From Princeton to Virginia Woolf

by Adrienne Brown in Album Reviews, Musician Reviews, bands to watch

When driving on the crowded roads of Middlesex County, I often seek the solace of music that allow me to reflect on simpler times.   Growing up on the Jersey Shore, some of my best memories occurred during spring visits to the seashore.   This winsome feeling is encapsulated in the carefree sounds of the indie pop trio  Princeton.   Hailing from Los Angeles, Princeton is an aural fix for the winter blahs.

Twin brothers Jesse and Matt Kivel, along with their childhood friend Ben Usen, bring their unique instrumentation and sense of humor to Princeton.  Princeton’s sound, which includes keyboards, ukuleles, and the harpsichord is like a mash up of Vampire Weekend and Of Montreal. Their musical style has given Princeton the opportunity to provide support for bands ranging from Brooklyn based synth pop trio Au Revoir Simone to My Brightest Diamond.

During the summer of 2008, Princeton released the well received EP, Bloomsbury. With a nod to academia, the Bloomsbury EP is filled with lush orchestral pieces inspired by Virginia Woolf and other twentieth century British intellectuals. While the world of indie pop is inhabited by many classically trained musicians, their combination of intricate lyrics and upbeat music is what has set Princeton apart. Stand out tracks on Bloomsbury include the gems Ms. Bentwich and The Waves. In preparation for the South by Southwest Festival, Princeton has also released a live Daytrotter session. Princeton is currently on tour in the West with nationwide dates soon to be announced.