Ought - Beautiful Blue Sky (Live on KEXP)

KEXP.ORG presents Ought performing "Beautiful Blue Sky" live in the KEXP studio. Recorded October 15, 2015.
Host: Cheryl Waters
Audio Engineer: Kevin Suggs
Cameras: Jim Beckmann, Luke Knecht & Justin Wilmore
Editor: Jim Beckmann
kexp.org

[@shadrachtuck8193]

This song is fucking sick. That bassline and guitar part couldn't be more perfect perfect together. Reminds me of Talking Heads but with a nice comfy blanket of post punk/shoegaze glitter on top

[@9000joser]

it is fucking sick!!!!!!!!

[@runningmurphy]

Damn dude, u nailed it.

[@StrangeMachines1]

Its like a modern Syd Barrett song. Very cool

[@auri8810]

It reminds me of like a noiseish take on Radiohead

[@shaftpunk84]

It’s basically if Mark E. Smith was the frontman for Television circa Marquee Moon.

[@OpenOurHearts]

I wish this song never ended

[@SeanBailey1]

The vocalist's face looks exactly like his voice sounds.

[@bigfoot9405]

HOW DO YOU SPEAK SUCH TRUTH

[@ZooeeeZooeee]

you said it Sean

[@gionatanscali]

Honest feelings thanks Sean

[@ThePalindromeProject]

i thought he had a handsome Squidward vibe

[@machinegurlll]

Both his voice and face have a very vintage feeling. Clothes too. He was born in the wrong decade lol

[@ballysham10]

I think this is my most favourite tune of the last few years. I keep coming back to it. Every time its beatiful.

[@brandonandalexander]

So simple, but the beauty feels so new every time.

[@supersonicman6375]

I'm 8 years late to the party......but.......I'm here

[@barflentigo7060]

Go see Cola on tour. Tim's new band

[@harrisonkroessler1746]

saw them perform this at bard college a few weeks before this kexp recording and the band was freaked out by the volume of energy in the crowd -- it was like they didn't realize how good this song is

[@Maenadsattack]

4:57 He actually smiles about doing that vocal

[@rooftopsignals7313]

Love it

[@tothejazz4828]

This song feels like looking directly at the sun on a completely clear day

[@SuperKofman]

Song of the decade

[@m.g4441]

Sweet reflections of TELEVISION as well. Loverly...and Montreal boys.

[@marcosmartin3003]

yes yes!

[@the_other_dude]

Refreshing! I was parched but now I'm refreshed. Now, I'm not afraid to dance to this music. _Yes_

[@megsky1980]

Still can’t believe how fucking incredible this song is honestly

[@AWSOMEPOSSUM16]

Sounds even better than the studio version.

[@heilapaulino7602]

This song is such a masterpiece

[@josephearp7180]

'1, 2, 3, kill it,' gives me shivers every time.

[@AirBallers31]

ME TOO - IT'S SO SMOOTH

[@Thenocturnalflowers]

Songs off another planet. Incredible musicians, collectively offering something very different to the every day and mundane.

[@AmmoGlitter]

Ought's 'Sun Coming Down' is definitely the best post-punk album of the year.

[@BrianSavatia]

+Matthew Gilmore It's a tie with Viet Cong

[@SilhouetteLifter]

+Matthew Gilmore I agree. though Protomartyr's record is also good

[@andresjacome296]

+Matthew Gilmore I agree, in my opinion this guys are way more creative than Viet Cong and Protomartyr

[@eklinge8]

+Andrés Jácome all great albums! I have to give the nod to VC though. Death is nuts

[@rileyschwarcz6322]

No waaaaay Viet Cong was awesome before they decided to sound just like a ripoff of Joy Division and become Preoccupations

[@harrysullivan2460]

frontman gives me strong james acaster vibes what a beautiful blue song

[@maxshillsteinberg]

I want to hang out with people who like this song.

[@adinfinitum000]

YES!

[@javakidnyc1]

This channels the/my angst in these times where our mortality is laid bare and our social norms replaced with isolation. That "YES" is cathartic.

[@alakazamela]

This song is so addictive!

[@FAgraphicandart]

Sounds a bit like Murray Street-era Sonic Youth. Amazing!

[@ilikescreaming]

Wow, yea it really does.

[@m.g4441]

Thurston and Gang def here in spirit.

[@marcosmartin3003]

Also Television!

[@erickovach3062]

I just put this on repeat....over and over

[@Laura-uk3iq]

7:49 the last words God says to me at the end of my life.

[@JosepPages7]

Today Spotify suggested to listen to this song and now I can’t stop listening to it. Fantastic interpretation that like many of the comments I agree is even better than the studio version.

[@DD-sh1oy]

Packs more of a punch!

[@die-cry-hate]

I heard this on the radio and at very first thought "Ah, taking it back to old goth rock days..." then I thought "it's not goth rock, it's just a stupid song..." then thought "fuck, this is catchy..." then thought "Ok, I fucking love this tune and I need to hear it again and again!"

[@joelshields8807]

Did Mark E. Smith and David Byrne somehow figure out how to make a baby?

[@statelypenguin]

His Mark E. Smith is spot on.

[@plopper_guy53]

I always think about Mark when I listen to them ahah

[@sentinela8775]

I’d say there was thresome and the Stranglers vocalist was in it. Let that sink in .... 🤪🤪🤪 just kidding, but The Fall is accurate af. Spooky, go check my comment and I didn’t even read yours previously. I think we’ve been studying in the same school. ✌️

[@Gabriel-wk3hz]

Stan Ridgeway bukkake'd the whole orgy

[@Chonkachella]

You hit the nail on the head there my friend!

[@quinnmarshall8653]

I got to see Ought a couple times in Baltimore - such a great show. In my opinion, the most underrated band in the last decade. I had a really bad time finishing my PhD and their music was a lighthouse in the dead of night. I still play them when I have really late nights working - somehow their music fits that mood.

[@MythrodakTV]

One of my favorite songs :)

[@josephjoseph4938]

almost indistinguishable from the studio version

[@leefchapman]

just better mixed!

[@ravenkliff]

That's KEXP for ya tbh

[@neonglittery]

@@ravenkliff it's more like, the band played it seamlessly & KEXP recorded it beautifully

[@sweetdave540]

That says a lot about bands in general.

[@oliver5940]

Built to spill.

[@WolfataDoor]

Like any good post punk band, it comes down the uniqueness of the vocalist. Darcy is too fucking cool for words.

[@gavlocked]

This song is absolutely perfect.

[@eriesaldali2763]

So I could be wrong but when listening to this band, I can hear some amazing Talking Heads influences.👍🏼 not to mention... when people ask me how I feel I want to respond, “I feel alright, I feel alright, I feel alright, I feel alright!!!!!!!!”😬

[@migol1984]

I keep hearing Talking Heads, Talking Heads. But these guys are much darker than the Talking Heads. Give The Fall a listen.

[@cheap_frills]

@@migol1984 totally agree. Reminded me of The Fall immediately. So good.

[@mintynovember8458]

Bang up there. Still such a glorious song

[@AlexGoldberger]

I saw these guys open for The New Pornographers last night and this song totally blew me away. I've probably listened to it 10 times since getting home from the concert; they've definitely got a new fan in me!

[@lets_play_outremont]

hey I'm actually the foundeer of this band we are really touched everyone felt a connection with our expression of situationist aesthtics and marxist socialism / grad school. we are actually going to reunite again really soon!

[@machinegurlll]

if this is for real plz make more music

[@daddyofisabel]

I just heard this on WXPN (U. Penn) tonight, it's awesome! It's like Stan Ridgeway singing with Sonic Youth. I love it!

[@happygoloopyrocks]

Thank you for showing the guitar. I MUST FIND OUT HOW TO MAKE THAT NOISE IN THE VERSE

[@Semaj0808]

i literally have no idea what he's doing

[@happygoloopyrocks]

I was doing a pick scrape and getting close but can't tell how he's doing this either

[@bravo4566]

+Zac R this is going to be something that haunts me for a long time

[@happygoloopyrocks]

Thanks I'll try this. I have a Jaguar not a tele but hopefully that'll get me close. Really cool of you to write this

[@50sKingJet]

I think this is also what the Talking Heads did in live versions of Psycho Killer a lot, at least it's on the TNOTBITH album. It's also used by Pink Floyd in the early recordings of Interstellar Overdrive. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHXHlqN_ndylq5I

[@vanessaarellano1540]

Wow! This band is amazing reminds me of talking heads but with there own style, there music is much appreciated hope to see them play on day in Los Angeles CA. Amazing voice

[@ozundone7805]

Such unique, refreshing music

[@mikefleming3392]

Always reminded me of The Fall....beautiful...pithy...I think Cola is as well...

[@oldschoolste]

Just discovered this song. Majestic.

[@bagpuss1970]

The Fall

[@plopper_guy53]

For me they are The Fall if The Fall were a little more emotional.

[@tippolley8962]

The Fall circa 1982.

[@TheRhussmann]

For the longest time, I thought Ought was a project fronted by Mark E Smith (RIP), which is why I'm commenting today.

[@etheoryl]

It's the next Marquee Moon.

[@daddyofisabel]

+Ethan Jones It doesn't have quite the relentlessness or power of Marquee Moon, I definitely think they're going more Sonic Youth sonic dissonance, but it is beautiful.

[@JoeyJoeJoe1970]

+Ethan Jones It is very "Marquee Moon" but missing the shimmering solo of "Moon" and Ought has a better timekeeper than Television.

[@ChndrBng]

That's exactly what I was thinking! :)

[@kolinevans9127]

Oh man, what a trip.

[@mattpatrick6555]

Absolutely incredible

[@mintynovember8458]

Perfection.

[@KateKillet]

Ought forever

[@bartderijck172]

Man I would love to visit kexp studio Some day....

[@kexp]

We’ve moved since this session happened but we have a viewing gallery so you CAN come watch! Come on by when you’re in Seattle next!

[@JusticeDigger]

Yes! Yes!

[@rachelcameron1428]

Love this even more. Children of The Fall.

[@eloyhbermudez]

2:34 that chord change lol totally genius , unexpected :D

[@raihanshrk1955]

Its so good right

[@weviestonder100]

“Yes”

[@indiefan23]

This band is like the fall not talking heads. And they're awesome.

[@creamycanarie98]

This Nation's Saving Grace

[@klistiranikrupije1724]

With a touch of Tom Verlaine.

[@briancox9357]

So talented and a really great song. I came here after a the Fall, Beach House and Protomartyr

[@rooftopsignals7313]

This is a new obsession for me. Fantastic tune. And what a performance

[@alfredocano8824]

pure art

[@sentinela8775]

Awesome! His voice Reminds me of The Fall’s lead vocal mixed with Stranglers. Cool

[@jessedenis2799]

Great live band. One of my favorite post-punk records in history. Shame they broke up.

[@nomedigaseso]

i'd say it has more krautrock vibes than post punk

[@hamishdinger4141]

YEAHSS YEAHSS YEAHSS

[@darealjansolo]

Only after eight years or so i just realized that this track bears so many similarities to Television's Marquee Moon, it's like its slightly sobered up little cousin

[@bartderijck172]

WoW.... great band

[@p.l.3701]

These guys apparently broke up. But Tim Darcy lives on with his solo stuff and his new band, "Cola". They're really good too.

[@davidvalliere4907]

Listening to this song is my meditation

[@hayorge27]

Goosebumps...fkn can't remember the last time I heard something that touched the funk like these badasses

[@lordklek4769]

new development

[@guilhermepalacios187]

Beautiful weather today

[@coconutdrums]

I feel alright

[@owendavies4086]

Yes!

[@MichaelSchwagerPlace]

Brilliant. That's all that I have.

[@ilovemiele]

totally cool, bought this song.

[@MicsG]

YES

[@lewisnorth1472]

Fants seein u here fants seein u here fants seein u here

[@pedroacampos]

WOW. Fabulous!

[@thatbumblebee]

Awesome sounds, a beautiful noise.. Made my day discovering this..

[@Nea1cb]

Love this song. Feel like he’s mocking small talk in his repetitive words at times. Almost like a lot of the songs meaning is mock and sarcasm. Fucking awesome, wish I knew how they got inspiration

[@kwiss]

i thought just the opposite. that he's sort of reducing life to its most common moments and to respect them. like there is more to life than just the heart pounding apex; most of life is just us asking eachother how we are. they may be cliche phrases, but theyre "all that we have". theres all this terrible shit going on "war plane" "new development" oil freight" etc. that we (individually) have little control over, but we can seek some kind of solace in our momentary interactions with others. to me it sounds like its about trying to hold on to friendships and hope in a fucking insane world

[@migol1984]

@@kwiss what kwiss said. Thank you. Sometimes it's hard for us to accept that some punk anti social kids actually have something meaningful to say about life.

[@TheBloomingBoom]

Thought the same

[@williamhermans2024]

@@kwiss What a beautiful way to put this...and maybe Neal Campbell is a little bit right too.

[@thachillest1]

@@kwiss doubt it. The repetition gives it away. There is more to life than the cyclical banter that shows people are not willing to connect on a deeper level. This song actually reminds me of Radiohead's FITTER HAPPIER.

[@turmulus9658]

wall of voodoo. I'm in love

[@glenernst]

Reminds me a lot of Mark E. Smith and The Fall.

[@AudiophileTubes]

This is SICK GREAT!!!

[@lrblum]

Just wrecks me every time. Unreal

[@bluffchill2949]

Lots of people mentioning the Byrne/Mark E. Smith comparison but also it's a LOT Stan Ridgway/Wall of Voodoo. Fantastic sound

[@pullupyourplants]

Does anyone else listen to this as a narrative of the American Dream (personified) facing its own death with Uncle "Sam" at his bedside? I think this may be one of the greatest songs I've ever heard if I am right.

[@jolaguem]

This song has always had the same vibe as Once in a Lifetime by the Talking Heads to me

[@thaliasosa5697]

Me encanta esta canción 😍

[@migol1984]

A mi también.

[@skiaspensnowmass]

This....song....that's all that we have...

[@EVERTONFC.]

Boss.

[@demoraleschejongverreckt9812]

Oh my!

[@nic343]

this is fng brilliant on so many levels and i am p.od on just finding them post their separation

[@rihardsbrigis]

F-in killer!

[@marcelaalfaro317]

Wow

[@johnsjukebox8638]

Nice.

[@hectordorantes9988]

no one: him: yes

[@Philiqification]

I get the feeling that the "Beautiful blue sky" part is sarcasm, the inflection in his voice makes it come off that way at least.

[@DarrellLEE-uw3fz]

Real life 😆🎉🛏⚰ .Brilliant

[@scribblertheband]

Rippin

[@MeatSnax]

This is one of those bands where I just have no idea how they write a song like this. Like what gave you the idea to say "YES" like that or do that weird little guitar trick in the chorus?

[@MAGNETOPLASTICO]

Eh si proprio bravi .

[@benjalex89]

This is the best performance of my favourite song does that make this my favourite video?

[@watthecheese]

is it just me guyz or duz this soudn like this one band mixed with this other band am i rite

[@levelanchorage]

Television meets theFall derivative but well accomplished

[@brandon1047]

Sorry is this English?

[@watthecheese]

@@brandon1047 You OUGHT to know ba dum chhhhhh!

[@achebwahs1111]

Joy Division meets Talking Heads?

[@brendanb2982]

Jonas Brothers meets Garbage!

[@borealranger9763]

Here because of Nick Rochefort at MDE. MDE NEVER DIES!