B-Side Guys

In the musical ecosystem of New Orleans—a city more associated with brass bands and jazz traditions—Olivia Valentine carves out a distinct niche with “The Couch Cushion EP,” filling a vacuum few realized existed. The five-track collection emerges as a meticulously crafted progression from their 2023 LP “Reverberations,” showcasing the evolving lineup that now includes Philip Korosec and Geoff Hrabar alongside newcomers Larissa Dietzel, Thomas Dietzel, and Daniel Bishop.

Opener “And Now Just Be” announces the band’s intentions with unapologetic Britishness—no surprise given Korosec’s UK schooling. The track’s aquatic narrative unfolds through multiple movements, beginning with restless anxiety before submerging into acceptance. Hrabar’s production transforms what could have been a straightforward indie rock track into a sonic journey where guitars and keyboards create textural depth that rewards headphone listening. The chorus invitation to “explore the deep and now just be” serves as thematic touchstone for the entire EP.

“Ride” follows with unexpected brightness, its upbeat composition contrasting sharply with its origins as an elegy to Hrabar’s deceased canine companion. The Cars-inspired keyboard flourishes and crisp guitar work demonstrate the band’s ability to channel influences without being defined by them. This paradoxical pairing of melancholic subject matter with musical exuberance showcases the band’s emotional range and willingness to subvert expectations.

Previously released single “My Records Back” serves as the EP’s centerpiece, condensing the band’s progressive tendencies into a tight package that never feels rushed despite its brevity. The track’s lyrical simplicity—essentially a plea for the return of vinyl—belies the sophisticated arrangement where “vintage synths, glistening guitar twangs, and emergent horn arrangements” create a soundscape that transcends its modest narrative.

“Love Is Not” delivers the EP’s most driving rhythm section work, with guitars that indeed pay homage to Built to Spill’s Doug Martsch without descending into imitation. The repeated refrain of “Love is not” creates a mantra-like effect against shifting instrumental textures, demonstrating how the band uses negative space to highlight musical complexity.

Closing track “Tangerine Sofa” stands as the EP’s most ambitious composition, transforming Korosec’s personal narrative about his father’s alcoholism into something universally affecting. The “layers and layers of ghostly keys and backward guitars” create disorienting atmosphere that mirrors the confusion and pain inherent in watching a loved one struggle with addiction. This production approach exemplifies Hrabar’s “throwing everything at the wall” philosophy while maintaining emotional coherence.

Throughout these eighteen minutes, recorded at their Arabi studio June’s Beehive and mastered by Nashville’s Piper Payne, Olivia Valentine demonstrates remarkable artistic evolution. Hrabar’s production skills and Korosec’s cinematic songwriting combine to create music that feels simultaneously accessible and challenging. Their influences (from REM to Radiohead) inform rather than define these compositions, resulting in a sound that’s distinctly their own.

“The Couch Cushion EP” emerges as a necessary addition to New Orleans’ underground indie scene, occupying space previously unfilled by maximalist, proggy indie-psyche bands. As the quintet prepares for their third live show at No Dice on February 27th—coinciding with the EP’s streaming release—they offer compelling evidence that artistic integrity need not sacrifice accessibility. This collection seems destined to become a cherished artifact for those who discover it, another small but brilliant star in the city’s evolving musical constellation.Retry