Ancient Cat Society Returns With a Force On New Single

Ancient Cat Society. Photo: Lauren Marek

It seems that in today’s world, there’s a ton of things that get called folk or Americana or folk rock without really sounding much like any of them. You can find a ton of bands that tag themselves with these genres, but barely any scratch the surface of those monikers. However, for Ancient Cat Society, the trio could literally use all three without hesitation. Back from the ashes of what is seemingly a side project between Sergio Trevino and Austin Sepulvado of Buxton alongside Haley Barnes of Dollie Barnes and VODI, the Houston three-piece is a breath of fresh air in the cluttered world of folk-handed indie rock. On their upcoming album, Ancient Cat Society from Houston’s Splice Records, the group offers up a blend of primarily acoustic songs that hit harder than the usual due to the weight of the three members’ vocal talents alone. On their latest single “The Loneliest Pursuit,” found exclusively at Free Press Houston, they pull you in like sirens in the sea, never crashing you into the rocks, but holding your attention with their beautifully melodies and song craft.

While the song and the album were engineered by SugarHill Grammy winner Steve Christensen and mastered by Chris Longwood, the sounds that emanate all belong to the band, offering a sound that’s hard to deny. Barnes vocals are harmonized by Sepulvado and Trevino in unison while an acoustic strums in harmony, and they immediately have your attention. The slide guitar that comes in creates a tone that isn’t country, but rather just joyous instrumentation that works with Barnes’ vocals, powerfully sticking to your bones. The brush stroked drums that pepper the track are met with crash synths that craft a sound that’s as strong as the vocals of all three, and you can’t help but love the overall sound created here. The end result is a song that you immediately love and will find yourself placing on repeat over and over.

You can learn more about the band in a video interview found here. “Ancient Cat Society” will be available on all platforms on May 26, and you can grab your own physical copy from the band directly when they play their album release show at Heights Theater on May 27. The all ages show has doors at 7 pm with an opening set from Say Girl Say, and tickets between $20 and $160, the latter being a VIP seated table option for 4 people.

by David Garrick