Ola Podrida
Mohawk Patio, Wednesday, March 14
Although David Wingo left Austin last October for the fertile pastures of Brooklyn, he still plays the hometown card in that Ola Padrida has legitimate local claims based on the presence of Austinites Robert Patton and former American Analog Set frontman Andrew Kenny. Working through songs from their self-titled debut, set for an April release on Plug Reseach, Wingo’s swooning vocals and the group’s mellow rhythms on tunes like “Jordanna” matched the sodden, cool night air on the Mohawk Patio. Throughout the set, Wingo’s songs gracefully dripped subtle details to paint impressionistic scenes over a subdued emotional canvas, not far removed from Sam Beam’s best work. Although “Run Off the Road” or “Day at the Beach” might recall Iron & Wine’s “Bird Stealing Bread,” the powered-up “Lost and Found” and closer “Cindy” displayed the influence of Kenny’s AAS days in its slow, steady build to a superbly melodic crescendo. Even if Ola Podrida doesn’t call Austin home, we’ll still leave the light on for them.This article appears in March 16 • 2007.
