheered between songs. However, they did not sing or dance because that would be terribly uncool. We are in L.A., after all.
With so many members, it would be hard for Margot not to have a “big” sound, but what is interesting is that the band’s sound goes from “big” to “humongous” when playing more popular songs like “Quiet as a Mouse.” While there is a lot to look at with eight people on stage, the person to watch is Casey Tennis (percussion) whose gesticulations during every song borders on interpretive dance.
After a set made up of mostly album tracks and a few new songs, I met up with Richard, Emily and Andy. Richard told me about Indiana, life on the road and the fact that most journalists continuously print the same stories about the band. Andy and I chatted about the band’s huge Thanksgiving dinner, venues in LA and numerous other things.

It is hard to actually talk about Margot’s music because the only way to really describe it is to say it is indescribable. However, I will tell you why I like them and their blend of rock, indie, pop and folk. Richard’s lyrics are clear enough to get an idea of the events that inspired the song, but vague enough to leave them open to analysis and interpretation. His voice is clear, easy to relate to and often complimented by Emily’s angelic harmonies. The music is lush; layering pop instruments with orchestration and rich ambient noise. While Margot does not need it, the band is also not shy to use production techniques in the studio to really fill out the sound. Basically, Margot just makes great music.
The band has recently split with its label, V2/Artemis, because the label is now focusing on catalog releases. Despite the current lack of a label, Margot has a new deal in the works and are working on a new album entitled “Animal.” I am confident they will not be disappearing anytime soon. It is refreshing to finally hear a current band with its own unique sound, comprised of true musicians and artists. To find out more about Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s (and purchase the album, The Dust of Retreat), visit www.margotandthenuclearsoandsos.com.

The visuals:

All Photos Copyright 2006 Erin Jacobson. All Rights Reserved. May not be reproduced without permission.

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