Every once in a while when a vocalist steps to the microphone, takes a breath for that first note, and lets the sound out, the audience is surprised. They’re left wondering, “Where did that sound come from?” and spend the rest of the set riding acoustic waves they never saw coming.
Maggie Koerner and the Slow Burn recently opened for Saints of Valory at The Belmont, and delivered up a surprise performance for first-time listeners. But there’s quite a story behind the formation of the group, including no small amount of serendipity.
Serendipitous Formation at a Taco Truck
The Slow Burn portion of Maggie’s musical presentation is a relatively new development. Her first album, Quarter Life, was a solo gig with hired hands on instruments. Maggie was booked for a CD release party in January 2012 at Stubb’s, but had no band to back her up. She turned to Nick Brumley (rhythm guitar) and Eric Gardner (upright bass), who had contributed to Quarter Life. They recruited a friend, Sam Kilpatrick (lead guitar). The group made their way to Austin for the CD release with no drummer.
Looking for a vegetarian joint in town for Eric, Maggie got lost and pulled over to the side of the road in frustration. She glanced to her right toward a taco truck across the street, and saw an old friend from high school – Jeremy Hayes. Jeremy was a drummer. And he was free to play at Stubb’s that night.
Maggie Koerner and the Slow Burn – L to R: Nick Brumley, Jeremy Hayes, Eric Gardner and Sam Kilpatrick
Every member of Maggie Koerner and the Slow Burn agrees that their performance that night at Stubb’s was the best of their lives up to that point, as a group and individually. For Maggie, it was like hearing her songs perfectly for the first time, the way she had always imagined in her head. The group that had been formed out of desperation for a deadline knew that night that they wanted to make their formation official.
Working to Find a Voice
Maggie Koerner and the Slow Burn at The Belmont
There’s no doubt about it, Maggie Koerner has quite a voice. It’s packed with decades of attitude and musical influence, which is surprising at first given the 25 year old face out in front. Maggie describes the group’s sound as a mixture of Marvin Gaye and Led Zeppelin. You hear Zeppelin in the band, but you hear Marvin in Maggie’s vocals.
Maggie readily admits that she’s still trying to find her voice. The similarities to Adele may be flattering, but no one wants to live a musical career being compared to another artist. With the group’s recent move to New Orleans, a city Maggie says is the perfect incubator for her song writing, discovery and transformation may be on the horizon.
Experience the Sound for Yourself – CD Giveaway
[GIVEAWAY CLOSED]
If you’re curious about Maggie Koerner and the Slow Burn, you shouldn’t have to wait too long to experience them for yourself. Austin is a home away from home for the group, and they hope to have a show here every couple of months.
If you can’t wait until then, hit us up for a copy of Quarter Life, Maggie Koerner’s debut album. We’ll be giving away three copies. Here’s how you can win:
- Make the “most thoughtful” comment to this article in the comment section below. Winner will be determined by The Austinot team.
- Make the comment that gets the most likes. Click the thumbs-up button to “like” your favorite comment. Cut-off is 6/13 at 7 PM.
- Like our Facebook page and find our post about this article. Be the first to copy and paste the phrase that Eric says to use into a comment here.
Thanks for playing.
@QuasiBrit asks:
What do you think about Maggie Koerner and the Slow Burn?
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I would like for her to wail the nastiness in my living room, please. She said she would if asked politely. 🙂
Not sure if your living room is big enough for her voice.. the girl can belt out some music.. haha! She’s pretty amazing.
He did ask politely though…
Musicians like Maggie help justify Austin’s claim to be the “Live Music Capital of the World”. Thanks for your music!
Thanks, Andrew! We can’t wait to get back to ATX to play more. Hope to see you at the next show.
Found the post through the Austinot Facebook Page… AND THANK YOU! for letting me find her! I LOVE her voice!!!!!!
So happy to make a new fan! Thank you, Aimee.
@facebook-749694852:disqus you won one of the Maggie Koerner CDs. We have your email address so we’ll be in touch to get it out to you. Congrats and thanks for being a part of the Austinot Blog!
Testing. I just left a comment saying that you won one of the CDs and it isn’t showing up.
I loved the article. Loved hearing about how the ‘Slow Burn’ came to be! Maggie has an incredibly soulful voice…looking forward to hearing her with ‘Slow Burn’!
Mags, thanks for all the sacrifices made to create those galvanized words in that unique voice of yours. Don’t doubt yourself, you’ve got the talent. I just hope you have as much fun making your music as we do listening to it.
I’m a little too late for the contest, and that’s okay, I already have a copy of QL, though I could probably use another because mine’s about wore out I listen to it so much. However, I just want to say that I came across Maggie’s music by pure accident, but it was of the best, and most rewarding kind. I became completely addicted to her videos on YouTube, and when I found out she had released a CD, my mom & I drove straight to Shreveport and purchased it (I live in Texas). She has such a beautiful, soulful, sultry, and heart-wrenching voice, I told her once on Twitter that I wanted to live inside of it, and I still want to. Every chance I get, I tell people about her music because I think it’s too beautiful not to share. She’s beyond talented in that she writes her own music, plays her own instruments when the guys aren’t playing, and has a way about her that not only makes you fall in love with her no matter what your sexual orientation, but a way that makes you feel like somehow she knows everything you’re feeling, and then she belts it out for you without you having to say a word.
The WINNERS in the Maggie Koerner CD Giveaway are
@c8768d868859398995e2ba11173ee520:disqus (Most thoughtful comment)
@google-7090c6aa8dc3279a57ce73c2fbaf57c8:disqus (Second most thoughtful comment)
@facebook-749694852:disqus (Facebook winner)
No one had the most likes, so we decided to choose another thoughtful comment for the 3rd cd.
Please use the contact form here on the Austinot and send us your mailing address and we’ll get these out to you! Congrats!
Way to go Maggie. You do have a great voice.
Yes she does. Hauntingly soulful