Another Day, Another Sunturns Hit

sunturnsWhen I first heard of Sunturns and their Christmas oriented pop project, I was on the verge of dismissing it. But, I’ve quickly come around on falling for the band, all based upon the power of their delectable indiepop hits. You see, while the songs spin around Christmas ideas, they still have this emotional draw in the lyrics, drawing from personal experiences around the holiday. Honestly, if you didn’t hear the word Christmas, you’d likely just fall in love with the song. It’s heartwarming, both lyrically and musically; the band have crafted 10 original songs and a Ramones cover for their Christmas II album, which you can grab from the good folks over at Fika Recordings.

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Get In The Xmas Spirit With Chris Mastheim

So we’re now a week away from the big Xmas, so you’re already probably tired of the music that’s been playing since the middle of November. However, singer songwriter, Nicholas Krgovich, has a new Christmas album, Chris Mast Style, out under the fitting moniker Chris Mastheim. While some of us here at ATH abhor festive music usually, we agree that the song below works. “Children Go Where I Send Thee,” is nothing like you would ever really imagine it to be– a sleek synth pop recreation of a classic holiday tune. It’s pretty catchy actually, and if this is your bag, or you’re looking for sweet tunes to play at your Christmas Party, Chris Mastheim’s Christmas album is available for free right over here on his Bandcamp.

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PYAITK: !!! Does Christmas Right

CHKX3 XMASWho doesn’t like a sweaty dance party at Christmas time? Nobody.

!!! has a new 7″ out featuring a smooth and dark dance jam called “And Anyway It’s Christmas” and it is not your typical Christmas carol. I was thinking of how there hasn’t been a recent song for the season that didn’t suck, maybe Low did one, suggestions are welcome. The seasonal jams I go back to every year involve the Peanuts crews (Vince Guaraldi’s A Charlie Brown Christmas rules all). I recently heard some uber cheesy song about a dude in line at the store buying a kid that didn’t have enough money shoes for a dying mother. It was so creepy.

Anyway, smooth beats are better.

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New Tracks from Ruby Fray

Emily Beanblossom’s a bit of a roamer, and we’re happy to have her find a home here in Austin, for the time being at least.  She’s about to release her new album, Pith, via K Records on March 15th (if you buy straight from K, all money goes to Emily!) under the Ruby Fray moniker.  There’s a nice bit of difference in the two tracks, one featuring a heavy-handed guitar backbone, the other more gentle and quirky.  You’ll enjoy a similar variety on her album, so be sure to mark your calendars for the release date, as it’ll be a special listening experience for us all.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/01-And-the-Moon-1.mp3]

Download:Ruby Fray – And the Moon [MP3]

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/07-Lets-Grow-Older-1.mp3]

 

Merry Christmas From Los Campesinos!

So we here at ATH initially agreed that we wouldn’t be posting any lame Christmas music this year, but then I went and got extremely festive this weekend and decided to hell with it.  I think many of you may also agree that Los Campesinos! seem like the perfect band to be making some original and poppy holiday time tunes.  This track “Kindle a Flame in Her Heart” was just released by the band for free on their website.  Sure it’s a little cheesy, but I digs it.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Kindle-A-Flame-In-Her-Heart-1.mp3]

Download: Los Campesinos! – Kindle A Flame In Her Heart [MP3]

Contest: ATH Holiday Gift Bag

group_christmas_vmmcIt’s the giving time of year and we here at ATH would like to spread some sweet love to our readers with an end of the year/holiday contest.  Two, count em two, lucky winners will receive a hand packaged and sealed gift bag from us filled with all kinds of musical goodness.  Expect to receive promo CDs(yes good ones), 7″ & 12″ records from national and local artists(at least one album from our year end list), stickers, koozies, buttons, chapstick, hugs, and anything else we can scrounge up from around the office.  I’d probably value each one at around $5,000.  To enter, leave us a comment or hit us up on twitter with your favorite holiday song.  Winners will be anounced come Monday.  Don’t forget to leave a valid email address so we can get in touch with you.  It’s the gift that keeps on giving the whole year.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/homefortheholidays.mp3]

Download: Gentleman Auction House – Home for the Holidays [MP3]

Hangover Holiday From Whitman

Austin band Whitman would like to wish you & yours a Merry Christmas!  As a token of their appreciation, here’s a demo of a little ditty they’ve been working on called “Hangover Holiday”.  The track is sure to spice up any holiday party or cure that too much eggnog hangover.  Not just for Christmas, it promises to be the gift that keeps on giving the whole year round.  You can also catch the band and their new holiday hit on January 3rd during free week at Mohawk.  They’ll be playing along with Riverboat Gamblers, Harlem, and some other yet to be named bands. We’ll give you more details about free week in Austin soon.  Have a safe and happy holiday.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/01_hangover_holiday.mp3]

Download: Whitman – Hangover Holiday [MP3]