THE THING WITH FEATHERS
Only one band in the world takes its name from an Emily Dickinson poem and traces its origins to a Nashville college party, The Thing With Feathers. Since forming in 2019, the trio of David Welcsh, guitarist Alex Hendricks, and drummer Chris Roussell has steadily carved out their niche in the modern alt-rock landscape, blending emotional honesty with arena-sized ambition. Their sound evokes a wide range of influences, from the brooding textures of Interpol and the sonic drama of My Morning Jacket, to the shimmering melodies of Ride and Slowdive, and the anthemic spirit of Oasis and Springsteen. The result is a vibrant, guitar-driven identity that never loses touch with lyrical vulnerability or live-wire energy.
The band’s story began while the members were attending Belmont University in Nashville. Drawn to both the school’s music program and the city’s famously fertile creative scene, they immersed themselves in the DIY community playing basements, warehouses, and clubs while learning to engineer, promote, and survive on their own. That ground-level hustle gave their music a certain scrappiness, but also a purpose. “We want it to feel like a Polaroid, like catching a moment,” Welcsh says. “And then we’re gonna play the shit out of that song, to honor it as a fun, young, honest statement of who we were at that point in time.”
In the years since, The Thing With Feathers has released two well-received EPs, Sundays in the South (2022) and Waste My Revenge (2023), garnering millions of streams across multiple platforms and steadily expanding their fan base with every new release. Tracks like "Song of the Nighttime" and "Figure It Out" created that success, which only strengthened their scorching hooks and thoughtful lyrics. “Lights Down Low,” rightfully earned a spot on MTV's Spankin' New playlist. Their music videos have also gained traction, with the band’s attention to mood and aesthetic helping translate their sonic identity into striking visuals.
In 2025, The Thing With Feathers took another bold leap forward with their new full-length album, So Electric, out October 24. The album captures the band at a creative high point, expanding their sound without losing the emotional core that’s always defined their work. Lead single “Miniskirt” buzzes with urgency and swagger, propelled by Hendricks' layered guitar work and Roussell's tight, kinetic drumming. Elsewhere, songs like “Dive Bar Breakdown” and “Catching Your Eye” explore themes of identity, change, and youth in vivid detail, marrying lyrical introspection with radio-ready hooks. Self-produced and refined through years of collaborative chemistry, So Electric cements The Thing With Feathers as one of the most exciting new voices in indie rock, unafraid to evolve, but grounded in authenticity.