Daniel Francis Doyle and the Dreams Back on Slack Capital 2

Slack Capital 2 is a compilation of music by 27 of the greatest bands in Austin. All proceeds from the comp go to SafePlace, which provides support for victims of domestic and sexual violence. We’re unveiling one song per day until the the release party on April 14.

Song of the day: Daniel Francis Doyle & The Dreams — “I Had To Do It”

Daniel Francis Doyle is hard to pin down. Maybe you’ve seen him do his one-man-band “loops” set, where he builds songs layer by layer and beats on the drums while screaming through a headset mic. Maybe you’ve seen him do a nylon-string guitar set, where he reveals a quieter side to his art– easier to see the Jonathan Richman influence. Or maybe you’ve seen him play with The Dreams, his synth pop band, where his neuroses combine with an urgent dance beat closer to Gary Numan than Donna Summer. “I Had To Do It” was made with The Dreams, and it has the herky-jerky charm of an 80’s pop hit, or a Steve Martin skit. Seriously– Oh man, those synths! Produced by SLUGBUG’s Paul Millar, who knows a thing or two about warped synth sounds, this is a track you’ll want to hear again and again for the sugary satisfaction of that synth line that creeps in every chorus, responding delightfully to Doyle’s queasy pleas.

Daniel Francis Doyle is playing the Slack Capital 2 release party April 14 at Barracuda, and he’s told us it will be his final show (what!) with The Dreams. Don’t miss it. — Eric Braden

Pre-Order Slack Capital 2 HERE.

Catch DFD at the Release Show on April 14th at Barracuda.

ATX Spotlight: Fresh Abram Shook News

We haven’t heard from Abram Shook since 2015, but the good news for Austin, and everywhere, is that he’s back with the brand new Love at Low Speed. The batch of songs on this album is said to be of a more personal nature, which inevitably will hit home for listeners. I love how this song opens with Shook and guitar, and little else. It seems to fit the song, creating an immediate intimacy that captures the audience, before the track is built up by further accompaniment. It’s a slow-paced adventure filled by Abram’s continued sonic exploration as he seeks to reach musical perfection. My two cents? You’re close pal, so so close. New album will be out on June 16th via Western Vinyl.

 

Do You Know Catalina La O? She’s on Slack Capital 2

Slack Capital 2 is a compilation of music by 27 of the greatest bands in Austin. All proceeds from the comp go to SafePlace, which provides support for victims of domestic and sexual violence. We’re unveiling one song per day until the the release party on April 14.

Song of the day: Catalina La O — “Se Nos Rompio El Amor”

And now for something completely different. Catalina La O is the new project of Khattie Q, formerly of the politi-punk band BLXPLTN. If you got to see Catalina La O at Bill Ball 2 last fall, you were treated to something completely unexpected — a bracing display of powerhouse vocals, belted out over a paired-down rock band arrangement totally designed to spotlight the emotion of the song and the singer. Like wandering into David Lynch’s night club Silencio, it was at once beguiling and captivating.

“Se Nos Rompio El Amor” is an epic ballad first made famous by Spanish singer Rocio Jurado, and the band is fully dedicated to it. After a long instrumental intro, Khattie’s first whisper draws you into the emotional turmoil of the song. Soon she and the band reach great heights, draw things back down again, then explode into a finale that will leave you spent (the title of the song means “We broke love”). A truly powerful performance by a talent we’ll be keeping an eye on for a long time. — Eric Braden

PreOrder Slack Capital 2 HERE.

Release Show on April 14th at Barracuda!

Austin Chronicle Premieres Slack Capital 2 Track from Go Fever

Slack Capital 2 is a compilation of music by 27 of the greatest bands in Austin. All proceeds from the comp go to SafePlace, which provides support for victims of domestic and sexual violence. Were unveiling one song per day until the the release party on April 14.

Song of the Day: Go Fever – This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things

Typically, you’d get some remarks from us about the Song of the Day, but today, we’re just going to point you in the direction of the Austin Chronicle. They’ve been gracious enough to premiere the new song from Go Fever that’s featured on Slack Capital 2. So, CLICK HERE.

Don’t forget you can pre-order the CD HERE.
Join us for the release show at Barracuda on April 14th, featuring none other than Go Fever.

Listen to Schwein! on Slack Capital 2

Slack Capital 2 is a compilation of music by 27 of the greatest bands in Austin. All proceeds from the comp go to SafePlace, which provides support for victims of domestic and sexual violence. We’re unveiling one song per day until the the release party on April 14.

Song of the day: Schwein! — “Atma”

Schwein! is the musical moniker of Matt Schweinberg, who plays guitar in Annabelle Chairlegs and runs a home studio here in town (he recorded the glistening “Gold Driver,” by The Diamond Center–another band he plays in–on this very compilation). Given his association with those two bands, the classic rock throwback vibes in “Atma” make perfect sense. The happy surprise here is the song’s pure joy involved– the irrepressible good feeling of devotion. Just wait for those drums to kick in, about a minute into the song. I don’t care who you are, if that moment doesn’t cause you to open the windows and start grooving, you’re probably dead. Add to that a heavy George Harrison vibe (those slide guitars!) and a spiritual bent (Schweinberg told me “atma” means “spiritual friend”), and you have a song whose warmth is a perfect companion to the blossoming of Spring. Here we have a song that makes you want to bop your head and take a deep breath of fresh air in equal measure. –Eric Braden

Pre-Oder Slack Capital 2 HERE.
Join us at the release party on April 14th at Barracuda.

Hear Nike’s Slack Capital 2 Contribution

Slack Capital 2 is a compilation of music by 27 of Austin’s most wonderful bands. All proceeds from the comp go to SafePlace, which provides support for victims of domestic and sexual violence. We’re unveiling one song per day, leading up to the comp’s release on April 14.

Today’s song: Nike — “UR Lying Now”

Oh god, I love Nike. You can tell by their name that pretentiousness is not their bag. And when you hear their music, that’s what you get — short, propulsive, gross, funny songs. Striking a similar tongue-in-cheek vibe as Ian McKinney’s “CRIMEWAVE” and the Pataphysics song “Carrasco,” two other Slack Capital 2 songs we’ve told you about, “UR Lying Now” is a faux-upset rant at a person who is literally lying at this very moment. Plenty of songs tell a generic “you” that they have lied, but how many have the gall to call it out while it’s happening? This three-piece is relatively new to the Austin scene, but if this song is any indication, they’ll be making a bunch of die hard fans in no time. People still want to have fun when they go to a show, and Nike, with their caffeinated, quirky takes on modern life, never forget that.

Pre-order the release over at ATH Records.

Catch Nike at the Slack Capital 2 release party, April 14 at Barracuda!

ATX Album Stream with The Reputations

There’s something brewing here in Austin. That something seems to be the evolution of soulful rock n’ roll rooted in a punk rock ethos. The latest act to get up in the game is The Reputations, who just released their debut Begging for More. But, while their might be some similarities to fellow locals, Sweet Spirit, I think there’s a whole lot more here that owes to the purity of classic rock and doo-wop. My favorite track of the moment is “My Baby’s Back,” which features a stomp to collide with the perfect unison of male/female vocals. The upbeat shimmy of “Up and Down” isn’t too shabby either! Give it a stream, and enjoy.

The Zoltars Land on Slack Capital Again

Slack Capital 2 is a compilation of music by 27 of Austin’s most wonderful bands. All proceeds from the comp go to SafePlace, which provides support for victims of domestic and sexual violence. We’re unveiling one song per day, leading up to the comp’s release on April 14.

Song of the day: The Zoltars – “I See You”

Perhaps no artist on this comp is quite as “slack” as Jared Zoltar of the Zoltars. With a super laid-back delivery, ghostly “oohs” floating in the background, an acoustic guitar straight out of Beck’s closet, and drums that sound like someone shutting a cabinet door in the next room, “I See You” feels like a lo-fi lullaby sent via transmission from some rigged-up VHS tape in a basement somewhere. I don’t want you to get the wrong idea, though. Like the best Zoltars songs, this one has an earnest heart at its core, and the refrain — “I see you/ I see you/ I like you/ cuz you’re like me too”– is both addictive and sweetly simple. 10/10 would recommend for a key spot on your next summer love mixtape. –Eric Braden

Pre-Order Slack Capital 2 HERE.

Come to the Release Party on April 14 at Barracuda.

The Perfect Bedroom Pop of Sarah La Puerta Lands on Slack Capital 2

Slack Capital 2 is a compilation of music by 27 of the greatest bands in Austin. All proceeds from the comp go to SafePlace, which provides support for victims of domestic and sexual violence. To keep things exciting, we’re unveiling one song per day.

Song of the day: Sarah La Puerta — “Don’t Make Me Do It”

You may know her as the secret weapon in baroque indie pop band Tele Novella, or as the secret weapon in the transcendental chamber-folk jams of Thor & Friends, but rising star Sarah La Puerta makes music of her own, too. Today we are excited to present “Don’t Make Me Do It,” a striking and heartfelt pop gem. Never raising her voice above speaking volume, La Puerta puts just enough character into each line to convey more than is said– particularly on the titular plea of the chorus (which incidentally, unlike the rest of the song, is not bathed in synthesizers). Yes, there it is, that Sarah La Puerta keyboard sound– playful, hopeful, but always just a little bit concerned. The song’s lyrics follow a similar path. “I’d like to know/ that your love/ is a love I can be sure of” is intoned dreamily, as if to herself. We see shadows slowly moving across a garden at night; we are slowly dancing down a cobbled Parisian alleyway, stepping gingerly on the rocks; we smell cigarette smoke, and there are lights colored orange, pink, and blue. The song ends with a deep sigh of relief. We feel OK. — Eric Braden

Pre-Order Slack Capital 2 HERE.
April 14th Release Show Info HERE.

Greg Ulhmann Comes to Mohawk with New Video (3/29)

Greg Ulhmann is heading out of his home base of Los Angeles to travel the States and play some shows for you all. He’s fresh off the release of his latest LP, Odd Job, and he’s letting us run this brand new video for you to enjoy. It’s a delicate track, illustrating the careful approach to pop songwriting that Greg’s taken. The notes, both from guitar and voice delicately seep through your speakers, entrancing the listener, much as we expect from his live performance at the Mohawk on Wednesday night. Speaking of that night, he’ll be joined by several of our local favorites, Jacob Metcalf, Daphne and Zula Montez; be sure to come out for a special night of tunes.

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