In December, I had the pleasure of exploring Houston, Texas’ mind-melting Day for Night Festival. If you’ve heard any whisperings of Day For Night being “the festival of the future,” I can confirm they are all true. More than a month after the festival and I still lack the vocabulary necessary to explain what tear in the universe I tumbled through. For three days my senses were constantly being seduced by strobing art projections, furry chained monsters, stranger things, and Bjork. But when I made the hard fall back to reality there is one sound that soared above the rest: Light Wheel.
Austin’s own Light Wheel performed on the festival’s Blue Stage, post-Bjork, during the Friday night preview party. Comprised of the vocalist Tyagaraja and producer Evan Dunivan, this duo stole my attention and ears with their dream pop electronica. On stage, the band’s visuals were admittedly jarring. At first I had a hard time focusing on their music, between face paint and colorful tapestries. I felt like I couldn’t give them the honest listen they deserved. I turned my back to the stage, so I could focus on just their noise. I knew it: Love at first listen.
“The Keeper” is a fantastic introduction to this duo. Tyagaraja’s addictive vocals are spellbinding, and will sit very well with Yeasayer fans. Strange sound bites from old movies also appear as echos. Your ears will think: Public Broadcasting Service meets SOHN. Your heart will say, “More.”
More must be coming soon. With one EP available, we know Light Wheel is just getting situated in the Texas music scene. Day or night, I am confident they will be well received.