Stella and the Very Messed - "Big Familiar"

Photo by Magen Buse

Austin's Stella and the Very Messed have a unique sound despite having a quite mainstream appeal. The band's latest single, "Big Familiar," is a personal alt-rock track with a giant scope to it. It lands somewhere in the middle of 90's alt-rock like Veruca Salt and the more indie rock meets pop sound of today. I can't decide if this is the type of song best listened to in a small dive-y club or if it belongs on a huge outdoor stage. It's a pop song filled with giant hooks and harmonies, but with enough of a rock edge to keep it from becoming too pop. "Big Familiar" is going to work for a lot of you out there, whether or not you're an indie rock snob or a fan of the more pop side of things.

Stella Maxwell says of her band's latest single:

“Big Familiar is a sad song about my hometown. I have a strong aversion to most forms of nostalgia—even the good memories carry a kind of ache. I seem forgetful or unsentimental, but really I’m just avoiding the past. It’s about the guilt that comes with stepping back from crumbling family ties, even when it’s necessary for your own survival.”

You can watch the video for "Big Familiar" below. The album Big Familiar is due out September 19 on Double Helix Records, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Stella and the Very Messed, check out the band's website.