Panoramas

Two-time HHM music alum Leslie Sisson is hatching a new project, an all-female three-piece dubbed Panoramas. After launching their Facebook page on Oct. 27, the trio unveiled a video of their first song, entitled “Please”, on Nov. 4. The video, described by the group as “rough mix, rough vid,” depicts them in a recording studio, Sisson on guitar and vocals.
The tune owes much to ’90s shoegaze, featuring lo-fi guitar work, a hypnotic melody that avoids droning despite its fuzziness, and Sisson’s breathy, Hope Sandoval-like intoning. Apart from this song, details on the project are sketchy, the official site, www.panoramasmusic.com, featuring only a group photo and the promise that more is coming soon. Still, their Facebook page has amassed 402 ‘likes’ as of Nov. 11.
Sisson played back-to-back years for Hell’s Half Mile, first performing with Matt Pond PA in 2010 and again as a solo artist in 2011. - Hell's Half Mile

Pretty weird how things happen in this road we call life. A few years ago, out of pure dumb luck, managed to get an interview with The Wooden Birds and then managed to review (and interview) Leslie Sisson while she was touring her solo project, Sisson. Fast forward to March 2014 and I saw Leslie Sisson in her new band, Panoramas, perform at The Ginger Man. A quick missed calls, text messages and facebook messages later I’m in a lil’ coffee shop in Austin called The Flightpath Coffee House.

I’m sitting in front of Panoramas, a three member soundscape machine consisting of Leslie Sisson (vocals, guitar), Rozie Castoe (vocals, bass) and Karen Skloss (drums.) The topics of conversation are : influences, band naming, SXSW misadventures, the genius of John Paul Jones and vintage 90s films. All of this fuelled with tea, Topo Chico water and a slightly inspiring brew of curiously strong coffee. - Sloucher

Panoramas were up at ten, so I had enough time to take a stroll around. I went to a food truck that sold pizza. It was terrible and overpriced. Oh, well. I see that Cedar Street Courtyard has a decent crowd and I go in. It stinks of Corporate Christmas Party and it is in a way. It’s a Chevrolet sponsored event and I feel terribly out of place. No, I’m not one of those “corporations are eviiiil, you guys!” I just felt a little unwelcome by the crowd, who knew I wasn’t a dealer and wheeler/shaker and maker like them.

Panoramas are lush and relaxing. A whole line of fans is on the first row bench. I sit with them, even if I stick out like a sore thumb (they are mostly well dressed with suits and shirts.) They have been drinking heavily but never interrupt the flow of the 90s pop rock Panoramas create. Elvis Presley gets a small tribute and the band comes back for an encore, playing a rockier version of lead singer’s ‘Harmony’, a dreamy acoustic song from her solo album, Sisson.

I think I saw Andrew Kenny from American Analog Set/Wooden Birds fame in the audience. This was confirmed later by Leslie Sisson, lead singer of Panoramas and member of Wooden Birds. The Hold Steady are playing the Courtyard later tonight, but I don’t have the energy to stick around. Besides, my bus back home is sitting idle outside the venue and I get in quickly. The ride takes ages and a lot of student types seem to be performing that stereotype I usually don’t see. Don’t be cranky, Sam. - Sloucher