Wheel Workers (Houston, TX)
https://www.thewheelworkers.com/
Since late 2010, The Wheel Workers’ crisp sound and intelligent lyrics have earned them growing recognition in Houston’s active indie rock scene. Recently, they were nominated in numerous categories in the prestigious 2014 Houston Press Music Awards, including Best Songwriter (Steven Higginbotham), Best Keyboardist (Allison McPhail) and Best Pop Act.
The Wheel Workers have played regularly around Texas, performing at SXSW in Austin, enjoying the honor of playing on the same stage as The Flaming Lips at Free Press Summerfest in Houston, and opening for national touring acts such as Miniature Tigers, Elf Power, The Coathangers and Thao & The Get Down Stay Down.
The band is currently promoting its second full-length album, Past to Present, recorded at SugarHill Studios with producer Dan Workman and released by ZenHill Records.
“The Wheel Workers’ “Past to Present” was one of the best albums made in Houston last year, the kind of dense and thoughtful recording that offers new rewards during repeated playings.” -
Houston Chronicle
“…I feel like this is the kind of music that could break through to people and get them to start asking questions, to start thinking about the choices they make in their lives.” -
Free Press Houston
“They’ve managed to craft a dozen tracks that are thoughtful, warm, friendly, melodic, and addictive as all hell (it’s seriously impossible to not sing along to “Chemicals,” for one)….” - Space City Rock
“I’m enraptured by the deftness with which The Wheel Workers have brought together the sounds of Radiohead, ELO, Pink Floyd, The Flaming Lips, twothirtyeight, and The Rentals with such fantastic aplomb. Past to Present is packed to the gills with crazy-good pop music that also manages to be insightful, dense, and heartfelt art-rock.” - Dryvetyme Online
Soft Swells (Los Angeles, CA)
https://www.softswells.com
Soft Swells. Sure it’s a band name (in fact, it’s this band’s name), but it is also a surfing term. Tiny, easy to ride waves that beginners keep an eye out for to build their aquatic confidence up. But what happens when you outgrow those small waves? Do you stop surfing? Or do you step up and try to tackle the biggest waves the ocean has to offer? Tim Williams, the mastermind behind Soft Swells (the band) has been moving towards this moment for years now. Tim started Soft Swells in an effort to reach new heights, and over the course of a full length and an EP, the music has gotten more sophisticated, and the sound of the band has gotten bigger. So if the band’s previous work could be described as soft swells, than their new album Floodlights is like an enormous tidal wave from an action movie. Absolutely everything about the band has gotten bigger. Where once there was just Tim with the help of producer/keyboardist Dave Lynch and a lot of studio magic, there is now a fully formed band.
In a (successful) experiment to capture the fun and excitement of their live shows on record, Tim brought a motley group of wildly talented musicians together in the studio to lay down all the tracks. Most of the record was tracked by producer Dave Lynch (the other Dave Lynch) at The Electric Zoo in Eastbourne UK, with Soft Swells’ touring bass player and multi-instrumentalist Christopher Pappas at Tim’s side, and a guest appearance by resident UK drummer Phil Wilkinson (Jake Bugg, Brian Eno). As if that wasn’t enough, Misty Boyce (Sara Bareilles), Jonathan Visger (Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr) and Soft Swells’ touring guitarrist Kyle Frederickson all contributed their talents via satellite. Well, via email.
This impressive roster of personnel leaves Soft Swells sounding invigorated, like a whole new band. A big, stadium sized band to be exact. Drums shake, organs swell, guitars rock and vocals soar. This is no longer a band trying to figure out how to replicate the sound of their albums on stage, because they brought the stage to the studio. With Modern Outsider Records driving the release, the future of Floodlights looks long and bright. But Tim’s new air of confidence isn’t just due to the stellar lineup, but also because of his recent marriage to the love of his life, Sabrina, who is a constant encouragement to Tim to take chances, and to do what she knows he is capable of.
Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth has said “once the music leaves your head it’s already compromised.” That’s fine if you feel like music is an entirely personal endeavor for the artist. Tim certainly doesn’t feel that way. “I don’t think a song or recording is completed until it hits someone’s ears… The experience is only complete when a listener gives their input – a smile, a foot tapping, a head nodding or whatever reaction a person has.”
“a buzzworthy band to check out””- Time Magazine
“Album O’ The Week” - USA Today
“Soft Swells channel the Technicolor guitar-pop of Summerteeth-era Wilco, balancing high-flying synthesizer parts against guitars straight from the garage” - MTV Buzzworthy
“start making your summer playlist now-and put Soft Swells at the very top” - Consequence of Sound
“Soft Swells could be considered California’s response to Surfer Blood, with less reverb and more appealing vocals.” - wuickcritmusic.com
“These kiddies are onto something. Catchy goddamned track that makes you wanna wave your arms back and forth over and over and over and…”- nypress.com
“After their album launched earlier this February, Soft Swells has maintained their space on my post review deck - similar to what happened with M83 and Foster The People the year prior.”- urb.com
“Outstanding 2012 Albums You Might Have Missed” - Amazon.com
“With so many bands playing predictable pop-tinged indie rock, it’s refreshing to hear one that gives it just the right twist.” - Nylon
Raceway (Houston, TX)
https://www.facebook.com/racewaysound
Raceway is an ambient instrumental group from Houston, Texas.
We take our time with our songs in order to provide you imagery that is simultaneously melancholy and hopeful. Often centered around brooding bass-lines framed with layers of echoing and radiant guitars.
Toast (Houston, TX)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUvHPCmvkvs
No further info Available
$7, doors 9pm, 21+
