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Big Wild Wings came in Friday, Jan. 30 for a live studio performance at the KSL Broadcast House. Miaken Christensen filmed and edited the video, which you can also watch on KSL.com's YouTube.SALT LAKE CITY — Over the last couple of years Big Wild Wings has become a constant in the Salt Lake music scene by doggedly playing shows all over the area with its synth-based alternative rock.
The three members, Lyndsi Austin, Chris Soper and Tyler Hummel, knew each other through mutual friends, but it wasn’t until they met at a concert in Wendover that they decided they would like to make music together.
The three had all played in different bands before Big Wild Wings and explored a myriad of styles in those bands. But it wasn’t until they began playing and writing together that they really began writing music they loved.
“Tyler and I have written so much music together,” Austin said. “This is both of our first bands where we can actually, like, write together and make music we are proud of.”
The two immediately began writing music together, and within a few weeks they had songs they were excited about playing.
Even so, they continued playing and writing together for almost a year before doing any live shows. When the bandmates felt ready and comfortable, they began playing around Salt Lake, and once the shows started, they didn't let up.
For around six months Big Wild Wings didn’t have to book a show because its calendar was always filled with different venues. The last two years they have played nonstop around Salt Lake. This period has been paramount in their development as a band and as performers.
“It helped our chemistry a ton for sure, but when you play for people it totally changes how you think of your music,” Austin said. “When you share (it) with people you can see how they react and what songs they react to most.”
Band members said Salt Lake has been crucial in the cultivation of their music.
“It’s amazing how everyone has been so incredibly nice to us. It’s a really cool music scene,” Austin said. “There’s a lot of really good bands out there, but there’s also people who will promote you or come out to shows. It’s a great community vibe.”
They went through a long period of trying to find a place to record their album and someone to produce it for them. The group finally landed on Rocket Skates Records and began recording last June, and the album, "Speaking in Cursive," was released in November.
With the release of their new album, the bandmates expect to continue playing around Salt Lake, but they also hope to branch out and play in other cities so they can spread their music to a wider audience.
You can hear Big Wild Wings' album on bandcamp.com or follow them on Instagram or Twitter under @big_wild_wings.
Brock Allen is a Montanan and a communications student at Brigham Young University-Idaho. Formerly a KSL.com intern, he regularly contributes as a music writer. Contact him at olaf.sant6@gmail.com.
