The Great Nostalgic is gearing up to release their debut album soon, and we’ve been looking forward to this one since catching the band last fall. There’s a wealth of talent in the group (see below), but the driving force behind the quartet is Abram Shook, who brings the same explosive and unexpected turns to the Great Nostalgic’s sound that he contributed to the Laughing. And their sound is certainly cut with a decent dose of nostalgia, hearkening a wild Bowie-esque pop mixed with a touch of the Cure, but there’s also more than enough contemporary, Arcade Fire-ish flourish to keep them squarely set in the present. Catch them this Friday, February 13th at Club DeVille as they help Golden Bear celebrate the release of their long-awaited new EP, Everest, with Pink Nasty rounding out the bill.
Profile: The Great Nostalgic
Year Formed:
started recording the record in summer of ‘07, and the live band came together in the summer of ‘08
Members/Instruments played:
A lot of different people helped out playing and singing on the record, but live we are; Abram Shook - guitar/vox, JoBeth Cox - synth/vox, Mike Faircloth - keys/bucket, Vincent Durcan - drums/power moves, James Miller - bass/guitar
Former Bands/Side Projects:
Abram - former bassist/sax/synth for The Laughing
Vince - former drummer for AM Syndicate and This Dogs A Lion
James - former guitar/vox for Brothers O’ Hair
Mike - currently plays keys in Sea Legs and Hard Proof
JoBeth - former bassist for Southern Drama, current bassist for Sea Legs
Albums:
Our first record will be available this month. It’s a self-titled full length with 11 songs total. There are plans for an official record release show in late March or early April.
We are recording a few songs this week for a possible summertime 7″
Influences:
We are all hopeless romantics and we are all nostalgic for the simple times that made sense. I think we end up stealing little bits from the old and the new, and try to make them our own.
Strangest comment or comparison ever made about your music:
After a show @ Hole In The Wall someone came up and said we reminded them of old episodes of Dr. Who….I took this as a compliment.
Favorite local bands:
I saw Low Line Caller recently and was blown away by their new stuff. Many Birthdays, Calm Blue Sea, Brazos, Muchos Backflips, Lovely Sparrows…this town is full of talent.
Favorite local venue:
I wish Victory Grill had shows on a regular basis. That place is amazing!
Upcoming shows scheduled:
Golden Bear ep release Friday Feb 13th @ DeVille, Cantanker Launch Party Thursday Feb 26th @ United States Art Authority, Art Slam Luche Libre show in San Antonio on Saturday April 25th @ Limelight, East Coast tour starts early May.
Shows over the next month that you’re excited to see:
saving our livers for SxSW.
Some of your favorite albums from the past year:
Pattern is Movement
TV on the Radio
The Dodos
Ideal band (past or present) to open for on a national tour:
Security era Peter Gabriel or current Dirty Projectors
Austin Sound questions:
What can y’all tell us about the upcoming album?
The record is a story. It works best when listened to from start to finish. All the lyrics and themes intertwine. We tried to make the kind of record that you discover new things on each listen.
What are the things you’re most nostalgic for?
shirts that fit right. shoes that fit right. skinny ties. state fairs.
Song Introduction:
We chose Young Lovers because it sort of captures what the record is all about and its a whole lot of fun to play live!
Sound Off:
“Apagaram tudo. Pintaram tudo de cinza. A palavra no muro. Ficou coberta de tinta.”
Mp3 from The Great Nostalgic:
Young Lovers
Website:
Myspace
They’re so wonderful.