Category: News

New Jam from Spinning Coin

Leave a comment

I was fortunate to catch Spinning Coin at the Glasgow Buckaroo Ball, so as I went through my emails, this tune stood out, grinning at me, waiting for me to play it. It’s an out-of-tempo little gem, semi-shuffling with choppy guitar chords and the occasional emphatic shout from the distance. While there’s a definite pop sensibility within, you get the sense that this group is working outside the confines of tradition and style, brandishing their own flare as they push forward. They’ll release the Raining on Hope Street 7″ via Domino on March 24th.

New Music from Little Star

Leave a comment

Little Star caught my ear with these dreamy little guitar noodlings that work within the confines of their latest single. But, what caught my ear faded as I grew more and more enamored with the slight little turns of tone in the vocals. They’re wrapped up nicely around the swirling guitars, and its just playful enough to elevate the sound beyond many of the peers offering like-minded, dreamy pop. Good Cheer Records will be releasing the band’s self-titled LP on April 14th, and this is a really promising way to get folks excited!

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/302389158″ params=”color=00aabb&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Quick Ditty from Hot Shorts

Leave a comment

Every year Art is Hard Records try to come up with unique ways to get new music out into the world, and this year they’re doing so with their Postcard Singles Collection. The latest to be part of the collection is Hot Shorts, a Manchester act offering distorted guitar pop. This track is all about discovering the metaphors for mundane life changes, such as hair loss. Something about this song reminds me of late 90s college rock, filled with hooks and huge riffs that ring out in your ears. Pick up the Postcard Single now.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/311671877″ params=”color=00aabb&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Last Minute SxSW Advice

Leave a comment

Wear comfortable shoes. You will be in a line at some point. Let’s all make a deal and not judge each other by their lack of fashionable footwear.

It is a marathon, not a sprint. Don’t go out too hard. You will burn up. It sucks. It is how you get sick. Keep that even keel.

Remember, this isn’t just Spring Break. There are people in town doing serious work. There are developers creating the next app you won’t ever download and directors trying to get their movie you’ll never see made. Most importantly, if you haven’t been embedded with a band for a day, you probably don’t know the hustle the artists put in. Buy them a beverage, help them load out, be polite when soundchecks go sideways.

Go see something alone. Sharing is fun, but so is a little you time. Relax, have a moment to yourself.

Come to the Showdown.

You can’t see it all. FOMO is dumb. You will always miss something. Don’t be ass trying to hustle your way in to every venue.

Be nice. GET OFF MY LAWN.

Lo Fi Rocker from Top Down

Leave a comment

From the moment this tune hit, it felt like it was falling off the proverbial tracks; the recording has this live mentality that many of us pine for in our listening. You’ll even find a layer of pop sensibility placed within the ringing guitars and bobbing bass grooves. Through it all, Top Down manage to keep this tenacious rock vibe, perfect in its little imperfections…emphasized by the little “whoa ohs” that burst through your speakers. They’ll be releasing their album Rough Roads on March 17th via Voodoo Doughnut Recordings.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/303385062″ params=”color=00aabb&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Brand New Music from The Sea Life

Leave a comment

I’m going out on a limb here, but the new tunes from The Sea Life make me think of Omaha’s music scene in the early 00s. The vocal pitch is a bit off, even a little strained, but it’s filled with passion. There’s even a few hooks amidst the distorted chug of the guitars, opening up as the guitars begin to twinkle ever so carefully. I’m always looking to feel a bit more youthful, and this tune is doing just the trick. Look to find the band’s self-titled LP in stores on May 26th via Babe City Records/Art Is Hard Records.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/309878854″ params=”color=00aabb&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Fresh Music from Jake Xerxes Fussell

Leave a comment

Friday’s feel like they’re great for folk tunes. Luckily this new Jake Xerxes Fussell just hit the old inbox, bringing with it a classic bit of balladeering. It’s a fairly simple take, mostly just stripped down guitar and vocals, with light accompaniment in the background. There’s a nostalgic vibe to me, reflecting the history of great songwriting gone past; it’s not a sound you hear too often these days, which is refreshing in and of itself. Really looking forward to the release of What a Natural World, an apt title; it hits on March 31st via Paradise of Bachelors.

Fresh Tunes from Stutter Steps

Leave a comment

Late in 2015 Stutter Steps quietly released their debut album; I fawned over it, single after single. Ben Harrison’s outfit are back at it again with the new Floored EP, which features the title track we’re streaming below. Those of you who frequently revisit your Flying Nun record collection will likely be playing this song for the rest of the day. It features a beautifully balanced bit of vocal harmonies throughout, with these lightly angular guitars dancing around one another. There’s a steady sensation that only comes from the best execution of pop music. Blue Arrow will be releasing the album on a limited 12″ come June!

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/310393065?secret_token=s-uBk8t” params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

The Glasgow Buckaroo Ball @ Mohawk (3.17)

Leave a comment

For me, SXSW is all about friendships; you make new friends you’ll share a lifetime with, and ultimately, that’s what’s been so great for me the last twenty years of attending. One such friend hails from Glasgow, and he’s bringing a bunch of his friends over for an official showcase at Mohawk next Friday! The Glasgow Buckaroo Ball features hot Scottish acts like Pinact, The Pooches, Catholic Action, Happy Meals, Spinning Coin and Womps! Should be a great night where all our Scottish friends get to share in their love of Texas, so come find us boogieing all night long! Here’s a few jams to get you going.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/310967546″ params=”color=00aabb&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/183620795″ params=”color=00aabb&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Sorry I Missed This: New Doubting Thomas Cruise Control

Leave a comment

I loved what I heard from Doubting Thomas Cruise Control back in 205 with their Remember Me John Lydon Forever LP; it offered up a heavier, punkier version of the slow-core perfected by the likes of Bedhead. Now, they’ve just released Bob Ross II, with similar notes, though the puncher elements bring an added attitude of quirkiness/nerdiness, like theshort jam “Catch My Drift.” The album also has an ode to everyone’s favorite foil Falstaff, so that works for this bookworm. If you’re looking for a rocking act that owes debts to the New Year or Pinback, then go grab this LP now, and feel free to enjoy rock n’ roll again.

1 … 764 765 766 767 768 … 1,449