Lo-Fi Dance Track From Summer Heart?

10520575_693348810719408_4167534257621635946_oYeah, I had a hard time believing it too, but Summer Heart is the project of David Alexander, and he specializes in fuzzy synth pop with a lo-fi twist to it. The song below, “Beat of Your Heart,” caught my attention with its surfy guitar hooks and simultaneous synth pop dance groove. With its distanced vocals, it’s got a sound that reminds me a little of Youth Lagoon, but with more spunk shot into it. Guilty pleasure track or just a plain jam? What do you think?

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Waterstrider Crushes It

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About a month ago, I told you about Oakland’s Waterstrider, and shared with you a funky pop groove for you to jam to. Today, I’m throwing another track to you from this band, which will put this five piece on your map for sure. “Calliope” is the second single that the band has shared from their upcoming album, Nowhere Now, out April 6th, and this time we get to hear the lovely vocals of Brijean Murphy. This change, as well as the running undercurrent of jangly electric guitar gives the track a danceable vibe that will meet all your indie pop needs.

 

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Late to the Rock Show: Dead Farmers

384991_10150431823592721_1173140185_nSorta was feeling the folk stylings this week, so I wanted to make sure you had a nice dosage of rock n’ roll before the week came to an end.  I’ve really been jamming to this Dead Farmers LP, Wasteland as of late.  They’ve got these really emphatic chord structures and this boisterous blast of vocals that seems more like a call to arms than anything else.  It makes for an adrenaline filled sing-a-long, making the band one to keep on your radar as 2015 moves forward.  The LP is available from the trustworthy RIP Society, bringing you rock n’ roll from Oceania and beyond.

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Tomás Pagán Motta Spins You A Folksy Tune

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The artist formerly known as The Petticoat TearoomTomás Pagán Motta is a D.C based singer/songwriter who has put out a bit of music already, but this track “It’s Tough Letting Go” brings a whole new level of soul and comfort to the music. As the title suggests, the track is an endearing little ditty, which allows the interesting vocals to really shine through the mix. This is the second single that has been released from his upcoming self-titled LP, which is slated to come out March 3rd via Eight Gang Switch. Take a listen and get lost in the gentle folk style.

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Guantanamo Baywatch Brings Twang and Swing

unnamed-5If you didn’t catch the last release from Guantanamo Baywatch, then go hit up Dirtnap Records and see if they have any copies of Chest Crawl laying around.  The odds are that they don’t, which is probably why the band’s been snatched up by Suicide Squeeze for their new album, Darling It’s Too Late.  The band has always had a knack for building unity between punk and surf, but here they really spin it into an old school pop rock sound, the likes that had your parents (or my old folks) creating babies.  It’s passionate and soulful (thanks to some help from Curtis Harding), yet it’s oh so gritty and real. Look for the record to hit stores on May 12th.

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Premiere: Grave Pool Wants You Dancing

3You want more from Grave Pool? As do I, as do I.  The artist is crafting really solid electro-pop, hitting you heavy with really great beats; it’s the kind of electronic burst that has you jumping all over your brand new couch cushions, swinging your arms and smiling all the while.  Personally, I like the hazy element on the vocals; it provides a more personal touch than the average fare, making the track great for the dance floor, but also for your headphone listening experience. It’s the second single from his new album, Mnemonics, which is slated for a release next Tuesday via 80s Ladies Records.

Jittery Rock from Total Babes

babeI haven’t heard from Total Babes since Swimming Through Sunlight, but I’m glad they’re back at it with a new LP ready to hit stores.  I’ll admit, the bits of horn throw me off a touch; I mean, is that a bee buzzing in my ear? Regardless, the song’s got this catchy tenacity hooked around the stop-start vocal delivery.  The guitars do have a jagged edge, and the horns begin to show themselves as an instrument meant to create something beyond your typical garage tune (laser sounds included).  Look for their new effort, Heydays, to hit stores on May 19th via Wichita Recordings.

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ATX Show Spotlight: Pick a Show, Any Show

Austin-skyline-_9359-copyThursday’s pretty packed with local gigs to get you out of your doldrums and partake in some music.  As it stands, I see three rad shows you could attend…so why waste time.

Hotel Vegas has our favorites Grape St, slanging catchy garage rock, joined by their friends Booher and Idle de’Classe as the opening acts. This show is built for rock n’ roll fans.

Cheer Up Charlies has the Taft album release. There’s some heavy-hitters opening, with Sweet Spirit, Lomelda and Isaiah the Mosaic opening the night’s festivities.  If you go, pick up Taft’s new album.

Holy Mountain has a show hosted by our archenemies and friends from Side One Track One. John always puts together a good line-up (which is why I hate him); he’s got Ton Tons, Wild Moccasins and Tele Novella, so you get your creative pop mix here.

Sample some songs from Grape St, Taft and Tele Novella.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/T0UUVfFXk27s.128.mp3] [audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/QnR6OFbdjkK2.128.mp3] [audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/CEsGNS2OKR2Q.128.mp3]

Beck’s Giving His Grammy to…Hayden?

hayI said it. I’m stealing a nod from an old friend who always called Hayden the “Canadian Beck.” It seems with his new work, that the Grammy is going to have to be passed along to Canada.  Surprisingly, Hayden’s career has worked in a similar arc, hopping back and forth between genres, but always achieving huge accolades when he takes the folk-laden ballad approach.  It’s also a track that takes a careful ear; you can hear the static of a guitar being pulled from the amp (or something similar) in the middle…it matches well with the bending guitar too.  Look for Hey Love to appear via Arts & Crafts on March 24th.

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Folk Strong from Trans Van Santos

unnamed-2It’s the perfect time for wistful country ballads to welcome in the Texas weather; I hope you’re getting some of this sunshine wherever we find you.  This new track from Trans Van Santos, the new project from Mark Matos, fits perfectly into my plan to venture to the furthest horizon this Spring.  Percussion is limited, guitar chords ring slightly and Matos offers a solemn vocal that hits home at the ATH offices. On March 17th you’ll find the key to your own long distance drive when Moon Mirage is released by Royal Oakie Tapes & Records.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/transvansantos_wildatheart.mp3]

Download: Trans Van Santos – Wild at Heart [MP3]

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