New Tune from Nick Jaina

PrintMy first foray into attempting to play music began as a young lad on the piano, so it makes sense that I’ll always gravitate towards pop songwriting that centers, or is guided by, piano tinkering. That’s much the case with this new song from Nick Jaina; he’s spent a lot of time composing for ballets and films, so his attention is always there with the finer details.  But, don’t expect this to be some grandiose orchestral affair; his new album Primary Perfections seems to be a jaunt in the direction of more modern indie pop.  It’s good songwriting, simple as that.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/nick_jaina_dont_come_to_me.mp3]

Download: Nick Jaina – Don’t Come to Me [MP3]

Hypnotic Electro-Pop from pacficUV

Pacific-UV-Pacific-UvI always have this preconceived idea about Athens, Georgia, at least in referencing the city’s musical history.  But, with bands like Twin Tigers and now pacificUV coming into their own, perhaps my ideas will begin to change a bit.  This tune has a hypnotic electro beat that just grooves the whole way through.  You’ll also find some rad interplay between male and female vocalists that really ups the ante on mass appeal.  The band has a new record titled After the Dream You Are Awake, which comes out on May 14th via Mazarine Records…but if you can’t wait, they have a sampler HERE with a few new tracks, as well as some of their other career retrospective tunes.

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New Pop from Marmalakes

557990_10151464720897210_989583134_nAustin’s music scene isn’t the easiest to break into, let alone stick around in, but Marmalakes have been holding their own for some time.  What bodes well for the group is this ridiculously great new single that they just released over the weekend.  It starts with this bouncing bass line that gives great tempo to the group’s blend of folk and pop.  Personally, I like the changing in tempo that comes in and out of the song, especially the quick to soft to quicker that closes this jam out.  One of Austin’s best acts just keeps getting better. Get in on it now.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/wells.mp3]

Download: Marmalakes – Wells [MP3]

Sharing A Track By Fol Chen

Good Friday. Slow Friday.

How about a little something you might have missed post? Well, don’t mind if I do do. Take a listen to this lovely track by Fol Chen off the album The False Alarms on Asthmatic Kitty. <- one of my favorite label names Hang with it through the lead in…

BTW, there will be a couple more SxSW related posts from this kid next week. Not done yet. Nope, not me.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/73666975″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Pure Beauty from Wintercoats

705236_533455266681988_285299108_oIt’s really remarkable when you listen to the music of James Wallace, the one man composer who works with various friends to flesh out his sounds under the name Wintercoats. I like the light-hearted feeling and the feathery quality of the vocals. He’ll be releasing his new Heartfelt EP over in Australia on April 7th through Yes Please.  If you need a composition piece with an other-worldly edge, then allow yourself to be carried away by this new tune.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/01_Everyone-Mixdown_MSTR.mp3]

Download: Wintercoats – Everyone Seems To Be In On Something [MP3]

New Pop from TORCHES

tochesYou know, I definitely have been enjoying straight rock n’ roll this year, but I don’t want to forget that I really do love great pop music; I won’t hide from that.  This new jam from TORCHES is really enjoyable, and you’ll be able to get your hands on it via the band’s new If the People Stare EP on May 6th…for free I might add.  On this jam the vocals are way up front in the mix, and they definitely have a strong focus, but I like a lot of the light cymbal work that’s going on in the background of the song.  It’s just a good pop ditty. You can enjoy that can’t you?

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/01-When-You-Gonna_.mp3]

Download: TORCHES – When You Gonna [MP3]

Rad Post Rock from Cobalt Cranes

CobaltCranes_album_LOW_RESI’m really stoked on this new jam from Cobalt Cranes.  There’s something about it’s nostalgic 90s post-rock bent that really is working for my ears.  At the same time, that heavy bass line combined with the atmospheric guitar work cascading in and out of the tune definitely provides the song with modern appeal; I also appreciate that it’s a bit more melodic than some of the rocking tracks I’ve been jamming to lately.  If you like what you’re hearing then you can grab the band’s debut album, Head in the Clouds, on April 9th when it’s released by Anticc Records.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Shake.mp3]

Download: Cobalt Cranes – Shake [MP3]

Welcome Return from Blue-Eyed Son

W139I actually haven’t heard anything about Blue-Eyed Son in so long that I can’t even remember the last time I busted out their old record, but I’m glad the group is back in the fold.  They’ve got a new five song EP titled Shadows on the Son that will be heading your way on May 28th courtesy of Eenie Meenie Records. It’s weird, but every time I listen to the group, I think back to the innocent days of Beulah, where great pop songwriting and usage of horns was bred out of late night jams rather than extensive layering.  Regardless, I really think people should write more songs like this, both musically and lyrically.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/01_All_Went_Black.mp3]

Download: Blue-Eyed Son – All Went Black [MP3]

Return To Form From Rogue Wave

roguewave

It’s no secret around these parts that the ATH crew wasn’t exactly in full support of the last Rogue Wave album Permalight from 2010.  Nothing against the band, as everyone is entitled to change their sound as they see fit, but we just didn’t get the move towards a full on experimental dance band.  Now that we’ve got that out of the way, I’m excited to share this new song “College” that appears to be a return to the poppy goodness that we used to love about this band.  Welcome back guys.

New album Nightingale Floors will be available on June 4th via Vagrant Records.

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New Beauty From Active Child

Active Child

Over the last year, I’ve developed a major fan affair with Pat Grossi and his experimental pop group known as Active Child.  His album You Are All I See was, and still is, one of the most underappreciated gems from 2011 that somehow gets better and better with every listen.  Well today I’ve got some great new for fans of the group with this brand new track “Evening Cermony”.  It’s a great track similar to what I’ve grown to love about the act with it’s synth pop, beautifully placed harp pieces, and the glorious voice of Grossi mixed in superbly as usual.  Enjoy.

Stay tuned as we get more news about the upcoming new album.  This track actually appears on the soundtrack for the upcoming film The Host.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/85039999″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

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