Slow Hollows at the Casbah (4/9/24) by Sofia Dell’Aquila

Stopping in San Diego for their Dog Heaven tour, Slow Hollows took the stage of the Casbah last week to celebrate the release of their new album, Bullhead. After emerging from a four year hiatus, the Los Angeles quartet miraculously returned to the music scene out of sheer quarantine boredom (and we’re all thankful for it). In fact, their 2020 performance at Café du Nord in San Francisco was the last show I caught right before the pandemic hit. As a long time fan, their album release and tour announcement conjured fond memories of past years–I absolutely couldn’t miss this performance.    

Steering away from the more experimental, R&B tone that carried their 2019 album Actors, Bullhead embraces the emotional upwells of the ordinary. Each track exemplifies the intimacy of experiencing life, layering low vocals with ambient instrumentals and violin plucks. Lead singer Austin Feinstein manufactures a soothing blanket of sound with his gentle voice, giving fans a familiar and timeless listening experience. From the soft lulls on “Bullhead” to the smearing guitar on “Idle Hands,” Bullhead finds Feinstein in a transitional state and gives him space to navigate this new path.

Joined by a loyal crowd, local San Diego group Ian Curtis set the tone of the night with their signature indie-folk vibration. Blending lead singer Ian Curtis’ lo-fi vocals with a warm melodic backing molded the audience’s palette flawlessly. With a similar sound to staple indie groups like Good Morning, Ian Curtis crafted the perfect introduction to tune the audience in. 

After years of anticipation, Slow Hollows emerged to transport the room to a dimension of bliss. Embracing the deep melancholy of Feinstein’s voice, the crowd swayed to the crying guitar. The textural variety of the recorded tracks translated perfectly to their live performance as they explored their broad discography. From playing cemented classics from their 2014 album Atelophobia to personal favorites like 2016’s “Again,” Feinstein stoked the tender flames of nostalgia. Singing of tensions, burrowing away, and the search for home, his lyrics pierced holes in the thick and noisy instrumentals. Throughout the night, he laughed with the crowd as they made various requests, even recalling embarrassing moments from past tours.

Nonetheless, their performance was nothing short of captivating. A spectacle of modern indie, Slow Hollows will continue to be an unshakeable force for years to come. Like wearing your favorite jacket or chatting with a close friend, their music brings an affectionate flair to the hidden corners of daily life. As I continue along my own trajectory, Slow Hollows will certainly be playing in the background.