Admittedly, for your humble Austin Music Minute host, the names on the Western Youth roster read like a who’s-who in badass local talent.
Vocalist/guitarist Taylor Williams had been writing with his musical counterpart Matthew Gregg since 2012, and soon drummer Brian Bowe (from another longtime AMM fave These Mad Dogs of Glory) would become part of the winning mix. The recent addition of songwriter Graham Weber, along with Sam Powell on keys and bassist Sean Spiller, solidified the deal even further.
With Williams, Gregg and Weber at the songwriting helm, they put their collective talents to work on new music that would get a test run at various shows, and eventually morph into a new album. One track, “Hangin’ On,” released this summer, is a full-on rock scorcher with country coursing through its melodic veins, and just a taste of the high-powered Americana marking the current line-up’s striking self-titled debut.
Western Youth celebrate the new album with a huge show tonight at Spider House Ballroom, 2906 Fruth St., with a performance by Mike Schoenfeld on the bill, along with special guests Jaimee Harris, Cory Reinisch, Ali Holder, and Randy Reynolds.
Another ATX all-star line-up right here. Doors open at 9 p.m., and the music starts at 9:30 p.m. Very recommended.
