Category: News

Crunchy Guitar from Van Dale

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vandeeOur friends at Fleeting Youth Records are on a pretty good roll here in 2015; they’re cornering the market on crunchy guitar pop (sometimes of the nerdier sort).  Today I bring you another tune from the soon to be released self-titled Van Dale album; this one features more of the distorted guitar we heard on their earlier single, but there’s a cocksure swagger that inevitably builds into a delicious hook you want wrapped around your ears. You want something you an turn up loud and play air guitar to? Then grab the record on March 31st!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/06-Speak-Yellow1.mp3]

Download: Van Dale – Speak Yellow [MP3]

Turn to Crime, Again!

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ttcOkay, so maybe we’ve been all about Turn to Crime, but I think with their latest single, they fully deserve our attention here.  For me, this band has some sonic similarities to the work of my fave, the Walkmen; it uses a similar style working with the negative space…and there’s just a slight hint of Hambone in the vocals.  It doesn’t hurt that the band are also showing some diversity in their work, which bodes well for their forthcoming album, Actions.  Look to pick up the record on April 28th via Mugg & Bopp.

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Digging This New Tune from Baby Birds Don’t Drink Milk

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bbddmI can’t tell if I should label this tune as an instrumental or not.  I mean, there’s technically vocals, but they come in the form of “oohs” being used as an instrument behind the softened jangle of the ringing guitars.  Sure, there’s no lyrical content per se, but I was still able to find some sort of emotional pull in it that encouraged me to share it with you.  After a hiatus, the BBDDM is back at it with this new mini album, titled Kill the Fuzz, which is being released by Fire Talk Records on April 21st; it’s definitely something to keep an eye on, as this band has been underground for too long.

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Shunkan Readies New Single

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11054372_919207408100054_2420515434765103079_oI first heard from Shunkan last year, and it seems fitting that the band returns now, as there’s definitely a movement to give the lady rockers of the indie world their long overdue credit.  In less than two minutes the group cuts through with strong riffs and energy, behind the tenacity of Marina Sakimoto’s vocals pushing forward all the while.  The new single’s being released by Art is Hard Records who have commissioned a rad comic to accompany it’s release, so if you’re feeling this tune, then be sure to grab it before the limited run is gone!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Shunkan-Our-Names.mp3]

Download: Sunken – Our Names [MP3]

I Missed This Last Week: Trans Van Santos Album Release

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transStill playing catch-up, and while there’s a definite upbeat bent to get you back up on this Monday, there’s need for some quiet solace today, and it comes via Trans Van Santos.  Last week, during our little festival, he dropped his Moon Mirage album, filled with quieted folk ballads offering solemn emotions and intricate notes placed here and there. It’s a place of respite for those looking to escape the buzzing noise of all that surrounds them, requiring a careful listener to fully submerge themselves in the listening experience.  It’s available now via Royal Oakie Tapes & Records.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/transvansantos_theflight.mp3]

Download: Trans Van Santos – The Flight [MP3]

SXSW Superlatives: Nathan.Lankford

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AlvvaysWith SXSW this year there was lots of hubbub about fewer bands and less corporate entities flooding the streets, but despite all that, I still managed to have myself a good old time.  I’ve got some thoughts and awards to hand out, and these are strictly my experience, as we tried at ATH to split up and cover as much as we possibly could.  You can read on, if you’ve got the time, to see what I had to say.  Read more

Sick Sad World Garage Rock Supreme

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sswI’m sure everyone is waiting for some new genre to break through to the masses, but in the meantime the combination of surf/garage rock is still alive and kicking…and it always deserves mention when it’s done as well as Sick Sad World‘s new single.  There’s a propulsive drum beat, though nothing outlandish; it holds the beat perfectly for the guitar work of Jake Jones to kick in with some solid power riffs.  Say what you want about the genre growing weary, but when it’s execute this well, I can’t help but turn it up and rock on out.  Look for the band’s new album, Fear and Lies, on April 21st via Help Yourself Records.

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Fresh Tune from Dot Dash

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ddsOver the course of our blog career I’ve always had an ear for DC’s Dot Dash, so I’m happy to share this new power-pop tune that they’ve just released to celebrate their brand new album.  It’s a short track, featuring the band’s blend of punk elements (hear the vocals) with classic pop guitar chords.  There’s a bit of nostalgia here too, falling somewhere in the realm between old Weasel and late Jawbreaker. Look to pick up their brand new album Earthquakes & Tidal Waves from the Beautiful Music; it’s available for purchase now!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Dot-Dash-Earthquakes-Tidal-Waves-03-Rainclouds.mp3]

Download: Dot Dash – Rainclouds [MP3]

Please Listen to 23:23

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ramIn all the SXSW recovery process, I must have listened to close to 200 songs, but none of those have stuck with me, or inspired me to write a few shoddy words more than this new track from 23:23.  There’s a lo-fidelity approach in the songwriting, but there’s this incredible pop sensibility that pervades, seeping through the cracks in the melodies, and the careful little touches like the repeated vocal after the 2 minute mark.  It’s just one of many songs that’s been written by Rami Vierula, who also plays in Delay Trees; he’s composed three albums in the band’s downtime, so Soliti Music will be releasing all three as the 23:23 Album Trilogy…available May 8th.

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Ancient River Prepare New Music

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ariverWhen you read that an artist was present at the Austin Psych Fest, thoughts can be misleading, perhaps explaining the rebranding as Levitation Fest.  Ancient River remind me of how much that sound can influence, yet also expand beyond those boundaries, especially with their new six minute opus.  The songs hazy and plodding, quietly building on this barely audible little melody. It’s really something to experience, finding yourself weaving our ears in and out of this tune.  You can grab the Keeper of the Dawn on April 14th courtesy of Summer Moon.

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