This is fine.
We began our night of covering the Austin music scene over at Mohawk on Tuesday night, greatly anticipating the return of Jens Lekman to Austin. Openers did their job, if only to warm us up for our favorite Swede.
Read on for more words and photos.
Most of our loyal readers know that the ATH crew is all about the leading ladies with beautiful voices that can often times send a chill down our spine. This new song entitled “A Little Longer” coming our way from Chicago based songwriter Kirby Kaiser is one of those songs that we find irresistible. The songwriting is fairly simplistic and could maybe be considered a little juvenile for the young 20 year old musician, but hot damn, something about her vocal delivery is really doing it for me. It’s sultry, it’s raspy, and it fits in perfectly with the doo wop style of the song. This is the first new material from Kaiser since the release of her debut EP last year, which I highly recommend you check out on soundcloud if you haven’t. She’s got what it takes to stay around for awhile.
Stay tuned for more information on upcoming releases from this upstart and promising artist.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/A-little-longer-original-master.mp3]Download: Kirby Kaiser – A little longer [MP3]
| Date | 11/15/12 |
|---|---|
| Location | Stubbs |
| Doors | 9pm |
| Tickets | $10 @ Frontgate |
Mr. Gnome is a great up and coming band that I caught during SXSW last year, and I can honestly say that they can fully deliver in the live setting. Those looking to get a good show in before the craziness of this weekend ensues should head on down to the indoor stage at Stubbs on Thursday to see this rocking good band live. Local upstarts The Baker Family will be more than adequate in providing your opening support for the evening. You’ll enjoy it.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/01-The-Way-1.mp3]Download: Mr. Gnome – The Way [MP3]
Only a few months ago, I posted a new song by Swedish outfit Sweet Serenades after having not heard from them in quite a long time. I was excited about that song, but this new jam “After All the Violence” is easily my favorite song the band has ever put out. It features some tasty dual vocal duties from Karolina Komstedt of indie pop band Club 8. This song appears on a new album by the band, Help Me!, which is currently out on Leon Records and can by purchased digitally via iTunes.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/04-After-All-The-Violence.mp3]Download: Sweet Serenades – After All The Violence [MP3]
When I first caught the live set from Widowspeak a few years ago at SXSW I immediately became a proponent of the group, so I’m glad news broke today of a new release comign from the group. They’ll be putting out their second LP, Almanac, via Captured Tracks on January 22nd. This first listen is fairly revealing about what we can expect, with the haziness of previous works a bit removed. I’m interested to see how it all unfolds in the long-run. Will it be too tame for my liking or yours? Only time will tell, but for now we’ve got this tune to enjoy.
Download: Widowspeak – Ballad of the Golden Hour [MP3]
A short bit ago I tossed out the upbeat “I Wanna Go Out” from DC’s Teen Mom, but this time around, I’m offering you a different insight into the band’s blissed out pop numbers. On “You and Me” you can see that the central melody is holding the song together, and with a slower pacing, the song has the ability to unfold rather carefully before your expectant pop ears. If you dig what you’re hearing then you should definitely check out the group’s new Mean Tom EP, which hits the streets on November 27th via Analog Edition Records.
Download:Teen Mom – You and Me [MP3]
We love pretty much everything that’s being put out by Secretly Canadian, and this new release from Cayucas is surely going to be another hit we’ll adore for some time. The recent signing has an upcoming 7″ featuring two tracks to give us all an introduction to the band. This first taste is just what you’d expect a California pop band to construct, full of vibrant energy and tasty melodies. It sort of sounds like the meeting ground between The Drums and Generationals, both bands we fawn over, so how could we, and you, not love this?
Download:Cayucas – Cayucos [MP3]
| Date | Wednesday, November 14th |
|---|---|
| Location | Mohawk |
| Doors | 6:30 PM |
| Tickets | $15 from Mohawk |
Unfortunately the music world is slowly winding its way down towards the end of 2012, but that doesn’t mean there still aren’t some great acts pushing their way through town, such as The Sea and Cake. They’ve just released their latest, Runner, which really surprised me with its immediate accessibility and careful pop sensibility. They’re a massive underground favorite of many, and playing at the Mohawk with Fiery Furnaces‘ Matthew Friedberger just strengthens the bill all the more. It’s chilled out indie rock of the classiest sort, so be sure to make your way for a midweek treat.
Download:The Sea and Cake – Harps [MP3]
Many many moons ago, we posted about a brand new NYC band Conversion Party who caught our ear with their jagged guitars and rugged sound. Since that time, the band has changed their name and sort of reconfigured the way they are going about things. The sound isn’t too terribly different and could still be compared to a more rough neck version of Frightened Rabbit. ATH is usually about that type of sound so of course we give it the seal of approval. You can check out some other new tunes by the band over on their band camp site if you’re digging this one “On the Decline”.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/SLINGSHOT_volBoost.mp3]Download: Pre War – On the Decline [MP3]
Not more than a month ago I brought you one of the lead singles from Cosmotopia, the newest record from Ethereal and the Queer Show. Now that the album is out, they’re tossing out more incredible hits for you to dive into. This new one is filled with an instrumental noise for almost a pure minute, but then there’s this driving beat and an electronic cloud coating the lyrics, creating one of the group’s strongest songs. I can’t get enough of this group, as they’re taking aim at doing things in a completely different manner than most. Enjoy this one.
Download:Ehtereal and the Queer Show – Cosmotopia [MP3]
