We were on double duty in Austin’s busy music scene last Thursday night, and after a great Mikal Cronin show at Mohawk, we almost jogged down to Holy Mountain to see Joanna Barbera’s album release show that also included rock outfit The Couch.
Onstage, Barbera’s energy overflowed as she enthusiastically chattered between songs. Barbera’s songs make use of her raw, emotive vocals and lean toward traditional singer-songwriter structures in the vein of Sheryl Crow of Fiona Apple. Her backing band sounded solid as Barbera swayed around the stage in a floor-length, flowing black dress. In celebration and a show of support for the victory in Austin’s capitol building, Barbera threw in a slow, stripped-down, and introspective version of Cindy Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.” Although the show served as the release party, it was truly a sneak preview, since Forget won’t drop until August 6th nationally.
After Barbera, stalwart rock band The Couch performed a set of their country-tinged, bar-leaning indie rock. The group brings incredible energy and can always get a room stomping their feet and dancing to their consistently rocking songs. Sara Houser’s instrumental and vocal abilities are an incredible asset to the band as she easily moves from keys to guitar while lending her elegant voice to the mix.
Nick Joswick rocks the bass while Taylor Wilkins handles primary vocal duties and guitar on many of the arrangements and Jud Johnson hold things together with emphatic beats. Though the songs sound cohesive, the multi-faceted abilities of the band’s members keep the arrangements fresh. As one of the Austin music scene’s lynchpin bands, you’ve probably seen the Couch, but if you haven’t, you need to.
All photos © Bryan Parker & Pop Press International. Click any image to open in slideshow viewer.
