Another Gem from Dog Bite

Man oh man, Dog Bite really has something here.  This is the third single from Phil Jones (not the Man United utility player sadly) and his upcoming record, Velvet Changes, which is being released by Carpark Records on February 5th. Personally, I usually don’t go straight for the electronic looping, but I like the tone of the guitar that quietly lurks in the background.  Plus, the manipulated drums provides a really strong sterility to the song’s structure. If you haven’t been carried away by Jones yet, then you’re going to have no one to blame but yourself when this album goes big time.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/07-Native-America.mp3]

Download:Dog Bite – Native America [MP3]

Dog Bite Forever, Until A New Song…

Dog Bite was the band lucky enough to avoid the downpour during their opening slot at The Mohawk for Washed Out’s last stop in Austin. I liked their set and in retrospect by listening to the recent tracks hitting the intarwebs, I like them more than I did at the show. I need a do over.

Anyway, Phil Jones is leading the band into 2013, Velvet Changes dropping 2/5 via Carpark. This is the second song from the pending LP and is a bit gazier and hazier. The song premiered over at Paste with a download via the Soundcloud embed there.

The band will be in town in support of Toro Y Moi @ Emo’s East on 2/2/13.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Dog-Bite-Forever-Until.mp3]

Download:Dog Bite – Forever, Until [MP3 @ Paste]

Heavy New Jam from Dog Bite

When I first pressed play on this new jam from Phil Jones project, Dog Bite, the heavy guitar definitely caught my ear.  It gave a darker quality to the song from the get-go, which I definitely appreciated.  Then the vocals washed in a bit of haunting echo pushed me over the edge.  And while there’s a lurking solemnity, it’s not a song free of hooks.  His album, Velvet Changes will be out on February 5th of next year via Carpark Records, and it’s shaping up to be one of those underdog releases I’m really rooting for.  Have at it guys.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/04-Prettiest-Pills.mp3]

Download:Dog Bite – Prettiest Pills [MP3]

New Music from the Austin Scene: A Giant Dog, Food Group, Rival Waves and Friday Boys

Just like the rest of the world, the Austin scene is just pushing out new music on the regular, and as we look forward to next week, I’ve got a few rad releases to make sure are on your radar. Obviously, one of the names and singles is already out there on everyone’s radar, but check in on what’s going on in our local scene…got some post-pop punk pop rock (Rival Waves), exploratory indie (Food Group) and some old school punk (Friday Boys)…but it’s all damn good.

Food GroupThee Fantastic LP

Friday Boys – Depressed Gang Single

Rival WavesA Meaningless Chaos LP

A Giant Dog – A Daydream Single

A Giant Dog Drop I Believe Single

When I first clicked on the latest from A Giant Dog, I really thought that Sabrina was channeling Marissa from Screaming Females; her voice takes on that sort of guttural tone, but it’s all a huge set-up! Ellis voice is instantly pushed to catchy heights as the band smashes down behind her, stomping in their heavy brand of pop rock. What I’m loving from the new stuff, however, is all the little details that come in throughout the track, particularly when you get to the interlude and all the sweeping emotions that get sprinkled across there. Get ready to enjoy the hell out of Bite; it drops on August 25th via Merge.

Bridge Dog Share Former Life Single

Sydney’s Bridge Dog claim to adhere to a musical model that’s equal parts Belle and Sebastian and Pinkerton-era Weezer, both which I’m totally behind as well. Today we’ve got the first single from their forthcoming EP, and it’s exactly as you expect, sprinkling in these subtle vocal melodies behind these heavy guitar riffs and a wash of keyboard notes. Come to think of it…this feels like the promise of the Rentals fulfilled, and that’s about as high as a compliment as I can give. I love how the fuzzy riffs done interfere, knowing their place in the mix, which leaves us with this perfect little bite of a pop song. More news on the EP to come real soon!

ATH + PPI + No Play Music = SXSW @ the New Movement

newmovement_webWe’re really happy to be teaming up with yet a bunch of other rad Austinites to help promote a great little day show over at the New Movement Theater on 7th and Lavaca…its close to all cool happenings.  Bryan over at Pop Press International is the big organizer, and he’s gotten some great bands together, including traveling acts and local acts (we’ve got rep our town bro!). There will be adult beverages from Adelberts and Lone Star, free tacos til they’re gone and more…so show up and have fun. Click on for more info on the show! Read more

Show Review: Toro Y Moi @ Emo’s (2/2)

Finally caught up on processing pics. This latest round is for Toro Y Moi playing Emo’s East with Dog Bite and Wild Belle opening.

I will summarize the review here, so this is goodbye.

I am pretty sure I first saw Toro Y Moi at SxSW three years ago during a day party inside at The Mohawk, delighted by the hazy electronic goodness. The next time was his opening shot for Caribou at Emo’s outside. That was a stellar show. Next go was outside at The Mohawk as a headliner, a show we were very meh about. This is it for me; the big house at Emo’s, weird vibes from a sold out crowd, cell phones galore (including in the photo pit), bros yelling song names.

Read on for dark pics and a few more thoughts…

Read more

Show Pics: Washed Out @ The Mohawk (5/10)

Washed Out puns ruled the night as the rain came down by the bucket load. The drainage holes in the east side wall of The Mohawk couldn’t keep up and the patio turned into a shallow pool. I have to give it up for these fans, they stayed, they got soaked to the bone and they had fun.

Dog Bite was able to avoid the weather with their opening set, while Memoryhouse had to play through the worst of it.

More on the show and a ton of pics from a different view point after the break…

Read more

New Austin Music Dropping Today

Today is one of those weird days where you look through your email and everything reeks of Austin. Feel like it’s our duty to spend some time and give a little coverage to those working in our city, even if its just the littlest bump. We’ve got old friends, old standbys and an artist I’ve just been getting into, so I’ll let you decide which is which!

Genuine Leather – “Tear It Down” (The Animal Farm)

BLK ODYSSYDiamonds & Freaks (Earthchild/Empire)

Ram Vela – “Fight or Flight” (Self-Released)

A Giant Dog – “Different Than” (Merge Records)

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