Live music review: Lunar Gold shines at Stay Gold single release
Today’s post is by a new contributor to The Cosmic Clash, Ethan Guion. Ethan’s love of writing and live music led him to us and we’re thrilled to have him pen this post on Lunar Gold’s single release at Stay Gold last Friday.
If your ears lust for the dark ambient mix of The National and Pink Floyd-influenced electro- alternative sounds, then check out Austin’s Lunar Gold. The band, fronted by singer/guitarist Jason Morris, performed to a packed house at Stay Gold last Friday, September 20. This show celebrated the release of the Lunar Gold’s new single, “Long Cool Breeze,” and the 10th anniversary of Black Books, a local alternative psych-rock band.
Stay Gold, a rockabilly-themed venue, is at the epicenter of Austin’s growing east side bar scene owned by Will Tanner and Nathan Hill . The thirsty vibes last Friday night attracted an upbeat crowd who, ready-or-not, was presented with Lunar Gold’s deft layering of ethereal vocals and hypnotically dark melodies. The early atmosphere at the Stay Gold began to cool off and the Texas heat waned with South Austin’s popular Electric Eel IPA tapping out before the band even began to strum a single chord. With Justin Sherman on house sound, the Stay Gold was ready to gently rock through the night.
The set kicked off with Morris on solo acoustic electric guitar as Lunar Gold. His soaring voice opened the set with a cover of “Welcome to the Machine” from Pink Floyd’s 1975 album, “Wish You Were Here.” The Roger Waters influence carried through as Morris was joined by fellow band members, Tyler Cornett, Mike, Peña, and Paul Goetz. Cornett, recently returned from LA for the show, and bassist John Aldridge, from the Black and White Years, was a stand-in for Garth Condit on bass.
Lunar Gold’s signature sound is ethereal and dreamy, a blend of high-flying electric guitar chords over organ, blended carefully with bowed upright bass, and a muted rhythm-section groove. These hard-working artists blended their soaring cerebral melodies with heartfelt lyrics sharing recent songs such as Brooklyn, Low Light, Garden, Wishful Thinking and Vestiges. Check them out on their recent live in-studio session with “Austin Uncharted” on YouTube below.
Stay tuned for news on updates to booked events in the future. For now you can hear more of Lunar Gold online at Sound Cloud, YouTube, and Bandcamp. Discover more of their musical experiences in the videos and tabs listed below.
We spoke with Morris following the set. He continues to sail in the challenging Austin music scene. The musician is a gentleman with a conscious understanding of the need for new music with substance from local artists in the Austin. He is always searching for more ways to expand lyrically. The soon-to-be father is expecting twins this November, beginning another adventure amid the music.
Wishful Thinking 0:36
Garden 5:51
Low Light 9:48
Vestiges 16:56
Lunar Gold Members
Jason Morris
Tyler Cornett
Paul Goetz
Garth Condit
Mike Peña
