HEAR THIS: HAND HABITS

We’re still working out the big picture of the year that was here at the Nest, but a recurring theme was the sheer concentration of badass records out of LA, as artist after artist hit their stride. Among the notables, Meg Duffy’s Hand Habits evolved into a full-fledged thing, moving from Woodsist to Saddle Creek for their 2nd LP Placeholder.

First single “Can’t Calm Down”, featured Land Of Talk, and had an immediate impact, but it was the subsequent listens that clinched the deal, with a different song becoming the favorite track with every pass through. At the moment, the title track gracefully shreds the heart, having usurped “What’s The Use”, which took over for “Wildfire”, which supplanted “What Lovers Do”.

Having just capped off a defining year with opening dates for Sylvan Esso at Disney Hall in LA, Hand Habits will be ringing in the new year in Europe, opening for Angel Olsen, and with the LP in the capable hands of Milk! Records down under, a March appearance at Australia’s Brunswick Music Fest is on tap.