Piper Summey 

Some would say the indie music scene becomes less “indie” with every passing day. As many artists from this genre break into the mainstream, each one sends their own wave of copycats through the underground who—in attempt to reach the heights of the artist they admire—end up reducing themselves to mere tribute bands due to their over-devotion to their idol’s signature sounds, immortalized only in the form of “Mitski type beat” playlists. However, at a time when it’s so easy to fall into the over-saturated sphere of bands attempting recreate the addictive indie magic of acts like Big Thief or Black Country, New Road, a Greensboro-based folk-rock group composed entirely of your fellow Spartans manages to honor the influence of these trailblazers while still displaying a personality and style which are entirely their own on their debut album Avenue. 

Burlap Circus eases their listeners into this project with a brief intro track simply titled “Avenue pt. 1”. With a charming little hook sung by lead vocalist and guitarist Kaitlyn Tracy followed by a short skit depicting the rowdy and comedic backstage antics of our circus performers, the band swiftly establishes a tone of quirky playfulness, conjuring up the image of a ragtag ensemble too carefree to take heed of instructions or otherwise bend to the will of authority figures. This opening track invites the audience to bring their rebellious, wide-eyed inner child along for the listening experience, but as they embark on the profound emotional journey that is this album, they’ll find a way to mature without losing their whimsy. 

In addition to Kaitlyn, our cast of self-proclaimed clowns includes Oliver Runkle on bass, Harrison Atkinson on drums, Aspen Angerer on viola, and Davis Turner on guitar. Together, the five friends deliver roughly thirty minutes of indie music that ranges from groovy and mesmerizing to punchy and provocative, drawing inspiration from modern legends of the folk-rock genre while still carving out their own distinct identity through intimate, introspective lyricism and consistently engaging instrumental performances that demonstrate technical proficiency but maintain a DIY feel. 

There are several aspects of this album that make it more captivating than the blend-into-the-background-at-a-coffee-shop indie there is currently a surplus of in the music scene. The one that stuck out to me the most on my first listen was Kaitlyn’s compelling vocal performance, which strikes a satisfying balance between delicately controlled and passionately unrestrained. Her honeyed tone on the project’s gentler jams—such as “Irish Goodbye” or “On top”—just makes her fierce belting during the record’s most explosive moments that much more impactful, like on the song “Mask”, where you can practically hear the bitterness dripping from the phrase “I see who you are”. Another of the band’s strengths displayed on “Mask”—which contains arguably the most climactic moment on the album—is their ability to effectively raise and release tensions to create a cathartic effect. The song “Running Habits”, my personal favorite off the record, also executes this well; Kaitlyn sings about vicious cycles as both the instrumentation and her voice gradually intensify in concentration and volume, crescendoing into a powerful final chorus that reinforces the anguish of feeling helplessly trapped in your own ways. 

Though Burlap Circus ventures through many heavy and complex topics on Avenue, friendship is the resounding theme at this project’s core—a tether of hope grounding the listener through fearful uncertainties. On the final track, “Avenue pt. 2”, we see a reprise of the hook from part one, but this time around, Kaitlyn’s bandmates join in, giggling and audibly grinning as they harmonize with her. This joyful, lighthearted closer leaves a lasting warm impression on the listener and speaks to the band’s earnest enjoyment of each other’s company and their shared artistry. Because at the end of the day, Burlap Circus is just a group of friends doing what they love, and that’s all they want to be. So, if you’re interested in joining the circus, stream Avenue!