Rowdy Rock From White Lung

White_Lung_KateBrown2_1When your Friday is dragging along and seemingly never ending, have yourself a listen to this new joint “Down with You” from White Lung.  It’s sure to put a pep in your step with it’s loud, fast, and fun rockin’ style.  Pay attention though, because it’s over after a short 1:48 run.  Plenty of time to brighten your day and lead you into the weekend.

This track appears on a new 7″ coming your way on October 28th via Deranged Records.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/115833671″ iframe=”true” /]

Friday’s Local Austin Gigs!

austin-skyline-mark-weaverWe’ve been working harder this year on being sure we get more coverage going, not just internationally, but locally as well.  With that in mind, I wanted to point out a couple of shows that are desperately seeking your attendance on Friday night, in case you didn’t have plans. These shows all offer a bit of different sounds, but each features some of our favorite local acts, so be sure to do your best to support our local scene.  Or, you could go see Widespread Panic.  Seems like an easy choice to me, but it’s your life! Here’s my suggestions on what to hit up:

Flesh Lights, Church Shoes, Sweat Lodge, Ghost Dance, John Schooley @ Hotel Vegas – Doors are at 9 PM – $6

Junior Prom, The Laughing, Migrant Kids @ Holy Mountain – Doors are at 8 PM – Cheap

Genuine Leather, Ponderosa, The Hereticks @ The Parish Underground – Doors are at 8 PM – Cheap

The Couch, Letting Up Despite Great Faults, Major Major Major @ The Blackheart – Doors are 8 PM – FREE!

Here are some jams by Letting Up to get you in the mood.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Letting-Up-Despite-Great-Faults-Visions.mp3]

Fresh New Tune from Shimmering Stars

shimmeringSince the release of Violent Hearts, Shimmering Stars have been fairly quiet on the musical front.  But, like all bands, they’ve been changing things up and working on new tunes.  Their first single fulfills on the band’s promise to bring a noisier element to their music, whilst offering up their typical stylings of pop sensibility.  For me, I can hear a change in the delivery of the vocals, until you get near the 2 minute mark, where things take on a gentler tone.  I’m interested to see what is to come of the band when they finally unleash their next LP.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/shimmering-stars-shadow-visions.mp3]

Download: Shimmering Stars – Shadow Visions [MP3]

New (ish) Track from The Entrance Band

1393921_10151766034632632_1694839805_nAfter spending the last month focusing mainly on Austin City Limits, I’m taking a few day to check back in on all the old reliables before we go full throttle on Fun Fun Fun Fest.  I’ve already posted one tune from the up-coming releases by Beyond is Beyond is Beyond, and here I am with a tune from The Entrance Band.  While I can definitely sense the psych nod going on the way the guitar is being utilized, there’s something quite different in the delivery of the vocals themselves.   They manage to maintain a different level of spirituality, and I can’t wait for you all to hear what’s happening on their full length, Face the Sun.  It’s out on November 19th, and will definitely be something you’ll need in your collection to wrap up 2013.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/06-Fire-Eyes.mp3]

 

Show Preview: Stepdad @ Empire Control Room (10/25)

Stepdad_Wildlife_PopArt_133448

Date 10/25/13
Location Empire Control Room
Doors 9pm
Tickets $10 @ Ticketfly

Those looking to begin their weekend the right way with a killer dance party should head on down to Empire Control Room& Garage this Friday night.  Headlining the night is up and coming dance pop group Stepdad who are sure to get your feet moving in the wee hours of the night/morning.  Joining in on the fun are some great Austin bands The Bipolar Bears and Sphynx.  Your feet will be moving.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/01-Must-Land-Running.mp3]

Download: Stepdad – Must Land Running [MP3]

Beach Fossils Is Playing FFF8

We bring you another reason to get hype about Fun Fun Fun Fest 8. It is happening November 8th-10th at Auditorium Shores, ya know.

Beach Fossils released Clash The Truth early this year. We saw them at Red7 a few months later and while the show was great, there were a couple of technical difficulties that hampered it from being perfect. I doubt the bolted down Homies running gear at FFF will miss a beat. I would also expect a foray into the crowd by Dustin.

Check out the video for this jam that was just released over at MTV Hive directed by the Mac Demarco bass player, Pierce McGarry.

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Fun Little Ditty from Life

lifeI’m always trying to find good songs that don’t get a lot of other coverage, and that’s how I stumbled upon this sweet rocker from Life. This song popped up the other day, and it’s been stuck in my head ever since then, providing equal amounts of hooks and rythmic bounce for your ears.  You’ll be able to find this tune on the band’s most recent 7″, with this song taking up the A side.  You need eregy and fun, then look no further than this UK act to help you on your way.  [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/116357085″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Everyone Loves This New Kevin Morby Track

kevUsually when everyone lauds a new tune, it’s either because it’s incredible or because there’s tons of unnecessary hype.  In the case of this new piece from Kevin Morby, who spends a lot of time in Woods and The Babies, it’s mostly the former.  The tune is sprawled carefully across Morby’s vocals, moving quiet slowly, with ornate little touches of detail added in all the right places.  I’m reminded a bit of The Clientele, especially when you get to the 2.5 minute mark…that’s not a bad thing in my mind. You can grab his new record, Harlem River, on November 26th via Woodsist.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/116532772″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Austin Spotlight: Other Lovers

USnotextcropIt’s always exciting when we have some new Austin rock bands sending their tunes our way.  Don’t get me wrong, I love all the quirky, indie pop whatnot that this city produces, but it is nice to hear a band that might actually know how to rock from time to time.  The band I’m giving my bill of rock n roll quality today is Other Lovers.  Now these guys, and lone gal, have just been picked up by local label Oscillations Records run by John from local band Knifight.  Their music, to me, sounds like a mash up of old Austin chick led band Cruiserweight if you mixed in a more quirky pop band like Great Nostalgic (are they still around?).  Check out sweet tune “New” below and let us know what ya think.

New EP “Born to Party/Born to be Old” will be out on November 26th.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/06-New_1.mp3]

Download: Other Lovers – New [MP3]

Mirror Travel – Mexico

mirrortravelRating: ★★★★☆

Living in Austin, I sometimes forget just how many great bands come out of this city, so I love it when I stumble across one such as Mirror Travel who is bound to make waves. Formerly known as Follow That Bird, this trio is made up of Lauren Green as front woman on guitar and vocals, Paul Brinkley on bass and backing vocals and Tiffanie Lanmon going to town on the drums. Together, they come together to give you Mexico, their first proper release as a group, and not to mention a stunning display of good old rock and roll with a hint of dreamy elements to bring you into the present.

First, they present you with an ambient introductory track comprised of delicate guitar sound, a shaker for percussion, and some other gentle sounds to warm you up to the sound. Immediately, it strikes me as the lead into of an Explosions in the Sky track, but “Sands” is just about as mellow as it gets before they kick into their punch-you-in the face, dare-I-say psychedelic rock, like the calm before the desert storm. “I Want You To Know,” begins purely with a killer bass line and a finally you get a taste of the real cutting guitars and the raspy vocals of Green. Her voice is pure power, staking its claim amidst the buzz of the guitar and evoking a cross between Stevie Nicks and Dolores O’Riordan at points. The vocals don’t seem to be especially mixed above the instrumental parts of the songs, but sound as if she is in another room and you’re just lucky enough to have stumbled upon the sound  and stayed because you liked it so much.

This group isn’t only about melting your face with their angular guitar sound and kick ass vocals coming from the front woman, but they’re also here to make you dance, as any good rock and roll band should. Infectious tune, “Parties” comes fourth up on the album and will have you humming along with the choral hook while you’re jamming. Not to forget the ending of the song in which the guitar cuts out for a fast second and some rolling drum work in the background gives the song that build to put it over the top from good to grand. If you’re going to listen to only one song off this record, make sure it is “Parties,” as it’s bound to be one of the best tracks of the year.

Though it seems to only listen to one song from this effort would be a crime. I dare you to find a track you don’t like on Mexico; it’s easy to put this album on repeat and listen to it for days. In fact, that’s what I have been doing and will continue to do so. Look out Austin, as well as the indie world—here comes Mirror Travel.

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