Who said that energy and introspection can’t co-exist? It wasn’t me. And it certainly wasn’t Small Engine Fire. The new Austin band is made up of members of Lola Tried and Quiet Company, and together they create something a little nostalgic, like taking a ride out to Wilco with your Grandaddy. Small Engine Fire throws your ear for a fun loop by having traditional rock instrumentation and sound guided by an almost theremin-like synth melody. It’s like purple neon arrows guiding you around a Midwestern City.
Small Engine Fire follows their breadcrumb trail of singles with Better By Now, an EP that really showcases the band’s controlled pairing of thoughtfully paced introspective lyrics with an energy that keeps the train on track.
“Good Old Days” is from the debut Better By Now EP, out now. You can celebrate the EP release tomorrow night at the Hole in the Wall with Hex Girlfriend and TV’s Goodtimes.