Chicago-based Sharp Pins give us their raison d’être for rocking in “I Can’t Stop,” a classic youth anthem off their latest record ‘Radio DDR’ full of fuzz, mod style, and hope.
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Stream: “I Can’t Stop” – Sharp Pins
Leading the “youth revolution” in Chicago, 20-year-old Kai Slater is known mostly from his Matador-signed band Lifeguard, but his talents truly shine in his solo project Sharp Pins.
You might recognize his debut Turtle Rock with an iconic cover of a turtle made from carrots and caviar, a lo-fi bedroom gem likened to The Kinks, Guided by Voices, and The Clientele. But even if you haven’t listened before, Radio DDR only reassures that Slater has plenty more catchy melodies to bring into the world.
I ran at the wrong time
Something lost in your changing styles
And you say it’s not me
But it’s never a good time
Talking it over with a good friend of mine
And I squeeze all I can squeeze
And I think of you, I regret it
And I think of you, I regret it
And I think of you and regret it
I don’t wanna get older no more
Initially recorded on his roof with his bandmates and released exclusively on his own Hallogallo label on cassette-tape, Radio DDR was released as an LP through Perennial Records and the legendary K Records this spring. His labelmates include Bay Area’s sparkling Now and Baltimore’s beloved The Smashing Times. Radio DDR is pure pop pleasure, mixing jangly guitar with witty and unforgettable lyrics for fans of C86 bands and the British invasion.
“I Can’t Stop” is the album’s anthem. It leads with an upbeat guitar riff, seemingly simple yet hypnotizing, bringing you into his colorful layers of sound. You’ll instantly want to dance. The music video is twee and homemade. Starting with a shot of the empty street outside, you’re instantly locked into his kaleidoscopic world. It’s interspersed with playing with cut-out dolls, apple slices, and various shapes while Slater strums his guitar in front of a polka dot background he precariously put up. He rocks his signature mod haircut and a collared shirt sticking out of a sweater. You’re running around his teenage bedroom alongside him and his funky closet.
Sally was a sick child
Never believed in a man who’s strong
So she leaves, all the boys weep
And I don’t mean to pacify
Never been one to tell a lie
So you see how I breathe
‘Cause I think of you, I can bear it
When I think of you, I can bear it
When I think of you, don’t forget it
I don’t wanna get older no more, no
Even if he looks bored in the video, it’s a teenage affect. Slater’s one of the liveliest musicians right now and deeply rooted in DIY culture. He graciously produced Finn Wolfhard’s debut album Happy Birthday on an 8-track tape, intimately recording between his apartment, his rehearsal space, and Palisades Studio. You hear sounds from Slater’s apartment on the record, his kettle whistling and footsteps. Finn even thanked Slater for letting him crash long after developing pneumonia.
Slater is no stranger to cultivating a community. His zine Hallogallo – instantly recognizable by its cute sheep doodle logo – was born out of a disconnect during the pandemic. It brings together other youth-led Chicago bands such Horsegirl and Friko with well-known artists like Mac Demarco and Laetitia Sadier of Stereolab. The zine also publishes “Radical Commie-Pop-Discourzse.” Slater prioritizes an in-person presence as much as possible through (mostly) all-ages shows and his annual Hallogallo fest.
He recently played his hometown at the First Church of Chicago with Now, The Smashing Times, and a local friend, TV Buddha, announcing “post-beat, post-mod youth revolution pop musik” along with free pasta salad. His tour band includes Joe Glass on bass and Peter Cimbalo on drums.
I can’t stop
Never really stopped it
I can’t stop
If you think I lost it
I can’t stop
Don’t you close the door
Slater’s vocals in “I Can’t Stop” are clear through all of the fuzz: “And I think of you and regret it / I don’t wanna get older no more.” He can’t stop aging and experiencing all of the bittersweetness that accompanies it, but he can lead us through the process. The song is fuzzy and welcoming like a good friend you haven’t seen in a while. Like a secret whispered before parting.
And you’re down at the soapbox
Looking to feel young and wild
And you squeeze all you can squeeze
On your tongue like a goodbye
Only ask for what passes by
’Cause you don’t need anyone to feed
And I think of you, I can bear it
When I think of you, I can bear it
When I think of you, don’t forget it
I don’t wanna get older no more, no
It’s raw in its angst. He looks down on people on the soapbox: “And you’re down at the soapbox / Looking to feel young and wild.” He’s invincible in the moment but growing pains don’t stop no matter how irreverent you are. At the very least, you’re immersed in its textures and the brilliant ending of Slater repeating, “I can’t stop / Never really stopped it / I can’t stop / If you think I lost it / I can’t stop / Don’t you close the door,” until the song fades out.
You won’t want to close the door, but rather raise the needle to play the song again. He won’t stop anytime soon. And why should he?
I can’t stop
Never really stopped it
I can’t stop
If you think I lost it
I can’t stop
Don’t you close the door
I can’t stop (Don’t you close the door)…
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:: stream/purchase Radio DDR here ::
:: connect with Sharp Pins here ::
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Stream: “I Can’t Stop” – Sharp Pins
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© courtesy of the artist
© courtesy of the artist
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