Slow Synth Vibes from Tiger Cub

Back in 2016 Tiger Cub quietly dropped a collection of synth tunes via Bandcamp, and all we knew then was that it was the project of Bradford Gibson, one time (and possibly future) member of local act Dangeresque. Good news is that he’s quietly wrapped up another collection of songs, and now you can delight in both the song, and the playfully nostalgic accompanying video. I love the wash of the synths, turning just ever so slight to match the melody created by Gibson’s vocals. Crutch is the title of this new collection of jams, and you can find it real soon from Spooky Syrup…more details to come!

Sound On Sound Announces Rescheduled Shows

While I know we’re all still really bummed that Sound on Sound was cancelled, the folks at the fest with Margin Walker have worked really hard to rearrange the shows for you. Today they’ve put up the announcement; you can buy tickets from individual venues, or from Sound on Sound. Tickets are now on sale to folks who bought tickets to the original fest, but if you didn’t, don’t worry…you’ll get your chance Wednesday at 8 AM. I’m stoked to see the Grizzly Bear at ACL Live…but curious as to where Growl ends up?

Buy tickets HERE or from your favorite venue.

Have A Nice Weekend

It is ACL again. I am going sans long lens and will be actually listening to bands with Nathan and an entire squad of randoms that come in town from round this great country. Get of my blanket, football in the beer tent, occasional runs to the front of the crowd to get sweaty and be dumb – festival things. We do get Day Wave.

UT/OU ManU/Liverpool #COYS

On to a shareable jam. Here is a lovingly crafted piece of synth pop by Empathy Test that has that darker vibe followed by that last-song-on-the-Depeche-Mode-record that had just a slightly uplifting message. The full length, Safe From Harm, is due November 17th.

ACL 2017 In Pictures: Sunday – Weekend One

The Final round from the photo pit, but first a love letter…

Hopefully, you know the feeling you get when you are on a good team, when all types of different people come together and get things done. Now, my fellow Austin music photographers weren’t shooting for the same outlet. In fact, we mostly compete for your views, but the reality is that each in the group takes care of the other. Whether it is an extra water, pepto tabs, pickle run or a spare memory card, it makes festival life awesome. Truly talented and happy to have them as colleagues and, more importantly, friends. When the Sound on Sound announcement landed, we were crushed, not just for the organizers, but also to lose that chance to just be together all doing what we love.

…and bitching about something the whole way.

Today’s gallery features Deap Vally, Melat, Middle Kids, Charlotte Cardin, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Whitney, Caitlyn Smith, DRAM, First Aid Kit, Run The Jewels, Portugal. The Man and Gorillaz.

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Show Preview: Wand @ Barracuda (TONIGHT) 10/13

So if you’re not going to that ACL thing that’s going on in our city or attending an after show related to the fest, it’s time to make your Friday night a slam dunk. LA’s Wand are coming down to Barracuda with their psych rock in tow, and you should be there. Their latest effort,Plum, which came out last month, showed the band headed down a slightly different direction than the past, with more focus on the vocals of front man Cory Hanson and in creating more in depth song structures. The result is an excellent release, and I’m stoked to see how the band fleshes them out at Barracuda. Doors are at 9, and make sure you get there early to catch openers Darto, Hidden Ritual and The Maples. Tickets are only 15 bucks– scoop ’em here. Also fall in love with the band’s new stuff with “Blue Cloud” below.

Enjoy a Pop Tune from Delsbo Beach Club

Delsbo Beach Club are hitting me hard, taking modern indie fascination with that slightly dreamy guitar, but also bringing in the appropriate dosage of indiepop grooves. It has this natural swagger to it, taking all comers of pop music under its wings. The vocals have a certain distance from the listener, almost an echo, encouraging you to turn the volume up just a wee bit higher. That’s a good thing, so dance uncoordinatedly about while the guitar jabs angularly and the synths wash over your spirit. Pretty solid introduction to one of Stockholm’s hottest acts; look for future releases, including this single, from Rama Lama Records.

Get To Know Choir Boy

Inspiration is sourced from experience. For Adam Klopp, an early education in religion and some life-changing moves made for a foundation to launch his project called Choir Boy. Along with Chaz Costello, whom you may know from Human Leather, this dreamy and slightly dark synth pop out of Salt Lake City has a driving undelrine that runs things as Adam’s vocal range and strong yet elegant warble guides the listener through a coming of age story. I dig. Listen.

Order up the single over at Dais Records.

Brooding Pop From FRAME

Man I love when checking out things for the website I sometimes find a track that wouldn’t normally be in my wheelhouse, but it impresses me big time. Such is the case with this new song “One of a Kind” from Brooklyn based artist FRAME. It’s a full and synth heavy pop number similar to a band like Baltimore’s Kindest Lines. Whomever you want to compare this to, you have to admit that it’s catchy as hell right? The answer is yes.

FRAME will drop State of Mind on October 27th via Concierge Records. Pre-order.

Totally Mild Release New Single

Totally Mild was one of the group’s I listed as an act to keep an eye on during SXSW last year; I caught them a handful of times myself. Recently they’ve signed on with Chapter Music, one of the great homes for Australia artist. All that said, this new song is super impressive, and I’m reveling in the fact that it employs these little guitar stabs that recall early days in the jangle scene; they do move on in a dreamier style, complimented by Elizabeth Mitchell’s sultry delivery. Her sounds likes it’s filled with great songs; it will be released on February 23rd of next year.

Another Great Tune from Cut Worms

While I’ve admittedly been a really power-pop/indiepop state of mind, this tune from Cut Worms was able to make its way into repeated spins. Songwriter Max Clarke is said to have written this tune after the passing of Lou Reed, and I think Lou’s looking down with a grin. The slight quiver in the vocals really helps deliver that emotional pull, and I like the natural melodic turns that come with change of phrasing. Something nostalgic here, making me wish I was turning this up as I drove off into the horizon. Look for the Alien Sunset EP from Cut Worms on October 20th via Jagjaguwar.

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