Tugboat Captain - “Be Strong, Smoke Less”

SXSW 2020 - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 4

Pairs Well With…Belle & Sebastian, The Shins, Broken Social Scene

Charming dream-pop band Tugboat Captain take a sound rooted in indie rock, psychedelic pop, and natural folk rock and build sweet little anthems across their two full-lengths and a smattering of EPs and singles over the past three years. While prolific, Tugboat Captain are also consistent in their sweet, full songwriting, updates 60s pop/rock vibes into a contemporary, slightly hazed sound. They are deceptively soft as well, evolving to bright moments in songs like “The Distance” and 2019 single “Be Strong, Smoke Less” even when starting from a snuggly and dreamy space. Tugboat Captain often use guy/girl vocal trade-offs that give them an extra touch of conversational intimacy, let the listener in rather than overtly performing. The UK twee-rock quartet just completed a fundraiser to ensure they can make the trip to SXSW this year, a chance to dig into their wide, DIY catalog Stateside with welcoming sonic arms. (Kevin McStravick)