Incredible Pop Number from Twin Shadow

This little jam’s been floating around for a day or so, and it only gets more incredible with time.  We loved the first release from Twin Shadow (the working name of George Lewis Jr.), so when Confess comes out on July 10th (4AD)  you know we’re going to snatch it right up. From my first listen, there sounds like there’s going to be a bit more of a pronounced production value on this release.  Here, you can almost place the track inside your favorite 80s movie; you’ve got to love the sharpness of the guitar.  Lewis’ vocals are top notch and captivating on this song to boot! Enjoy.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/fiveseconds.mp3]

Download: Twin Shadow – Five Seconds [MP3]

Psych Rock Track from Allah-Las

Sure, Psych Fest just ended here in Austin, but I’m already trying to organize next year’s artists for the festival.  I’ve decided the first band they should pencil in is the Allah-Las, a hot group out of California.  After spending my weekend with music that blended together, I think there’s some distinction in the blend this band is playing, offering a cleaner spin on the genre.  Their second single, Tell Me (What’s On Your Mind) is something you’ll want to try and order from the group; I want you to take a nice little listen to the lead track from said single before you get your wallet out.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/01-Tell-Me-Whats-On-Your-Mind.mp3]

Download:Allah-Las – Tell Me (What’s On Your Mind) [MP3]

Great New Pop Tune from Zulu Winter

It’s sort of weird that the dissolution of Broken Social Scene seemingly has brought about a decrease in American interest in Arts and Crafts Records, which is really a shame.  One of the label’s newest signings is the British group, Zulu Winter, who previously got some love from P4k, but I expect even more interest with this new record; it’s titled Language and should be in the stores on June 19th.  Seeing as the band is from the UK, you can see some similarities in the local music scene, such as the beat of the drums, the vocal delivery, and so on and so forth.  You know you can’t turn away from a good hook.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/02-We-Should-Be-Swimming.mp3]

Download:Zulu Winter – We Should Be Swimming [MP3]

Angular Jam from The Eversons

Recently I caught on to the Eversons, another great act from New Zealand.  They’ve just released their latest record, Summer Feeling, and it’s exactly the sort of album that gets me excited for warm weather.  It’s got energy, it’s got hooks, and honestly, it’s got a little bit of homage to a lot of other acts.  My first run through, I sort of have the impression that the band’s putting their own sort of spin upon Los Campesinos or even Art Brut.  If you’re like me, just mentioning the name of these two acts in one breath should definitely get you excited!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/The-Eversons-Summer-Feeling-10-Marriage.mp3]

Download:The Eversons – Marriage [MP3]

Great New Jam from Kelley Stoltz

In 2010 we fell in love with To Dreamers, the last effort released by Kelley Stoltz, so we’ve been patiently been waiting for him to put out some new tracks in town.  Luckily, I stumbled across a brand new 7″ that he put out titled Two Imaginary Girls, which was released by Les Disques Steak.  This new tune is a nice little 3 minute rock n’ roll tune that demonstrates Stoltz’s classic style of songwriting, especially that really simple vocal change that goes down during the chorus.  Hopefully this means more new stuff is just around the corner from Kelley.  You can jam to the B-Side HERE.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/A-Caroline.mp3]

 

Show Preview: Allo Darlin @ the Mohawk (5/1)

Date Tuesday, May 1st
Location Mohawk
Doors 900 pm
Tickets $8 from Frontgate

Those of you who are in any way fans of great indie pop need to be sure you’re in attendance at this excellent show on Tuesday evening.  Allo Darlin and the Wave Pictures are two of the best UK indie pop acts, and they rarely make it all the way over to our side of the pond.  All Darlin just released their latest record, Europe, and the Wave Pictures put out Long Black Cars in the past month as well.  All you need to do is spend five minutes listening to each band and you’ll know that your attendance is necessary.  Opening the night is No Future, the new reincarnation of the band formerly known (and loved) as Leatherbag.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/eskimo-kiss-mp3.mp3]

Download:The Wave Pictures – Eskimo Kiss [MP3]

More New Tracks from Mystery Jets

Just a week or so ago we brought you a new jam from one of our favorite groups, Mystery Jets.  Now we’ve got another tune to share with you from the band’s excellent new record, Radlands.  There’s definitely a slight change of the group’s sound, though you could see that coming with their last effort, Serotonin.  On this song, you’ll see the more subtle pop structures the band has been working with, rather than the jangly pop they began their career with years ago.  Either way, I’m always going to love jamming with these dudes–such good songs.  The album hits American stores on June 5th.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/09-Sister-Everett.mp3]

Download:Mystery Jets – Sister Everett [MP3]

Psych Fest Preview: The Ripe

Seeing as Psych Fest is going to be taking over Austin this weekend it seems only fitting thta we rep one of the many great Austin bands: The Ripe.  This week the group just released their album, Into Your Ears, on Get Hip Records, and we’ve had a lot of fun spinning it for ourselves over here at ATH.  Just one look at the album’s cover and you might think these guys play on the darker side of the Psych realm, but you’d be asboslutely wrong.  There’s a light-hearted garage feel to what they’re working on, and fans of both modern indie rock and classic tunes will enjoy themselves.  These dudes have gotten some great press from all over the world, so it’s about time people in Austin pay attention, and that means you!

The Ripe will take over the stages at Psych Fest on Sunday, April 28th at Emos at 4:00 PM. See you there!

Here’s an MP3, plus you can sample the band’s whole album right HERE.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/drawning-sound-june-2011.mp3]

Download:The Ripe – Drawing Sound [MP3]

Mellow Folk Jam from The Crackling

Kenton Loewen is a Vancouver musician who works with the name The Crackling, but he might do well just to go with Dave Bazan Jr. I meanest this in the sincerest form of flattery, and also with the intent of letting you know how much we love both Bazan and our newly annointed Bazan Jr.  Loewen, with help from various collaborators is set to release the Ashen EP on May 22nd, and you should expect to find some similarities to early Pedro work, from the heavy soft heavy guitar strumming to the introspective lyrics.  I’ve really enjoyed what I’ve heard so far, so I wanted to share it with you all, my Inter web friends!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/01-Keep-Me-Drunk.mp3]

Download:The Crackling – Keep Me Drunk [MP3]

Fall In Love With New King Creosote Track

Last year was a great year for the mysterious Kenny Anderson and his King Creosote project, especially if you followed our adoration over here at ATH.  Everything he touched won me over, and he’s already back again with a new 12″ EP for Domino Records titled I Learned From the Gaels.  We’ve got the lead track off the 4 song single, and it’s super upbeat, not to mention ridiculously catchy.  These are the sort of songs that make it a joy to be a music fan and find stuff like this in your inbox.  You can get your hands on this on May 28th, and I suggest you do, as KC stuff is definitely hard to find!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/1-01-Doubles-Underneath.mp3]

Download:King Creosote – Doubles Underneath [MP3]

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