This is fine.
I loved listening to last year’s Thieves LP from Austin’s Alex Dupree, so I quickly penciled him in to catch at this year’s SXSW festival. But, seeing as Keeled Scales (his label) had already hipped us to his work, we wanted to make sure everyone else was aware, so we reached out with our set of questions and got some answers back.
We covered tons of territory last week, particularly as we ran tons of little interviews in our Meet the SXSW Band features; it’s also the Spring season, so that means there are tons of announcements about new records and such. I was stoked to hear new stuff from Constant Follower and Mary Onettes, plus we premiered new tune from The National Honor Society and Hot Coppers. And, seeing as its SXSW, we got interviews back from Daiistar, Taleen Kali, Hamish Hawk and a ton more, all with little introductions plus their music. Or, you can listen to the jams below and see if they’re playing near you, wherever you find yourself!
Looks like the madness is already underway, so we wanted to be sure those in town this week got a nice peep at what’s in store for SXSW. Today we bring you a quick little interview with new Austin powerhouse, Daiistar. They’ve just recently gotten up and going, so we’re looking forward to hearing what they bring to the live setting.
Things have been quiet on the Cloudland Canyon front for the bette part of the decade, but I was really excited to see their name pop up on the SXSW artist list. Then, after reaching out, it was even better news to find they had a new LP in the works for later this year via Medical Records. So, take some time and Meet the SXSW Band!
When I think about the sound’s that London’s Pynch are crafting, it feels like they’re rooted in the New York scene of the early 00s, specifically anything with James Murphy’s hands on it. There’s that underlying pulse that feels like it’s ready to explode at any moment and drop a hook that’ll stick for days. But, rather than delve into the easy path of build and release, the band let the song sort of shimmer on the edges, holding onto the release to let the song explore the edges of pop territories. If you’re digging on it, the band release Howling at a Concrete Moon on April 14th.
Our good friends Soliti Music over in Finland have just signed up to work with Juppe, an artists spinning his own brand of funk and pop and folk, buoyed by a sense of camaraderie during the pandemic. But, just as the front half teases you with pop expectations, wait until the back half spins this distorted noise-skronk stomp; there’s no boundaries in the band’s songwriting, which is something that means a lot to me these days. It’s a tune that works playfully, then fades with bombast, so interested to hear where the project goes from here.
The Mary Onettes have been part of this site for the better part of a decade; I even spent a good deal of this year hunting down a reasonably priced copy of their self-titled LP, so I’m happy they’re back with a fresh set of tunes. They open things up here with an infectious bounce immediately, letting the guitars drift distantly before the vocals decide they’d like to join up. Honestly, Philip’s lyrical writing isn’t too far off from Glenn Donaldson’s RPP track from last week, calling on artists to take care of themselves while being drawn to create…sadly a sentiment folks like me need to remember. Oh man, this melodic chorus too, is just something special. Stoked to have the Swedish outfit back in any form.
For a long while, Gareth Parton has been working on the production side of things, working with acts like The Breeders and Go! Team. But, now he’s working on his own as Hot Coppers, dragging in some friends from The Lucksmiths, Zebras and other heralded Aussie outfits to create the songs that make up his debut LP. Our first sneak peak has us journeying with Parton as he takes us on a subtle pop journey; he’s got this heavy warmth to his voice that reminds me of a more polished Richard Hawley. The song itself is an ode to that lost love, and what’s left behind. If you’re searching pop balladry that soars, then you need look no further than this Hot Coppers tune. This song appears on a brand new 7″, and there’s a debut LP is slated for May via Lost and Lonesome!
Taleen Kali just dropped their record, Flower of Life, last week, so it makes sense they’re bringing those tunes into Austin for SXSW. We wanted to make sure that you got a chance to get to know Kali, so we reached out with our set of questions for Meet the SXSW Band. Give a look below to find out more about the artist as they roll into town.
If you needed the perfect pairing for your music listening, then I beg you to dive right into this new track from Jonathan Bree, featuring fellow New Zealander (and former bandmate) Princess Chelsea; the vocals of the two serve as the perfect foil for one another. Musically, just imagine a world where Daft Punk decided to turn their electro disco vibes into a live band; it doesn’t help that a certain Niles Rodgers helped on the latest from Jonathan, adding just a bit of classic funk flare to the tune. It’s a pop style without peers, if you’re asking me, so keep an eye out for Pre-Code Hollywood, dropping on April 14th via Lil Chief Records.
