Being introduced to the new LP form Monde UFO has really allowed me to kind of let my brain venture out into the outer regions of the indie realm. If you peel away the layers, you’re likely to find a light-hearted bit of bedroom pop bouncing through your speakers. But, I don’t want to peel those layers as they offer up this careful bit of tropicalia; it also feels organic rather than mere mimicry of the style, which is one of the reasons I appreciate the band’s willingness to go beyond the standard. They’ll drop Vandalized Statue to be Replaced with Shrine on April 21st.
I was a big fan of Swedish Punk, the debut LP from Kindsight. After a bit of adoration, I finally get a chance to catch the band live next week when they come to Texas for SXSW. In preparation, the band have dropped a wonderful new single in anticipation of their journey, and also in the midst of working on their sophomore LP. It highlights the band’s penchant for song movement, bringing in soft little melodies that blossom into charming bits of buoyant indie rock. They’re one of those bands playing a brand of indie rock that seems completely built on their own terms and not on the trends, so it feels familiar yet fresh. They’ve got shows set up for SXSW, so be sure to follow them on their socials to see see where they’re playing. This single comes to you courtesy of the band’s label Rama Lama Records.
Not much left for us to say at this point other than, are you ready for chaos, music, and fun? Hopefully you are, as the events of SXSW are mere days away at this point with tons of things going down this weekend. If you’ve been enjoying our interview sessions, this one is sure to be of interest as the French band You Said Strange really took some time and care with detailed and well thought responses. Great to see a perspective from a European band coming to the States and being exposed to our insane way of life. Hit the jump for deets.
If there were a band in the indiepop/power pop realm that I feel folks were overlooking, I think I’d have to put UK outfit Dropkick right up near the top. They’re churning out these gentle pop numbers, just left of the dial, but with all the melodic hits that make pop so incredibly endearing as a genre. I love that their latest video has the band just doing what they do best, playing in their own studio space; there’s no pretense or drama…just good old fashioned pure-pop songwriting. The band will release The Wireless Revolution on April 28th!
Over the last few years, I’ve definitely enjoyed Greg Mendez‘s work, but the announcement of a new self-titled LP comes with what might be his work to date. The Philly songwriter feels like he’s taking notes from the old Elliott Smith school of songwriting, allowing the listener to imagine themselves right next to Greg as he serenades. It’s a level of intimacy that feels often imitated, but Mendez knocks it out of the park, even opting for a more low-key arrangement throughout, maintaining that DIY ethos we’re all seeking. Greg Mendez, the album, will be out via Forged Artifacts and Devil Town Tapes on May 5th.
The end of this week will see the official kickoff of SXSW, which brings tons of bands and tech companies and movies to our town, so we’ve been trying to highlight some of the acts on the music side. This round, we get to lock into a Texas artist, Semiwestern, coming at us from about 3.5 hours North. There’s a full-length from the artist slated for later this year, and perhaps you’ll get a chance to taste some of his Italian cookies!
Ghost Party is a new outfit on the Texas scene, though admittedly, they’ve got a familiar vibe going on here. Their first single brings back a smoky psychedelia, laying really low like a bit of rustling leaves in your yard. They build in a nice little plot twist when they hit the chorus, letting the melody evolve into more of a playful boogie or stomp, something that gives off a bit more groove to the genre. As the song circles back through another cycle, it eventually fades out with this bit of ambient space, leaving you with your own ability to take in a deep breath.
The day is coming to a close and you know what that means, we are one day closer to things going wild in Austin for SXSW music festival. Of course some stuff kicks off this weekend, like our annual Sunday day show, but things will really be kicking into high gear about a week from RIGHT NOW. It’s time to get ready people. Ending our day today is a nice interview from Scottish based artist Hamish Hawk. Hit the jump for everything you need.
What’s the name of the band/group? Where are you from?
I am Hamish Hawk, we are Hamish Hawk. I’m a singer, songwriter and frontman based in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Describe your group’s sound using only adjectives or superlatives.
Wordy. Exuberant. Moustachioed.
What was your most recent release? Any planned releases for 2023?
Our new album, Angel Numbers, came out this month, and we’re gonna be heading back into the studio in the next couple of months to record the follow-up.
Why play SXSW? What’s the draw for the band? What about this festival will bring you to Austin?
We played SXSW last year, so we are delighted to be invited again. Admittedly we ran into a few obstacles last time, namely illness and tornados, so armed with those experiences we’ll bring a certain wind-swept danger to SXSW. You get the sense there’s a world of possibility at SXSW, and it’s a thrill to feel a part of that – again!
There are tons of bands coming into town, but if you could create your own perfect festival, who would you have playing? Would it have a sick name? Where would it take place? Feel free to disregard the rules of time and space.
I was a regular festival goer in my teens and associate them with a feeling of new-found fun and freedom. I’d be keen to have a line-up that’s properly joyous, in the business of ensuring everyone’s having a good time. Bob Marley & The Wailers headlining. The Flaming Lips somewhere up there. Dolly Parton. Sly & The Family Stone. ABBA. You get the ridiculous idea. As much as I grew used to trudging around in the mud at Scottish festivals, I’d like to be somewhere warm, with a big lake for swimming.
What has everyone in the band been listening to, or, what plays in the tour van/car/bus
We’ve gotten into the habit of being geographically specific with our music choices in the van. Beatles en route to Liverpool. Sabbath en route to Birmingham. At SXSW I’m gonna have to go Texas wide. I’ll be listening to Willie Nelson on the plane over.
Obviously you have seen or heard about the issues coming up this year about fair pay for artists at SXSW? Care to offer any insight or comment?
The money, sweat and toil it takes to put together a show fit for an audience, to tour it, and to ensure everyone is fed, watered and accommodated would most likely shock anywhere unfamiliar with that world. I think any argument against “fair pay” is a fairly shameful signal to send to artists, to those who make it their lives’ work to put these shows on and bring them to people’s doorsteps. Sadly it’s a trend that continues to worsen, and there are those who are in a position to improve things, and do their utmost to make it worse. We’re in a very precarious place.
Thanks again for this Hamish! Here are current show dates for the band:
While I love the mellow tones of that Constant Follower tune we just dropped, you’ve got to make sure to pick up the pace, which is why this great new Symphony Orchestra tune kills. It’s got a new project from a few artists we’ve already covered in their other projects (Badge Epoque’s Max Turnbull and Michael Rault), but that doesn’t mean I got exactly what I was expecting here. In the opening moments, it has the playfulness of early MGMT, albeit with the musicianship the focus as opposed to the hook (that hook is still huge though). Then it moves into some funkier space, letting the guitar work speak for itself while the vocals get this metallic coating that turns the song towards fresh territory. Then when they return, they almost dwell in this bossa-nove croon for a wee bit. Lots of movement in textures and sounds, so should make their debut, Radiant Music, a special listen; it’s out on May 12th via Telephone Explosion Records.
If you read these pages from time to time, you might have read about the moving performance I caught from Constant Follower last year, not to mention the incredibly intricate brand of folk they’ve been writing. Recently, the group announced a collaborative album with Scott William Urquhart, which only adds another delicate layer of guitar work to Stephen McCall’s moving pieces. Here, I love the openness running through the track; the tune allows the song to find its own way, leaving space to breathe and allow the musicianship to shine through. The writing all came about organically, inspired by the poetry of Norman MacCaig, to whom McCall is indebted. Together they will release Even Days Dissolve on April 14th, so prepare to delve into one of the year’s most intimate listening experiences.
I was a big fan of Swedish Punk, the debut LP from 
Not much left for us to say at this point other than, are you ready for chaos, music, and fun? Hopefully you are, as the events of 
Over the last few years, I’ve definitely enjoyed 
The end of this week will see the official kickoff of 
Ghost Party
The day is coming to a close and you know what that means, we are one day closer to things going wild in Austin for 
While I love the mellow tones of that Constant Follower tune we just dropped, you’ve got to make sure to pick up the pace, which is why this great new