I really miss those alt-rock vibes of the 90’s. Summers felt longer, more at ease, and alternative rock was ruling the airwaves.
The closest my old ass will get to those feelings again may come via Hello Biplane’s latest album, how to hold a bug. The moment the guitars ring out on the first track, the space between my back and the chair gets a little smaller and I sink in for a nostalgic auditory trip.
Hello Biplane comes courtesy husband-wife team Spencer Goertz-Giffen and Braden Young. They take turns throughout the album on the mic, and both bring guitar expertise to the record. There’s a bit of contradiction between the laid back guitar licks and the intensely harsh lyrics with some of the tracks, whereas others are peppered in with very Lawrence references (“Don’t Let Go,” “Spotlight”).
how to hold a bug is a masterclass in how to use all the resources available at the disposal of Lawrence musicians to build a scene. It was engineered by Young and Jim Piller (of The Roseline and general local music fame) and features an array of Lawrence musicians including Jeff Jackson (bass) Austin Sinkler (drums and fellow Richard’s Guitar co-worker to Young), Hugh Naughtin (cello) and Nate Holt (keys and accordion). This may be the only Lawrence band we currently know of that currently boasts a cello and accordion. Be still my accordion-loving heart!
Anyone who’s ever been to a Hello Biplane can tell you it’s equal parts chill vibes and rock and roll. That rings true on how to hold a bug, which is not only a calm romp through alternative rock but a nod to where studying past genres can bring a band today. Throughout the 11 tracks, we’re reminded of 90’s rock, The Beatles, and even a little Brit Pop. This is a band with Lawrence longevity (a rarity in this town)— and as long as they keep up with their chill demeanor, we anticipate many more years of laid-back rock vibes to come from the band.
You can pick listen to the album over on their Bandcamp page and hear the tracks in person at their album release show on Saturday, March 27, at The Bottleneck with The Roseline and THIMASTR.