Austin Spotlight: I Miss Voxtrot

voxtrotI think one of the most disappointing moment in recent Austin music history was the disbanding of Voxtrot.  Sure, members have gone on to work on various things, and other bands like Literature and She Sir stepped in to fill the void, yet nothing quite seems the same.  Classic twee pop sounds with bounce to make your feet shuffle and guitar licks to bring a smile to your face epitomized the great act.  I had recovered for quite some time until the following track below came on my shuffle last night; it brought back the sadness all over again.  At an early age, the group was able to release this track on the excellent Raised By Wolves EP, and they never let me down afterwards…that is until they walked away.  I think we should all sit back and just enjoy this sweet tune.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/02-The-Start-Of-Something.mp3]

Download: Voxtrot – The Start Of Something [MP3]

Show Preview: Chelsea Wolfe @ Mohawk (9/6)

chelsea

Date 9/6/13
Location Mohawk
Doors 8pm
Tickets $13 @ Mohawk

Tons of shows are going down in Austin this weekend, but we highly recommend you keep the Chelsea Wolfe show going down at Mohawk on your list of things to do.  I’ve always been a fan of Chelsea and her music so this should be a great show.  Opening support is provided by Dallas’ own True Widow.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/105452578″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Light Pop from The Proper Ornaments

properornamentsI think I’ve finally found the group that can replace the Lucksmiths in my category for favorite easy listening act: The Proper Ornaments.  There’s an airy quality that captures my soul, yet I’m still intrigued by the quiet swell of praise the band is getting beneath the radar.  The song below magically appeared in my inbox labeled as “Anthology,” and it appears on the group’s upcoming release Waiting for the Summer on Lo Recordingsyou can hear the whole LP at the label’s page  But, checking in, the band are recording a video for another single that’s not on that release, yet came with my email, so I’m streaming that one; it’s called “Imagination.”  Here’s the two tracks. And the story probably doesn’t matter as much as the great tunes.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/13-Nervous-Breakdown.mp3] [audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/10-Imagination.mp3]

Download: The Proper Ornaments – Nervous Breakdown [MP3]

Rockin Out with Mean Creek

meancreekNothing like finding something to perk you up a little bit, which is exactly what will happen when you press play on this new Mean Creek track.  They’ve just announced that they’ll be releasing their new album, Local Losers, with our friend over at Old Flame Records. In just over 2 minutes you get the brash attitude of a band pumping out pummeling rock hits, of the likable sort.  The Massachusetts act might push forward with sharp guitar chords and rolling drum lines, but I like the softer moment in the track, letting us in on the group’s blend of rock and pop.  You can look forward to the album’s release in January, but for now, you’ll have to settle with this sweet tune.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Mean-Creek-Cool-Town.mp3]

Download: Mean Creek – Cool Town [MP3]

Chelsea Wolfe – Pain Is Beauty

chelsea-wolfe-pain-is-beautyRating: ★★★★☆

It’s been a busy three years for Chelsea Wolfe, pushing out four albums of quietly acclaimed music.  Her early works were gentle, though you could sense a bit of brooding beneath what she was releasing.  Now, with Pain Is Beauty, there’s more force to her music, more emphasis; she’s managing to balance her angelic voice with the dark emotional content that’s been there all along.  Finally, this feels like what Chelsea wants us to hear.

After listening to the folkier approach of Unknown RoomsChelsea Wolfe makes an immediate statement with “Feral Love.”  It’s got a pulsating drum loop that is made more emphatic by scratching beneath the surface and punctuated noise.  Her voice sits perfectly in the mix, but the accent of the backing female vocal only strengthens the tune before it fades out.  Yet, immediately the ante is upped with “Hit a Wall.” There’s a driving beauty hidden in the instrumentation, but while there’s an obvious darkness, Wolfe’s angelic voice serves as the perfect foil.

While I find that the first few tracks are quite forceful, there’s also a playful element to Pain Is Beauty.  “The Warden” is about as pop-centric as I think Chelsea would go; the beat beneath this song is about as light as you’ll find in her work, allowing her voice to shine as the glorious instrument that it is.  Smartly, Wolfe juxtaposes this stellar song by placing it next to “Destruction Makes the World Burn.”  The guitar steals the show on this one, leaving listeners with a tune that closely resembles contemporaries like Vivian Girls, had they only grown up transfixed by metal.

For me, I find that Chelsea Wolfe has a striking ability that few have managed in recent years; she is able to keep my attention, despite songs that tinker beyond the 8 minute mark.  Her opus, “The Waves Have Come” is built upon a piano backbone, and like the system of tides, there are varying ebbs and flows within the tune.  The music rises and falls, quiets then joyfully explodes.  It’s possibly the perfect statement track for this record, as the instrumentation, and the careful touches of emphasis, are so incredible that it leaves no doubt about how much care went into each and every detail within.  It’s not just this song, though it is quite obvious here, but the whole record.  That says a lot considering this is her fourth album in as many years.

Pain Is Beauty is finally the statement album that you could feel Chelsea Wolfe building towards.  Every detail is attended to on the record, yet it doesn’t lose the intimacy of her vocals.  The dark tint that often coats her work remains, but the curtains have been drawn back even more, letting us all see the magnificent talent that she has become.

Stream the Willis Earl Beal Album at NPR

ACL approaches. With anticipation comes reflection. One of the most spell-bindingly pure moments for my 2012 festival was checking out Willis Earl Beal near sunset at the fest’s smallest stage. A reel to reel, a cape, some sunglasses, mannequins as backup singers, a microphone and a beer – it was emotion on stage.

Willis has an amazing story; military, hospital, homeless, street artist. Sample this live recording before heading to NPR to check out the album.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/107670252″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Beautiful Pop from The Young Sinclairs

youngI first caught wind of the Young Sinclairs reading the Big Takeover magazine, and throughout that time, I’ve seen several other people I respect have plenty of things to say about the Roanoke, VA group.  They just released the You Know Where to Find Me EP, and the lead single is just absolutely prefect; it brims with beautiful melody and spot-on harmonies.  The sound of the guitar is crisp, even meandering a bit into classic R&B picking from time to time.  If you’re looking for something to carry you to a better place, then you might have found the right track today!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/01-01-You-Know-Where-To-Find-Me-Master.mp3]

Download: The Young Sinclairs – You Know Where To Find Me  [MP3]

Quiet Pop From The Shiny Brights

a2836796891_10I don’t have much information to offer on this up and coming band The Shiny Brights from Australia, as little can be found via the interwebs.  What I can tell you is that the band create some wonderfully delightful hushed pop numbers which are surely to make a place inside your head.  The track below, called “Pushing Daisies” is one of those tracks complete with intimate lyrics longing for a loved one gone by the wayside.  It’s real.  Check out more of the band’s music over on bandcamp.

Show Preview: Scout Niblett @ Mohawk (9.3)

scoutt

Date Tuesday, September 3rd
Location Mohawk
Doors 9:00 PM
Tickets $8 from Transmission


After the excellent release of It’s Up to Emma, Scout Niblett‘s show at the Mohawk on Tuesday evening is going to be something really special.  The album received tons of praise from the heavy-hitters, demonstrating that Scout’s had a great return to form.  You’d be remiss if you completely ignored the songtress as she rolls into town this week. You can listen to her cover of “No Scrubs” below, just to sample her voice and style.  Also joining the show will be Some Say Leland and The Cocker Spaniels.  Cheap price, great bands and Mohawk pretty much make it a three for three hit!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/1-07-No-Scrubs.mp3]

Download: Scout Niblett – No Scrubs [MP3]

Quick Track from Furrow

furrowFurrow is the latest band to join up with Bleeding Gold Records, and while their first big single might be rather short, time-wise, it’s definitely got me looking their way.  It comes out quick, with a distorted guitar that bounces and vibrates, while the vocals echo into the foreground.  Their first release is a limited cassette, which appears to already have sold out, due to the fact that this song is just so rad.  The cassette was titled A Field, and it’s so catchy, that I’ve been going back and playing this track over and over all day long.  It’s fun stuff, so you’ll enjoy.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/77580614″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

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