Check Out Pond (w/ members of Tame Impala)

pond620I know everyone out there is all about the hype associated with Tame Impala, and it’s much deserved, for the most part.  What I like is the brother band, Pond, who seem a bit more experimental sonically, shooting all over the place musically.  I guess it’s sort of the same landscape where Tame began, shifting between genres left and right, often in the middle of a track.  We’ve really been digging this tune over at ATH, and if you’re into it, you can find their new album Hobo Rocket at your record store this Spring via the folks over at Modular.  All good thigns come to those who wait, and this will surely be a good thing.

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

Download: Pond – Giant Tortoise [MP3]

New Jam from Grape Street + Album News

grape_st._cover12inchThe time is nigh for the second release from Austin Town Hall Records; I’m thrilled to officially announce that we’ll be releasing the debut album from Austin’s Grape St., A Date With You.  We’ll be doing a limited run, which will be released on March 12th, and I assure you, you’re going to want to get your hands on this, as their likely to go quick.  For those of you not in the know, Grape St. features members of Harlem, Frank Smith and Hello Caller, so you know you’ve got some heavy hitters writing songs.  I chose this jam to share with you (along with another single) because in my eyes it demonstrates more than one direction the band is going.  It’s not all clever hooks and bouncing beats…I particularly dig the horns.  Pre-orders for the album will be up in a few weeks.

Don’t forget Austinites! They’ll also be playing with Residual Kid and Calm Blue Sea this Friday!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/10-Track-10.mp3] [audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/A-Date-With-You.mp3]

Download: Grape Street – A Date With You [MP3]

Fuzzy Rock from Dune Rats

365771269-1I figured there’s not a better way to kick off your week than by throwing some upbeat jams your way.  I just got this tune from Australia’s Dune Rats, which accompanied their NSFT video for another track they’ve recently put out titled “Red Light Green Light,” which you can find on YouTube.  But, this track is probably my favorite of the two, and I think it’s going to get you excited to catch the act when they make it to the states for SXSW.  It’s got hooks that are undeniable, plus there’s a garage quality that you know we all find endearing.  If they’ve got hits like this up their sleeve, then we’re in for something grand from these Aussies.

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

Download: Dune Rats – Pogo [MP3]

Show Preview: Calm Blue Sea @ Holy Mountain (2/8)

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Date 2/8/13
Location Holy Mountain
Doors 9pm
Tickets $6 @ Door

Well ladies and gents, ATH is very happy to announce a little show we sort of helped put together with our amigo over at Above The Radar PR (he did most the work).  So what we have in store is a great lineup up of some of our favorite local bands playing at one of the best new venues in town Holy Mountain.  Check out who is on the lineup below and follow some links to check out their music.

Featherface – Our Houston band playing opener.  Check out their music video for song “I Saw you Dancing” over on their website.

Grape St. – One of our favorite local bands and soon to be the next ATH Records artist.  Here’s a link a song by the band on our site.  Free downloads rule!

Residual Kid – Austin’s youngest and most promising rock band.  These kids are going to be rocking Austin for a long time.  They’ve got a sweet video for “Friend” over on youtube.

Calm Blue Sea – We’ve been supporting this band since our website started over 5 years ago.  They rule the local scene and you need to see them live.  We’re streaming one of their older songs “We Happy Few” below.

To make this more enticing, the show is only $6 so it’s perfect for you cheap asses.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/the-calm-blue-sea-we-happy-few.mp3]

Download: The Calm Blue Sea – We Happy Few [MP3]

 

Rose Melberg Wears Imaginary Pants

3132283664-1I wanted to bringing you something special on a Friday, something I thought you could really sink your teeth into before you hit the weekend. This little jam comes from Rose Melberg and her new project Imaginary Pants.  The duo has a collection of demos, but they sounds pretty incredible if you ask me. I like the opening jam, and I can see how the sound fits into the modern music industry, with vocal harmonies and a little bit of twang. They’re going to toss out this wonderful collection on Lost Sound Tapes sometime in the near future, so keep a look out. You can grab all the demos HERE.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Imaginary-Pants-Imaginary-Pants-01-Cave-to-Cave.mp3]

Download: Imaginary Pants – Cave to Cave [MP3]

Strummed Balladry from Gambles

653I’m a sucker for a man and his guitar, and that’s exactly what Matthew Siskin and his project Gambles has given me.  Not only that, but I’m really enjoying his knack for word wizardry.  Very few people can come across as affecting and honest as Siskin does in this new single, and my only complaint is there isn’t more to absorb.  Even scrolling through his web site, I can’t help but be drawn to the aesthetic he’s putting forward.  A bit of craft and poetry, and possibly a bit of hidden mystery.  Sounds like it’s right up my alley, so I can’t wait to see him in February here in Austin.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/77001576″ params=”show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Show Preview: Centro-Matic/ONUINU @ The Mohawk (2/1)

Date 2/1/13
Location The Mohawk
Doors 8pm
Tickets Mohawk @ Frontgate


Double bill of diversity.

First up, Will Johnson blows the dust off of Centro-Matic playing the outside stage. Hoping to get some new tracks out of this deal. Doors are 8pm, show at 9pm with Frank Smith and Moonlight Towers opening. I really enjoy Moonlight Towers for some just plain rock, got to hang with James at EAR studios during SxSW a few years back, super good people. Should be a lovely evening ($13 doors/$15 will call). A lil Centro-Matic action to put you in the mood.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/05.-Only-In-My-Double-Mind.mp3]

Things double back and head indoors for ONUINU on the inside stage. Portland based Dorian Duvall brings his show to town so you can dance. Love Inks and Roger Sellers open up ($8 door/$10 will call). Here is some ONUINU to get you in the mood, or if you fill AV, go here to see and hear the latest..

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/09-Happy-Home.mp3]

More New Music From My Gold Mask

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The release date for the latest My Gold Mask album Leave Me Midnight is quickly approaching (February 19th to be exact) and I couldn’t be more excited.  Their sound is clearly in the same vein as bands like Crystal Castles, but with not quite as much heavy ass synth and more of a focus on quality vocal delivery.  Prior to the upcoming release date in a couple of weeks, the band have offered this new song “Burn Like the Sun” to quench your thirst for lady pop.  Hopefully you’ll see why I can’t wait for this release date.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/77189512″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

John Grant Has A Black Belt

Got this one in the inbox and felt like sharing. John Grant sets the synths to stun and lobs a softball in the wheelhouse. This track, called “Black Belt” will be on the forthcoming full length called Pale Green Ghosts due on May 14th. I thought of plenty of bands to reference, one being Matthew Dear, but just listen to it if you like squarewaves and sparse vocal-driven builders with breaks.

The album was recorded in Iceland. That’s kind of cool. It features backing vocals by Sinead O’Connor, so hide your pope pics. Sorry for those “jokes”.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/John-Grant-Blackbelt.mp3]

Download:John Grant – Black Belt (via Soundcloud) [MP3]

More New Music from Seatraffic

seatrafficI really like the dichotomy of the sound Seatraffic are creating at the moment.  Your first direction has you leaning towards a sort of electro bedroom pop, but the feeling of the vocals has more of a sprawling psych rock feeling behind it.  It makes for more than just your casual listen, providing the band with another certifiable hit from a few singles they’ll be tossing out in the up-coming months. If you’re in search of something that’s fairly unique, let your ears feats on this new song, and look out for more in the future.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Seatraffic-Superficial-Heart.mp3]

Download:Seatraffic – Superficial Heart [MP3]

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