Author: nathan.lankford

Damn This Keath Mead Tune is Sweet

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unnamed-2Ah, those old innocent days when a great pop tune made everything seem perfect.  This Keath Mead track is just such a tune, erasing the doldrums of every day life.  There’s some slick production that gives it a straight pop feeling, though I think Mead’s vocals have a nice touch to them that really brings this new single home.  It’s interesting that Keith’s imploring the song’s intended audience to “act your age,” which is completely the opposite of how this makes me feel.  I want to take off on a long sunny day walk with this song bouncing me along. His album Sunday Dinner comes out on February 24th via Company Records.

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Premiere: Birds of Night Prep New Self-Titled LP

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4212Just because we rep Austin doesn’t mean we don’t look around Texas for great tunes from our neighboring cities, which is where we ran into Denton’s Birds of Night.  The group’s new single has this guitar that cuts through the pounding rhythm section, tied in tightly with a great Southern vocal that wears a Texas drawl proudly.  It reminds me a lot of local band A. Sinclair, just offering up a heavy dosage of great no-frills rock n’ roll. Their album, Birds of Night, was recorded by Midlake‘s McKenzie Smith at his Redwood Studio, so you know they’ve already caught the ear of some Texas heavy-hitters.  Here’s to them reaching beyond our state line; look for the album on April 21st.

 

Distorted Tune from Happyness

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unnamedSurely Happyness has hit your radar, as they’ve had an incredible run the last year or so.  They maintain their balance between huge walls of guitar noise and pop sensibility that really harkens back to the late 90s when bands like Grandaddy and The Comas were gods in my listening rotation.  You’ll hear a screeching guitar in the middle here before they bring back the power hook that comes with every vocal.  If you love pop, but still love to rock a bit, then there’s not going to be a better band for you in 2015.  Look for their new effort, Weird Little Birthday, on March 24th via Bar None.

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Wake Up with Karl Kling

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karlklingI’m typically not the one on the site that runs the electronic side of things, but I needed an extra pick me up after hitting up five shows in the last week, so I thought I’d toss out this new tune from Karl Kling.  It’s a track that’s rather infectious, and it’s got just enough bouncing bass to really get you moving about your place, or your office if you’re so inclined.  Airy vocals and heavy beats will get you dancing if you know what’s good for you. Look for his self-titled album to hit on March 3rd via Crazy Heart Records.

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Huge Wall of Noise from Makthaverskan

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Makrhaverskan fotograferad av Jessica LundWell hello Sweden! Feel like you’ve been quiet for too long.  But, now I feel like Makthaverskan makes up for it the absence. Aside from the nod to Pussy Riot in the artwork, they take that Swedish sound of jangling guitar ring and fill it with a bit more noise; it sounds like a sloppier (albeit intentional) version of Love Is All.  The vocals have this siren quality, haunting the track and the listener while the rest of the band works furiously to provide a more rocking element.  Still, there’s a harmony to the voice that’s utterly intoxicating.  Definitely a track to keep in your rotation this weekend. This tune will appear on a Tour 7″ they’ll be bringing to the States for their huge Spring tour.

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Enjoy This New Nic Hessler Tune

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unnamed-4A few weeks ago I hit up a Nic Hessler tune, and I wasn’t entirely sold on it.  That’s until I got hooked on this new single, which made me realize how great Nic’s work could potentially be going forward.  It’s an example of perfect recording, starting the song off a bit slow, then waiting to explode in this huge swell of pop magic.  It’s surprising that more music ins’t being crafted in precisely this manner; it seems so simple (though I’m sure it’s not) and so easy, yet that’s precisely why I give Hessler credit, as I don’t think everyone can perfect it in such a manner. Look for Soft Connections in stories on March 17th via Captured Tracks.

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Introducing Dogheart

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unnamed-5It’s always good to hear from your friends and discover their new discoveries.  Seems like Portland’s Dogheart have something going, despite only being a fairly new band (formed in 2014).  They’ve got this catchy hook they rock right away in this song, and the sound of the vocals is pretty appealing.  It’s a casual song in a sense, honing in on the group’s ability to ply their trade at great pop songwriting. This song is definitely promising, so I’ll be interested to hear their debut What Burns the Best when it’s release in a few weeks (Feb 17th).

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ATX Weekend Show Spotlight

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austiniloveyouI’ve already tossed a nod towards Knifight playing over at Cheer Up Charlies tonight, but there’s definitely some other shows that should pop up on your local Austin show radar.  There’s actually a lot going on on Friday, but I’m going to highlight the places you should probably end up…then I’ll take a quick look at Saturday’s events too.  These are just one man’s recommendations.  Read more

This Is One of Alex G’s Best Songs

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alexgI’m a fan of Alex G, and I have been for some time…probably about the same time as the rest of the world heard about him.  But, after years of wading through his extensive Bandcamp page, I’m really happy this new tune has come to light.  It’s an old song, though just getting the light of day as a bonus track on his upcoming Trick album reissue.  This song exemplifies precisely why I found myself enjoying Alex’s work so much; it’s got this endearing quality that only comes with a careful intimacy established between musician and listener.  It reminds me of falling in love with Bright Eyes in 98, though I’ll admittedly say that Alex’s voice might be sweeter; there’s an innocence and sincerity in his work. This track’s been played everywhere lately, but why on Earth would one ignore such a jam.

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ATX Spotlight: Stream the New Knifight Album (+Album Release Gig)

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KnifightSometimes I get mad at Austin’s Knifight.  I feel like they don’t give us enough shows to display their prowess; I’m not mad really, I just want to see them more often.  Perhaps that will change now that they’re releasing their newest effort, V.  You’ll still hear the band’s signature affinity for electronic touches, but I think there’s a huge leap in the overall construction of the tracks on this release.  They sound more mature, and the finer details have been given great care, making the group’s sound more well-rounded; it’s a lot more dense,in that great musical way (not like you Aunt’s pound cake). A powerful album to go with their dominating live shows should make these guys stick out in Austin in 2015.  Check em at Cheer Up Charlies tonight for their album release.

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