The Middle East - The Darkest Side (Live on KEXP)

[@NickyNickyWaaWaa]

this song always comes back to me. I was 15 when I first heard it, I'm now 27, and I hadn't really thought about it for a few years, but it still grabs me so hard in such an understated way.

[@MrEmreWawa]

happy 30th!

[@logantait11387]

how this band did not explode into hipster fame and instead quit after releasing something as amazing as "the recordings of..." is beyond me. insanely good musicians and performers.

[@sithabisonxumalo7645]

Honestly, I am sad as sh*t that they called it quits but I applaud them for doing that instead of continuing just for the sake of money and fame. Salute to them for staying true to themselves.

[@nicocrinkleburg]

Someone (I can’t remember) said “it’s impossible to keep this many amazing musicians in one band for a period of time” and I could not have said it better myself… an amazing performance and I will keep coming back for years to come!

[@gwenseal332]

Decent songwriting and interesting harmonics, but they are very underwhelming on stage.

[@BPFACTS88]

​@@gwenseal332they're great on stage.

[@jeremyreeves8940]

@@gwenseal332well it ain’t exactly head banging or twerking

[@flusteraded]

This band was such a tease. It hurts that they stopped so soon because the little songs had such a huge impact on me life

[@gerriepster]

"Love with your sold Gibson 335, And her father's dream died that night, Just to keep the electricity on." Playing this song at the Gibson Showroom - chills.

[@nicocrinkleburg]

❤ “When I die, I’m alive.. when I lose, I find, my identity..” ❤

[@MCandBjuice]

this must actually be my favourite song of all time.

[@nicocrinkleburg]

“When I die, I’m alive.. when I lose, I find, my identity..”

[@MarioMugio]

This song is pure love.It reminds me of a person I loved and for which I cried on my bedroom floor while listening to her incredible fragile voice!

[@carrionbludd]

Am so glad that someone from my home town wrote something so beautiful and shared it with all :D so proud of these guys

[@cvz1230]

I get a very Baltic genre feel to this song. Kind of like a "Beirut-y" vibe. Really great musicians here, sad to hear about the break up. Good shit.

[@charleswong8944]

Love was the air in your mother’s lungs, When her father tore her fences down, Plastic bags and panadol was out. Love with your sold Gibson 335, And her father’s dream died that night, Just to keep the electricity on. And it’s the darkest side of my heart that dies when you come to me, And it’s the golden ticket I win when you kill my enemies, I hear the father’s cry and the softest sigh when I’m empty, But if you leave me I’ll hide in a game like SimCity. Oh when I die I’m alive, And when I lose I find, My identity. Son if I died on my bedroom floor, Would you cry on your bedroom floor? And tattoo my name underneath your arm. Love that was alive in the olden days, And put to death in this golden age, By a colour TV. And it’s the darkest side of my heart that dies when you come to me, And it’s the golden ticket I win when you kill my enemies, I hear the father’s cry and the softest sigh when I’m empty, But if you leave me I’ll get me gone and drowned face down muddy in the water. Oh when I die, When I die, Die I’m alive, When I lose I find, My identity. Love was those dark clouds on the Friday, It was a holy shaking earthquake, And you were stuck up in the tree. And it’s the darkest side of my heart that dies when you come to me, And it’s the golden ticket I win when you kill my enemies, I hear the father’s cry and the softest sigh when I’m empty, But if you leave me I’ll hello goodbye I’m shining knight look I’m deadman. Oh when I die, When I die, When I die, When I die I’m alive, When I lose I find, My identity.

[@abbieschmidt5790]

So glad i discovered this song

[@katiehall4388]

Who is behind the poetic songs and tunes. You crave them like a lover, that when music is good.

[@kallegulla]

I love the flute-trumpet-accordion part!

[@Camden1313]

What an amazing voice..or voices I should say. You can really tell the talent of a band by their live performances, and The Middle East, are clearly talented:-)

[@Tahiszcz]

This song is my love!

[@pboydc7300]

This is music that touches my heart ❤

[@bojanbozovic9200]

we need more music like this

[@HeyTinaaaa]

Beautiful.

[@ChildOfAnunnaki]

This music makes my soul calm !

[@sassinebernadette]

amazing is just an understatement...

[@jordanownjoa]

I love The Middle East's songs and this is just even more incredible. They play with so much energy. Very good performance.

[@smokeweedndoshit]

among the most beautiful music i have heard

[@fatmarioonm]

i think bree tranter (the woman) may have the most beautiful singing voice ever

[@vrkitschn]

so tranquil. amazing.

[@samiam2693]

So delicate...so amazing.

[@nurtsurt]

Brillant live performance.

[@1957712]

Beautiful !

[@calyssachewbacca480]

The world needs to know about this band.

[@ColonelBuckshot]

When i die i'm alive and when i lose i find, my very best friend.

[@izaquemarques4199]

perfeição! 💜

[@7ponta271]

Ainda ouvindo em 2021?

[@michaelwilson2340]

How can it be they never made it big time? This song alone should have been the golden ticket.

[@justarandomlad3756]

They split up before they achieved that hipster-y fame

[@nick85ification]

They deliberatley stopped the band before getting famous.

[@michaelwilson2340]

@@nick85ification Sad they did. I could have seen them opening for bigger acts like U2 or Arcade Fire. Well, Arcade Fire before that Win Butler garbage occurred.

[@mohammadjihad569]

unbelievable

[@lasmontanassonmivida9144]

Such a beautiful and well played intro

[@helenaraujo767]

sensacional 💕💕

[@shhhazzle]

Beautiful

[@RealTalkGames1]

I miss this :'(

[@jeremyreeves8940]

This made me think I used to find myself psycho analyzing on substances like lsd, amphetamines, opioids. That’s a deep well. It’s amazing, fell through the depths of those wells of abyss and returned. Returned back to the truths of the father. His son and the Holy Ghost. Praise god thank you Jesus.

[@kook08]

these guys are gods among men!

[@tafka92]

I love the tape over the fender mark because they are at a Gibson event.

[@amelamusic]

beautiful

[@chloepayet2930]

C'est magnifique.

[@spoocyguy]

Does anyone know if the lead singer is in any other bands right now? Love his voice.

[@joshdenman1114]

He's doing a solo project now under "Stolen Violin". check out his digital album on bandcamp.com, it's decent

[@paulcarpenter4387]

paper kites

[@alexb618]

modern masterpiece

[@sillysolly123]

Greatness.

[@andrewk8199]

really like

[@indiegyal87]

These guys are good...Thanx mumford for the intro;)

[@superfingers101]

I only just found out not long ago that the girl went to my skool :) probs the best thing that has come out of my school in Townsville :)

[@Dreallday88]

They remind me of Arcade Fire. I'm not saying their copying AF's style. But they're both mult-instrument indie folk rock bands. They guys are so talented. This live version sounds better than the album. Love it!

[@JonatasMetanoia]

Quanta beleza!! J.

[@Wechsewinke]

@Wechsewinke ok i found it on the gibson website. its a gibson jam master series standard f-style mandolin

[@ChildOfAnunnaki]

Hi, does anyone know why these guys have broken up? I came across this beautiful music on "Rage" (ABC TV) in Australia and then read they are splitting... Australia needs to keep Artists like these guys!

[@Leehnard]

amayzinggg :)

[@get1on2it3]

this song is exempt from criticism.

[@quesomquefaz]

actually he says: "love was a sold gibson 335 and her father's dream died that night..."

[@TallGardenGnome]

As the description states, it's Austin.

[@eklypps1134]

💘

[@GoodBandsYouDontKnow]

172 Thumbs Up; 0 Thumbs Down. That's nice.

[@NeonFoxLetsPlays]

@deusvia you don't really get it do you? you can't just have appreciation for music like this. not all music is supposed to be blasted into your eardrums and shouting into the microphone. the song doesn't rely on that, it's more of subtle nuance and a very calm feel. you don't love music if you can't appreciate it.

[@deusvia]

@pyurmassacur Haha, cheers dude. I did add it to my favorites & not all the music I listen to is blasted into my eardrums. I have purchased their music since also. My comment was flippant and made upon first listen. Thank you PYURMASSACUR for your support and understanding. The one thing that annoys me about my fellow music lovers is that some of those people are pretentious art/farty, know it all prudes. (e.g. Anyone who liked SatoriThe Lush's comment)

[@pinkfire29]

@ihearsunshine I wish I was kidding you. They announced it at Splendour this year :(

[@superfingers101]

Goes to show that Townsville can produce some talent :) Woot go the ville :)

[@tinathompson4999]

Aw it's so good but so sad

[@ruudolphthered]

@jamesbeauman . Yes it is a mandolin.

[@Tahiszcz]

That ginger haired man with beard is soo handsome!

[@SimianSasquatch]

Gasp...this is Seattle D: wish I could've been there

[@danielvutran]

✈

[@bayswaterband]

that female singer/fluist has the most attractive everything ever.

[@mrswicknick]

I wanted to marry the girl the second I heard her voice on CD.... but dear god now? Shes beautiful! If your reading this... marry me! Favorite song on the planet by the way.

[@danielsena2405]

What are these guys doing now? I need to know

[@NickyNickyWaaWaa]

top that kesha

[@JessicaFox93]

@tkbat123 Wrong. Townsville is to the North. Quite a bit actually. Is that the actual reason behind their name though?

[@theselector4733]

I've only heard 4 of their songs. Are all their songs so slow and serious? I thought coming from Townsville they may have sunnier dispositions.

[@jamesbeauman]

@Wechsewinke i thinks its a mandolin

[@kjen13]

its very sad they broke up

[@NazirahAshari]

@pinkfire29 WHAT?! BREAK UP?! You must be kidding me?

[@jterry92]

MRygreb Your a mind reader.

[@Wechsewinke]

anyone know how this instrument the guy on the left plays is called?

[@Captainfluffcake666]

@theselector Well let's put it this way. These guys are one of the only bands to come out of Townsville and they are the vast minority. Maybe to get out of Townsville, Deathcore is not the way... Just a thought haha

[@danielvutran]

rip

[@cm410856]

i know the guy on the accordion.

[@rum02]

Back in the day when i lived in Ballarat they came to town..I decided to study for my exams instead of see them, thinking ill catch em the next time. They broke up a couple months later. Devo!!!

[@balkans01]

Nice story.... was living in the UK and saw them at shepherds bush... In a small venue.. ohhh my they didnt disappoint... pretty sure i still have the stub .. ticket was cheap as

[@balkans01]

2009.. 2010 i think I saw them... I also went and saw Sarah Blasko hhahah and she was supporting temper trap! hahah crazy

[@pinkfire29]

Middle East, Y U BREAK UP?

[@SatoriTheLush]

@deusvia - what on earth possessed you to write that? Nobody is forcing you to listen to this if you don't like it, but if you all you can do is toss insults around... well, then I'd like to see you put out a better performance.

[@samuckaable]

tab?

[@shivanid4955]

Harmonies a little pitchy

[@gerriepster]

My bad.

[@germanpaulini]

Chord?

[@MsIdunno1]

@deusvia dont watch it.

[@luckyphilster]

they had to put tape over the "fender" logo on his tele caused it was a gibson promo.... how fuckin pathetic are people who work in marketing

[@julianaalcantara3595]

???

[@MRygreb]

that ginger's hot...just sayin'

[@eahs07]

leave.

[@MarioMugio]

This song is pure love.It reminds me of a person I loved and for which I cried on my bedroom floor while listening to her incredible fragile voice!