Currently on tour, Built to Spill stopped by our lovely home of Austin, Texas, this past Friday night. All you 90s indie-rock fans are probably aware, but for everyone else, Built to Spill is an essential slacker-rock, jangle-pop band from Boise, Idaho. Started by guitarist and vocalist Doug Martsch, he has been the band's only permanent member. Martsch has had various rotating members for different albums, and today, he plays alongside Melanie Radford on bass and Teresa Esguerra on drums. The band is highly essential to defining the indie/slacker rock genre. Inspired by the sounds of Dinosaur Jr and Neil Young, they would go on to influence artists like Modest Mouse and Death Cab for Cutie.
The pure excitement I held for this show has carried me through the past couple of weeks. I was first introduced to the band earlier this year when I was recommended their 1994 album, There’s Nothing Wrong With Love. The thematic interpretation of growing up, poetically raw lyricism, and beautifully blended mellow and jagged instrumentation immediately spoke to me. Finding this album sent me down a Built to Spill spiral, consuming my entire Last.fm. This treasured find furthers my belief that what's meant for you will find you, especially at the right time in your life. As my teen years fade away, and my mid-20s lie ahead, I'm feeling quite existential about my past, present, and future. You readers probably don’t care, and I’m not entirely sure how to explain it, but out of all my favorite emotive and introspective artists, Built to Spill is meant to be in my life right now. There’s Nothing Wrong With Love is defined by nostalgia, reflections of memories, and introspection, accompanied by unpolished vocals, “skronky” guitar, fuzzy bass, and melodic drums. Songs like “Car”, “Fling”, “Twin Falls”, “The Source” – honestly, the whole album is the current soundtrack to my life.
On the way to the venue, I noticed the evening was surrounded by a warm glow, and not just because it was 100 degrees in September. My amazing friends, Zoe and Alexander (shoutout DJ Funk), came along with me. The night's location was Central Machine Works, a brewery in East Austin. Never having been to this venue and expecting something hot and crowded, I was pleasantly surprised. Outside of the brewery doors lay a large, open gravel-filled space with scattered trees, a relaxed crowd, and a breezy open layout. Built to Spill had a very simple set design: a black screen with their name in yellow font and duo-colored lighting. At the venue, I ran into another friend and fellow KVRX member, Anna (shoutout DJ humble rat). Anna guided us back to her humble abode, the barricade. I had never been so close at a venue before, and I took this opportunity to take in as much as I could. I watched audio cords be uncoiled, gear unpacked, and patiently awaited the music to come. After each member settled into place, they did not say anything before they started; no words were needed.
With the setlist eternally changing at every show, I was extremely excited to hear what was in store. Before the music started, the crowd was cheering and yelling “I LOVE YOU DOUG”. The opening heavy bass line to the perfectly melancholic “So” was played, and the show began. Followed by “Distopian Dream Girl”, and one of my all-time favorites, “Else”. In a sea of mellow head-banging and chanting lyrics, I sang along with my favorite line.
“Your body breaks, your needs consume you forever, and with this lies the need to be here together.”
There was almost no conversation from the band, including from Doug. But that was ok; we knew he was here for us, and us for him. Rather than the artist to the crowd, the crowd said more to the artist. Chants from everywhere requested favorite songs. Every lyric was sung somewhere by someone, and all sang together for absolute classics like “I’m Gonna Hurt A Fly”, “Liar”, and “The Plan”. These are songs people have loved for decades, made memories to, bonded over, a soundtrack for the ever-existential. We poured our hearts out to Built to Spill, they played their hearts out for us. Drummer Teresa Esguerra absolutely killed it. Headphones on, one shoe off, she hit every beat with passion. She was very inspiring to watch as someone currently attempting to learn the drums. Bassist Melanie Radford also absolutely rocked as she danced along to every perfectly fuzzy strum. As the show came to a close, the encore shouts began.
The encore consisted of “Randy Described Eternity”,” Carry the Zero”, and ended with the first Built to Spill song I heard, “Car”. This moment felt full circle to me. In good journalistic manner, I have to be transparent and note that my review is definitely biased due to my sentimental value towards Built to Spill. This was my favorite concert in a long time. It felt so special to hear the songs that consoled me in moments of vulnerability live. As I sign off, I am still unsure of what lies ahead. However, I am at peace knowing I can always turn to the bittersweet melodies of Built to Spill.