• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Write
  • Intern
  • Events
  • About
  • Contact

The Austinot

Discover Austin Texas! An Austin blog with hundreds of unique articles.

  • Things To Do
    • Things To Do This Weekend
    • Things To Do This Week
    • Things To Do This Weekend With Kids
  • Discoveries
    • Austinot Loves
    • Activities
    • Day Trips
    • Local Business
  • Food & Drink
    • Food
    • Drink
  • Entertainment
    • Events
    • Film
    • Music
    • Nightlife
    • Theatre
  • Culture
    • Arts
    • History
    • Museums
  • Et Cetera
    • Non-Profits
    • Podcast
    • Archives

Dream Attics’ Fresh Indie-Electronic Sound Hits Austin Scene

February 7, 2017 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

Dream Attics Band Austin

Dream Attics takes the Swan Dive stage before their first show (Credit: Katie McDowell)

Swan Dive on Red River was eerily empty the night I first saw Dream Attics. Reddish purple light glowed against the stage’s curtain backdrop. Dimly lit chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Minutes before their first live show in their new home town, the three-piece milled about, drinking beer and chatting with friends.

By the time Dream Attics had finished their seven-song set, the stagefront was full of head bobbing music fans. Some danced, some grooved, but everyone dug the band’s somberly energetic brand of atmospheric electro-indie.  Full of songs reflecting love, loss and long nights sipping drinks while dreaming of tomorrow, Dream Attics is poised to become a serious player in the Austin music scene.

New to Austin, Not to Music

Dream Attics Shane English

Dream Attics frontman, Shane English (Credit: Katie McDowell)

This isn’t Dream Attics’ first musical rodeo. Guitarist/producer Nick Toverek and vocalist Shane English first met five years ago through the Milwaukee music community. After knocking around with different bands, the duo started a recording project in their spare time.

“We started doing it for fun,” shared English. “He [Toverek] came to me with some beats; I threw vocals on them. And then, after a little bit of time, we started crafting more songs together. We then released an EP. Seemed like people enjoyed it, so we decided to keep going.”

Fast forward to 2015, when English and Toverek decided to move to Austin to take Dream Attics to the next level. Here they met bassist Rene Ortiz, solidifying the current lineup. The show I attended at Swan Dive was their first Austin performance.

Musical Style

Dream Attics on Stage

Dream Attics stirs up the early Swan Dive crowd (Credit: Katie McDowell)

The bedrock of Dream Attics’ sound is bouncy, breezy electronic rhythms, accented by Toverek’s guitar licks and English’s softly expressive vocals. The pair cites influences that range from 90’s grunge to Elliot Smith, the latter fully evident in English’s lyrics.

The show began with “Still,” the opening song off the group’s latest EP, “Fears.” Backed with a slamming drum track, the tune floats along the rhythm like a bird on the wind. They followed it up with “Arrows,” a hook-heavy tune that effortlessly sways between a deliberate slow burn tempo and double time drum tracks. The entire set was punctuated with percussive ear candy and glistening synth lines.

The standout track of the evening was “Like a Pretty Song” off their first EP, “UNBEND.” Soaked in pure bass line groove and guitar funk, the tune showcases English’s introspective lyrics and Toverek’s layered production. The song tells the story of a reluctant lover stealing glances at a woman he feels hopelessly inferior to, despite the liquid courage of whiskey and wine. I’m a big fan of depressing party songs and “Like a Pretty Song” tows that line beautifully.

Dream Attics finished their Swan Dive set with “Start Again,” an uplifting song full of cautious bravery and optimism in the face of trials and tribulations. With a soaring chorus of, “I’ve been through this before,” it felt like sunshine in the wake of an electronic apocalypse. A soaring end to a short, yet impressive set.

Future of Dream Attics

Dream Attics After the Show

L-R: Vocalist Shane English, guitarist/producer Nick Toverek, bassist Rene Ortiz (Credit: Katie McDowell)

There’s no end in sight. Now that they’re roommates, Toverek and English are focusing their energy into cranking out new music. According to the band, a new record is about 25 percent complete and they’re filling their calendar with new shows. They’re also looking to fill out their roster with a drummer and other musicians in an attempt to further develop their live sound.

But it’s not like they really need the help. When the set finished up, Dream Attics exited to chants of, “One more song! One more song!” It’s inspiring to watch a band stretch their musical wings and bring their sound to the masses. Blossoming from the controlled confines of a recording studio to an anything-can-happen live setting takes guts. But at their first Austin performance, in front of a modest crowd with immodest enthusiasm, they handled the pressure like seasoned pros. Welcome to Austin, Dream Attics. Hope your stay is a long and successful one.

For music samples, social media and other information, check out Dream Attics’ Bandcamp page.

 

@BillTuckerTSP wants to know:

What new Austin musical act have you been listening to recently?

Filed Under: Entertainment, Music

Best of The Austinot

We always have unique content on The Austinot and we love to give things away. You know, like concert tickets, gift cards, and other cool stuff. We only send out our “Best of the Austinot” newsletter twice a month. It’s where we give you a recap of our best articles and give stuff away. Interested? Subscribe to Best of The Austinot here!

Subscribe
Login
Notify of
guest
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Connect with Us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Things to do

Things to do in Austin this week of February 20 | Fat Tuesday Crawfish Boil

10 Fun Things to do in Austin this week of February 20, 2023 include Fat Tuesday Crawfish Boil, National Margarita Day Party Bus Tour, and more!

Our top choices for things to do in Austin this Week of February 20, 2023, include Fat Tuesday Crawfish Boil, Mardi Gras Murder Mystery Dinner, National Margarita Day Party Bus Tour, and more! Austin is now among the fastest-growing metroplexes in the US! Keeping up with the growth, luckily, there’s plenty going on in Austin all days […]

Things to do in Austin with kids this weekend of February 17 | Zumba Famly Fitness Class

Top 10 things to do in Austin with kids this weekend of February 17, 2023 include Zumba Family Fitness Class, Ice Cream Art Camp, and more!

If there’s one thing about this city, it’s that there is always something going on. So, if you’re looking for fun things to do in Austin with kids this weekend of February 17, 2023, there’s plenty of fun to be had, including Zumba Family Fitness Class, Ice Cream Art Camp, Dino Days: Dino Costume Contest, and more! […]

Things to do in Austin this weekend of February 17 | Ascension Seton Austin Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K

11 Fun things to do in Austin this weekend of February 17, 2023 include Austin Marathon, Love Bites Haunted House, & More!

There are plenty of fun things to do in Austin this Weekend of February 17 which include Austin Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K, Love Bites: A Valentine’s Haunted House, PBR Cedar Park Chute Out, and more! Whether you’re planning a date or having fun with friends, these events and things to do in Austin this weekend may be […]

Austin Valentine's Day 2023 - Best events, parties and celebrations near you

Austin Valentine’s Day 2023 – Best events, parties and celebrations near you

Every year, it gets harder to miss the cues of Cupid’s arrival when Valentine’s Day comes around the corner. The local eateries draw chalk hearts next to their Daily Specials, arrows start sticking out of engorged heart balloons and the internet starts getting populated with V-Day Event Diaries. How do you find reliable, vetted, and […]

Huge List of Unforgettable Austin Date Spots

Date Ideas Austin – 20 romantic things to do during day and night!

Recently I found myself wrapped up in one of those fleeting moments of self-empowerment, tickled by a craving for adventure. Interested in re-entering the dating pool, but also daunted by how exhausting the process can be, I decided the only way to start dating was to cannonball in. So I created a challenge for myself: […]

Recent Posts

  • 10 Fun Things to do in Austin this week of February 20, 2023 include Fat Tuesday Crawfish Boil, National Margarita Day Party Bus Tour, and more!
  • Top 10 things to do in Austin with kids this weekend of February 17, 2023 include Zumba Family Fitness Class, Ice Cream Art Camp, and more!
  • 11 Fun things to do in Austin this weekend of February 17, 2023 include Austin Marathon, Love Bites Haunted House, & More!
  • Gluten Free Bakery Austin – Where to find gluten-free donuts, cakes, breads, & more!
  • Best Dessert in Austin – 10 Places to enjoy sweet desserts near you

Welcome to The Austinot

We are all about Austin: the vibe, the people and the uniqueness of the city. We love to explore. Get to know us! We’ll respond if you comment. Heck, we’ll probably invite you to come and hang out with us!

Follow along to help support and learn more about local businesses, artists, and events.

-The Austinot Team

Privacy Policy

Trending Posts

  • Date Ideas Austin – 20 romantic things to do during day and night!
  • Expert Guitar Service in Austin From Luthier Danny Shoemaker
  • 11 Austin Businesses That Use Weird Sculptures to Get Your Attention
  • Cap City Comedy Club Is My Favorite Place in Austin and Here’s Why
  • Hidden in Plain Slice: 5 Secret Menu Items to Ask for in Austin

Copyright © 2023 · Log in

wpDiscuz