Deerhunter has been making music, in one form or another, for the last 13 years. Accordingly, their ascension to the top of the indie rock sphere encompasess the entirety of the web 2.0 revolution of the ’00s, meaning that a lot of strange Deerhunter music and video is out there on the internet, but is woefully buried in broken Blogspots or abandoned Tumblrs. As the KRLX board’s resident Deerhunter expert, I’ve decided to take this opportunity to share my personal favorite YouTube content of theirs, as there is a wealth of high quality music out there that has flown well under the radar. Here are my eight favorites:
1. “Spring Hall Convert” 1998 Demo – Yes, you read that right: 1998. Bradford Cox was just 16 years old when he laid this demo down on a 4-track in his bedroom, and it would be another nine years before it evolved into its final form as the eighth track of Cryptograms. “Spring Hall Convert” is my second-favorite Deerhunter song (behind “Earthquake”), so I was beyond excited when I found this video online. It illustrates how Mr. Cox’s tape loops and writing chops were already quite mature… a full four years before the official start of the band.
2. “Spring Hall Convert” Platts Eyott Session – While I’m on the topic of “Spring Hall Convert,” I might as well share this fantastic acoustic recording that Bradford Cox laid down all by himself in 2008 on Platts Eyott Island, a nature reserve on the Thames. This rarity was only available on cassette tape to those who came to the Microcastle release party, but luckily it’s been reposted in full on YouTube! I love the reworked vocals and the loose “Here Come the Warm Jets”-style playing.
3. Carve Your Initials Into The Wall Of The Night – This wonderfully eccentric bit of musique concréte is lifted from a 2005 live set (performed by Moses and Bradford playing tap loops). If you are more of a Halcyon Digest than a Cryptograms person, then you probably won’t like this. However, if you like Deerhunter’s abstract projects, then this is as good as it gets!
4. “Cobwebs” – This isn’t necessarily one of the greatest Atlas Sound tracks, but it’s definitely worth a listen if only because it was recorded in the same place and at the same time as Grizzly Bear’s fantastic album Veckatimest. Chris Taylor (the GB bassist) produced this wall-of-sound waltz, and it sounds like it came straight out of a 1960s acid trip.
5. “Twilight at Carbon Lake” is a Deerhunter live staple, but its frenzied finale is notoriously difficult to capture live. This recording from their 2009 Summer tour of Australia manages to capture the tune as good as any online, and has the added bonus of multiple HD camera angles. That ridiculous tempo change at the climax gets me every time!
6. “Helicopter / He Would Have Laughed” – If you don’t know Deerhunter that well, then this is the video to watch. It’s a magnificent 18-minute suite that smashes two of their greatest tracks into one glorious whole. Be sure to watch out for the beautiful way that Bradford layers his voice right before the crushing climax of “Helicopter”… I wish it sounded that way on the album, and I wish Bradford played this track with acoustic guitar every time he does it live!
7. “Sailing” – This quiet Halcyon Digest highlight has only ever been performed live once, and luckily a kind YouTuber has recorded that moment and shared it online! This version is especially excellent because it features their sometimes-third guitarist Frankie Broyles, who inserts some pretty beautiful slide guitar glissandos in between Bradford’s whispered pleas.
8. BONUS – “Nothing Ever Happened” (Koopa Troop Cover) – This adorable tweenage sextet covers the towering Microcastle centerpiece with surprising ability at their local community music center! The 4-guitar attack is intense, the bass is tight (especially on the difficult line during the verses), and the drums match Moses’ intricate patterns perfectly! Well done Koopa Troop!