Author: nathan.lankford

Thursday Show Spotlight: Lochness Mobsters vs LVL Up

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austinThursday means the weekend is almost here, which means your body can handle hitting up a show, grabbing a drink and testing your body’s limits to get up for work on Friday.  So…here’s two shows that I definitely feel should be on your radar this evening: Lochness Mobsters tour kick off and LVL Up, Whirr.  I’m going to hit up both of these gigs…but here’s a little info to help you pick.  Lochness Mobsters are the late-night stars, closing out over at Hotel Vegas.  Taking off Friday? Spend your evening with us over here rocking the only way we know how.  Looking for an early show with a traveling band? The line-up at Mohawk with Whirr, LVL Up, Basement is killer, but doors are at 6:30, so you can get your rock on, and still make it home in time to sleep off a few Lone Stars.  Sample some tunes from my personal highlights below.

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[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/206639929″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

ATX SPotlight: Hovvdy Release Split Tape w/ Loafer

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hovvdyMerdurhaus Records are quickly making a name for themselves, releasing great tapes of some of the most promising young acts in town, such as Loafer and Summer Salt.  This week, they’re celebrating another release, which is a split between the previously mentioned Loafer and Hovvdy.  The Hovvdy jam is a quick little number, played out over synthesized beats with a hazy guitar part; it’s the sort of bedroom pop that’s made the style so endearing over the last few years.  They’ll both be playing this evening to celebrate the release of the tape over at Cheer Up Charlies, so sample and make a choice.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/216725116″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Close Tuesday with Fresh Snow

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freshsnowTook a few days off to run up and see some Oklahomies, so since I’ve been back, I’ve kind of hit my stride with the rock n’ roll groove. I wanted to give you something a little more chilled out to close your Tuesday listening with ATH. Toronto’s Fresh Snow have released this single, featuring vocals by Carmen of DIANA. It’s an interesting musical journey, sort of a patchwork of rhythms and electronic touches, coated in Carmen’s angelic vocals from time to time.  The group will be releasing Won via Hand Drawn Dracula on September 11th, so keep your eyes peeled for their dose of experimental pop.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/177539509″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Kinda Sorta Missed This TRAAMS Tune

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traamsOk, so the track’s already been out for a few days, but you know how it goes in the blogosphere (does that world still exist?).  So, this TRAAMS tune hit a few days ago, and it’s sort of blown up immediately.  It’s got this driving rhythm from the get-go, recalling the work of Hot Snakes (or the other band that guy was in).  It hits hard and fast, though there are some guitar cuts that barely border on pop sensibility (listen closely).  Still, the middle of the track is fairly rewarding too, using a slightly slower pace to offer some differentiation. Fatcat Records will be releasing the band’s new album, Modern Dancing, this coming November.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/217554672″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

The Spook School Prep Album

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spook-schoolIt’s been a bit since I’ve heard from the Spook School, but by the sounds of their new single, it looks like the group is ready to come back with a vengeance. Their last album, Dress Up (2013) was phenomenal; it was upbeat indiepop. You get the hooks and charm, but it’s played with a heavier hand.  Think of acts like Speedy Ortiz or Joanna Gruesome, but with a more charmed approach, making them slightly more appealing to those with softer spots in their listening hearts. They’ll be releasing Try to Be Hopeful this October via Fortuna Pop, with a promise to take on subject matters dealing with “sexuality and being awesome.” You can also check out this really great video of the band discussing issues of transgender with LJG HERE (it’s pretty great).

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/215848144″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Have You Heard Hotman

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hotmanIt’s amazing that in all the hubbub about music cities dying no one is really discussing how difficult it’s been for a lot of musicians to even eke out a living in one band…they often turn to two or three different projects.  Maybe that’s the case for Joe from Low Culture, or maybe he just loves to play music.  This track below opens up with a kinship to Guided By Voices, which initially caught me, though it travels to an entirely different territory as the song drives on, pushing more towards the punk direction that you might associate with Joe’s other band. Hotman only has these two tracks, but they’re NYOP, and they’re both super rad, so get on it.

[audio:http//www.austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Hotman-Ghost-Love.mp3]

Download: Hotman – Ghost Love [MP3]

ATX Spotlight: More New Rain Collectors

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rainWe were fortunate enough to premiere the first Rain Collectors single of the year, and now the charming Austin duo has another tune for you all to enjoy. Santiago, who plays in other well-known ATX acts like Growl takes the lead for the opening moments of the track, then trading places so Blair, of AMA, can come in and do her thing…only for the two to unite during the chorus.  Honestly, there’s probably lots of little musical nods they’re making, but you can’t pinpoint just one sound, making the group sound utterly refreshing whilst still feeling wholly familiar. Let’s keep our focus on these guys as they continue to charm their way into our constant listening rotation.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Rain-Collectors-Lock-The-Door.mp3]

 

ATX Spotlight: New Letting Up Despite Great Faults Jam

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Letting Up Despite Great FaultsI was out of town, so I should have been on this tune already.  We love Letting Up Despite Great Faults, and we’re always here to support those guys (and gal)…thus why I’m putting up this instrumental jam that they’ve recently released.  I hope it means the group are backing in the studio working their way towards another release, which can only mean good things for Austin. Seems like a pretty good way to wrap up what’s been a good case of the Tuesday’s in my book, so enjoy yourself as we close the day out with a little local love.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/217142691″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Welcome Return for The Intelligence

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intelligenceIt’s been a hot minute since we last heard from The Intelligence, the band that always shifts and changes sounds between albums, whilst always sounding every bit like themselves.  They’ve just returned with this new single, and while there’s about 20 seconds of goofing around in the studio, as soon as the bass line begins to groove, you’re caught in the perfect mix of a steady rocker. They even bring in part-time Thee Oh See, Brigid, to add a nice vocal contrast to the tune.  Probably one of the bands I feel are the most underrated, so I look forward to their new effort, Vintage Future, which hits on September 25th via In the Red.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/217249825″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

More Love for the Wimps

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wimpsAs you get ready to pick up the new EP from the Wimps, I figured I’d toss out another tune that’s been out for a week or so…just to further encourage your good tastes.  While this quick little jaunt runs at just under 2 minutes, there’s plenty music in here for you to enjoy.  Personally, I love the fact that the three piece seems to really have narrowed their focus in the songwriting, as their new tunes sound infinitely more powerful and direct than their earlier work…though that was enjoyable in an entirely different delight. It’s just nice to see a good band grow and still charm you…so without further adieu. Kill Rock Stars is handling this release…for this Friday!

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/214760527″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

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