Austin Spotlight: Mirror Travel

mirrortravelThose of you living in Austin, or who picked up the Casual Victim Pile compilation, might be wondering what happened to Follow That Bird.  Well, they opted for a name change, going with Mirror Travel.  This doesn’t mean the band’s sound has changed that much, still churning out rock and roll with a tinge of garage sound pushing things along.  You’ll be able to find this tune on the band’s new record, Mexico, which is being released by Modern Outsider on October 15th of this year.  History points towards a record filled with allusions to the Southwest, and fueled by hard work: can’t get here fast enough.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/95894965″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Oddball Electro Pop from Stout Cortez

Stout Cortez PHOTOSometimes you get a submission that stands out above the others, though you may or may not be able to discern precisely why that is.  In this case, I think the movement, musically speaking, really attracted me, with varying layers working in unison.  At times, your ears feel a bit overwhelmed, yet other times, the rhythmic pulse is oddly soothing. All this comes our way via Stout Cortez, a young man who’s traveled the world to find his own sound, which he seems to have done with his Where Are U Going EP.  You can grab it this week, and check him out in Austin on August 17th.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/EVOLUTION-IS-FLEETING_JHS_EQ.mp3]

Download: Stout Cortez – Evolution Is Fleeting [MP3]

Fresh Pop from Cloud Control

Cloudcontrol_small_tbd_photographerSeveral years ago we threw a chilled out little SXSW party, and we were more than excited to have Cloud Control closing the night out for us over at Empire Automotive.  The band has taken some time releasing new material, but I’m completely okay with that, as this new jam is perfect for Monday morning.  It’s bright in every regard, be it the emotional pull or the sound itself.  It’s a track you won’t be able to get out of your head, and you won’t complain about that fact either.  They’ll be releasing their new album Dream Cave in the US on September 17th; we can’t wait.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/102311247″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Chapter Music Releases Two New Singles

chaptermusicLong ago, due to my adoration of Crayon Fields, we made friends with the guys at Chapter Music.  In the last few years they’ve released hits from Twerps, Dick Diver, and many more, so we’re pleased to share with you their two new singles from this week.  The first is from Darren Sylvester, a visual artist in Australia; his album Off By Heart is released on October 4th.  Then, there’s Bushwalking, a post-rock trio with an arty sound; they’ll release No Enter on September 6th.  Enjoy these two tunes, then go browse the Australian label’s catalog for more undiscovered hits.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/102074165″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/102175673″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

More New Music from TORCHES

tochesIf you’re looking for creative indie rock in the vein of Local Natives, or like-minded bands, then perhaps you should try on TORCHES.  While their sound has some striking similarities, it definitely is able to go off on it’s own spectrum, aided by the trading back and forth of male/female vocals harmonies.  Listening closely to this new tune, you can hear some percussive rim shots built in to aid in the song’s progression.  The group’s headed out on the road in a couple of week’s to promote the release of their If The People Stare EP, so be sure to see if they’re coming to your town.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/02-If-the-People-Stare.mp3]

Download: TORCHES – If the People Stare [MP3]

Swaggering Rock N’ Roll from Night Beats

nightbeatsOver the last year, I’ve caught a handful of Night Beats sets, and I’ve always enjoyed myself.  There’s a bit of garage rock hipness, but also a nice little dose of psychedelia that puts them outside the range of your run-of-the-mill act. On this brand new single it seems as if the vocals are in another room entirely, which is an effect I”m personally partial to nowadays.  And, the band have obviously made an impression here in town because the Reverberation Appreciation Society has opted to pick up the band’s new record, Sonic Bloom, for a September 24th release date.  Can you dig?

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/04-Outta-Mind.mp3]

Download: Night Beats – Outta Mind [MP3]

Austin Spotlight: Ramesh Is Back

rameshFor those of you who’ve missed the effortless pop from Voxtrot (I know I do!), rest assured that Ramesh isn’t giving up on things just yet. A year or so ago I ran a tune that Ramesh was working himself, and then yesterday a few sites popped up with new tunes; it shouldn’t surprise us since he’s got a few shows around Texas with our friends Orthy and Young Girls. This new tune (one of two) is a slow-tempo piece of bedroom pop, though there’s additional musical accompaniment that makes the song swell with effortless beauty.  I’m always happy to hear more from one of my favorite Austin artists.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/102365228″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Friendly Savages – O, Joshua

Friendly Savages – Her Locket On A Chain 540910_436885409723088_195700355_nRating: ★★★☆☆

Austin’s Friendly Savages have been blossoming for some time, crafting folk music that spins humor and heartfelt lyrics into memorable songs for their swelling fan base.  With the release of O, Joshua, the band has made a statement that they’re going to be around for some time to come, filling 16 songs with care and purpose.

O, Joshua is filled with little orchestral snippets, meant to bridge the gap between statements and songs.  But, the first grand statement that visiting the listener’s ear comes via “Counted Lost.”  It’s a tune circling the idea that humans from time to time tend to wander, drifting from purpose or established norms.  Musically, it’s built around a loose piano and strummed guitar, but the tune picks up more speed near the end with the vocals coming across with a little more of a rasp, and a hurried musical approach. Such things remove a bit of the polish from the record, which surely provides for exuberant moments during the live setting.

Personally, I think the places that Friendly Savages excel revolve around their ability to come in on a whisper, then spring forward into a louder spectrum.  Such a moment occurs in “Trouble with Home,” as the songs opens very quietly, allowing the tension to build slowly before the group unites to create a full-room sound.  The excited finish to the track displays a band willing to push the boundaries of the folk genre. It also helps that the tune leads into my favorite song from the O, Joshua, “The Hold of the Lord on My Sparrow.”  It’s one of the softest tune, but it’s also, pardon the cliche, one of the prettiest tracks you’ll find featured in this collection of songs.  It moves slowly, with the strings working in unison to warm your heart.

But, despite all the beautiful moments built into this listen, there are some areas where I think the group could move forward; I think they try to reach this realm on “Natchez Trace.”  The song, as per usual, begins gently, but during the chorus it takes a harder edge, employing drums to add a needed emphasis to the formula of Friendly Savages.  This isn’t to say that I don’t appreciate the pristine folk produced by the band, I just prefer a grittier element thrown in from time to time to allow for some musical diversity to break though.  Those moments come few and far between, but that’s just a personal gripe.

In the end, O, Joshua is a perfect statement by a band just starting to grow their brand. They’ve got the folk element down, and you’d be hard pressed to find other group’s crafting such an accessible version of the genre.  That being said, Friendly Savages have room to grow, meaning that this is just a first step to what I hope is a prosperous road for the Austin band.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/03-Her-Locket-On-A-Chain.mp3]

Playful Pop from Arp

arpThe more I listen to the latest single for Arp, the more I just want to fall in love with the band; you know give myself over to their grandeur.  This track begins on the backbone of a nice little piano bounce, with airy vocals plodding along atop.  A distant guitar meanders through in the distance about midway through the track, leaving an emotional touch that really steps up the song’s level of achievement, emotionally speaking.  More, the new album from the group, will be available for everyone to enjoy on September 17th via Smalltown Supersound. Can’t wait.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/102406274″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Excited for New Crystal Antlers Tunes? We Are!

Crystal_Antlers_by_Pixie_MolBack in the day when we were a young blog, one of our first loves, nationally, was Crystal Antlers.  Sure, we had other bands we knew and love, but we caught on to Crystal Antlers, doing an interview, catching some live sets…and we love them.  Johnny Bell is one of my favorite front men, and his performances always made the show.  Now, they’ve got a new track that’s been up and jamming all day.  On first notice, I love the clarity of the vocals, which might not always have been the case.  Of course, it’s a CA song, so it blasts off into punk anthem, which we don’t mind one bit.  For now, all we have to go on is a great new tune, and promise of a new full-length in the future. We’re waiting patiently, sort of.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/102146504″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

1 1,000 1,001 1,002 1,003 1,004 1,306