Solid Gold

Let's make one thing clear first: This document is not about the syndicated Top 40 countdown television show entitled Solid Gold that aired from 1980 to 1988 and featured the aptly named Solid Gold Dancers. Although, one could surely imagine that particular dance troupe doing a fine routine to the slinky track "Bible Thumper," or the dreamier "Who You Gonna Run To?" by the Minneapolis indie outfit who share the same name, Solid Gold. This document is about Solid Gold, the band.

With that out of the way here's the deal: Solid Gold is a band with the unquestionable ability to make you do one thing - Shake. Your. Thing. Their latest venture is releasing the single "Matter of Time" exclusively through Green Label Sound. "'Matter Of Time' is a song that we've been kickin' around for over a year, but it didn't really come together until we went into the studio and recorded it for Green Label Sound," said guitarist Adam Hurlburt.

Founding members Zach Coulter and Matthew Locher met in 2000 at the University of Wisconsin where they created the band on their shared love for futuristic art, architecture and music. It wasn't long after guitarist extraordinaire Adam Hurlburt was brought into the fold that the trio quickly started crafting their now signature tranced-out slow-dance grooves. In 2005, the band left Madison and relocated to Minneapolis where they initially found themselves lost and confused by their new surroundings. Still, they all agreed that three things remained certain - 1) they enjoy guitar licks, 2) they enjoy old keyboards, 3) they enjoy synthed-out hip-hop beats. Solid Gold became complete when the trio expanded into a five-piece with the addition of guitarist Shon Troth and drummer Adam Peterson.

Solid Gold's debut album, Bodies of Water, is full of songs about breaking up and running away. There is an underlying emotion of heartache that flows throughout Bodies of Water and it contradicts the ironic Duran Duran-esque superficiality of their band name.

The stories are familiar, but Coulter's lyrics stray from traditional narratives and refuse to go forward in any kind of linear development. Instead his lyrics rely on the beat, washes of keyboards and swirling guitars to encapsulate his repetitive phrasing and abstract imagery. "I'm not a good storyteller," Coulter said before adding, "I don't want to force it." His songs are suggestions because often these suggestions have the ability to recall mood, emotion and memory more powerfully than stories.

Solid Gold have played showcases in London and New York and have performed at festivals everywhere from Texas to the middle of Sweden. Each time they come back from the road, they return triumphantly to their home of Minneapolis. At this point in time, they are arguably Minneapolis' biggest new band. Who knows, maybe Solid Gold will find a slot on a Top 40 countdown show yet.