Coyle Girelli - “Do You Wanna Dance?”

SXSW 2023 - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 4

Pairs Well With…The National, Hamilton Leithauser, Bruce Springsteen

Coyle Girelli’s debut Funland recently displayed the singer/songwriter’s tight, hook-ready songcraft with a consistent collection of songs influenced by new wave, alt rock, and pop directions. These are songs that feel like they have been around forever, crafted with intention and finding a fruitful space within mid-tempo, indie rock forms. Girelli has a powerful voice that matches his often grand expressions, a mix of croon and belting eliciting passion with a tilt of sadness and regret. Coyle Girelli has since released a “stripped” collection to further express the rawness of his songwriting and perhaps 2023 will preview what’s next for this experienced, yet progressing, artist. (Kevin McStravick) 

2022 Review: Since fronting 00s indie rock bands Your Vegas and The Chevin, Coyle Girelli has been spearheading his own solo career, one where he bridges classic pop crooning and dream rock instrumentation with mature, resonating focus. Girelli has a naturally emotional voice, quivering and deep like his new-wave forefathers, soulful from a rock and roll perspective. The songwriting on debut Love Kills and the early singles from Girelli’s upcoming sophomore release Funland has timeless appeal, stories that feel like they could have been written in any of the past six or so decades.