Alright, folks. Get a pen out and ready to write down another married musician couple to the sickeningly-cute-but-amazing-talented anthology. Still lurking under the radar,
Post Honeymoon are a Chicago-bred band with a sweet but melodramatic pop sound. The love sparked between drummer Nick Kraska and keyboardist Rachel Shindelman on a summer night in 2001 during a show at the Empty Bottle in Chicago. Both are former members of
Bang! Bang! and
New Black, but it took them three years to start playing together and three more before their shared nuptials, went on their first vacation together and started a solo project.
Aptly named, the album's songs remind us that life after the honeymoon isn't always so sweet. Approaching a gothic vibe, the pair remains mystic and creative with only the beats of drums, a drum machine, keys and vocals. Like many others competing for couple cutedom while still producing a full sound (read: Mates of State, Matt & Kim, Handsome Furs), they go sans guitar. With Post Honeymoon, the guitar is not missed, but your presence will surely be missed if you bail on their show tonight at the Moose Lodge. They don't come into Austin very often and it'd be wise to catch them in an intimate venue while they're still pining for the country's affection and promoting their album.
Post Honeymoon [myspace] [official]
Focus Group [myspace]
Falcon Buddies [myspace]
Trust us, there's plenty to love about the debut album,
Post Honeymoon, which was released just weeks ago. At first listen, the music sounds as if you crept into their living room to find Rachel and Nick harmonizing together, eyes closed. It's secretive and heart-warming, yet exposing and welcoming. The introductory song "Dirge" wastes no time pouring into the strong and quirky classical opera that comprises the album. "Fakes" and "Numbers" are a bit more harsh and steadfast, perhaps a release of tension from failed relationships, revealing the jilted and jaded inflection in Rachel's voice. Eerie Adam's Family-like keyboard licks are sprinkled through the entire compilation, adding to the gothy-pop feeling of it all. Continuing the trend of simple and concise song titles, "The Night Before" and "Little Messes," relay tragedies that all romances encounter, like power struggles and feeling of under-appreciation. "Night Guard" is sustaining and captivating, with a cadence of drum machine and poignant intonation. Vocals on the album are at times sedate, but more often represent people who've been through rough times, but are pushing past with valiant effort. You know, emo (but in a good way). Post Honeymoon feels familiar meaning the duo was probably inspired by a broad range of influences, but it's hard to quite pinpoint who they sound most like. And that's a good thing. No other band sounds exactly like them, but contenders include the
Cranberries and
Smashing Pumpkins.
With the physical appearance of the average indie-music loving couple, Post Honeymoon is endearing and inspiring to musical couples 'round the world aiming for success; aka a way to work together, produce something creative and not be stuck at a desk all day. Their ability to share something secretive with confidence shows range and talent. Lest we not forget, they can rock. As Rachel's mom puts it, “When the music started I could feel it in my pacemaker. I thought, holy shit, I hope it doesn’t blow!”
Opening tonight at Moose Lodge are Focus Group, a "turntablism/gospel" band native to Austin and Falcon Buddies, a prog-rock group from San Marcos.
EAST Interview: Kat Murph of Vertallee Letterpress
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