Austin Town Hall

I can’t help but sort of fall in love with Nick Curran, in a musical sort of way.  The guy mixes classic punk sounds with the romance of Motown, and since I’m an avid fan of both, this is the perfect thing for me.  Nick’s an Austinite, and he has a new record coming out on February 16 titled Reform School Girl. Unfortunately, he’s been sidelined with tongue cancer, so if you’re in Austin, or just a fan of good tunes, you should keep him in your thoughts.  Get well soon Nick…and here’s his title track.

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Download: Nick Curran – Reform School Girl [MP3]

British singer, and now Austin resident, Nic Amrstrong will be starting his month long residency at new Austin venue The Ghost Room.  This will give you a great chance to check out one of the great voices in Austin, as well as getting a glimpse/feel of the new venue, which is said to offer a $5 Pearl Beer and Jack Daniels shot special.   For those of you unfamiliar with Nic, here’s a sample of his music to encourage you to make it out.

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Download: Nic Armstrong – The Finishing Touch [MP3]

Fyfe Dangerfield is usually known for his role in Guillemots, but he’s decided to step aside from the group, just for a bit.  His album, Fly Yellow Moon, hits American stores on March 16th.  It’s a supremely British sounding track, encouraging you to stomp your feet along with Fyfe, as his somewhat throaty vocals soar atop the rest of the song.  It might just be an acquired taste, but it’s something I think most of you will enjoy.

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Download: Fyfe Dangerfield – When You Walk in The Room [MP3]

The wonderful thing about being brand loyal, especially when it refers to record labels, is that you are usually guaranteed to like one thing, if you like the rest of the label’s output.  Such is the case with Matinee Records, the label that put out Cats on Fire (one of my 09 must haves).  Now, through their web site, I discovered another gem,  by the name of Northern Portrait.  The group is from Denmark, and they write jangle pop, some might even call it twee. Whatever it is, it’s good. You’ll like it.

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Download: Northern Portrait – New Favourite Moment [MP3]

It really hasn’t been too long since we last heard from Love Is All, the band having put out a 12″ last year with covers and some new tunes.  Now, they’ve switched up labels completely, landing on Polyvinyl for their new release.  Said album hits stores on March 23rd, and is yet another number filled title, Two Thousand and Ten Injuries.  Give this new tune a whirl.

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Download: Love Is All – Kungen [MP3]

It’s that time of year when bands clamor to build a name for themselves in hopes of being your favorite band in 2010.  Recent Woodsist signees, The Art Museums,  are on that list, hoping to win you over when they release their album Rough Frame in early 2010.  For now though, they’ve got a neat little number to pique your interest, so take a listen and get excited.

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Download: The Art Museums – Sculpture Gardens [MP3]

No one really knows anything about the California band Jump Clubb, and in fact, they try to keep it that way.  I guess that seems a little ridiculous to me, but still, they recently released this killer Elliott Smith cover “Angeles.”  It’s not what you would expect, but it seems like an appropriate way to wrap up a Friday.

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Download: Jump Clubb – Angeles (Eliott Smith Cover) [MP3]

We first caught wind of Dominant Legs by way of Stereogum a few weeks back.  Any allusion to Belle and Sebastian will catch my eye! Still, this new tune isn’t quite the twee pop one expected, but it’s more summery, as if there is a lighter air to the crafty writing here. You decide.

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Download: Dominant Legs – Clawing Out At The Walls [MP3]