Studio Tunes // Lord Huron

Music speaks to the soul and enables creativity. We are big music lovers at ARO, so enjoy listening to whats playing at our brick + mortar, 110 E Main, and inspiring us in our art studio...

At last year's ACL Fest we wandered in to Zilker park and over to listen to Lord Huron, a band that sounded really familiar but one I just couldn't place. As they played, we reailzed some of our favorite songs on the radio (Austin's KGSR 93.3) were all from this wonderfully indie-folk band. Our love affair with this mysterious band was realized there in the grasses. My personal obsession continued as I listened to their albums on repeat while screen printing tees. 

Lord Huron's creative mind and front man, Ben Schneider, is an art-school grad and talented illustrator as well. There is no doubt he is incredibly gifted in numerous art forms and his eye for telling stories is well translated in all of them. Lord Huron would be the perfect sound track for any road trip. 

On Lord Huron's 2012 album, Lonesome Dreams, frontman/songwriter Ben Schneider created a whole series of stories based on the fake Western fiction of George Ranger Johnson. His hero tumbled and tootled through windswept tales, searching high and low for a once-lost love. For the follow-up, Strange Trails, Schneider opened things up a bit, thematically, to seek out other treasures. Sonically, the layered vocals and unusual effects create a rather Lord Huron-specific soundscape. While Schneider's airy and dusty Western vibe is still very much intact, he expands his musical repertoire enough to keep things lively and fun.
Kelly McCartney, Blazing Strange Trails, thebluegrasssituation.com, 2015

The amazing sounds of this band are now the only thing we play at the brick & mortar. We have never gotten so many questions as to who it was we were playing. Lord Huron, our ears thank you and cannot wait for many more albums!

Conversations // Lainey Wright

After seeing Lainey perform in the historic LanTex theatre in Llano, Texas, we sat down with her for a conversation about finding inspiration, making music, touring on the road, and being in the great state of Texas.

What was your inspiration for this album? I was inspired for this album by looking deeper into different relationships.  There is a curious, inspiring depth in relationships... relationships with the world, with nature, with people, with God.  I wanted to explore some of those further, and I think that is what this album turned out to be.  It's my contemplation, my commentary on these things.  

We know you've toured internationally, what was your favorite city? Why? I'm so grateful to have visited some really beautiful places.  I think I have to give you two!  I visited British Columbia, Canada a couple years ago.  I enjoyed the whole of it, but I especially liked the city of Victoria.  The landscape is beautiful, and the city has such a nice, cozy feel.  Another favorite is Kristiansand, Norway... again, beautiful landscape, right on the southern coast of Norway.  I experienced this city during a few sunny days.  It was the perfect place to walk around and explore! 

What are some of the albums you listen to most while you're on the road? Jon Foreman is an old staple while on the road... his solo eps and his Fiction Family records.  I'm also currently loving London Grammar.  Put their music on for a long drive and you'll be set! 

Favorite on-the-road snack? A favorite part of any road trip: hummus, avocado, popcorn

If you could take the stage with any other artist, who would it be? What would you sing? Currently, I think it'd be a dream to take the stage with Justin Vernon of Bon Iver and sing "I Can't Make You Love Me" 

Do you have any other projects in the works? I do!  In addition to my solo work, I've recently joined up with a band here in Austin called Grey Lakes.  We're a work in progress currently, with hopes to release music and start playing shows this fall.  It's quite a bit different than anything I've been a part of in the past -- I'm really loving it!  

Were you Born & Raised in Texas? If so, where? If not, when did you move to Texas? I was, and I have the t-shirt from A Rosy Outlook to prove it, haha!  I was born in Austin and moved out to the Hill Country early on.  I spent my years growing up in Llano, and made my way back to the city about 6 years ago.  

Being based in Austin, what is your favorite thing to do in the city? My favorite thing is that there are so many great things to do!  I love spending time in the different green belt areas... so great that there are ways to enjoy nature right in the middle of the city.  An ideal morning is grabbing a smoothie from Juiceland and heading to a hiking trail.  Also, with summer coming up, there are so many great things going on in the city.  One of my favorite things to do in the summer is Blues on the Green.  The city puts on free concerts in Zilker park -- a great time!  

Purchase Lainey's new album on itunes. Check out Lainey's website for tour dates and follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!