Bozeman Magazine

Good Looks write kindhearted and cathartic rock songs about the persistence required to make it through hard times. In April 2022, the Austin, Texas quartet released their critically acclaimed debut Bummer Year, which channeled post-2016 frustrations into lyrically generous and biting tracks. Immediately after their triumphant hometown record release show, tragedy struck. Walking outside the venue, lead guitarist Jake Ames was hit by a car crossing the street, fracturing his skull and tailbone. Following a necessary period of healing and processing which found him in the ICU and dealing with short-term memory issues, Ames recovered. The traumatic accident strengthened their bond, which is evident on their electric new album Lived Here For A While. Out June 7 via Keeled Scales, it’s fearlessly direct music that captures the full-throated intensity of their galvanizing live show. Though frontman Tyler Jordan had already written the 10 urgent songs on this album before the accident, they weren’t recorded yet. Following the excitement of the release show, Ames’ horrific injury was a devastating blow and made the band’s future uncertain. They canceled the next few months of touring and were mainly concerned about whether or not their bandmate would be OK. “We were in the hospital with him every day,” says Jordan. “It wasn't clear how bad it was gonna be for Jake. We had no idea how this traumatic brain injury would affect him until the swelling went down. We even wondered if we’d ever play music together again.” Ames was initially hospitalized for nearly a week. While he had difficulty speaking conversationally upon his release, he quickly realized he could still play guitar and sing almost perfectly. The one date Good Looks tentatively kept on their calendar was a June stop at the Kerrville Folk Festival in Central Texas, where Jordan and Ames had first met. Their friendship is inseparable from this place as they’d bond over music and trade songs alongside writers like Big Thief’s Adrianne Lenker and Buck Meek. Ames, now on a strict rest schedule, wasn’t even allowed to play amplified electric guitar due to his doctors’ concerns that loud noises would negatively affect his healing. However, each day marked a new milestone in his recovery. Soon, he was cleared to play that gig. It went splendidly. “That festival is so important to Jake and I,” says Jordan. “We've spent a lot of years and time out there so being back after everything felt surreal. I don't know if we’ve ever played a show that was more joyful than that one.” The following month, Good Looks tracked Lived Here For A While at Texas’ Dandy Sounds with producer/engineer Dan Duszynski (of Loma and Cross Record). “It felt wild to be in there and recording after everything," says Jordan. “Jake’s accident made us all more grateful to be there.” Though Ames had to relearn some of his parts, his palpably energetic performances elevated the entire record. On the LP, the band trades the Americana