New Music from Mind Brains

Mind Brains Porch 1 BWPop music has a tendency to get stale, so it’s refreshing to hear an act like Athens’ Mind Brains who continue to break all the rules.  On the opening track of their new self-titled LP, you’ll hear just that sort of construction, with minimal instrumentation plodding along as a swell of choral vocalists burst forth from the distance.  There’s space age experiments being conducted too, right beneath the song’s nose.  You’ll be able to hear the band’s entire composition when their album is released on January 20th via Orange Twin Records.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/01-Happy-Stomp.mp3]

Download: Mind Brains – Happy Stomp [MP3]

The Electric Pop Group Return with Great Indiepop

980571_10151702506627098_745953122_oIt’s been almost five years since we’ve heard anything new coming from Sweden’s the Electric Pop Group, but dammit if they aren’t aiming to wrap up our year with some delicious indiepop.  It’s the classic sort, at least on this song, with jangling guitars pushing the melodies to the max, then kicking out some warmth in the vocal aspect.  This song is from the group’s new record, Integration, which will see a release early next year courtesy of the ever-reliable Matinee Recordings.

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Have You Heard H Hawkline

hawkSometimes you get in those ruts where you post the same thing over and over, and it just wears you out.  You love it, but you need something that sounds refreshing, which is why I love this new tune from H Hawkline.  Sure, there’s some similarities to bits of modern pop, with the jagged guitar chops and the song’s construction, but overall, I just felt like the vocals took this song someplace I hadn’t really been spending time with lately.  His new album, In the Pink of Condition, will be released on February 2nd via Heavenly Recordings.

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Let’s Dance With Pale Blue

mikesThe music of Mike Simonetti most likely has followers due to his work with Johnny Jewel and the duo’s After Dark project, but he’s since stepped away from Italians Do It Better to being a new project under the moniker Pale Blue.  The tune below still draws from the dance floor, and it’s exuberance during the latter half definitely draws me into the song.  His new project will release the album, The Past We Leave Behind, via his new label 2MR and Captured Tracks, so be on the lookout for it in April…for now, just dance.

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Austin Weekend Show Spotlight

Austin-skyline-_9359-copyWith all the year end list hoopla, we’ve been slacking a little bit on our show previews, so I wanted to make sure you knew about he goings-on this weekend in our fair city.  The weather’s just nice enough to entice you to get out of your house, and who knows, you might even find yourself a new favorite band to love. So, without further ado…here’s your Austin Weekend Show Spotlight. Read more

Another Track From Elephant Micah

unnamedAbout a month ago we gave you the news that Elephant Micah had a new album coming out early next year on Western Vinyl, but in case you weren’t properly excited for this upcoming release, the man behind the moniker, Joseph O’Connell has released another song from Where in our Woods. This album will be coming out January 20th, so mark your calendars and get ready, as the slow burning mellow set of jams sounds like it’s going to be a good one. Have a listen to “Slow Time Vultures” below.

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Dreamy Pop from Del Sur

delsurYou thought dreamy bedroom pop music was in the past? Nope, and thank goodness for that, as this song from Del Sur is surely an enjoyable way to wrap up our week with you.  There’s a soft approach to the track, though the guitars kick in and give you that casual sway where you’re not quite sure if your mind’s ready to drift off or get you in dancing mode.  The Philly act will be releasing their HAGS EP on January 27th of next year, so enjoy this gem while you wait for more great hits.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/04-Melted-Down.mp3]

Download: Del Sur – Melted Down [MP3]

New Track From Lowpines

lowI don’t know what the weather is like wherever you are, dear reader, but if you’re anywhere in the Austin area, you’ll know that it’s quite dreary outside today. And I don’t know about you, but when the weather is like this, all misty and gray, I tend to enjoy the quieter side of music. So, to give you a perfect jam for environment, I’ve got this new track from West London’s Lowpines. The band will be releasing a self titled EP later this month, featuring this song and a few others that should be a gentle blend of folk and americana. They’re presenting this in the form of a cassette tape with hand drawn unique artwork, that you should probably scoop up here, while you can (There’s only 25). Enjoy the delicate folksy finesse of “Call If You Need Me” below.

 

Playful Pop from Anthonie Tonnon

antonieDon’t you miss bouncing bits of pop music that was perfect by the likes of Jens Lekman? Well, meet Anthonie Tonnon, a New Zealand songwriter who seems to have traded in the country’s beloved guitar pop for catchy piano ballads instead.  I love the careful little changes in inflection that appear in and out of this featured track.  It doesn’t hurt either that the song builds towards the inclusion of a chorus to provide backing vocals while Tonnon’s own voice pleasantly yelps in the foreground.  Look for his album Successor to appear on March 3rd via Wild Kindness.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/04_The-Songs-Of-Your-Youth.mp3]

Download: Anthonie Tonnon – The Songs Of Your Youth [MP3]

Soft Side of Seagulls

Post-video picWe’ve gotta offer up two sides of our site, balancing out our love for rocking hits with our love for a great pop song.  Thus, we bring you the latest single from Seagulls, who’ve graced these pages previously.  There’s a consistent rising and falling throughout the entirety of the song, with the rise meeting up with a more pronounced sound, as opposed to the soft underbelly that holds the song in place.  Those of you searching for something of this sort will find a nice dosage of pop that keeps you coming back for more when you pick up their album, Great Pine, on February 3rd.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/02-Swimmin.mp3]

 

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