Song of the Day: Trouble - Snake Eyes

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJ’s think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on The Morning Show with John Richards, is “Snake Eyes” by Trouble, from a single released on Sacred Bones Records.

Trouble- Snake Eyes (MP3)

For starters, Trouble does not exist. Put together as part of the return of Twin Peaks, Trouble consists of longtime David Lynch music director Dean Hurley on drums, Lynch's son Riley on guitar, and the great Alex Zhang Hungtai of Dirty Beaches and Lost Lizard on saxophone. This trio recorded two tracks as part of the Twin Peaks sessions, reportedly the only tracks which will feature their name. "Snake Eyes," today's Song of the Day, accompanies the arrival of arguably one of Lynch's most disturbing characters to date. However, it stands on its own as a menacing groove, similar to the way that the Drive soundtrack took on new meanings when heard away from its respective film.

Built around a propellant beat from Hurley, Lynch kicks in with a guitar riff reminiscent of Link Wray at his most morally dubious. Zhang's saxophone teeters between the edges of dissonance and melody, wrapping itself around Lynch's guitar lines. The two trade off lead parts like experienced jazz soloists. After a four-minute groove building in intensity, the track slowly fades to black. Trouble does not exist, but its two four-minute contributions to popular music will continue to echo in a pitch-dark nightclub near you.

Dean Hurley just released a collection of music and sound design written for Twin Peaks, titled Anthology Resource Vol. 1: △△, also out on Sacred Bones. (You can also check out weekly interviews with him about the music in Twin Peaks here on the KEXP Blog!) Alex Zhang Hungtai will tour the US with his Love Theme project, including a date in Seattle on September 29th at The Chapel. For more information, check out Love Theme's Bandcamp. Below is a clip of the Twin Peaks scene in which Trouble performs, which could possibly feature spoilers.