Sad Piano Boy Jack Van Norman helms his current project King Warbler with regal charm and squire-like modesty, plinking out some of the most infectious, melancholic singer-songwriter rock this side of your neighborhood’s coolest coffee shop. If you’ve spent any time going to shows in the Red River district, you’ve likely caught their set or at least seen their name on a bill, adding their early-Ray-LaMontagne spice to bills that usually host the fuzzier or poppier facets of the Austin indie-rock gem. With new music on the horizon, King Warbler kicks off 2018 wading in the deluge of free week, playing tunes that already keep the souls of their fans sad and warm, and new ones ready to tug on your melan-collar.
The opening notes of “Lighter Fluid,” immediately transport you back to a time where Ben Folds Five and Damien Rice ruled the indie scene with broken heartstrings and smooth-yet-aching vocal runs. Keys and strings add buttery grace to the song’s make-up, which swell up and down to keep your tear ducts teased and your soul feeling like its been hugged by the day’s most needed cup of coffee.
“Lighter Fluid” appears on Rosanky, out now via the group’s Bandcamp. Catch King Warbler at the Sidewinder TONIGHT with Mountebank, Batty Jr, and AlexAlco.
-Taylor Wallace// Host, Thursdays 8p-11p & Saturdays 2p-6p; Producer, Eklektikos with John Aielli
