Austin's Farmer’s Wife crafts a sound as complex and contradictory as human emotion itself. Drawing inspiration from the dirge rock of the ‘90s, the swirling psychedelia of the ‘60s, and the occasional shrug of ‘80s nonchalance, their music evokes the haunting beauty of early Smashing Pumpkins, Slowdive’s lush soundscapes, and the raw power of Hole. Layer in the deeply introspective pain reminiscent of 2000’s emo pioneers, and you have a band unafraid to balance fragility with power, the ethereal with the stark.
At the center of this maelstrom stands Molly Masson, a frontwoman whose coquettish onstage presence contrasts with the anguish, rage, and confusion that spill from her voice. It’s a juxtaposition that feels deliberate—a reflection of Farmer’s Wife’s intricate storytelling. With every listen, new nuances emerge: Jude Hill, Derek Ivy, and Jacob Masson weave lulling yet intricate guitar and bass lines, while Jaelyn Valero’s hypnotic drumming anchors their sound. During live performances, when structure dissolves into free-form chaos, Valero’s playing even channels the spirit of John Densmore, imbuing the music with a shamanic intensity.
Yet for all their experimental flair, Farmer’s Wife remains grounded in masterful songwriting. Tracks like “Keep Hate In Your Heart” embody their unique ability to blend the gentle and the jarring. Their lyrics run the gamut of human experience—from the tender (“I miss having her hand here in mine”) to the macabre (“I chop you up in little pieces let you grow a little mold; My fungus worms and rats will eat at all your fats until you cease to exist”).
It’s storytelling at its purest: deeply personal yet voyeuristic. One moment, you’re peering into the world through their eyes; the next, you’re left outside, watching from a distance. This push-pull of intimacy and isolation lies at the heart of Farmer’s Wife’s recordings and live shows, keeping listeners off-kilter but utterly captivated.
Farmer’s Wife doesn’t just make music; they create a world where contradictions coexist, where beauty is found in despair, and where the listener is always part of the narrative—even when they’re just watching through the window.
Photos and review by Steve Sym. Photos from Farmer's Wife performance at The Empty Bottle in Chicago on 12/1/24.
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