Who’s Up Next? - Almost A Cow

The Houston-based alternative power pop band joins us to talk about their recent releases, upcoming shows and artistry.

Joho: Hi Jay! I’ve recently gotten the chance to dive through all of your releases and getting to see the evolution of Almost A Cow has been rewarding to watch in real time. Your sound is so refreshing. What can you tell us about how your music career got started?

Jay: ‘Almost a Cow’ started out as a solo project for me. I’ve been playing guitar for over ten years and had a ton of songs written but never recorded them. Eventually, I was like, “fuck it, let’s put all these out—good or bad—nobody’s gonna listen anyway.” The goal was to grow as a producer and learn everything about the music business. That’s why in the first album you hear four or five different singers.

While working on the most recent EP, Raw Milk Days, I moved to Houston and wanted to play the songs live in front of a real audience. That’s how the band ‘Almost a Cow’ really came to be. Adam took over vocals, Etienne plays bass, and Todd’s on drums. I’m forced to stick to just six strings for now.

Joho: How has your upbringing shaped your artistry and songwriting?

Jay: My mom was a professional classical pianist who also loved jazz. My earliest memories are of her playing piano—one song that’s still stuck in my head is Beethoven’s Waldstein—and coming home from school to Pat Metheny or some random Japanese jazz trio blasting on the sound system.

Later, in middle school, my brother bought an electric guitar, and that’s when I picked it up and got into rock music. This was the time when LimeWire was very popular too so I had downloaded so many pop/rock/jazz/rnb/funk songs all the way from the 50s to 2000s. That early exposure to so many genres definitely shaped the kind of music I write today.

Joho: Your 2023 album “Various Shades of Invisible Ink” features so many pockets that I really loved. The opener “Blast!” felt to me like city pop meets the groove of Steely Dan, all paired with some absolutely ridiculous shredding throughout. I admire how much personality and identity you’re able to squeeze out of your instrumental tracks. It’s like you’re saying so much without anything happening vocally. What can you tell us about this track?

Jay: Blast! is definitely one of my favorites from that album. I was listening to a lot of ‘80s Japanese fusion jazz at the time—Casiopea and T-Square were on rotation almost 24/7. Naturally, I tried to write something in that vein with the limited theory knowledge I had, and Blast! was the result.

I couldn’t hide the fact that I’m a rock musician first and foremost, but it was fun interpreting fusion jazz in my own way.

Joho: That second track on the album “Lovely Days Behind Our Door” gave me elements of early Maroon 5, Michelle Branch and all in a palette I would call very Sonic the Hedgehog coded. With so many working elements I imagine you have quite the list of influences. Who might some of them be? Also how has your experience been with establishing your band’s identity and making your sound unique?

Jay: The late ‘90s to early 2000s dad rock era got the best of me. I’m a huge fan of Nuno Bettencourt and Paul Gilbert—both put out amazing solo albums between ‘95 and ‘05, which I draw a lot of inspiration from.

I never tried to force an image or identity on the band. It happened naturally—I just wrote songs I wanted to hear every day, and the rest of the band vibed with it. I’m not sure if we’re “unique,” but our sound probably comes from our indecisiveness about what our genre even is. And everyone brought their own colors to the table which is always a wonderful thing.

Joho: Your EP “Raw Milk Days” has what I consider to be some of your best work to date. The hook on Schizoid Love is one of my favorite music moments I’ve heard all year. What can you tell us about how these songs came about?

Jay: All the songs on that EP were actually written around the same time as Various Shades. When I sent out demos, Devin—who ended up producing Raw Milk Days—wanted to use some of them for one of his Berklee classes.

We picked five songs that felt strongest and really took time to develop them. Devin’s not just a great producer, mixer, and engineer—he’s got great ears. The best part? Sean Slade and Susan Rogers got to hear my songs. I’m sure they were shocked since Devin was the only one turning in rock songs. At least they liked my guitar solos—they hated my singing though :)

“Supreme Leader” was originally an instrumental, but Devin suggested adding vocals. I basically turned what would’ve been the guitar melody into lyrics. The song’s about a dictator up north of my home country, though it applies to politicians everywhere. I’m a skeptical person—especially about politics—so it’s really about how leaders rarely have the people’s best interests at heart.

“Schizoid Love” was written on a cheap practice amp right after I bought a Boss Katana. I stumbled on this ‘80s Japanese city pop tone and built chords around it. The melody sounded like an “American version of city pop,” so I leaned into that. I wanted to contrast the bright, happy sound with darker lyrics—from the point of view of a stalker whose crush turns into obsession. Sweet from afar, but creepy up close.

All the rhythm guitars were recorded on that tiny amp—it just proves that you don’t need expensive gear. If it sounds good, it sounds good.

“Wallflower” came from a NewJeans song, Super Shy, which is why I titled it that way. I was working on a rock remix of Super Shy and loved the chords I wrote, so I turned it into its own song with a similar lyrical theme. It’s super fun live—though Adam probably hates it because it has the highest note in our set.

“Traitor” was inspired by binge-watching Daisy Jones & The Six. I wanted to write a ‘70s soft rock song—it ended up sounding nothing like I planned, but I love how it turned out.

“Perfume” I wrote for my wife. She’s a Lana fan and collects perfumes. I read that smell is the sense most strongly tied to memory, so I wanted to write something deeply personal with that theme. I aimed for an Oasis Don’t Look Back in Anger vibe, and Devin added piano and strings that really brought it together. I like to think of it as Almost a Cow’s Imagine—every artist writes their own Imagine eventually.

Joho: You recently performed at Solar Flare Music Fest and Stargaze HTX. Tell us about your thoughts on the Houston Music Community and the burgeoning scene you guys are firmly entrenched within?

Jay: Houston never got the PR it deserves, and that’s unfair. The scene here is organic, active, and receptive if you’re willing to work with it. People are kind and open, even to newcomers like us. The whole band is excited to keep growing with this scene.

Joho: What does your creative process look like when making new songs?

Jay: Inspiration hits randomly—when I buy new gear, feel something deeply, or reharmonize pop songs for fun. Whether it’s a riff or a chord progression, I record ideas right away and loop them until I find a vocal melody and structure.

Lyrics usually come last. It’s rare for me to start with words—if I do, the song somehow ends up sounding dull. Sometimes I start from a hook, but most often, melody comes first.

Joho: Have you been working on any new music? What can you tell us about it and when can we expect to hear some of it?

Jay: I can only tell you they all suck... kidding. We’ve got about two EPs worth of material recorded right now. This time, it actually features the full band instead of me playing everything (minus drums).

The next EP will sound heavier than anything we’ve done—closest comparison would be Mr. Big. The first single, “Manatee,” should drop in November, and the full EP maybe summer 2026... but don’t hold me to that.

Joho: What's next for Almost A Cow? Any upcoming shows or releases we should be looking out for?

Jay: No shows planned for now—we’re locked in the studio recording new music. The goal is to finish up over the winter so we can get back out and perform these live for everyone.

Joho: Can we find your music on all streaming platforms? Where else can we stay updated on news about Almost A Cow?

Jay: Yes! We’re on all streaming platforms and all over social media—Instagram, TikTok, and OnlyFans (jk... or am I?). The best way to keep up is to follow us on Instagram or TikTok. :)

Who’s Up Next? - Egee

The Austin-based songstress joins us to talk about her artistry, upcoming shows and creative process.

Marissa Kaye @someokayphotos, Photographer

Joho: Hi Egee! I’ve recently gotten the chance to check out all of your singles and I think saying I’m impressed would be an understatement. Your sound is so refreshing. What can you tell us about how your music career got started?

Egee: Thank you kindly! According to my mom, I’ve been singing and writing songs about my life since I could talk. Evidently, I process existence through storytelling and melody. I guess my career started in earnest when I started making my first single in Fall of 2021.

Joho: As a fellow Louisiana native, I could instantly pick up the jazzy elements of your music. How has your upbringing shaped your artistry and songwriting?

Egee: It would have been hard to ignore the brilliant sounds of jazz and blues in Louisiana. My mom used to help put a small music festival in Shreveport, Louisiana called the Highland Jazz and Blues festival; that’s where I was first introduced to live music – the sounds of Henry Gray and the Rebirth Brass Band to give you an idea. I was also inspired by pop radio as a kid, and musical theatre (which my parents stuck me in because of the compulsive singing and inclination for drama and dance). With anyone, it’s always a combination of nature and nurture.

Marissa Kaye @someokayphotos, Photographer

Joho: Your 2021 single “Staring at You” features a more distinctive pop sound in comparison to the jazzy, bluegrass sound of last summer’s “Disappointed but Not Surprised” or even the more Rock-based elements on your most recent single “La Mer”. How would you say your songwriting has evolved over the years?

Egee: I write all kinds of music. What has evolved is what kind of music I want to share with a broader audience/perform on stage. For a long time that was none of them. Then I made “Staring at You” as sort of a calling card in preparation for my move to Austin—as if to say here’s what I can do right now! It felt right to start my career on a joyous note. Who doesn’t like a pop tune? Passion strings all the singles together, but thanks to lots of journaling and time spent in creativity I’m honing my genre: rock-n-roll cabaret.

Joho: Listening to your music, I'm reminded of some early Maroon 5, parts of Maggie Rogers, a bit of MisterWives and Melanie Martinez, yet you still have an element of uniqueness that makes a 1:1 comparison not do justice. Who are some of your influences and how has your experience been with finding ways to establish a sound of your own that doesn't lean too heavily on them?

Egee: I also find 1:1 comparisons difficult thank you for verbalizing that. I’m constantly inspired by other artists, but I feel like they shaped my worldview and life trajectory and thus my sound. Artists like Lorde, Miley Cyrus, Florence and the Machine, Lana del Rey, Hozier, Arctic Monkeys (I mean the list goes on and on) affected me as a person. I never set out to start making music like someone else. I never “set out” to start making music! To me, every song I’ve ever connected with is felt in my music, but the final track always ends up an Egee song – in my humble opinion.

Marissa Kaye @someokayphotos, Photographer

Joho: Your song "Disappointed but Not Surprised" is an anthemic fan-favorite that has caught on with so many people. What can you tell us about how that song came about?

Egee: If you connect with this tune, I’m sorry you had to go through that. “Disappointed but Not Surprised” was born out of the feeling that you saw tragedy coming and still couldn’t avoid it. Sometimes it seems you can’t outrun your own youth, and by youth, I guess I really mean naivete. Sometimes I mourn the days before I knew better, but I think what makes this song have its anthemic quality, is the wakeup call that…like…you clocked the tea from the jump… so to speak. With the realization that you have wherewithal, there comes a reckoning of power. Power over your own situation means people can’t take advantage of you in that way again. This song is a turning point, and for me, it was a really important one.

Joho: Your latest single "La Mer" has been supported by a very tasteful, vintage visual identity in its branding and promotional material. What inspired this look and how do you feel it represents the vibe you want the song to express?

Egee: I really have to give credit where credit is due. I went w*g shopping at Coco Coquette here in Austin, and let the wind take me. I tried on seven w*gs. At first, I thought Egee would have a short black bob a-la Cabaret (Liza Minnelli’s “Sally Bowles”), but as soon as I put on that seventh one I knew I’d met Egee in her final form. That in combination with the right pair of eyelashes…se magnifique! Simialrly to my thoughts on songwriting, I didn’t concoct a look to achieve a pre-specified purpose, I am just finding chords and words and clothes and hair that speak to me and saying yes to my fancies. I could psycho-analyze myself, but I’ll leave that to the professionals.

Marissa Kaye @someokayphotos, Photographer

Joho: I know you've been hard at work on your debut album for some time. What can you tell us about this project and when can we expect to see it?

Egee: Goodie, one could say I’ve been working on my “debut album” since 1999; as you know good-ie things take time. Folks should expect another single next, and hopefully a larger collection within a year. I solemnly swear I chip away at the monolith every day. There is a lot more that goes into an artist project (to use Chappell’s language) than just recording music. My live shows feature an album’s worth of material though, so check one of those out in the meantime!

Joho: What does your creative process look like when making new songs?

Egee: Usually, the acoustic guitar beckons me from across the room or I make up a melody in the car that I can’t get out of my head. It usually starts as a voice note. From there, I work to finish the arrangement to the best of my ability. This involves writing down the lyrics and re-recording a fully realized melody. Then I bring it to the band, and we work out how each instrument is involved. I’m really lucky to have found such thoughtful and talented musicians to work with, who honor the song and my vision. My collaborators include (in order of appearance): Arib Qureshi (bass), Nathaniel Ogren (guitar), Zach Russell (drums), Nic Gwin (guitar), and Jagger Leone (keys). I should also shout out David Messier and Andre Cantave at Same Sky Productions in Austin for being my home away from home and place wherein these songs are rehearsed, engineered, tracked, and mixed as of late.

Marissa Kaye @someokayphotos, Photographer

Joho: Who are some of your favorite artists in the Austin Music Scene that you have collaborated or done shows with?

Egee: There are so many talented musicians in Austin it’s actually staggering and warps my perception of reality. It seems anywhere in the city you can throw a rock and hit someone who…rocks. To name a few (and honestly I hate this question because I’m going to leave someone out) Kiki Machine, Wolf Bradley, Grace Womack, Eddie Angel, Slurp the World, Montclair, Alexi 8 Bit, Secret Siren, Bubba Lucky, John Scott, Lainey Gonzales, and Peyton Medina. Those are just folks who I’ve gotten the opportunity to share a bill with. The list of acts in Austin that I love and respect is never-ending, really grows every day.

Joho: What’s next for Egee? Any upcoming shows or exciting projects we should be looking out for?

Egee: I have a show on April 25th at Stubbs and May 10th at Continental Club both in Austin, TX! We’re going to be spending the summer recording and make content for you divas, so catch us in the spring or hold you horses ‘til the fall!

Joho: Can we find your music on all streaming platforms? Where else can we stay updated on news about Egee?

Egee: You sure can. The best way to keep up to date is by following me on Instagram @egeemusic and Tik Tok @egeemusic.