Strum by Picture That

St. Louis natives Shawn and Allison Durham are carriers of a special magic. It’s that inner essence that blossoms beautifully wherever friendship and compassionate expression are found. Picture That, their new band, captures this energy perfectly.

Together and separately, the twin sisters have contributed their essential selves to bands across the U.S.A. in service of art and community. They got involved immediately as passionate show-goers, booking punk bands at their high school, playing in their own bands, and nourishing the people that make up this vast and brilliant international pop underground. The musical world of the Durham twins is beloved by all who know them, but to the uninitiated, it is like hidden treasure. Now, Inscrutable Records is sharing the map to this secret world with the release of Strum, Shawn and Allison’s debut as Picture That.

Recorded masterfully with Philip J. Lesicko (Glow in the Dark Flowers, The Funs), Strum showcases the Durham twins’ singing, lyrical talents, and multi-instrumental prowess. A whole world emerges with opener “Undercover Letters.” It evokes more than just a rock band, topped with a transfixing vocal melody that sets the stage for the record ahead. “Try” has the heart and soul of an independent-rock classic while feeling like a totally new transmission. Shawn and Allison conjure the sublime with Strum, using the palette of guitar-driven post-punk, a touch of C86 style, and a poetic thoughtfulness. The songs stretch wide, reflecting on growing up, dreaming big, and the charms of the mundane. As Picture That, the Durham twins summon the deep and intangible expressions only a psychic connection allows. Strum invites all of us in to explore.
-Reese Higgins