Last Week’s Jam (7.10 – 7.14)

I’m sure you missed our weekly re-runs of all the fun stuff we post, but I was on vacation! So, I hurried this week to play catch up on all those tunes, then hurried with RayRay to get them up for your ears. We had tons of stuff covered, from ATX faves A Giant Dog to a premiere of the new track from Pretty in Pink; there was nothing short of a bunch of bangers to run…and some aren’t even up on the DSPs, so we couldn’t get those in the list. Anyways…peruse the hits below, go back and read what we had to say, or don’t, just be sure to enjoy yourself a bit.

Sonny and the Sunsets Share Pink Cake

While Sonny Smith has been at it for quite awhile, there’s something about his latest work that’s really got my ears perked up for the new LP. For instance, and maybe I’m stretching here, but there’s definitely something in this song that feels like it was penned by Dan Treacy. I’m not sure whether its the way that bits of accompaniment join in out of nowhere or that combo vocal that’s charming in the middle. It could even be that digressing guitar line at 47 seconds squiggling its way right into your ears. So if Self Awareness Through Macrame is going to be Sonny and the Sunsets nod to Television Personalities, I’m absolutely here for that! Rocks In Your Head drop the LP on August 25th.

Sonny and the Sunsets Announce Self Awareness Through Macrame

Another bit of great news from one of my favorite songwriters, Sonny Smith. Sonny wrote a majority of the songs, like the one below during the pandemic, then went back and added in friends and touches to make it a proper Sonny and the Sunsets record. I love the light-hearted guitar jangle that bounces throughout this tune, giving off a ray of sunshine and bounce that’s immediately accessible to any old pop fan. Plus, you get some great organ work that adds an extra textural layer of depth to the song, building in extra bits of charm. Self Awareness Through Macrame will be out on September 1st via Rocks In Your Head Records.

Sonny & the Sunsets Share Palm Reader Video

I took one of those rarefied family vacations, heading to the beach this last week, so I wasn’t able to properly wrap up last week, where I most certainly would have shared the latest video from Sonny & the Sunsets. This is one of my favorite tracks on New Day with New Possibilities (which also dropped while I was tanning), hitting home because of the intermingling of sliding guitar lines and the sunny pop vibes that are always present in a Sonny Smith release; you might have heard a non-country version on Antenna to the Afterworld, so this gives you a different glance at Smith’s writing process of late. The new LP is out now via Rocks in Your Head Records.

A New Tune from Sonny & the Sunsets

So yeah, you should have likely heard this song yesterday, but if you didn’t, then perhaps celebrate the joys of listening to Sonny & the Sunsets on this fine Friday morning. As it opens, we find the band in familiar territory, toying with a catchy strum and Sonny’s sun-drenched tones. Things move forward and a little twang jumps on board, but the melodic nature never strays too far away, which is as pleasant a way to pass the morning as I can find for you. This tune’s on the forthcoming New Day with New Possibilities LP, out via Rocks In Your Head on July 30th.

2019 Albums of the Year from Pale Lights

I’m a big fan of indiepop outfitPale Lights, and I reach out to the band from time to time, like I did this year when I was compiling my Year End List collection from people I admire. The band got back to me with their collective list, including some reissues, which you can find down after the jump. I don’t mind one bit seeing Robert Forster on a list!

Be sure to go listen to the Pale Lights at their Bandcamp page, and then check out their great new track for the FadeawayRadiate Compilation.

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Enjoy New Sonny & the Sunsets

sonnyI think it’s time we all give credit to Sonny Smith, leader of Sonny & the Sunsets. For six “official” albums and countless other releases/projects he constantly is redefining his sound. While I have my personal favorites, I’m really stoked on his new approach. On this single, it seems like it’s a crash of new-wave style and the Television Personalities, so I can clearly get behind that sound. It’s interesting, yet still has some of the same stylistic approaches all Smith records wear; it’s great to move and change. His new LP, Moods Baby Moods, comes out on May 27th via Polyvinyl Records.

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Rejoice in New Sonny & the Sunsets

sonnyThis is one of those pieces that really excites me.  I love the work of Sonny Smith, so I’m excited to hear that he’s got new tunes coming our way; I was beginning to think it had been awhile.  But, that being said, he seems to be taking a step in a slightly new direction here.  Now, it’s not that I don’t really love this track, because I do, but if you’ve listened to his latest releases with Sonny & the Sunsets, there seems to be more of a group effort in the song’s construction, which casts a wider net on Smith’s spin of pop music.  The rest of the band seems more involved, and I think that’s going to set things up for quite a listen when Talent Night at the Ashram is released via Polyvinyl on February 17th. This number also got some nice video treatment you can follow HERE.

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Show Review: Kurt Vile @ Mohawk (8/20)

The crowd filled into Mohawk on a warm August evening, selling out for one of the most popular names in the indie realm, Kurt Vile. He came into town behind praise for Wakin’ on a Pretty Daze, his latest album; he was supported by Sonny and the Sunsets

I probably had different feelings than most leaving the night, so you can read those thoughts, or just check out the great photo work of our boy Brian Gray.

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Show Preview: Kurt Vile @ Mohawk (8/20)

kurt-vile

Date 8/20/13
Location Mohawk
Doors 6:30pm
Tickets $20 @ Door

Our apologies for the short notice on this one, but we feel the need to let you know about such a great show regardless of timeliness.  So tonight you should head on down to Mohawk for a great dual bill featuring Kurt Vile & The Violators along with Polyvinyl vet Sonny & the Sunsets.  It’s rare that you’ll find a bill in town with not one, but two solid indie rock n roll acts so we suggest you make the most of this rare opportunity.  Ya dig?

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Download: Kurt Vile – Never Run Away [MP3]

 

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