Author: nathan.lankford

Graceful Pop from The Black Watch

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blackwatchGotta give a shout out to my friend over at IPSML for pointing me in the direction of one of California’s longest working (and greatest) bands, The Black Watch.  I like the band’s ability to construct songs that dwell in varying genres, much like the work on their albums.  On this tune I can hear classic pop sounds, yet there’s that ringing in the way the guitar lines are struck that reminds me of The Wedding Present.  I even chuckle when the “hey” jumps out from the background.  Their new record is titled The End of When and will be released by Pop Culture Press Records within the next month.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/1-02-Meg.mp3]

Download: The Black Watch – Meg [MP3]

New Track from Boogarins

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boogarinsA short while ago we wrote about Brazilian act Boogarins, and it’s time that we return with another track from the band.  It’s really hard to decide where to group these lads, genre-wise, which is perhaps great in its own spectrum.  I hear bits of oddity like you’d find on a Flaming Lips LP, but also toucuhes of collage/instrumental artists such as The Go! Team and Ratatat.  All these signs, and the pop sensibility of the vocals point to good things from the band when their debut record, As Plantas Que Curam, comes out on October 1st via Other Music Recordings.  Let this tune blow your mind.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/105421167″ iframe=”true” /]

 

 

Show Preview: Young Girls

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younggirlsI know a lot of you think that heading to My Bloody Valentine is the smart choice Friday night, but we’ve got something better for you…at least as far as your wallet is concerned. There are some great local acts playing over at Parish, including up-and-comers, Empire Machines, as well as 3D Friends and El Paso’s Mattox  But, my money is on our friends from Young Girls stealing the show.  They’re in the process of recording new tracks, and they’ve already been playing some of those new hits for us all–guaranteed fun! Not only should our recommendation set things going, but it’s only $5! Super cheap, super fun. We’ll be there.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Young-Girls-Another-Day.mp3]

Download: Young Girls – Another Day [MP3]

More New Tunes from Of Montreal

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ofmontrealI’ve been a bit reluctant to really jump back on board with Of Montreal, though I never truly stepped off the train.  In a sense, they’ve taken some creative moves that I’ve not always been on bored with, that is until their last two singles.  The latest seems to have completely stripped all the electronic elements out of the group’s sound, leaving us with Kevin Barnes’ penchant for traditional hooks. It might not be a return to form, if there ever really was one, but it’s definitely got me more excited than I’ve been to hear the full LP.  It’s titled LOUSY WITH SYLVIANBRIAR, and it’ll be released by Polyvinyl on October 8th. Pretty stoked!

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/89653691″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Dream Pop from Oceania

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oceaniaThursday’s are weird.  They’re like a weekend tease; it’s not Friday yet, but you also might have just celebrated Hump Day, leaving you in a lull.  Lucky for you I’ve got the perfect track to let you just drift lazily through the day. Oceania is the project of Nick Kostylew, and he’s warranted praise from previous releases, though I think this new one will garner more of such accolades.  There’s this atmospheric pop theme throughout, yet beneath it lays a throbbing synth beat; it adds this dreamy feeling where you’re not quite awake, yet you’re completely aware of your surroundings.  Be on the look out for Eyes of Glass EP, which comes out near the end of the summer.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/98026397″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Oops! I Like His Electro Blue Voice

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hiselectroOkay. I’m really late on this tune from His Electro Blue Voice.  But, I initially dismissed this record, solely based upon the name.  Honestly, I saw the name and skipped it, despite the Sub Pop connection.  Yet, like most people, I came back to it.  I needed something to rock my socks off, and I think that today this track is going to do just the trick.  It’s perfect if you’re into the angst-side of indie rock, and really, it’s just an all-around rad song to throw down on your playlist for Hump Day.  The band’s record, Ruthless Sperm will be released next week, and it’s shaping up to be a good old fashioned rock n’ roll album.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/03-Sea-Bug.mp3]

Download: His Electro Blue Voice – Sea Bug [MP3]

Gross Relations Bring Out Another Single

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grossrelations_masksRayRay posted the first sweet jam from Gross Relations less than a month ago, and I have to follow in his footsteps in order to bring you this new single from the band.  This new single still maintains the group’s lo-fi aesthetic, at least in so far as the recording goes, but personally, I’m feeling a hint of 90s alternative rock.  No, it’s not “Cumbersome,” unfortunately, but those of you who grew up with 90s radio will probably hear the same sort of catchy accessibility, while still seeing that the group isn’t just pandering to fans by making watered-down alterna-rock.  Their self-titled album will be in stores next week from the dependable folks at Old Flame Records.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/04-Discovery-Zone.mp3]

Download: Gross Relations – Discovery Zone [MP3]

More New Music from Alligator Indian

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alligatorEarlier this summer we brought you the first single from Alligator Indian, so why not make it two for two by bringing you another hit from the band.  The band is working hard to build up their name before the release of their More Songs About Animals and TV EP, which is available on September 17th from Bleeding Gold Records.  This tune has a bit of a different approach, with a slow trotting tune that maintains a bit of the odd emotion, while still utilizing the group’s R&B influences.  There’s a haunting female vocal bursting throughout, only drawing more attention to the main vocals.  Hope you like this one too folks.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/03-PUF__FIN.mp3]

Download: Alligator Indian – Puff/Fin [MP3]

Summery B-Side from The Eversons

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theeversonsI really enjoyed listening to Summer Feeling from The Eversons when it was released recently.  The group are still promoting the record, and so they’ve released a brand new single, which features “Stick Around,” a new B-side; it’s featured on their new “Creepy” single.   I like the jangling delivery of the guitars, but I also like the feeling of the vocals and their nonchalant exuberance.  That’s one of the attributes of the group that made them so much fun to listen to in the first place; they’re light hearted and catchy, making the group something easy to digest and enjoy.  Don’t believe me? Take this song for a spin!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/02-Stick-Around.mp3]

Download: The Eversons – Stick Around [MP3]

New Music from Blouse

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blousesI’m really digging the sound of the new Blouse tracks; this is their second official single for their upcoming record.  While the vocal delivery is seemingly spoken-word for the majority of the track, it takes on a more airy delivery during the chorus.  I really think it’s a good touch, especially considering the rest of the music is subdued, aside from the random bits of water droplets splashing in the background.  Eventually, the song fades away into nothing, which is a nice added touch.  The new record, Imperium, will be out on Captured Tracks on September 17th. Game, Blouses.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/96773923″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

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