ATX Spotlight: Orthy Covers Tom Petty

OrthyYep, another cover, another day.  But, Austin’s Orthy don’t just cover Tom Petty’s “Listen to Her Heart,” they totally reimagine the song itself, leaving no resemblance of the original save the lyrics.  There’s these dark electronic pulses during the chorus, while the remainder of the song is a smoothed-out electro croon.  The song features on a digital release that just came out this week via Dither Down, allowing listeners the chance to also listen to various remixes from the group’s E.M.I.L.Y. EP, which we raved about last year.  Give it a listen, and enjoy your day just a little better.

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Skittle Alley Unleash Two More Demos

skittlesCan these guys release an album already! Earlier this year we were treated to a nice little studio demo of a new Skittle Alley tune, and just yesterday they unleashed two more great tunes in the demo version; they have me, as well as other indiepop fans aching for the group’s new album. One of the tunes is an oldie that was recorded, while the other just seems to be a beautiful new piece that will hopefully appear from the band later.  It doesn’t matter where or when really, as we should spend the rest of our day just appreciating these delightful tunes, so here you go.

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Heavy Handed Psych Rock from Ancient Sky

ancientsAdmittedly, I took some time off from the psych rock last week; too much of a good thing can be a bad thing…or so my mom said.  But, I’m returning this week with a real heavy burner of a tune from Ancient Sky, who we’ve featured on these pages before.  For the first two minutes, the song does read as your fairly run-of-the-mill blend of psych, but soon enough, you’ll hear the band pound on the drums, rip through the distorted guitar riffs and shout at the top of their lungs.  It provides listeners with a nice little twist, leaving you with more of a sludgy rocker than a psych tune.  The band will release their new album, Mosaic, on June 9th via Wharf Cat Records.

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ATX Spotlight: The Midgetmen Prep 5th Album

midgetsI have the utmost respect for all four dudes in the Midgetmen. For years the band has bounced around the local Austin music scene, cranking out infection pop punk at their own pace.  They’re not looking to break down barriers, they’re just looking to play rock n’ roll the way they like it; turned up loud and blasting it with your friends over a few bottles of Bud. This track is the lead tune off their 5th album, Hobbytown, and that should say a great deal about the band themselves, able to handle the highs and lows of The Festival Capital of the World. They’ll be celebrating the release of their album at the Blackheart on June 27th.

Black Twig Cover Venom

blakieIt seems, to me anyways, that a great deal of bands cover one another nowadays, so it’s a nice touch that Black Twig has opted to go all the way back to Venom‘s 1981 catalog to cover “In League with Satan.” They’ve removed the demonic touches of the original, choosing to favor the smoothed out heavy-folk the band have been working with since their last album, Heliogram.  They’re offering up this cover as part of a single they’re releasing with label Soliti this Friday, also offering some redux versions of previously released tracks.  It’s a different beast lurking here, but one you’ll love all the same.

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Video Premiere: Auditorium

auditSailing vocals and careful craftsmanship are the biggest thing on display in this new single/video from LA’s Auditorium.  Sure, the adorable child at the heart of the video isn’t one to be ignored, but I love the way the songwriting sparkles through every moment in this song. The song owes a debt to the voice behind it all, Spencer Berger, whose classically trained chops definitely shine the brightest; it’s one of those special voices like Antony, where you can’t pull yourself away…a perfect example of the voice being operated at the highest level.  Give some time to this video today.

[youtube]https://youtu.be/blfD5bWA9Mw[/youtube]

 

Jam a Non-Album VOWS Tune

vowsWe’re a few weeks out from getting to hear the whole new VOWS LP, and while we wait, the band seems to have been gracious enough to unleash a tune that doesn’t appear on the album.  The importance of this tune is that it’s one of the song’s that led to the band recording their new album, Soon Enough Love.  You’ll hear some of the sonic exploration lurking in the background of the recording, but you can hear how the band wraps all of that playful experimentation around traditional pop sensibility; I love the middle of the tune and it’s muddy wash, especially.  Look for their new record on June 2nd via Section Sign Records.

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Another Reason to Buy the Expert Alterations 12″

expertA long while ago I caught Expert Alterations here in Austin, along with some other great acts.  I raved about the band and their perfect indiepop sound, immediately posting a song to get you hyped to their sound.  Soon after, they agreed to put out a record with Slumberland and Kanine, and we’re getting another listen.  It’s a jangly number, fitting in the appropriate level of cool bounce to every turn of a word.  I like the drum work in the middle of the tune, essentially creating a breakdown that sets you up for the rest of the tune. Look for the EP to be release on June 2nd.

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New La Luz Jam

laluzI think it’s sort of a shame that Ty Segall is getting the love for the new La Luz jam, especially considering he’s just handling production duties.  If you go back in time, you’ll see that this sound is the natural progression of the group’s sound as they prepare to release their new album. They’ve always had a surfy vibe, but I do dig the stronger vocal focus on this latest tune.  They definitely take some leisure with jamming things out in parts, which I suppose could be Segall’s touch, but I’m betting these ladies had these tunes ready to rock when they walked in the studio.  Look for their new album, Weirdo Shrine, on August 7th via Hardly Art.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/02_You-Disappear.mp3]

Download: La Luz – You Disappear [MP3]

Captured Tracks to Issue Martin Newell Collection

martyMartin Newell‘s name should be familiar, at least I hope so.  He’s long been known for his work with Cleaners from Venus, not to mention some solo outings. Captured Tracks has collected the best of Newell’s recent work from the last four years, put them all together for a collection titled Teatime Assortment.  The track below is a bonus tune for the album, and I’ll admit it illustrates why Newell’s always been sort of an acquired taste for some…though you can hear how close his vocals are to that of everyman hero, Bob Pollard.  This should be a special collection worth your time; it’s being released on June 9th.

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