Margot to get grimy at Bishop show Sunday

Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s lead singer Richard Edwards said his new favorite word is “grimy,” which was also his word choice to describe the band’s current musical state.

“My definition of grimy would be that kind of blues ballad with bright electric guitar,” Edwards said. “It’s grimy when it sounds like a bunch of people in a concrete room somewhere just playing together.”

The band’s “grimy” new sound first got attention with the September release of its latest album, “Buzzard,” which was followed by a six-song acoustic EP in January titled “Happy Hour at Sprigg’s.” Edwards said he sees the music continuing in a similar direction as the band begins work on its fifth album, looking to release next winter.

The band plans to play some of its new songs at a show 8 p.m. Sunday at The Bishop.

“I see it going further in the direction of ‘Buzzard’ with that swampy blues sound,” Edwards said. “I think it will be more well-written grimy pop songs.”

Margot violinist Erik Kang seemed to agree with Edwards but said the next album should still have its unexpected aspects.

“I’m looking forward to what it will become,” Kang said. “Hopefully it will be well-reflected.”

Kang said one attitude the band has always maintained for its career is a “wish for the best but prepare for the worst” approach. He said though it seems some people will measure success by limousines and champagne, he believes the band approaches it differently.

“There’s an optimism you have when looking at things,” Kang said. “You find success in the process of just doing something and finding out you can make it.”

Kang said playing for a major record label, being on television and having people know the band has all been a part of this process.

“Playing music with friends and experiencing all of these different places makes it worth it,” Kang said. “But what keeps me going is visiting the places I’ve already seen but then still finding something new in them.”    

Edwards said one place that always has that home feel when he returns for a show is Bloomington.

“The town is familiar,” Edwards said. “I’m looking forward to not only playing but seeing a lot of good friends.”

Edwards said the band plans to turn the venue into an acoustic rock show, playing classics but focusing on its newer songs.

“I feel like this last album is completely my personality,” Edwards said. “It’s everything I like about music. It’s observing things more objectively with a sense of humor through the grimy side of pop, and I want that to be heard.”

Freshman Marcus Tedesco said he looks forward to seeing the band perform live Sunday for the first time. Though he usually listens to almost all classical music, he has made an exception for Margot since first introduced to the music last semester.

“It’s a deeply relaxed kind of feel, which I almost perceive as the meaning of their music in a way,” Tedesco said. “They give their music artistry lyrically, melodically and decorate their rhythms, which always seem to be unique.”

Tedesco said he looks forward to seeing the musicians’ techniques when they play their instruments and how the crowd reacts to their new sound in a live setting.

“I don’t think evolution is something a band necessarily chooses to do. I mean, as humans, we all grow up, so it’s natural,” Tedesco said. “If a band always gives you the same sound, they’ll just grow boring, so I think people will continue to take well to it.”

Edwards said he won’t try to give people what they want because he doesn’t want that kind of sound. Margot is looking to evolve.

“It’s catchy, grimy, nasty, snide pop and we’re looking for our kind of people to come out and take a listen,” Edwards said.