5 Songs is the first recording of The Casting Couch’s back-porch indie pop. Wendy Mitchell combines her lyric songwriting and vocal talent with Lynn Boland’s nuanced arrangements and multi-instrumental skill for this collection of intelligent 21st century folk/country/pop.

Ordinary tragedies of life, love and booze are chronicled through Mitchell’s unique lyric imagery and Boland’s impeccable pop sensibilities. From the opening accordion-fuelled “The Roof,” to the shambolic, tuba-pumped, bourbon-soaked closer “Whiskey Skiffle,” this EP captures a coherent new sound born of disparate traditions. Best described geographically, it’s Athens, GA, indie-pop meets Austin, TX, alt-country.

Athens expatriates, Mitchell and Boland met shortly after they both moved to Austin. Three years later, armed with more songs than time, they headed back to Athens to work with Chris Bishop at Radium Recording. 5 Songs features an assortment of their Athenian friends and members of Elf Power, Summer Hymns, Parker and Lily, and Masters of the Hemisphere.

Since the recording, the two have put together a stable cast of gifted cohorts. The resulting spectacle is replete with euphonium vs. guitar meltdowns, hand bell trios, and arrangements for eight-handed piano. This line-up heads back to the studio with Chris Bishop at the end of March, and will tour in support of the EP this summer. The Casting Couch’s first full-length is scheduled for release this fall, also on i eat records, a new label that will formally greet the world with a compilation and related festivities this fall.

“A particularly winning mixture of alt-country and pop, evoking the softer side of Yo La Tengo.”
- Delusions of Adequacy

“This fivepiece could become one of Austin’s most exciting new bands.”
- The Austin Chronicle

“The songs are well written and memorable and the playing is laid back and spirited. Mitchell has a very soothing, subtle vocal style that really makes these tunes work. “
- BabySue

“Endlessly engaging songs that have catchy melodies and a friendly demeanor, but also tap into authentic feelings of hurt.”
- Erasing Clouds

“Imagine a few songs along the lines of Wilco’s “Passenger Side” played, all acoustic, in the back
of a smoky bar, with a female vocal.”
- Americana UK