Biography
Chemistry is the key driving force of all great bands, and for Texas-based indie-rock band The Western Civilization, that creative connection has inspired them to get past odds that would seem insurmountable to most, while creating captivating , well-crafted music that is “an aurally enveloping avalanche of big tones and feeling” (Glide).
Reggie O’Farrell and Rachel Hansbro met while in separate bands in the Houston music scene, and a friendship developed between the two. Their creative partnership would go on to produce two albums, multiple festival appearances including the Vans Warped Tour, SXSW, Halifax Pop Explosion and most importantly, a lasting artistic union that would survive the two eventually living in separate cities, career changes, a major medical episode and one very cramped tour. Hansbro laughs, “If you can walk away from three weeks in a Geo Metro and still be friends with someone, that means something.”
The Western Civilization’s first album Letters of Resignation was aptly described by The Houston Chronicle as “Equal parts craft and chaos” and “noisy indie-pop that aches with longing, anger and frustration, each song spilling over with elegantly wrought emotion.” That heartfelt quality combined with the intertwined vocals of Hansbro and O’Farrell creates a sound that fans of Arcade Fire, Bright Eyes and Broken Social Scene will gobble up with fervor. The forthcoming album Fractions of a Whole reveals a new maturity to their music with a more lush sounding production style and a focus on cohesive, graceful songcraft over the endearingly quirky elements that dominated their earlier work. The songs, while beautifully gut-wrenching, still hold on to the hope of the light at the end of the tunnel with songwriting that brings to mind a more lyrically biting Death Cab For Cutie or Shins and Modest Mouse’s finer moments. Pro tip: Listen with Kleenex on hand.
“The new songs were inspired by the amazing people who are part of my chosen family,” Hansbro reflects. “Reggie has always been good at reminding me of the positive things. (He is) another voice saying ‘Hey, it’s going to be okay.’” This optimism amidst the chaos of the world we live in is evident in the rich and buoyant sound of Fractions, of which a handful of warmly received singles have been released in anticipation of the album. Of “Stitches”, The Big Takeover wrote, “(the song) is a dark and beautiful ode to human resilience and the journey of wading through the hard times and coming out the other side in one piece,” while the captivating “Bible Verses for Kids” shines “with an upbeat melody and swelling chorus — peppered with the indie rock outfit’s signature sorrow-soaked vocals,” (Rollacoaster). While the singles are quite literally fractions of a whole, the album altogether presents itself as a captivating masterpiece of a soul-searching roller coaster ride.
While the album’s singles were making their way out into the world, Hansbro began to realize that something was wrong. She couldn’t keep food down, she lost weight and her body began to shut down. She recalls struggling to get through the shows the band was playing in Texas and her frustration when doctors couldn’t determine the cause. Eventually, she found a doctor in her hometown of Houston who diagnosed her with achalasia, a rare disorder that makes it difficult to eat or drink, and that doctor just happened to be the one who had perfected a procedure to correct the life-threatening issue. Healthy again, the harrowing experience has given Hansbro a new drive and determination in approaching the band’s music. “I can’t wait to get onstage and play again,” she asserts with a smile. “I wrote a lot of songs on Fractions of a Whole as letters of gratitude to friends who always showed up for me during tough times,” she continues. “Those same friends showed up for me when I was sick, reminding me not to lose hope.”
Of their unique relationship, it’s clear what drives the pair to stay dedicated to the band, despite the fact that O’Farrell lives in Austin where he finds more work as a producer and sound engineer and Hansbro resides in Houston where she has developed her own business as a music teacher working with nonprofits: mutual respect, belief in their music and the way they inspire each other. “I know she trusts me and it frees me to try anything, he explains. And of O’ Farrell, Hasbro says, “I trust few things in life, but I trust him.”
Fractions of a Whole is out February 16th.