Calico King

"If Quentin Tarantino wrote songs it might sound something like this." -Shelby Kennedy (Tunecore) 

 Calico King is an Indie-Rock Band from South Austin, TX founded by songwriter Tyler Shelton (Keys/vocals) and vocalist Alex Goins (lead vocals, acoustic guitar) Shelton and Goins started as a duo as early as 2006, with Shelton supplying the bulk of the lyrics/composition aspects, and Goins having the vocal chops and demeanor to bring the lyrics to life. They established a partnership based on mutual understanding to fine tune the highest quality of songs within their shared common influences. Their early style was described as a hybrid of folk, hip-hop, and blues, with elements of classic rock, alternative, and soul. That same year, they started their first but unknowingly, important band, Psychoacoustics. 

Psychoacoustics was backed by high school friends- bassist Jamie Murray, guitarist Laine Higgins and drummer Jeff Norby. Though short lived, the group gigged in Austin, put out an EP, and established a unique take on rock and roll, hip-hop, and folk--a style that earned a devout fan base that sustained long after breaking the band had to part for school and other realities of growing up back in 2008. 

But for the next 8 years Shelton and Goins built on their foundation/style, and despite living in different continents, they managed to maintain a working correspondence and partnership. They not only built on their songbook, but over time they developed a universe of characters, ballads, themes, and arcs. They made a pact that if circumstances would ever put them back in the same city, they would bring this project to life with all of their energy. By 2015-2016, in a bizarre alignment of circumstances, Goins, Shelton and the original members of Psychoacoustics were all living in south Austin, and a project that's essentially been brewing for almost a decade could finally start being shaped. 

In February '16, Goins, Shelton and Murray invited Norby and Higgins to be apart of Calico King. Their official launch came on March 15th, and since, they have amassed significant attention in the Austin music scene. In 6 short months, Calico King has put out 4 tracks, headlined at respected venues such as the Saxon Pub, The Gatsby, One 2 One bar, and also cut their teeth at venues such as Speakeasy, The North Door, Salt Lick. Within their first month, Calico King landed both a full band residency at the Aquarium on E. 6th, and by fall, an acoustic residency at Cleveland's in Buda, TX.  Through rigorous marketing and grassroots promotion they have acquired a strong local fanbase and thousands of followers on social media (see @calicoking on IG) 

Calico King is currently working on an 8 track EP, which is expected to be released in the early Spring of 2017. Their style is a modern interpretation of Blue Eyed Soul, Classic Hip-Hop, Outlaw Country, Indie Rock, and Post-Folk. Each member brings a unique skill set and influence to the collective sound. The band's chops are expertly technical, yet filled with artistic impression. Their live shows are highly expressive and climactic. Their songs have garnished attention from Tunecore, local bloggers, and the Austin Songwriter's Workshop. A typical set can range from full throttle rock & roll to mellow rhythm and blues, with all the intensity and freshness of hip hop,  the compositional awareness of deep classic rock, the theatrics of Glam rock yet with the subdued undercurrent of heartland Americana. Lyrically, their music borrows not only from great songwriters, but from great writers, poets, and storytellers. Calico King is shaping its own narrative and strives to become the quintessential Austin band and a premiere musical force.