Month: November 2013

New Jam from Doug Tuttle

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TIM065.Doug.Tuttle.LPjktYou might recognize Doug Tuttle as one of the members of MMOSS, but you’re going to find a bit of a different feeling when you delve into the music he’s created under his own name.  I can still hear those sunny harmonic elements that were turned upside down with psychedelia, but there’s more of a focus here on the emotive pull that’s created by the percussion and the gentle vibe of the vocals.  You’ll also find a soloing guitar that works itself through the middle of the track, perhaps allowing Tuttle to hold onto his more experimental touches.  It’s a nice solid number, and you can grab it off his self-titled record, which is being released by Trouble in Mind Records on January 28th.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/115962200″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Another Gem from Jeremy Jay

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JeremyJayLondonTreesYep, the last few months have scattered hits from Jeremy Jay, and this one is another that spread around yesterday.  But, I don’t care; Jeremy’s been really kind to us, and really important to my listening habits over the last several years, so I’m going to give you yet another new tune.  This track appears on Abandoned Apartments, which comes out on January 21st via K Records.  It’s a song that fits in perfectly with the record, and it’s definitely one of the standout tracks.  He’s pulled back a bit on the electronics, hiding them lower in the mix, which allows listeners to really connect with his striking voice.  Personally, I like the discordant noise push that comes in the latter half of the song, but anything he touches is likely to make me happy.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/117658133″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Pop Rocking with Midnight Reruns

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midnight rerunsToday’s my Friday. I’ll be off all weekend enjoying our little Fun Fun Fun Festival, so obviously I’m out to get my spirits up. One way I’ve been getting my spirits up lately is by jamming to “King of Pop” by Midnight Reruns. Unfortunately, this isn’t your ode to MJ, but rather Paul Collins, who won my heart over too with his work in The Nerves. You’ll probably benefit most by turning your speakers up way loud in order to get the most out of the sugary sweetness that’s inherent in this song. Their self-titled album is out next week on Good Land Records, so I figured it was best if you knew now.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/02-King-of-Pop.mp3]

Tycho Is Playing Fun Fun Fun Fest

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TychoMOAR FFF8

Tycho is on my rainy-day-artists list. I have been able to listen to Tycho more in the last month and half than the last year and a half. Yes, we need it. Fortunately, we are getting a lovely break in the wet stuff for our festival this weekend.

Scott Hansen is Tycho. Tycho is playing on the Blue Stage on Saturday @ 6:20pm.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/115300435″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

New Bubblegum Lemonade Tune

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popChristmas has come early! And so has the new Bubblegum Lemonade record!  The band has been hard at work on their next LP, and while we expected it at some point this year or earlier next, news came today that their new LP was already in from the plants, so why not share the great tune with you all? Laz has been working effortlessly, and each new release sees his music grow; it’s great to see a musician progress so wonderfully.  If you’re not digging the guitar work here, then you’re probably not an indiepop fan.  And that’s okay, but you should really spend just a short bit of time with this tune.  Like all tunes from the act, you’ll find it hard to ignore the splendor of a songwriter at the top of his craft. Some Like it Pop will be available next week from Matinee Recordings.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/118627169″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Relaxed Number from Delay Trees

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delay_trees_promo_2013_2I’m in love with the modern genre that I’m going to dub casual-pop, or cas-pop for those who want to hype it up.  It’s a genre focused on airy guitar work, warm melodies and occasional lo-fi tendencies…such as Real Estate or Twerps.  The genre’s made its way over to Finland and Delay Trees.  They’ve just offered up their first single as a teaser to Readymade, which is their new album; it’s slated for an early 2014 release via Soliti.  I liked their last album, but if they keep writing such incredibly well-crafted tunes like the one below, then I’ll surely declare my love when it hits the streets.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/06-Perfect-Heartache.mp3]

Download: Delay Trees – Perfect Heartache [MP3]

 

Stream The National’s Contribution to ‘Catching Fire’ Soundtrack

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nattyEveryone’s favorite kings of doom and gloom, The National, certainly aren’t new to creating tunes for other sources of media. From a Game of Thrones ending credit track, to songs for Video Game, Indie Flicks, and now Major Motion Picture Soundtracks, this band seems to always be at the ready to add a little gravitas to any situation. As per usual, this band is giving you poignance in their lyrics and a nuanced sound unlike any other band today, complete with some elegant string arrangements to wow you. Have a listen, and if for some reason you haven’t already, catch the latest wonderful full length release from the band, Trouble Will Find Me.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/118552251″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Fun Fun Fun Fest Interviews: Active Child

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When I look at the Fun Fun Fun Fest lineup for the weekend, trend setting new band Active Child is one of my must sees of the festival.  We caught the live act a couple of years ago, serving as an introduction to the band, and the ATH crew has been fans ever since.  Lucky for you and I, the brains behind Active Child, Pat Grossi, made some time to answer a few of our questions.  Follow the jump for more.

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Radical Face – Family Tree: The Branches

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385315_10152304962695476_563176136_nRating: ★★★★☆

Family Tree: The Branches is the second installment in a trilogy of records from Radical Face. It continues the family saga begun by 2011’s The Roots, and will be followed by The Relatives. Ben Cooper, the voice behind Radical Face (who is also a member of Electric President, Iron Orchestra, and Mother’s Basement), explains that the lyrics on these albums are based upon “a fictional family tree — a Frankenstein of random genealogy charts, my own family history, some of my personal experiences and plain old fiction.” (http://www.radicalface.com)

The Branches is another beautiful Radical Face album despite the fact that it probably contains the most depressing collection of songs that Cooper has written. As in Cooper’s previous efforts, the harmonies and background vocals here are fantastic. The piano work throughout the album is also wonderful. Unlike Radical Face’s previous recordings, The Branches has been mastered, making it cleaner and a bit more modern sounding than Ghost, Family Tree: The Roots, or Radical Face’s two EPs.

The lyrics on The Branches are often quite dark. There’s a great deal of regret expressed here, and very few of the stories here have happy endings. Cooper begins “Reminders” by saying, “I wish I had more nice things to say, but I was raised not to lie.” This kind of bleak realism is representative of the tone throughout most of the record. The closest thing to optimism on The Branches is the kind of calm acceptance conveyed in songs like “Holy Branches” and “Letters Home”. The latter, a fictional letter from a wounded soldier back to his family, ends with the line “I’m all right; I’ve made peace with it all.”

“Summer Skeletons” is probably my favorite song on The Branches. It has everything that is good about Radical Face: simplicity, honesty, and profound, unassuming lyrics like: “we were down by the shore and the skies opened up and all the stars fell into the lake, and the water was warm. I walked in over my head then you pulled me out by the collar of my shirt.”

I do somewhat miss Radical Face’s slightly more hopeful side, and I must say that Ghost is still my favorite album, but I would highly recommend giving Family Tree: The Branches a listen.

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