March and Beauty

-Tara

Hailing from Austin, indie rock band March & Beauty, recently released their new EP, Summer Said. Comprised of Terri (vocals/bass) and Tim Dittmar (drums), Sean Mullens (guitar), and Paul Stautinger (multi-instrumentalist), the quartet recorded the all analog project at OHM Recording Facility with Chico Jones, and the result is a four track set that blends dreamy pop (reminiscent of The Cranberries) and indie rock quite effortlessly.

Opening with the celestial “Stay” which features Dittmar’s airy vocals layered over rhythmic guitars, the set also includes the expansive, hook-filled “Spark,” and the dark, philosophical “October” before closing out with the title track which reminds us of the joys of being young at heart and finding beauty in life - even when we don’t think there is any to be found, “To see a new sky, to feel alive again/The thrill of the ride, to be that kid again/To see a new sky, to feel the sun again/To see a new sky, to feel alive.” It’s a lovely short set of tunes that you should definitely give a listen. - The Daily Country

Austin has been enjoying a resurgence of early ’90s influenced indie lately, ranging from bands mining SST and early Merge to groups like March and Beauty, who work within a 4AD framework, with shimmery guitars and sorrowful vocals. Their Ericka Marsalis-LaManna directed video “Stay” emphasizes this latter quality, featuring the band on a “perfect day,” walking around a carnival in between an impromptu performance at a dam. Beneath it all is the hint of tragedy and loss, but also romanticism and affection, like an update of Mazzy Star or later era Throwing Muses reminescing on days they’re disappointed they’ll never relive. The band’s previous EP Summer Said was produced by Chico Jones at Ohm Studios and Bright Light Social Hour’s Curtis Roush co-produced their new full length due out in early 2017. Until then, you can catch March and Beauty this Sunday, September 25th, as part of the Pecan Street Festival. - OVRLD