The Broken Harps

Faces intent with concentration and streaming sweat in the Austin summer night’s heat, the three members of The Broken Harps had ears tuned to nuances only they could hear as they listened to a song recorded in that night’s practice session.

They threw out comments about the structure, rhythm, and feel of the not yet released Let Love Last, employing their traditional collaborative honing method. A brief discussion on the tempo of the piece concluded when lead singer/songwriter Jarrod Criscoe said, “Naw dude - head bob it. You gotta be able to wake up to this.” They laughed, heads bobbing in unison, then called practice a wrap. Lone Stars were cracked all around as the trio sat down with me for a chat.

Bennett, drummer Jeff Bradley, and bassist Travis McGuire have been playing together for almost a decade in Austin and beyond, though it wasn’t until recently that they adopted the moniker The Broken Harps. The name aptly invokes their bluesy, soulful sound while giving a nod to the consistent presence of the harmonica. Inspired by musicians like Tom Petty, The Doors, and Johnny Cash, this southern rock trio draws crowds with original songs characterized by catchy choruses and playful toe-tapping tempos.

The Broken Harps’ second EP (the first under this name) will be released in the fall of 2010, and fans can expect the signature Broken Harps sound: harmonica leads, rhythmic guitar, melodic bass lines, and with Morrison-esque vocals all supported by a solid percussive backbone.

As we polished off the Lone Star and prepared to call it a night, McGuire told me, “we just want people to feel good, to groove right along.”