The Cover Letter

Fast-paced and full of sound, you can really tell each member of the band gives their all and will put those dance moves of yours into action! - Maroon Weekly

The most reinvented version of Americana that you’ve ever heard...kind of like if the rock of Meatloaf was thrown into the folk world. - Free Press Houston

There are fun bands and there are great bands, but sometimes you get lucky and find one that is both. This Americana rock outfit is just that with a talent and synergy that comes from a relationship that goes beyond that of bandmates, but one of family. - Fullnote Records

The Cover Letter could be the “next big thing.” With raw emotion, the band gave the audience an exciting show focused on their ever-developing, one-of-a-kind sound... It is difficult to place The Cover Letter into a box—it would actually be an injustice to do so... - Luis Gonzalez, Music Connection Magazine

Singer Jacob Shipman has a soaring, Southern blues tinged voice that is one of the many things that make The Cover Letter’s music addictive. They blend an old-fashioned Americana sound with modern indie melodies that capture the ear from the first listen. This five-piece harmonica playing, percussion-laden powerhouse pairs up with the equally talented band MCG for a joint CD release party this Saturday at The North Door. - Tourworthy

From the first harmonica phrase on “Fancy Car”, you know you’re about to be held tight in an emotional grip. The Cover Letter’s self-titled EP is a strong start for the five-piece band from Austin. Powerhouse R&B-flavored vocals over pounding piano with a smoky female harmony add depth and intrigue to these songs. A modern day Americana-folk-pop-rock sound is a good way to describe these guys, but an even better one is “the next big thing”. It’s easy to see songs like the slow-build, bluesy “Youngblood” and the layered “Pretty Girls” catching on quick. - The Horn

The connection the group has with the audience is fun, energetic and makes you want to get involved. - Jake Navarro, MyCityATX

Austin band The Cover Letter takes advantage of the skill and energy of all five members to create indie folk with powerhouse vocals and a dynamic edge! - Erika Hoelscher - KUTX

Folk, Indie, Rock, it's really hard to put this band in a box, but it would be extremely easy to write a letter of love for these guys. They're bad...in all the best ways...a few of the BAD team members attended one of The Cover Letter's performances at The Scoot Inn and we were completely floored with the amount of energy and pure talent they had on stage. - Bad Austin Magazine

Their potential hit, “Fancy Car,” sounds like that exceedingly rare thing—a new old Bob Dylan song. - In AXS Entertainment

... a hugely promising new Austin-based band with soaring vocals and powerhouse rhythms, natty tunes and hammering hearts... Cool as f*ck, catchy as hell. - Ross Fortune

Go listen to their music... they're awesome. - Deb O'Keefe - 101x

..."The Cover Letter is an Austin-based act known for a full sound orchestrated by a keyboardist, two guitar players, bass player, a drummer and a backing female vocalist who also sings second lead. If the audience wanted bantering they would get none. There was no time for it. Frontman Jacob Shipman proclaimed: “Hey guys we’re The Cover Letter, we didn’t come here to talk but to play some fucking music,” with that the band started jamming.

Some of the people playing pool and chatting stopped to listen. It’s impossible to ignore this band. They are too talented, and their sound is expansive. And fun. And makes you want to smile.

From the band’s official bio: “We are never still,” says Jacob. “Every day we grow, we write, we change, and we live. We’re excited for the next chapter.”

The night of the Cosmic Clash showcase The Cover Letter debuted several songs off their upcoming album. One of their to-be-released singles, “I'll Be the Sun” involves a guitar solo by [lead-guitarist Evan Runyon]. The old gods of the blues from TC’s past and the ladder day guitar soloists of present were felt in this moment on the tiny stage of the Sahara. Audience members took out their phones and recorded.

This is why you go out and discover bands during SXSW. “I like that” a concert goer kept saying, over and over again as the guitar solo ended and everyone caught their breath. Same here music fan… same here.

Editor’s note: The Cover Letter was the only act that headed straight for the keg first in our artist lounge across from Sahara. Not sure what we’re saying here, but there you have it. - The Cosmic Clash

Named one of 2015's top 100 Live and Unsigned Artists. - Bernard Baur, Music Connection Magazine

The Cover Letter separate themselves with varied instrumentation and pure energy. Fronted by the expressive vocals of front man Jacob Shipman and front lady Chelsea Barbo, this Austin five-some explodes with four on the floor rhythm and soaring sing-along choruses. - Bill Tucker

Top 10 "Best New Austin Band" of 2015 - Austin Chronicle

In a world where it seems like most Austin bands are trying really hard to sound like Wild Child, this band comes in the same genre, yet creates their own sound ..... Dual vocals and a group dynamic that feels closer to a party is all over their latest release. - Free Press Houston

Each member's instrumental abilities allow for creative freedom and ultimate exploration of sound, character, and emotion through buoyant and thoughtful tracks. - Paste Magazine

Aided by their use of distorted folk progressions, the band has evolved their work into a thorough brew of complex guitar lines, bombastic euphoria and a ferocious indie rock perspective. - Nooga.com

The band thrives on the no holds barred, genre blending multi-instrumentation don’t- put- us- in- a- box- because- we’re -just- going -to -break- out- of- it philosophy. - Wordkrapht

2018/2019 Runner-up: Best Performing Folk Band - Austin Chronicle