ATX Spotlight: Isaiah the Mosaic Release Heroin Island

isaiahIsaiah the Mosaic has been making waves in the Austin music community for the last few years, but interestingly enough, they don’t have too much recorded material to offer the masses, aside from their Systems EP. Perhaps some change is on the horizon as the group have just released a brand new single for your ears. It’s got trickling samples working in the front of the song, waiting for the entrance of the warm washing vocals. The pace is relaxed, offering more a steadying hand to the group’s electronic dream world; I will say the live setting is always far from relaxed, so it’s nice to hear a studio version. Hopefully we hear more from the group in the near future.

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FFF Fest Artist Spotlight: Joanna Gruesome

joanna_gruesome_2015Fun Fun Fun Fest is a week and some change away, so I’m going to bring you more previews of artists that deserve your time and attention at Auditorium Shores or at FFF Nites. Today’s spotlight falls on Joanna Gruesome , a band out of Cardiff whose punkish pop tunes are bound to be the perfect atmosphere for the festival. The band is touring in support of their most recent album, Peanut Butter, that came out earlier this year which has been calling the public’s attention to the group and their effortless dichotomy between harsh rock and roll and sugary sweet vocals. Take a listen below to the lead single from that release, and then check them out at the festival. Joanna Gruesome play Saturday at 1:20 on the Orange Stage as well as at 9:15 at RIP Red 7 (611 E. 7th) on Friday Night. Also, don’t forget to pick up your wristband early at The Funderdome and take advantage of all the extra benefits the folks at Transmission are offering you:

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Stream New EP From Blaenavon

10514738_720240444695657_404149877485594319_nOnly last week I shared with you a new favorite discovery of mine with a song by a U.K. band called Blaenavon.  After my initial infatuation with the sounds I was hearing, I couldn’t wait to hear even more from the band’s upcoming EP.  Well today is a treat for anyone who also took a liking to the band as I have a full stream of the group’s new EP Miss World.  You can check that out below and also order a physical copy by heading to Transgressive Records (out Oct. 30th).  I expect these guys to blow up ASAP.

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Show Review: Chad Valley @ Sidewinder (10/22)

The SidewinderChad Valley 18In my show preview, I noted that Chad Valley has become a must see for me. The last time through as a solo act, Hugo played Holy Mountain. Part of the sell of The Sidewinder was that it would be able to take Red7 bookings and have a space that was comparable to the dearly departed Holy Mountain. My back to back shows to start my time at The Sidewinder were outside and then inside so I have a decent feel for how the space works for both stages. Add to that a pleasant surprise in Stranger Cat and we have a great Thursday night show to kick off my F1 weekend.

Click through for a few more notes and plenty of pics.

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New Adam Busch Single

Adam-Busch-450x300Fans of indie rock should recognize Adam Busch, though perhaps by his work in The Curious Digit or Manishevitz, and not by his name. But, what’s important is that despite all the accolades and fans over the years, Busch is preparing his first effort on his own. Our understanding is that he took off to spend some time with his family, but always busy as a songwriter, he got the itch to go at it again…studying varying styles. You can hear it in this song to, be it from the chords working atop one another (seemingly) to the overall production that comes via the crashing drums and his vocal delivery. It brings a refreshing cleanse to the landscape of folk-influence indie rock. I expect really ornate beauty from his album, River of Bricks, when it’s released on November 13th. 

Fuzzy Number from Earring

earringFire Talk Records seems to have a finger on the pulse, at least as far as the most recent fads come; it should be no surprise then they’ve added to their growing roster with Earring. The group unleashed their latest single, offering up a fuzzy tune that’s equal parts atmospheric vocals and equal parts blasts of noise. Something wicked lurks with Earring, however, as I find myself entranced by this number, getting drawn into the droning vocals as the cymbals crash in my ears. I also like these cats because they’re 50% of Ne-Hi, which was one of my favorite bands to get turned onto this year.

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Premiere: Mark Van Hoen’s Nightvision Album Is Ready

markmarkmarkIn my world (I know it’s a skewed one), there are two types of electronic music: one type makes you dance (or aims to) and the other is more of an exploratory sort. The exploratory sort seems to be the world Mark Van Hoen‘s been crafting for us; it’s the sort seeking to tell a story through one’s time spent with the music. On “I Love to Fly” there’s a simple buzz  or warble working immediately, creating this warmth through the trickling synthesized beat; I love hearing the vocal sample that pops up twice in the track, adding a nice extra layer to the story I created in my brain. What’s the story you’re crafting? Expect to find yourself creating many more when Mark releases Nightvision on November 13th via Saint Marie Records

Fresh Pop from Borrowed Beams of Light

unnamedEver get one of those pop tunes that just grabs you by the ears and won’t let you go? That’s my feeling when I listen to the latest single from Borrowed Beams of Light. It’s got a really steady indie rock sound, casually laying down some modern Spoon cum Glasgow riffage, then turning on the emotional pull with this rising/falling vocal performance that kicks off around the one-minute mark. Seriously, just wait and I promise you’ll be hooked too. It’s the B Side to the band’s new 7″ on WarHen Records, so be sure to support great pop.

Stream the Expert Alterations LP

expurtIt’s the end of the day and I wanted to toss out something your way that’s been an absolute treat: it’s the latest album from Expert Alterations. I had high expectations after catching them live, then those raised when they re-released their EP via Slumberland (a name you can trust). We’re now in the release week of You Can’t Always Be Liked, but if every person had a love for indiepop, then you can be assured that these guys would definitely be liked by all. Just enjoy a stream on this Monday as you’re wrapping up your day, and grab the LP from Kanine on Friday. 

Pleased to Meet You: Planeausters

12074718_978261268881610_1371167170739871064_nI’m not sure how late I am to this party, as the work seems to just recently have been released, but the songs below have been floating around for a wee bit…so I’m late. But, that being said, I think anyone who listens to the two tracks below is likely to become just as enamored with Planeausters as I am. The first tune has a bit of a Papercuts feel, sending warmth through the speakers to your ears. The latter is one of the new tracks on the band’s new album, Humboldt Park, which takes on a more traditional Americana vibe of the best sort. Go give these tunes a listen, if you know what’s good for you.

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