The Waylons

From: New York
RIFYL: Teenage Fanclub, Wilco

mp3: The Waylons – “Endless Supplies”

mp3: The Waylons – “Rachel”

For quite a few years now, The Waylons have been one of the greatest hidden treasures of the New York music world. For one reason or another The Waylons have gone relatively unnoticed by press, blogs, and seemingly everybody. It’s one of those things that makes me question exactly what makes me a fan when everyone else is listening to someone else. So I put on their self-titled debut record and within the opening seconds of “Front Porch” I can’t help but hear perfect pop rock with a hint of folk and excellent hooks. I was introduced to their music when their cd found its way onto my desk when I was just starting to work as a music writer. They had no label, they didn’t look hip, and no one was talking about them, but the songs were so good that I would see them perform live multiple times that year. All 4 members proved to have an excellent grasp on the art of songwriting, and the live performances lived up to the recordings.

The members of The Waylons aren’t in their early twenties, and have grown content with releasing an occasional record and playing a couple shows a year, so their chances of indie-stardom of very small. But knowing all this, with one listen of their new EP Out of Love, it’s hard to imagine that blogs like BrooklynVegan aren’t even listing their show tonight at Bruar Falls. When I hear these songs I hear bits and pieces of Teenage Fanclub, Steven Malkmus, early Wilco, and Simon & Garfunkle.

Take one listen to “Rachel” or “Endless Supplies” and tell me you don’t love this band.

1/20 – Bruar Falls (Out of Love record release party)
2/3 – Union Hall