Despite the name, lo-fi lovefolk duo the Preteens started off as one teen (Annie Ryan, 18 in 2010) and one post-teen (singer/guitarist Alex Miranda, 20). The cheery, sarcastic couple began playing their anti-folk set in 2009, after meeting at the Museum of Contemporary Art.
“Everyone says we sound like the Moldy Peaches, but I’d say we’re more like Beat Happening,” says Annie, who sings and plays a stripped-down stand-up drum set. “We have really simple percussion and guitar.”
“We’re kind of fun, poppy, minimal,” says Alex. “No scorching solos, just because I can’t do it.… Some of the new stuff is heavier and deep. Not so upbeat, but only for a couple songs.”
“Most of our songs are about each other and our friends,” Annie says. “I mean, we don’t take ourselves really seriously.”
“Who wants to be serious?” Alex agrees. The band distributes their debut album on cassette tapes. “That’s kind of the focus of the tapes. All our songs are also online to download for free.”
The collection of candid songs is reminiscent of the Moldy Peaches. Songs like “Sleeping in Light” hint at Bright Eyes and White Stripes. The gem track is underwater punk tune “Lioness,” where Alex croons like a prepubescent Thurston Moore. The more melodramatic “Will” says, “You don’t trust me, no you don’t. And when you look at my mouth, all you do is hope.”
Incidentally, you can spot Annie’s mouth in Holy Molar’s “Cavity Search” video, eating a soy hot dog.