New Single from The June Brides

For those of you who missed Phil Wilson’s last record, God Bless Jim Kennedy, you can happily sink your teeth into his return under the June Brides moniker.  The group’s just released a new 7″ with Slumberland Records.  As always, his voice sounds quieted, seemingly taking the background to the song’s inner harmony, fleshed out with string arrangements.  Personally, I love how there’s a bit of a stomp just before the 1 minute mark.  This is definitely a happy return, and one I hope you’ll consider looking into; you can pick the A January Moon 7″ up at your local record shop.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/A-January-Moon.mp3]

 

Show Preview: Whalers @ Stubbs (7/20)

Date Friday, July 20th
Location Stubbs
Doors 900 pm
Tickets $7 from Frontgate

If you’re going to be in the Austin area, you’re in for a great treat Friday night; you’ll be able to check out two of our favorite local acts.  Whalers are the big headliner, continuing their rise to popularity in the local scene.  They’ll be releasing their single (featured below), which should feature on an unnamed effort to come later on in the year.  But, since I know you’re a fan of the local scene, you’re going to get their early to see Tiger Waves.  I’ve pretty much hyped this band since I discovered them, and I still don’t have a bad thing to say about them, so be sure to catch them…afterall, they’re making waves (see what I did there?).Oh, and this is your friendly reminder on behalf of Stubbs to not talk during the band’s sets!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Whalers_Bon_Vivant.mp3]

New Jam from Outside World

I went checking in on Brain Idea, a band I totally dig, and found that some of the members had begun a new project titled Outside World.  Man, I was surprised at just how great their latest single was; it’s got an old school rock n’ roll sound, filled with infectious hooks and a bit of ramshackle to it. The group’s about to release a new tape for Night People titled Seaside Nowhere, and this song’s going to feature.  If you were once a fan of the Replacements and Superchunk, then this band’s going to find a place in your heart immediately.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/01-Due-to-See.mp3]

 

New Music from Martin Creed

Martin Creed is a pretty credible songwriter, winning the Turner Prize, and now he’s back with a collection of 18 songs titled Love to You, which is just now being released by Moshi Moshi Records.  He definitely owns a distinctive vocal, but I’m more interested in the craftsmanship that enabled the record to come together.  Every detail is intentional, every lyric placed perfectly, every note placed in exactly the right place, creating a collection of thoughtful songs that you’re not likely to find anywhere else.  This single is perhaps my favorite at the moment, but there’s other more upbeat tracks if that’s your bag too.  Enjoy some Martin Creed today.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/17-Youre-The-One-For-Me.mp3]

Download:Martin Creed – You’re The One For Me [MP3]

Quirky Pop Tune from Gregory Pepper and His Problems

I’ve always favored quirky singers who mess with the formulaic work of singer/songwriter fare, thus I’m enjoying Gregory Pepper and His Problems most recent track today. In my mind, it kind of reminds me of the lyrical playfulness of Travis Morrison, but with the musical allusion to Owen Pallett or Dent May.  The new record from Greg and Co. will be coming out on August 21st via Fake Four Inc., and it’s titled Escape from Crystal Skull Mountain.  Definitely enjoying the light-hearted attitude of this track right now, and I hope you do too.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/13-At-Least-Im-Not-a-Musician.mp3]

Download:Gregory Pepper and His Problems – At Least I’m Not a Musician[MP3]

New Music from Seatraffic

Lately I’ve begun to think of San Francisco as the mecca of psychedelic tunes and new age punk rock sounds, but that’s not all the city has to offer.  One listen to Seatraffic and you’ll see that even dreamy bedroom pop has it’s place on the West Coast, and we’re grateful you can craft music like this anywhere.  The duo has kindly let us share the B-Side to their upcoming 7″, and we’re pretty sure you’ll dig the stripped down emotional effect that remains central to the song.  You’ll be able to order your own copy of the recording on August 1st if you know what’s good for ya.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/02-Put-Away.mp3]

Pale Sunday – The Fake Stories About You and Me

Rating: ★★★½☆

You can put all your preconceived notions about music in Brazil to the side now.  Pale Sunday are nothing like CSS or Bonde Do Role. While I appreciate the regional flavor of those acts, The Fake Stories About You and Me seems so distant; it’s an album of pristine guitar pop in the realm of bands like Lucksmiths or Nada Surf–it’s somewhere in the middle there.

It’s a short EP, but “Happy (When You Lived Here)” is perhaps going to be one of my favorite guitar tracks of the year; it’s easiest the best track from the band that I’ve heard to date.  Luis’ voice sounds incredible here; it’s calm and cool, yet there’s a smoothness that coincides with the rest of the music.  Everyone else’s accompaniment fits perfectly into the track, from the backing vocals to the steady propulsive drum beat. So good; I wish everyone would write tracks like this.

“About Your Life” seems a little bit more straightforward in the vein of classic pop songs.  The guitars aren’t quite as clean here, and the synths provide an extra element to the background. I can’t quite put my finger on what makes this song so familiar, but I put it all down to Luis Gustavo’s voice.  In contrast to the casual cool of the EP’s opener, here he sounds a bit softer, yet more distant in the mix.  It might seem like I’m not enthused by the difference, but I assure you that I’m having a hard time not playing this track over and over.  Screw it. I’m playing all four songs constantly.

Pale Sunday gives a bit of a bouncing drum roll on “That’s the Way,” giving the third track a bit of swagger and swing.  It’s a song about getting high with a friend or loved one, feeling lost in an emotional sense.  Towards the end of the song it sort of careens with guitar work that sort of bursts into a solo…perhaps providing the listener with that feeling of taking off into the far out realms of one’s mind.

When The Fake Stories About You and Me came to a close with “The Winter Song” I was taken aback at first.  It’s a song focused on strummed guitar, and a different pop appeal than the previous tracks. For me, it seems a lot more thoughtful, as if the band intended to leave you with a departing note about how we should go on with our lives. I like the way there’s a musical emphasis from the rest of the group that seems to arrive just after the 2 minute mark.  It’s a gorgeous track, and one that’s a fitting end to this EP.  Just as it ends, you want more, which might be my only detractor here, but with songs this good, Pale Sunday isn’t going anywhere any time soon. I’m grateful for that.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Happy.mp3]

Download: Pale Sunday – Happy [MP3]

The Fake Stories About You and Me is available now from Matinee Recordings.

 

Hip Jam from Night Panther

I generally try not to take too much stuff from other sites, preferring to do the research work on my own, but I couldn’t resist when I heard this song over at IGIF. The group’s name is Night Panther.  There’s not too much info on the group, other than the fact that they’re from Pennsylvania, but what’s more important is this hit.  Only one song is floating along, and it’s enough for me to fawn over the band like some teenage cool kid.  There’s an effortless bounce, an essence of cool and just a central hook that I can’t get out of my head. Enjoy this one folks.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Snudge.mp3]

Download: Night Panther – Snudge [MP3]

 

Amazing Darkened Tunes from Black Marble

I didn’t expect this at all! We’ve known a full-length was coming from Black Marble since they first signed with Hardly Art, but I had no idea how much I would anticipate the whole affair.  Now, having listened to the first single from A Different Arrangement, I’m hoping it comes earlier than the October 9th release date.  The heavy tones of the vocals caught me off-guard, but juxtaposed with the music itself, it’s surprising how fitting it is, how well it all ties together.  I especially like the guitar flourishes shooting through the background.  Be sure to keep an eye on this release, it’s going to be a great one.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/BlackMarble_AGreatDesign.mp3]

Download:Black Marble -A Great Design [MP3]

Fresh New Tune from New Tigers

I always liked the idea of a split 7″; to me, it shows a bit of camaraderie in the musical community.  When I first saw that New Tigers had a new track on a split with Sweden’s Top Sound, I got really excited, as I’m already a fan of New Tigers after their self-titled album from last year.  The split will be shared between Ca Ira and Soliti Music, and it comes out next week.  Both bands take a stab at covering the other group’s tunes, which is another thing I enjoy–you get to see how bands react to the music of their peers.  I’m definitely digging this track, but I knew I would.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/The-New-Tigers-I-Have-Been-Replaced.mp3]

 

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