Spidermums get Pitchfork love for Kim Deal cover

Even though we’ve shed some ink on this band, many of you may still not have heard of Spidermums.

That’s probably because they live in a dark, green-lit basement, riding bicycles and burning incense and never bother to play out anywhere. But they must be doing something right, for the group has developed a knack for getting mentioned in high places, such as NY Mag and most recently, Pitchforkmedia. A week ago, the site devoted a few words to them in a writeup about a a really strange cover-song compilation. Apparently, the ‘mums got together with some fans of the band Deerhunter to put together an album of songs inspired by what they think the upcoming solo project from Deerhunter guitarist Lockett Pundt (recording, of course, as “Lotus Plaza”) will sound like. It’s so convoluted and obscure, it makes me want to scream — and that’s probably why I sat on this news for a whole week. But nonetheless, hats off to Spidermums for getting themselves noticed in these hard and crazy times. (Now how about playing a local show, guys?)

Download the Lotus Plaza-inspired comp, including the contribution from Spidermums — which is not a Deerhunter cover or anything but rather a cover from a Kim Deal side project (aaah! aaaah! my braaaain!) — here. Here’s what the ‘fork said.

Probably the most unexpected variation on the theme is Spidermums’ “Bragging Party”, which isn’t a Lotus Plaza title at all; instead it’s a squealing, straightahead cover of a fuzzed-out rocker from Kim Deal’s non-Breeders non-Pixies lo-fi project the Amps.

Young bands take a lesson. It’s still about hustling and touring, but it’s also about staying on top of the digital world of music and all the random opportunities there are to participate in it and get a little attention outside of your circle of friends and family and cheerful Pitch music writers.