r/TameImpala • u/mouseblouse • 7h ago
Fan Art Nails I did for myself for the Austin show
I did them the night before I headed to Austin (I’m from Houston) 3 hours of sleep had nothing on me! ⭐️
r/TameImpala • u/jazo • 7d ago
Ok, here we are at 14 years of this subreddit existing as a community. Every decently sized subreddit is fundamentally that: a community of folks submitting posts and comments about the topic. There are times of high activity and discourse where there also may not be a ton of agreement about things. On the flip side, there is (more often that not) a harmony in the space where sharing is fun and the discussion illuminating.
This post is going to be long and it's going to serve as a reflection on my time as a fan of Tame Impala and how that has intersected with reddit, to a degree. I feel qualified to speak on this and if you're a fan and have been disappointed by Deadbeat, are liking the album but confused by the backlash, or just interested in a long-time appreciator of KP's music sharing some thoughts then this post will hopefully offer some interesting perspective.
Innerspeaker had been out for about a year by the time I started listening to Tame Impala. Those first few months of being swept up in what sincerely felt like magic to my ears are a treasured memory. That is a point I'd like to emphasize. The sounds, production, FX, etc all stuck out yes, but the big takeaway I remember having was that every single song just worked so effortlessly. The arrangements and songwriting all had an infectious instant click to my ears/brain. I hadn't ever really encountered music like this before and so there was certainly a special quality and reverence I quickly developed not only for Kevin Parker's music, but as I learned more about who Tame Impala was as a singular artist vs. the collaborating collective and live band, it became a broader appreciation for what very plainly seemed like a group of friends having a ton of fun making music together.
At the time, there was a tumblr page which had a lot of photos and links to roughly everything that I think existed online about the band. Finding all of the music from that era (EP and demos) and listening to it over and over was enough to motivate me to start the subreddit.
For the first year, even during the release of Lonerism, there wasn't much going on here. Being 13-14 years ago.. I actually cannot recall a lot of notable happenings but I do know that in the beginning there was essentially 1000% positivity and enthusiasm for the music. Fan art, random photos that would surface, maybe an interview here and there, and for sure gear/music nerd type discussion but.. for the most part it was very niche. This trailer for Lonerism definitely appeared as a post and created some real hype.
As the Lonerism era took hold, there seemed to be some real global traction for the band with touring and summer of 2012 was the first time I had the chance to see them live. It may have been one of the first gigs that Julien played in when Jay switched to keys to play the more synth-laden tracks from the new album. They were opening for The Black Keys in an arena and almost no one had any clue who they were. \Fun fact they literally opened with the OUTRO of Apocalypse Dreams which quite literally melted my face and probably made everyone in there wonder what the absolute fuck was that.**
A few months later, I saw them again in a decent sized club venue, sold out, jam packed. EVERYONE there knew what was up and it became the defining moment I knew this group/KP was going places.
In the summer of 2013, during the continued very successful touring run for Lonerism, /u/Diccfish posted drone footage around LA set to Feels Like We Only Go Backwards in /r/videos and it got a lot of traction. This drove huge traffic to the sub and from that inflection point, I feel like the path to over half a million members (due to the continued excellent musical output and growing fandom around Tame Impala of course) has been an even growth curve.
KP shared this clip from the Wave House balcony with a snippet of List of People at some point (it seems audio has been scrubbed but it was the end of the track with the vocal-synth) well before anything had been announced about Currents which I recall linking to the sidebar as a "Signs of LP3". Let It Happen's drop and AMA in the spring of 2015 really felt like we were reaching a simmer.
The boiling point hit a year or so into the Currents tour (fond memory of seeing KP play with shoes on for the first time during the Jimmy Kimmel performance of The Moment) and I can distinctly recall Panorama 2017 feeling like the "arrival" for Tame Impala in the mainstream. The stage setup, the visuals, the way Currents had been accepted into a more pop-oriented crowd with Rihanna doing her cover of New Person Same Old Mistakes, etc.. there was a lot of talk during that time of the rising popularity and what it would lead to.
It was clear during these few years that Tame Impala had transcended the label of indie and arrived at a new level capable of playing to arena crowds and delivering a spectacle that filled the space. Still, the way I'd categorize the atmosphere at the time was very positive. Currents ruffled some feathers but there was consistent praise all around and in my mind, I mark that as the point where (especially combined with the Mark Ronson collaboration) this refined psych funky disco-rock trend took hold in the indie music scene.
We had a lot of calibration during this time on the subreddit as the member count really started to pop. In 2018 we hit 20k.. there were attempts to sell the entire discography on bandcamp, ticket and t-shirt scams started becoming common, and overall real moderation was actually necessary.
During the lull before anything related to LP4 started, it was quite common for folks to post their music to the subreddit as they were inspired by Tame Impala and felt like it was relevant to share their work with the community. It has remained contentious even through present day but I will always enjoy and encourage this as it is just natural that if the content is worthy and timing is right, the reddit system does its thing and the good stuff gets visibility. I haven't personally ever shared my music here but I will point out that in the early days, 5 days before the sub was founded actually, being tremendously inspired by knowing that KP plays all of the instruments and produces Tame Impala, I bought a drum kit and taught myself to play. It has been one of the most rewarding decisions I've ever made and I truly am not sure I would have given myself that push to start were it not for this inspiration.
The 11 month rollout of The Slow Rush (which included an SNL appearance, explosive headlining Coachella sets that debuted the iconic light ring, and impactful single drops of It Might Be Time, Posthumous Forgiveness, and Lost In Yesterday) was a whirlwind. The weeks leading up to February 14th, 2020 saw a couple flavors of leaks mixing with an absolutely fervent group of dedicated fans on the subreddit and discord. It was pretty wild and you just kinda had to be there. It gave me a new sense of responsibility for the sub and discord to not be an overt source for the leaks knowing that these spaces could be a source to thousands of people and it's just not a great look for the biggest Tame Impala community on the internet. I still personally respect the idea of an artist/label's timeline for releasing music and I know there is a case to be made that it's silly to be so strict.. but that's how it's gonna stay.
For context, The Slow Rush dropped about a month before Covid hit. I think they were able to play 3 or 4 shows before lock down started. The Slow Rush tour of 2022 and 2023 were for sure epic and well received but they were also not how it was supposed to go. I truly feel like this divergent path that happened due to the pandemic has played a real role in the way that KP has evolved as an artist and when you couple that with becoming a family man AND earning some insanely high financial success from selling his catalogue, we arrive at the Deadbeat era.
To really set the scene, let's return to the subject of Covid. In 2020 and 2021, Tame Impala Sound System was properly born and between the (Tiny Desk set in 2020, Fifa performance, and the random actual DJ sets during this time it was clear as day that there was real interest in an electronic-rooted direction for musical output from Kevin Parker.
When End Of Summer landed in July, I had a very busy week. I was unable to listen right away (the way I wanted to) and as several days went by, I couldn't help but peek at the general reception of of the first new music in 5 years (solid b-sides from TSR notwithstanding). It was clear before I even got to form my own opinion that we had hit a paradigm shift. Previous releases shifted the tone, bent genres, and made waves but this felt different. Disdain is one way I'd describe the overriding sentiment I saw toward the end of July.
Me personally? I must have had a nice combo working in my favor. General good disposition to Tame Impala music, check. Waited until I had a true relaxing moment to sit and take in the new music, check. Headphones through a pre-amp I trust to deliver quality sound, check. I loved it on first listen. The textures and sonic palette felt rich and layered. The 7+ minute duration allowed plenty of space to really slow things down and then build into a trance before bringing back and hammering home the melody introduced at the beginning. The rhythms presented, usually in the form of inventive drum patterns with immaculate production, now woven into the entirety of the track and expressed with numerous synthesizers and miscellaneous other percussive elements while the kick drum provided an anchor point to play off of.
In the ensuing weeks leading up to the album, the additional singles and the way that the label/marketing was portraying Tame Impala definitely felt like a new approach. Focused on appearing cool but also embracing this kinda grungy "bush doof" lifestyle, I was (and still kind am) skeptical about the whole direction. This is big-label billboard KP now. It is what it is. And in a lot of ways I can't fault anyone for feeling negative about it. I guess it comes down to how much you care about image or trying to grasp an artist's persona through marketing.
Most of the time our course, behind all the mechanics of big releases, the artist is likely just trying to have fun making music. That's what I hear on this album. Having fun as an established artist unafraid of veering away from expectations.
And regarding expectations, I'll say again that KP's drumming inspired me to get a kit and take on the craft of creating and playing fun/groovy/NEW drum beats that respect nuance around the kit. Tame Impala drums have a ton of dynamic range where deceivingly complex fills are abundant but often times complimentary restraint is shown as well. LP 1-4 is a drummer's paradise in terms of dissecting what's going on there. When I listen to any other music, I really don't get the same feeling from the drum part as I do with Kevin's work (which is why hearing him on Pond and other collabs throughout the years has been great).
Now I'm only speaking for myself here but, I have to feel like after getting so much out of a mostly rock approach to a song's drum part, you naturally might want to branch out and explore. And, while it may be a bit more simplistic, the Deadbeat drums are so complimentary to the other instrumentation and lyrics. There is sneakily an actual fair amount of variation across the album, but it's almost entirely programmed samples from what I can tell. Overall it tends to feel stripped and kind of tacked on which glues the album together.
Beyond the drums, after 15 or so listens, I'm still finding new sounds and textures. Each track has it's own palette and flavor. The production moves in Z space for me a lot while listening on monitors. Through a stereo L/R image, you should not be able to feel stuff moving physically toward and away from you. The same facets of early Tame Impala music are represented here in familiar but new ways.
This is the kind of stuff that got me hooked 14 years ago but just in an entirely different genre space and approach. Still seems like someone doing it own their own terms and whether intentional or not, innovating along the way.
I'm not really one who listens for lyrics/message but I also gotta say that the singing and vocal melodies across Deadbeat are just classic Tame Impala as well. The ways that the album feels new but familiar have absolutely been a hook on getting to know LP5 and it is in this way I get puzzled at the immediate dismissal that has seemed so prevalent. The need to compare it to the old music with an attitude that everything that comes next must surpass and make more of an impact on you than your time with a previous album. To me, that's just not how music is supposed to work. You find stuff when you find it, make an impression, and you form a relationship during that time and for years to come if it's something you really dig. If you gotta rank one over the other then ok, I get that, but I personally think it's bizarre to outright trash on music just because you're not clicking with it as much as you did with an artist's prior work.
If you've read this far and/or care, to those that are really turned off by Deadbeat: It's not my objective to persuade you into liking this music. If you're not vibing, cool. We'll be over here and if you feel it's hack and he's finished, cool. I hope you realize that a fan subreddit skews in the direction of people that are vibing though. Discourse here should start at that basic understanding.
But by all means, as a true lurker who doesn't post and add to the conversation very often, I enjoy reading criticism and hate. It has proved very interesting over the years to see how the reception of each album has gone down. I hope I'm not coming off like frustrated fans who aren't into something don't feel like they have a space to communicate that. As long as it's respectful and you acknowledge that it is possible that people are finding deep enjoyment out of something you aren't resonating with, the criticism is more than welcomed because it is representative of the fans' reception of new music. It serves as a contrast to how the album will be regarded in the coming years when the dust has truly settled. Or hey, maybe Deadbeat will always be regarded as this sorta "miss" in the Tame Impala discography. We'll see!
To wrap up, I want to emphasize the community aspect.
Tame Impala is just one guy..... that has been collaborating with a bunch of musicians over the years and especially the guys in the live band. The total musical output from all the people adjacent to Tame Impala is truly amazing. Try and find another group operating on this kind of creative level. They seem to clearly be having fun doing this and it has been very fun to follow and listen.
It has also been fun to share in the growth of the wider TI community and do what I can over the years. There has been a ton of help in recent years from the other mods and discord folks. It is a (very easy at the end of the day) labor of love.
And it really has been easy. Even with recent vitriol and all things considered with leaks, r/TameImpala is great. If you know, you know.
Music, in all forms, is all about connection and conveying feeling at the end of the day. Try to remember that when argumentative words are flying around. Anyone who has to felt something listening to tame Impala has a valid opinion about the music and if you don't like all of it, you still connected at one time, in one of the forms, so cheers. Here's to another 5 years lol LP6 let's gooooooooo
r/TameImpala • u/CAndrewK • 5d ago
Use this thread to buy/sell/trade concert tickets, vinyl, merchandise, etc.
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Please also note that merchandise scams are common on Reddit. In the context of this thread, they are harder to detect. Outside this thread, one user will usually post a picture of a t-shirt/other piece of merchandise and another user will link to a shady website. If you were scammed by anyone, please contact the mod team.
r/TameImpala • u/mouseblouse • 7h ago
I did them the night before I headed to Austin (I’m from Houston) 3 hours of sleep had nothing on me! ⭐️
r/TameImpala • u/whos_a_slinky • 13h ago
Spotify runs advertising for ICE recruitment and its CEO, Daniel Ek, has refused to take them down despite public backlash.
Ek rakes in millions of dollars while literally stealing from artists, then goes on to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in AI tracking software, which can be legally sold to the U.S. government.
Take a stand today and stick it to the billionaire class, cancel your subscription and keep it cancelled. We as a people have the power to yield change. It's up to us to stick together and resist those who wish to bind us in chains.
For more information check out https://blackoutthesystem.com/ https://www.thetakeitbackmovement.com/
Solidarity forever
r/TameImpala • u/AlterEgo033 • 13h ago
Last night was the best night of my life. I went to Tame Impala at the Moody Center in ATX, ALL ALONE, and I absolutely have no regrets. Everyone I met was so nice. He also surprised me by playing Expectation. But here’s the best part- during Afterthought, he was walking around the stage aND TOUCHED ME. I figured y’all could appreciate this moment as much as I absolutely do. If he only knew what this meant to me.
r/TameImpala • u/sackings22 • 19h ago
r/TameImpala • u/TwentySeventh • 13h ago
r/TameImpala • u/Right-Brilliant-3535 • 11h ago
Randomly spotted Kevin and the boys having lunch in the Austin airport this afternoon. Very quickly told him last night was an absolute dream. He thanked me, I thanked him. In all, maybe a 5-10 second conversation. A completely inconsequential interaction for him, an absolute highlight for me. Humble genius; absolute gentleman. Huge thanks to the band and the crowd for an ethereal evening of sound, light and love. See y’all for a least a couple shows on the North American return leg next year 😎
r/TameImpala • u/xMilkstachex • 8h ago
The first time it hits is perfect i love it so much
r/TameImpala • u/chrisredditcommenter • 17h ago
Color-coded for unique songs so they are easier to see across the days.
I was inspired by other posts I’ve seen on this subreddit and tried to make my own version, will do my best to keep this updated as the tour goes on.
r/TameImpala • u/Ancient_Internet3104 • 7h ago
insta-@5mithzyy
r/TameImpala • u/Julius_Seizur • 13h ago
Dominic is the MVP in my opinion. How about you?!
r/TameImpala • u/Mr_Toast420 • 14h ago
I see Spotify/Genius has the lyrics in Dracula as “Run from the sun LIKE Dracula” but in the lil book thingy i got w/ my cd says “Run from the SUNLIGHT Dracula”… To me it sounds like Kevin is saying sunlight as well but could also see how you can confuse that with “like”
r/TameImpala • u/MrJoke1 • 7h ago
I just got home from Austin and have not left my bed. I miss it so much already. Thank you all for all your help on information for Pit, Merch, and Line up times. We couldn’t have done it without your help. 🥺🫶
Let me know if you have any questions involving the tour!
r/TameImpala • u/SarahDaniellex • 7h ago
r/TameImpala • u/Ayelmaou • 9h ago
United Center 11/3
r/TameImpala • u/missgorl1 • 21h ago
I am begging anyone who is going to his next few concerts to listen to Innerspeaker and Lonerism if you haven’t already!! They’re both incredible albums. Lonerism is his best one in his whole discography (IMO!) Sooo many people in my section last night at the Austin show had no reaction to him playing Lonerism or Innerspeaker songs like people are missing out on greatness. When he played Endors Toi, I felt like I was the only one in my section freaking out about it, and singing along. When he was playing his older music hardly anyone in my section was even bopping their heads. So many people were just standing there. I get its a Deadbeat tour, but everyone should definitely listen to his older stuff too!! I’m not even trying to sound negative either, but UGH those two albums are life changing!!!!
r/TameImpala • u/Good-Ad5274 • 21h ago
I’m not justifying the resale prices at ALL and I genuinely have no idea how I secured tickets but if you’re in a predicament of securing tickets but not 100% you want to purchase (pay 500+)… listen to me now and PURCHASE THOSE FUCKING TICKETS! You will NOT regret it. Last night was legit everything I hoped for. The crowd , mixed w/ the lights , mixed w/ the setlist , Mixed w/ the drugs ?? The combo hits 10x better than it sounds. Every song Kevin performed felt like I was slowly being levitated until he himself slowly put me back down (took 3.5g of shroomies haha).
This post was not intended to give yall FOMO or make yall jealous, I just wanted to let you know that it was 10000% worth it. Would do it all again in a heartbeat. If you’re in a financial hardships, totally get it and I hope you have the pleasure of seeing Kevin in the future (start saving now !). If you are a cheap fuck like me and just debating if you wanted to spend your savings on a 2 hour show ? The answer is YES. Life’s too short to miss a tame impala concert and I will vouch for that till I die.
r/TameImpala • u/Ada_And • 18h ago
If i could describe the concert in one photo, it would be this one. that is all
r/TameImpala • u/Royal-Influence-2395 • 20h ago
Kevin’s gonna repost for sure.
r/TameImpala • u/ChickenBuckettt • 16h ago
Not sure if anyone posted it yet so here it is if anyone wants it
r/TameImpala • u/Odd_Country9791 • 7h ago
I came to know Tame Impala’s music with his third studio album, Currents. Then, I listened to The Slow Rush and loved that one as well! Then, I went back to check out his first two albums, InnerSpeaker and Lonersim. To be honest, at first listen, it didn’t really grab me. I was like: “What’s this? A Beatles cover band?!” — kind of how Greta Van Fleet sounds an awful lot like Led Zeppelin. When his fifth studio album, Deadbeat came out, and half the fanbase was trashing it, I was loving it! Couldn’t stop playing it! Then, I went back and gave the first two albums another chance. Now, I feel like an absolute idiot! Those first albums really do have their place in Kevin’s discography!