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RM gets to the core of indie rock band Peach Pit.
Stone fruit may be heading out of season, but the time is always nigh for Peach Pit’s velvety rock ballads. And right on beat, the foursome is toting their indie repertoire to Raleigh for a night at The Ritz Oct. 3.
The group’s occasionally psychedelic and always sonically wealthy songs sell heartwrenching ballads of longing and loss disguised by a cloak of upbeat riffs. Hyper-specific lyrics detail niche experiences—“I think they’re like 95% real names and real people in real stories,” says vocalist and guitarist Neil Smith—but still ignite a sense of relatable nostalgia in listeners. Peach Pit makes it easy (and enjoyable) to walk in their shoes.
The Vancouver group’s ~decade of discography jumps between genres, leaning into a distinctly folkier sound on their third album From 2 to 3. “We made that third record over the pandemic, but once we got to play those songs live, we realized it was harder to have moments in the set that were full of energy,” maintains guitarist Chris Vanderkooy. After two years of silence, Peach Pit flipped the script with Magpie, a record filled with more energy and a messier rhythm—translating into a brighter stage presence.
Leaning into that buoyant presence, band members can often be spotted far off the stage during their sets, surfing the crowd. “The ability is in the moment,” notes Vanderkooy. “You have to crawl down into the crowd and make it happen.” And even when their feet are firmly planted on the stage, their movement matches the high energy sound heard once again on Magpie.
Using that newest record to nod back to their first days as a group, Magpie was paired with awkward-on-purpose portraits of the four (think an ’80s JCPenney photoshoot) sporting turtlenecks, wraparound sunnies and all-too-forced poses.
“We were just trying to take some really fun-to-look-at photos more than anything,” muses Smith. “As far as the turtlenecks and the sunglasses go, we used to wear the same outfits every single show and a turtleneck was what I wore.” And their fans don’t mind dipping their feet in unconventional attire. Read: The look now serves as outfit inspo for audience members, who often come boasting similarly entertaining getups.
That unserious attitude resonates with Peach Pit. “We’re, just like always, just having a fun time on tour,” maintains Smith. “It just feels like the best job ever.” So, head to The Ritz this weekend for an unseriously fun set.
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