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]

Much Hyped Rock from Milk Music

Those of you that follow the Internet have no doubt heard of Milk Music; they’re a Washington group known for their live energy and raw sound.  Listening to the newest single from their album, Cruise Your Illusion, which hits the streets on April 2nd via Fat Possum Records.  My first run through the tune revealed a lot more polish than some of the efforts that existed on their earlier EP.  But, the recording itself provides this certain level of grit, living somewhere between the boundaries of Cloud Nothings and Dinosaur Jr–not an entirely bad thing, eh?  I think there’s a lot of promise in this track, but I’m holding out my judgment on the hype until a later date.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Ive-Got-a-Wild-Feeling.mp3]

Download:Milk Music – I’ve Got a Wild Feeling [MP3]

Foot-Stomping Pop from Brothers In Law

Those of us who’ve found our lives intertwined with bedroom pop should be rejoicing over the world’s musical fascination with the genre’s reemergence over the last several years.  Even in Italy, Brothers In Law have been crafting their own propulsive blend of atmospheric guitar pop for some time, and they’ve finally got a full-length coming to light titled Hard Times for Dreamers, which is seeing a limited joint release between WWNBB and CF Records (who put out that excellent Sea Pinks record in 2012).  I can’t help but fall in love with this track…sure, there’s a dreamy quality, but I put it on and my arms can’t help but flail about as they spin me around the room in my office. Feel free to fan over this one.

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More New Tunes from Girls Names

I’d be remiss if I didn’t write about the most recent Girls Names track to come out of the Internet.  I’d also be in the same boat if I didn’t admit that I have no idea where the group is going musically, in an extremely exhilarating sense.  When I first heard this tune, I noted the semi-Orange Juice guitar chops, but was thrown off by the haunting of the vocals.  Then came this progression with keyboard intrusions and a brighter tone to the vocals–it honestly reminded me of The Fresh and Onlys traveling back to the early 80s, which basically equates to a hit in my ear.  Luckily, The New Life will be in stores from Slumberland Records on February 18th, so I’ll finally get to put all the incredible pieces together.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/75326855″ params=”show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Show Preview: Tiger Waves (Purity Ring After Show) @ Mohawk (1.22)

Look, I know all of Austin is excited for the SOLD OUT Purity Ring set at Mohawk, as I hear the band is a big deal.  But, that being said, if you’re not sticking around afterwards or not headed into the venue when the show is over, you’re going to miss out on two of Austin’s most promising acts.  We’ve been behind Black Books and Tiger Waves from the start, and the more each group progresses, the more we continue to be amazed by their performances.  Plus, Tiger Waves head out on tour the next day to represent Austin, so we’ve gotta send our boys off on the right foot!  I promise those of you with an appreciation for interesting pop music, you won’t want to skip out.  Here’s a song by Tiger Waves and Black Books, respectively, just to entice you a bit more.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Fields-Final.mp3] [audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/A-Like-You-Best-MASTER1_01.mp3]

Synth Driven Track from Luxury Liners

I’ve written about the songwriting prowess of Carter Tanton before, and he’s back again, this time under the moniker of Luxury Liners.  He set off to record his latest record as a selection of John Cale covers, but like all great things, it evolved into something all his own.  The track below is using Cale’s lyrics, but the song itself takes on a life of it’s own, moving through three distinctly different phases.  First you get a slowly evolving stark electronic sound, then it moves into a more danceable groove, finally ending in an explosion of experimentation.  The new record, They’re Flowers, will be released to the masses via Western Vinyl on April 2nd, and it looks to be an openly creative piece of work.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Luxury-Liners-Theyre-Flowers-01-Caribbean-Sunset.mp3]

Download:Luxury Liners – Caribbean Sunset [MP3]

Cover Tune from Pickwick (ft. Sharon Van Etten)

I’m a fan of collaboration, especially when it’s executed properly.  It doesn’t take much to get me excited about Sharon Van Etten either, so when I found that Seattle’s Pickwick was joining up with the lady love, I had to post the tune for you.  “Lady Luck” is a Richard Swift cover, which uses the strength of Van Etten to push the song into a soulful flow of soft rock.  This is just one of three covers the band recently released on a Covers EP, which also has tunes from Damien Jurado and The Primitives.  They’ll also be releasing their own full length in March, which is highly anticipated at the ATH offices.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/09_Lady_Luck.mp3]

Download: Pickwick (ft. Sharon Van Etten) – Lady Luck [MP3]

Another Gentle Song from Leapling

We’ve been hot on the heels of Leapling since they were first picked up by the good folks over at Father Daughter Records, and this new single continues their great first impression.  There’s a quieted build-up with an underlying pulse, just before the whispering vocals come in to play.  There’s some electronic tinkering that goes along intermittently, providing a feeling not far off from Pinback or a Fugiya & Miyagi, but the special moment arrives near the end when the song bursts into this blissed out harmony.  You can grab this track and a few others from the band’s Losing Face EP, which is available now!

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/73406286″ params=”show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

The Eastern Sea @ The Parish (1.19)

Date Saturday, January 19th
Location The Parish
Doors 8:00 PM
Tickets $12 from The Parish


After an excellent 2012, The Eastern Sea is taking aim at the New Year, bringing their sounds to The Parish–they’ll benefit from such an excellent sound board.  Their release of Plague last year made a lot of year end lists, including our own, so you can expect an incredible set from the group Saturday night.  They’ll be joined by The Kopecky Family Band and Emily Wolfe on the evening, rounding out a solid bill for a jam-packed weekend of music.  If you like you’re tunes well-crafted, then this is the place to be this weekend.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/11-A-Lie-1.mp3]

Download:The Eastern Sea – A Lie [MP3]

New Music from The Little Ones

We’re only a few weeks into 2013 and the music is already hitting us hard; there’s only so much one small site can cover!  But, with that in mind, we’re only a month away from the new release from The Little Ones.  The Dawn Sang Along will be in stores on February 12th via Branches Recording Collective, and the group is aiming directly at the heart of pop-lovers.  On this new single you’ll hear bright harmonies in the vocals, tinkering musical instruments, and a general sense of pleasure for the listener.  This is pop music for everyone to enjoy; this is The Little Ones.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/04-Forro.mp3]

Download:The Little Ones – Forro [MP3]

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