Category: Tunes

Austin Spotlight: New Single from Young Tongue

YoungTonguePicIt’s been a really rad week for Austin music, whether you like the heavier side such as Flesh Lights or the poppier side of indie rock, such as this new tune from Young Tongue. Me? I fucking like both, so deal with it. I’m particularly fond of this new track, especially the way that band’s two vocalists work together to provide a rich tapestry of melody that stands in contrast to the darker work of the instrumentation that’s present, particularly the post rock guitar chords.  They’re heading out rather soon on a big little tour through the Midwest, then turning left. It’s all part of the celebratory for their debut, Death Rattle, which comes out on November 11th via Raw Paw/Punctum Records.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/YoungTongue_03v1_HeavyMetalThunder.mp3]

Download: Young Tongue – Heavy Metal Thunder [MP3]

You Want More from Lazyeyes? You Got It!

lazeWasn’t it just last week I was writing about Lazyeyes? Well, I’m back again with the next single from the band.  It’s another track you can turn up as you drive down the highway at night, wind behind your back.  I’m really digging the way the vocals were recorded for this track; it’s got this distant feeling, like an old friend is singing at me from a late night dream.  The directness of the band’s songwriting really shines through, making it inevitable that you’ll find yourself hooked on the group’s sound.  Look for their New Year EP rather soon.

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New Music from Alex Calder

alexUsually, you throw around the words Mac DeMarco collaborator and you’ll have hordes of instant fans.  But, while I can easily see myself jumping in that group without hesitancy, it’s nice to know that the music of Mac’s friend Alex Calder is actually backing up my rush to judgement.  He’s got a brand new record (his second) coming out on Captured Tracks, and this first single is quite the listen. It starts off seemingly paying homage to some Oceanic guitar vibes, then cools it down with a darkened vocal drawl that works over some angular guitar bits…then joyously erupts during the chorus.  DeMarco or not, this is just a good song; look for Alex’s album, Strange Dreams next January.

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Get a LIFE

LIFEOkay. I really meant to throw the word digital single in there; I promise.  LIFE is a UK act that’s bracing for their invasion of the US, this week releasing their first single Stateside this week.  I’m going to post both the songs from the single, as I think they embrace two sides of a young band.  One, offers an up beat number that recalls that one good song from The Vaccines; it’s immediately catchy with a huge sound for pop fans.  The flip side of the coin is a grittier track that has more of a guitar pop feel; it’s probably more ambitious in construction than the other tune, so it’s my pick of the two, though I’m enjoying both.  Get ready to get a LIFE.

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Cool Swagger from Public Access T.V.

patvAs soon as I pressed play, I got hooked on this track.  It reminds me of this band The Realistics that went largely unnoticed in the early 00s. They combined some of the Stones-esque swagger, but fused it with huge Lizzy-type hooks.  That’s what I get from Public Access TV; they unite these elements, then hide them a bit beneath some hip fuzz.  There’s no word on a completed album, but with sounds this huge, it’s just a matter of time before the group is everyone’s favorite new band.  The cool kids will like it, the nerds will like it and most importantly, you will like it.

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Austin (Town Hall) Spotlight: Another Shivery Shakes Gem

Shivery ShakesBy now we hope you’re aware of how excited we are to be putting out the debut Shivery Shakes LP, Three Waves and a Shake; we’re putting it out with our friend over at Punctum Records.  Yesterday the band debuted a new little gem that many have likely heard in their live sets.  For me, this is one of those tracks that perfectly displays the band’s ability to harness classic pop structures, then throwing in their own little touches, like a some sweet whistling.  I’m pretty sure listening to this song will enhance your day, so you better play it just to be sure.  Feel free to be nice to me and order their record HERE.

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Rejoice with New Music from Twerps

twerpsI’m going out on a limb to say I was the first person to write about the Twerps in the US…thanks to a heads up from their great label Chapter Music.  But, it seems like the rest of the world is catching on, deservedly so.  The band have just announced that they’ll be working with Merge Records in the US (as well as Chapter in Australia) to release their brand new album, Range Anxiety.  You’ll be able to hear the record in early 2015, but I want to take note of how upbeat the group sounds on this debut single.  It’s not like they were ever bummed out, but this new glimpse offers an uplifting tone to fans.  You can also check out THIS VIDEO to see how they tie it all together.  So happy they’re going to have new tunes for us!

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Warbling Folk Pop from Lisa Mitchell

lisa-mitchellThere’s been a lot of buzz overseas about Lisa Mitchell, but I hadn’t really given her work too much attention until I came across this playful bit of pop songwriting.  The opening moments of the track recall the early days of Kings of Convenience, with a slight hint of buzz coming from the recorded guitar before Mitchell’s marvelous voice makes its entrance. There’s a quality to her voice that would put her on par with many American contemporaries, though her straight-forward approach makes for music that’s far more enchanting.  Give the young lady a listen.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Lisa-Mitchell_Wah-Ha.mp3]

Download: Lisa Mitchell – Wah Ha [MP3]

Brand New Tune from The Wave Pictures

1091058_10151581188527972_1737922932_oI’ve long fawned over the work of The Wave Pictures, and while I’m not entirely sure how I’m feeling about the harmonica work in this tune, I’m still giving the song a nice thumb’s up. The guitars are crunchy as ever, and there’s a ballsy approach to the band’s approach.  It seems like they’ve finally begun to fully embrace their desire to rock a little harder, having spent a lot of time in the indiepop realm.  Perhaps writing some of these songs with Billy Childish (true story) has impacted their sound.  Regardless, I’m still going to get a copy of Great Big Flamingo Moon, their new LP for Moshi Moshi.

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Estrogen Highs are Finally Back

EstrogenHighsHiResYes. I loyally follow Trouble in Mind Records, but one of their acts I had forgotten about was Estrogen Highs, who released the very great Irrelevant Future a few years back.  With all the other releases of the world, this one slowly glided beneath my radar detection skills, but I’ve been jamming it for a little over a week.  They band seems subdued to a certain extent on this single below, though they’re still utilizing a bit of proper noisy discord.  Still, the heart of the song has this relaxed vibe that really sucks you in; plus I love to dream that this songs is solely about the appreciation for socks. You can grab their latest LP, Hear Me On the Number Station, in your local shop now.

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