One More New One from Audacity

tumblr_inline_mj08bavIaS1qz4rgpWasn’t it just last week I posted one of the latest singles from Audacity?  Well, that was from a split release, but this new tune is from their brand new LP!  The album is titled Butter Knife, and it’ll see a release by Suicide Squeeze on October 29th.  These guys always seem to energetic in their songwriting, yet, like all good punk, it’s got a nice dosage of hooks to grab your ears.  If you listen to this track, you get the feeling that big things are in the making for the band, as you’ll find a hard time ignoring just how good the track is.  One of my favorite acts of the moment!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/01_Couldn_t_Hold_A_Candle.mp3]

Download: Audacity – Couldn’t Hold A Candle [MP3]

Poppy Tune from The So So Glos

383997_10150390708559738_62209039737_8404542_442126120_nWe’ve been fans for some time of The So So Glos, and that was cemented by my time spent listening to their phenomenal debut, Blowout.  It seems that some hard-working individuals have allowed them some free studio time to record a track of their liking, and the result seems like its a good fit.  Through their short time, they’ve grown increasingly softer on the ears…meaning that their brash style has sort of begun to fade.  That being said, it’s clear that some bands are meant to move on in that way, as this song offers a glimpse to just how great things sound when all the pieces come together. Give it a listen.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/The-So-So-Glos-Shaking-Through-Volume-4-06-Emergency.mp3]

Download: The So So Glos – Emergency [MP3]

 

New Single from Veronica Falls

vfVeronica Falls is one of the great stable acts of Slumberland Records; they’ve only improved (immensely) as they’ve matured.  They’ve just recorded a brand new single for their upcoming tour, which unfortunately doesn’t include any dates Stateside…we can always hold out hope. Honestly, this new single is probably the best thing the group has written to date, and that says a lot considering how special I think Waiting for Something to Happen (Feb 2013) truly is. If you need a catchy tune with some bounce then you better spend some quality time with this tune.  Thanks to IPSML for the heads up.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/115281848″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

ACL 2013: Weekend One In Pictures

I’ll take things seen at a festival for $1000, Alex.

Weekend One of ACL was nothing but fun. Hopefully, you followed along on the intarwebs with the Twitter and Bookface. Me and the people I like a lot spent time in the sun, luckily. It was like a fest of two halves split by a cold front. Oppressing heat and humidity dominated until about 3pm on Saturday and after that, Chamber of Commerce. I will be making a #dontmovehere flag for next year just in case the stars align to give us that glorious cold front of blue skies.

I loved Wild Cub, Electric Six, Lionel Richie, Depeche Mode and The Cure. The collection of photos includes plenty of random revelers that we know as festival people. Click through for a couple extra notes and plenty of pics. See if you can find yourself…

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SISU Covers Magnetic Fields

sisuOkay, so I don’t usually cover covers, or remixes for that matter.  But, I’ll change that up today since I’ve got this SISU tune that’s covering “If You Don’t Cry” by the Magnetic Fields, which happens to be one of my all-time favorite acts.  SISU is the project of Sandra Vu who’s spent time working with Dum Dum Girls and Boredoms, just to name a few. Her most recent LP, Blood Tears, is currently in stores now, and while it’s not filled with covers, there are several tracks that take the same approach as the tune we present to you today.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/115567896″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Another Tune from Traams

919107_582153298485281_1428211538_oOne of the things I definitely appreciate, yet often forget, is that I’m subscribed to so many different sites and what not, that I often get songs sent to me without asking.  Other than free tunes, why would I like this? It reminds me that I occasionally, only occasionally (!), forget about tunes I really dig. So, I bring you back to Traams. The group recently released Grin via FatCat Records, and I think you should get your rock on with these dudes today…then you can go pick up your copy.  It’s a pretty simple rock tune, and I mean that in a good way, as I like my jams straight forward.  If they’re not on your radar by now, they should be!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/7-Sleep.mp3]

Download: Traams – Sleep [MP3]

New Music from TOY

toyIt’s time we give some love to our British compatriots, and in this case, we’ll go with tossing some love to Toy. The band is preparing to release Join the Dots on December 10th, and in preparation, they’re unleashing a limited single in the UK.  I think the group’s definitely going to turn some ears, as they’ve created some tunes that remind me of a more exploratory version of Fujiya and Miyagi.  This single has the same propulsive beat to it, though they’re less inclined to to just rely upon the rhythm, filling their negative space with nice walls of noise.  It’s just a short bit of vocals, so hold on while you can.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/114841888″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

The Head and the Heart – Let’s Be Still

Heat-and-the-Heart-Lets-Be-Still-1024x1024Rating: ★★½☆☆

If you haven’t heard Seattle band, The Head and the Heart, I’d be pretty surprised, as they are one of those groups that has undergone a Mumford and Sons leap from small timers to radio-played ‘indie folk band,’ consumed by the general public. Though they made said jump, their 2010 self-titled debut did not garner the popularity nor the recognition that the singles did, which allowed for the band to fall a little off the map since that release. Let’s Be Still offers the opportunity for this group to prove themselves to their fans and the general public that they are more than a one trick pony. Will they take that opportunity?

They start out on a positive note, with two back-to-back numbers that seem to show some growth from the band. “Homecoming Heroes,” starts out with the bouncy piano and violin work that the band made their signature. Raspy male vocals guide you along through some easy rhymes, while backing vocals smooth the background over with some ‘oohs.’ It’s a fun number, starting things out with an instrumental break at the end that is quite enjoyable. Second track, “Another Story,” is reminiscent of a simpler Cave Singers song, with slightly rambling lead vocals, which works well for this band—it gives a dose of chaos and unpredictability that you wouldn’t expect from them, proving to be the best track on the record.

Though, on the whole, the album falls into the same chasm that their debut did, just without those superstar crowd pleasers. The songs on Let’s Be Still aren’t all bad, but they do combine to make for a bit of a boring album. Those spunky numbers that spiced up their initial release just aren’t there, or if they are, they aren’t as bright and passionate; pun intended, the heart seems a missing from this album. Track after track it seems like all the numbers blur together in one massive, slow tempo, folksy pile. The smaller nuances that drew in audiences are lost when there is little differentiation from song to song. Even the brightest of numbers from the album, such as “Friends,” seem a little flat. They’ve lengthened the album, but thirteen mildly interesting tracks don’t make for an effort I see myself coming back to listen to regularly, or even at all.

Perhaps you’ll think differently, but this is not the strong sophomore effort that I wish for bands of this nature, and it seems as though The Head and the Heart have missed their chance to win me over. The enticement was there from their singles, but I couldn’t take that bait to really bite into their first album; Let’s Be Still doesn’t offer me much of a worm.

Brand New Punk Jam from Radioactivity (members of Marked Men)

radioactivity3x372Those of us in Texas have reason to be proud today.  Not only does this tune allow me to throw out a little bit of rock n’ roll your way, but it also marks the return of Jeff Burke from Japan. Jeff, who has renamed his work with The Novice, out of respect for his mates in Japan, has reunited with Mark Ryan, who you might know from The Marked Men (or Mind Spiders).  Together, they’ve formed Radioactivity, and this new tune’s a sweet introduction to the great things that are sure to come our way shortly. The band will be releasing their self-titled debut on Dirtnap Records at the end of  October.  Welcome home Jeff.

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

Download: Radioactivity – World of Pleasure [MP3]

Contest: Crystal Antlers @ Mohawk (10/19)

Crystal AntlersIt’s a great weekend for shows and we think you deserve a chance to see one of those great shows for free.  Everyone can use the extra cash for a tallboy right?  Read below for your chance to win a pair of tickets to check out Crystal Antlers on Saturday at Mohawk.

Up For Grabs: Your name +1 on the promoter’s list.

Contest Close Time: Friday at high noon.

How to Enter: Leave a comment with why you should win!

Don’t forget a valid email address so we can get in touch with the winner.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/03-Licorice-Pizza.mp3]

Download: Crystal Antlers – Licorice Pizza [MP3]

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