Those Poor Serfs

Hailing from the famous sound center of Austin, Texas – home of the ever popular South by Southwest Festival – Those Poor Serfs fall somewhere in a charming middle ground that stands apart from the condensed modern vibes of SXSW's famed microcosm but also manages to keep close to the familiar ribbons of soul-stained southern rock without getting their band's music trapped in an overly traditional time warp. This invisible but no less noticeable line is one that can be most challenging to balance; with too much movement to either side possibly leaving artists severely branded inauthentic or sonically un-relatable.

Those Poor Serfs demonstrate this penchant for navigating the modern with the traditional on City View (independent, 2016), the sophomore EP out today, that follows their debut EP, Live in Austin (independent, 2014). Active since 2012, the band has grown from a two person project to a full blown quintet, chock full of comfortably folk rock fare. Derek Kinsaul (vocals, guitar), Coby Michalek (vocals, guitar), Ben Stark (bassist), Temp Keller (drums), and BJ Lazarus (mandolin), offer up four tracks that traverse the pathways of connection and the way people convey the emotions that line those inner roads.

A project on the shorter side of extended plays, what City View lacks in literal storytelling space, it makes up for in diversity for the settings of its sentiments. There is a well established chain of consistency thanks to Kinsaul's vocals and a running stream of reverberation that fills out every crevice of whichever instruments are at play through the record. The most direct display of Those Poor Serfs' ability to effortlessly balance is in these two character elements. Kinsaul projects a voice that is at once refined and eloquent but exuding just a modicum of jagged edge – reflecting aptly noted admiration of Ray LaMontagne – letting listeners know he's pushed himself both physically and emotionally at the mic before and doesn't want to hide that behind the mixing board.

Sonically, there's plenty of enjoyment to be had in each chapter. Major seventh chords with long, ringing, slurred guitar tones create a kind of lazy happiness in the melody; tapping into the to the kind of slow, early, Sunday mornings one might share with a familiar love on the reversely titled, “All Night.” Its sensual lyrics shout out a young John Mayer more than anything (I pick you up, lay you down / put your back to the wall / make you say my name / til you can't take it anymore now). The thought to apply an especially jangly tone to the mandolin and guitar parts on the desperately longing “Steel Bell” is a treat, tossing an extra nod to the idea of metal and toughness, with Kinsaul hoping for his relationship to remain intact while the bell tolls on its chances with each passing verse – audible in the ever-so-slight shakiness of the vocals as the song peaks. (And I can hear the sound, the sound of your name / running off my lips, it tastes like pain / like an old steel bell ringing through the night / I'm an old lighthouse guiding you right.) It's noteworthy that as the EP turns to its latter half, the mood takes a sharper dive as well (In the winter I tire of being alone.) but does so using more major seventh chords (combined with an overall minor hook) – the same musical framing that made the opening track so pleasant – showcasing Those Poor Serfs' flexibility in songwriting.

When the instrumentally diverse, more upbeat closer of “Wakes You” finally comes around, the track serves as a nice emotional uptick from its predecessor. However one does wonder somewhat about the choices surrounding this song, both as lead single and as City View's conclusion. The latter decision makes sense as a melodic feelings booster but, on the part of narrative, the placement presents a boldly open ended scenario as opposed to going for pleasant closure that would have resulted if the EP's bookends were simply flipped. Then again, perhaps this was an objective of the band all along, as the open ending seemingly allows for the four track story to play into itself like an ever evolving cycle, which would hone right into Kinsaul's personal sentiments about drafting his life in songs. “I write about whichever issue or circumstance is most prevalent in my life[.] I hope people take whatever makes the most sense for them. For me, it always seems to evolve over time. “

City View's length doesn't allow for as much creativity by way of delicate build up but, Those Poor Serfs make do very well with the material present, as every track illuminates its individuality like single scenes within an overarching play. Each is capable of being enjoyed on its own or with the additional aspect of consecutive performance. Digested in macro, the EP's chapters seem to follow a route of rising and then falling, before leaving listeners at a place of neutral decision over the City View they've just experienced: depart and revisit or put on repeat. - No Depression

With its roots based in country and blues, Austin provides the perfect environment for Americana music to thrive. However, the genre has saturated the Austin market in recent years, making it difficult or acts to stand out on merit alone. With their debut EP City View, Those Poor Serfs try to break through into the Austin scene with pop sensibilities incorporated into a refreshingly classic sound.
Those Poor Serfs made their debut in 2014 with Live From Austin, Texas, and although City View might be their first studio project, each of the four tracks that make up its 16 minute run time were featured on their live debut as well. In comparison to their live counterparts, the tracks of this EP sound like carbon copies of their live counterparts. Americana doesn’t always translate from the stage to the studio, but Those Poor Serfs make it work.
This similarity in sound is likely because of the group’s simple and well-balanced lineup, consisting of the standard singer, two guitars, bassist, drummer and mandolin, practically a necessary instrument in modern Americana.
Nothing out of the norm happens between the four tracks, but the most shocking component of the group, if there is one, is lead singer Derek Kinsaul’s voice. When the first track “All Night,” begins, it’s a big of a shock to hear Kinsaul’s tenor vocals, which sound like they could go falsetto at any moment. By the end of one listen, Kinsaul’s tone is more soothing than shocking, helping ease the listener into an intriguing story of heartbreak.
City View follows the arc of a complex relationship, beginning with the initial buildup of the pre-relationship hype on “All Night,” where Kinsaul sings about trying to see the signs of mutual attraction in a woman. The story quickly fast-forwards into turmoil, with the romance falling apart in “Steel Bell” and trying to change the mind of the same crush during “Wakes Up”. The story ends with Kinsaul longing for lost love on “In The Winter,” ending the EP on a somber note.
However, without paying attention to the lyrics, City View sounds more revitalizing and joyful than disheartening. BJ Lazarus’ mandolin always plays a crucial role in keeping each song entertaining, and although it may be mixed a little too far back in the recording, it’s easy to pick out at all times. The guitar riffs and short solos from Coby Michalek also play an important role as the star of the EP, drawing the attention of the listener into the instrumentation of each song during otherwise standard interludes.
The juxtaposition of a warm sound and emotional themes makes City View an easy listen and welcoming to almost anyone who will give it a chance. Although it might not reinvent Americana music as we know it, the EP is a solid first effort for a band trying to find their way in a city full of competition. - The Daily Texan

Austin band Those Poor Serfs has been busy introducing the Live Music Capital to their refreshing and blues influenced tunes since they were founded in October of 2012. With their new EP, City View, the band has released a strong piece of work that will remind Austinites of fellow local blues band Town Hall Devils. Both acts perform songs that tug at the soul, while also bringing on a riot of sound that allows listeners to zero in on their songs and focus on each note.

City View opens with the soulful track “All Night” where the group comes across as strong and self-assured, playing songs that will certainly take them places — whether that means amassing bigger crowds at their local shows or going outside of Austin to play as many cities as possible. Derek Kinsaul and Coby Michalek both take on guitar and vocal duties for the band, creating beautiful harmonies that become the highlight of City View. Their sound is rounded out by Ben Stark on bass, Temp Keller on drums, and BJ Lazarus playing the mandolin.

The EP includes a track titled “Steel Bell,” a country inspired number that introduces listeners to their softer side. It’s one that will surely be a hit among the honky tonk crowds of Austin and the rest of the state. The track stirs our emotions while also showing the diversity of the band’s music within Austin’s music scene. Wanting to create something truly genuine makes Those Poor Serfs a solid act that knows not only how to move their audience, but how to engage them from the first song to the last. They’ve mastered the art of making their fans feel like they are visiting an old friend.

“Wakes You” is a catchy tune that takes the group’s audience back to the old days of country music when many of country’s biggest stars talked of struggle and hardships. By placing a memorable guitar riff throughout the tune, “Wakes You” turns into a song that is a perfect ending to a great EP, one that Austinites will wholeheartedly enjoy.

Those Poor Serfs is a band that writes great songs that nourish our spirits and they’ve released an album that will easily become close to our hearts. They will become a gem both for those just stumbling upon them, and for those who knew about them during their inception. Fans will not be able to contain their excitement when it comes to introducing new listeners to the band, as City View creates a sense of urgency when sharing Those Poor Serfs and their music with the world.

Listen to the record’s opening song “All Night” below.

If you would like to purchase City View, head to Waterloo Records. - Austin.com

Rustic and warm, Austin based folk/soul band Those Poor Serfs, unloaded a clear and authentically produced EP onto the acoustic community–City View. The EP is a sound example of “good things come in small packages,” as the record is a production of only four songs. This marketing scheme is an incredible way for the band, composed of Derek Kinsaul ( lead vocals, guitar), Coby Michalek (vocals, guitar), Ben Stark (bass), Temp Keller (drums) and BJ Lazarus (mandolin), to get their foot in the doorway of potential listeners. Often times, music lovers are concrete in their preferred genre’s and refuse to allot time for underground music. By releasing a short and transparent EP, Those Poor Serfs are giving small-minded listeners an opportunity to quickly expand their musical schema in a mere 15 minutes and 28 seconds. City View is tale of lust, heartbreak and all that is “complicated” about affectionate relationships, certainly an EP worth delving into.

TRACK ONE: ALL NIGHT

“All Night” is the introductory melody to City View that is nothing shy of sexy. The mesmerizing instrumentals dance on a thin line of psychedelia, despite Those Poor Serf’s self-described sound of “southern rock”. The track transitions smoothly from a commencement of garage-band acoustics into a strong, coherent, masculine string of provocative lyrics. The band paints a bold mental picture for their listeners as they describe a woman being desirably pushed against a wall by a prospective lover, while she tirelessly, alluringly repeats his name. The man sings shamelessly about the woman theoretically crawling around in his brain all day and how, finally, they both are ready to be together all night. The track is a charming outfit with a dark, risqué undertone.

TRACK TWO: STEEL BELL

Track two, “Steel Bell,” is quite the antithesis of the previous track. “Steel Bell” is the classic, ambiguous, heartbreak jam that somehow always proves necessary upon dealing with the ever-so-troubling “complication” of intimate relationships. The melody in Kinsaul’s voice could pose as an instrument standing alone, as his vocals delve deep and whip kindly back upwards, similar to a wave. The listener can picture a man, vulnerable and desperate, with a bad taste in his mouth aching for a seemingly long-gone partner. “Receive this love from me and put in the dirt,” he passive aggressively tells the disinterested lover. The girl is close, but too emotionally far to touch. This particular situation appropriately leads the listener into the rest of the story-like album.

TRACK THREE: IN THE WINTER

By the third track, “In The Winter“, we are taken to a cold, lonely space. It’s winter time, the man singing, the person one can consider the album alludes to, is now facing his wits end. A once erotic, mindful man is now alone while his blood runs frigid from a lack of companionship. “In The Winter” is the slowest, darkest track of the City View. The lyricist cries on about winter’s angst bringing a frostbitten tire to his continuous loneliness. From track one to track three we experience, through southern charm, a mental breakdown stemmed from isolation.

TRACK FOUR: WAKES YOU

The fourth and final track, “Wakes You“, brings refuge to the heartbroken man. “Wakes you” is a brief story of a kind, unorthodox woman who has been deteriorated by life’s consistent rules and beatings. Despite the aforementioned man’s inability to understand the strange, sad girl’s decisions he invites her to stay with him–seemingly forever. The man sees the woman wake in the night from terrors that depict her reality, but this actually brings him strength. Our main character, the heartbroken man, has found safety and strength through aiding the pain of another human–he is no longer alone. The melody is the most uplifting, the most inspiring and most definitely a prime cut to be listened to on a porch rocking chair with sweet tea.

City View was a pleasant surprise, the coherence of the story was impressive, allowing me to deeply take in each important theme from the four tracks. The album’s story comes full circle once the protagonists finds warmth after winter, and company to aid his abandonment. With a mantra of heartache, the album is relatable, introspective and completed with fine musical taste. - On Vinyl Music

Alt-Americana from moonshine soak mandolin, homemade-dynamite harmonies and powerhouse vocals with a twang-timbre to it (think Jason Isbell) Those Poor Serfs - Tour Worthy