Photo Pop 2012 Preview: Brian Gray @ Red 7 (11.9)

Hey folks! Have you heard about the awesome art show/sale at Red 7 this Friday night, followed by an even more killer rock show?  Well, it’s going to be a special night for the Austin community, so you owe it to yourself to be there. We’re offering you some insight into some of the great artists showing their work, and we’re pleased to introduce you to our hard working and genuine mate, Brian Gray. Meet him… Read more

New Music from The Little Ones

Feel like I’m being a bummer today, so I wanted to throw out this gem in the afternoon.  It’s an upbeat track from The Little Ones; it’s the first single from their sophomore release, The Dawn Sang Along; the album comes out on February 13th via Branches Recording Collective. I feel like this is the sort of track everyone can appreciate, filled with hooks and pop goodness galore.  I even hear a bit of Kevin Barnes in the vocals, so that’s an added bonus in my eyes. Sorry for bumming you out today.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/01-Argonauts.mp3]

Download:The Little Ones – Argonauts [MP3]

Fun Fest Recap: Nathan.Lankford Edition

So I’m up to bat here, giving out my two cents to the masses on the weekend that was. Fun Fun Fun Fest is always a blast, and I always appreciate the fact that Transmission Entertainment is able to get the best of my two side, both punk rock and indie, toss them together and give me memories to take away.

Top 5 Bands

1) Refused – So RayRay stole this, but I’m on board with the man here.  I’d dreamed of this day since I was a teenager in the 90s, and when it came to fruition, it was more than I expected. Dennis threw down like only he could, and sure, they’re old and might not have moved around quite as much as they used to, but come one, dudes are old.

2) Cult of Youth – I love everything about what Sean is doing, especially after witnessing the live set.  The dark pirate-folk came to life unexpectedly, blasting through the songs with the same amount of passion that the band has on record, only much much louder. Oh, and I met Sean back stage and the guy was as nice as can be.

3) Disappears – This band was one of my secret picks for the weekend, and it’s unfortunate not to many people got a chance to see them; I think they were better than many of the other acts on the main stages.  They sounded incredibly tight as a unit, and their energy and guitar playing completely outdid many of the sets I caught.

4) Against Me – I know a lot of people, myself included, were interested in seeing lady Tom on the microphone, but their set was definitely not lady-like.  They played some solid gold oldies, and some of the hits off the newer records, giving fans like myself precisely what we were looking for.  If you’ve caught the band in the past, they haven’t missed a beat, sports bra or not.

5) Trust – I’m not huge on dance music in the live setting, but the timing and sound of the group won me over.  It was a darker version of the dance-pop that I heard throughout the weekend on the blue stage, and I’m planning on getting my hands on the record later this evening at the store.  Might not have been a lot to look out, but I’d take this as my dance soundtrack any old day.

Honorable Mention: FIDLAR, Cursive, Givers, The Sword, Helio Sequence and The Promise Ring.

Band Letdowns: Daughn Gibson, Class Actress, Tanlines, The Spits.

Things I Could Do Without: I know sponsorship is super important to running a large festival, but promoting smoking to impressionable kids is not ideal; I wish I could quit, but I probably got coupons from an event like this back in 96. Shuttle lines were a bit longer than last year. Crowded exits, prompting line cutters to battle out the APD.

Things I Liked: Torchy’s Tacos in the press area never fail, nor do free haircuts from Sailor Jerry.  Cheap water is definitely a bonus when that cloudless sky beats down upon you.  The spirit–the most important aspect of any festival.

Closing Thoughts: I’m more of an intimate club sort of guy (thus my undying SXSW love), but that being said, Fun Fun Fun Fest continues to progress.  The staff is always excellent, and the people genuinely seem to care about the music (rather than merely a sunny booze fest). I do appreciate the fact that the festival seems to encompass all of my tastes into four stages, allowing me to maximize my time; there wasn’t an hour where I couldn’t find something I wanted to watch. There’s still a few small tweaks that might be necessary, but we have to keep in mind, Fun x 3 is still pretty much in its infancy.

Thanks dudes for a solid good time.

Quieted Pop from Lone Wolf

The last 24 hours I’ve been inundated with political commentary, but my mind has begged and pleaded with me to escape. I wasn’t able to get this done until I heard this track from Lone Wolf, a missing track from his upcoming album, The Lovers.  It’s a sprawling bit of wondrous pop, rising and falling with Paul Marshall’s voice.  It’s allowed me to go off into my mind for a bit, enjoying the space where only music can take me.  If you like what you hear, look for The Lovers on November 27th.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Lone-Wolf-All-Clear.mp3]

Download:Lone Wolf – All Clear [MP3]

More New Tunes from Pretty and Nice

Not too long ago I brought you one of the gems off the brand new Us You All We EP from Pretty & Nice. The EP just came out this week, and it’s definitely something you need to get your hands on as soon as possible.  This new tune they’re offering your way is precisely why I fell for the band, opening with this rambunctious pop swing.  It’s got a pounding rhythm, and a little bit of a guitar stutter followed by a blast of noise; it’s a nice new twist on the group’s sound, emphasizing their prowess. You need a lift? Get into this jam right away!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/01-Hibernate.mp3]

 

Wayward Jam from Dumbo Gets Mad

I’m not sure how I feel about the name for Dumbo Gets Mad, but man, I’m really digging this track today.  It’s the sort of slow jam that uses male and female vocals pieces to transport you into the ultimate chill mode.  I like the way the song’s recorded, giving it sort of a casual vibe, yet one that eventually makes its way into your inner soul.  For some reason I’m just gravitating towards tunes built for escapism today; I’m pretty sure I’m cool with that. This tune will be on their upcoming LP, Quantum Leap, which is slated for release next year on Bad Panda Records.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Dumbo-Gets-Mad-Radical-Leap.mp3]

Download:Dumbo Gets Mad – Radical Leap [MP3]

Sweet Pop from Crane Angels

It’s good to know that the perfect pop song can always be affecting, bridging that gap between the Atlantic.  This is the case when you look at the work of France’s Crane Angels, who just released their Duhort Bachen EP.  It’s five tunes, and this opener sounded a lot more innocent and sweet when it opened, but if you allow the song to sink in, it definitely blasts off quite a bit towards the end, running off noisily into the horizon.  For me, it leaves me wanting more from the band, which is fortunate, since it follows with four more great hits.  Give yourself a little pop overdose with this tune right here.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Crane-Angels-Remember-The-Beach.mp3]

Download:Crane Angels – Remember The Beach [MP3]

New Song from Crayon Fields

Man, what a great day with two great announcements. The first announcement is that are friends over at Chapter Music in Australia are celebrating their 20th anniversary.  It’s a great feat for any label, let alone a small label offering across the sea; they’ve been making huge waves in the States with acts like Twerps and Dick Diver.  The second announcement comes with the release of 20 Big Ones, a compilation celebrating the anniversary.  I’m stoked because it features this new song from Crayon Fields, the first band on the label that I fell in love with back in the day.  I’m excited by a new track, and I hope to hear more from them soon, as a new record should be on our way shortly. Cheers to Guy and his mates on 20 Years of being rad.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/64840632″ params=”auto_play=false&show_artwork=false&color=ff7700″ width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Rad Track from Tough Knuckles

One of the most recent releases from the Famous Class stable has really won me over today.  Of course, it does come with a bit of sadness, as the band in question, Tough Knuckles, is the one of Ariel Panero, a promoter and popular man in the NYC music scene who passed away last year.  I’m pretty sure this record came to light awhile back, but FC just out up VANNAWHITE on their bandcamp for FREE, which means you need to go check this out now.  For me, it doesn’t really matter when or where it came out, as the songs themselves are pretty timeless, and for those of us not fortunate enough to know the backstory, it’s a great discovery. Made my day.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Tough-Knuckles-Islands.mp3]

Download:Tough Knuckles – Islands [MP3]

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