Looks can be deceiving, but this certainly isn’t the case with The Backseat Lovers. Videos from their website depict four guys somewhere in their 20s with long hair and baggy clothes – in other words, the pinnacle of an indie rock band.
They first formed their musical group in June 2018 and have been making waves on the indie scene ever since. The beginnings of a band first sparked when lead vocalist Joshua Harmon had sought out drummer Juice Welch and told him of his desire to start a band. Soon after that Harmon met guitarist Jonas Swanson in Provo, where they were both waiting in a line. KJ Ward (who replaced former member Ethan Christensen) was tacked onto the roster after the Backseat Lovers met his former band (Sammy Brue and the Grinders) at a gig at The Basement in Rexburg, Idaho.
Ever since these crossroads in the universe brought together the four men who make up The Backseat Lovers, they have released two albums – When We Were Friends (2019) and Waiting To Spill (2022).
Seeing as When We Were Friends was their debut album, the Backseat Lovers really took the opportunity to establish their style as a band. The vocals on this album are raw and raspy, which compliments the electric guitar. The instrumentation can seem a bit overwhelming at first, but Harmon never lets it drown out his distinctive voice. The songs in this album are fun, upbeat, and create a lighthearted feel for who the Backseat Lovers are.
Waiting To Spill is slower than the prior album and harnesses a “Norwegian Wood” (The Beatles) type vibe. The slow feel to the album actually serves to accentuate the acoustic and electric guitar used, and create really lovely melodies. The lyrics are poetic and thought-provoking, and require you to take some time to think while listening to the album.
The Backseat Lovers, while they haven’t been on the music scene extremely long, have revitalized authentic indie rock and create music that leaves you feeling refreshed and thoughtful.
My Top Ten:
- “Silhouette” (Waiting to Spill)
- “Maple Syrup” (When We Were Friends)
- “Out of Tune” (Elevator Days)
- “Pool House” (When We Were Friends)
- “Olivia” (When We Were Friends)
- “Snowbank Blues” (Waiting To Spill)
- “Just a Boy”
- “Still a Friend” (Elevator Days)
- “Davy Crochet” (When We Were Friends)
- “Address Your Letters” (Elevator Days)
For fans of The Beatles, Wallows, Beabadoobee, and Clairo.
