Tuesday Tunes: The Pleasant Tense

For this week’s Tuesday Tunes we talked with Columbus band The Pleasant Tense, whose mix of soul, rock, and jazz defies classification, but is still catchy and accessible.

The band’s dynamic range is showcased on their 2014 EP “Easy Art,” with tracks ranging from straight-ahead vintage pop on “Magic 137,” to sultry jazz crooning on “Speak.”

The next show for The Pleasant Tense is this Friday at Brothers Drake Meadery with Dynamo and Osage.

614NOW had the chance to speak with lead singer Marnée Richardson about the band’s sound, both live and in the studio, and what’s next for The Pleasant Tense.

614NOW: A classic RnB influence is central to your sound, but the music itself sounds very modern. How do you guys avoid being pigeonholed as a “throwback” band?
Marnée Richardson: We don’t really think about being pigeonholed. We write what we like. We have enough diversity in our sound that keeps us from being labeled.

614NOW: How does the live show differ from the album? 
MR: We can’t replicate the overdubs and the extras that we add in the studio, but our live show brings a feeling and the visuals that the studio can’t. When the audience is invested, we feed off of their energy.

614NOW: It’s been about a year since the release of your last EP “Easy Art.” When can we expect new studio material from The Pleasant Tense?
MR: By summer 2016.

614NOW: You guys have been performing new material live since the release of “Easy Art.” Are you approaching these new songs any differently?
MR: The longer that we play our songs and receive audience feedback, we figure out what works and what doesn’t. Which in return helps our writing.

614NOW: Care to say anything to the average reader about Columbus music?
MR: Go out to shows and discover what Columbus has to offer! You’ll find something to love.

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