Next week (6/30), Beach House are releasing their b-sides and rarities compilation called B-Sides and Rarities on Sub Pop. In the band’s own words:
When we announced that we were releasing a B-sides and rarities album, someone on Twitter asked, “B-sides record? Why would Beach House put out a B-sides record? Their A-sides are like B-sides.” This random person has a point. Our goal has never been to make music that is explicitly commercial. Over the years, as we have worked on our 6 LPs, it wasn’t the “best” or most catchy songs that made the records, just the ones that fit together to make a cohesive work. Accordingly, our B-sides are not songs that we didn’t like as much, just ones that didn’t have a place on the records we were making.
The idea for a B-sides record came when we realized just how many non-album songs had been made over the years, and how hard it was to find and hear many of them. This compilation contains every song we have ever made that does not exist on one of our records. There are 14 songs in total.
The oldest song is “Rain in Numbers” and was recorded in 2005, during the summer when we formed the band. We didn’t have a piano, so we asked our friend if we could use his, which was pretty out of tune. We used the mic that was on the four-track machine to record the piano and vocals. It was originally the secret song on our self-titled debut.
Among the b-sides and rarities is Beach House’s cover of Queen‘s “Play the Game.” Read much more here.
While the compilation isn’t officially out for a week, you can now stream the whole thing at NPR. Watch the recently-released video for “Charity” below.
Beach House also have upcoming tour dates, including Red Rocks and a few other shows with Fleet Foxes.
Beach House — 2017 Tour Dates
Aug. 11 – Copenhagen, DK – Haven
Aug. 13 – Castelbuono, IT – Ypsigrock
Aug. 16 – Sestri Levante, IT – Mojotic Festival
Aug. 18 – Parades de Coura, PT – Parades de Coura Festival
Sep. 23 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl*
Sep. 24 – Phoenix, AZ – Comerica Theatre*
Sep. 25 – Santa Fe, NM – Santa Fe Opera*
Sep. 27 – Denver, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre* [Sold Out]
*w/ Fleet Foxes