This week’s podcast profiles Devotionals, a San Francisco band combining the talents of Tyson Vogel (Two Gallants) and Anton Patzner (Judgement Day). If you’ve only seen Vogel behind a drum kit with the Gallants, you might be surprised to see him finger-picking through a series of mostly instrumental folk-rock compositions, aided by Anton’s violin and some guest contributors. The songs on Devotionals, out now on Alive Records, are restrained, measured works that unfold into spacious mini-epics. It is not uncommon to use the term “soundtrack music” to favorably describe instrumental songs; by channeling a well-considered balance of thought and emotion, Devotionals have made a fully realized record that works as both the soundtrack and the film itself.
We recently sat down with Tyson, Anton, and new band member Emily Ritz to discuss the origins of Devotionals and their debut album. We’ve also included four songs from Devotionals in the episode.