Tag: instrumental

Brand Spanking New Deardarkhead

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deardarkheadYou should already be aware of Deardarkhead, the long-running act of warm noise makers (Captured Tracks) even threw out a retrospective a few years back). They’ve been going strong for the last several years, despite nixing their long-time singer and moving forward as an instrumental act. Oddly, they haven’t seemed to miss a beat, if anything growing stronger as a unit. On this brand new single, I’m a huge fan of the rhythm section, particularly the bass chords that seem to bubble up beneath cascading distorted guitars. There’s movement within the song too, which isn’t always present in instrumental pieces, changing tones and power behind the mix. Their new album Strange Weather will be filled with tunes both startling and soothing; it will be released by the super reliable (and Texas based!) Saint Marie Records on March 25th.

Fresh Instrumental from Lymbyc Systym

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wv141I’m not usually one to get drawn into instrumental music (I’ve always had a thing for lyrics), but there are a few bands that have done it right, winning me over.  Long ago, Lymbyc Systym was one of those, so it’s exciting to see them crafting some new music for their label Western Vinyl.  Their latest single,which hit on Friday, has this expansive electronic quality, though they incorporate brief samples, much as Mogwai or local boys EITS have done. For me, I’m just amazed at how impactful a song over 6 minutes can be, whilst still holding your attention.  Look for Split Stones on October 16th.

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ATX Spotlight: New Letting Up Despite Great Faults Jam

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Letting Up Despite Great FaultsI was out of town, so I should have been on this tune already.  We love Letting Up Despite Great Faults, and we’re always here to support those guys (and gal)…thus why I’m putting up this instrumental jam that they’ve recently released.  I hope it means the group are backing in the studio working their way towards another release, which can only mean good things for Austin. Seems like a pretty good way to wrap up what’s been a good case of the Tuesday’s in my book, so enjoy yourself as we close the day out with a little local love.

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Instrumental Jam from High Tides

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tidyIt takes a lot to capture my attention if a track is instrumental.  I know a lot of instrumental tunes are used for artistic purposes within the structure of an album, but to present an album’s worth of such tracks takes a lot to grab my attention. That being said, this tune from High Tides has definitely piqued my interest. It’s a pretty smoothly constructed jam, flowing along like a boat in water (thus the track’s title?).  It’s the sort of song that fits perfectly near the end of your day; it soothes perfectly, calming when you need it most.  Look for their self-titled album on Rad Cult come July 31st.

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ATX Spotlight: Legendary Skies Release Novarupta (4/10)

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11081179_1091877397495744_644842800649873449_nAustin’s been known to host an instrumental post-rock act or two…from Balmorhea to Explosions in the Sky, and everything in between.  Enter Legendary Skies, one of the newer acts on the scene, who are ready to unleash their album Novarupta to the Austin masses (and hopefully beyond). Interestingly, the band draw from all the forebears in our local post-rock scene, building crash atop crash, yet always falling in step with more intricate guitar pieces made for long drives along sparse Texas highways.  Head over to Hole in the Wall this Friday night to catch the band live, and help celebrate the release of their album.

[youtube]https://youtu.be/TxRWQQPVEYs[/youtube]

Let’s Welcome Back Yonatan Gat

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jonatanOkay, so Yonatan Gat hasn’t left us just yet, but it appears his old project Monotonix is dead and gone; they’ll be sorely missed, especially considering their riotous live shows, so we’ve got to look to Yonatan to pick up where the band left off.  This instrumental tune should give you a good view at what he’s been working on, providing listeners with strong guitar play and what seems like a perceived restraint; I know that Gat will unleash this song as entirely different beast live.  Those of you interested in his work will be excited to know he’s working on a pretty extensive tour of the States, including a date here in Austin at Hotel Vegas on January 31st…along with a return in March for SXSW. Look for his new album, Director, on March 3rd via Joyful Noise Recordings.

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Austin Spotlight: Balmorhea

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BALMORHEA1At this point in their musical career, I’d say that Austin based group Balmorhea are easily one of the most recognize names in the indie scene.  They caught our attention around the inception of our website with their roots and atmospheric take on instrumental music.  I’m pleased to be sharing with you today their latest single called “HEIR I”.  The track has that familiar Balmorhea feel as it slowly builds towards this moment of sheer beauty about two or so minutes in.  This would a perfect song to enjoy some Sunday morning coffee.

This song appears on a brand new 7″ coming out on October 14th via Western Vinyl.

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New Slow Rocker From Woodsman

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Everyone is suffering through their ACL hangover currently and the music world will surely slow down a bit over the next few days.  This new tune “Sonic Tomb” from Woodsman is exactly the kind of song that fits that mood we’re all in.  It’s a slow and methodical burner of a jam that’s an all instrumental, contemplative piece of work.  I digs it.

Woodsman are apparently currently at work on their 3rd LP with no set release date just yet.  This tune is said to be just a one and done single that may or may not make it onto the upcoming album.

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New Experimental Pop From The Dandelion War

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I was close to calling this new song “Drifters” from The Dandelion War an instrumental tune since the lyrics and vocals are extremely hushed and low in the mix.  You might also rush to that conclusion upon first listen with the sounds conveyed similar to Sigur Ros meets This Will Destroy You.  It’s lengthy, it’s epic, and it’s completely open to your own interpretation.  The band have a new album, We Were Always Loyal to Lost Causes, coming on September 12th via Deep Elm Records.  Right now we’ve only got a stream for you.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/02-Drifters.mp3]

New Instrumental Jam from Balmorhea

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So I’ve been hitting you in the face with rock n’ roll today, so perhaps I should pull it back a little.  Good thing this great Balmorhea track is cleared to post.  It’s an interesting listen, really giving you two different songs in one, but that’s what we’ve come to appreciate about one of Austin’s most revered acts.  I love the way the song slowly inches its way along, then with the lightest of switches, the guitar picks up a touch, the percussion moves in, and the song begins to move in a faster direction–they continue going off in this fashion as only they can. If you dig this, you can pick up the band’s new record, Stranger, on Western Vinyl October 2nd.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Balmorhea_-_Pyrakantha.mp3]

Download:Balmorhea – Pyrakantha [MP3]

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