The ABGB is stoked to feature the best emerging talent from all corners of the Austin live music scene. This monthly series will feature a 3-band bill of our newest favorites making their ABGB debut. Come over and sample a flight of our latest tasty selections. No cover, all ages.
Lip
LIP
Formed in Austin, Texas, LIP is a contemporary rock band influenced by the likes of the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Radiohead, and many others. Austin natives Coleman Meola (drums) and Connor Tester (bass/vocals) met in 2013. A year later, Connor filled a vacancy in Coleman’s place of residence. Affectionately referred to as “The Bone Zone” or “BZ”, this house was a proverbial East Austin gem, frequented by local musicians to jam and party. Connor and Coleman focused their energy on locking in a tight rhythm section and in late 2015, were introduced to recent Philadelphia transplant and Berklee graduate Jerome Vivino (lead guitar/vocals). It didn’t take long before the three musicians knew they had something special in the works. Thus, LIP was born. After 6 months of progress, they felt as though they needed another member to round out the sound. Jerome knew the perfect friend for the job, Nashville singer-songwriter Luke Bellet (lead vocals/keys/rhythm guitar). After months of rehearsing at the BZ, the band recorded and produced their debut, self-titled EP. Shortly after, the band relocated to South Austin and the BZ was condemned by the city. The band continued with the mixing and mastering process for the EP as they debuted their live set in July of 2017.
Wonderbitch
Wonderbitch
Wonderbitch harnesses the transportive power of rock to take listeners on sophisticated flights of fancy. Citing psychedelic and 80s pop influence on their sound, they enchant with the visual aspects of their intriguing music videos and spirited live performances. Traces of Bowie, Steely Dan, and Talking Heads decorate their tunes. Lyrically, their offerings wax New Age, yet the sound is mixed in the charred, weirder edges of alternative. Their whimsical songs explore starkly rendered feelings and subjects that allow them to resonate with an introspective but universal vibe.
TOMA
TØMA
TØMA’s trip through time and sound is a journey filled with pockets of nostalgia and analog color, with a no-boundaries, anything goes attitude to song construction. The group was initially formed by Austin vocalist/guitarist Henry Johnson, vocalist/keyboardist Waldo Wittenmyer, and percussionist Jake Hiebert in 2014.
After the successful 2017 release of their debut full-length, Aroma, produced by James Petralli of White Denim, the group traveled coast to coast refining a live sound that is reminiscent of 70’s and 80’s pop icons such as Squeeze and The Cars, while maintaining the sonic complexity of modern acts such as Unknown Mortal Orchestra & Tame Impala.
Upon their return to Austin, Henry Johnson and Waldo Wittenmyer began their exploration of new sounds and styles, finding new ways to join elements of different decades while using their songwriting talents as an adhesive to bind the years of musical influence that they’ve both acquired.
With the addition of Dillon Randolph and Stijn Dobbelaere in 2017, the band continues to write and perform, bringing an electrifying live show to cities across the country, keeping the audience on their toes and on the edge of their seats.