This is fine.
It’s the weekend, with many of us looking at three days off, so let’s try and fill it with some great tunes. Let’s take a look at what Austin has planned for you, with just our personal highlights on where you should end up.
This is only one man’s opinion.
Helvetia is a group we’ve been talking about for years now and you have to know that we’ll be sharing their tunes when they come our way. Today I’m pleased to share with you their latest single “A Dot Running for the Dust”. It’s an organ heavy, sort of throwback emo style, melodic tune. It’ll take you a few listens, but I’m sure you will find more and more to enjoy with each play.
You can pick up Dromomania on October 2nd via Joyful Noise.
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I don’t think I’ve quite tired of hearing new music from John Pena’s project, Heavenly Beat. It always fulfills my listening needs, providing bits of pop elements entranced by dancefloor-ready grooves. Interestingly, Pena doesn’t have the same household name as others of his ilk, which seems strange as I think his layering is often far better than his peers. Anyways, he’s got a new record titled Designer that he’s self-releasing later this year; you’ll also be able to catch him out on the road with other synth-pop purveyor, Teen Daze (including a September date here in Austin).
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Samson the Truest has quickly walked his way into our constant listening rotation over at the ATH offices, or at least on my side. I’m impressed with this track, as it offers a different style than what he offered us early on, giving a little bit of a funkier step/groove to the song. Still, there’s a soulful touch in his vocals, carrying on into the voice of the guitar, which always pleases my ears. This tune appears on his new album, Come Back Shane; it has a scheduled release date for October 2nd, so stay tuned.
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We were lucky enough to find a way to get three local bands paid, get staff paid and treat everyone to a solid lineup for supah cheap. You have to love it when a plan comes together.
The Mohawk was kind enough to host our first 3 Bands for $3 along with sponsorship from Sailor Jerry. Drink specials were had, jams were played, jokes were told, new friends, old friends, everything we love about “the scene”. All the while, we had this great soundtrack from Twin Bitches, Rain Collectors and Que Pasa. I grabbed the Df, set it to monochrome and mounted the trusty 40/f2 Voigtlander to document the happenings on stage. Click through for pics a plenty.
This track’s been quickly making its way around the indiepop circles, seeing as it features M from Northern Portrait, one of the genre’s revered current acts. It’s an interesting song from A Novel Resort, wrapping electronics around the stereotypical sound…filling in the gaps with strings and horns. Quite a special moment, though we’re still waiting to hear whether an album will be in the works from the group (rumor says Dufflecoat might make a grab!). Anyways, a pretty good song for you to enjoy while you’re sitting at your desk.
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I’ve been a fan of Emotional Response and their work since they label was first brought to my attention, so keeping an eye on the label is our job here at ATH. Seeing as the label has been run by Stew and Jen from Boyracer, it would make sense if you pigeonholed the label (though unfortunate), which is why I want to bring you attention to the Wanda Junes. The group specialize, at least in my time with the album, as creators of saloon Americana. By that I mean you can hear the history of our fairly young country (I wasn’t referencing the bastardized genre), dripping with booze and a big band sound recorded in a small room. You should grab the group’s Hi Fi Record from the label right HERE.
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I really dig the vibe coming from Danish outfit, Yung. Interestingly, they seem to be meeting where my own two music worlds collided (or do collide). Part of the song has this infectious power-indiepop vibe to it, while the other part has this classic alternative vocal growl. All the while there’s this urgency from the band, which definitely carries over to the listener. I reckon it’s just another good reason to give their These Thoughts Are Like Mandatory Chores EP a few listens on its September 18th release date, courtesy of a Fat Possum.
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I had no idea the Woollen Kits were even working on new music; they’ve been relatively quiet since their last album, Four Girls. That being said, there’s never a bad time for these guys to put out new tracks, as their relaxed pop fits right into the modern indie rocker playlist. There’s some deeper vocal tones on their songs, which always makes me feel like your favorite Aussie jangle pop band is covering Beat Happening…and that’s a compliment of the highest form. You can grab the below tune on a brand new 7″ from RIP Society, but hurry, good stuff never lasts.
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It seems like every one on the Internet today is posting this Wand tune, which is fair considering I think it’s going to propel the band to the next level. Up until now, I’ve felt that the band have been living just beneath the cusp of stardom, crafting heavy-handed psych rock that’s a little more developed than many of their peers. This tune sees the band dropping full on into the pop spectrum, though they still employ those huge fuzzy guitar riffs. You’ll be able to hear this crunchy number on the band’s new album, 1000 Days, which is being released by Drag City on September 25th.
[youtube]https://youtu.be/0_MSyIV-HDc[/youtube]
