Old Pup weaves an intricate, entrancing web with ‘Spider Towns’

In 2022, Old Pup—the pet project of Milwaukee multi-instrumentalist Will Hansen—introduced listeners to its winning mixture of psych, folk, and country with the release of Incognito Lounge. Since then, Hansen and his distinct pedal steel have been frequent fixtures in live outings for both Old Pup and as accompaniment for area artists like Ellie Jackson and Maximiano.

On top of a steady diet of local performances, tours, experimental one-off singles, and features on his friends’ releases, Hansen also found time to craft and record material for a follow-up album. Last Friday, Old Pup expanded on his sterling, genre-melding catalog with the release of Spider Towns. The sophomore album illustrates Hansen’s wide-ranging musicianship and lyrical depth, incorporates an impressive supporting cast, and weaves an intricate and altogether entrancing sonic web.

The album gracefully eases into motion with the title track, which finds Hansen applying delicate and warbled vocals atop swooning, waltzing instrumentation and backing harmonies from Milwaukee ex-pat Johanna Rose. The opener flows seamlessly into “Stalactites,” a stripped-down and jaunty folk effort with disproportionately deep and dour lyrics about the exhaustion of existence and longing for something more.

The most captivating composition on Spider Towns and perhaps the best display of Old Pup’s overarching artistic aim can be heard on “House Of Wind.” The standout track finds Hansen’s mournfully twisting pedal steel intermingling with his abstract-yet-emotive lyrics amid understated percussion by Nate Kinsman and bass from Drue DeVente, and Ellie Jackson’s haunting backing vocals. Those musicians—along with the aforementioned Johanna Rose and Maximiano Janiero—make their presence known at other points of the 11-song release, and they’re joined on the extensive list of album credits by the likes of Ben Boehm (cello), Andy Goitia (organ and drums), Michael Gerlach (backing vocals), and Edward Kosmatka (drums).

Despite that sturdy stable of collaborators, Spider Towns flows squarely through Hansen. Over the course of the record’s 40-minute run, the bandleader moves well beyond the pedal steel to contribute both electric and acoustic guitar, bass, Omnichord, theremin, harmonica, and even unconventional objects-turned-instruments like a broom and something only described as a “found homemade metal percussion instrument.” Of course, Hansen’s voice also does its part to anchor every song (excluding the trippy “Character Study: Inflatable Dancer” interlude and an airy late-album instrumental called “Ev’s Farm”).

When combined, Hansen’s delicate and understated singing, top-notch songwriting, and a wide breadth of both instruments and featured players all come together to create something special. Easy-going tracks like “Passing” and “Butter” seem to be rooted in the realms of classic country and folk. “Bee” and “Sweet Dreams” meander into vaguely psychedelic territory. “Moonsmoke” is a light and beautiful fever dream complete with captivating harmonies, whistles, and some unexpected percussive flourishes. All told, Spider Towns shows Old Pup capably straddling the line between different genres, between tradition and experimentation, and between ghostly and gorgeous.

Old Pup will headline a belated release show for Spider Towns at Cactus Club on Saturday, March 15. Joseph Huber and Dandy L. Freeling will open.

Photo: Isaiah Joseph