Used-to-bes are usually something of the past no one pays much attention to anymore, often time becoming the punch line to a cheap joke. The A-side off of Beach House‘s limited-edition, vinyl-only single, “Used To Be,” squashes the notion that the Baltimore-duo is anything of the sort. Recorded over the summer of 2008, after months of touring, the release deliberates on the spiritual and physical effects of life on the ever-evolving road, love, and growing older.

It doesn’t diverge too far from the trail that the duo’s sumptuous, highly praised sophomore endeavor, Devotion, blazed. Victoria LeGrand’s fairy-like voice prances delicately as chiming tambourines and subtle organic tones succumb to distorted guitar and lightly pulsating drums. The B-side is a four-track demo version of “Apple Orchard,” one of the first things Alex Scally and Victoria Legrand recorded together as Beach House.

After they journey westward for four California dates, Beach House will unite with the who’s who of the Baltimore music scene for the Wham City Round Robin tour this October, featuring Dan Deacon, Ponytail, Cex, Lesser Gonzalez Alvarez, Adventure, and at least 10 other acts. Meanwhile, look for “Used to Be” October 21.

09/27 Big Sur, CA: Fernwood Resort (Festival in the Forest)
09/28 San Francisco, CA: Swedish American Hall
09/29 Santa Barbara, CA: Muddy Waters
09/30 Los Angeles, CA: Spaceland
10/02 Boston, MA: Mass Arts/Pozen Center*
10/04 Montreal, QC: Pop Montreal*
10/06 Buffalo, NY: Tralf Music Hall*
10/08 Detroit, MI: Museum of Contemporary Art*
10/10 Chicago, IL: Epiphany*
10/13 Oberlin, OH: Oberlin College*
10/15 Philadelphia, PA: Starlight Ballroom*
10/17 New York, NY: Le Poisson Rouge*
10/22 New York, NY: Le Poisson Rouge (Carpark CMJ Showcase)
12/11 Northampton, MA: Iron Horse Music Hall

* = w/ the Baltimore Round Robin Tour

Photo by Paul O’Valle.