Marmalakes is the Austin duo of Chase Weinacht (guitarist/writer) and Josh Halpern (drummer/producer), lifelong friends whose spirited intensity leaps from their recordings. Since the band’s beginning, they’ve worked in various projects (Shearwater, Palo Duro, Here Cinema) but always return to write songs together. An affinity for high energy performances and strategic pop nuance has found a home within their well-received EPs.
Out May 11 on Austin Town Hall Records, Please Don’t Stop is a collection of songs that will endure the test of time; you can feel it as you listen to each tune—these songs are not disposable. Weinacht wrote the lyrics in piecemeal, adding a tidbit here, a new turn on an image there. He pays tribute to rural life in sparsely populated Texas towns he lived in as a child (those scenes and voices permanently inform his songwriting), while employing a playfulness only found in the city. Their ten song debut follows three EPs, one 7 inch, and a dozen tours and was produced by Danny Reisch (White Denim, Okkervil River, Shearwater). It excellently illustrates the journey these two have taken, resulting in a wondrous batch of songs that marks the beginning of something huge.
Today Glide is premiering “New Sweden”, one of the standout tracks on Please Don’t Stop. The song mixes indie rock, folk and Americana sensibilities, with the first half of the song more quiet and reflective and an infectious harmony. With each chorus the band welcomes more instrumental textures like piano and electric guitar riffs, building a swell of suspense before the bridge. From here they explode in a joyous crash of electrifying riffs and organ before dropping back into the verses. Though Marmalakes are still mostly a local Austin band, “New Sweden” clearly demonstrates the band’s ability to conjure up huge soundscapes and captivating lyrics.
LISTEN:
Marmalakes release Please Don’t Stop on May 11. For more music and info visit marmalakes.com.
