This is fine.
I think one of the greatest things about SXSW is finding new artists from other countries; it’s better than free beer and swag. Today we get to catch up with the Irish indie rockers, The Academic. Jump below to check out what they had to say when we passed them our questionnaire.
Just want to post all the songs, all the time. What I really want to post is this subtle dance pop from R. Missing, known in some circles as The Ropes. The electronic element of pop is pretty much in line with other like-minded acts, though there’s not a driving propulsion, letting the melody come across passively. One of the reasons the tune struck me was the darkened weariness of the vocals; they’re almost haunting, but ultimately intoxicating for listeners. Just a one-off single for now, but a damn fine one.
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/310152857″ params=”color=00aabb&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
I don’t think that Alex Giannascoli, or Alex G, ever stops writing. Before he blew up, he had tons of tracks on bandcamp, some of which later got wider releases. This new track and video definitely has a softer, songwriter approach, filled with great accompaniment to elevate the track. There’s a softness to his voice, matched by the band behind him in their playing style; it all feels so slow, purposefully slow, of course. He’s still bringing in some of his songwriter flare, but in this new music, it looks that he’s gone out to move entirely beyond the bedroom moniker that might have followed him for a bit. This is a gem, and it’ll appear on Rocket, released by Domino on May 19th.
I’m a troller of labels, and Deaf Ambitions is one of those that I haunt, just waiting for them to toss me something delicious. They just upped this great hit from Hollow Everdaze. It’s an upbeat number, though it’s rooted in the leftover heaviness from modern psych. I love the little twists and turns in the tones on the vocals, with an almost tropical guitar jab cutting through. This song is constantly swelling, building an energy that demands you turn it up louder with each spin. Such a cool vibe, both psychedelic and summery. Look for the band’s new album Cartoons late this year from the label.
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/310057212″ params=”color=00aabb&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
I’ve been reinvigorated by the pop music bug (I owe this to catching the Ocean Party last night), so it’s great that this new Delay Trees tune came into the old inbox. For me, this song is all about execution; you’ve got to take a simple formula and make it meaningful, which the band clearly does. It opens with vocals and a light guitar behind, then there’s a movement of elevation as the drums and keys join in to uplift the song, and listener. The chorus has this brilliant melody that’s intoxicating; it reminds me of early Travis (and that’s a compliment). This tune opens the band’s new album Let Go, which hits worldwide via Soliti on April 23rd.
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/303286376″ params=”color=00aabb&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Clearly we’re enamored with the playful sounds of Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever (I even wrote about them HERE for SXSW). They definitely have an Australian sound, and it’s super apparent here…filled with that breathy vocal and guitars that ring circles in your head. Personally, I love how the band has this attitude of indifference, yet they survive by offering up an inherent joyousness; it’s even evident in the celebratory attitude of the accompanying video. These guys are one of the highlights of my upcoming SXSW plans, and if you won’t be here, that’s okay because you can grab The French Press EP on March 10th via Sub Pop.
Listen up. US Weekly has been gradually building a huge following in Austin, and with the announcement of their debut album, they’re ready to break through to a larger audience. I love how you can feel singer Chris Nordahl stalking the stage with his vocal delivery, bringing the band’s live energy through on this recording. You’ll also get to hear the band disrupt your ears with discordant guitars and an underlying tension fueled by Kent’s drum rolls. Their full length album hits the streets on April 22nd via Night Moves, ready to take the rest of the country by storm!
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/310032450″ params=”color=00aabb&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
We’re a few weeks away from the madness that we all love, or at least I do. And happily, we’ve teamed up with our friends over at Side One Track One to bring you a solid bill of 29 Austin acts, and a French band. What’s the cost to you? FREE! The whole show will be going on over at Hotel Vegas/Volstead on Sunday, March 12th, and we hope you come out to enjoy the day with us, starting right at 2 PM with one of my favorites, AMA. There’s four stages and not a bad band on the bill! More info on the FB Event Page.
Here’s a list of other participating bands on the day: Ama, Julia Lucille, Basketball Shorts, Quin Galavis and Annecy, Caroline Says, John Wesley Coleman, Jana Horn, She Sir, Lola Tried, Wild Bill and the Lost Knobs, Darkbird, The Halfways, Mean Jolene, Melat, Grivo, Pollen Rx, The Lovely Sparrows, Hard Proof, Roaring Sun, A. Sinclair, Black Books, Tres Oui, The Digital Wild, Tamarron, Upper Deck Pets, Growl, Skin Drips, Midnight Stroll, The Dizzease, and Weird Omen (mbrs of King Khan).
Check out a bunch of tunes from the bands after the jump.
We caught up with self-described yacht punks, St. Tropez this week to catch up with the band before they make their way over to the US for SXSW. You hopefully know the routine by now…we give them questions, they give us answers. We also include the latest single from their Debate EP. Read more
Really enjoying the subtle vibes on this great pop hit from The Birthday Letters. There’s a casual opening bit that immediately slides you into the song; it’s mostly just vocals with faint instrumentation. Things pick up just a little bit as Joseph Hughes croons atop a slightly fuller sound, but there’s brilliant balance in the entire composition. It’s a song you’d likely play driving with the windows down, while on the flipside, you could easily have the song on late night listening rotations. This song pops up on the We Never Talk About Paradise (We Do God) EP.
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/304140450″ params=”color=00aabb&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
