Austin Sound

In 2007, the Archibalds released their excellent but little heard debut O Camellia, which was an eclectic romp of southern music styles. Incorporating head Archibald Joey Thompson’s southern rock and country leanings with bassist and meticulous Superpop! producer Seth Gibbs’ love of Screw hip-hop and club hits, the result was an impressive genre-bending sound that fell alongside the Gourds for sheer virtuosity and surprise. Add to that Pete Stafford’s lap steel and clever lyrics that unwind white trash tales in vivid detail, and the local quartet has proven one of the most inventive and exciting young bands in town. Their sophomore LP, Easy Living impressively follows suit, but with much more focus and direction.

11/27/07
The Archibalds, freshly back from a tour through the south, have also just released a video in support of their debut album, O’ Camellia. “Rain & Thunder” captures all that is great about the local quartet, from the slinky slide guitar to the wonderfully irreverent, southern-fried flavor of their tunes. And the video displays the same sense in hilariously canvasing small town whoredom and boredom.

The Archibalds are playing the Parlor this Friday, November 30, and if you haven’t yet seen them, we recommend you catch a set as soon as possible.

In yet another exceptional offering from the Superpop! crew, the Archibalds’ debut album, O’ Camellia, winds its way through a stew of southern influences, at times recalling the classic southern-rock balladry of the Allman Brothers and at others sounding like the illegitimate offspring of the Gourds (because the Gourds have no legitimate offspring, of course). With Cajun flourishes, a shade of Muscle Shoals’ R&B soul, Beck’s experimental folk, and dense, often hilarious lyrics, the group manages to expertly cull its array of influences into something altogether new and immensely catchy. You can catch them this Friday, Nov. 16 at Mohawk as they join fellow Superpop! and C-Side bands for the release of No Bridges to Cross’ debut EP, which will also feature sets from Leatherbag, Driftin’ Luke, Secret Sideshow, and a not-to-be-missed jam with members from all the bands.