Austin Town Hall

Man it’s been a hot minute since we’ve run an Austin artist to watch feature hasn’t it?  Well now that the craziness of SXSW is over, let’s get back on the local hype machine wagon with a spotlight on Austin band Monarchs.  You can’t exactly call this group a straight up solo project, but leading lady Celeste Griffin is the primary songwriter/founder/manger/jack of all trades in the group.  Griffin, a recent transplant from Alabama, evokes a lyrical and vocal style similar to modern songwriters like Cat Power or Lissie while occasionally mixing in some old school twang elements along the lines of maybe Patty Griffin.  The grit and emotion in Griffin’s voice is generally the primary focus on the Monarch’s first two self-released EPs, and after a few listens, you’ll see why such a captivating voice is the backbone of this band.  Stylistically, Monarchs bring classical elements of southern blues while incorporating some subtle yet slick guitar and piano solos here and there.  I’ll save anymore comparisons here and just let you listen for yourself with track “Come On and Move Me” below.  Stay tuned for information on the band’s upcoming debut LP being recorded with famous local producer Mike McCarthy.  We look forward to it.

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Download: Monarchs – Come On And Move Me [MP3]

It’s been awhile since our last artist to watch feature, so we thought we’d press on this week with Austin band The Clouds Are Ghosts.  The band has been building a lot of deserving positive press recently around town on sites like The Austinist who also dropped an interview with the band several months ago.  Being a bit new to the Austin music scene having formed only in 2008, it’s surprising to see such a fresh band growing so quickly.  The recent rise in popularity is of course attributed to the quality of the band’s sound which has been compared to their Radiohead & Massive Attack cited influences.  This writer is ready to call them a more atmospheric and electronic version of European bands like Muse.  You definitely won’t hear the wailing rock guitars like that band, but Clouds Are Ghosts certainly have that “epic” feeling to their music.  The band, fronted by Jason Morris, recently came off an east coast tour and also just released their debut self-titled LP back in September.  We’re jumping on the hype bandwagon with this band and we’re betting you will too.  If you’d like to hear more, the band is currently offering up their new LP for free high-quality download on their website.  Live shows coming up are February 27th at Mohawk and a few TBA shows during SXSW.

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Download: The Clouds Are Ghosts – Fields [MP3]

The Sour Notes are an Austin band who have arguably released more material in the last couple of years than any other local band.  What makes the large discography for such a new band (3 LPs and a 7″ to be exact) even more impressive is that each release was put out on the band’s dime.  Anyone who has been involved with a band currently shopping a label knows how hard releasing material on your own can be.  Don’t tell that to leading man Jared Boulanger.  He Originally started The Sour Notes in Houston, TX as a moniker for what was essentially a solo project.  Shortly after his debut in 2008, Boulanger began bringing some friends on board to a form a new band that could tour and play live shows together locally and nationally.  2010 has seen the band release a new LP It’s Not Gonna Be Pretty with a follow up already planned for later this year.  Now, recently returning from another east coast tour, the band has a welcome home show planned for Thursday night at Mohawk.  The up and coming locals will be playing along with Zest of Yore and The Demigs.  Check out this latest single “Do-ers & Say-ers” from the band below and find out why we think you needs ta know about these locals.

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Download: The Sour Notes – Do-ers & Say-ers [MP3]

At the end of the year, we had a hard time keeping our heads above water, trying to grasp our end of the year lists and what not.  In doing so, we missed the chance to alert you to the duo that is Yellow Fever.  Sure, they’ve been running around Austin for several years, but recently, they’ve seen their star rising in their musical horoscope.  Vivian Girls opted to release the groups self-titled debut album on their label Wild World.  It’s an album full of simple ditty’s a la early K Records groups such as the Beat Happening, but instead of Calvin as the front man, you have the wonderful Jennifer Moore.  It’s got enough hooks to grab the casual listener, and enough depth to instill true adoration from Austin fans. You’ll want to keep an eye on this group in 2010, especially on February 19th when they take the stage with Chain and the Gang and The Strange Boys.  Sounds like a line-up of classic indie rock, and by that, I mean the stuff pre-Pitchfork. Do yourself a favor and head on out to grab a copy of Yellow Fever so you’ll know all the songs in time for the show.

If you have yet to hear Dana Falconberry sing, please go out and do so immediately.  She has arguably the best and most entrancing voice of any female singer currently residing in this town.  Hell she has one of the best voices I’ve heard from a lady regardless of location in a long time.  Having lived in this fine city for over 4 years now, it’s shocking that we have yet to come across this fine singer/songwriter until now.  Well, in all truth, we heard Dana’s voice a few years ago when she collaborated with Peter & The Wolf mastermind Red Hunter on his lo-fi folk masterpiece Lightness, but we never knew she had a solo career.  Now in 2010 Dana has released a debut EP, a follow up LP, and now prepares the release of another LP Halletts.  A preview of this new material “Nightingale” can be listened to below.  If you like what you hear, head on over to Mohawk on Thursday for a CD release party put on by Dana and her band to celebrate the release of her upcoming LP.  Entrance only costs $7.  Doooooo it.

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Download: Dana Falconberry – Nightingale [MP3]

After a long lapse in Austin artist to watch features, we return this week with a spotlight on local band The Pons.  Some of you out there may remember this band under their old name Lalaland, which was changed to the much more grown up sounding Pons moniker a few years ago.  Not only did the band change their name after one release under Lalaland, but a former member also dropped off the roster to form the now 3 piece Pons. Fast forward just a bit to the new decade and the band has already released their debut LP In the Belly of a Giant in 2008 along with a few compilation CDs and mixtapes.  That debut long player is an album that we are unfortunately just now getting our hands on, but better late then never they say.  On the debut you’ll hear lead singer Thomas Mazzi sounding like a mixture of Jakob Dylan thrown in with a young Phil Collins.  Musical stylings of The Pons are generally related to 90s alt-rock, and one can easily see that comparison after a few spins of In the Belly of a Giant.  I’ve really taken a liking to the band because they remind me of a time when things were a bit simpler.  When a bass, guitar, drums and some vocal harmonies were all you needed to make music.  None of this backing track, electronica mumbo jumbo that we’ve grown accustomed to.  No, none of that.  Mazzi, along with Ruby Painter on bass and Steve Sanders on drums, create simple guitar driven jams with full, emotional and harmony laden choruses.  Good shit for you simpletons.  Keep an eye out for these guys in 2010 as talks of a sophomore LP are already in the works for the new year.  In fact, a few rough mixes of those new tracks can be heard on The Pons EPK.  Be sure to check out last single “Wherever You Are” below to decide if The Pons are for you.  Also, don’t forget that the band is playing free week at Stubbs this Friday along with Leatherbag.

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Download: The Pons – Wherever You Are [MP3]

Austin band Golden Bear are a band that don’t really fit in with the rest of our Austin artist to watch bands since they’ve been around the scene for a while and aren’t exactly new to this game.  Even though they are moving into more of a veteran status around town, we do feel like these guys are still not getting the respect they deserve.  Well maybe respect from hardcore music fans (and crazy bloggers) but not from the casual listener.  To know Golden Bear, you must know that they began back in 2003, and after doing many years of local touring, released their debut self-titled LP in 2006.  Shortly afterward in 2007, the band dropped their sophomore effort To the Farthest Star on our ears.  Moving forward to 2009 has seen a few personnel changes with the band and a brand new EP Everest.  That’s the brief summary of the band anyway. Below you’ll find a couple Golden Bear tracks from their latest EP which you should totally purchase if you’ve got the cash.  Right away you’ll notice the heavy garage rock sounding guitar riffs that mix in nicely with some slick pop sounding drums.  I’d hate to write them off as just straight pop music, but their tunes are extremely easy to enjoy even for the casual music fan.  Their track “Night Lights” will also probably go down as one of our favorite local jams of the year.  We hope you enjoy.

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Download: Golden Bear – Night Lights [MP3]

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Download: Golden Bear – Future Blues [MP3]

Local Austin boys Ideal Soul Mart have been gaining some positive attention around town with some jam packed shows at several local venues.  We here at ATH have taken notice of the band’s efforts and thought they’d be a great choice for this weeks artist to watch feature.  Follow the jump for more info on this up and coming band.

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