The Wheel Workers, a Texas-based underground indie music collective, have once again delivered a poignant and emotionally charged musical journey with their latest single, “Harbor.” Comprising more than 15 contributing members over two decades, the group has consistently demonstrated a remarkable ability to craft music that resonates with its audience on a profound level. With this latest release, they continue to do just that.
The current lineup of The Wheel Workers includes Steven Higginbotham, the band’s founder and a multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire, as well as the talented Craig Wilkins on guitar and keyboard, Erin Rodgers on keyboard and vocals, Zeek Garcia on bass, and Kevin Radomski on drums. This combination of seasoned musicians brings a wealth of experience to the table, and it is evident in the seamless chemistry showcased in “Harbor.”
The lyrics of “Harbor” delve into themes of self-doubt, longing, and the quest for a sanctuary amidst the chaos of the world. The opening lines, “You sell yourself so short / That you can’t be loved / You’ve been broken so long,” set the stage for a narrative that is both raw and relatable. Lead singer Steven Higginbotham’s evocative delivery infuses the words with genuine emotion, drawing the listener into the heart of the song.
One of the standout qualities of “Harbor” is its ability to create a vivid atmosphere that captures the essence of the emotions being conveyed. The lyrics, “What were we both searching for / Sweet little moments bright and warm / Where meaning fills everything / The heat between you and me,” evoke a sense of longing, while the musical arrangement builds and swells in a way that mirrors the turbulent emotional landscape of the song.
In the chorus, the listener is reassured with the promise, “I’ll be your safe harbor / When you hide from all / Of this world’s endless wrongs.” The sentiment is not only a testament to the healing power of music but also a testament to the Wheel Workers’ ability to create a musical refuge for their audience.
Musically, “Harbor” boasts a lush and intricate arrangement that perfectly complements the lyrical content. The combination of guitars, keyboards, and vocals results in a rich sonic landscape that serves as a canvas for the song’s emotional depth.
The Wheel Workers’ “Harbor” is an introspective and moving piece of music that not only showcases the band’s exceptional musical talent but also their ability to tap into the universal human experience. In a world that often feels tumultuous and uncertain, “Harbor” serves as a sonic sanctuary, offering solace and understanding to those who seek it. With this latest single, The Wheel Workers have once again proven their prowess as masters of indie music with a purpose and heart.
ABOUT THE BAND:
The Wheel Workers can be described as less of a singular band and more of a Texas-based underground indie music collective that spans two decades and more than 15 contributing members.
The group is currently composed of lead singer, guitarist, keyboardist, violinist Steven Higginbotham (the longest standing member and group founder), guitarist and keyboardist Craig Wilkins, keyboardist and singer Erin Rodgers, bassist Zeek Garcia and drummer Kevin Radomski. Their latest project, “Harbor,” released August 2022, was recorded over the span of a three year period (interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the fact that Higginbotham was in law school while recording) in Higginbotham’s home recording studio. It also comes after Higginbotham fractured his larynx and thought he would never sing again. Now, nearly three years after the fracture, Higginbotham feels stronger vocally, due to all the work he put in during speech therapy and tailored voice lessons. The record was produced and mixed by their long-time pal, acclaimed producer Dan Workman, who helped shape and craft the songs into their final form, creating a record that showcases the band’s eclectic underground indie rock prowess with fuzzy guitars and synthesizers.
With their latest project the group delves into very personal and profound territory as they explore enduring and overcoming personal, social and political trauma and how the members have come to support each other through their individual experiences.
The band originally got its start in Austin, Texas in the early 2000s (then known as The Wheel Works). The band, led by songwriter, singer, lyricist and frontman Steven Higginbotham, with Giuseppe Ponti on bass, Nathan Maness on drums and Chris Maness and Chad Fontenot on guitar, spent the first few years of the new millennium living together in a house on Houston St., recording music that John Aielli of KUT’s Elektikos called “truly eclectic.” Featuring violin and keyboards along with traditional rock instruments, the band moved seamlessly between catchy indie rock tunes and introspective acoustic ballads on their 2003 debut album. The band then significantly broadened its horizons on 2004’s “How to Fly a Washing Machine,” an album composed entirely of radical post-rock spontaneous improvisations recorded in the band’s in-home studio. The original iteration of the group disbanded in 2005 when Higginbotham moved to Houston, TX, but those original members have contributed regularly to later albums from the group.
After a hiatus and reconfiguring of the band between 2006 – 2010, The Wheel Workers started up again in 2007 when Higginbotham partnered with Craig Wilkins on the release of the group’s next project “Unite” (2010). Shortly thereafter, the band began a longstanding relationship with legendary Houston producer Dan Workman (Beyonce, Lyle Lovett, ZZ Top), who would mix their next three highly acclaimed albums: “Past to Present” (2013), “Citizens” (2015 – referred to as “a true masterpiece” by Free Press Houston), and “Post-Truth” (2018). The first track on Post-Truth, “White Lies,” debuted on The Onion’s A.V. Club, who described the track as “hard-charging…successful political art [that] foregrounds the artistry… [and] musically and lyrically, it extends far beyond the political heat of the moment.” Over the years, the band has been nominated for eight Houston Press Music Awards and their intense and compelling live performances propelled them to stages across the United States, from Milwaukee’s Summerfest to Houston’s Free Press Summerfest, where they had the honor of sharing the stage with artists such as Flaming Lips and Phantogram.
The Wheel Workers have stood the test of time with a career that spans over two decades and a discography that exemplifies their lyrical depth, sonic diversity and has solidified them as an underground indie rock staple of Texas music. Fans of The Wheel Workers, new and old, will be able to find something relatable and true in their newest project, all the while enjoying the indie rock tunes and energy that the group has been bringing to the table for decades.
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