Category: Tunes

New Fun Pop From The Elwins

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Indie pop Canadians The Elwins are prepping the release of their U.S. debut And I Thank You on March 5th via We Are Busy Bodies Records.  Prior to that release date, the band have offered up a free download of this incredibly catchy pop number “Forgetful Assistance”.  It brings me images of fellow Canadians Tokyo Police Club intertwined with the bass rhythms of Sting in The Police.  You won’t find a more upbeat and catchy tune anywhere in the states.  The song also has a very interesting self-made video which is available to check out over on youtube.

Interested parties should also note that they will be in town for SXSW next month.  Rock on.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Forgetful-Assistance.mp3]

Download: The Elwins – Forgetful Assistance [MP3]

Introducing Slugbug

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4126319756-1You’ve got to trust your record store clerks; it’s the heart-and-soul of music recommendations. One of the Austin purveyors turned me on to Paul Millar, who works under the moniker of Slugbug.  It’s really hard to put the music in any certain genre, as it’s fairly schizophrenic in a fascinating sort of way.  His main muse seems to be electronica, but he blends it with elements of oddball pop and post-punk.  He’s recently released his Layer of Abstraction EP, with more tunes set to come soon on his Truck Month LP (we’ll give more details as they come).  For now, revel in the curious ways of Slugbug; you’ll be glad to find such a unique artist alive and well in Austin. And you can check out a rad old-school type video of the track HERE.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/09-Linear-Narrative.mp3]

Download: Slugbug – Linear Narrative [MP3]

New Badass Rock From The Thermals

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I don’t really have a whole lot to say about this song other than it’s by The Thermals and it has that sense of no B.S. rock n roll  we’ve come to expect from the band over the last 10+ years.  It rules.  Duh.

What you might not know is that a new album is coming from the band on April 16th via Saddle Creek Records entitled Desperate Ground.  Also, a free download of this tasty tune can be had on the band’s website in exchange for your email address.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/77323617″ params=”show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Free New EP from Body Language

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LH-008_BL_GrammarEP.152626In preparation for the release of their new album, Grammar, Body Language have decided to be really cool.  They’re not giving you some slow-loading youtube preview, rather they’re giving you their entire new Grammar EP for FREE!  All you’ve got to do is trade in your trusty email address.  According to the band, the new record continues the band’s experiments with blurring the lines between pop, disco and R&B.  The results are pretty interesting, and I’m particularly interested in the track below.  There’s a central hook, with some carefully placed electronic grooves; it borders just on the edge of “shaking it,” but possibly just more of a toe-tapping head bobber tune. Grab the EP HERE.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/02-Whats-the-Point.mp3]

Download: Body Language – What’s the Point [MP3]

Rowdy Rocker from Bad Cop

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_epcoverb600.152158I feel like we didn’t bring you enough rock n’ roll last week; so I’m doing my damndest to make up for all that this week.  I wanted to toss out this new (ish) tune from Bad Cop, who are re-releasing their I Can’t Slow Down EP to the masses.  The opening track, “Animal,” is just straight-up rock n’ roll; it’s not garage or punk, just blues-fueled stomping rock.  But, that doesn’t mean you’re not going to find yourself an endearing hook in the chorus, because the Nashville boys give you just that.  The spirit is alive with these boys, and thank goodness for that!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/01-Animal.mp3]

Download:Bad Cop – Animal [MP3]

Thr!!!er Is Coming

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Naming your album Thr!!!er is a bold move chk chk chk. Or !!!. Or whatever.

If you want to get a sample of the goodness that awaits, you can download the track “SLYD” for the low-low price of your email address. It is a dancy sample driven groove, shocking right? To pair with this new track is the announcement that they will play The Mohawk on May 25. Tix go on sale later this week (2/15), so get on the for sale page and start refreshing.

Channeling my inner-Al Czervik – “LET’S DANCE!”

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/chk-chk-chk-Slyd.mp3]

Download: !!! – SLYD [MP3 via Email Registration]

More Glamorous Pop from Warm Soda

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Warm_soda_FRONTsmall_1024x1024.144844Barely a few weeks ago I brought you a rad little number from Warm Soda, and they’ve tossed out another one that deserves equal notice. “Waiting for Your Call” starts out with this chugging guitar progression, with a bit of background twang. It builds until the band twists your arm into a moment of pop goodness, aided by the soft vocal delivery.  The guitar knifes in and out of the track, each time being accompanied by precision drumming and that smooth vocal hook.  If you know what’s good for you, you’ll be going to pick up Someone For You on March 26th via Castle Face Records.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/06-Waiting-For-Your-Call.mp3]

 

The Stevens Sign with Chapter Music

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2312597976-1I’ve had my eye on Australian band The Stevens for a bit now, and I’m really happy they’ve found an incredible home on our favorite label, Chapter Music.  In honor of the signing, the label will be releasing their self-titled six-song EP on 7″ on April 13th.  I love the way the guitars have this heavy-handed post punk feel to them, but then they take that notion and turn it into a softer little ditty.  It’s a great effect, providing you with this catchy song you’ll want to play over and over again.  Congrats to the label and the band for a perfect union!

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/78015646″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Another Gem from Paperfangs

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paperfangsOne of my best kept secrets (unfortunately) is my undying love of this new album from Paperfangs, Past Perfect.  This Finnish three-piece are crafting these really subdued electro-pop tunes.  In my mind, I immediately feel as if they’re akin to PB&J, but I think their musicianship here is much more interesting.  They’re not using gimmicks, just blissed-out harmonies with warmth lurking in the background.  Their latest single is certainly one of the stand-outs on the record, demonstrating the sincere pop approach the band will utilize in winning your hearts.  Take a nice long listen, and fall in love with the group: they’re album comes out via Soliti Music on February 22nd.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/9.-All-Girls-Are-Grey.mp3]

 

Wake with Kurt Vile

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homepage_large.104606d2I can almost assuredly say that by the year’s end, everyone at the ATH offices will have admitted at one point or another that Kurt Vile‘s upcoming record, Wakin on a Pretty Daze, is one of our favorite album’s of the year.  It seems outrageous, I agree, but such is the power Kurt holds over us, especially with this new single he’s just released.  There’s something to his simplicity in songwriting that maximizes his emotional draw between himself and listeners.  It sounds like almost anyone could write these songs, but no one could do it so effectively.  The album is out on April 9th via Matador Records.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/kurtvile_-_wakinonaprettyday.mp3]

Download:Kurt Vile – Wakin On a Pretty Day [MP3]

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