When I mention The Oldest Profession I’m not talking about prostitution, nor am I talking about French cinema. I’m talking about a trio of Memphians who sell a nice balance of pop instrumentation with indie ideas and a rock vibe with a blues heart.
Interestingly enough “to prostitute” in a literal Latin translation means “to expose” or “to place up front”. The Oldest Profession “place up front” a comfortable bed of musical influences to lay in with delightful departures from traditional song structures to indulge in.
Aside from “Road Song” they are never without a quick intro that tugs at your shirt and promises you the vocals and instruments share the song evenly. Every short burst of song are progressive movements and witty musical transitions that carry you through seamlessly.
“Road Song” – Crunchy guitar textures hold these spaced out vocals in a tight grasp while the Rhythm section drives a consistent half time feel to carry you to the end of the song…where your met with a sweet harmonica melody.
“Chorus Song” – Musically haunting you with long flowing movements under a steady jangly rhythm while reflecting a departure from innocents – “You are the wicked one….”
“Green Grass” – The acoustic instantly puts you under a tree reflecting on a relationship. As time moves on strings will bring change in the form of breezy vocals and just like that – you loose track of everything in a medium tempo blanket of heavy rock and drums – “full of time my dear friends…”
“Dilemma” – This is two minutes of syncopated, edgy and raw sarcasm with interjections of blatant 4 bar explosions – “I don’t need a friend-I’ve got my own “dilemma.”
“The Oldest Profession” – Instrumental invitation to this little brothel of music. Tom filled upbeat rhythms in a surf rock vibe – “…Ok thank you.”
Tyler Mehlhaff, Kirk Rawlings, and Scott Housman have put together a nice personality, and a solid musical core. Although, with this effects heavy homemade EP its a bit hard to make out the lyrics at times. However, this concern is easily forgotten when your hear the obvious and transparent emotions conveyed their performances. I eagerly await their next visit.
-Mike Wilson
Mike Wilson is a producer/engineer for Ardent Studios with a B.A. in Music Production via Webster University in St Louis. Living and working in Memphis for 6 years have put him in touch with the core of Memphis Music. His work with local giants like Lucero and headlining bands like Smashing Pumpkins have put him in touch with a lot of important music.
Editor’s Note: I received a message from Kirk a few days after the band’s EP release show telling me that the band has decided to call it quits. However, you can download their whole EP for free on their Bandcamp and catch them at Fareveller Music Festival at the end of this month.
