Connect With Us
Late night for the photo guy, album reviewer, significant others and assorted friends.
Wild Nothing last played Red7 on the coldest day of the year in 2011. I remember icy sidewalks and legit need for wool hats. This time around, the show moved to the larger outdoor stage to accomodate demand with a swing of the weather pendulum towards 90F at show time. Austin’s Boy Friend and Super Lite Bike opened.
Click though for a few thoughts and plenty of pics.
I figured I’d throw the whole world for a loop by dropping this catchy hit from LA’s LESANDS. Honestly, I’m digging it, though I can see just the faintest hints of a dub step influence hiding in the song. But, the construction is pretty interesting in and of itself, not to mention the faint haunting of the vocals from the background. It’s not my typical fare, and I accept that, but I just want it to be Friday already so I can get my dance on somewhere about town. You dig?
Download:LESANDS – Prism [MP3]
Aside from trolling and harvesting for the best jams to share, we get music tips from all over the place. Sometimes, we miss things. Thankfully, our friends on the internet help us help you. This really is a digital village which is why I tell people to send me stuff (but not be offended if I don’t post it because I don’t like it).
Such is the case with this gem from Labyrinth Ear called “Urchin” Brooding, yearning builder with Scandanavian sensibilities, a friend on teh bookface (thx byron) posted it and so it shall be forwarded to the masses.
Be sure to check out their Apparitions EP, streaming on their Soundcloud. The player below includes a download link for “Urchin”.
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/53543945″ params=”auto_play=false&show_artwork=false&color=ff7700″ width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
| Date | 8/31/12 |
|---|---|
| Location | Antones |
| Doors | 8pm |
| Tickets | $8 @ Ticketfly |
I don’t know how it’s possible that we’ve never covered local Austin boys Crooks on this site before, but things are changing as of right now. For starters, the band currently has a highly overlooked debut LP The Rain Will Come available for purchase over on the band’s website. The band also has been playing tons of shows around town recently, and you have another opportunity to catch a live set on Friday night downtown at Antones. Fellow local up and comers The Couch and Frank Smith will also be on hand for your entertainment.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/02-The-Rain-Will-Come.mp3]Download: Crooks – The Rain Will Come [MP3]
Sometimes you stumble upon something that musically intrigues you, and while you might not give it much attention at first, it eventually finds its way into your brain. When I first heard this track from Jesus H. Foxx, I found the construction quite fascinating, but I moved on for the time being. But, now that the band has released Endless Knocking, their new album, I’ve got to support the group. They’re a Scottish act, and the vocals have a deep resonance that reminds me of a gone-but-not-forgotten Arab Strap. Be sure you listen in here, and stay until the end, as there’s an interesting touch in wait.
Download:Jesus H. Foxx – So the Wind Won’t Blow it All Away [MP3]
You’ve gotta depend on your Internet friends when it comes to discovering the scene across the country, so I’m glad Toby over at Finest Kiss in Seattle turned me onto this band Zebra Hunt. The three-piece outright definitely has some Oceanic hints in their works, but I also see a modern bent in the recording process, allowing for the central melody to really burst through here. They’ve got a short little EP that you can download for free over at their BANDCAMP page, and I promise you’ll be spending the rest of your day listening to these three gems. Have fun here folks.
Download:Zebra Hunt – Half Right [MP3]
After spending several weeks with There’s No Leaving Now, I was really looking forward to hearing Kristian Matsson, aka The Tallest Man on Earth. Not only did I get to see him grace the stage, but the show was at Paramount, which is perfectly fitting for music of this ilk.
Read on for more pics and comments from the set.
I’m always down to help represent for our friend Rob over at Old Flame Records. He’s just released this new single from Atlanta’s New Animal, and I’m really digging this lead single. For a duo, it’s got a real dense feeling to it, with multiple layers, both instrumentally and vocally. As the song slowly unfolds, the two pile upon more sounds, creating a rather interesting pop collage. If you like what you hear, you can grab the single from Old Flame, or you can wait a bit, as they plan to release a limited edition tape soon.
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/51164424″ params=”auto_play=false&show_artwork=false&color=ff7700″ width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
What? You don’t have your own copy of Funky Was the State of Affairs yet? What are you waiting for? It’s one of the most interesting listens of the year, and the band makes their way into Austin at Beerland on Friday night, ready to share their talents with us all. We caught up with the band trying to get the story on their life and their latest release.
ATH: On Funky Was the State of Affairs you seemingly steer clear of the folk art rock spectrum you were lumped into on the first release. Was the progression natural or did you actively seek to distance yourself from your past?
F&G: Interesting, because I also saw the folk rock comparison being drawn. I don’t get it. But to answer your question, it’s both. This band started as friends making music pretty randomly; without too much thought given to cohesion or style. Our first output was really just a collection of songs that didn’t fit with our bands at the time. Both of us are fairly prolific songwriters. When it came time to do the first Lp we had the opportunity to define the bands identity a bit. We were already tired of being lumped into the indie/garage/lo-fi labels that were popular at the time. Music is so much more fun when you stop trying to please others and just do what you’re gonna do. Fergus & Geronimo is a good outlet for me to be a bit more daring than I am in my other bands.
ATH: Thematically speaking, what’s the most important aspect of the new record you hope people take away after listening? Do you feel that message is being well received by the regular earthlings such as myself, or have we missed the point?
F&G: I don’t really want to make any suggestions about what the audience should take away from the record. Let them glean what they will, because at this point I’m not sure if I even intended any narrative for it. I definitely don’t think its a record for everybody. I mean, there is a reason that this band isn’t headlining festivals, we can only survive in the very small margins of independent rock music that we do. Music is not a universal language, thank god.
ATH: I think I unjustly lumped you in with bands like White Denim when you first burst onto the Texas scene. Who do you guys see as your musical contemporaries, be them past or present?
F&G: I identify with bands that are fiercely individualistic. Funkadelic, Sparks, Devo, Quintron, Beck. I’ve never heard White Denim.
ATH: When bands create a piece of work like Funky…. I always wonder whether or not the group is taking a jab at listeners. Do you guys feel like there’s any relevance to that comment, or did you set out just to create a record where you could have the most fun in the studio?
F&G: Yeah I think by nature we Are slightly confrontational. But, most of the art I enjoy is cut with a healthy dose of aggression. I can feel how somebody might feel alienated by this record and deem it as being tedious. But, that happens all the time, people ask that artists understand them rather than seeking to understand their art.
ATH: Do you guys feel like you’re appreciated in Texas, or do you have a bigger response from audiences outside of your home state? I always feel like Texans have a tendency to look the other way until their bands make a bigger name for themselves.
F&G: As much there as anywhere else I suppose, I haven’t noticed any place that has more F&G fans than others really. I would say our biggest fans are our close friends, many of which are in Texas.
ATH: If there’s a statement song on Funky Was the State of Affairs, one where you establish the mood/theme/etc for the whole record, which track do you think that is?
F&G: I think it would be the titular track.
ATH: You guys are obviously in the midst of a good long tour. What’s the one thing you miss the most about being in the comfort of your own home?
F&G: Well it’s only day three so I haven’t really started missing anything yet. I’m sure the answer for me is alone time.
ATH: What advice do you have for all the young upstart bands in Texas? What should their goals be?
F&G: Just do your thing And have fun. Freak life is a beautiful thing, embrace it.
If you like what you hear, you can catch Fergus and Geronimo rocking things out Friday night at Beerland. Thanks to J. Baxter for help setting up the interview! Pick up Funky Was the State of Affairs now at Hardly Art.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Fergus+Geronimo_RomanTick.mp3]Download:Fergus & Geronimo – RomanTick [MP3]
Sometimes I can use a bit of a break from the usual catchy pop tune or punk jam that we seem to bring day in and day out. Hopefully this new song “Digging Shelters” from Neil Halstead will mix things up a bit and provide a sort of calming influence on those of you stressed out during the early part of this week. It really is a soothing tune that is beautifully written as a slow ballad to ease your ear drums. A new album from Neil, Palindrome Hunches, will be coming on November 5th via Sonic Cathedral Recordings.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/01-1-Digging-Shelters.mp3]Download: Neil Halstead – Digging Shelters [MP3]
