Author: nathan.lankford

Announcing the Austin Music Blogger Awards – February 27, 2014

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14-AMBA-Logo-Amp-Color-3x3We’ve kept this a secret long enough! We’re here to announce the Austin Music Blogger Awards! This event has been carefully coordinated through the hard work of your local Austin Blogger Community: Austin Town Hall, Red River Noise, Ultra 8201, Side One Track One, Austin Bloggy Limits, Pop Press International, OVRLD, and Republic of Austin. We’re working with the excellent folks at Austin Music People, who’ll be running the show with the help of Fender.  Not only will there be awards, but also rad bands to play all night long.

Here’s the details:

The doors will open at 7:30 PM on February 27th at SpiderHouse Ballroom. Bands will start at 8:30, with awards in between.

We’ll have Jess Williamson, Magna Carda, Shivery Shakes, Orthy, Mirror Travel, A Giant Dog + a Special Guest.

Austin Music People will present awards for behind the scenes folks such as Best Recording Studio and Best Poster Design.  The Bloggers will present awards ranging from Best Band to Best DJ. You can read a full list of the awards and nominees HERE.

Tickets are $12 in advance; buy them HERE.

And, because we know that YOUR voice is just as important as ours, we want you to help us select our Readers Choice Austin Album of 2013.  Cast your vote right HERE. Votes must be submitted by 5 PM on Friday, February 21st.

Thanks to everyone for their hard work (especially Jennifer at AMP for putting up with so many different opinions), including Eva at Spider House! We’ll bring you more news as we draw near. Please come out and support the local Austin Music Community.  And thanks to our sponsor Fender.

FULL LIST OF AWARDS AND NOMINEES.

 

Swinging Pop from Making Marks

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makingmarksLast time I wrote about Making Marks was in 2012, so I’m happy that my 2014 is starting out with a new record from the Oslo quartet. It’s interesting to hear their lead single, “Bruises,” as it definitely has a nice Americana twist to it, showing just how wide the band’s influences spread.  For those of you interested in indiepop delights, you’ll love how the group intertwine male and female vocal parts. Their latest release, A Thousand Half-Truths, was just released overseas by the excellent Fika Recordings.  You should pick one up, as the record’s destined to be one of those collector’s gems.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/01-Bruises.mp3]

Download: Making Marks – Bruises [MP3]

Hello Echo Return with New Single

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helloechoApollo Sunshine made some pretty solid tunes, so it’s no surprise that when former singer Sean Aylward started his new project, Hello Echo, that the music would live up to the expectations of listeners.  As the band gears up for the release of their second album, Echo, they’ve taken onto the softer side of the musical world. While this song has traditional folk balladry written all across it, the additional accompaniment of piano, slide guitars and string arrangements really makes your listen something extremely special.  If it’s your thing, then grab the album on February 25th when it hits stores.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/131157973″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Fuzzed Out Rocker from Odonis Odonis

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odonisWarning. You’re going to want to turn down your speakers before you press play on this track.  There’s grinding guitar that bashes you over the ears, while the lyrics, though distant in the mix, maintain an atmosphere of coldness that goes in line with the modus operandi of Odonis Odonis.  This tune will be featured on the group’s up-coming LP, Hard Boiled Soft Boiled, which is said to express some diversity in the band’s songwriting.  Whatever it is, it’ll undoubtedly be loud.  You can grab it on April 15th via Buzz Records, and make sure to check out the video that accompanies this song HERE.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/128731675″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Austin Midweek Show Choices

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austinmusicWeekends in Austin always make it hard to pick a good show, but this Wednesday you’ve got a lot of really incredible options to choose from. I don’t even know which of these shows I’ll attend, but I’ll definitely be at one, if not two!  If you’re the type of person that likes to take your Hump Day with a little dose of rock n’ roll, pick one of these sweet concerts to check out. Click on the prices for ticket links.

Yuck, Sour Notes (tour kick-off), Hola Beach @ Red 7 – $13 – 9 PM

Teach Me Equals, Bloody Knives, Occulta Vero @ Beerland – 9 PM

together PANGEA, Mozes and the Firstborn, Hundred Visions @ Mohawk – $10 – 9 PM

Ash, Deaf Havana, The Villas @ Stubbs-  $12 – 8 PM

Here’s some tunes from Yuck and Mozes and the Firstborn.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Georgia-wavv-1.mp3]

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/07-Skinny-Girl.mp3]

Fresh Indiepop Hit from Alpaca Sports

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alpaca_press_albumThe works of Alpaca Sports are not new to the pages of our site, so it seems fitting that we just kick off a Tuesday full of great jams by offering you a listen at a brand new track from the band. This new track has a casual feel, though there’s still that uplifting bounce to it, with the lyrical content comparing the narrator to some guy named Johnny Marr.  You can check out a video of the song right HERE, plus you’ll be happy to know that the band’s preparing their debut, Sealed with a Kiss, for a February 24th release date.  With songs like this coming out left and right, this is my favorite February ever.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/132754921″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

New Music from Chad VanGaalen

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chadvangThe last time we heard from Chad VanGaalen everything was really pretty; the songs he constructed on Diaper Island were well constructed and pristine.  While he’s taking a similar approach on his new effort, there’s a definite difference in the recording itself; it features this static wash that’s layered atop his organized songwriting process.  It leaves you with quite an impression, as the harmonious element is surrounded by a wall of discord, creating an effect that’s rather unsteadying.  I’m sure we’ll get a better look at what he’s trying to accomplish when we get the full listen to Shrink Dust, his latest effort for Sub Pop; it comes out on April 29th.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/131897267″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Little Bit of Soul from Curtis Harding

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curtisWhat?! Burger Records is releasing a soul record? Yea, that’s what I thought too, but the old school music lover in me is really digging this tune from Curtis Harding. Harding’s got a great voice for the style, but I love the rest of the music in this track.  I miss the sound of a bunch of musicians throwing down like the days of Hitsville USA, throwing in horns and strings to flesh out the sound.  The ride on the high-hat is definitely a highlight on this particular track.  Soul Power will be out on April 22nd for those willing to go back in time.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/131734067″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

New Pop Number from Crayonsmith

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crayonsmithI’m really enjoying this new tune from Crayonsmith, which is now a trio of Irish lads.  This song works on a simple formula, but the vocals of Ciaran Smith really bring the precision of the group’s playing into light.  It’s as if the two components work in conjunction, each highlighting the other in a unique fashion. I love the rolling drums just before the two-minute mark; the angular meandering of the guitar throughout is another touch of grace.  You can grab the band’s latest album, Milk Teeth, now if you know what’s right for you.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/128286530″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Fear of Men Ready Debut Album

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fearofmenWhen Fear of Men release Early Fragments, it felt more like a full length than an actual EP; it was concise and organized, not to mention enduring in my own personal play list. As they prepare for the release of their debut, Loom, they’re leaking out a track today, which is in essence, two tracks.  The first is a soft interlude of vocals that leads into the more propulsive “Waterfall.”  Already, you can hear the thought given to each detail, especially to the album’s construction. The record will be out on April 22nd via Kanine Records; it’s going to be a must have for everyone.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/132779686″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

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