New Music: The Wheel Workers – Rainbows

Texas-based underground indie music collective The Wheel Workers put LGBTQ+ identity and self-acceptance at the heart of the 60s/indie beat of Rainbows.

It makes a strong statement by means of being an anthem full of positivity, lightly laced with hard reality and a dash of melancholy, as if knowing that the road ahead is hard: times may be difficult now, but things can be better.

Band leader Steven Higginbotham brings that message home, inviting comparisons to Scott Hutchison and Michael Stipe in the way his voice has an open, searching quality that makes you want to believe in the message and upbeat future portrayed by Rainbows.

The song was recorded live in their Houston rehearsal space as part of the band’s most recent release, which is streaming on Bandcamp, with videos for each song there and on YouTube. Learn more about The Wheel Workers on their Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok accounts.

The Wheel Workers currently comprises of lead singer, guitarist, keyboardist, violinist Steven Higginbotham, guitarist and keyboardist Craig Wilkins, keyboardist and singer Erin Rodgers, bassist Zeek Garcia, and drummer Kevin Radomski.

Header photo by Daniel Jackson