Category: News

Playful Pop from Jared Mees

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Feeling good on a Friday, and figured we should start off our day with a little bit of bouncing pop. Jared Mees brings in another great single, working his voice over electronic beats, crooning atop of spirited backing tracks. It’s reminiscent of early Dent May tunes, offering careful poetry that energetically rides the internal melody of the tune. It’s all in good fun, so why not ride this track into the afternoon? Look for Jared’s new LP, Life is Long, which comes out on Tender Loving Empire next Friday!

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Premiere of a New Quin Galavis Tune on Slack Capital 2

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Slack Capital 2 is a compilation of music by 27 of the greatest bands in Austin. All proceeds from the comp go to SafePlace, which provides support for victims of domestic and sexual violence. We’re unveiling one song per day until the the release party on April 14.

Song of the day: Quin Galavis — “Cold Skin”

This new song by Austin songwriter Quin Galavis is a gorgeous kind of hushed ballad, epic in its scope. Opening with spare, plaintive piano, and the words, “I told them leave/ I’m done wasting hours” Galavis evokes a world of regret, heading toward an ambivalent brand of hope: “Maybe you, maybe you, maybe you/ can dream.” The song evolves toward the end, as strings and dissonant sounds gently pile up, and the words take on the shape of a litany: “The fragile, sickly love/ the ocean of mistrust/ the shaking, fearless love.” There is no irony or humor, yet it doesn’t feel cloying. Galavis’ delivery is earnest and believable; his vulnerability neglects to be self-indulgent, and he never risks succumbing to what I call “cool tough folky nice guy syndrome.” A quietly stunning entry into what is clearly shaping up to be a tremendous era for Austin music. –Eric Braden

Order Slack Capital 2 HERE.

See you tomorrow at Barracuda for the Release Party!

Enjoy AMA Premiere on Slack Capital 2

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Slack Capital 2 is a compilation of music by 27 of the greatest bands in Austin. All proceeds from the comp go to SafePlace, which provides support for victims of domestic and sexual violence. We’re unveiling one song per day until the the release party on April 14.

Song of the day: Ama — “Story of Light”

An immediate, delicious, 90’s guitar rock throwback, “Story of Light” is a perfect slice of effortless cool. “If you can see it/ you can feel it,” Blair Robbins sings with insouciant ambivalence, as guitars churn. Later, the beautifully turned-out line “Wake up in the mornin’, and face the day” works both as tiny authentic moment of summoning strength and as a sardonic joke, depending on your mood. The rhythm section of Evan Kaspar on drums and Ray Garza on bass keeps things in the pocket and urgent, and Robbins and Alex Peterson trade in messy-yet-perfectly ornate guitar lines that work as addictive micro-hooks. It’s really just a perfect new gem by one of the top bands in Austin today.–Eric Braden

Order Slack Capital 2 HERE.

See you tomorrow night at Barracuda for the Release Party.

New Music from Sweet Baboo

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Stephen Black’s Sweet Baboo work has been in and out of my music listening rotation since he first popped up on Moshi Moshi, and I’m really looking forward to the release of Wild Imagination. Here we have SB offering up a careful bit of pop music, dripping melodies atop synthesized beats that recall both warm weather and 80s movie soundtracks. It’s really about Black though, especially as you can see his vocal playfulness as he sings out the simple notes of “whoa whoa whoa” during the chorus. His new effort will hit on June 2nd, for all your adoring pop ears.

Pulsating Pop from Terribly Yours

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There’s something in the way the vocals are delivered in the opening moments of this new Terribly Yours track that drew me in. They’re almost smoky, as if you can hear the breath expiring as its released. While I enjoy a good vocal, I think the success in this song is offered via the songs soft then pulsing vibe, bringing in the beat slow and casual, right before it burst forth, aided by a cascading 80s guitar riff. After the success of A Bloom Beyond, it sounds like we’re gearing up for another release of future hits.

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Stream Towards the Sky from Wiretree

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It seems like it has been rather slow out there in the musical world…unless of course you’re living here in Austin (but please don’t move here). This week we’ve got a new Xetas LP and the release of Slack Capital 2. But, last week I missed this great release from Wiretree, so I figured I should go back in time and offer you a nice little stream. It’s a collection of folk-inspired indiepop. Album opener “Let Me In” was definitely a standout track, until I kept going back, where I landed on “Dive” as my new favorite. But the fun is that you don’t have to listen to a word I say, just enjoy the great release.

Infectious Pop Tune from The Golden Age of TV

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We’re midway through our week here, and why not enjoy the spirited pop of The Golden Age of TV. The music’s vibe works in contrast to the song’s message of holding on to what’s passed, but even the happiest songs sometimes have a message we all need to hear. I think Bea Fletcher’s vocal performance is spot-on, especially as she stretches her voice to reach those higher notes. It seems like this Leeds-based project is just getting started, so expect to hear more from them in the near future…I promise I’ll help you out.

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New Music from Rory McVicar

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I’ve posted previously about Rory McVicar, but this time around, you’re getting a slightly different sound from the London songwriter. The verses have this huge fuzzy guitar riffing in your ears, which gives the song a heavier tone…that’s slight contrast to McVicar’s early works. But, in that he’s able to connect the dots by offering up a pleasant pop croon during the choruses; this allows Rory to bring in new fans, while still adhering to what’s made him so dear to our hearts. He’s finishing up the touches on his latest LP, so expect to hear more from him in the very near future.

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RG Lowe Announces Slow Time

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All of us in Austin are extremely familiar with Rob Lowe, not the actor, but one of the key members of Balmorhea. Don’t you dare expect anything in the vein of his previous work, as he’s clearly stepping out to craft a huge pop sound. This lead single from Slow Time is filled with funky bits of guitar stabs and synth beats bursting…all while Lowe carefully croons and bounces his way through the vocal performance. It’s almost like an uplifting soul experience, and definitely worthy of our attention. You’ll be able to grab his new release via the ultra-reliable Western Vinyl on June 2nd.

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More Pop from Saint Etienne

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There’s a pulsating electronic vibe that brings the latest Saint Etienne jam to your ears. The songs title owes a debt to both the Loft and Creation Records, but in the realm of pop, it’s the songs emotional pull that ultimately wins. Sarah Cracknell has sort of a smoky tone in her performance, though she seeps into the dreamy tones during the end of various lines, as well as during the chorus. I love how the group is taking on commonplace issues, such as the narrator missing out on the growing up of one’s children; it goes in line with what appears to be the overt message from Home Counties…there’s art and beauty in everything that surrounds us, no matter what that is. Look for the new LP on June 2nd via Heavenly Recordings.

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