Ross Farbe and Ray Miracelli of New Orleans duo Video Age had already played together for years before their 2016 debut Living Alone—and it shows. There’s a special energy to music made by two people who creatively grew together; effortlessly pristine harmonies, fearless stylistic collisions, and deep dives into unexpected influences.
For the most part, Video Age’s first three records were conspicuously steeped in the bright infectious sounds of their lo-fi guitar and synth pop influences. Think something similar to Ariel Pink’s Haunted Grafitti circa 2010’s Before Today or one of the criminally forgotten power pop/glam-punk bands featured on Numero groups’ It’s All Pop! compilation. Nonetheless, they always had a New Orleans twist on the sound and had the same ear for irresistibly catchy hooks as their forebearers. But on their latest LP, Away From the Castle, the duo have found their own voice.
A creative slump followed the tour for their critically-acclaimed third album Pleasure Line pushing Farbe and Miracelli to spend some time exploring music outside their comfort zones. They worked on Drugdealer’s yacht-rock tinted Hiding in Plain Sight, gigged throughout NOLA’s jazz and blues scenes, and produced other people’s music, and Away From the Castle’s title track is at the very least evidence of their creative evolution; but it’s also probably the best indie pop single of the year so far. It’s like some beautifully weird Americana ode to the late Tom Verlaine with its bright but brittle, jangly clean guitar tone. Although, Video Age has a lot more love for pop hooks than Television ever did.
Sure, Away From the Castle is still informed by 70s and 80s pop music, but it sees the duo wear their influences without the nostalgic hangups or putting themselves firmly in any one creative box. They’ve found their groove, and the future looks brighter than ever. Oh, and they’re incredible live, and all that time gigging took their shows to an even higher level. Check it out below.
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Artist: Video Age
Album: Away From the Castle (Winspear 2023)
Date: 4-3-24
Set List:
“Away From the Castle”
“Better Than Ever”
“Just Think”
Credits:
Musicians: Ross Farbe – vocals, guitar; Ray Micarelli – drums; Duncan Troaste – keys; Nick Corson – guitar
Producer: Deidre Gott; Production Assistant: Confucius Jones; Audio Engineers: Casey Cheek, Reyna Sivilla; Audio Mix: Jake Perlman; Cameras: Renee Dominguez, Julius Shieh; Edit: Renee Dominguez; Host: Laurie Gallardo
