Southern Fuzz Rock from The Blank Tapes

blanketapeFelt like I had one direction pushing this morning, musically speaking, so I had to soften things up with this sunny bit of rock n’ roll from The Blank Tapes.  This song is the first single from the group’s new album, Geodesic Dome Piece, and it looks like the blend of psychedelia and roots rock will clash heads throughout the entirety of your listen.  You’ll hear cascading guitar solos working over the smooth bounce of the vocals, drawing out the maximum bit of soul searching for listeners.  Look for the LP on January 13th via Royal Oakie Tapes & Records.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/01-Way-Too-Stoned.mp3]

Download: The Blank Tapes – Way Too Stoned [MP3]

Premiere: Huge Sounds from PINKSHINYULTRABLAST

PSUB-7aTwo days and two remarkable hits from Shelflife Records, but this time the label is bringing you the Russian five piece PINKSHINYULTRABLAST.  While there’s a concise formula, this song exemplifies the band’s ability to move in and out of varying sonic realms.  On the band’s first single, they open with this jagged post-punk guitar line that’s infused with this glittering touch, but as the song progresses there’s a harder edge that comes through the amps.  It’s all part of the diverse noise the group brings to the table, all the while maintaining this intoxicating beauty.  They release their album, Everything Else Matters, on January 27th.  Expect huge sounds and huge things for this act.

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Fresh Tunes from Dick Diver

dickI fucking thought the hits from Wednesday were solid, but I’m stoked with the tunes I’ve got for you today, especially this new Dick Diver tune.  The Aussie outfit has long been one of my favorites (I might have even been their first US supporter, maybe!).  They’ve just offered up this great new single, which actually shows the band with a poppier and more forceful tone, which could come from the fact that the band is working with lyrics co-written by poet Michael Farrell; it could lead to some incredible things on their new LP, Melbourne, Florida (I’d like to state for the record that I once drank too much Kentucky Deluxe by the case in that odd beach town). The album will see the light of day in early March via their long-standing label Chapter Music and new US rep, Trouble In Mind Records.

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Get to Know Mike Pace and the Child Actors

mikeyI’m really glad to hear Mike Pace making new music.  I was bummed when his old act, Oxford Collapse, called it a day; the group had these catchy pop rock songs that bordered on art rock.  Now he’s back with Mike Pace and the Child Actors, working on some new material that you’ll want to get to know. The example we have below throws Pace back into solid sounds of solid guitar pop, while his vocals still have that slightly strain that made his previous work more than just ordinary.  If you’re in need of something energetic and undoubtedly strong in the realms of pop rock, then just listen to this track on repeat all day.  Best Boy, the band’s new LP, will be out January 13th..so soon!

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Enjoy New Music from ZKPR

zoosSome days, especially Wednes days, you really need something playful.  Something spirited to kick start your afternoon, so I wanted to toss out this sweet little ditty from Chicago’s ZKPR (not to be confused with Zookeeper).  It’s an energetic song that you can find on the band’s recent album, Tall Men with Feelings, which just saw a release yesterday.  Just a little pick me up of fun for your afternoon, so hope you enjoy it.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/01-Otter-Rock-Cafe.mp3]

Download: ZKPR – Otter Rock Cafe [MP3]

Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith: Check It

katyIt’s really difficult to create something mesmerizing when you’re limiting yourself to the use of one instrument, but that doesn’t seem to be the case with Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith.  Her new effort, Euclid, has her spending studio hours working with a Buchla Music Easel synthesizer, throwing in really light touches of vocals in the distance.  That being said, this track’s more than just your average affair, showing an artist working to craft her own genre altogether.  For me, those little vocal moments really make the song something special, utilizing the gift of voice as another instrument in her textural work.  Look for the new record on January 20th via Western Vinyl.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/04-Sundry.mp3]

Download: Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith – Sundry [MP3]

Can You Dig ScotDrakula

sdWednesday’s are always good for some crunchy rock n’ roll, which is perfect since we’ve got this rad track from ScotDrakula to offer you today.  The Australian three-piece have some similarities to everyone’s favorite modern garage-rockers, but this, like Natural Child, seems to be more inspired by the history of Nashville songwriting.  There’s still some grit coming forth in the howl of frontman Matt, so you’ll definitely get your rock n’ roll dosage for the day.  The group are releasing a double-cassette on December 16th via Fleeting Youth Records, which will include their album Burner and their Break Me Up EP, which is where this tune finds a home.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Stupid-Everything.mp3]

Download: ScotDrakula – Stupid Everything [MP3]

More Fun Hits from Quarterbacks

quarterbacksI just can’t stop listening to this record.  The songs are quick and to the point, yet they’re always infectious, getting stuck in your head.  But, like the song below, they’re all fairly short, so the listen isn’t daunting by any means; it’s refreshing in fact, blasting through with fun hooks in under 30 minutes.  I implore you to look beyond perceived simplicity in the lyrics and just indulge in what’s been a great surprise from Quarterbacks.  They’re self-titled album will be in stores on February 10th courtesy of Team Love Records.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/06-Pool.mp3]

 

Of Montreal Continue Sonic Versatility

quebecI’ve been jamming to the music of Of Montreal for well over a decade now, and I honestly never have an idea what on Earth Kevin is going to release with his band.  Just last year they offered up the masterstroke, Lousy with Sylvianbriar, but it looks as if the group are going to delve back into their funky bits for their latest release, Aureate Gloom.  Still, there’s something in Barnes’ composition, and his voice (!), that always draws me into his work, so any new album is bound to have something great, for my ears anyways.  This new LP will be released by Polyvinyl Records on March 3rd, just in time for the band to bring the funk to their hordes of fans…including myself.

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Shelflife Records Bring You The Turns

theturns_PR_mdThere are some labels who just don’t know how to release bad records, and Shelflife Records is one of those you can always trust.  This time around, the label is going to bring you the Gone EP from LA-based The Turns.  The band’s known for being indebted to a slightly psychedelic period, though the track that I’ve chosen has a softer, more simplistic approach. Here you’ll hear the group walking that careful line between that genre and classic indiepop, utilizing male vocals with a female backing voice to really strengthen the song’s vibe.  The label is releasing it as a digital EP as of now, with a cassette version to follow in early 2015.

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