New (To You) Iron & Wine

iron

Well, everyone knows and most likely loves indie folkster Sam Beam, or as you know him better, Iron & Wine, as he’s been making music under this moniker for over a decade now. For all you fans out there, rejoice, as Beam is releasing Archive Series, which is exactly what it sounds like: old tunes that accompanied his previously released musical material. Up first to be released is Volume No. 1, which is the companion record to his debut album, The Creek Drank the Cradle, and it includes the soft folksy track below. Enjoy and Archive Series Volume No. 1 is out February 24th on Black Cricket Recording Co.

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Weekend Show Preview: 1.9/10

SlowAs Free Week comes to a close this weekend, we hope that you’ve already gotten out and about support the locals ’round these parts, but if you haven’t, you still have time to layer up and brave the arctic tundra to enjoy living in the raddest city for live music and don’t forget to buy some merch from your favorite and do your part. There are of course tons of other shows out there that are yours for the taking, but here are our weekend highlights after the jump. Have a great weekend and drive safe!

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Cotillon Brings Something New to Burger Records

coatyIf I told you Cotillon was on Burger Records and you hadn’t heard the band, you’d likely think the group would offer something in the vein of garage rock.  But, with this album, the label is continuing its efforts to branch out into new territory, having this latest single offer little more than just a tinkling piano and some vocals.  It’s a short little ballad, yet it’s one that continues to push my excitement for the self-titled effort from the one-man project (January 26th).  Think gentle and pretty, yet far from mundane.

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I Love This New Wand Rocker

lordoftheringsOne of the more surprising efforts from last year was the debut from Wand, Ganglion Reef. It was an album filled with a great deal of modern tropes, from psych to garage, but it looks like they’ve focused more on the garage side, only they’ve turned up the volume a touch.  Their latest single has the band blasting in furiously, thought it slows down around the 2 minute mark for a nice walk in the park, all before smashing everything to bits as the song draws to a close.  In the Red will release their new effort, Golem, on March 17th of this year; it should be another great listen if we’re judging one song.

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Austin Spotlight: Rose Selavy

roseyFree Week in Austin is all about discovery, or at least it used to be about discovery…so I’ve got one that I think deserves your attention: Rose Selavy. The group has fulfilled my need for someone new to bring some delightful indiepop to our fair city (She Sir can’t hold down the fort forever!). They’ve only got one single for you to hear, but it’s enough that it should entice you to catch their sets.  You’ll hear jangling guitars knifing their way through this song, using synth stabs and nice vocal touches to wrap you in the perfect warmth.  They’ll be playing Free Week at Holy Mountain on Saturday, so if you’re not afraid of the cold…this is a good solid spot to end up.

Pop Tune from Sun Hotel

sunneeI’m pretty sure the award for longest song title of 2015 is going to go to Sun Hotel, but dammit if it’s not just a great song to listen to any time of the day.  There’s an urgency in the guitar playing, and something I’m finding quite relatable in the way the vocals are delivered; it sort of reminds me of a calmer version of art-rockers Ought.  Sadly, it sounds like their new effort, Rational Expectations, might be their last as members are slated to move on to new projects; I’ll still enjoy this when it comes out via Community Records on February 3rd.

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Mellow Folk from River Whyless

riversAs I speak, the weather here in Austin has grown increasingly frigid (which I abhor), so I just want to bundle up and jam to something warming (wearing out my Sturgill Simpson LP).  This River Whyless single should definitely do the trick, offering up some ornate folk music.  From the picking of the guitar to the burst of cymbal crashes, you can tell that there’s been great care put into each touch on their new work.  It’s the sort of music that provides emotional warmth while allowing for the lyrics to carry your mind away. Look for their self-titled EP on January 20th via Backwoods Nation.

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Listen to Keath Mead, Please

kmEver feel like listening to the Velvet Undergound, yet you wanted something even more warbled and warped? Then perhaps you’re going to enjoy spending some time jamming to Keath Mead, who seems to have reimagined “Sweet Jane” in a more pristine fashion, yet wrapped it in some oddity of fuzz and scrambled tape samples.  It’s a track that achieves so much in so many ways that I’m pretty sure I’ll just kick it with this song for the rest of the day.  I’m really excited to see what he does with his album Sunday Dinner come February 24th (Company Record Label).

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Divers Bring Out New Single

dvrsThe guys in Divers talk of walking the fine long between indie rock and punk rock, and listening to their new single, you can hear them straddling that strange divide.  Opening this tune is this jagged guitar and furious punch; it reminds me of Les Savy Fav at their most bombastic.  But, those moments subside quickly and move into a safer world where Win Butler would feel most protected..or one of those Hold Steady cats. It’s definitely something I enjoy, though I’m not sure where it falls in my life. I guess we’ll see when their album Hello Hello falls on February 17th.

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More Expansive Pop from Cats of Transnistria

transcatsIt’s difficult to capture the attention of modern listeners, especially with shorter attention spans and what not.  That being said, I beg you to really spend some time with the latest from Cats of Transnistria.  The song below changes landscapes from within the song, moving through gentle stages towards into more discordant moments, and then a return.  Their Away EP has been nothing if not captivating, allowing me to really sink into my listening experience as I indulge in this version of constructionist pop music; the EP is out next week from Soliti.  You can also check out the accompanying VIDEO.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/2-San-Francisco.mp3]

 

 

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