feeble little horse

feeble little horse makes unpredictable, thrilling music that reflects the joy of creating with close friends. The Pittsburgh quartet’s sophomore album, Girl with Fish, prioritizes intuition over intention. “Anything that makes us laugh or smile usually stays,” says drummer Jake Kelley. Across 11 self-recorded tracks, the band blends blissed-out pop, harsh noise, glitchy drum beats, and off-kilter indie rock—sometimes all in one song.

Initially, Hayday (2021) was meant to be their only album, as guitarist Ryan Walchonski was moving to D.C., while Sebastian Kinsler (guitar/production), Lydia Slocum (vocals/bass), and Kelley were still in college. “We wrote Hayday quickly before Ryan left,” says Kinsler. “But we realized making music together was too fun to stop.” Despite the distance, they immediately started working on Girl with Fish, trading ideas remotely.

Each song had a unique writing process. Some tracks, like “Steamroller,” came from jam sessions, while others started as solo ideas. The band’s collaborative spirit shines in “Tin Man”, with Slocum’s soaring vocals over blistering fuzz, and “Sweet,” featuring the album’s most memorable riff.

For Slocum, this album marks a breakthrough. “I felt more comfortable being vulnerable,” she says. Her song “Pocket” started as a GarageBand pop track before morphing into something abrasive and raw.

Rooted in Pittsburgh’s DIY scene, feeble little horse remains fiercely independent. “I want a kid to hear this album and think, ‘If they can record in their bedrooms, I can too,’” says Kelley.

Despite growing success, their process remains the same. “We’re just hanging out,” says Kinsler. “This is what we do instead of playing video games.”