San Francisco indie-rock band Beulah never really settled on a single definitive lineup, and singer Miles Kurosky wrote most of the songs anyway, so it’s not such a surprise that the end of Beulah would mean a solo record from Kurosky.

It sure took him a while, though: Beulah broke up in 2004, and Kurosky, now a Portland, Ore., resident, just released “The Desert of Shallow Effects” earlier this month after what he calls a “lengthy and confusing” creative process interrupted by two shoulder surgeries and hospitalization for kidney problems.

He overcame those travails to release an intricate record, lush and layered with strings, horns, even Mellotron, but all in service of smart writing and incisive pop hooks.

With a new record, an enterprising indie-popster might as well head for SXSW, which is just what Kurosky’s doing: he performs Thursday at Emo’s Main Room. Listen here to his new song “Apple for an Apple.”

March 15, 2010 at 7:30 am | Share |