Looper Offer New Music

bloopWhile Looper is busy prepping the release of their 5 CD box set, These Things, it would be a shame if people didn’t realize that the set includes Offgrid: Offline, which is a brand new album.  They’ve unleashed one of the tracks off that new piece, and it’s exactly what I’ve come to expect from the group; there’s layering of samples, but it is all meant to underlie the sweet structured pop that’s been a focal point in the band’s experiments with modern music.  Mute will be releasing the collection on April 14th, and rest assured, I’ll have it in my hands by the end of that day.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/06-Farfisa-Song.mp3]

Fall In Love with Double Denim

doubledIf you love the song below, you better jump on over to Art Is Hard Records to pick it up, as they’re keeping the run on this new Double Denim 7″ really small…only 25 hand-cut copies.  It’s bedroom pop for sure, but it’s the perfect sort; there’s this great little wash over the vocals, with just enough of a beat to propel the song through it’s meandering Captured Tracks-esque guitar lines.  It’s brevity will keep you coming back again and again to fall in love with it just as much as I did.  He’s also got this wonderful little EP on Bandcamp too.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Double-Denim-Wide-Open.mp3]

Download: Double Denim – Wide Open [MP3]

Blackest Ever Black Prep Compilation

blackBlackest Ever Black are prepping the release of I Cant Give You the Life You Want, a compilation that’s served by Los Angeles as the background to the songs.  Perhaps it’s the environment of the city, or rather the response to the perceptions of the city that’s led the artists on this album (Cut Hands, Tropic of Cancer, Dalhous) to carefully craft their music, cloaked by the shadows beneath the city’s glam image.  I chose this track from Tarcar, which is broods beautifully, offering a softness that I’m really enjoying as I deliver into today.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/197415066″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Careful Folk from H

hH is the project name from Hector Andres Silva, though his music is quite a bit more intimate than the word “project” might lead one to believe.  There’s a gentle touch to his work, with a fragile vocal rising atop a carefully picked guitar line.  There are two singles here, but they’re actually meant to be listened to as one piece, though in two separate movements, all influenced by Silva’s repeated listening to Nick Drake.  Overall, the piece is titled The Night She Fell, and I suggest you take some time to string it below; it’s the perfect sedative for early Monday listening.

Garage Swing from Chick Quest

cqIt’s not too often that a band makes its sounds board the seas from Vienna to our little town here in Texas, but I was caught enjoying this new track from the Austrian group, Chick Quest.  Their new single takes off in a rather garage direction, with a rapid delivery of lyrics.  But, immediately beneath the sound is the band’s spaghetti western influences, which provide a nice little bit of swing to the track, especially as the song unfolds further in the latter half.  The band are set to release their LP, Vs. Galore, on April 21st, so I wanted to give you an advance warning of something that might not have made your radar just yet.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/191794928″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

ATX Premiere: Yuma Release New Single

10614068_754453231278506_2042911533_nYuma have been around for a bit, but they’re here with their first hint that 2015 could be a big year for the band, graciously allowing us to premiere their first single.  “The Fire” really has two sides two it; it opens with this grandiose pop structure, careful layering crisp vocals over a slow chord progression.  But, then the song takes a turn, blasting into a blissful version of shimmering dream pop.  Melodies soar and the band rolls towards a soft close of the track, having carried you on a journey through varying realms of pop music.  You should help the band record more great songs in 2015 by buying the single HERE.  Look for the band to have more new tunes coming your way very soon.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/189195265″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

 

Something Playful from Craig Martinson

cragFeel like I went a little heavy on the rock side of things today, so I wanted to spin it around and offer something playful and captivating via Craig Martinson.  The songwriter has crafted a tune that’s akin to bands like White Rabbit or early Cold War Kids; the style brings with it huge hooks and a little bit of psychedelic funk to the mix.  It’s one of those songs that just makes you happy to be alive, so why not play it loud on this Friday afternoon.  You’ll find this tune on his latest EP, My Love Is True.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/189526778″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

The Return of the Splits

splitterI always thought I was in the know for the Finnish rock n’ roll scene, though it’s clear I’ve still got some things to learn, as I haven’t been too acquainted with the Splits, though they’re set to release their second album via Dirtnap Records.  There’s a vicious opening, that some might even call brash.  But, don’t let that set you off, as there’s multiple vocal parts, balancing out the angst-ridden punk growl with a solid pop croon.  It’s an energetic tune, filled with fun times and attitude; look for II on April 21st.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/195076833″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Have You Been Listening to Hard Left

wahlIs your answer no? Then maybe you should rethink your listening habits.  Hard Left is a supergroup of sorts, though perhaps one most known to that too often mentioned underground world.  For my ears, there’s two things going on here that I really like: the band are carrying on the political rabble (some members may have been the first to bring that sound to your ears!) and there’s this guttural punk noise that could incite a circle-pit with your best friends…maybe even a riot. The band’s album We Are Hard Left will be released on May 12th via Future Perfect Records.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Hard-Left-Red-Flag.mp3]

Download: Hard Left – Red Flag [MP3]

Listen to This Dark Opus from Girls Names

girlsgirlsgirlsI’ve been way into Girls Names since they first hit the shores via Slumberland Records, and while they’ve changed their sound, their music has still been relatively compelling.  Enter the new chapter for the band, the result being an 11 minute exploration into the space where bands may soon take their post-rock approach.  The track opens with digitalized foreboding before the settles into it’s circular guitar work, pushed forward by the drum work.  Don’t be worried, as the band have disguised their pop-centric leanings beneath carefully crafted swells of guitar. Look for this new Zero Triptych 12″ via Tough Love Records on May 11th.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/197427780″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

1 825 826 827 828 829 1,306