Author: nathan.lankford

Stream Rays Debut LP

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Sort of bored with the tunes coming my way this week, but what I’m not bored of is the diverse listen that is this debut LP from Rays. We’ve written about the band many times on the site, and there’s no reason to stop right now, is there? There’s all sorts of stuff hanging out on this LP, be it jangling guitars or psychedelic swirls, all spun with the perfect attitude. You get bonus points when you can switch between male and female vocalists, never losing a beat. Get your hands on this new LP Friday when it hits via Trouble in Mind Records.

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The Zoltars Land on Slack Capital Again

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Slack Capital 2 is a compilation of music by 27 of Austin’s most wonderful bands. All proceeds from the comp go to SafePlace, which provides support for victims of domestic and sexual violence. We’re unveiling one song per day, leading up to the comp’s release on April 14.

Song of the day: The Zoltars – “I See You”

Perhaps no artist on this comp is quite as “slack” as Jared Zoltar of the Zoltars. With a super laid-back delivery, ghostly “oohs” floating in the background, an acoustic guitar straight out of Beck’s closet, and drums that sound like someone shutting a cabinet door in the next room, “I See You” feels like a lo-fi lullaby sent via transmission from some rigged-up VHS tape in a basement somewhere. I don’t want you to get the wrong idea, though. Like the best Zoltars songs, this one has an earnest heart at its core, and the refrain — “I see you/ I see you/ I like you/ cuz you’re like me too”– is both addictive and sweetly simple. 10/10 would recommend for a key spot on your next summer love mixtape. –Eric Braden

Pre-Order Slack Capital 2 HERE.

Come to the Release Party on April 14 at Barracuda.

New Music from Sheer

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Sheer are back with a brand new EP, and after a few line-up changes, it seems like the band’s brand of pop is going to get a whole lot sweeter. Our first listen is this glorious ballad, coolly floating along with this blissful dream vocal; it’s soothing as it progresses, but just after the 1.30 mark or so, the song takes off for a powerful closing. It’s a nice tease at what’s to come from the band, with their brand new Psychic Quarry EP on the April 28th horizon; look for the release via The Native Sound.

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Stream Great Indiepop from The BVs

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Feel as if its been slow this year in the realm of indiepop, but as the year progresses, there’s a bunch of stuff on the horizon, like the debut full length from the BVs. I appreciate how the band manages to balance the traditional jangling bits with hazier elements between songs; you get the feeling that Speaking From a Distance might be the most balanced indiepop release in some time. While the LP doesn’t come out for a few weeks, figure its best to keep you satiated by tossing out a stream of the record before its April 7th release date.

Bedroom Suck Records to Reissue Good Morning

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I’m not typically one to get into the reissue game, as far as posting goes, but I feel like Australia’s Good Morning has been vastly overlooked…though I pointed them out here long ago. Luckily, the good folks over at Bedroom Suck Records will be re-releasing the band’s Shawcross and Glory EPs on one 12″, with additional singles like the delightful pop tune lurking on the pages below. To me, this feels like what’s really going on down in Australia, offering sublime pop sensibility in a casual manner that begs for listen after listen. Look to get your hands on a copy come July 7th.

Lovable Pop from Nana Grizol

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Those of you that press play on the video below will immediately understand why I’m so in love with the latest from Nana Grizol. Something in the songwriting recalls the purity of our forefathers from 90s college rock, like Malkmus. But, with that in mind, there’s clearly more of a message in the lyrical content, as Theo Hilton finally has found a voice for his storytelling. Heavy-hitters from Athens helped Hilton flesh out the songs you’ll hear on Ursa Minor, such as the beautiful burst of horns in this tune. Look for the release on March 31st via Orange Twin.

The Perfect Bedroom Pop of Sarah La Puerta Lands on Slack Capital 2

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Slack Capital 2 is a compilation of music by 27 of the greatest bands in Austin. All proceeds from the comp go to SafePlace, which provides support for victims of domestic and sexual violence. To keep things exciting, we’re unveiling one song per day.

Song of the day: Sarah La Puerta — “Don’t Make Me Do It”

You may know her as the secret weapon in baroque indie pop band Tele Novella, or as the secret weapon in the transcendental chamber-folk jams of Thor & Friends, but rising star Sarah La Puerta makes music of her own, too. Today we are excited to present “Don’t Make Me Do It,” a striking and heartfelt pop gem. Never raising her voice above speaking volume, La Puerta puts just enough character into each line to convey more than is said– particularly on the titular plea of the chorus (which incidentally, unlike the rest of the song, is not bathed in synthesizers). Yes, there it is, that Sarah La Puerta keyboard sound– playful, hopeful, but always just a little bit concerned. The song’s lyrics follow a similar path. “I’d like to know/ that your love/ is a love I can be sure of” is intoned dreamily, as if to herself. We see shadows slowly moving across a garden at night; we are slowly dancing down a cobbled Parisian alleyway, stepping gingerly on the rocks; we smell cigarette smoke, and there are lights colored orange, pink, and blue. The song ends with a deep sigh of relief. We feel OK. — Eric Braden

Pre-Order Slack Capital 2 HERE.
April 14th Release Show Info HERE.

New Sloan Peterson Tune

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While we usually give Melbourne a lot of focus here, we’ll be turning to Sydney where we find songwriter Sloan Peterson offering up some solid indie rock. Listening to this track, you can see Sloan fitting in with the styles present in a lot of current US contemporaries, bringing in these faintly hazy vocals to push the semi-psych pulse of the tune. I love that there’s not tricks, just a simple straight aheads blast of enjoyable pop music. She’s in the process of finishing up touches on her self-titled EP, which is set to be everywhere later on in the summer.

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Enjoying This New Imaginary People

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There’s something ultimately familiar about the new Imaginary People single; it’s something that perked my ears, thus encouraging me to share. Perhaps it’s the slight quiver in the vocal delivery or the hi-hat work from the percussion, but it all reminds me an awful lot of early Wolf Parade. I also appreciate that the band are employing all sorts of instrumentation to flesh out this tune, which illustrates a bit of daring in the recording process as they leap for the pop fences. Look for the release of October Alice from the band on April 28th via Five Five Diamonds.

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Greg Ulhmann Comes to Mohawk with New Video (3/29)

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Greg Ulhmann is heading out of his home base of Los Angeles to travel the States and play some shows for you all. He’s fresh off the release of his latest LP, Odd Job, and he’s letting us run this brand new video for you to enjoy. It’s a delicate track, illustrating the careful approach to pop songwriting that Greg’s taken. The notes, both from guitar and voice delicately seep through your speakers, entrancing the listener, much as we expect from his live performance at the Mohawk on Wednesday night. Speaking of that night, he’ll be joined by several of our local favorites, Jacob Metcalf, Daphne and Zula Montez; be sure to come out for a special night of tunes.

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