Wicket – Ashford – Weekly Feature

Wicket offers up a fresh new take on folk-informed alternative emo. The Philadelphia based duo offers an original ingredient on a familiar recipe. To extend the food metaphor a bit further, One may liken their sound to a chef measuring and adjusting the proportions of each component of the recipe to accentuate a different flavor profile. In Wicket’s case, they have mastered the alt-rock/emo/folk-rock recipe. The band recently dropped their 4 track EP, “Ashford” back in March. Ashford is the follow up to a cover single the duo had released earlier this year, “Practice Space” by Sioux Falls. Ashford offers themes of change, how relationships alter and develop.

Wicket’s signature sound includes a bit more alt-rock than many other bands playing music in the same vein. This is due in part to the laid back timbre of Singer/ guitarist /bassist Jim Canuso’s voice. The blending of synth and keyboard sounds by drummer/keyboardist and guitarist Sean Christman accentuates the gritty guitar lead tone reminiscent of late 90s rock radio. Our favorite track off this release is “Dog” the inviting piano riff combined with crashing drums and subdued yet hectically delivered vocals captivates the listener with varied elements.

These creatively written songs and blasé delivery could just as easily found their way to the top of a college station in 1996, as they would in the emo revival scene of the 2010s, on our weekly playlist, or as they currently do in the Philly DIY scene of 2020. Wicket is a part of Feels so Reel records, an independent record collective based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The duo recorded Ashford at a friends residence with engineers Joe & Ryan. Ashford was mixed & mastered Nathan Tucker and the album art was created by Bob Himes. Listen to Wicket on Bandcamp & Spotify and follow them on Facebook to stay informed on any upcoming live performances and latest releases.