Stream El Lago’s Pyramid EP

With their 2017 album Colors, El Lago won us over with their elegant take on dream pop; it sounded refined and grown-up, something those with a sensible pop palate couldn’t pull away from. But, from the moment you press play on the Pyramid EP, you meet an entirely different beast. “Citadel” announces itself with this guitar squall ripping through the front of the mix, allowing Lauren to dance in with a spritely vocal delivery; she’ll add a softer touch reminiscent of the band’s early work during the song’s chorus. “Endless” has this sharpness to it, though you can’t turn your ear away from the dark texture lurking beneath the surface. “Moths,” to me, represent the band’s greatest musical leap; the structure and off-kilter rhythm almost craft this sort of angular post-punk spun through an arthouse lens; it’s the sort of tune that leads you down a path of reflection. “Pyramid” comes in to sort of remind you of where the band’s been, nostalgically looking back upon Colors. “Solo” is another of the calmer tunes, but in being such, it really highlights the power of Lauren’s voice; I feel like that’s something I took for granted, but this whole EP is full of remarkable moment after moment. It’s even set up perfectly, heavy and strong at the beginning, full of artistic flare and bold moments, but it narrows its focus on the band’s pop sensibility as it nears the final number, closing out with a nice 46 second instrumental at the apex. Please don’t skip this EP; its out Friday via Wallflower Records.

El Lago Share Citadel

We’re about a week or so away from the release of the newest release from El Lago, and they’ve left us with one corker of a track. There’s definitely a braver sound than we got on the band’s first LP; the guitars open with this immediate squall, feeding back in seeming anguish. That’s countered by Lauren’s voice, which, at times, takes on this quivering Bjork quality to it. But, when circling back through the song, it’s the gentle crest of the song that really seals it. The group bring back in their pop sensibility, peeling away the layers to bring in this clean glimmering sound that looks back on the band’s early work. The Pyramid EP is out on October 25th.

El Lago Return with Endless

I’ve been a huge supporter of El Lago since their first LP came out via Miss Champagne, and now, thanks to our friend Sjimon over at Week in Pop, we have another new tune from the group to enjoy…plus the announcement of a new LP. There’s something about this tune that crafts this brooding sensation; it seems to almost have an air of traditional goth flare…though with Lauren Eddy’s voice there’s always going to be this sort of angelic dreaminess working its way into the tune. They seem to play with that balance between dark and light here, especially around the 1:45 mark where the song turns into this pounding sonic exploration before settling back into Eddy’s vocal performance to wrap the tune in a perfect bow for you. Their new LP, Pyramid, will be out on Wallflower Records on October 25th.

David Israel Album Release Party @ Electric Church on Sunday Night

Sorry for the long-winded post title, but maybe that’s all your looking for! But, important information is at hand, as I’m hoping to direct you to the Electric Church on Sunday to celebrate the release of David Israel‘s The Year That Felt Like Two; we dropped it two weeks ago on ATH Records. For starters, the record is amazing, as is the artwork, so that should really be enough, if you’re an Austin music fan. But, a portion of proceeds will be donated by David and ATH directly to RAICES. Along with David and his band, you’ll also get to see El Lago, who I raved about previously, as well as Minimal Animal and TC Superstar. Stream the latest video from the album below; it ran over on RSTB earlier this week.

Doors are at 8, so be on time and we’ll see you there.

Photos: ATHvsSOTO 2018

We’ll be out and about the rest of the week to view the things during SxSW so remember to check out the twitter and our various instagram accounts.

Either you missed the big Austin Town Hall vs. Side One Track One party, or perhaps you were there and want to relive it. Check out the gallery after the break that features faces, bands, instruments, lights, beverages, scenes and moods from the day and night at Hotel Vegas. Highlights for me were Glaze, Nite, El Lago, BLXPLTN, Tres Oui, Daphne Tunes and Marmalakes. Find these bands during SxSW. You’ll be happy if you do.

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Announcing the ATH vs SOTO SXSW Party

Today’s the day you’ve all been waiting for, the announcement of our annual AustinTownHall vs Side One Track One SXSW party. We’re throwing down at Hotel Vegas/Volstead again, and we’ve booked a pretty solid lineup of acts. We’ve got some bands with huge buzz like Caroline Says or Why Bonnie, a handful of ATH Records artists…and we even got in a few out of town acts like Nite and El Lago. Best news of all? It’s absolutely free, so all you have to do is come on over and just enjoy yourselves…there’s something for everybody. Show kicks off at 2 PM and lasts all day and night. Plus, we love you, so you don’t even have to RSVP! Check out the event page, and plan ahead, you’ll be here all day!

Sour Notes Release Darkest Sour This Friday

Austin’s The Sour Notes have been fairly quiet, but all that will change when the band drop their new record, Darkest Sour, this Friday over at Hotel Vegas. They’ve shared this great little album promotional video, which seems to show the band delving into the realms of dreamy pop, fitting for the matching imagery in the video. If you want to preview the band’s live set, they’ll be over at KUTX doing a taping at 8 (Tix HERE). Not sold yet? Just check out the amazing line-up they’ve slung together: A Sinclair, Duncan Fellows and El Lago, who I’ve really been enjoying a lot as of late. A great week for The Sour Notes…let’s all be thankful!

Another Track from El Lago

Not too long ago we brought you the first single from El Lago; today we’ve got another one for you from the band’s debut, Colors. If you’re looking to pigeonhole the band, well, good luck. This round they’re taking some of the pop sensibility and shifting it into a darkened post-rock vibe, albeit a slightly dreamy one. The layering of guitars, particularly that in the distant background, creates an ominous touch that permeates the tune. It’s a slow-charmer, gradually unfolding through your speakers in the most captivating of ways. Colors drops on November 4th via Miss Champagne Records.

Drift Into Tuesday with El Lago

Tuesdays seem to get stuck between the doldrums of Mondays and the excitement of hump-day specials…they seem lost in a dreamy purgatory of the work week. Enter El Lago with their brand single, draping dream pop flourishes across the lyrical delivery of Lauren Eddy. At times, like Tuesday, she’s simply there, delivering spoken word. Then, she wraps her voice around the delectable melody and carries it into the next moment. Personally, I love the almost matter-of-fact manner the group takes to fleshing out the latter half of this tune; I completely got lost upon my first few listens. This Galveston act will be releasing their album Colors on November 4th via Miss Champagne Records, but for now, let them carry you through your Tuesday.