Austin Psych Fest Preview: Quilt (More Like a Tapestry, Less Like Clare Quilty)
As their name implies, Quilt’s songs thread through a range of influences, yet form a singular whole. It’s really rather impressive what an expansive, organic sound this band has achieved on its debut album. It would be easy to call them neo-primitive hippie folk-rock, but there’s an underlying pop sensibility that makes their music vibrant and almost modern.They’ve been compared to Devendra Banhart, but they’re not nearly so self-consciously freakish as that. While they can go off on mind expanding tangents, this is a remarkably polished and sophisticated band. Sure, there’s a lovely 60s psych, pop vibe, but at times, they spark embers of Electrelane, but instead of the propulsive guitar, it’s the vocal harmonies that keep this band rolling. Quilt may have their roots in the past, but their elegantly blissful ways could just bend the future to their will.
“Young Gold” opens the record and it only gets better from there …
Check out their Nitetrotter session here. It’s an excellent set. Do your day a favor and listen to “Milo.”
Quilt – Milo – Nitetrotter session – MP3
While you’re at it, buy their debut album here, straight from their label, Mexican Summer. It’s only been out for a few months and in a reasonable and just civilization it would be on the top of the charts. Meanwhile, beware, if you buy the record on Amazon you will find yourself overwhelmed with ads, emails and recommendations for sewing machines and quilt patterns for the rest of your life. You have been warned.
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