Hailing from West Virginia and southeast California respectively, Xander Hitzig and Nicole Olney wouldn’t be expected to have a similar perspective on life. After meeting on the set of a musical theatre production, though, they realized they shared a lot in common, especially musically. You’ll hear that on their debut record, an EP titled Thirsty. It’s a blend of east coast and west coast country styles, with a touch of 70’s pop for texture, and it’s a keeper.
The title track opens with Hitzig providing a touch of mysticism to the banjo part in a song about appreciating your current situation that hits home when Olney admits “sometimes it really feels good to stop giving a shit.” I Can’t Wait For Summer is an indie folk tune about the obvious feeling as winter drags on. Take Me Back To Nowhere is the twangiest number of the batch. It has a fun, barn dance kind of feel that perfectly frames a story about getting out of the city, although it’s “fun to visit for a beer.” The EP closes with Mary, kind of a country sea shanty song about someone we’ve all met, in one fashion or another.
About the author: I've actually driven from Tehatchapee to Tonopah. And I've seen Dallas from a DC-9 at night.