This is fine.
Going through all the bands coming into town for SXSW, Lightning Bug made my list immediately. Last year’s October Song was both noisy and pretty; it reminded me of Radio Dept in a lot of ways, but maybe that was just wishful thinking on my part. Regardless, I’m really excited to see what they’ll have to offer in the live setting. Take a minute to get to know a little about the band below!
Tan Cologne should definitely be a band on your radar, especially after the release of their debut Cave Vaults on the Moon in New Mexico. Now they’ve teamed up with Johan Angergard and his project, The Legends, to release this light-hearted ditty. It’s the complete opposite end of the spectrum of what you’d expect, considering it involves the US duo, but it’s so so great. My only complaint being that the tune’s just short…and not because it’s short but because I could have it all on repeat all day long. Maybe you’ll feel the same after a couple of short spins.
Having already shared “Best and Fairest” from Primo‘s forthcoming LP, it only makes sense that we continue our personal hype machine for the band’s album with their newest single. What I love about the tunes we’ve heard from Sogni, like the one below, is that the band seem to have really settled into their skin as a group. The harmonies are spectacular, faintly outlining the band’s pop leanings. Here, the guitars ring out in this steady fashion, sort of holding court patiently with this crunchy sound; guitar layers get built in around to craft this wondrous wall of catchy discord. I love this record. It drops April 17th via Upset the Rhythm.
A few years ago now we released the most excellent Please Don’t Stop by Marmalakes. Why does that matter here? Well, Chase Weinacht (he’s also in the Hermits!) leads the band’s songwriting, but he’s stepping out on his own to work on some solo stuff for our good friends over at Keeled Scales. Today, he shares that first single, and it’s every bit as special as what he’s done in Marmalakes; he has this way of storytelling that makes you feel as if his narration is your own. It’s hard to distance yourself from someone you care about, but man, his voice is one of my favorite ATX sounds…hear it for yourself.
Been in an all-sorts-of-mellow mood as of late, when I came across these great tunes from Jordan Blackmon. He played with Toro y Moi as a guitarist for a bit, but has retreated to focus on his own work for the time being. The first of the tunes he’s shared is this really heartwarming piano ballad; it’s short and vocal free, and the studio mix definitely gives it a timelessness, especially when those strings swing into the song. “Family Crest” is the track that first drew me in, however, as it kind of sounds like something from the early 00s indie scene; it has lush arrangements built up around a song that seems like your best friend wrote on the spot outside your favorite coffee shop. Check it.
I love a great Australian voice, and we’ve seen so many come across our pages recently, like Ali Barter, who we’ve mentioned in the past. But, it’s not always easy for acts to get across the pond, so I’m really excited that she’ll be make her way across to the US for this year’s SXSW. It’s never a year without one great Aussie act or another! Last year she released Hello, I’m Doing My Best, and as we see here, she’s in LA working on the follow-up. SXSW seems like the perfect time to work out some kinks. See what else Ali has to say below.
A full minute of exuberance opens the new single from Orpine, spiriting the listener before the duo retreat to gentler fare. Oliver and Eleanor share vocals from that point forward, carefully letting a string ring on the song’s horizon; Eleanor seems to take the lead here, with Oliver supporting. This switches as the song’s moves into phase 3, with Oliver dropping quicker lyrical lines as percussion and faster strumming drives further meaning into your ears. And the song’s not even near over, taking a moment of quiet respite before bounding back down the road. I feel like this song is what it’s like as a newborn, opening your ears for the first time to the beauty in the cacophony of the world. Their album Grown Ungrown will be out on May 15th via Heist or Hit! (Soundcloud link HERE).
It’s weird how the world works. Two albums into their career already and I’m just now hearing of French outfit Cathedrale; I owe it entirely to this ridiculously catchy pop boppper. This tune brought out the energy immediately with a quick drum roll and the throb of bass bobbing in the speakers. Guitars soon joined the fray, and before the vocals even came in I was having a ball listening to this tune. That’s the thing, the vocals are definitely in that sort of indifferent punk mode, and I dig that, but some of the best parts occur in the absence of voice. You can feel the fun in the chorus, though there’s no chorus; the band just let go and carry you away with exuberant garage rock. Their 3rd album, Houses are Built the Same will be released on March 27th via Howlin Banana Records.
Another year and another ATH vs SOTO SXSW Party is ready to roll! Luckily for us, we get to draw on the great Austin acts that are already living here, and one this year’s guests will be Dorio. The band will likely be playing songs off their forthcoming album, Yesterday the Sky Was Blue, with the title track just being shared with the world. I love the bob of this song; it seems to have this playful bounce, almost nostalgically playing with psychedelic undertones, though plodding along happily…which seems to be the detailing of the lyrical content as well. This is just one of those feel good tracks that puts a grin on your face; I expect the LP to do the same when it’s released by Citrus City on March 27th.
When I willingly gave away my money to the Slumberland Single Series I had no idea what to expect, and I’ve been really fortunate to get some gems coming to my doorstep. But, with the announcement of new 7 inches coming from both Pale Lights and Odd Hope, I don’t think I could be any happier that my money was well spent. This Pale Lights single might just be my 2nd favorite track of the year thus far, pretty easily I might add; it’s the brand of pop I’ve always adored, which is perhaps greatly in part to the work of Slumberland. With Odd Hope, it’s just always great to hear new songs from Tim; his work has been an important part of my life, despite just a couple of releases. You couldn’t ask for more, and yet here we are; both 7 inches drop on April 23rd.
