Electro Goodness from Barbarossa

1775When I first heard this new single from Barbarossa, Hot Chip sprang to mind.  The groove and the vocals do bear some resemblance, but the song unfolds in a different manner.  As opposed to an over-sexualized nerdiness, this track unfolds in a gentle manner, showing more restraint.  It’s not a club banger, but there’s a soothing mood created.  James Mathe is the man behind the music, and he’s just signed with the heralded Memphis Industries to release his first single, which we’re featuring below.  You need a mellow electro jam? Look no more.

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New Wave Haze Pop From Decades

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I’m really into this recent renaissance of sorts with up and coming indie bands creating their very own style of new wave 80s style pop music.  It’s hard for me to put my finger on it, but I’ve been eating up every band in the genre that comes my way.  Today I’m sharing with you this song called “Tonight Again” coming your way from Toronto based new wave, haze pop group Decades.  They will quickly be compared to Joy Division obviously, but I think they offer much more than just a shoddy comparison to the genre.  The screaming and squalling vocals on the chorus are delivered unlike anyone I’ve heard before, and I’ll always support something unique.

You can get your hands on the band’s debut self-titled LP due out April 30th on White Girl Records.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/01-Tonight-Again.mp3]

Download: Decades – Tonight Again [MP3]

 

Punk Rock Weekend @ the Mohawk with Lucero and ALL

acl_luceroMan, I’m bummed I’m going to be out of town this weekend, as the Mohawk line-up is killing it.  First, Friday night features Lucero, who may not exactly be purveyors of punk due to their folk sound.  But, you can’t tell me vocalist Ben doesn’t have that raspy punk pull in his voice.  And, if you want to stick around, East Cameron Folkcore will tear it up inside…who also have a vocal likeness to my punk heritage.  And, if that wasn’t enough on Friday, Saturday night you can see the great ALL.  The group is more or less the Descendents, just with singers that aren’t named Milo. I have a feeling Scott Reynolds will be taking vocal duties this weekend. Seriously, the 1-2 weekend punch is ridiculous; I’d probably just camp out at the bar if they let me.  Please help me feel good about Austin and go to one, if not both of these shows!

Friday night: Lucero w/ J. Charles and the Trainrobbers and Cartright – Doors @ 8 PM – Tickets

Saturday night: ALL, MOD  and many more – Doors @ 4 PM – Tickets

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/11-Hey-Darling-Do-You-Gamble_-1.mp3]

Download: Lucero – Hey Darling Do You Gamble [MP3]

The Little Ones – The Dawn Sang Along

1360750994_coverRating: ★★½☆☆

Releasing their debut album back in 2008, The Little Ones have henceforth been known for their hyper-energized, guitar laden power pop. With members of this group coming from the band, “Sunday’s Best,” this group is comprised of several musicians giving their best go at making music that people can shake it to.

If I could say one thing about The Dawn Sang Along, it would be that it essentially defines a ‘fun’ record. When the first inklings of synthesized beat begins, you can already feel the anticipation building quickly before the song takes off. Such is the beginning of the album in “Argonauts,” which opens things up with all of The Little Ones’ explosive and energetic bouncy pop. The borderline falsetto vocals work to keep things extra light and airy, while mechanic drum beats and synthesizers give this band a sound that resembles a mixture of bands like Two Door Cinema Club and Cut Copy. “Argonauts,” though the first track on the album, manages to maintain its resonating catchiness all through the rest of the album, driving to return to it time and time again.

But, as I mentioned before, The Dawn San Along is pretty much the embodiment of a fun record, and so The Little Ones have a lot more to offer than just one song of sunshine. Indeed, the follow the first track with the equally catchy “Boy on Wheels,” which possesses the same hooky guitars that this group exemplified on their previous record. Some other stronger tracks off the album include “Shake Your Sign,” which incorporates some less static sounding drums, opening up the dimensions of sound. Also, late on the album is “Ain’t It Like You & Me,” which closes out things nicely with its building and echo-y vitality.

Though this record is sunshine and fun expressed in a summery sound, it may just be a little too sugary and bright for anyone but teenage girls. To their credit, they do try and slow things down and sober up a bit on numbers like  “AWOL,” but The Little Ones just can’t really shake off the sunshine. And to some, it may just be what is needed to shake off the winter blues, but for others, The Dawn Sang Along might come across like that person who is always smiling a bit too widely, too early in the morning.

Bright New Music from Dead Ghosts

252We just got sent this new tune from Dead Ghosts, and it’s a shimmering piece of psych pop.  The vocals are a little bit skewed in the mix, intentionally done I’m sure, but I really dig the work of the drumming and the guitars.  It’s something I would imagine could have rocked many a club no Haight-Ashbury in its hey-day, so if that’s your bag, then you’ll love this Canadian act.  They’ve just been picked up by Burger Records, who will be releasing their new album, Can’t Get No, on April 30th–just to add to the swelling hits being pushed by Burger in 2013. You likes?

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Roky-Said.mp3]

Download:Dead Ghosts – Roky Said [MP3]

Rocking It Out With Mikhael Paskalev

1170In my experience, music from Norway doesn’t sound quite like Mikhael Paskalev.  At first opening it seems to have some sort of barroom jangling troubadour, with a nice little effect on the vocals, but then he changes the direction of the track, slowing it down to allow room for his pop-centricities to slide through.  He’s about to release the below single on March 5th via Mom + Pop, so it should be making some waves just before he blows into Austin for our annual SXSW festival.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/78972123″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

SxSW Releases Music Schedule

We tweeted out earlier that SxSW released the last batch of wristbands other than the week-ofs that we be available at Waterloo and a few of the venues.

Along with those, other big news landed with the formal release of the Music schedule. You can now peruse the lineups, start stalking artists and getting in line for the big artists at the small venues. The other cool thing is to see the little suspect gaps in venue nightly lineups, such as the hour before The Polyphonic Spree at Red7 Tuesday.

News announcement here. Play with your schedule here.

New Driving Pop From The Veils

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It’s been way too long since we’ve heard from indie pop band The Veils, so I was excited today to hear that they’re coming back with a new album this year.  Below you can find the first new single from the band in several years entitled “Through the Deep Dark Wood”.  It’s certainly a driving pop number that’s got me excited to hear even more new music from the band in the coming months.  Welcome back gents.

You can pick up The Veils new album Time Stays, We Go Out on April 23rd.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/The-Veils-Through-the-Deep_-Dark-Wood.mp3]

Download: The Veils – Through the Deep Dark Wood [MP3]

New Sludge Rock From Theo Verney

2941472308-1We just got sent this short and sweet new sludge rock tune called “Dead N Bones” from Brighton, UK based outfit Theo Verney.  Now Theo tells us that all of his recordings were done completely on his own with full responsibility of instruments falling on his shoulders.  I don’t know about you, but I always find that pretty damn impressive.  So the song we have for you definitely falls into what I like to call the sludge rock category with the darkness of Black Angels and guitars similar to The White Stripes.  It creates this really great moment of rock n roll, though it only lasts a minute and a half.  If you’re into it like me, check out a few more tunes by Theo over on his bandcamp page.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Theo-Verney-DEAD-N-BONES-FREE-DOWNLOAD.mp3]

Download: Theo Verney – Dead N Bones [MP3]

Damn You Pure X

artworks-000040620860-sbur4m-t500x500Pure X is one of those bands that just can’t ever seem to write something that is ignored by the Interwebs, and by ignored, I mean universally lauded.  Part of me wants to hate the Austin act, solely on that, but I just can’t do it.  The songs, like the newest single, are just too damn good.  This one has a stronger vocal appearance, and a generally more accessible approach; it’s softer in tone, with just a few of the atmospheric touches that were present on their last effort, Pleasure.  Their new effort, Crawling Up the Stairs (available May 14th), is just going to be flat out good. You won’t be able to ignore it; it’s going to be like fun. for people with good tastes.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Pure-X-05-Things-in-my-Head.mp3]

Download: Pure X – Things in my Head [MP3]

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