Sweeping New Track from Arthur Rigby and the Baskervylles

There’s always something fascinating from grand music that rises and falls, especially when it has elements of folk wrapped inside.  When I heard this new track from Arthur Rigby and the Baskervylles, I immediately fell for it; I particularly like the string accompaniment that ties this song together.  The entire new EP, Tales from Pegasus Wood, is chock full of songs just like this one, which should have any one that enjoys this sort of grandiose folk tunes salivating.  Take a few minutes and lose yourself in this song for a bit.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/04-One-Stormy-Night-1.mp3]

Download:Arthur Rigby @ the Baskervylles – One Stormy Night [MP3]

Grass Widow – Internal Logic

Rating: ★★★★☆

Judging by the bio that Grass Widow throws up, you’d expect them to be sort of your run-of-the-mill post-punk girl group, but that’s a whole lot of cliche in one sentence; there’s so much more to the group’s album, Internal Logic, that it stands against your attempt to pigeonhole the group.  No matter what, this is something you’ve got to get behind, and you’ve got to do it right now.

All in all, the album clock in at just under 30 minutes, so you don’t have too much time to dwell on particular songs, and that works in the favor of this San Fran trio.  There’s a dark bubbling bass that opens “Goldilocks Zone,” the record’s first track, and the sparse guitar lines provide an added level of demonic pretense; it’s completely offset by the female vocals–possibly the best of the female vocals I’ve heard this year.  Near the end of the track it shoots off in a more guitar driven direction–it’s a nice little touch. For my money, I think the only thing that makes these girls post-punk is the fact that they’re writing songs thirty years after the initial explosion; these girls write punk songs.  “Milo Minute” is probably one of the most enjoyable punk rock songs I’ve heard in awhile, but I suppose some detractors might say the vocals are anything but punk rock.  That’s the attitude Grass Widow seems to take for the entirety of this album; they use what they have (3 girls singing) and apply it to the punk rock they love.

Of course, that’s just one dynamic on Internal Logic.  Other times, these girls don’t seem to have any interest in punk rock, rather they steer in a more alternative direction with warm vocals and somewhat discordant guitar sounds.  “Under the Atmosphere” utilizes some similar skills from earlier on in the record, but the construction of the song definitely lends to a more pop-centric feel: one that will surely win adoring fans. Still, they have the ability to combine both their favorite worlds, which is why the record’s such a refreshing bit of music to play over and over again.

The second side of the affair hits a lot harder and faster, yet still holds onto the girlishness that makes Grass Widow so endearing.  And in playing faster, they also illustrate some remarkable musicianship, shifting pace and styles within songs.  For some reason, I listen to songs like “Advice” or “Disappearing Industries” and I hear bits of Wire with the modern popularity of girl-pop thrown in to it.  It’s a unique combination of sounds, and one that makes listeners of Internal Logic beg for more.  We all love a lady and her guitar, but give me three chicks who can clearly outplay a lot of the boys, and I’m blown away.  Do yourself a favor and turn this up on the old stereo, and witness the prowess of a band at the top of their game.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/GrassWidow-MiloMinute.mp3]

Download:Grass Widow – Milo Minute [MP3]

Catchy Pop Tune from Wilding

I’m definitely in a pop mood this week; I need a little skip in my step as I bounce into the summer.  When lurking on the usual Australian zines, I ran across this excellent track from Wilding, which definitely has shades of classic 60s Californian pop.  The group, which is mostly the project of one man, just released an album titled Bird’s Bread via Laughing Outlaw, and each track is just as uplifting as the next.  This is definitely getting my attention, so I hope you share my enjoyment when you hear this track.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Pale-Blue-Eyes.mp3]

Download:WIlding – Pale Blue Eyes [MP3]

Show Pics: Ty Segall @ Mohawk (5/25)

Last Friday was a disgustingly busy night of shows. The ATH crew split time between The Mohawk and Red7.

First up for show coverage is the four band line-up at The Mohawk headlined by Ty Segall. After the recent recorded collaboration, it was only natural for White Fence to back up Ty. Along for the ride were Memphis band Useless Eaters and one of my local favorites Rayon Beach.

Click through and play a little Where’s Waldo with the crowd pics…

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Chaos in Tejas Preview: Screaming Females

UPDATE: Apparently Marrissa had to cancel due to illness, but we’ll leave this up because we love the band. We’re just a few short days away from Chaos in Tejas, but we still have a few bands we think should be on your radar. Screaming Females is one such act, and one that you surely have to be aquainted with by this point…but if not, here’s the good word.

The New Jersey trio have been working tirelessly since o5/06, with five full lengths to their name–including this year’s excellent, Ugly LP. There’s all kinds of ways you can label the band, from punk to garage to perhaps metal (if you consider their recent tour with Tragedy), but the band has one key element that makes them something entirely unique, something you might consider a spectacle; they have Marissa Paternoster.

Marissa is probably one of the most unassuming women in rock n’ roll, that is until you catch the band live.  She stands about 5 foot tall, average fashion sense, almost shy in appearance.  But, when she steps onto the stage, something transforms her into one of the most powerful women in rock n’ roll.  She slings her guitar around as she furiously strums, and that voice, dear lord that voice.  I remember the first time I caught the group as they were opening for Ted Leo a few years back (and you all know I love Ted) and she almost blew Ted off the stage.  This by no means indicates that Jarrett and Mike (the other two) don’t own their instruments as well, but if you’re looking for a live performance that will change the way you look at music, then you don’t need to go any further than by watching Screaming Females.  I promise you, if you want to catch one band, it’s this one.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Screaming-Females-Expire.mp3]

Download: Screaming Females – Expire [MP3]

New Jam from Ty Segall Band

After watching Ty Segall rock it out Friday (we’ll have more on that soon), it only seems appropriate that we throw up this track today.  This is a song from his full-band effort, Slaughterhouse, which comes out on June 26th via In the Red Records.  You’ll probably find this track sort of indicative of the work Ty’s put into this year, as the music’s got a heavy bent, while there is an evolving softer element to his singing.  Regardless, when the band bang’s it out, you know you’re going to get right into it–Ty’s been killing it all year long, and it doesn’t look like he’s slowing down, so enjoy another great jam.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Ty_Segall_Band_-_I_Bought_My_Eyes.mp3]

Download: Ty Segall Band – I Bought My Eyes [MP3]

Great New Track from The Couch

We’re really excited for our friends in The Couch here in Austin, working diligently on their sophomore album, just after the release of 2011’s Old & Touchin Blue.  They’ve added Sara Houser to the mix, giving the band a bit of a new dynamic–meaning they’ve added an incredible female vocalist to the mix.  I this track, one of the two new singles, they give us a bit of a heavy stomp, allowing Sara to lay her sultry voice atop it all.  You can hear this single and others when the band hits up the Mohawk next week, June 5th.  Really excited for these guys (and girls!).

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

Download:The Couch- Kaiser [MP3]

New (to me) Tune from Oberon Rose

I really dig this tune, and it’s completely out of nowhere.  Apparently this album, Wunjo, has been floating around for a bit, but it’s just picking up a head of steam as we speak, though there’s not much info out there on the man behind it, Tom Oberon.  Almost every single thing I’ve read tosses out the Kinks and T. Rex, which I see, but the song below for me feels like Eliott Smith—that also makes sense since Elliot was an adamant fan of Beatles/Kinks-era pop tunes.  Regardless of what I’ve found, this song totally owns, and I can’t stop listening to it, or the record for that matter.

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

Download:Oberon Rose – Without Feathers [MP3]

 

New Jam from PUJOL

When we caught PUJOL at SXSW this year I was surprisingly energetically his set came off; he was more punk rock than garage pop.  But, as the date draws near for the release of his United States of Being, which hits on June 5th via Saddle Creek, it seems that he’s going to show a bit more restraint on his recorded material.  There’s a gruffness to his vocal performance, but he’s not banging out the song like when we caught his live set.  This isn’t a bad thing, and if anything, it only ups the ante on his shows…giving audiences a full dosage of energy and pop.  Check out the new single.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/pujol-providence_2012-05-23-102357-4137-0-0-0.128.mp3]

Download:PUJOL – Providence [MP3]

Show Preview: Father John Misty @ Mohawk (5/26)

Date 5/26/12
Location Mohawk
Doors 8pm
Tickets $12 @ Frontgate

Mr. J Tillman has spent many years making a name for himself with his various projects with Fleet Foxes, as a solo musician, and now with his project going by Father John Misty.  The veteran and his new band will be in town this Saturday for a sure to be sold out show going down at the Mohawk.  Joining the very talented song writer on stage are L.A. based Har Mar Superstar and our very own talented lady Dana Falconberry.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Father-John-Misty-Nancy-From-Now-On.mp3]

Download: Father John Misty – Nancy From Now On [MP3]

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