REVIEW: TopHouse Practice EP—Raw and Intense Self Perceptions
Nashville-based indie-folk quartet TopHouse dropped a Valentine’s Day gift with the February 14 release of their EP Practice. This six-song offering presents the band’s exploration of personal challenges and mistakes while continuing on the journey of growth as a human.
TopHouse was formed in Missoula, Montana in 2015 by co-founders Jesse Davis and William Cook. Shortly thereafter, childhood friend Joe Larson joined the band. After initial gigs in the Missoula area, the group decided to relocate to Nashville during 2019. The move was prompted in part by a somewhat admittedly naïve view that, to make it in the music business, they felt they had to be in Nashville.
The move also represented a crossroads in their lives and provided them with the opportunity for increased exposure and access to recording professionals, studio space, and an increasing variety of performance venues.
With the cancellation of live performances in 2020 due to the pandemic, the band had the opportunity to hunker down and hone their songwriting craft. During their Covid-hiatus, they continued to write and practice as well as film numerous YouTube performances.
TopHouse has been prolific in their relatively short life as a band. In addition to two full length albums, Practice represents the band’s fifth EP.
TopHouse’s music crosses multiple genres and reflects a blend of folk, rock, bluegrass, and pop with pronounced Celtic and Irish influences. This blend is purposeful and consistent with the band’s intention to avoid being categorized in any single genre.
Practice represents a bookend of sorts to the band’s May 2024 release, Theory. As Jesse Davis explained in an interview, the band had a group of 12 songs written and halfway finished. While thinking of putting together an album, the group realized the songs could be sorted into two themes. The first theme represented a hopeful, idealistic view of the world where one could sit and contemplate ideals one might aspire to. The other songs represented real life situations dealing with personal struggles and challenges.
For the band, this presented the perfect opportunity to separately pose these quite different perspectives. To that end, TopHouse’s EP Theory became the offering with the idealistic and hopeful outlook on life—a more upbeat approach in line with the band’s prior songs.
In contrast, Practice presents a darker, more contemplative personal perspective. Practice is raw, gritty, and intense. Practice presents the point that, even if life punches you in the face and your ideals fall by the wayside, you still must pull yourself back up and move on.
Practice opens with the song, “Meteor,” which address the perils of self-destruction. Beginning with a lilting, echoing string arrangement, the lyrics offer a self-deprecating and harsh view on personal failings.
The next song, “I Don’t Wanna Move On,” contemplates the end and aftermath of an extended relationship. From the first note, the emotion pours from Joe Larson’s voice throughout the lyrics of the song, which offers rich harmonies and an upbeat tempo from William Cook’s violin accompaniment.
“Run (Comanche Song)” completely changes up the tempo and feeling of the album as it portrays the horrific tale of an 1800’s young prairie girl ripped from her family by Comanches and, after assimilation into the tribe, is again brought back to white society. Feeling like an outcast, she runs away again to be with the only family she feels is real.
The penultimate offering, “Better Than This,” reflects the wistful recollections of the singer about the ideals he used to live by before fateful decisions changed his life forever.
TopHouse’s songs offer intricate arrangements with each band member complementing the others seamlessly.
The last song on the EP, “Falling,” begins softly as a lullaby, as if the singer wakes with a surprise at the resurgence of a long, lost feeling. “I felt again/When I opened my eyes/To stand in wonder/Is a gift.” The song builds to its crescendo reflecting an increasing sense of hope, allowing one to realize that everything changes, feelings can return and grow again. As Jesse Davis states, “’Falling’ is about learning how to feel again and to love again. Hope wins out.”
TopHouse consists of Jesse Davis (songwriter, guitar and mandolin), William Cook (violin), Joe Larson (guitar, lead vocals), and Andy LaFave (keyboards). When touring, Eli Isbell has been a substitute for Andy LaFave.
Writing credits for all songs go to Joe Larson, Jesse Davis, William Cook, and Andy LaFave. The EP was engineered and mixed by Jesse Davis and recorded independently. Artwork and photo credits go to Kat Sockey and Electric Peak Creative, respectively.
TopHouse’s live performances are wildly energetic and personal—so personal in fact that it feels more like you’re hanging out with four friends at a jam session.
Practice represents TopHouse’s unique perspective on relationships and personal challenges and offers insights to which anyone can relate. Take the opportunity to get to know TopHouse and be sure to catch one of their performances when they appear near you.
For more information about TopHouse, including upcoming tour dates in support of Practice, visit their website: https://tophousetheband.com
Concert photos are by Brooke Billick from TopHouse’s December 2024 Milwaukee performance.
Practice track listing:
Meteor
I Don’t Wanna Move On
Waste
Run (Comanche Song)
Better Than This
Falling
YouTube link
TopHouse song Meteor
