by Devon Chodzin (@bigugly)
First Rodeo is a long time coming. The alt-Americana project of Nathan Tucker (Cool Original, Strange Ranger) and Tim Howe (Vista House, The Great American Commute) arises after the two have cultivated a collaborative friendship for well over a decade. Earnest vocals and variegated instrumental arrangements abound on the writing duo’s self-titled debut LP, out August 5th on Forged Artifacts (Fime, The Big Easy). When listening to First Rodeo, one can’t help feeling nostalgic for the present moment; grasping for any possible way to capture those resonant emotions and bottle them for safekeeping.
The record’s next single, “Pucker Up, Amelia,” is high-energy and brilliantly catchy. The harmonica stuns the listener to attention before propulsive percussion summons some toe-tapping. Swirling around sonorous vocals is collaborator Sam Wenc’s pedal steel, underscoring the sonic and affective direction of the band’s vocals. The track is undeniably fun, gently emotive, and rough-around-the-edges.