ATX Spotlight: New Major Major Major

Major Major MajorLate Sunday night, our friend John from Side One Track One ran this track on his Sunday night 101 Homegrown show (why aren’t you listening). We asked Major Major Major if we could share it with you, as this is one of my favorite tracks from the group. I love the funky guitar chords, just before the track rolls into its playful breakdown that opens the way for a joyous of chorus. Another reason I dig this tune is you can practically picture the two breaking down the track together live, interacting with one another…and you…as they kick out this great tune. Look for their new album, PG-13 Movie, via Punctum Records on October 28th, with a release show secured at Cheer Up Charlies.

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ATX Spotlight: Brand New Major Major Major

majormajormajorWe’ve long been fans of Major Major Major, one of Austin’s most exciting duos. We’ve heard rumors of a brand new album for some time, and we finally get our first taste of what’s to come in the future. It’s a wild blasting tune, emphatically crashing on the chorus of “all of my friends are fucking useless now that I got what I wanted.” Hopefully what the group wanted was to blast out one of our favorite songs this week, whilst still managing to capture the raw energy of the group’s live set. Look for PG-13 via Punctum Records come this October!

ATX Spotlight: New Black Balsam Single

blackOur friends over at Punctum Records have picked up a rad new Austin act, Black Balsam, and now the band have unleashed a new single that should grab your ears. I really love the feeling of this song, balancing between singer-songwriter and full on folk ensemble. Strings and other tinkerings play lightly in the background, while empty space is filled with accompanying vocals touches; it makes the track both heartfelt and playful, so I can’t complain. The band’s album, See You Later See You There will be released next Friday, February 26th.

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Austin Spotlight: El Campo Return with New Single

elcampEl Campo first came to my attention when they released the great Flexi Disc on Punctum Records, which was soon followed by Remember, their debut full-length. Not a band to sit around, they’ve returned again with a brand new song from their forthcoming Double A Side EP, “Sloe-Eyed.” Not to diminish their earlier work, but the execution of this song definitely stands out among their catalog; the voice of Jerid Morris works really well here, soaring to heights with the perfect tone whilst banjo and sliding guitars move behind him. There seems to be some youthful vitality to this song, while still holding true to the progressive country vibe. They’ll be releasing the EP soon, with a nice February tour heading up the Midwest and out to the East. Keep an eye on these guys…it’s for your own good.

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Gorgeous Folk Track From Molybden

0003019393_10Molybden, or Tess Seipp, is an artist currently living in Austin, but is a native of Marfa, Texas. Her sound is that of soothing folk, but in her vocals there’s an air of mystery that begs repeated listening. These few new tracks from her latest release, are soft tunes, as exemplified by “Pleasant Violent” below, which is a lovely song to please the ears.  Pleasant Violent : Bedroom Recordings, vol. 2 is out now via Punctum Records, so head on over here and pick that up and look out for future releases from Molybden— word on the street is she’s got a second full length coming sometime early next year.

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Show Review: Taft Album Release @ Cheer Up Charlies (2.12)

TaftWe hit up good ol’ Cheer Up Charlies Thursday night to support our friends at Punctum Records as they released Taft‘s Groove Redundant…they were joined by Isaiah the Mosaic, Lomelda and Sweet Spirit helped them close out in style.  I’d have to say it was a pretty impressive line-up, and a rather impressive crowd.

Read on for our thoughts on the show and some photos from B. Gray.

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Song Premiere: TAFT Ready Groove Redundant

10858522_895904757117019_8497295956566305365_nJust before our holiday break we hit you up with a new TAFT track, and now we’re back to premiere this great single, “Pillars of Duh.” My ears hear this remarkable production, with just the right amount of vocals turned up in the front of the mix, while the musical landscape is carefully crafted behind Taft Mashburn’s striking voice.  As always with the band, the voice is hard to ignore, following in the steps of dynamo’s such as Kevin Barnes; the music plays its part working in the vein of elegant art pop, highlighting the musicianship from the group.  Their new LP, Groove Redundant, will be released on Punctum Records on February 10th!

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Enjoy A New Taft Track

tiftTaft has tons of ties to Austin, be it their label Punctum Records or some of the band’s live members, so we’ve got to support that giant circle of community. It doesn’t hurt that their lead single off their upcoming release, Groove Redundant, is ridiculously solid.  The song takes what I hear as a stripped down approach to the craftsmanship of Kevin Barnes, though I feel as if that’s an easy way out due to some of the vocal tones.  Still, the music revels in this world of playfulness, though the subdued nature of the song’s arrangement might indicate otherwise.  Look for the LP to be released on February 10th.

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Check Out the Shivery Shakes Album Teaser

Shivery ShakesWhat’s the point in running your own site if you can’t promote the bands you’re working with? As you surely know, we’re really stoked to be working with Punctum Records to release the Shivery Shakes LP next week.  It’s titled Three Waves and a Shake, and it shows their refined pop sound finally ready for mass consumption.  The dudes in the band have been kind enough to share this little teaser album video, featuring snippets of the tracks and hotshot photographer, Pooneh Ghana. You can order your LP HERE, and check out releases from Ramesh, Young Girls, Literature and Grape St while you’re at it.

 

Austin Spotlight: New Single from Young Tongue

YoungTonguePicIt’s been a really rad week for Austin music, whether you like the heavier side such as Flesh Lights or the poppier side of indie rock, such as this new tune from Young Tongue. Me? I fucking like both, so deal with it. I’m particularly fond of this new track, especially the way that band’s two vocalists work together to provide a rich tapestry of melody that stands in contrast to the darker work of the instrumentation that’s present, particularly the post rock guitar chords.  They’re heading out rather soon on a big little tour through the Midwest, then turning left. It’s all part of the celebratory for their debut, Death Rattle, which comes out on November 11th via Raw Paw/Punctum Records.

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Download: Young Tongue – Heavy Metal Thunder [MP3]

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