Coyote Kid “The Skeleton Man” 2020, self-released and completely fan-funded (2019) on colored, marbled vinyl. Minneapolis-based gothic indie rock with a hearty dose of cinematic drama (think arid and expansive spaghetti westerns), Coyote Kid (formerly known as Marah in the Mainsail) was one of our favorite acts at Appleton’s Mile of Music this past August. They put on a hell of show, combing vocalist/guitarist Austin Durry’s deep, rich, slightly gravely voice and grungy guitar with vocalist/keyboardist Cassandra Valentine’s clear – delicate yet bluesy – vocals and dynamic playing style. The backbone of the group is Austin #2 (Wilder) on bass: he’s a born-performer with crazily awesome facial expressions and movements, and Kian Dziak on drums. The secret weapon for Coyote Kid, though, is trombonist John Baumgartner, who makes their sound truly original and his exuberant playing is a delight to watch.

I just got this LP in the mail a couple of days ago; I ordered it directly from the band when they announced the vinyl pressing. It’s fantastic and tells a story throughout each track (that apocalyptic story of the Coyote Kid, the Bloodhound and The Medicine Crow, along with the lyrics, detailed in the liner notes). I especially love “The New Dark Age” (super-spaghetti western short instrumental intro to the record with soaring trombone), “Femme Fatale” on which Durry and Valentine share vocals, “Prowler” – a real rocker with a killer bass line, the dark “Strange Days,” the Siouxsie-ish “Electric Lover,” the wild punk-goes-Gypsy “Undertaker,” and the haunting “Run.”

Coyote Kid brings the Skeleton Man story to the physical world with a real-life treasure hunt. Somewhere in the United States, they’ve buried a life sized golden skull replica. “The first person to find the skull will receive a free merch bundle of all of our releases, and free shows for life (when applicable). The hunt begins when you enter the code hidden somewhere in our latest album.”