Category: Tunes

Slow Beauty from Small Wonder

Leave a comment

smallwonder As Austin is surrounded by some awfully dreary weather today, it’s perfect that this Small Wonder tune came into our inbox.  It’s a soft ballad draped around the backbone of a piano. The song broods for over six minutes, offering a sincere bit of beauty that’s enforced by the trading of vocals between songwriter Henry Crawford and Susannah Cutler (no relation to Jay).  It’s a listen that reminds me of my first run through with Majical Cloudz; you find it hard to tear yourself away from your stereo.  You’ll find this song on Wendy, which just got a digital release via Father Daughter Records.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/134187905″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

The Charming Return of Woods

Leave a comment

woodsAh. Finally a new Woods record is on its way.  There’s just something about the band and the various projects of the members that simply makes you feel welcome in the musical world they’ve created.  Sometimes it’s their classic rock harmonies that win you over, while other times it’s their desire to jam things out in a mellow fashion that grabs you.  Here, you get both of those, which reminds me of the fact that I think the band is one of the most endearing bands around (despite some of the drug association).  Their new record is titled With Light and With Love; it’ll be released by Woodsist on April 15th. They’ve also been included in the most excellent Austin Psych Fest schedule this year.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/133886313″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Austin Spotlight: New Music from Mini Dresses

Leave a comment

coverWe first brought you news of Mini Dresses when we discovered the now defunct Manic Pop Records (RIP), and we’re happy to see the group is back with a few new tracks for your ears.  I think perhaps one of the things that draws me to this group is that there’s not a whole lot like it going on in Austin at the moment, so it’s refreshing to find something a little bit out of the norm.  It might possibly fall under the dream-pop category, but it’s not often crafted so carefully.  There’s two songs to grab, which will come out soon on a new 7″, but like always, we suggest donating to the cause, as it keeps our bands working on music.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Mini-Dresses-Emmi-Tom-and-I-01-Emmi.mp3]

Download: Mini Dresses – Emmi [MP3]

 

Eternal Summers Should Be Huge

Leave a comment

eternal summersIt’s been a great week for Kanine Records so far; they’ve announced to excellent releases surrounding bands Beverly and Eternal Summers (though we knew the latter was coming).  But, after spending about 15 listens to this new Eternal Summers track, I’m predicting that the band really breaks out.  Their album Correct Behavior was one of my favorites a few years ago; it still gets a steady rotation.  Now, they’re up to their same tricks, employing angular guitar chops with hooks that stick in your mind.  There’s always an inevitable spirit too, lurking within the songs.  This is definitely my most anticipated album coming out; The Drop Beneath hits stores March 4th.  

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/119047167″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

 

New Music from The Migrant

Leave a comment

migrantMan, the Migrant are on an incredible roll.  They’ve released three albums in the last four years, and their next one is on its way.  They’ve just put up our first sample of the new album, Flood, and it’s a pretty marvelous track.  While I can easily say that I just love the overall appeal of the song’s construction, I love the sound of the strumming melded with the rolling percussive element that’s present.  If you’re in need of something to keep you warm today, then you’ve come to the right place.  No date has been announced, but we’ll keep you posted.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/134048393″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

New Music from Beverly

Leave a comment

honeydoListening to this new tune from Beverly, it dawned on me that very few bands nowadays seem to just operate with one band…everyone has a new side project.  Just like this band, which is the project of Frankie Rose and Drew Citron; no point really, just an observation. This track starts off with a rather garage rock  approach, which works against the pristine quality of Rose’s voice.  It’s possible that this tune won’t bowl you over with creativity, but you can’t turn down a good song. The group will have a full-length via Kanine this summer, but you can also pick it up on the label’s Record Store Day sampler.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/127726350″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

SXSW 2014 Interview: Withered Hand

Leave a comment

witheredhandpressphotoSXSW coverage continues this week with Scottish band Withered Hand.  They’re heading overseas just in time for the release of their album, New Gods, which is coming to us courtesy of Slumberland Records/Fortuna Pop.  Both labels are reliable, and the music has already proven to be worthy of high praise. Read on for the band’s answers to our questions, and look forward to dates featuring the band coming soon. Read more

Quiet Indiepop from Catenine

Leave a comment

coverYou’ve got to keep up with the little labels; they keep running and running at a constant pace, with hidden gems turning out left and right, such as this new tune from Catenine.  It just got recently got released by February Records, and it’s definitely one of those tunes that should be quickly added to everyone’s daily playlist.  While the twang of the guitar might be indicative of a more upbeat track, the melancholy vocal entrance surely delays that feeling.  There’s a bit of a volume explosion just before the one-minute mark that definitely makes the tune a standout.  Give this a whirl.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Caténine-In-Your-Ruin-01-In-Your-Ruin.mp3]

Download: Catenine – In Your Ruin [MP3]

 

New Music from Walter (of Walkmen fame)

Leave a comment

walterWhy we’re all still recovering from the sad hiatus of the Walkmen, the various members of the band all seem to have their own projects going on, such as Walter Martin.  Our first taste of his up-coming work has me reminiscing about the early work of Matt Pryor’s Terrible Twos.  The song is seemingly childish, in both subject matter and the way the vocals are delivered.  It only seems fitting that Karen O., who did the Where the Wild Things Are soundtrack, shows up to lend her voice to this number. I like that there’s an inner child shining through here, and possibly this album is aimed as something he can pass along to his own kid.  The album is titled We’re All Young Together; it comes out on May 13th.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/121394546″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Austin Spotlight: Party Plants Release EP

Leave a comment

partyplantsYou want to keep Austin weird? Well, then the best way to do it is by realizing how great our odd-ball pop bands are.  The latest in the line of quirky music comes to us via Party Plants, who’ve just released a new EP.  Honestly, it reminds me of of the better parts of Presidents of the USA, which really isn’t a knock by any means.  There’s a definitive bounce to the tunes as well, giving the feeling a bit of liveliness that’s much needed to entertain in a live setting.  The band has also been building quite a name for themselves by playing all over town, with no bad reviews coming our way.  You can grab the EP HERE.

1 … 1,114 1,115 1,116 1,117 1,118 … 1,533