Month: March 2016

Stream a New Loafer Track

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loafer?Regardless of the fact that being a musician, in any city, seems to suck lately, Austin’s music scene is very much alive and kicking. One of the scenes I’ve kept my eye on is the group made up by Merdurhaus acts; today we’ve got a tune from the label’s Loafer. The project will release a brand new EP on April 1st (as long as it’s not a joke), and this single shows a little bit of the noodling twang that definitely pays homage to Mac Demarco…back in the home recording days. Still, I like the playfulness, such as including a soundbite mid track. Give it a twirl, and check out some of the labels other acts; there’s something for every body.

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Great Demo from Goodly Thousands

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74917_449316638455527_827934431_nIt’s possible that I could rehash yesterday’s news with the cool and hip bands everyone else had, but I’d rather give you a look at the future…that happens to be (hopefully) a new album from Goodly Thousands. It’s been a little bit since we heard from the band; the last time was on their Sunshine Hair EP (Shelflife)…I guess that was only about a year ago. So, they just uploaded this demo…but even as it stands, the songwriting is perfect, and one of the reasons I’ve fawned over the group. Here’s to hoping we hear more from them soon.

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Softly Jam Along With Chris Cohen

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chris cohenThere’s going to be a lot of political noise and hubbub today, and while that’s all interesting, sometimes it can be a little bit grating. That’s where Chris Cohen comes in to make it all better and give you some reprieve with “Torrey Pine,” the latest single from his upcoming record As If Apart.This track is simply delightful, and it feels like a cool breeze on a warm day. It’s a quiet and mellow jam, but those guitars have a bit of a psych shimmer to them. Of course, Cohen’s vocals are perfectly even-toned, bathing the whole tune in warmth and soothing temperament. And just when you think the song is going to simmer in itself, it builds to the end to keep your full attention. Make sure you get excited for As If Apart, which will be out May 6th via Captured Tracks.

 

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Check Out This Track From Mitski

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unnamed-30I don’t know about you, but I live for the tracks that surprise me. You know, the ones where you think you’ve fully grasped where it’s going and then it spins you in a different, delightfully unexpected direction. This is the case for the newest single from Mitski, called “Your Best American Girl.” What begins as a slow and quiet track explodes sonically into a fuzzy garage-inspired crescendo, bringing a bit of drama. The vocals on this track are impossibly smooth and sweet, at first dominating the quiet mix and then contrasting the intense musical swells. It’s a masterfully crafted tune, that you’ll be playing again and again. Make sure to look out for Mitski’s upcoming album,Puberty 2, which will be out June 17th on Dead Oceans.

 

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Otis the Destroyer – Belushi EP

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otdRating: ★★★★☆

“This one goes to 11,” I couldnt help quoting Spinal Taps legendary Nigel Tufnel while listening to Otis the Destroyers freshly released Belushi EP. Recorded with Austins resident Rock n Roll mastermind Frenchie Smith, Belushi unleashes a killer quad combo on the Austin Music Scene.

An avid rock n roller myself, Belushi, and Otis the Destroyer in general, are a welcome antidote to a music scene saturated with cutes-y folks-y ukulele strumming duets. The heart and soul of the music leans heavily on the early 00s charging guitar rock of Grohls Foo Fighters and Hommes Queens of the Stone Age, but Taylor Wilkins penchant for eerie chromaticism sets them apart from these now classic bands.

The lead track Fight comes out taunting the listener with a pumping drum intro and stuttering guitar lick. The chorus comes in quick and threatening and the guitars are layered and mixed masterfully. Cheetah, the single off the EP, follows Fight and builds on intensity. Again, the guitar layering is skillfully executed and the guitar solo screams like a back alley catfight. Otis manages to avoid the pit of muddy, distorted tracks here. It would be easy to leave a listener with ear fatigue from so many roaring six strings, but throughout many listens of the EP I always appreciated how clearly separated the guitar tracks were, and how they managed to be so dang loud (…this one goes to 11). Guitar aficionados and engineers out there will understand how difficult it is to make a record sound and feel loud its a feat thats hard to do right, and quite frankly it can make or break a record like Belushi.

My favorite track off the EP was actually not the single Cheetah. I absolutely loved Swallow, the third song off the EP. The opening plinking, syncopated riff just took me back to an 80s or 90s opening action montage from some B movie (the movie definitely takes place in a gritty harbor town, and the bad guys definitely all have mustaches). The last chorus on Swallow just crescendos like a damn tidal wave ok actually I am pretty sure this movie in my head is about a crime boss setting off a tidal wave with a stolen generic pan-Asian dictators nuclear bomb. Yea. This one definitely goes to 11.

Closing out the EP with the strong, jarring Hatchet (rated pg-13 for strong language and diminished harmonies), Belushi comes to a satisfying finale. Belushi builds on a strong foundation that Otis the Destroyer has laid out. For those of you headbangers out there missing the golden era of hard rock this EP is a must listen, and music preferences aside Swallow is one of those rare songs that has a genre spanning appeal. Catch them at their EP Release show March 5th link (https://www.facebook.com/events/530556140444240/539749096191611/) with Megafauana, Think No Think, and the Shame and the Waste.

Brand New Fear of Men

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fearWell, it’s Tuesday and I have my track of the week: “Island” by Fear of Men. Their new album, Fall Forever, is being released by Kanine on June 3rd, but between them, expect the band to hit it hard…including a whole bunch of SXSW dates (including the Welcome to the Jangle party). I think my favorite thing about this track is the rolling of the drums…it’s a given that I love Jessica’s voice. While they’ve been raved about by man, I hope this new album solidifies the group as one of the more solid groups in the world. Consistent output that’s consistently good.

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Fresh A. Sinclair Tune

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asinclairI’ve followed Aaron Sinclair musically for some time. He fronted Frank Smith, played drums in an old line-up of Grape St and now operates under A. Sinclair. I remember talking to Aaron a few years back, and he claimed, in one form or another, that he wanted to just kick out really great rock songs on a larger stage. I think his latest single from the band’s forthcoming effort definitely has a heavier edge than some of Aaron’s earlier work. If you’re looking for no bullshit rock n’ roll, then you better get into some A. Sinclair. Look for the band’s album, Get Out of the City, on May 13th via Dangerbird Records.

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New Klaus Johann Grobe!

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12768329_955580437812643_5803637294415293664_oJust a few months ago we got a taste of new Klaus Johann Grobe via a nice little 7″…but the Swiss duo has quietly unleashed another single via their label, Trouble in Mind Records. There always seems like the band is pushed forth by an electronic pulse, but I think that, and this single, owes that feeling to the steady groove the band continues to put forth. I reckon you can lump this into the realm of progressive psychedelia, but it feels a little bit more space influenced, a little more focused on steady hands. Look for the group’s new album, Spagat der Liebe, on TiM on May 6th.

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SXSW Interview: Haelos

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haelosHaelos are going to be one of the hotter tickets at SXSW this year, especially with the release of their album, Full Circle, coming in at the end of the festival (March 18th). They’re definitely in my Top Ten list of acts to catch this year, so we were fortunate enough to catch up with Dom Goldsmith from the group before they make their way to Austin.
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The Orielles Work with Art Is Hard

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oriellesIf you’re one of those small boutique record labels, you’ve got to do unique offerings in order to keep people coming back, and Art is Hard Records has always been at the forefront of that movement. They just announced they’ll be doing a 7″ flexizine with The Orielles, along with a 20 page coloring zine to boot. The song itself has that casual indie rock feeling to it; I can even hear some sonic similarities to Hinds in the vocal delivery…that should excite some folks. It’s set for a release on April 1st, and as always, it will be super limited, so get at it if you’re interested.

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