University Star

By Lindsey Leverett
Features Reporter

Colored lights and camera flashes lit the stage as a crowd of people danced its way through the night. The cause for the celebration was the completion of the first extended play album for local band The Couch.

Triple Crown reached full capacity Saturday night and left a line extending out the door. To open the show, local bands Equals and Zlam Dunk filled the stage with dance beats while the crowd roared for clothing removal.

The Couch took the stage around midnight and concertgoers made their way to the front to get a good view of the performance.

“I had an amazing time,” said Jud Johnson, applied sociology senior and drummer for The Couch. “It just reinforced my love for this town.”

The band was able to produce a hard copy of its music after facing setbacks.

“It’s nice to have a record of what you think your music should sound like,” said Taylor Wilkins, applied sociology senior and lead guitarist. “It’s an even representation of the music we write and play together.”

The Blue Milk EP contains five of The Couch’s original songs. The band will release a free single online in the coming weeks.

“I’m excited to see it done and in someone else’s hands,” Johnson said.

The band first started recording at the Art Institute of Austin where sound engineer and bass player Alex Guzman attends. Guzman originally managed the recording equipment during sessions.

The band eventually moved to Studio 1916 where they worked with Paul Miller, an independent recording engineer.

“It was much easier because I could focus on doing the takes instead of being an engineer,” Guzman said. “I was able to stop wearing both hats.”

The band’s live show normally consists of drums, guitar and bass, but the band added a few new sounds for the EP.

“Taylor did organ parts for some of the songs,” Johnson said. “There’s a lot more melodic resonance with the organ.”

The band included bongo drums, shakers, rattlers and handclaps. The band members have high hopes the EP will open more doors to get their name out.

“Generally, it’s just going to help spread what we’re doing because right now we are at a point where we are completely relying on the live show,” Johnson said. “Now we have recorded material that is something we are proud of and we’ve put together ourselves, so it’s our little baby.”