by Dan Goldin (@post_trash_)
Variety… it ain’t just the “spice of life” anymore, it’s also a new band from Austin, comprised of Rhys Woodruff (Borzoi, Leche), Zach Wood (Borzoi), Jordan Emmert (Porcelain, Pleasure Venom), and Nick Stout (New Strangers). With their first show recently behind them and their next coming up soon (February 7th at Hotel Vegas), the band would appear to be hitting the ground running and if first impressions are anything to go by (why the hell not), Variety arrive fully formed. While Woodruff is best known as a drummer and vocalist, he’s moved from behind the kit to write, perform, and record the entirety of Variety’s debut single, equal parts arty punk and deranged alternative rock. “Plover” is a triumphant introduction, a jittery song that feels both knotted and supremely hooky, built on rough edges and locked in momentum. Woodruff’s musical DNA is readily apparent in the jagged progression and subtle twang of the rhythmic stomp, but Variety opt for something cleaner, more direct, and ultimately brighter than his other projects.
Lyrically “Plover” seems to capture the anxiety of the titular birds in face of predators, a constant stress felt on a day to day basis. That tension however isn’t met in the music, as Woodruff eschews agitation in favor of deconstructed grooves and an easy to embrace melodic focus. It’s all layered into place in a way that’s inherently interesting and highly repeatable. The video, directed by Taylor Browne (Borzoi) offers an incredible companion to the song, represented in glorious stop-motion as the VHS of plover grief comes oozing to life. Reminiscent of Pee-Wee’s Playhouse on acid (err… more acid), the channels are flipped through vivid claymation, the commercials we’d all love to see (more Chum Chums, please), and well, murderous birds. Browne is a gifted director, having done videos for Nolan Potter, Borzoi, and Leche, and his vision, part playful and part deranged, really captures the song’s warped sense of character in charming detail.