Relo, a four-piece Dallas-based band asserting contagious, richly harmonious layers, has been likened to bands such as Radiohead, The Pixies and even the Deftones due to their quirky, complex multi-instrumental chord progressions.
Relo initially started as a project between Will Rakkar and Adam Sewell. Their union was instigated with the aid of a Craigslist ad written by Rakkar, who had never previously used the website apart from selling and purchasing.
"I found this weird, kooky kid named Adam. He's really talented and gifted," Rakkar said of his co-founding and current bandmate.
Rakkar and Sewell were soon accompanied by the talents of drummer Caleb Stelzer and bass player Tyler Epstein, musicians for whom Rakkar credits networking within the ever-amplifying Dallas music scene.
Rakkar said this local music scene is re-evolving into a "weird creature" whose predominance hasn't been beheld since the early 90s.
"I wouldn't say that we're really a rock band at all. I've always thought of rock as an outdated term," guitarist and vocalist Rakkar said.
Rock resonates with Rakkar as something reflective of the 1950s to 1980s time period, simplistic in its power-chord mentalities.
"We're sort of Brit- pop meets punk meets electronica," he said. "We do have elements of that era of [rock] music as well."
The band has been refining their sound since coming together in November 2010.
Their forthcoming, full- length album, "Childhood Obesity," differs from its precursor, an EP titled "Sunsplosion," which has already been released digitally.
"I think the intensity has really skyrocketed," Rakkar said of the full-length, set to release in Spring 2012.
"Sunsplosion" is an embodiment of clear, electric sound with discernible vocals and unconventional timing.
The music is diversely altered with the classic sound of a cello, played by Rakkar's father, a doctor and professional musician who attended the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.
"People use the term ‘thrashy' to describe their genre of music. I would use that to describe our playing style, but not in the typical sense of the genre," Rakkar said of Relo's mechanical art medium.
Though effects pedals and synthesizers can provide an excitedly individual sound, Rakkar esteems live performances as the most favored part of his musical career.
Delivering music to the ears of talent-hungry fans in central Texas venues is just as important as recording new tracks.
Relo is anticipated to play a show with the Austin-native band Mira Loma in mid- January at Austin's 29th Street Ballroom.
For more information, visit relomusic.net.
Their EP "Sunsplosions" can be purchased online at relo.bandcamp.com.
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