Big breaks don’t come easy for artists; it often takes more luck than work. But these bands seem to have that equation backwards when it comes to success stories.
Single Mothers
Formed by Andrew Thompson after a particularly bitter break up, Single Mothers have remained one of the most energetic and exciting punk acts on the scene since their debut EP, “This Wild Party,” in 2010. Cleverly balancing elements of melodic hardcore, ’80s punk and a healthy dose nihilism, the band has gained consistent critical praise with each release even with a surprisingly slow-growing fan base.
Thompson stands out as a vocalist, rendering himself as a drunken diatribe deconstructing the complete irrationality of everyday society and himself. At points, his nihilism becomes almost comical in its relatability and unrelenting ruthlessness. But it rarely gets grating, despite it’s less-than-ultraclean delivery.
Backing up Thompson is exceptional instrumentation from Brandon Jagersky, Evan Redsky and Mike Peterson. Together they have a tight sense of rhythm and a keen eye for song structure, both of which allow them to craft tight, minute-long rampages and full-length punk anthems.
The band dropped their surprise EP, “Meltdown,” this past weekend, and recently wrapped up recording their upcoming 2nd LP produced by Will Yip. With tour dates inevitably on the horizon, here’s to hoping the band makes a return to Texas.
Five tracks to catch up:
Watsky
San Francisco native and teenage slam poetry prodigy George Watsky pinged onto most people’s radars with the viral video, “Pale Kid Raps Fast.” Though his résumé spans pages before that, and novels since.
Although Watsky’s early work had its share of flaws, he set himself apart with his alliteration, speed and clever lyricism, using every release as a chance to hone his skills and collaborate with new artists. With his most recent album, “Times Infinity” (styled “X Infinity”), he may have even crafted his magnum opus, and one of the best hip-hop albums of 2016.
Despite the undeniable passion, quality and volume of his work, Watsky has always hovered just under the radar. This may be the year he gets the recognition he deserves.
Watsky is currently on tour with Witt Lowry and Daye Jack promoting “X Infinity.” They will perform at House of Blues on Sept. 8.
Five tracks to catch up:
Foxing
By combining the best parts of post and chamber rock with emotionally gripping narratives of heartbreak, Foxing have managed to craft two spectacular LPs thus far into their relatively short career. Hopefully, there will be more down the line.
Their penchant for experimentation is best seen in the complex and drawn-out compositions of their 2015 LP, “Dealer.” It took the emotional through-line and vivid imagery in their 2013 release, “The Albatross,” and introduced jazz and electronica elements while slowing down to a more pensive pace.
Connor Murphy consistently delivers, with vocals that showcase both range and emotion, tailoring his delivery style and intensity to compliment the crescendo. Murphy’s lyricism also adds to the bands replayability, with each song on an album thematically tied together in subtle and thought-provoking ways.
You can catch Foxing Oct. 21 at White Oak Music Hall — a real treat considering their less-than-stellar history with touring in Texas.
Five tracks to catch up:
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