Audio By Carbonatix
The current lull of activity in the Denton music scene isn’t exactly a secret. But, still, some groups are using this time to their advantage, writing and recording and waiting for the proper time to strike. Denton’s Pocket Change should be mentioned among these acts, having managed to maintain some momentum during this lull, despite boasting almost no online presence.
While that may be frustrating to those trying to find their music on MySpace or Soundcloud, those who have seen the band play live can certainly confirm that the band has a talent and appeal that make them deserving of any chatter directed their way.
Pocket Change’s nucleus is Joe Rushmore playing bass and Ruth Salverda singing, with Salverda’s sister Sally Prikryl and brother Rudy Prikryl sometimes joining in on vocals and keys, respectively. Add in the fact that Rushmore and Salverda are engaged, and, yes, the band can very much be described as a family project.
“Everyone that’s ever worked with us has been family,” Rushmore admits.
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The exception to that rule is a future musical collaboration planned between Pocket Change and Denton-based Owen Story, aka DJ Ops, who Rushmore calls “the best DJ in Dallas.” Exciting stuff, even if the band has yet to formally release any material.
“There will be releases eventually,” Rushmore says, “but we don’t have intentions of releasing something until it’s spectacular. We want it to be 100 percent finished, without any interference from a label or anybody.”
A move to San Francisco in early 2010 delayed any progress on that front, but now that Rushmore and Salverda are back in Denton, that should change soon. The group has been performing a lot of late, having been booked with regularity both in Denton and outside of the city. And they insist that recording is on the immediate horizon.
“We want to get the album done,” Salverda says. “It’s really the goal. Shows aren’t as important to us right now.”
Happy with their old material but anxious to improve, Rushmore and Salverda have been stirring in more recent influences to Pocket Change’s mix. These days, everything from R&B to anime to UK funk can be heard in the band’s efforts.
“We’re also using more distorted bass and guitar,” Rushmore says, “making a lot dirtier stuff.”
Over the next six months, the band plans to release its new material all at once, along with old material.
Until then, they will remain, as Salverda puts it, “not active at trying to be in the public eye at all.”
Which is everyone’s loss for now, but with any luck should indeed prove a long-term gain.
