13 February 26 - March 4, 2026 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents says. “I wasn’t sure he would be the same Jeff, but when I showed him an idea on FaceTime, he perked up, so I went over to the combo machine, and we started working on a song. How incredible is that?” With Saenz’s help, the song would later come to be fully fleshed out, recorded and eventually titled, “What if I Could?” while other ideas kept coming. “I got another FaceTime call from him, and he’s got another idea,” Poscente says. “It was a moment where we both knew we could still do this. I also realized my role is not that of only an artist, but a friend helping a friend rehab back into the world.” After Saenz’s recovery, the duo went back to work at Modern Electric, now with the help of Los Angeles-based sound engineer Carter Jahn of The War on Drugs fame, to help finish the record, now clocking in on a five-year-long musical journey. “In total, the record took five years,” Poscente says. “It’s very intentional, every move, every tone, and it’s an extremely de- tail-oriented record, but also not planned. Jeff has a saying; he says to never go to a stu- dio with a plan. Have a plan but be excited when a new idea sparks, and you get to trail- blaze.” As for the sound of The Lighthouse, The Storm, Poscente likes to keep those defini- tions loose, too. “The intention was to make the kind of rock ’n’ roll we want to hear in this world,” Poscente says. “To us, this is what the future of rock ’n’ roll sounds like.” ▼ NEW RELEASE WE’RE CHARMED FORT WORTH ROCK MAINSTAYS TOADIES ANNOUNCE OFFICIAL RELEASE DATE FOR THEIR FIRST RECORD IN NEARLY A DECADE. BY ALYSSA FIELDS F ort Worth-founded rock band Toadies will finally release their eighth al- bum, The Charmer, on May 1, follow- ing an initial album announcement in early 2024. The band will also embark on a tour with more than 35 stops nationwide. The new album will be the band’s first in nearly 10 years. “Musically, there’s a kind of new classic rock flavor built into Toadies,” guitarist Clark Vogeler said of the album’s annoucne- ment. “There’s always been some ZZ Top, but now there’s some Boston, Bob Seger, and Rolling Stones … and [lead singer Vaden Todd Lewis] is using a lot of 7th chords, which to me can sound panicked. It’s got this extra note in there that makes you feel like something’s not right.” The album is being released by Spaceflight Records, an Austin-based non- profit label, and was recorded by legendary audio engineer Steve Albini. The producer’s death in May 2024 delayed the release of The Charmer. The album will be one of the few remaining posthumously released proj- ects by Albini. “I’ve been a fan of Steve Albini’s since I first heard the albums he recorded with the Pixies and PJ Harvey, so being able to record with him is really a dream come true,” said drummer Mark Reznicek. Toadies’ last five albums were released with Dallas-based Kirtland Records. The press release says their move to Spaceflight, a “one-of-a-kind label” founded by industry insiders, resulted in what they’re calling “the most defiantly ‘Toadies’ Toadies al- bum yet.” “This felt like a natural fit,” said producer and label-founder Brett Orrison. “Working with Toadies reflects how we approach things at Spaceflight, supporting artists who value ownership, independence, and a sus- tainable way to make records. The Toadies have never needed context or explanation. Their music holds up on its own, and the way they operate feels intentional rather than reactive.” The Toadies soared to national promi- nence with “Possum Kingdom” in the ‘90s, and the platinum record set the stage for the band’s slot on large-scale festivals. They maintained a loyal local audience, achieving cult status in Texas, but still tour nationwide regularly. To celebrate the release, the band will kick off a tour in Buda, Texas, on Apr. 16 and will reach Dallas by May 2, with a show at the Longhorn Backyard. The Black Angels, Local H and Dallas favorites The Vandoliers will open the show. Tickets go on sale Feb. 20. The Toadies have a new album coming out this year. Andrew Sherman 5622 LEMMON AVE, DALLAS, TX 75209 OR ORDER ONLINE!
