Passionate about analog sound design, Urban Heat’s Jonathan Horstmann is developing a sound both fresh and full of nostalgia. The band’s synthwave-meets-proto-punk sound exists at the crossroads of man and machine, an unrelenting pulse slamming into the inherent imperfections of human performance. Horstmann sings of romanticism against the stark backdrop of today’s machine future.
Along with multi-instrumentalists Kevin Naquin and Paxel Foley, Horstmann began releasing music as Urban Heat in late 2019. The band has found a following through social media, where Horstmann shares song ideas and synth sketches with a community of like-minded fans from around the world.
In early 2020, the band caught the attention of Brett Orrison. After spending years working with the likes of Jack White, Widespread Panic, and the Black Angels, Orrison decided to start his own independent label in the band’s hometown of Austin, TX. Urban Heat signed to Spaceflight Records in February 2020 and began releasing singles in April 2020. Their new single was released February 15.
On Friday Feb. 25, the band will be performing a free show alongside former KUTX Artist of The Month San Gabriel at High Noon celebrating the release of their new single “City Lights.” The show starts at 10pm.
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Artist: Urban Heat
Date: Feb. 9, 2022
Album: Wellness EP (out July 2022)
Label: Spaceflight Records
Set List:
“The Gun In Your Hand” “City Lights” (new single out Feb. 15) “Simple Love Song”
Musicians:
Jonathan Horstmann, vocals, guitar; Kevin Naquin, synths; Paxel Foley, bass
Engineer: Jake Perlman, Rene Chavez; Producer: Deidre Gott; Cameras: Gabriel C. Pérez, Michael Minasi; Patricia Lim, Sheryl Wong