The Rural Alberta Advantage

On the strength of a self-released CD-R (recorded by K Records whiz Karl Blau), Hospitality quietly joined New York’s avant pop music scene, earning praise from the likes of Pitchfork and Stereogum and sharing the stage with similarly minded bands like Stereolab and Frog Eyes. The EP introduced the voice of Amber Papini, whose poetically visceral lyrics have the rare quality of being worth their space on a lyric sheet, complemented by Nathan Michel and Brian Betancourt’s unusually melodic rhythm section, creating a most unique modus operandi.

For their forthcoming debut LP (due in January), Hospitality have widened the iris with the help of producer Shane Stoneback (Vampire Weekend, Sleigh Bells), letting in new colors and textures while continuing to pack an impressive degree of musical and lyrical sophistication into the pop song structure, along with a refreshing fondness for experimentation that should turn the heads of casual listeners and merciless critics alike.

Since recording, Michel has traded his trap kit for electric guitar (an instrument he’s been known to wield on his various brilliant solo efforts [Google him]), and the band has added drummer Kyle Olson to the lineup, transforming the once minimalist trio into a fully orchestrated quartet with quite the engaging live show.