Voxtrot Return @ Arts and Crafts (9.8.22)

Austin band Voxtrot has come out of their 12 year hiatus to return with a few reissues, and a slew of dates to celebrate those releases. Well, like all great bands, you’ve got to get your legs back under you, so the band quietly played a warm-up set out in Lockhart last night, and I was fortunate enough to be on hand.

Watching the band take the stage again, not to mention the smiles on their faces as the crowd sang back to them was a perfect moment etched in time. Special shout out to Jennifer Moor (Deep Time) who sang backup vocals throughout the night. The band represented a time in Austin’s music scene when there was so much promise and joy, and it was great to revisit that snapshot…and hope their return signals a similar wash over the city.

I poorly shot a few videos, and cuz I do what I wants, I included them below. And here’s the setlist too, in case you want to know what you might catch on their tour:

Introduction
Raised by Wolves
Kid Gloves
Berlin Without Return
Your Biggest Fan
Long Haul
Soft & Warm
Mothers, Sisters, Daughters & Wives
Whiskey & Water
Warmest Part of the Winter
The Start of Something
Wrecking Force

Devil in the Woods Back with New Releases

I think I first discovered Devil in the Woods sometime in the early 00s; the label had put out releases by personal favorites like Bright Eyes and Grandaddy (not to mention Death Cab, GBV, etc.). But, like all great things, changing musical climates and various other forces put the label up on the shelf for a bit. That was until founder Mike Cloward dropped into Mexico and felt reinvigorated by the goings-on in that scene. So, today the label is jumping back into the fray, with planned releases from Nik Freitas, Twin Tones and Espectroplastma…the latter two dropping in from la ciudad de Mexico. Below we’ve got a track from the 7″ with Espectroplasma, which recalls sort of an industrialized version of what you’d expect to find on Holodeck Records. Jumping in full force, the label also has plans for other titles on the horizon, so join me in welcoming the label back into the fold.

Brand New Harlem Track

You’ve all heard that Harlem is returning, at least in temporary form. The band is reuniting, and doing a bit of touring…starting with a show this Saturday at Hotel Vegas…then they go off to Australia. So, in effort to be their best, the band have been practicing non-stop, trying to guarantee good times and good vibes. Luckily, they managed to lay down a new track too…so give it a go right here! Hope you realize it’s a cover of Lana Del Rey’s “Cola.”

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