Real Estate
Real Estate is one of those bands that you hit repeat on certain tracks on iTunes so much that the “play” count reaches to embarrassing numbers. They are the perfect combination of indie-rock and dream pop making for a smooth sound that cuts like butter.
The band was formed in Ridgewood, N.J., which is surprising considering that bands closer to New York City tend to have a grittier sound while this band produces a more dreamy California effect. Perhaps it’s because lead singer Martin Courtney attended college in Washington state and after returning home, reunited with his high school bandmates Alex Bleeker and Matthew Mondanile to form Real Estate. They have released singles and two major albums, a self titled and another called – Days.
Real Estate was put on the map after releasing a few singles where Pitchfork rated the band an 8.5, and gave them a “Best New Music” tag. Journalist David Bevan, when reviewing the first self titled EP for Pitchfork, explained it best when he said: “But what sets Real Estate apart from the rest of the herd is how evergreen its beauty can be. Despite the summery song titles and the beach balling associations that might follow these guys around, this music transcends the notion of seasons.”
The all-encompassing sound is truly relatable.
After the success from the first LP Real Estate opened for bands such as Girls, Woods, Kurt Vile and Deerhunter. In 2010 Real Estate played at Pitchfork Music Festival and Primavera Sound Festival in Barcelona. More recently this past spring the band played Coachella in Indio, Calif. On Nov. 2 to 4, Real Estate will be playing the Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin, Texas.
Their easy and relaxed style harps in “It’s Real” on their most recent album “Days,” which makes you want to clap your hands and sway. On my iTunes, this song has reached staggering numbers. Courtney’s voice really resonates while he hums and sings, “I carved our names into a tree, I walked on decomposing leaves, I skated on the frozen sea, It is real as far as I can see.”
On June 24, the band played a free, donation based, benefit concert in their hometown at Kasschau Memorial Shell for The Nick Currey Fund for Ewing Sarcoma Research. Nick Currey was a personal friend of the bandmates from high school who died at 19 from Ewing Sarcoma.
The band also donated free prizes for people who bought VIP tickets. Not only are these guys talented, they are also empathetic and they deserve your ears.
Mian Hickler is an English student who has recently moved back to Tempe, AZ from DC. She enjoys finding new music, making her own clothes, reading Frank O’Hara poetry and drinking cappuccinos.