Month: May 2024

Marcel Wave Share Stop/Continue

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It’s always a wonder why folks gravitate to some bands and not others. Like we’ve all raved about Dry Cleaning, but there’s been hardly a whisper overseas about Marcel Wave. Sure, they’re not identical acts, but they draw from the same tradition of spoken-word vocals that have walls of punk ethos towering around. This tune, like the track’s title, has this feeling like the tune could be stopped at any point; the pulse of the synths stabs through the speakers, jittering as it builds tension. Still, as you expect either a halt or a release, the band push on, spinning those nervy synth lines right down the line to the close. Something Looming is right around the corner, released by Upset the Rhythm and Feel It Records.

Roller Derby Return with Dreams

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After a slight line-up change, I’m really glad that Germany’s Roller Derby are back this year. I must have listened to “Always on My Mind” over 1000 times all on my own, and in fact, still jamming that track at least once or twice a week. They’ve just popped back in with a new single, one that shows their craft can be more elegant and elaborate in regards to their prospective pop sensibilities. They’ve peeled back the immediacy, allowing Philine to control the melody expertly; her voice is the dominant force, dancing over this driving groove that let’s plenty of space get filled in by keyboards and dainty guitar lines. A triumphant return, and finger’s crossed we get to hear more soon.

Ducks Ltd Return with Brand New Single

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It’s only been a handful of months since folks were able to devour Harm’s Way, the latest LP from Ducks Ltd. However, they’re already back with a new single, which is a leftover from the recording process, perhaps hinting at the direction the band could go in the very near future. For my meaningless two cents, there’s a moment in this song where you can still hear the charms of their early indiepop sounds, but for the most part, this tune erases that in favor of a broader approach. At a certain point, especially during that seeming chorus, the band almost sounds like The Walkmen doing a Go-Betweens cover set; I don’t mind that too much! What say you?

Show Preview: Slowdive @ ACL Live (5.12)

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After returning in late 2023 with Everything Is Alive, it seems like the world’s been abuzz with Slowdive and their return to form. They’ve been touring throughout the US this past month on the back of all that success and praise, and those of us in Austin will finally get a chance to glimpse the quintet live when the roll into Moody Theater on Sunday. It’ll be interesting to see how far back they go…will the set be equal parts Creation Records and Dead Oceans or more weight given to the most recent albums? Either way, you get to enjoy a night with some of the most beautiful noise blowing through the Moody Theater. Opening up evening will be LA’s Drab Majesty. Tickets are somehow still available, so if you’re in love with the sounds below, grab a ticket HERE.

Constant Follower Share Turn Around For Me Video

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Not exactly sure when and how I stumbled upon Stephen McAll’s Constant Follower, but I’ve been a pretty avid supporter of his craft, especially as he’s taken the intricate early days and continued to flesh them out into these sprawling folk pop opuses. Below we’ve got a brand new tune from the band, recorded here in Austin oddly enough. Listening through the tune, I still marvel at how the songwriting and production have grown over the years, yet there’s still this sincerity that you don’t find in a lot of place. And, Dan Duszynski’s production work allow the song to swell to the edges, though never flowing over, masterfully capturing the pure sentiment of McAll’s songwriting. And, as everything Constant Follower does carries great personal weight for the music, they pour that into the art as well, as we see with this animated video from Tsumugi Yagi. Check out the Bandcamp for another single paired with the below tune!

Fika Recordings Sign New Starts

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You’re probably asking, who on Earth is New Starts? It’s a band new band featuring Darren Hayman of Hefner, Joey from Adults/Fresh and Giles/Will from Tigercats; it’s a supergroup of what’s cool in the UK underground scene. They hold the song in these jagged bouncing chords, while Hayman delivers his traditional idiosyncratic lyrics across the tune; this particular tune seems to be bleeding with notes of confessional, which makes sense as this is another album filled with break-up songs. Pop songs with great punch? I’m betting New Starts have it in loads; they drop More Break-Up Songs via Fika Recordings on August 16th.

Sour Widows Share Staring Into Heaven/Shining

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The forthcoming Revival A Friend is definitely on my list of records I’m looking forward to hearing in their entirety, and I’m glad there’s another Sour Widows musical sample to keep our eyes on the prize. This one is a musical journey unto itself, with the tune trickling in at the beginning; the vocals work quietly over a gentle guitar line, emotionally attaching the band and the listener as one. They carry you close, occasionally adding heavier work on the cymbals and riffs to punch up the volume, then pull us all back with a faint musical whisper. Then it all explodes, taking all the nuances and turning them into one broad moment of sweeping rock and roll that breaks into a jam for a few minutes. Explorative and rocking, just as I like it. Revival of a Friend is out June 28th via Exploding in Sound.

New Single & Video From Love Fiend

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Well we are cruising through another wild week after coming down from the Record Convention, and the new tunes just keep flying our way. If you’re down for a little kick of energy and fun, I suggest you check out this new track “Hard Feelings” from the L.A. based group Love Fiend. Certainly you can hear that quirky new wave sound in there which is set off and given a driving beat with a hint of post-punk. I am sure you will love it.

This new song appears on the upcoming album entitled Handle With Care which is due out on July 12th via In the Red Records. Pre-orders are up now.

Supercrush Share Lost My Head for KR Records Comp

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I love a good compilation, particularly when it captures a music scene as a snapshot; it’s always fun to go back and see what was cool or who made it out alive. Today, KR Records announces From Far It All Seems Small, a compilation covering the music scene of Seattle in the year of 2024; it features acts like Spiral XP, Shook Ones, Sun Spots…and Supercrush. This tune from Supercrush rips, but I won’t deny that it immediately made me think of the very first LP from the Rentals; it’s got that combination of moog work and power-pop, and I couldn’t be more stoked. From Far It All Seems Small will be out on May 24th, so keep your ears out!

Good Looks Share Can You See Me Tonight Video

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We hear at ATH are championing Good Looks, and we’re going to keep singing it at the top of our lungs until you all get on board with us! Aside from Water Damage, we haven’t heard a better record in town this year; they even embrace the Austin ethos by recording their newest video at one of the last bastions of Austin’s fight against Live Nation. You can see legendary Jake tearing up those riffs too, which hopefully gives you the group’s live presence. Musically, just imagine if a big Pete Yorn fan came cool and embraced indie rock; it’s somewhere between Wilco and the Hold Steady, but with way more bravado. Please go buy their newest LP, Lived Here for a While, out via Keeled Scales on June 7th.

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