brian.gray – Page 40 – Austin Town Hall

Perfect Pop From COIN

February 4, 2015 brian.gray Leave a comment

This is COIN. We last talked about them in October of 2013 and this song popped up on my radar of things to listen to and I got around to it. Glad I did.

We are suckers for superbly executed power pop and COIN has it the formula in spades. Synthy flourishes, memorable chord structures and a wicked hook. There is something in the water in Nashville right now; they are happier people, I guess. This single is a hint of the record to come, Looking forward to hearing the rest. They are on the road for a segment of the current Grizfolk tour so DC, Philly, Boston and Brooklyn readers will be able to see them starting tomorrow night and on to the weekend and though I wasn’t wildly impressed with Grizfolk maybe COIN‘s set will make it worth the ticket…

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A Night Out: Citadel, Deep Cuts, Shivery Shakes (1/29)

February 2, 2015 brian.gray Leave a comment

I love the fact that we can just head out any night in this town and find not one good local show, but several. had a new lens to play around with so it seemed the perfect excuse to head out. Out I went last Thursday night and I got to check out Citadel‘s second show ever, Deep Cuts in town from Houston and our ATH faves Shivery Shakes.

I will take you through the night with a few notes and plenty of pics right after the break…

Shows

Show Pics: RBSS January ’15 @ Red7 (1/22)

January 26, 2015 brian.gray Leave a comment

I really do appreciate what Red Bull Sound Select is doing for locals. By selecting local acts to open for a touring group or a local mainstay, charging a cheap cover that involves getting there early, several bands are getting a few more eyes than a normal show. This, of course, is a pet peeve of ours; the venues and booking people go out of their way to get you a good lineup for your show-going dollar so get there to see the openers, geez.

The latest edition had an act form Dallas call Dark Rooms, local faves Orthy and was headlined by Slow Magic to bring the crowd. In fact, I was quite surprised by the masses there to see Slow Magic. There just might be something to this whole EDM fad. Heh.

Plenty of pics and more thoughts to follow…

Shows

Smooth Song From Aphex Twin

January 22, 2015 brian.gray Leave a comment

If you don’t own Selected Ambient Works 85-92, get thee to a nunnery.

I put an Aphex Twin song on my end of year playlist. The new EP lands tomorrow courtesy of Bleep, Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments Pt. 2, but you can get a freebie today.

This song is “Diskhat” blah blah blah and can be downloaded. It is also a very accessible version of Aphex Twin. Pleasing.

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SxSW Wristbands Tomorrow!

January 21, 2015 brian.gray Leave a comment

You can get your SxSW Music wristbands tomorrow. Same rules as usual – Austin area billing zip code for your plastic, you can buy two wristbands but have to provide the names, you’ll need photo IDs to pick up your wristband which will get snapped on at the start of the conference.

For your $169, you will get access to any venue not at capacity aside from the few showcases that are badge only. I used a wristband last year to get away from FOMO and it was bliss. Go check out someone you have never seen instead of getting barraged by Dorito Taco Loco.

On sale January 22nd at 10am (ATX time), Click here.

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Show Preview: Slow Magic @ Red7 (1/22)

January 21, 2015 brian.gray Leave a comment

Date	1/22
Location	Red 7
Doors	9pm?
Tickets	$3 with RSVP

Orthy has been in the studio. Will we get a bunch of new jams? Hopefully.

Red Bull Sound Select hopes that by bringing Slow Magic through town you will get silly with locals Orthy and Dallas’s Dark Rooms. Slow Magic had a jam on our Best of 2014 so we’re good with it. The weather may suck, but let’s dance a little.

We know Orthy pretty well, so here is a sample from Dark Rooms. Hope you dig it.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/95940990″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Shows

ATH Interview & Show Pics: Midge Ure

January 19, 2015 brian.gray Leave a comment

Midge Ure came to Austin to do one of his rather rare solo acoustic shows. With his first release in twelve years finally out to the public, the pioneer in electronically tinged pop had new material to revitalize a fan base that is still in love with the classics from previous solo efforts, Visage and, most importantly, Ultravox. I took advantage of the trip in to get a quick email interview done before the show at Cactus Cafe.

Head on past the break to read a Q&A covering the many projects, life as a solo artist and even a little bit on being the guy behind Band-Aid along with coverage of the show and plenty of pics. Ladies and Gentlemen, Midge Ure…

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Shows

Have a Nice Weekend

January 16, 2015 brian.gray Leave a comment

The weather has lifted. That bright thing is the sun. Prepare for the cedar onslaught.

Here is a lovely little PYAITK jam from a band called Sego. I was checking out another little news bit about a Kitsune Maison release that is pending when a little trip to their Soundcloud to see what’s doing yielded a play of this song below. It is called “Wicket Youth”. Dig it.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/171366560″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

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Tunes

Show Preview: Midge Ure @ Cactus Cafe (1/18)

January 16, 2015 brian.gray Leave a comment

Date	1/18
Location	Cactus Cafe
Doors	7:30pm
Tickets	$25 HERE

Midge Ure is a name you should know, but you may not despite the iconic voice and contributions to music. Ultravox, Visage, solo albums, collaborations on so many things including producing and writing that little Band-Aid thing thirty years ago. Little known fact, he played all but the drums for that song (Phil Collins put down that track).

Anyway, Midge is playing an acoustic set at Cactus Cafe Sunday. I am excited. His 2004 album is on slow-burn in my catalog, lots of variety there and some real gems, dark to pop. Allegedly, there will be stories told and songs old and new. “Fade to Grey” is a desert island song for me. Pretty, pretty, pretty excited.

Here is a track from the last solo album called Fragile.

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Shows

SxSW Announces More Artists

January 14, 2015 brian.gray Leave a comment

In case you missed your friends facebook post about their band getting confirmed for SxSW, I have the full list of bands after the read more.

I will freely admit to being pretty stoked for many friends and faves of the ATH. A. Sinclair, Grapet St, Shivery Shakes, Ramesh, Hundred Visions, Think No Think, Gal Pals, Moonlight Towers and Roger Sellers. I mean, it is Austin’s year to take this conference back from the invaders. However, they will have to contend with artists like Best Coast, Futurebirds, Diarrhea Planet, Beacon, Broncho, Palma Violets, Joywave and Jeff the Brotherhood, as well as all the big names already announced.

Start girding those loins….

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