Parker Woodland

Parker Woodland: “Ladder At Your Window”

You ever notice a name pop up more and more in a music scene, almost nearing non-stop status, and wonder to yourself, “sure just one person can’t squeeze in the time and energy for all this”…only to find out it’s not a sole person after all, nor even the namesake of one of its members? It’s more common a phenomenon then you might expect. And given the big year they’ve had so far, we suspect it’s happened thoroughly for new listeners of a certain Austin three-piece.

So let’s have a lil powwow with Parker Woodland. Named after the local intersection of Parker Lane and Woodland Avenue, this indie-pop-meets-punk-rock trio’s been on top of things since sharing their debut EP The World’s on Fire (And We Still Fall in Love) in early 2021. Already a certified perseverant standout of the Live Music Capital, this September’s set to start off an extra special era for Parker Woodland, as they power through a packed show schedule surrounding their debut full-length, There’s No Such Thing as Time.

Yeah, there’s no time like this week to seek out Parker Woodland in person; they’ll be palling around a VIP vinyl listening party tomorrow, enjoying an in-store performance and record signing at Waterloo Records on Friday at 5, and tearing into a two-part album release show at the Mohawk, 8PM that same sold out evening and again 2PM the next afternoon for a matinee multi-member birthday celebration. Oh, and did we mention the City of Austin’s proclaiming September 12th as Parker Woodland Day next weekend?

The hype isn’t just real. It’s fully warranted and well-earned. But if you haven’t heard why yet…well it’s time to climb up and face the music with the LP’s second lead single (and lyric music video) “Ladder At Your Window”. Major Go-Go’s energy on this one and major kudos to Parker Woodland for propelling themselves this far and presumably well past what’s set to the be the first of many more milestones.

Parker Woodland: “True Love Will Find You In The End”

First thing’s first. Parker Woodland isn’t a person; it’s a band. More accurately, it’s an Austin-based indie rock collective captained by activist/singer-songwriter Erin Walter. And although Walter, guitarist Andrew Solin, and drummer Keri Cinquina comprise the group’s core trio, Parker Woodland always welcomes a revolving cast of contributors both in-studio and on-stage for inclusive arrangements that complement the band’s hefty emotional weight. Between their placement at Rock the Park and as of last weekend, The Breakfast Boogie, clearly Parker Woodland’s earned their keep as a KUTX favorite and a can’t-miss curator of the Austin Music Experience in 2023.

As for next year, the gang’s been working towards the full-length follow-up to their February 2021 debut EP The World’s On Fire (And We Still Fall In Love). And as Parker Woodland passes the half decade mark of their run, we’re positive that this LP will leap off streaming services and warm hearts citywide. In the meantime, to wrap up this month, you can get a taste of the live portion with an all-ages, stage-filling affair 8PM this Thursday at The Mohawk with Sabrina Ellis and Sheverb. Sure, Live from Love Hill offers an honest representation of Parker Woodland’s in-concert chops, but obviously, the in-person experience is the real deal.

Fingers crossed we get a fuller preview of this new record, whose tunes like the Daniel Johnston folk-punk re-work “True Love Will Find You In The End” have already promised the inevitability of affection and adoration for listeners of any kind. To the naysaying loners, just try not to feel warm and fuzzy after pressing “play”, because this indie-folk fleur blossoms with gorgeous harmonies and optimistic orchestral flourishes before a final-minute sprint into punk-rock-inspired passion.

What Do We Do Now?

We look at this latest COVID surge in Austin and ask the question — What Do We Do Now?

In this episode you’ll hear from

Desmar Walkes, M.D — Medical Director/Health Authority for the City of Austin.
Pat Buchta — Executive Director or Austin Texas Musicians
Aubrey Hays — Musician
Mike Hidalgo — Musician
Autumn Cymone — Musician
Matt the Electrician — Musician
Erin Walter from Parker Woodland
Kate Howard — Musician
Jason McNeely — Managing Partner of Hotel Vegas
Jung Kwak PhD, MSW — Associate Professor at The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing specializing in end of life issues and Medical Ethics.

Erin Walter poses for a portrait at Far Out Lounge and Stage on August 5, 2021. Michael Minasi/KUTX

Portrait of Jung Kwak, Associate Professor in the University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing. Photo by Matt Wright-Steel, courtesy of the Texas Exes