Shawn Astor / Tahoe Onstage
Who is this Houndmouth — the band that plays Crystal Bay Casino on Tuesday — you might ask?
The quartet from New Albany, Indiana, is a bit of a mystery in these parts, anyway. Not much is revealed on its web page or social media.
Houndmouth it seems prefers to let its music speak for itself.
It plays anthemic folk rock songs with sway-worthy melodies. Lead guitarist Matt Myers’ vocals are buoyed by harmonies from his three bandmates on choruses. The tunes have storylines. Houndmouth’s sound is reminiscent of Wilco, Cracker and The Wild Feathers, a band that thrilled a Crown Room audience in March.
Houndmouth received the top billing alongside the Old 97’s and Nikki Lane at this spring’s Schellraiser Mucis Festival in McGill, Nevada. It also played at Cargo Concert Hall in Reno in 2015, when it included keyboardist Katie Toupen.
The band signed a record deal after a strong showing at the 2012 SXSW in Austin, Texas. It has four studio albums, the latest being November 2021’s “Good For You.” A single from the new record, “Las Vegas,” has a gambling-stock car racing theme, and it made it to Billboard’s Adult Alternative Airplay charts.
Myers and drummer Shane Cody are original members. Caleb Hickman plays keyboard and Sam Filiatreau plays bass. Each member sings.
Filiatreau opens the show with a solo set. He’s influenced by Appalachian musicians and storytelling folk artists from the 1970s. Filiatreau’s from Louisville, Kentucky.
After its CBC debut, Houndmouth will zigzag the Northwest and British Columbia on a tour with alternative indie band Rainbow Kitten Surprise.
-Tim Parsons
Houndmouth
Opener: Sam Filiatreau
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 12
Where: Crystal Bay Casino Crown Room
Tickets: $20 in advance or $25 on the day of the show
