Tourist Activities - Off My Mind
TOURIST ACTIVITIES DROP DEBUT EP – ‘OFF MY MIND’
Seattle’s indie rock/sandwich pop outfit Tourist Activities dropped their debut EP during the month of March. It’s entitled Off My Mind and is hecka-excellent.
Tourist Activities
First formed as a pop duo made up of Bailey Melton (guitar) and Kell Jacobson (guitar), after recording a demo in their apartment, Melton and Jacobson began looking to expand the band. Adding Chris Hansche (bass), and Christ Glaser (drums), the band’s sound ballooned to include flavors of surf rock, dream-pop, grunge, fuzz pop, and post-punk, making it impossible to pigeonhole them into a single genre.
Always intrigued by the instruments bands utilize to achieve their sound, I asked Tourist Activities about theirs. Unlike a lot of bands who like to keep their sonic toys secret, Tourist Activities was very forthcoming.
Bailey Melton plays a Fender Duo-Sonic and Fender Hot Rod Deluxe 1x12. She explains her pedals, “EHX big muff (used on 'Swim' for big fuzz). EHX Crayon (used in a few songs to help get a better sound and grit out of my amp since I am never able to turn it up all the way and tones can be lost when the amp isn't super loud, showcased in the song 'Sauce'). Boss Reverb RV6 (used in a few songs on different settings and to different degrees, like 'Crystal River' for a surf-y vibe and 'Greenwater' for a modulated, distant sound). Lastly I use a Digitech Luxe to get the slightly detuned sound that I have in 'Calamine,' which is essentially a chorus/vibrato pedal.”
Bassist Chris Hansche: Schecter 004, Gallien Kruger MB Fusion 500, and Gallien Kruger 1x15 speaker.
Drummer Chris Glaser plays a Tama Silverstar Mirage Acrylic kit, with a 22’ Zildjian A Sweet Ride, Murat Diril 14’ rock hi-hats, and an 18” Zildjian A custom crash.
"Lastly I use a Digitech Luxe to get the slightly detuned sound that I have in 'Calamine,' which is essentially a chorus/vibrato pedal.”
Kell Jacobson, lead guitarist, plays a Strat-style Partscaster and Fender Deluxe Reverb with a 1x12 cab using an Eminence Cannabis Rex speaker. His pedals include, “EHX Crayon (transparent overdrive for a little bit of grit), EHX Green Russian Big Muff (only used on a few songs), Boss CE-2w chorus (I use this one a lot to add sparkle or, like on ‘Swim,’ some chewiness to my tone), Malekko Lo-Fi analog delay (mainly use this for some light slapback), Digitech PDS 2020 (really cool delay from the 80s, use it for spacey tones or to sample a lead line, like at the end of ‘Hatchet’), Boss RV-5 reverb (always on either plate or modulated reverb). I use some other stuff, but I only used these on the EP.”
Off My Mind contains six-tracks, beginning with “Crystal River,” a new wave-flavored alt-rock-lite number riding swirling reverb-y guitars and a tasty rhythm. Melton’s voice, dreamy yet rich and warm, flows like golden honey, sweet with gilded golden textures.
“Sauce” travels on predominately dream-pop colors fused with hints of surf rock and morsels of grunge. I love Jacobson’s fat, echoing guitar on this track, infusing tight, simmering accents. “Greenwater” opens on dark sensuous colors topped by luminous jangly sparkles. Melton’s tones take on subdued melancholic aromas, giving the lyrics nuanced urgency.
“Hatchet” is the only song on the album that didn’t work for me, probably because of its jarring rhythm and strident tones.
Hansche opens “Calamine” with a cool shuffle flowing into a glistening dream-pop tune with a splendid bass line, pulsing with throbbing heft. Shimmering guitars imbue the tune with new wave washes of luminous hues. “Swim” features delicate new wave blushes of sonic pressure, along with coruscating glints vaguely reminiscent of The Cure crossed with The Cranberries. This track is my favorite because of its sheens of polished surfaces.
On Off My Mind, Tourist Activities serves up scrumptious gliding melodies, full of creamy, shiny colors secured by Melton’s hypnotic vocals. Tourist Activities definitely has it going on!
