The first time we wrote to The Kingdom at their die all over me account, Charles Westmoreland – the lead singer of this group and a man befitting of a name that, even though it doesn’t have any connection so to speak, rings of a name that come from old money – wrote back enthusiastically saying that the band would love to come in. He also went overboard and said that they’d drive here – to Rock Island from Portland, Oregon – for no other purpose than to record with us. He’s a flatterer. They were down for recording a session, though they did have jobs and that’s a long drive for two hours of excitement. Shortly after that first message, another came from Charles (which he’s not called very often; it’s Chuck) that read something to the tune of, “How the fuck did these guys find us?” Vividly, I remember the fuck and the “find us” portions of the short message and the rest is not directly quoted. I told him that I thought Unitas — a short album about legendary Colts quarterback Johnny U mixing it up with the constellations in a friendly game of tackle ball — was a really good record. He wrote back and said that the message had actually been intended for their label head at Arena Rock Records. It’s a misplaced message that has stuck with me since it was received last summer if only because there was a sense of full-blown surprise that even with information at the ready and in front of us at any hour of the day, Westmoreland thought his music was so significantly unperceived and dinky in the microscope that it couldn’t be picked up on by a little old us. It’s bigger than that, however, as you’ll soon discover. This meeting and this interaction were finally pulled off during the second weekend in October. The band was out on the road with Viva Voce and Silversun Pickups at the time, making their way to Ames, Iowa. They got here early and watched as next week’s session makers Tilly and the Wall finished their most adorable set. We got The Kingdom liquored up – as notoriously happens with our cheap beer – and keyboardist Jenna Roadman (whom we saw at Emo’s Lounge IV in Austin two weeks ago at the Asthmatic Kitty showcase and whom walked up and asked, “Do I know you guys?”) was taking phone calls from family members to wish her a happy birthday. It was a day of celebration on the road and Roadman told us in Austin that her mates treated her to a lovely Applebee’s dinner later that night. It was at our studio – right here – where she realized that it was in fact her birthday. Talk about memorable. – Sean Moeller
  
First song
Arcadia Of My Youth (The Kingdom) [2.45MB] [1009 downloads]


– original version appears on Unitas
This one’s named after the Captain Harlock movie of the same name. It’s an old one from our first 7-inch.

Second song
Cries Out To Pilot (The Kingdom) [1.85MB] [869 downloads]


— unreleased
This was a new song that we had only been playing for a little while.

Third song
Love Is My Nation (The Kingdom) [1.89MB] [919 downloads]


– original version appears on K1
The first time we played this one live it was in a converted meat locker that served as a changing room for a dress shop.

Fourth song
Polaris (The Kingdom) [1.87MB] [912 downloads]


– original version appears on K1
This is the third version of this song we’ve gone through. It’s a lot heavier than the one on K1.  Zach and Evan look really tough  playing this song.