Author: brian.gray

The photo taker and manager of the IT Department.

Show Pics: Caroline Says and Growl @ ABGB

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This show was a while back. I brought along the camera just for fun, even through it was a date night/friend dinner, as I hadn’t shot at ABGB. I figure I might as well share pics even though I am still learning a new camera system. On tap, besides the beer, was Caroline Says and ATH Records‘ own Growl. Both bands are chock full of familiar friendly faces. So, delicious pizza, great beer, wife, friends that joined for dinner, Team ATH Records, two solid sets in a unique venue, lovely evening had.

Click through for some tips and pics.

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TR/ST Flexes On You

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It was SxSW a few years back and I had just seen TR/ST for the third time. Having exchanged pleasentries side stage at Mohawk and in passing during the week, I worked up the nerve to ask for a quick portrait. His immediate response was, “No.” Magical moment. Right?

TR/ST, aka Trust, aka Robert Alfons, has captivated mindshare since I happened across “Candy Walls” six years ago. I think I listened to it seven times, over and over. It led the way for the record TRST in 2012 that still gets pretty heavy rotation in my house. It has been three years since Joyland and it is about time for a new track. And here it is. I planned on making this part of a have a nice weekend post, but it is too good. Maybe I was just tired and brain-fried when I listened to it yesterday, but damn. He tells Fader that “Bicep” is about “…the struggle between accepting and resisting shame, as well as an expression of sexual fantasies.” Perhaps, but this is brilliantly dark and danceable, just as you’d expect with that familiar edge lurking in the waveforms.

We’ll be waiting impatiently until 2018 for the new record.

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NITE Want You to Dance Like No One is Watching

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NITE is recently added favorite to the ATH IT Department. Their new record, Reborn, is available for preorder at that link kicking off the post and is landing in couple weeks via Cleopatra Records. In advance, they have released a video for the song “Dreamer”.

The song sounds like Tears for Fears tour bus collided head-on with Little Boots backing synths and a Juan MacLean groove. I dig it, looking forward to the new record. Twins, Myles and Kyle Mendez, are pushing the retro-future thing hard right now. They have an upcoming show with Night Drive and Blackbird Blackbird in Dallas, you should go if you are in the metroplex.

ACL 2017: Lineup By Day

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…and single day tickets are going on sale Friday.

Here is a link to the ACL website for your internet reading.

The lineup by day is the normal precursor to single day tickets. Weekend one only, Cut Copy will be on Saturday. What has two thumbs and has a wife that will be at ACL on Saturday of Weekend One? This guy.

It seems that they have a fairly well-balanced spread of ATH faves in he mid-tier headliner levels. The XX, Bonobo, Crystal Castles and Hamilton Leithauser are on Friday. Spoon, aforementioned Cut Copy (WE1), Angel Olsen, Car Seat Headrest, Ought are on Saturday. Gorillaz, Run The Jewels, Portugal Guy and First Aid Kit will ease you back into the work week.

Show Pics: Black Marble @ The Sidewinder (6/24)

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You ever go to a show excited about the headliner, and in fact, very impressed by the headliner, but walk away a bigger fan of an opener?

That very thing happened last Saturday when Austin converged on The Sidewinder last Saturday night. Black Marble was outstanding. They ended up selling the place out. However, I was really taken by Body of Light; they were fully on target for the renaissance of analog synth pop/dark wave I am delighted to see surging right now. The fact that openers Draa held their own here was also worth praise.

Click through for a few thoughts and plenty of pics.

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Show Preview: Black Marble @ Sidewinder (6/24)

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If you are out and about tonight, perhaps you should go say to Big Bill at friends at Electric Church. It is one of the best lineups of the residency. Check it out here. But if you are keeping it lowkey tonight and want to burn it out tomorrow…

We make no bones that Black Marble had one of our favorite records of last year. It’s Immaterial is packed with waves of density, haunting basslines and respites of sparse tension. This show at Sidewinder instantly went on my calendar.

I also want to highlight the openers. I missed the PR blitz when Body of Light‘s record Let Me Go came out last summer. I am bummed about that. It is full on new wave perfection with peppered in samples that will haunt you until you figure them out. Draa rounds out the bill bringing gorgeous echoing pop. Listen to previews of all three below.

This bill is stacked.

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[bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=3757647333 size=small bgcol=ffffff linkcol=e99708 artwork=none track=3253003049]
[bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=2026380451 size=small bgcol=ffffff linkcol=e99708 artwork=none track=1714704017]

Show Pics: Night Drive Release Party @ Cheer Up (6/16)

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We are in the throws of the longest days of the year and while it will get a bit hotter, it won’t get much hotter that last Friday. The hotness was overcome.

Night Drive threw a party at Cheer Up Charlies and we were all invited as long as you contributed $5 at the door. Isn’t that nice. Four bands, a DJ that popped jams, so many friends and even some family. Attendees got to see Keeper, Orthy, Night Drive (duh) and Single Lash with Lambda spinning jams in between.

If you click through, you will be rewarded with many images. You will be able to read more words. Thanks.

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Show Preview: Night Drive Release Party @ Cheer Up TONIGHT!

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Come dance with us.

Night Drive is finally able to unleash their self-titled full length out today. To commemorate, we are gathering at Cheer Up Charlies for a night music and fun. They wanted to invite friends that they love and make some new ones to join them on stage. If you show up, you get good friends Orthy, who have promised a bunch of new music, Keeper, Single Lash and Lambda.

That is a really nicely stacked lineup. Add to it, AmuricaTX will have their photobooth trailer to immortalize things and Captain Morgan is providing the drink specials if you dare.

I’ll be there taking the pics for ATH along with +1 and many friends and familiar faces. We’re thinking a burger and Salt and Time would be fun beforehand. It will be hot. Be ready. Dress sensibly. Comfortable shoes. Nathan loves when I bring up comfortable shoes. Tickets are $5 at the door.

To get psyched, have a listen…

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Austin Record Label Flea Market Recap

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We love you Austin.

Everyone is already looking forward to doing it again. More on that later. I took photos, we did our shimmy thing, records were sold, merch was sold, group shots, industry discussions, ball-busting, cider sampled, dogs joined in, kids were indoctrinated into collecting vinyl.

Modern Outsider, Super Secret Records, Western Vinyl, Holodeck Records, Launch Cycle, Chicken Ranch Records, Keeled Scales, Saint Marie Records, Nine Mile Records and, as Nate said, our own little ATH Records all had the booths up and running. We had the musical stylings of The Sour Bridges and A. Sinclair.

Please enjoy my little photo essay on the Austin Record Label Flea Market. Click through to see what you missed or reminisce…

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Bonobo Sneaks Out An EP

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Bonobo has long been a chillout favorite of mine. Dial M for Monkey, aside form being a great title for a record, is great record. Simon Green has been steadily releasing great material, I actually slept on promoting the last release, though we have reviewed shows, put Bonobo on best-ofs, shot festival sets and interviewed him in the past.

The latest announce is a quintessential Bonobo track called “Samurai” released as part of a three song EP. The EP highlights the song “Bambo Koyo Ganda” in acoustic form. Stream below. Please.

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