I’ve been careful not to slather Pop Press International with plugs for True Sincerity, even though both are my creations. However, one of the reasons I started Pop Press International was to be able to dialogue about goings on within independent music at will. Although it’s mildly nepotistic to write about TS here, the bands that played the True Sincerity release show Friday are bands I whole-heartedly love and would be writing about regardless.
More than anything, I want to use this space to thank the many people who made the release show possible: chiefly, Holly Griffin, Josh Denslow, Maggie Lea, Tamara Hoover, Alex Cohen, Matthew Shepherd, Natalie Ribbons, every band that played, and everyone who came out to celebrate. It was a great night, and I’m already cooking up what comes next. I’m two interviews deep into the second issue of True Sincerity, and I couldn’t be more excited to share them with you all. The issue should be done around mid-July, but an opportunity will take me out of state for three weeks in July, likely pushing a release party to the first week of August. Stay tuned! Now, I’m going to provide some brief commentary on Friday night. Yes, on my own show.
Alex Napping kicked off the night with an incredible and upbeat set of indie pop. On stage, Alex Cohen exudes joy, grinning and laughing with her band; it’s a less common occurrence than you’d think, and it makes the set a ton of fun to watch. Bassist Tomas Garcia-olana and drummer Andrew Stevens have incredible rapport and function in a way that every rhythm section should.
Feverbones is comprised of three impeccable musicians. One of the beautiful things about the band is their ability to be accessible and fun while possessing nuance and depth. In some ways, Feverbones makes music for musicians. Bassist Abram Shook is among the best in town, and watching him play is something profound. The three members possess a truly palpable rapport, unsurprising as the group formed organically during recording sessions for Shook’s solo record, on which drummer Matthew Shepherd and guitarist Christopher Cox played.
Major Major Major are without a doubt the most energetic and dynamic two-piece around. Adrian Sebastian slings his guitar around like a weapon, punishing all unbelievers and making converts of everyone in the room. Meanwhile, drummer Andrew Torrey is a whirling fury of drumsticks and hair. The group has been on the rise in notoriety and once you’ve seen them, you won’t wonder why.
Borrisokane has been on a break for a while surrounding the birth of drummer Josh Denslow’s and keyboardist/guitarist Rebecca Asuan’s first child. I have to say that the show felt special, and I was moved watching the two interact between and during songs as the five-piece tore through their instrumentally centered, forlorn pop songs. Borrisokane is unlike any other band in town, and their balance of reference points—new wave, post punk, electronic, pop—work well together.
Tele Novella closed the night with an expectedly standout set. The group is one of Austin’s most talked-about bands at the moment, and with good reason. The band’s members possess credible track records of making great music in bands like Voxtrot, Belaire, and Agent Ribbons. Frontwoman Natalie Ribbons is incredibly charismatic on stage as the four-piece performs their melodiously immaculate pop songs. I’ve been on pins and needles for months over wanting a full-length announced. C’mon, TN! I’m dying over here.
Check photos of all these bands playing below.
