Photo by KUTX
Sweet Spirit burned through Austin last year, and A Giant Dog could do the same this year. They’re the punk rock alter-ego to Sweet Spirit, rising up through the Red River scene through ferocious live shows and a few brilliant LPs. Years ago, singer Sabrina Ellis sent A Giant Dog’s music to Mac McCaughan, co-owner of indie institution Merge Records. The persistence pays off: today, Merge releases Pile, A Giant Dog’s third album, giving some national exposure to one of the best local bands.
But first, A Giant Dog tears up its own backyard. The group brought the new songs to Studio 1A last week, whipping up a frenzy in front of a hometown crowd. “Creep” takes pride in its contradictions: frenetic but beautiful, with a chorus that belts out the lines, “I love you honey / Stay away from me.”
Pile is out now via Merge Records. A Giant Dog plays an album release show tomorrow night at Barracuda.
–Art Levy