The Past Lives - “All Night”

SXSW 2024 - OEB Score: 7; Popularity Index: 1

Pairs Well With…Golden Dawn Arkestra, Silk Sonic, Black Pumas

I caught what was then Quentin and the Past Lives kicking off SXSW 2022 and was enamored by the band’s energetic frontman, a natural showman and one studied in past R&B greats. Quentin and the band have evolved since then, shortening to just The Past Lives and embracing their funkiest tendencies on 2024 full-length Purple Dreams. Throwback soul informs much of Purple Daze, filtering in psychedelic pop, Afrobeat, and yacht rock influences as they round out their grooves track by track. Ultimately, The Past Lives are fun and danceable, genre hopping in order to find different ways to get booties shaking. The Past Lives showcases Wednesday night at Continental Club, closing out the night for Traffic Music Group. (Kevin McStravick)

2022 Review: In one of those moments when a mightily ambitious local band seemingly comes out of nowhere, Quentin and the Past Lives shared a couple singles through KUTX Austin’s website last month that sound like deep tracks from a 70s psych-rock concept album. The first track shared was “Friends”, a Queen-like anthem that builds to a beyond-epic conclusion. Big guitar solos, tripped-out keyboards, and a powerful croon highlight the revelatory single, a multi-part number that could close a big-festival stage. Harmonies, wails, and moon-shooting melodies make “Friends” such a hallmark track among the many introductory SXSW offerings.