Wooden Overcoat Blends Lo-Fi Garage Rock And Shoegaze On Debut EP, Hello Sunbeam

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best arts and entertainment magazine UK“, multi-instrumentalist Brant Hajek channels personal adversity and vintage analog gear into the lo-fi shoegaze and garage psych rock of Wooden Overcoat on the debut EP Hello Sunbeam.

Portland project Wooden Overcoat has released the debut EP Hello Sunbeam, bringing together vintage gear textures and atmospheric songwriting. Multi-instrumentalist Brant Hajek handled every aspect of the release, writing, performing, recording, and mixing the four-track collection himself from a rented basement workspace. The project serves as an entry point for fans of textured indie rock, offering a distinct crossover between 1990s shoegaze aesthetics and lo-fi garage psych rock.

The Production Process Behind Hello Sunbeam

The creation of the record grew out of an intense period of experimentation with analog gear, microphones, pedals, and tape echo units. Rather than relying on a commercial studio or an outside producer, Hajek spent countless hours tracking and layering guitars to achieve a specific sonic contrast. The final mixes balance a warm, dense low-end frequency response with an airy, open top-end sheen. This hands-on method allowed the songs to evolve organically from basic melodies into dense walls of sound.

Personal Turmoil and Songwriting Themes

The four tracks on the EP emerged during a difficult stretch marked by personal relationship friction, a cancer diagnosis for Hajek’s mother, and broader global events. Songs like the focus track Heaven Right Now use reverb-soaked desert psych rock textures to explore hidden emotional fractures and shared human suffering. Other selections like Home and Finally Arrived feature shimmering tape delays and slow, rhythmic drumming pulses. The juxtaposition between heavy thematic material and warm, inviting instrumentation gives the release its distinct emotional weight.

Transitioning From Solo Project to Live Band

While the recorded tracks are entirely the work of a single operator, Wooden Overcoat operates as a full ensemble in live settings. Hajek takes on lead vocals and guitar duties, backed by bassist Dillon Glusker, guitarist Mac, and drummer Brian Levin. This lineup brings the dense layers of the studio recordings to the stage, translating the hypnotic, trance-like rhythms and intimate vocal deliveries into a dynamic concert experience.

Visual Collaboration and Future Outlook

Visual artist Francesca Bonci directed the music videos for the project. Bonci brings significant industry experience to the production, having previously worked on visual projects for recognized alternative acts like The Dandy Warhols and Rachel Goswell of Slowdive. The resulting videos complement the vintage aesthetic of the audio tracks. By combining self-produced analog instrumentation with experienced visual direction, Wooden Overcoat establishes a clear foundation within the modern independent music scene.

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