story/ LOGAN BRENDT
photo/ MEGAN TIPPS
Houston-based indie rock band The Tontons have almost finished their second full-length album with a prospective summer release. “We’ve actually already incorporated several of the tracks into our live set,” mentions frontwoman Asli Omar. But for those that haven’t been able to attend their recent tour dates, including their stops at SXSW, the next best thing would be to check out the title track off of their Golden EP. The Tontons are proficient in blending many retro styles while connecting it with a cool post-punk sound in the vein of The Strokes. This approach is further enhanced by Omar’s soulful and eloquent vocals.
And although everyone’s gearing up for Coachella today, now making SXSW seem like a distant memory, the Austin festival has continued to stay rightfully noteworthy for Omar. For the last two years in a row, on her birthday, The Tontons have played a packed show at Stubb’s during SXSW. She says, “Everyone sang ‘Happy Birthday’. It was pretty surreal having 2,000 people do that for me.”
You’ll also start singing her praises once you listen to our pick for Song of The Week: “Golden” by The Tontons.
