Tag: stream

James Leonard Hewitson Eschews Cool

Leave a comment

There’s something in this new single from James Leonard Hewitson that recalls the sultry stylings of Jeremy Jay. It’s pop music, but not the overproduced sort, settling into a consistent bit of dreamy pop…fitting as this new single is titled “Dream Person.” A slightly heavier/darker tone crashes into the song’s middle, but fades away back into the soothing core of the song that revolves around Hewitson’s voice…though joined by a female counterpart on the track’s latter half. I love the way he’s just casually bringing out songs slowly, testing the waters of his craft. Cheers to you sir.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/315184367″ params=”color=00aabb&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

New White Bronco Tune on Slack Capital 2

Leave a comment

Slack Capital 2 is a compilation of music by 27 of the greatest bands in Austin. All proceeds from the comp go to SafePlace, which provides support for victims of domestic and sexual violence. We’re unveiling one song per day until the the release party on April 14.

Song of the day: White Bronco — “Soul Stroll”

Although they’ve sadly been defunct for a little while now, White Bronco have pulled out an unreleased gem for Slack Capital 2. Featuring a Beatles-evoking and very hummable chord structure over a driving snare and pealing guitars, “Soul Stroll” pays tribute to the rebellious power of taking a walk, of getting far from the madding crowd. The opening lyrics, “Outside/ With my spaceship,” set the tone of a person apart, a weirdo looking in. Like a punk Bruce Springsteen, complete with plenty of yelps, power is asserted through the fine art of breaking free and getting loose. A chaotic ending puts you in the middle of a boisterous happy crowd in a sweaty room, and you can’t help but think “Come back, White Bronco!” — Eric Braden

Pre-Order Slack Capital 2 HERE.

Join us at Barracuda on April 14th for the Release Show!

Hear Tamarron’s Contribution to Slack Capital 2

Leave a comment

Slack Capital 2 is a compilation of music by 27 of the greatest bands in Austin. All proceeds from the comp go to SafePlace, which provides support for victims of domestic and sexual violence. We’re unveiling one song per day until the the release party on April 14.

Song of the day: Tamarron — “Dr. Alan”

Tamarron is one of those bands where half the fun is watching how much fun the band is having. In other words, these dudes like each other, and that camaraderie is impossible to fake. It makes you want to be part of the gang, to be in on the jokes. Their contribution to Slack Capital 2, “Dr. Alan,” is, fittingly, an endlessly melodic soft-rock jam, complete with background “ooh la la la’s” and serpentine, in-no-hurry guitar solos. The interesting thing is, for such a laid-back song, it’s really hard to pinpoint exactly what it’s about. Is it a drug song, alluding to The Beatles’ “Dr. Robert”? You start to think that its obscurity might be the point when you parse a lyric like “You’ll never understand me/ And when you do/ It’s hard to believe.” Perhaps Tamarron will forever be a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an acid blotter. But that’s the fun of it. — Eric Braden

Pre-Oder Slack Capital 2 HERE.

Join us for the Release Show, April 14th at Barracuda.

Listen to Schwein! on Slack Capital 2

Leave a comment

Slack Capital 2 is a compilation of music by 27 of the greatest bands in Austin. All proceeds from the comp go to SafePlace, which provides support for victims of domestic and sexual violence. We’re unveiling one song per day until the the release party on April 14.

Song of the day: Schwein! — “Atma”

Schwein! is the musical moniker of Matt Schweinberg, who plays guitar in Annabelle Chairlegs and runs a home studio here in town (he recorded the glistening “Gold Driver,” by The Diamond Center–another band he plays in–on this very compilation). Given his association with those two bands, the classic rock throwback vibes in “Atma” make perfect sense. The happy surprise here is the song’s pure joy involved– the irrepressible good feeling of devotion. Just wait for those drums to kick in, about a minute into the song. I don’t care who you are, if that moment doesn’t cause you to open the windows and start grooving, you’re probably dead. Add to that a heavy George Harrison vibe (those slide guitars!) and a spiritual bent (Schweinberg told me “atma” means “spiritual friend”), and you have a song whose warmth is a perfect companion to the blossoming of Spring. Here we have a song that makes you want to bop your head and take a deep breath of fresh air in equal measure. –Eric Braden

Pre-Oder Slack Capital 2 HERE.
Join us at the release party on April 14th at Barracuda.

Hear Nike’s Slack Capital 2 Contribution

Leave a comment

Slack Capital 2 is a compilation of music by 27 of Austin’s most wonderful bands. All proceeds from the comp go to SafePlace, which provides support for victims of domestic and sexual violence. We’re unveiling one song per day, leading up to the comp’s release on April 14.

Today’s song: Nike — “UR Lying Now”

Oh god, I love Nike. You can tell by their name that pretentiousness is not their bag. And when you hear their music, that’s what you get — short, propulsive, gross, funny songs. Striking a similar tongue-in-cheek vibe as Ian McKinney’s “CRIMEWAVE” and the Pataphysics song “Carrasco,” two other Slack Capital 2 songs we’ve told you about, “UR Lying Now” is a faux-upset rant at a person who is literally lying at this very moment. Plenty of songs tell a generic “you” that they have lied, but how many have the gall to call it out while it’s happening? This three-piece is relatively new to the Austin scene, but if this song is any indication, they’ll be making a bunch of die hard fans in no time. People still want to have fun when they go to a show, and Nike, with their caffeinated, quirky takes on modern life, never forget that.

Pre-order the release over at ATH Records.

Catch Nike at the Slack Capital 2 release party, April 14 at Barracuda!

Exciting Stuff from Factory Seconds

Leave a comment

I love how Art Is Hard Records always manage to unearth a golden gem from an up-and-comer; they were one of the early champions of Joanna Gruesome for instance. I’m really digging this Factory Seconds tune on their new Postcard Singles Series. There’s a little bit of indifference from the way the vocals are delivered, but the impact of the song is instilled in listeners via the sounds haunting the background. At times there’s these fading guitar chords staggering in the speakers, while little sonic blips also burst through. The group’s fairly new, but what an exciting bit of promise from the get-go.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/314855247″ params=”color=00aabb&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

New Music from Eric and Magill

Leave a comment

It’s been some time since I even thought about Eric & Magill, but this new tune that just dropped definitely reminded me exactly why I loved the group’s early work. Here, there’s a smoky entry, gradually releasing softened vocals atop careful picking. But, those looking to hear the band expand upon that will find the burst of euphoric pop during the chorus refreshing. Part of the duo, Ryan Weber, is seeking to find meaning in our chaotic world, and it sounds to me like they’ve found just that be crafting elevated pop tunes. Look for Peach Colored Oranges to come out on May 12th.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/283706162″ params=”color=00aabb&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

ATX Album Stream with The Reputations

Leave a comment

There’s something brewing here in Austin. That something seems to be the evolution of soulful rock n’ roll rooted in a punk rock ethos. The latest act to get up in the game is The Reputations, who just released their debut Begging for More. But, while their might be some similarities to fellow locals, Sweet Spirit, I think there’s a whole lot more here that owes to the purity of classic rock and doo-wop. My favorite track of the moment is “My Baby’s Back,” which features a stomp to collide with the perfect unison of male/female vocals. The upbeat shimmy of “Up and Down” isn’t too shabby either! Give it a stream, and enjoy.

The Zoltars Land on Slack Capital Again

Leave a comment

Slack Capital 2 is a compilation of music by 27 of Austin’s most wonderful bands. All proceeds from the comp go to SafePlace, which provides support for victims of domestic and sexual violence. We’re unveiling one song per day, leading up to the comp’s release on April 14.

Song of the day: The Zoltars – “I See You”

Perhaps no artist on this comp is quite as “slack” as Jared Zoltar of the Zoltars. With a super laid-back delivery, ghostly “oohs” floating in the background, an acoustic guitar straight out of Beck’s closet, and drums that sound like someone shutting a cabinet door in the next room, “I See You” feels like a lo-fi lullaby sent via transmission from some rigged-up VHS tape in a basement somewhere. I don’t want you to get the wrong idea, though. Like the best Zoltars songs, this one has an earnest heart at its core, and the refrain — “I see you/ I see you/ I like you/ cuz you’re like me too”– is both addictive and sweetly simple. 10/10 would recommend for a key spot on your next summer love mixtape. –Eric Braden

Pre-Order Slack Capital 2 HERE.

Come to the Release Party on April 14 at Barracuda.

New Music from Sheer

Leave a comment

Sheer are back with a brand new EP, and after a few line-up changes, it seems like the band’s brand of pop is going to get a whole lot sweeter. Our first listen is this glorious ballad, coolly floating along with this blissful dream vocal; it’s soothing as it progresses, but just after the 1.30 mark or so, the song takes off for a powerful closing. It’s a nice tease at what’s to come from the band, with their brand new Psychic Quarry EP on the April 28th horizon; look for the release via The Native Sound.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/313847928″ params=”color=00aabb&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

1 … 555 556 557 558 559 … 849