CAYETANA

CAYETANA

“Everything seems so romantic when there’s time and space away.” So sings Augusta Koch, vocalist and guitarist of Cayetana, on “Am I Dead Yet?”, the opening track from their latest album “New Kind of Normal”, released this past summer on Plum Records. Such a sentiment rings true throughout their work, a testament to finding the beauty in letting go, moving on, and looking back all at once. The Philadelphia-based indie-punk band has a sound that invokes an intimate conversation with a close friend, served over the rhythm of vintage New Order-style bass grooves, danceable beats, and the grit of your hometown DIY scene.

After forming in 2011, Cayetana signed to Tiny Engines a couple of years later and quickly gained buzz off of their single “Hot Dad Calendar”. Following the release of their 2014 debut full-length album “Nervous Like Me”, anchored by mixtape-ready instant classics like “Dirty Laundry” and “Scott Get the Van, Iím Moving”, the trio became a staple of the east coast circuit and regulars at Gainesville’s annual indie-punk holiday The Fest, eventually spending more time touring alongside other Fest-vets like Mikey Erg, Lemuria, and The Sidekicks.

While the heart-on-sleeve energy and warmth found in their earlier work remains strong and intact, a slightly more evolved and mature sound begins to naturally emerge on “New Kind of Normal”, the group’s sophomore effort. Tracks like “Side Sleepers” and “Dust” build a welcome layer of texture upon subtler rhythmic dynamics, highlighted by Allegra Anka’s melodic bass lines. In this case, the focus and studio polish expected from a highly anticipated follow-up avoids the cliché of a band becoming self-indulgent, but instead allows the group to remain true to themselves as they continue to grow.

Hot off the heels of a highly acclaimed national tour opening for Waxahatchee this summer, the group embarks on a headlining tour this fall, with special guests Hemming. The three-week trek covers the eastern seaboard and parts of the Midwest, including their first visit to South Florida. The trio brings its unique, high-energy intimacy to Europe with The Menzingers early next year for their debut overseas.

Cayetana will perform with special guests Hemming and Superhaunted at 8pm Wednesday, October 4 at Gramp’s.  176 SW 24th St Miami. ~Brady Newbill