Playful Pop from Andras & Oscar

cafeIt’s already been a pretty great week for Chapter Music, with some great coverage for the excellent Geoffrey O’ Connor album, Fan Fiction, but they’re back with a curveball for you…a good one.  The Australian label known for being on the front lines of exporting great tunes has traditionally brought guitar based tunes our way, yet today they announced the singing of Andras & Oscar, a a danceable duo.  The first single comes without much pretense, instead choosing to rely upon a solid vocal hook that’s got a great beat to stand behind it. You’ll be nodding and grooving for the rest of your day I swear.  Check out their Cafe Romantica album when it’s released by the label in October.

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New Tune from Pretty & Nice

prettyPretty & Nice has been one of those bands that seemingly work beneath the radar, always releasing music that is worthy of mention, yet for some reason never gains much trains with the masses.  Despite that, they’re back again to ready a new EP, and we’ve got the new single to share with you today. This track’s got a fuzzed out bass line that begins the track, waiting for the high-pitched vocal to join in on the party; when they add hand-claps and tinkering electronic touches, the infectious quality they’ve always possessed resonates with the listener. Their Infinitely Forever EP will be available next week for your ears.

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Bouncy Indiepop from Parcel Post

parcelCloudberry Records has been fairly quiet as of late, which is understandable considering the difficult climate of running a boutique label.  But, as I was growing the site for an update, I ran across this gem of a tune from Parcel Post.  I wasn’t able to find too much information on the group themselves, but this tune’s pretty remarkable (I do know there’s some relation to Summer Cats and Fireflies).  It’s got the traditional indiepop jangle, but it also has some playful touches like the bells being hit in unison with the melody.  This is a single that’s coming via the label in conjunction with Kingfisher Bluez as part of a single series.  Sit back and feel good about yourself.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/parcelpost.mp3]

Download: Parcel Post – Centimetres [MP3]

Dark Mood from YOU

uIt’s easy to get caught up in the pulsing rhythm of the synthesized beats that drive this new single from YOU.  But, if you listen closely, you’ll hear a bit of light flowing from the chords in the guitar.  It works pretty well, balancing out the darker attitude that comes from the hollow sounding vocals, even as another pulsing beat jumps into the mix.  This track is the lead single to Sunchaser, the band’s third LP, and first for Dais Records.  The album will be out in just a few short weeks on August 26th.

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Have a Nice Weekend

theglass-thumbnailChew on this smooth piece of electro bliss.

I have no idea how I have lived with out knowing this existed. But I know now, so I will share it with you.

The Glass is Dominique Keegan and Glen Brady, the latter sports the aka DJ Wool. Both have stakes in different labels on different sides of the Atlantic, labels that after listening to the latest release I will have to follow, Plant Music and We Collect Enemies, respectively.

I am highlighting a slower song on the record At Swim Two Birds that can be streamed in it’s entirety on their Soundcloud.

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Even More From Rivergazer

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Rivergazer is a band that recently signed to Father Daughter Records and have been pushing hard to promote their upcoming album on the label.  No we’ve already shared with you two songs from the upcoming effort that were both fairly poppy and fun.  Today the band has taken another bit of a left turn sound wise with this new single “Lonely”.  It’s more of a singer songwriter themed tune with some bits of atmospheric noise in the background and an entracing guitar throughout.  If you put all of these singles together, it looks like we’re going to get an eclectic and mesmerizing LP.

Pick up new album Random Nostalgia on August 12th.  I promise it’s going to be worth your time.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/01-Lonely.mp3]

Download: Rivergazer – Lonely [MP3]

New Single and Video From The Rich Hands

374375_590472457642909_1132971821_nSan Antonio based The Rich Hands came onto our radar just about a year ago and we’ve done our best to support them ever since.  Today the band have two bits of news for their fan base that we’re excited to share with you guys.  The first is a new video for their latest single called “I Get By” which features the guys out on the road, playing shows, and having a general good time of it.  Of course that garage rock sound with some fun pop elements thrown in is still there and is as great as ever.  Once you’ve watched that a few times, check out some upcoming tour dates for the band so you crazy kids can see them on the road.  Follow the jump for both video and tour dates.

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Austin Spotlight: Xetas Ready 7″

xetasListening to Xetas, I’m reminded that I owe my friend Mark a debt of gratitude.  He teaches across the hall, and he’s been championing his friends for some time.  I’ve caught them live twice now, and let me tell you, there aren’t a lot of bands playing this style of music that live that bring the energy and the licks like these three.  There’s a dichotomy between guitarist D and bassist K, with both playing the role of the foil to the other. I’m further impressed by the recording on this single; it captures the ferocity of the band’s live show, but still sounds huge.  Their new 7″ is being released on September 2nd via 12XU Records; you can preorder it HERE.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/01_The_Silence.mp3]

 

 

 

Another Hit from Literature

artworks-000086575693-phkdjg-t500x500Listening to the new Literature album, Chorus, I get a little teary eyed that I only got to help put out their first record, Arab Spring.  I wish I could be part of this great new release.  There’s tons of great indiepop moments throughout, filling the LP with soft touches and energetic bursts of delighting pop music.  This latest single is one of the more spirited tracks on the album; I personally am in love with the sound of the guitars on the mix here.  It’s a great fucking album, and you’ll be bummed if you don’t get your hands on it as soon as you get the chance; it is being released by Slumberland Records on August 19th.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/06-New-Jacket.mp3]

 

Blissful Pop from Finnmark!

finnI’ve been following the lads in Finnmark for some time, and while they’ve been quiet for the most part, I’m happy to share this new track from the band with you.  The vocals are a bit deeper in tone than on their previous work, but the guitars are still as intoxicating as ever.  These guys write the sort of music that makes you feel good about yourself and about your day, so you’d do best to press play right now.  Wait to find yourself totally hooked around the 1.40 minute mark when things take off.

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