New York rock and roll/psych/indie band The Thing have dropped their new single “Can You Help Me?” and its accompanying music video.
The track, b/w “Family Business”, is the second A side single from their third self titled record. The entire album will be released via A side / B side singles every month for 6 months culminating on August 8. Also from the LP, they’ve previously shared “Above Snakes” and “Dave’s TV.” Get it here.
An unforgettable staple of the band’s live show, “Can You Help Me?” is The Thing’s first song where all three verses are sung by alternating band members, and one of the first tracks written for the record. Rotating their stage positions, the band makes the sheer depth of their talent and coolness look so nonchalant, and elicits a sense of locked-in awe from the crowd every single time.
Frontman Zane Acord shared: “The inspiration behind ‘Can You Help Me?’ stems from the feeling of discontentment when you have other people do things for you. Whether it is having other people ‘give you a song’ or control your thoughts and life.”
Then comes “Family Business.” Rattling off a vivid cast of characters, this is one of the songs where it’s easy to sit back and take in the type of songwriting skills it takes to wedge a full story into an under three minutes package. Torchbearers of the current NYC scene, The Thing is the vanguard of what the city’s rock history means under a modern lens.
Guitarist Michael Carter likened “Family Business” to the quirky imagery of The Royal Tenenbaums. He said, “This song has a new sound to it that we haven’t gotten into before — it’s a little more angular and a little more dry.”
Watch / listen below.
Upcoming Tour Dates
- 13/04 Atlanta, GA @badearl
- 29/05 SB Belgrade @badmusic4badpeople @kcgrad
- 30/05 SB Novi Sad @badmusic4badpeople
- 31/05 HU Budapest @szimplakert
- 01/06 HR Zagreb @badmusic4badpeople
- 04/06 FR Perpignan @lenautilusperpignan
- 05/06 ES Zaragoza @casbahproducciones
- 06/06 FR Bordeaux @relachefest @allezlesfilles_bdx
- 07/06 ES Sopelana @casbahproducciones
- 09/06 FR Seignosse @blackflag_bar
- 10/06 FR Nantes @mosta_nantes
- 12/06 UK London @badvibesuk
- 13/06 UK Nottingham @jtsoar
- 14/06 FR Amiens @peniche_asso_anti_stress
- 15/06 NL Hilvarenbeek @bksfestival
- 16/06 DE Kusel @kulturzentrum_kinett
- 17/06 BE Bruxelles @la_source_beer_co
- 18/06 DE Berlin @popmonitor
- 19/06 DE Siegen @freakvalleyfestival
- 20/06 DE Frankfurt @mauve.mauve.mauve
- 21/06 DE Memmingen @moodclub.stage
Photo by Seana Adame
