ARTIST OF THE WEEK: THE BETHS

It has been a while since we had an indie rock band on the blog and this band is the perfect candidate to revisit a genre that seems to be enjoying a bit of a resurgence. The Beths are a New Zealand indie-pop band, originally from Auckland. Formed in 2014, the band consists of Elizabeth Stokes (vocals/guitar), Jonathan Pearce (guitar/vocals), Benjamin Sinclair (bass/vocals), and Tristan Deck (drums). The key to any successful rock band is the rhythm section and in this case, The Beths are as tight as a drum. The New Zealand-based quartet also packs a surprising wallop on guitars. When they lay into the instrumental section just before the end of the song, the music is spine-tingling. I also love the vocal delivery and presence of the band’s enigmatic lead singer Elizabeth Stokes. She leads quietly, without any vocal histrionics, but the focus and presence are there for all to see.

The Beth’s third album, Expert in a Dying Field, which will be out Sept. 16 via Carpark Records.