Case Oats - "Seventeen"

Photo by Braeden Long

Case Oats is a Chicago band led by Casey Gomez Walker that formed seven years ago when she met Spencer Tweedy. The band just released a new single, "Seventeen," that has one of the more familiar sounds out there. It lands somewhere between indie rock and alt-country, with plenty of flourishes of each without either truly dominating. Gomez Walker's vocals are mostly a form of speak-singing of her poetic lyrics, while the music is beautifully noisy and twangy at alternating times. I hate comparing a Chicago based band featuring Spencer Tweedy with Wilco, but "Seventeen" has a Wilco meets Rilo Kiley sound, with a little Bob Dylan thrown in. If this is your introduction to Case Oats, prepare to welcome a new musical obsession into your life.

Casey Walker Gomez says of her band's new single:

“When you’re seventeen years old, everything feels like the most important thing in the world, yourself included. And growing up in a small town [Eureka, Missouri], it’s even harder to see over the horizon. Every emotion feels big. This is a song about making it past that feeling.” 

You can watch the video for "Seventeen" below. The single is out now on Merge Records. For more on Case Oats, check out the band on Instagram and Bandcamp. Upcoming SXSW tour dates are below the video.

Tue. Mar. 11,  8:45PM - High Road Touring Showcase @ Antone's
Thu.  Mar. 13, 1PM - YETI Music Showcase, Powered by BMI @ YETI Flagship Store
Fri. Mar. 14, 4PM - South by San Jose @ Hotel San Jose
Sat. Mar. 15, 1AM - Line of Best Fit Showcase @ Swan Dive