Grrrl Gang Share Better Than Life Video

When I first heard Grrrl Gang, I was definitely intrigued by the Indonesian outfit’s pop-prowess from within the confines of a gritty indie sound. On their latest single, the band completely indulge in the gritty realm, coming into the darkened territory where you’d expect acts influenced by Sonic Youth to party together. The drums pound away, driving the rhythm of the song forward and really building this baleful atmosphere. Angeeta’s voice is heavy, but buried just beneath the mix, so it kind of feels weighed down by the song’s power; this ties into the thematic elements, however, as the song comments on her struggles with her mental health. Really digging in on this one. Spunky is out on September 22nd via Trapped Animal/Kill Rock Stars.

Tele Novella Share Broomhorse Video

Dear Natalie and Jason…I’m sorry I missed this single last week. For the rest of you, please please spend your time with Tele Novella. The band have long been one of the strongest acts representing the Austin scene, but if I’m being frank (hello, its me, Frank), this new stuff is fucking amazing. I feel as if they’ve really honed their craft, and with Danny Reisch and Jason working together on production, this feels like the best bit we’ve gotten. It’s a brand of baroque pop that lately seems out of fashion, but its execution, along with the accompanying nod to Harold and Maude, have left me pretty floored. I love the chorus, where Natalie’s voice just blossoms, aided by a subtle bit from Jason too. This is just too good to not press play immediately. They release Poet’s Tooth via Kill Rock Stars on October 6th.

New Single & Video From Tele Novella

Well sometimes we slip and miss things from time to time as we wade through the mass amount of submissions and Olivia Rodrigo emails. Though we may have slipped and are a tad late on this news, we will always find time to boost our own and promote old local friends. Once such local indie legend are our pals in Tele Novella who just released this stunning new single “Hard-Hearted Way” with an accompanying, retro grade video. This band continues to pump out a staggering catalog of delightful music.

This track comes with an announcement of a new album called Poet’s Tooth coming out on October 6th via Kill Rock Stars. Pre-orders are live now.

Grrrl Gang Share Rude Awakening Video

It seems fairy impressive that Indonesian pop rockers Grrrl Gang are just dropping their debut LP this September, especially when you listen to this fresh single. There’s something in the songwriting that feels years beyond a debut, with the guitars delivering the hooks in all the right spots, allowing the vocals to double down there, especially when they hit the chorus. They add in little bits of flare too, just to keep it extra interesting, like the background shouts in that aforementioned chorus. Honestly, they’re coming out of the gates sounding like a band on par with acts like the Beths or Alvvays, which is a pretty solid platform to stand upon. Their album, Spunky!, arrives on September 22nd via Trapped Animal/Kill Rock Stars.

Your Heart Breaks Shares New Single with Kimya Dawson and David Christian

We are just over a month away from the release of the new album from Your Heart Breaks, and they continue to amaze me with the incredible voices who’ve lent their voices to the project. Having already brought in one of my favorites in John Samson, they seem intent on upping the ante by adding Kimya Dawson and Comet Gain‘s David Christian. The song’s set to a steady gallop, with little accents hanging in the background, but it leaves plenty of room for great lyricism and vocal work. I forgot how playful and charming Dawson could be, but David’s performance transported me back to the late 90s when I first heard Comet Gain…it should say enough about their songwriting that Clyde Petersen was able to get all these great voices together to life their craft. I’m thinking the Wrack Line might be a secret charmer you should all put on your radar; it drops on July 7th via Kill Rock Stars.

Your Heart Breaks Share Single ft. John K Samson and Christine Fellows

You know you are hitting all the right notes when you can get John K Samson and Christine Fellows to lend you their voice; such is the case of the latest single from the forthcoming Your Heart Breaks LP. I love the concept of the whole album, which culls influences and stories from Clyde Peteresen’s life, with some friends from around the world showing up to lend a hand in leaving their secrets on The Wrack Line. Something in this tune feels really special, and perhaps even a little old school in terms of the storytelling and the whole approach to the song’s execution; it feels nostalgic, but almost in a fashion that simultaneously is refreshing, as its free of a lot of the modern trappings. The Wrack Line is out via Kill Rock Stars on July 7th.

Jad Fair and Samuel Locke Ward Prep Happy Hearts

Every time I feel a bit detached from the Austin music scene and the hype, I realize that somewhere out there, Jad Fair (of Half Japanese) is working on something brilliantly charming, just penning song after song because there’s no point after that. This go round, he’s continuing his prolific last few years with a new project with Iowan Samuel Locke Ward. Personally, this is the sort of rock I gravitate towards, and sort of always have. Songwriting is perfect, simple and just the right moments for melody, though the song seems to capture little imperfections, or so it seems, giving off just the slightest sense of being an oddball in a pop world. I’ll always root for stuff like this, which is why I’m looking forward to hearing the whole of the duo’s Happy Hearts LP, out February 10th via Kill Rock Stars.

Shutups Share Endless Heaven

Before we dismiss you for the day, I would be remiss to not send you on your way with this new song called “Endless Heaven” from Oakland based group Shutups. I’m a huge fan of the way the song lulls you into this mellow, sort of indie rock groove and then explodes into this banging, heavy guitar rock number about 1.5 minutes in. When looking for a song to progress slowly, rise heavily, and then fall again into a fade out, this is the song for you. Absolutely stellar production on this one as well.

Shutups will release this track on new album Can’t Eat Nearly as Much as I want to Vomit which is due out on October 21st via Kill Rock Stars (pre-order now).

SXSW Interviews: MAITA

I hope you people are enjoying our SXSW interview pieces as things really start to heat up with show announcements and schedules coming out at a rapid pace. It’s crazy that we are seeing what might just be a somewhat “normal” festival this year. I don’t know about you, but I am so very ready to get back out there and discover new music. Today I am carrying on with out interviews, this time from Portland based outfit MAITA. Hit the jump for the full interview with some tunes.

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SXSW Interviews: Teke::Teke

Well this week marks the official 3 week countdown to the fun times we all love during SXSW. Hard to believe that things might be “normal” again this year, but it seems like we may be headed towards live shows and events once again! How exciting for everyone in the music community. Once again, we are trying to prepare you as best we can for the week of music with interviews and previews from tons of band playing the festival. Today I am pleased to share with you my latest interview from Montreal based outfit TEKE::TEKE. Hit the jump for full interview, news and music.

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