New Music from Death Vessel

deathYou know those artists that lurk in the shadows, only rearing their head whenever they feel the need?  They’re the artists you yearn for, the ones you hope release new music as often as possible.  Well, Death Vessel is one of those musicians for me.  We haven’t heard from him since 2008, and we raved and lauded his last effort, so my expectations for Island Intervals are quite high at the moment, especially after hearing this first single.  You can hear Jonsi of Sigur Ros singing accompaniment, adding a remarkable touch to the song. You can pick up the record on February 25th from Sub Pop.[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/120790312″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Bounce House Release Party @ Beerland (11.26)

bounceWe’ve got a nice little community starting to reemerge in Austin, and one of our city’s photographers has a a rad little band that’s popping up on our radar.  The band is called Bounce House, and they’ll be releasing their first EP titled Hottest Day of the Year.  It’s filled with five rad tunes of punk rock that give you that fine blend between of bounce (as in the title) and grit; I’m really happy for these dudes.  You’ll also have other Austin heavy-hitters like Bobby Jealousy and Basketball Shorts filling out the evening at Beerland, so expect to get your money’s worth…and pick up the EP while you’re at it!

Art Is Hard Announce Gorgeous Bully EP

artworks-000062786249-84xil3-t500x500I always keep an eye on what’s going on with Art Is Hard Records; they’re a small time label doing some interesting releases on a small, but exceptional scale.  They just recently announced that they’ll be putting out the new Nobody Hates You as Much as You Hate Yourself  EP by Gorgeous Bully, and the lead track is absolutely something you need to hear.  It’s infectious as any piece of garage-pop I’ve heard this year, but it still has enough of a ramshackle punch to make it more than just a mediocre piece of pop music.  It’s going to come out on a limited cassette, and if I’m guessing right, they’ll go pretty quick, so get at it!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Gorgeous-Bully-Sinking-Feeling.mp3]

Download: Gorgeous Bully – Sinking Feeling [MP3]

Dreamy Pop from Dutch Barn

DutchBarn_EstelleMorris_1425I had grown worried that the ecclectic catalog of artists on Eardrums Pop might not ever get another chance at things, until I checked in the other day.  They’ve posted their first new three song release since May, and it’s definitely worthy of some ear time.  The band is Dutch Barn, and they combine elements of indiepop and shoegaze to craft these great tunes that sink into your soul.  Remember, EP does this all out of love for music, and love for the bands, so if you can afford to donate a penny or two, do so; it will make our music community continue to grow.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Dutch-Barn-01-Steal-Your-Jokes.mp3]

Download: Dutch Barn – Steal Your Jokes [MP3]

New Music from Desert Noises

desertnoisesAs we gear up towards the 2014 releases, here comes news of a band that’s slowly making waves here in the States, Desert Noises. The music on their first single from the upcoming album has the band playing a grassroots Americana stomp, similar to what we’ve come to expect from bands like Cave Singers.  Of course, there’s lots more slide guitar work and less gruff qualities, but perhaps that is the cup of tea you’ve been waiting to drink.  Their upcoming album is titled 27 Ways, and it’ll see a March release courtesy of SQE Music.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/120335729″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Fun Tune From Withered Hand

2274I can’t say that I’d ever really heard too much about Edinburgh based pop group Withered Hand prior to this post.  My admission out of the way, I wanted to share with you guys this fun new track called “Black Tambourine”.  It’s an incredibly easy track to like with it’s jingle jangle style meandering about throughout the entire song.  I’d be hard pressed to label it anything other than just downright fun.  You agree?

Get your hands on new album New Gods via Slumberland Records on February 25th.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/120307263″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Sometimes You Just Have To Give In…

640px-Sky_Ferreira_the_pageant_2013_1This is an admission. I like a Sky Ferreira song. “You’re Not The One” from Night Time, My Time is a perfectly balanced pop song that deserves a listen. I may get blasted by my ATH teammates, but damn this is catchy and I have to admit to everyone that it is among the top jams in my head right now. A great guitar hook rings over floating fluty-synth substance in standard pop song structure, it is a hit.

I resisted the hype machine, the tour O_o announcements, the drug arrests, the album cover controversy, the buzz, but I hide no more. I feel better and can go into my weekend with an eased mind.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/112126274″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Slow Jam from Secret Boyfriend

secretboyfriendredoI’m not sure what all the monikers in the musical world really mean, aside from things like psych rock, but if I were to label something as “dark wave,” I’d hope that it sounds exactly like this new single from Secret Boyfriend.  It’s the one-man project of Ryan Martin, and while the music definitely has this dark electronic touch to it, there’s this really gentle undertone that’s delivered by way of the vocals.  It’s not a full on juxtaposed composition, but it illustrates the varied sound you can come to expect when This Is Always Where You’ve Lived comes out on December 9th via Blackest Ever Black.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/118702529″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Austin Spotlight: Jess Williamson

jessJust so the world of Austin musicians doesn’t hate us, we’re not just into the rock n’ roll stylings of our fair city.  Personally, I love all sorts of different stuff, but right now I’m really enjoying the music of Austin’s own Jess Williamson.  I love her ornate style of finger-picking the banjo, and her unique control of her pipes.  It’s a bit odd, but in that endearing sort of way that makes the boys (and girls) swoon.  She’s set to release her new record, Native State, on January 28th via Brutal Honest, and if it’s all this carefully orchestrated, then it’ll definitely catch the ears of those in Austin, and hopefully beyond.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/02-Native-State.mp3]

Download: Jess WIlliamson – Native State [MP3]

Dance & Drift with Gardens & Villa

dunesThe California based Gardens & Villa have always had this underlying electronic influence in their music, even though they’re often labeled as a band with folk influences (see flute solo below), and that aspect is pushed even further on the latest single released from the band.  There’s a natural groove to the song, fitting perfectly with the high pitch of the vocals on the tune.  Their new record is titled Dunes, and it’s going to see a February 4th release from Secretly Canadian.  This is like a less-pretentious version of what Arcade Fire seems to be doing…which in the end makes it pretty enjoyable.  I’m going to enjoy this jam for the rest of the day.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/120303281″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

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