Author: nathan.lankford

Quiet Balladry from Head Clouds

Leave a comment

headyI wanted to continue with our Australian themed day by looking over at Head Clouds, which is the product of Jayke Maddison.  In listening to his latest single, there feels like there’s two separate movements happening, especially once the song takes a turn just before the 2 minute mark. The pop aspect is smoothed out, adding in a more pronounced bit of percussion to elevate Maddison’s voice into a loftier place. There’s a new EP in the works, with growth on the mind of Jayke, clearing making a push for the most pristine pop music coming out of Gold Coast.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/HeadClouds.mp3]

Download: Head Clouds – New Light of the Equinox

Teaser Pony Offer New 7″

Leave a comment

teaserFelt like it’s been a wee bit since I checked in on the goings-on in Australia, so I was really pleased to come across this new EP from Melbourne’s Teaser Pony. It’s got this casual pop attitude, sometimes energetic, while other times completely relaxed.  Their debut EP has a lot of promise going forward, leaving room for the band to move in multiple directions; “Champion Fullback” has a power-pop feel, while “I.D.K.E.W.Y.S.F.N.” has a Spoon-ish stomp to them. You can grab your own copy from Cinnamon Records in the first few weeks of June.

Have You Listened to Laurice

Leave a comment

laurieI hadn’t actually even heard of Laurice prior to hearing this song, but it seems that he was once a contemporary of Bowie and Bolan, sans all the pomp that went with those glam kings.  You can hear it in his latest release; it blends pieces of that light-hearted glam style, but holds some notes over from the perfect age of pop music.  This is a collection of tracks he’s releasing for the first time, Best of Laurice Vol. 2, but stay tuned for more from the songsmith, as he’s rumored to have an album’s worth of entirely new material waiting in the wings.  You can grab this album on June 16th from Mighty Mouth Records.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/199541079″ 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 Premiere: Rain Collectors Release Single

Leave a comment

rainyThere’s an old guard in the Austin music scene, filled with bands who’ve been playing together for years.  But, at some point the youngsters in town are going to take over, which is where we find Mr. Santiago and Ms. Blair, the duo working together as Rain Collectors.  Both artists have their own acts, Growl and AMA, respectively, but they step outside of these two projects to craft gentle folk music together.  Their new single relies upon very few lyrics, choosing instead to revolve the emotional pull around the tune’s structure, filling in empty space with piano and drums to add extra textures to the track.  For those worried about when the talent in Austin will run out, rest assured, there’s new territory being explored by the young guard, and Rain Collectors is one of those acts to keep an eye on; look for a new EP later this year. 

Fuck Yea Friday: New Seapony Tune

Leave a comment

seaNothing is going to brighten my day like listening to a Seapony tune, especially when it’s a brand new one from the Seattle group; they now appear to be a quartet, which means they’ve employed live drums on this record.  It should come as no surprise that live drums are adding to the already near perfect indiepop music the band have crafted over their last two albums.  For me, this is just the perfect way to bounce around on a Friday, so I held onto the track overnight, just so you’re day would be joyous and celebratory.  They’ve titled their new release A Vision, and it’s being released on July 31st.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/203385507″ 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: Institute Unleash New Single

Leave a comment

instAustin’s had a pretty solid week single bringing out music.  We had a hit from Orthy, Jesse Jenkins and now we’ve got this Institute track (there was also a new Future Death tune floating about). The music has this propulsive proto-punk, though the latter half of the track has a little bit more of a quirky art-rock approach.  The vocals, by and large, are delivered in a sort of matter-of-fact spoken fashion, which works against the guitar’s created sounds; it’s unsettling, creating a haunting that will surely win over new listeners. Look for Catharsis on June 9th via Sacred Bones Records.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/206419080″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

New Rock N’ Roll Frolicking from The Sandwitches

Leave a comment

sandyIt seems that the train ride with the Sandwitches is almost over, which is sad, as some are just getting on board with the group’s sound.  Their darkened tones on this new LP have been much discussed, but the music you’ll find on their latest single exemplifies how well the band execute a rolling rock song.  It’s got an understated guitar jangle, yet it employs the girls’ playful vocals,which always raise the listeners spirits. Our Toast, the final album, will be out on June 9th via Empty Cellar Records.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/203307869″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Way Interested in Nap Eyes

Leave a comment

nappyApparently Nap Eyes is a band that’s slipped beyond everyone’s awareness, at least here in the United States.  The first reason the band caught my eye is that it features members of Monomyth and Each Other…two bands I’ve heard of and adored.  Then there’s this song; it’s fucking great.  It’s got this steady pace to it, as if the song was created simply to back the spoken word.  It’s like a modern twist on the music that nerds fell in love with…see fans of The Feelies and They Might Be Giants.  The group will re-release their hit Whine of the Mystic on July 10th via Paradise of Bachelors and You’ve Changed Records.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/108339649″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

Show Preview: Sungod @ Red 7 (5.22)

Leave a comment

showLooking forward towards the weekend, as we all are, there’s a show that should be on your radar, making your list of must attend shows.  Sungod, who many missed (due to rain) at Levitation, will be playing Friday night at Red 7.  If I were to describe their sound, I’d throw it into the original landscape of organic psychtronica; it’s an entrancing sound that deserves your attention…and it’s only $5. Plus, the opening line-up of Crawl, Thousand Foot Whale Claw and Gods Gun.  Personally, I’m looking forward to the sounds of Gods Gun, who’ve been rather mysterious, though the band have prominent members about town such as Jose from Ssleeperhold/Boan. Want a show that explores some new sonic territory? Bring $5 and show up early for all the bands!

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/167156917″ 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: Orthy Covers Tom Petty

Leave a comment

OrthyYep, another cover, another day.  But, Austin’s Orthy don’t just cover Tom Petty’s “Listen to Her Heart,” they totally reimagine the song itself, leaving no resemblance of the original save the lyrics.  There’s these dark electronic pulses during the chorus, while the remainder of the song is a smoothed-out electro croon.  The song features on a digital release that just came out this week via Dither Down, allowing listeners the chance to also listen to various remixes from the group’s E.M.I.L.Y. EP, which we raved about last year.  Give it a listen, and enjoy your day just a little better.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/202554988″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

1 … 820 821 822 823 824 … 1,314