Mini Pony L-R: Ross Woods, Robert Franco-Tayar, Steve Zamora, Walker Pickens
This guest blog article is by Joana Ortiz.
If mother nature decides to make up its mind, we are nearly approaching the stinging rays of the Texas sun. When I think of summer, I think of air conditioning, the indoors, beer, live music and some more live music!
I’m here to do the hard work for you, recommending bands and shows you should keep an eye out for, as music venues bloom alongside the bluebonnets you’re taking pictures with for the umpteenth time.
Welcome to Texas: The Formation of Mini Pony
A couple of weeks ago, I befriended a band composed of four playful, super nice dudes from all corners of the country. Walker Pickens (vocals) hails from the not-so-far-away land of Wimberley. Not too long ago, a romance brewed between Pickens and now bassist Robert Franco-Tayar (Go Dawgs) while on service with Americorps at American Youthworks. They dug music. They jammed together. They formed a band.
Ross Woods, a pioneer in the art of percussionism (to include tin cookie sheets and cardboard) joined thereafter and carried the band for a while. However, restructuring and a new group member became necessary. Thanks to the lovely Hancock basketball courts, Robert met Houston-transplant Steve Zamora. Steve possessed almost-Phil-Collins drum skills and allowed Ross to move to guitar. Together, the four members completed what is now Mini Pony: a self-proclaimed garage country band with a sprinkle of psychedelia.
Mini Pony takes the stage
For the record, I did ask where the inspiration for the name Mini Pony came from. “The ‘Miniature Ponies’ was proposed and then immediately went to ‘Mini Pony,'” says Woods. They wanted to play on the folky feel of the music at the time, yet portray a playful and silly demeanor. Tell me that’s not another synonym for “fun.:
How Mini Is the Pony?
Although I had previously caught the band at a house party celebrating their one-year anniversary (yes, there was a mini pony pinata), I caught up with the band over some beers before another show at Scoot Inn.
Playing live shows since the release of their self-titled EP last summer has allowed them to shift and solidify their genre. Starting off with a garage country feel, they’ve landed on a fresher sound with funk psychedelic touches. Personally, having listened to their singles online and later watched them perform, their sound has indeed progressed into a more foot-tapping funkadelic beat.
Typically, I could care less about a band’s attire and whatnot, but what I like about these guys’ stage presence is how genuinely they get into their individual instruments and smile at the audience’s revelry. Now that their sound is much more established, they do have an album project up their sleeve (hoof?) soon. At the end of the day, what the guys hope is for the audience to have an exhilarating experience.
Shooting the breeze
As always, I like to know where people hang out in town for fun, and the guys sure had answers. Places varied from Crown & Anchor to Gingerman to Valentina’s (for supposedly the second best BBQ in town), to apparently every park in Austin and even newer establishments like The ABGB.
I cannot wait to claim every shaded spot in Austin this summer, but I also can’t wait to catch these guys in future shows whilst hugging a cold brew. Say, while mother nature drinks her coffee, stay social with Mini Pony on Facebook and Twitter? Catch them on April 20th at 4:20 PM at Whip In (stellar venue) while you’re at it! The date and time is completely and totally not on accident.
Last, but not least, I leave you with Mini Pony’s awesome music video for their single, “Born For The Storm:”
Joana is an Austin native who needs more coffee, FaceTimes with Amy Poehler in her dreams, and digs Foreign Policy like a nerd. Follow her nonsensical thoughts @joanaortiz.
Photos courtesy of Connor Pickens. Disclosure: I was on the press list for a recent Mini Pony show and given comped entrance for the purposes of this article. All opinions are my own.
