Once again, your humble Austin Music Minute maven gives props to esteemed colleague and fellow KUTX show host John Parsons for getting me totally hooked on Walking Through the Dark by The Zoltars.
The band’s second full-length release is their most ambitious undertaking to date. Recorded by producer John Michael Landon (Bill Callahan, Okkervil River), it unveils yet another facet of The Zoltars’, and songwriter Jared Leibowich‘s, evolving musical persona. Although the style maintains a garage pop/rock foundation, there’s a never ending experimentation with different sounds and approaches to pair with it all, making it significantly more melodic and dramatic with lush layers and instrumentation not used on their previous recordings, like cello and piano. Yet, for all its additions and constant exploration, the style is still unmistakably The Zoltars.
The Zoltars are heading out on the road in support of their album, so be sure to catch them at their tour kick-off show tonight at Hotel Vegas, 1502 E. 6th St. And it’s a very fine bill to see from beginning to end, featuring a slew of AMM faves like The Bad Lovers, Mirror Travel, Simple Circuit and Loteria. Doors open at 9 p.m. Very recommended.
