Author: nathan.lankford

Show Preview: Nightlands @ Mohawk (12.3)

Leave a comment

Nightlands

Date Tuesday, December 3rd
Location Mohawk
Doors 9:00 PM
Tickets $8 from Mohawk


Winter weather unfortunately puts a damper on bands traveling into Austin to put their music on display, but there’s a few great acts coming in, like Nightlands blowing into town on Tuesday night. The group is still pushing the sounds off their most recent release, Oak Island, which was well-received across the board.  I’ve always appreciated the way the project incorporates these organic sounds into these dreamscapes that mesmerize listeners.  And if that wasn’t enough, locals Holy Wave and RF Shannon will be supporting on the night.  It’s cheap, it’ll be good, you’ve got no choice: be there.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/04-God-What-Have-I-1.mp3]

Download: Nightlands – God What Have I  [MP3]

Soft Pop from The High Wire

Leave a comment

highwiresYou’ve got to love when bands stretch out the negative space to allow for their melodies to shine perfectly.  This is precisely what you’ll get when you spin this track from London’s The High Wire.  There’s tons of open space in the track, but the band manage to pace the track perfectly, maximizing their pop strategies to win over the listeners. I love how the song seems to build, yet holds back throughout, pushing your heart’s anticipation to its breaking point.  The trio is finishing up touches on their album, which is slated for release in the middle of 2014.  After this tune, I’m not sure I can wait that long.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/THE-HIGH-WIRE-The-Thames-The-Tide.mp3]

Download: The High Wire – The Thames & The Tide [MP3]

Pat Thomas Steps Out On His Own

Leave a comment

patindapark.143638Earlier this year I praised the work of Cool Ghouls, who released their self-titled album earlier this year, but I’m here to talk about one of the group’s primary songwriters, Pat Thomas.  For me, it would do enough that his Coasters Riding in the Air EP was recorded by Sonny Smith, but the single below clearly illustrates that he’s more than just the product of a producer’s magic touch.  It’s got this West Coast swagger to it, allowing the breezy quality of that area to sink into this casual number.  The only problem is that he’s only got six songs recorded; if they’re this enjoyable that might not be enough. You can grab the release from Empty Cellar Records on December 3rd.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/120810296″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Last Postcard Subscription from Art Is Hard

Leave a comment

artworks-000063026443-mboi5y-t500x500As I mentioned yesterday, and many times on these pages before, Art Is Hard is one of my favorite little labels working at the moment; I’m quite envious of their work and success.  It looks like they’re closing out the year with their final Postcard Subscription by bringing a new songs from Five Leaf Nettles, which is the project of Best Friends songwriter Jack Collister.  I really love the depth of this song; it sounds simple at first, but there’s multiple layers of a instrumentation layered beneath.  If your wise, you’ll start paying more attention to what this label has to offer.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Five-Leaf-Nettles-Autumn-04-Autumn.mp3]

Download: Five Leaf Nettles – Autumn [MP3]

New Music from Haunted Houses

Leave a comment

hauntedAs the year winds down, new music to whet your appetite is becoming harder and harder to find, except for some gems that came out at the end of last week.  One of the tunes that caught my attention was this newest jam from Haunted House.  The song is one of the tracks set to fit onto their self-titled EP, which will be released in early 2014; it holds onto a bedroom quality, while still having enough musicianship to make the song sound huge.  I love the foggy quality of the vocals; they still have some clarity despite being spun through a little wash.  Should be an interesting listen when we get to hear the rest of the tracks.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Haunted-House-Guts.mp3]

Download: Haunted House – Guts [MP3]

Another Gem from Mathew Cothran

2 comments

mathewIf you haven’t listened to Mathew Cothran in any of his various projects then I’m going to force you to admit you’ve made some mistakes! Well, okay, I won’t be that forceful, but I’ll continue to promote his work on these here pages.  Recently, the man behind Coma Cinema unleashed a few short songs for our enjoyment on his Failure EP.  I don’t know what it is about his songwriting, but I get completely wrapped up in everything he has to say.  There’s something I can’t put my finger on, but I love every minute I spend listening to a song he’s penned. Join me, won’t you?

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/mathew-lee-cothran-it-had-to-happen-it-had-to-be.mp3]

Download: Mathew Cothran – It Had to Happen(It Had to Be) [MP3]

New Music from Death Vessel

Leave a comment

deathYou know those artists that lurk in the shadows, only rearing their head whenever they feel the need?  They’re the artists you yearn for, the ones you hope release new music as often as possible.  Well, Death Vessel is one of those musicians for me.  We haven’t heard from him since 2008, and we raved and lauded his last effort, so my expectations for Island Intervals are quite high at the moment, especially after hearing this first single.  You can hear Jonsi of Sigur Ros singing accompaniment, adding a remarkable touch to the song. You can pick up the record on February 25th from Sub Pop.[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/120790312″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Bounce House Release Party @ Beerland (11.26)

Leave a comment

bounceWe’ve got a nice little community starting to reemerge in Austin, and one of our city’s photographers has a a rad little band that’s popping up on our radar.  The band is called Bounce House, and they’ll be releasing their first EP titled Hottest Day of the Year.  It’s filled with five rad tunes of punk rock that give you that fine blend between of bounce (as in the title) and grit; I’m really happy for these dudes.  You’ll also have other Austin heavy-hitters like Bobby Jealousy and Basketball Shorts filling out the evening at Beerland, so expect to get your money’s worth…and pick up the EP while you’re at it!

Art Is Hard Announce Gorgeous Bully EP

Leave a comment

artworks-000062786249-84xil3-t500x500I always keep an eye on what’s going on with Art Is Hard Records; they’re a small time label doing some interesting releases on a small, but exceptional scale.  They just recently announced that they’ll be putting out the new Nobody Hates You as Much as You Hate Yourself  EP by Gorgeous Bully, and the lead track is absolutely something you need to hear.  It’s infectious as any piece of garage-pop I’ve heard this year, but it still has enough of a ramshackle punch to make it more than just a mediocre piece of pop music.  It’s going to come out on a limited cassette, and if I’m guessing right, they’ll go pretty quick, so get at it!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Gorgeous-Bully-Sinking-Feeling.mp3]

Download: Gorgeous Bully – Sinking Feeling [MP3]

Dreamy Pop from Dutch Barn

Leave a comment

DutchBarn_EstelleMorris_1425I had grown worried that the ecclectic catalog of artists on Eardrums Pop might not ever get another chance at things, until I checked in the other day.  They’ve posted their first new three song release since May, and it’s definitely worthy of some ear time.  The band is Dutch Barn, and they combine elements of indiepop and shoegaze to craft these great tunes that sink into your soul.  Remember, EP does this all out of love for music, and love for the bands, so if you can afford to donate a penny or two, do so; it will make our music community continue to grow.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Dutch-Barn-01-Steal-Your-Jokes.mp3]

Download: Dutch Barn – Steal Your Jokes [MP3]

1 … 976 977 978 979 980 … 1,316