Finom, the Chicago duo of Sima Cunningham and Macie Stewart who used to go by the name OHMME, made their latest avant-pop creation, Not God, with Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy at his The Loft Studio. He may have pushed them into slightly poppier directions this time, but these square pegs are still making wonderfully weird music that doesn’t sound quite like anyone else. Take somewhat manic opening song “Haircut.” Who else would have this as a chorus, sung in high falsetto harmony: “Yeah, I’m sorry but I’m not gonna wanna / It’s the time of day I can get my haircut”? There is at least one other band who might, Sparks, and Ron and Russell Mael feel like a clear influence on this very fun, quirky, arty pop album. You can listen to Not God below.
We asked Finom to make us a themed playlist and they came back with something they call “Chaos Goblin.” The title could be a reference to another bit of Chicago pop culture, The Bear, and Sima and Macie’s only description of what it means is “No thinking, only yams.” It features songs by Devo, The Waitresses, Cate Le Bon, Scissor Sisters, Grauzone, Arthur Russell, and more. Check it out, along with Finom’s commentary on all 15 songs, below.
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FINOM’s “CHAOS GOBLIN” PLAYLIST
No thinking, only yams.
Scissor Sisters – “Harder You Get”: Alex Grelle gave us this song. It’s sticky and sexy. If ABBA and Giorgio Moroder were the backup band for Nosferatu. We’re starting this playlist on a weird sexy note.
The Waitresses – “Thinking About Sex Again”: The Waitresses are such a legendary band, and our late friend Mars Williams was the saxophone player, although we didn’t know that information until pretty recently. A friend of ours put this record on at the Pilot Light in Knoxville a few years ago and when this song came on the both of us went “WHAT. IS. THIS?!” Love this whole record, and the album cover is so good too.
Palais Schaumburg – “Wir Bauen Eine Neue Stadt”: Continuing down one of our favorite rabbit-holes of Kraut-rock/New Wave music – Eric Slick showed me Palais de Schaumburg when we were on tour last year. This whole record blew my mind more with each song- it’s so out there, and maintains this level of fun absurdity which really keeps me hooked.
Cate Le Bon – “Crab Day”: We love Cate Le Bon and honestly who doesn’t? A song written about a made up holiday?? Aquatic life included?? Cate Le Bon with amazing arrangements and grooves?? Count me in.
Aksak Maboul – “Geistige Nacht”: Incredible wild record by this Belgian Avant-Garde band from the late 70s/early 80s. I love how they crash folk style with avant garde and instruments that you can’t tell if they are electronic or acoustic but sound like a weird Kraut circus crashing through the door of a sleepy coffee shop.
Arthur Russell – “Calling All Kids”: Arthur Russell is so one of a kind. This song makes me feel like I’m inside of his brain inside the world of New York City that he was in– sweet, strange, improvisations and beautiful melodies, techno beats. It’s really beautiful and strange.
Church Chords – “Apophatic Melismatic”: Our bud made this killer record and we sing on another song but THIS BASS LINE IS SO HOT I’M ADDICTED. And Kristin Slipp’s vocals are *chefs kiss* as always.
Marina Herlop – “Abans Abans”: This whole record is brilliant and so is Marina Herlop. I got to see her perform last year, and her vocal/instrumental skills are so mesmerizing to watch. I think her usage of her own voice in the music she creates is pretty singular, and results in an album that feels like it exists on its own alien planet.
Grauzone – “Eisbar”: Our current crown princess of krautrock. We could probably listen to this song on repeat for hours. Save the polar bears!
Deeper – “Esoteric”: Our Chicago buds make great music. Whenever we finish band practice we start playing this song because the guitar parts are just too delicious.
Devo – “Jocko Homo”: one of those songs that we think “everyone must know this” but maybe you don’t and it is so important so here it is on our playlist. Jeff Tweedy showed us a bunch of old live videos of Devo before we started our session and I think it paid off.
Operator Music Band – “Mondo”: The end of this song is so fun- I love to try and sing along with it, because spelling out “M-O-N-D-O” gets me into this strangely meditative trance. This record has definitely been on some of our recurring van playlists.
Loma – “Relay Runner”: We’re pretty infatuated with this Loma record. It’s one that frequently gets a top to bottom play for us in our van. Emily Cross is a godsend.
Yasuaki Shimizu – “Suiren”: Yasuaki Shimizu is a legend of the saxophone and music in general. He has done a lot of scoring work and has worked with some other favorites of mine like Ryuichi Sakamoto. His record “Mariah” (Band and record) is also one of my current favorites. I love, love, LOVE, the energy of this song, I’ve never heard anything like it.
Mark Mothersbaugh – “Ping Island”: I was learning how to drive when this movie came out and listened to this song on repeat. It is still my go to “start-a-late-night” drive song. Brilliant arrangement, Mothersbaugh is a genius.
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Finom have a few tour dates ahead, including Brooklyn’s The Sultan Room on May 31 with Frances Chang. All dates:
Fri. May 24 – Chicago, IL @ The Hideout
Fri. May 31 – Brooklyn, NY @ The Sultan Room
Wed. Jun. 5 – Los Angeles, CA @ Zebulon
Sat. Nov. 2 – Chicago, IL @ Metro