[Locals Only] Argyle Smile Are Abundant in Charm

Abundant Charm

Bridget Arias

Argyle Smile: Prisoners of their own amusement

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More About

• Jared Parsons
• Anaheim
• Long Beach (New York)
• Dana Chambers
• OK Go

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In March, Anaheim’s Argyle Smile released a video for “Every Song,” a track off their recently released EP, Tipsy Turvy, and by all rights, it should become a YouTube sensation in the vein of OK Go’s “Here It Goes Again.” In the clip, directed by Long Beach’s Alex Lamb, a series of toppling dominos (not the most original trick, but used well here) assists the protagonist—the band’s co-vocalist/guitarist/ukulele player Jared Parsons—through his morning ritual, setting off a variety of Rube Goldberg-esque contraptions. Later, at an art gallery, Parsons encounters co-vocalist/autoharpist Dana Chambers, with the dominos acting like an iTunes visualization of their silent, awkward, ultimately fruitless flirting. What it lacks in treadmills it more than makes up for in charm.

Charm is also in abundant supply on the five songs that make up Tipsy Turvy. The gentle harmonies between Parsons and Chambers sparkle, especially on the ukulele-driven “Every Song.” Their use of such antiquated instruments continues in “Chirp-Chirp Chiroo,” bolstering the already-catchy chorus of “If I look like I know what I’m doing, then I suppose that’s one thing I’m doing right.”

Argyle Smile are essentially a duo, but in concert, the band enlist additional members, including Kyle Deven, bassist for fellow Anaheim band We Are the Pilots (see “Anaheim’s We Are the PIlots Prepare to Take Off,” April 8). Live, Argyle Smile also play some much peppier tunes than the ones on this EP (closer “Whoopsidaisical,” despite the fun-sounding title, is seven slow-paced minutes). “Tentative” is the only real upbeat song here, suggesting the band are going in a quieter, moodier yet somehow still uplifting direction—well, as quiet and moody as a band with a name like Argyle Smile can reasonably get.

Argyle Smile with Toy Robot, Pan America and End Transmission at the Knitting Factory, 7021 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, (323) 463-0204; la.knittingfactory.com. Thurs., July 30, 8 p.m. $8. The band can be found online at www.myspace.com/smileargyle.

Hey, Orange County/Long Beach musicians and bands! Mail your music, contact info, high-res photos and upcoming show dates for possible review to: Locals Only, OC Weekly, 2975 Red Hill Ave., Ste 150, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Or e-mail your link to aching@ocweekly.com.