Austin’s Jesse Beaman plays every instrument himself under the moniker My Empty Phantom, but he’s more of a tasteful composer than kitchen-sink splatter painter. Last year’s Collection Of Memories I/II is just that: a nostalgic soundscape built around the ebb and flow of textured guitars and booming, polyrhythmic drums. Seeing him live is a spinning-plates experience, with Beaman seamlessly switching between guitar, synthesizer, and drums as the song echoes around him. You can see him for yourself tomorrow as part of the Hot Summer Nights series, and today’s Song of the Day is a good taste of his skill. “Reflection” slowly works itself through sky-reaching sections before gracefully falling back to earth.
“Reflection” appears on Collection Of Memories I/II, out now. My Empty Phantom plays Cheer Up Charlie’s on Saturday, July 15 as part of the Hot Summer Nights series.
–Art Levy // host, Sunday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., producer, My KUTX
