Doom Records Delivered a Heavy Night of Shoegaze at Mohawk

Blake Burton

Music Journalist

On any given night, you’re bound to run into some sort of live music in Austin. I stumbled across a post from Doom Records showcasing artists Salt+ and Distressor. Not only are these two trending and emerging artists in the scene, it’s being hosted at an essential venue in Austin. Loud guitars, walls of reverb, and washed out vocals were the focus of the night, it was well enjoyed. Especially for gear enthusiasts like myself. After each of the band’s sets I got to nerd out with everyone and chat about sounds and tones. (which are probably my favorite topic to discuss with any musician.) 

The first band of the night was Jobu, a local Austin band which was really impressive. They blend different styles of post rock and hardcore into this spectral feel with an emotionally heavy sound. Their drummer really stood out to me. I was watching their sound check and heard just how hard hitting their drummer is and thought to myself “Do they even need to mic up the drum kit?” Surely enough, the kit was mic’d up and I could listen to a whole set of only their drummer. He has a ton of raw talent. His hardcore style fit their vocalists playing style in a unique, undefined way. The sound system and mixing of their set didn’t do justice to what I think they have to offer. I’m definitely excited to see where Jobu goes! 

Up next was Distressor. These were actually the first guys I ran into that night, and I’m a big fan of this band. Going into the show, I was familiar with them and their work that they have done with Wisp. Their set did NOT disappoint. Right from the rip, just walls of reverb and chorus, exactly what you want to hear when you see a shoegaze band live. The leads on guitars were screaming through the mix in a shoegaze, seasick fashion. The backline was provided by Salt+ and featured some legendary equipment (I immediately had to ask when I saw two Sunn amps and a DW acrylic kit.) Legendary gear like that produced legendary sounds. Distressor killed the set and ended with an ethereal ballad that I wish hadn’t had ended. It was the last night of the tour for those guys and they enjoyed every bit of that night.  

Doom Records deserves their flowers for curating a night like this. Each band that played complemented the next. Not only were there touring acts that came from California to play on this bill, but there were local bands to compliment and fill the night with great music and a sense of community. Shows like this are a reminder as to why Austin and Mohawk are leaders in the scene. Salt+ also deserves some recognition for driving all the way from Los Angeles and taking out some amazing pieces of equipment for the other bands to use. Salt+ opened up with a heavy first song with some hardcore roots. With a band that showcases three guitars, it was pure bliss from the PA speakers. For the fuzz-thusists this would be a band to check out. They ended the set with their biggest song “angel teeth”. Sounds were bouncing everywhere in the best way. The sinking, haunting feeling from that last song they played ended their set and left me wanting to hear more. I’m looking forward to their next project.