Feverbones, The Astronaut Suit (Jennifer)

Feverbones is a new Austin band consisting of members of the Eastern Sea, Dana Falconberry, and the Great Nostalgic. They’re releasing an EP this month; one of its highlights is Astoria, with its yearning, yet gentle vocals artfully accented with sparkling guitars, bubbling psychedelic organ riffs, and creative percussion. There will be a release party on February 21 at The Blackheart with the Plastic Habit and the Gorgeous Hands (2 up and coming local bands that are also worth checking out).

One of my Austin favorites from a few years ago, the Astronaut Suit, recently resurfaced with new songs and a new band lineup. Led by songwriter, lead vocalist, and guitarist, Jess Farr, the sound of The Astronaut Suit is a musical stew of influences – psychedelic rock, gospel, country, folk – that you don’t expect to blend together, but they do. The band’s own description is also fitting – “psychedelic soul.” Listen to their cover of the gospel song Precious Lord. You can hear the earnest, heartfelt delivery of the gospel lyrics delivered amidst the psychedelic folk background of the violin swells and the otherworldly sound of the oud. There’s also the blissed out vibe with its gospel tinged chorus on Pseudosex Television Blues. Both of these songs are from the Take My Hand EP, which is a free download on Bandcamp. I also highly recommend seeing them perform live; if you’re lucky you might just hear their psychedelic spin on Hank Williams’ classic tune, I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry that will blow you away. They’re part of a “local night for local people” this Friday, February 8 at Frank, and then a Red River Noise showcase on Friday, March 1 at Frank.