Austin Town Hall

I’m posting this jam from The Best just because, well, I can–you need to hear it. I feel like Austin, and beyond, haven’t had a great chance to fall in love with this band, although the varying parts of the group have definitely had their share of adoring press.  Take members of OBN IIIs, A Giant Dog, Bad Lovers, Flesh Lights and basically any other band that kicks ass…throw them together and you expect big things.  The Black Triangle 7″ came out last year, but there’s still a few floating about, so take a second to check out Twistworthy Records and get your hands on the goods. 

It was a wet evening in Austin on Saturday, but no one was letting a little rain keep them away from the Foals show at Emo’s East. Many folks may have still been sticking around at Psych Fest so this may have been a show more for those not attending the festival. Judging from the sold out crowd and positive vibes in the venue, the show delivered on the top name billing.

Follow the jump for more.

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Toronto is known to be a musical hot bed, though that seems to have died down just a bit.  That won’t be the case once people get a chance to hear the new EP from Grounders.  Listening to their Wreck of a Smile EP, it’s difficult to really place their music, though the band’s creativity is clearly obvious.  Cleverly, they’ve layered sounds atop sounds, all the while promoting a playful bounce that serves as the backbone for the track.  If you’re interested in what you’re listening to, and you should be, then you can pick up the group’s EP on July 7th from Park the Van Records. Enjoy your day.

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Download: Grounders – Along the Line (Alt. Version) [MP3]

I never got the chance to shoot Band of Horses when they were in our prime, i.e. still carrying the buzz of the early releases through the blogosphere. I did however got to see them in the big church during SxSW. That was pretty moving. Wall of sound, cathedral (seriously) ceilings, perfect venue for the at times sparse and haunting songwriting that made us suckers for the first two albums.

They have since left our little corner of the intarwebs for bigger pastures, but so what. I got to shoot them finally under the carnival tent that is cathedral-esque at Stubb’s and they played some early hits, so there.

Roadkill Ghost Choir opened, a few thoughts and some snaps past the break to ogle while you wait for your ride to Psych Fest.

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It’s Psych Fest weekend in Austin, but that doesn’t mean that other show options aren’t in abundance for those of you who missed the boat on festival tickets.  For this guy, the best “other” show in town would have to be Foals playing to a sold out crowd at Emo’s on Riverside.  On top of the great headliner, the undercard is also stacked with ATH favorite Surfer Blood in direct support with Blondfire opening for all.  See you there?

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Download: Foals – Spanish Sahara [MP3]

Here is another streaming offering from Snowden’s latest effort, No One In Control called “So Red”. Those familiar with Jordan Jeffares work will love this. Those not should take note. As we get ready to be all Psyched out, how about a little hazy gaze goodness.

Snowden will make a stop in the new home base to play Red7 on June 7th. I sincerely hope the merch table is stocked.

For some of us, catching Youth Lagoon on this tour would be the first time we caught the group with a full line-up, as the last time I caught Trevor Powers he was working the stage on his own.  Such a change was likely to mix the sound up.  We arrived early to catch the recent signing to Matador Records, Magical Cloudz.

Read on for my thoughts and photos from the excellent Brian Gray.

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It seems like every couple of weeks we get a new tune from GRMLN, and I’m totally cool with that, especially when they’re as hook-laden as the following song we’ve got for your listening pleasure. We’re nearing the June 4th release date of Empire, the debut LP from the group, and I’m getting excited.  Some part of me feels like there’s a Foutnains of Wayne ode in here, just propping up a solid rock tune with a powerful chorus.  It’s actually sort of a rarity nowadays, so I’ll gladly take a revisiting of one of my favorite genres.

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Download: GRMLN – Hand Pistol [MP3]