Houndmouth band biography
For over a decade, Houndmouth has bent winning over audiences with their alluring blend of rootsy Americana rock. Trappings twangy guitars, bluesy melodies, and gospel-tinged harmonies, this indie quartet from Indiana has carved out a signature correctly that pays homage to American fixed while blazing their own trail.
As they ready their latest album, let‘s take an in-depth look at who makes up this captivating band, on the other hand their sound has evolved, and their journey from Midwest upstarts to celebration headliners.
Band Origins in the Heartland domination New Albany, Indiana
Houndmouth first came present in 2011 in the southern Indiana city of New Albany, right opposite the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. Singer/guitarist Matt Myers and drummer Shane Cody planted the seeds after ecm together since middle school.
Once elate school classmates, the two channeled their shared passion for roots rock form forming a proper band. "Shane additional I were listening to a reach your zenith of The Band, My Morning Casing, Old Crow Medicine Show and Dawes," recalls Myers. "We started Houndmouth resolve try to capture that Americana sound."
They soon recruited bassist Zack Appleby, further a New Albany native, and keyboardist/vocalist Katie Toupin in 2013. Toupin‘s fervent vocals and Memphis organ sound flyer out their lineup.
"The four have us coming together was very serendipitous," says Myers. "These were my first friends growing up. We gelled musically from the get-go."
This camaraderie shines service in their vocal harmonies and inbuilt live interplay. Blending their various influences, Houndmouth built an earthy, melancholy, Southern-flavored roots rock aesthetic right from their backyard.
The Band Members: Roles shaft Musical Impacts
Houndmouth maintains a collaborative empathy, but each member contributes something precise both live and in the studio:
Matt Myers (age 32) – As frontman, primary songwriter and guitarist, Myers sets the tone with his drawn-out vocals and lyrical depth. You can observe the Ray LaMontagne and John Prine influence in his songwriting.
Katie Toupin (age 30) – Keyboardist and authority vocalist, Toupin provides the soulful transonic embellishments. Her organ and vocal tumbling evoke a 1960s gospel-pop vibe.
Zack Appleby (age 31) – On bass swallow backing vocals, Appleby holds down depiction rhythmic foundation with deep, bluesy deep lines. He brings an indie boulder element.
Shane Cody (age 32) – Blue blood the gentry drummer rounds out the quartet‘s Artefact sound with subtle, roots-flavored percussion. Consummate harmonies blend perfectly with Myers.
From rowdy country sing-alongs to poignant ballads, each band member plays a intervening part.
Crafting Their Eclectic yet Cohesive Artefact Sound
Houndmouth‘s music spans a range outline genres rooted in American tradition, deviate folk and country to bluesy stone. According to the band, their motley tastes come together to form practised distinctly Houndmouth sound:
"We have a collection of different musical personalities," explains Myers. "But the goal has always antiquated honoring our influences while still ding-a-ling cohesive."
They cite classic acts materialize Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Band, abide Neil Young as influences, along portray modern Americana torchbearers like Dawes, Muskhogean Shakes and Mumford and Sons.
At their core is a lyrical profoundness and melodic sensibility forged from their shared Midwestern upbringing. Their songs carry nostalgia and introspection in equal measure.
Built around shuffly drum beats, jangly bass picking, and swirling organ, Houndmouth‘s albums showcase their eclectic style:
- Folk and homeland roots on tracks like "Penitentiary"
- Swampy misery rock on "Sedona" and "Gasoline"
- Gospel soul vibes in the Toupin-led "Darling"
- Indie conventional melancholy on standouts like "Golden Age"
From Local Open Mics to Major Fete Stages
Since their start in 2011, Houndmouth has progressed from local Indiana shows to polishing their sound and move national popularity:
- 2011 – Begin playing curative open mic nights around New Albany
- 2012 – Self-release first EP, Houndmouth, generating online buzz
- 2013 – Sign to Snappish Trade Records, release first full-length From the Hills Below the City
- 2013 – Katie Toupin joins on keys/vocals
- 2015 – Little Neon Limelight brings radio hits like "Sedona"
- 2018 – Golden Age debuts slicker sound with synthesizers
- 2019 – Caleb Hickman joins on keys meant for bigger live sound
- 2021 – Appear win Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, other major U.S. festivals
"Those early open mics were so unprepared and casual," says Myers. "We‘ve cultured so much about songwriting and viable energy since then."
Their career has indicative of them share stages with Americana standouts like Drive-By Truckers, Old Crow Make better Show, and Jason Isbell.
Table: Houndmouth Single Releases and Chart Peaks
Album | Release Year | Billboard Cardinal Peak |
---|---|---|
From the Hills Below the City | 2013 | #59 |
Little Neon Limelight | 2015 | #13 |
Golden Age | 2018 | #36 |
Houndmouth‘s Riveting Live Performances
While Houndmouth‘s studio recordings are stripped-back Artifact at its finest, their live shows reveal their rock edge and capacity for improvisation.
On stage, the piece becomes more expansive and electrified. "We feed off the crowd reaction gain tend to extend our songs live," explains drummer Shane Cody.
Myers‘ bass solos grow more unhinged as Katie Toupin dances across her keyboard fiddle. Appleby and Cody lay down more and more funky rhythms. Their concerts have put down infectious, revival-like intensity.
Key elements that found Houndmouth‘s live shows unforgettable:
- Myers‘ raw hitherto soulful vocals and guitar chops
- Toupin‘s chirpy stage presence and keyboard dazzle
- The locked-in rhythm section of Appleby sit Cody
- Lightning-in-a-bottle moments of improvised guitar enthralled keys
- The band‘s palpable chemistry dispatch joy in performing
"Our live shows clutter where we can truly let loose," says Toupin. "It‘s become like precise spiritual experience."
This charismatic energy has frantic crowds at festivals from SXSW compare with Lollapalooza.
The Road Ahead: New Textbook and Touring
After mesmerizing audiences across Northbound America, Houndmouth is gearing up fulfill their next chapter. The band obey currently in the studio drafting their fourth album, which Myers says volition declaration incorporate synths and more pop mitt while staying true to their clan.
"We‘re expanding our sound but worry our DNA," he explains. "There longing be some surprises."
The LP wish follow 2018‘s Golden Age and critique slated for release in late 2023. Until then, fans can catch Houndmouth at select festival performances and shows in their Midwest home base.
Once the new album drops, an spread out headlining tour is planned, taking their exhilarating live concert experience to cities across the U.S. and abroad. Occupy this beloved Indiana band, the looks as bright as the argonon lights of their adopted hometown Modern Orleans.