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Last year the Doe released Some Things Last Longer Than You to rave reviews, and they’ve opted to follow up their success by bringing their energetic pop rock to the States for SXSW. We briefly caught up with the entire group to give you a little insight into what they’re all about, as well as toss in a sample track from their last album, which is available via Old Flame now.
Admittedly, Austin’s music scene has gotten a great deal of ridiculous music out there, but I don’t think it’s prepared the world for Xetas (who should already be a household name). From the moment it kicks in, the band aim to hit you with that animalistic rock n’ roll; they perfectly capture their tenacious live energy…one of the most forceful performers in the ATX scene. But, what I really love comes at the 1.13 and 2.51 marks, as they turn into this powerful chorus that brings about a noisier ode to pop punk. It pretty much seals the deal…this band is ready to take on everyone. Look for The Tower on April 14th via 12XU.
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Trementina has two things going for them at the moment: they’re from Chile (a place I long to visit) and they craft beautifully simple dream pop. The band claim they aim to influence lucid dreaming, using the rain drenched backdrop of their home to draft atmospheric touches into their music. I love the way this song fades away in the middle of the song, only to slowly reemerge with the samples sputtering back into your ears. Luckily for me, the group will bound over national borders to make their way to Austin for a few SXSW dates, celebrating the release of their new album, 810, via Burger Records on March 24th.
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You’re staring at your SXSW schedule, trying to figure out something interesting to squeeze in, though you’re not sure what you’re looking for, exactly. Might I suggest The Gift? The band crafts clever pop numbers, with this album the band’s first to sing entirely in English. Oh, and did I mention that Brian Eno of Brian Eno fame did the production on the album, as well played keyboards and backing vocals? Maybe he’ll show up at the fest to quietly sit behind the keys! Regardless, you’ll get a chance to hear tons of new tunes from the group’s new LP, Altar, which hits on May 5th via La Folie.
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I was going to hold this one off until tomorrow, but why wait with good tunes? Alex Napping is one of the many great Austin acts, and their new LP Mise En Place is hinting at a great release come May 5th. Singer Alex Cohen steals the show, or at least the front of the mix, floating airy vocals atop the noisier guitars chugging behind her. The accents coming from the backing vocals are perfect too, filling in all the space that remains in the track. Balancing heavy riffs and hook-laden melodies isn’t easy, but this group seems to have a knack for walking that fine line. Look for their new LP via Father Daughter Records come May!
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Slow Caves are a hook-laden bunch of pop rockers from Fort Collins, making their way towards Austin for SXSW. They’ll be hitting town to spread their name, supporting their new release, The Desert Minded EP (Old Flame), which hits a few days before they blow into town. We tossed them a few quick questions, and they kindly responded. Look for one of their new tracks below too!
If you aren’t familiar with the name Kenny Tompkins, you really should be. He’s released tons of home recordings over the last several years and helped create super rising indie label Yellow K Records. He’s done it all. Today he’s let loose on us this new single called “Riding a Lightning Bolt” under his new moniker Mr. Husband. It’s a short, somewhat quiet pop tune that sounds like it came straight from Mr. Tompkins ever fruitful home recordings. I’m sure you’ll enjoy.
This track appears on Mr. Husband’s debut album Plaid on Plaid due out on May 5th via Yellow K Records.
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There’s been a whole in my heart since the tragic passing of Elliott Smith, but it looks like I’ve now got a new artist to fawn over: Justus Proffit. His songwriting definitely recalls Smith’s work, from the whispering notes of his vocals, to the sounds of each string vibrating in the recording. There’s a bit of mud on the mix, however, which allows Proffit to seek out his own songwriting ground, in the land wear Elliott meets modern bedroom tropes akin to Coma Cinema. I’ve been longing for something that felt so personal again, and it looks like this is going to be the perfect trick. Look for his new Ups/Downs EP on March 17th via Smoking Room.
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Feel like I could definitely (and will) do more on International Women’s Day, so what better way than to celebrate one of our favorite Austin artists, Julia Lucille. Recently she released this video for “Darkening,” one of the many beautiful tracks on her forthcoming Chthonic LP…and, well, I think you should watch it. The way the video was shot (by Jordan Moser) perfectly matches the song’s mood; it’s also a pretty sparse song, lyrically, illustrating just how much power Julia can carry with the simplest approaches. Oh, and she’ll be playing at our ATH vs SOTO Showdown this Sunday over at Hotel Vegas. Her album will be released by our friends at Keeled Scales on April 7th.
SXSW? Whats that all about? Youve likely seen that were blasting interviews your way as fast as we can get them back from SXSW performing artists. Today I have a highly anticipated Q & A session from Norwegian group Slotface. This one if a gem. Hit the jump for more.
