Nervous Curtains is the primary songwriting outlet for singer and pianist Sean Kirkpatrick. Perhaps better known as a member of The Paper Chase (Kill Rock Stars), Kirkpatrick originally assembled the group to support his 2007 solo album ‘Turn on the Interference’. Drummer Robert Anderson (formerly of The Deathray Davies) and additional keyboardist/noise-maker Ian Hamilton (also of Jack With One Eye) helped to develop a unique guitar-free sound and set of material that was deserving of its own name.

‘Out Of Sync With Time’ is the debut full-length for Nervous Curtains, due out February 2010. The album was recorded by Matthew Barnhart (Shearwaters ‘Rooks’) and mixed by John Congleton (Explosions in the Sky, Black Mountain), the album stands at an angle of reserved distrust against an expansive backdrop. Kirkpatrick’s songs explore bizarre twists in human sensory perception, while the band’s dramatic pulsations ride wild mood swings of grandiose pop, dubbed out synth bass excursions, Cohen-esque balladry and even a dark, drone-y take on The Minutemen’s “Jesus and Tequila”.

Sean Kirkpatrick - Vocals, Keyboards/Piano
Ian Hamilton - Keyboards
Robert Anderson - Drums

OUT OF SYNC WITH TIME
Nervous Curtains - ‘Out of Sync With Time’ reclaims the piano as an essential instrument in the rock n’ roll pantheon. Brainchild of singer/pianist Sean Kirkpatrick (member of Beefheartian rock outfit The Paper Chase and former keyboardist of Texan popsters Spoon) Nervous Curtains share few or no qualities with Kirkpatrick’s other bands; in much the same way Firewater sounded nothing like Cop Shoot Cop, those expecting similarities should be prepared to be pleasantly confounded.

Nervous Curtains play spooky, ominous, piano-centric pop anchored by an insistent, though not frenetic rhythm section. Their oeuvre is heavy on elegial tangos, with melodic, melancholy vocals creating an atmosphere heavy with an oddly desperate sense of longing. Nervous Curtains would sound equally at home in a smoky, trashy club or an elegant theatre, such is their low-key yet grandiose take on music.

In addition to Kirkpatrick, the band consists of former Deathray Davies drummer Robert Anderson and multi-instrumentalist Ian Hamilton from Jack With One Eye. Guitar? Nope. One listen to Nervous Curtains and it will be obvious that particular instrument is not missed. And Out of Sync With Time’s spacious, dynamic production (by Matthew Barnhart and champion mixer John Congleton) makes sure the album reflects that.

Pop without the wuss factor. Rock without the macho factor. Damn the hipsters, full speed ahead. Like all great bands, Nervous Curtains are blazing their own trail, and it’s up to music lovers to keep up with them. Out of Sync With Time is essential listening for anyone interested in pushing the boundaries of what pop can be.

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