Song of the week: “We Conquer The World”

Sometimes starting a band isn’t about making it big. Sometimes you start a band because you really like making music. Crazy concept, I know. That’s how I’ve felt for a long time that Bang Bang Jet Away approached songwriting.

The duo, comprised of two long-time San Diego musicians, have quietly been cranking out some of the most thoughtful, well-crafted and delightful tunes of any San Diego band. There’s something very organic about the music, not least because of the homespun feel of the recordings and instrumentation. These are recordings that fit songs, not songs that fit recordings.

My first encounter with Bang Bang Jet Away was almost a decade ago when I stumbled upon the excellent song “Like a Tiny Grasshopper” on SoundCloud. The song is a retro gem that anticipated some of the paisley-tinged neo-psychedelia feel of early Foxygen.

But with each successive release, many of which are scattered across streaming platforms like rare trading cards, Bang Bang Jet Away has added depth to its unique sonic tapestry without losing its homespun feel. There’s the sparse, ominous brooding of “Quotidian Barbarian,” the polished ’90s indie rock of “You Slept With My Best Friend,” and the chiming bravado of “Cocaine Company.”

All of this reminds me of something I miss a lot from the days before algorithms in music: when it wasn’t common for a band’s catalog to have the same song arranged in different keys.

Bang Bang Jet Away, “We conquer the world”: Taken from last year’s EP Graves, Bang Bang Jet Away’s “We Conquer The World” surprises you with a wonderfully hazy wall of guitar sound. It’s reminiscent of the early works of Brian Jonestown Massacre, if Anton Newcombe had been able to write a more complex vocal line. Accompanied by a busy bass line and the charmingly snotty vocals of singer Matt Binder, the track exudes an easygoing confidence. It’s a sing-along piece for a sunny Saturday morning.

Do you like what you hear? Check out Bang Bang Jet Away at the Casbah on Saturday 20th July.

Do you have a “Song of the Week” suggestion? Send us an email and a sentence or two about why you think this song is so popular lately. Friendly reminder: All songs should be by local artists!