Photo Courtesy of Hibou’s Facebook
Like most Seattleites, going home and getting cozy is constantly on my mind in this chill. This winter I’m warming up with the lush, nostalgic sounds coming from Peter Michel’s bedroom. Michel’s project Hibou is currently on a November tour along the West Coast. He’ll close out the tour here in Seattle on the 22nd with a performance at Neumos.
The 22-year-old Seattle native sources much inspiration from his pacific northwest upbringing. Michel recorded half of his 2015 self-titled album, Hibou, in his parents’ Greenlake home, and spent the summer exploring the mysteries of Discovery Park to gain inspiration for his dream pop melodies. If you like DIIV, Inner Wave, and Beach Fossils, you’ll love the self proclaimed “pgymy dear” inspired pop that is Hibou.
After touring as the drummer for Craft Spells in 2011, Michel went home, and started writing about it. Serene summertime sounds resulted. His 2013 Dunes EP is a trip to the ocean. Sand in your toes, wind in your face—Michel’s glittering guitar and heavy reverb captures those quintessential feelings. When he released Hibou in 2015, a longer, 11 track collection, the sentimental mood stuck around. You can hear an affinity for home and comfort in sluggish, sleepy vocals and new wave pops of texture, especially in tracks like “Sunder” and “Valium” (my personal favorites from the album).
Hibou, pronounced “eee-boo”, is joined by local bands Close Encounter and Sloucher. The dream pop/shoegaze creations coming from Close Encounter is, in their own words, chill music for aliens. These guys just released their debut album First Light in July of this year. The album is a cosmic listening experience; I can only echo the praise they received following the release.
Next up on the bill is moody, melodic alt-rock made by four dudes who call themselves Sloucher. I certainly slumped and slouched on my couch while jamming to their EP Certainty. Reminiscent of early math rock, the guitar jangles sound straight out of someone’s garage or beat up van. If you have some slacking to do, Certainty is the perfect soundtrack.
Fans of Dude York, Yuck, or Fauna Shade and other Washington locals like Great Grandpa ought to give Sloucher a chance. Looking for more electro-pop? If you like Twin Cabins, Holy Wave, and Heaters, check out the Close Encounter record.
All your winter weather woes will be washed away by the warm waves of Hibou’s twisting reverb, so cuddle up and get into bed. Maybe take a trip to Discovery Park for a listening party. If you don’t get lost in the trees, you’ll surely get lost in the gaze. Then get yourself to Neumos on November 22nd and support local music!
Hibou will be performing with Close Encounter and Sloucher on Wednesday, November 22nd at Neumos. Keep up with Hibou here, here, and here.
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