On a friend’s Instagram story earlier this year, I immediately recognized a curly-haired, cowboy-hatted teen seated behind his vintage instrument. Wait, Pedal Steel Noah lives here?? Indeed, Instagram favorite Noah Faulkner – known for twangifying Eighties rock songs alongside his bassist brother Nate and their dog Kara – is from Austin. With deep roots in the country scene, he was taught piano by Bukka Allen, and later received his first and only pedal steel guitar lesson from Lloyd Maines. Faulkner self-educated from there, leading to his Texas Madness EP, which reworks Joy Division and the Cure. Austin industry catches up with 2024 appearances at SXSW and the Ameripolitan Awards, where he wore his signature patterned Crocs.
