Local band Nice Dog is preparing for a full-length album after hitting some success with its unique indie-blues sound.
The four young band members attended high school here in Baton Rouge. Drummer Garrett Howell and bassist Robert Denoux are University students, guitarist Austin Roy attends Baton Rouge Community College and 21-year-old guitarist Logan Wagner is also a part of the band.
The four aspiring musicians have been together for six years and began their journey at Baton Rouge Music Studios in a young musicians program. The band calls it a “School of Rock” scenario.
Though Roy and Wagner knew each other from high school, the four of them formed a close bond quite quickly. They were ready to express their passion for music through the raspy, independent, bluesy sound they formed.
In the summer of 2014, the band put out its first EP, consisting of four tracks. The group’s first song and music video was titled “Waves,” and it did very well among its fan base and on social media. With the success the band received, they knew they could achieve more if they set their minds to it.
Keyboardist Keenan Torrence joined them the next year and added the soft, delicate sound of piano keys, giving the band an alternative sound.
Its success led Nice Dog to begin collaborating on a professionally recorded 10-track album. The band held its recording sessions at Baton Rouge Music Studios in August. Ryan Erwin, a sound engineer, is working with the band to release the record by the end of the year.
“It has taken longer than expected, but we have been taking our time with the process,” Wagner said. “We want to be concise so our sound can be heard.”
The group is optimistic that its fans will be pleased, considering the great reactions to their past music.
They has performed at many local venues including the Varsity Theatre, Spanish Moon, Atomic Pop Shop, North Boulevard Town Square and the former Chelsea’s Café.
Its four-track EP can be heard on Bandcamp’s website where they will also release their upcoming album. The album is slated for a summer release.
The album will also be available on Spotify, iTunes and Google Play. Baton Rouge Music Studios will have hard copies of the album, and they will be available at any of Nice Dog’s performances.

Gallery • 4 Photos

Jordan Marcell

Austin Roy plays guitar for Nice Dog on Sunday, March 12, 2017.