This is fine.
It’s that time of year folks. You thought you had just finished recovering from ACL, but just around the corner is one of our best kept secrets: Fun Fun Fun Fest. We’ll be bringing you our insight into the band’s you need to see why you’re out at the festvial. First up, Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti. Read more
I’m probably running really late on getting a tune up by Lord Huron, but I don’t really care because this sweet jam “Mighty” is just too good not to post. What can I say, I’m a sucker for hazey pop tunes. The track is set to appear on a new EP of same name due out November 2nd. You can also check out some of Lord Huron’s other tunes over on his bandcamp site. Dig.
Download: Lord Huron – Mighty [MP3]
| Date | 10/21/10 |
|---|---|
| Location | Emos |
| Doors | 9pm |
| Tickets | $8 @ Ticketweb |
Wisconsin indie folk duo known as Peter Wolf Crier are making a stop inside Emo’s in Austin on Thursday night. Joining the guys on stage are austin’s very own Sad Accordions. I can’t imagine a better way to start off your weekend ‘o fun.
[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/crutchandcane.mp3]Download: Peter Wolf Crier – Crutch and Cane [MP3]
Honestly, I don’t know too too much about Jim Bryson, other than he’s heralded as one of the great songwriters of Canada. What did catch my attention is that he’s recorded an album with one of my all time favorites, The Weakerthans. They combined to record a collection of songs during the Winter of 2010, and it’s titled The Falcon Lake Incident. I mean, the wintry landscape of Canada probably makes for some pretty solemn numbers, but with the acclaim these two groups get, well, Jim is just Jim, you can imagine how special this all might be. Get your hands on it now.
Download: Jim Bryson And the Weakerthans – Wild Folk [MP3]
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Now that John Darnielle has signed up The Mountain Goats to be part of the Merge Records roster, it seems only fair that he give the label a little sampling of his magic. Instead of throwing a 7″ or a single out, he collaborated with longtime friend, Franlkin Bruno, to complete only the second full-length, Undercard, by the duo known as The Extra Lens. Frankly, Franklin’s participation doesn’t go too far to stretch the sound of the typical Darnielle work, but its his subtle touches here and there that give a bit more depth to the normal acoustic strumming of old JD.
If you travel the path of a normal MG release, you’ll find that “Adultry” isn’t far off from that place, except the slightest noise in the background, that of a nicely distorted guitar chopping its way through the melodic strumming of Darnielle. It’s a shortened number, but what would come off as a short-penned song, now holds a new layer. It’s these ever so subtle touches that alter the work throughout Undercard. “Cruiserweights” just uses the most basic piano tinkering off in the far horizon of the track, and even using that doesn’t really alter our perception of The Extra Lens as being yet another venue for Darnielle’s songs. Basically, they’re the same old same old, only much much prettier.
You’re probably reading this, thinking that its just some boring re-hash of Mountain Goats material, but what it truly is, is just a man adding those finishing touches to his usual maseterpieces. John Darnielle has to be one of the finer craftsmen of song, and instead of leaving those magnificent pieces raw, he’s opted to use his friend Franklin to finish everything off, add a little gloss, and give it a hint of sheen.
You know, the world really needs more songs like these, especially if they’re given the Criterion treatment by Bruno. “Some Other Way” originates as a general unrequited love song, but an organ touch here, a far off strum in the background shifts it all, providing the song with the same sense of yearning that is created by the narrator’s words. There’s even somewhat of a Western feel, almost as if a cowboy has lost his herd, and aches to get them back. Such things are welcome in the great catalogue of JD. And you’ll find odd pieces to fall in love with as well, much like “In Germany Before the War,” which employs nothing more than a whispering John, a down-trodden piano line, and perhaps a bit of accordion. It’s a heavy emotion created, perhaps meant to accompany such a heavy-themed song.
You’ll find that Undercard, though beautiful in its entirety, really doesn’t venture too far off the beaten path of The Mountain Goats. But, that being said, does it really hurt you to have more polished beauty from Darnielle, especially when he’s got Bruno paying keen attention to the most important details? The answer to that question is probably no, so you should probably do what’s right, and go get your hands on the new Extra Lens record.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/The-Extra-Lens-Only-Existing-Footage.mp3]Download: The Extra Lens – Only Existing Footage [MP3]
The indie folk group Poor Bailey have set out on an extraordinary adventure; they’re writing 31 songs, one for each day in October. For now the work is being titled The October Project, but we’re not sure if the group will slim things down and make it some sort of official release. We’re bringing you the first track from the project, which has this incredible feel of old Jeff Mangum to it, maybe even a touch of J. Mascis. Each day the band will offer up a new song for download, and they’ll continue on until they’ve completed the project. If all the songs sound this good, then we’ll be grateful to have it all on November 1st.
Download: Poor Bailey – Angel in Disguise [MP3]
Pujol is an up-and-coming band out of Nashville, and they’ve already received lots of praise all over the Interwebs. Their sound uses a bit of that garage recording, which apparently is the technique of the year, at least for me. But, they include a lot of melodies, likely to make you bounce about your room jubilantly. They’ve just released their EP, All at the Same Time, and though its short, its got quite a punch. Give this track a try to see if this is your bag.
Download: Pujol – Butterflyknife [MP3]
| Date | 10/20/10 |
|---|---|
| Location | Stubbs |
| Doors | 7pm |
| Tickets | $15@ Frontgate |
Those Glasgow boys from Frightened Rabbit are stopping in town at Stubbs this Wednesday evening. Joining the Scots on stage are solid openers Plants & Animals and Bad Veins. For only $15, that’s a pretty awesome lineup for a pretty low price. I say spend the cash and make it out.
[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/swim-until-you-can_t-see-land.mp3]Download: Frightened Rabbit – Swim Until You Can’t See Land [MP3]
That great under the radar indie label known as Polyvinyl Records has yet another sweet sampler of music they’re offering up for free. You’ll notice Polyvinyl staples like Of Montreal, Owen, and Joan of Arc along with more recent signings like Japandroids and Someone Still Loves you Boris Yeltsin. All told, you’ll get your hands on 15 sweet tracks including this one from Headlight’s last album Wildlife.
Download: Headlights – Secrets [MP3]
I am one of the firm believers that Gruff Rhys has long been one of the great indie song writers who somehow continually manages to fly under the radar. Hell, sometimes I don’t even get wind of his new material until way after the fact. So it goes with this new single from Gruff entitled “Shark Ridden Waters”. The track is only a single and not set to appear on a new album or any of that business. Check it out below and discover the subtle pop greatness known as Gruff Rhys.
Download: Gruff Rhys – Shark Ridden Waters [MP3]
