Author: nathan.lankford

Dance & Drift with Gardens & Villa

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dunesThe California based Gardens & Villa have always had this underlying electronic influence in their music, even though they’re often labeled as a band with folk influences (see flute solo below), and that aspect is pushed even further on the latest single released from the band.  There’s a natural groove to the song, fitting perfectly with the high pitch of the vocals on the tune.  Their new record is titled Dunes, and it’s going to see a February 4th release from Secretly Canadian.  This is like a less-pretentious version of what Arcade Fire seems to be doing…which in the end makes it pretty enjoyable.  I’m going to enjoy this jam for the rest of the day.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/120303281″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Student Teachers Get Re-Release!

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ST_PubPhoto-660x439Man, everyone is getting re-released these days, which is actually quite alright with me, as this latest re-release is sort of dear to my heart.  My favorite time period is probably the late 70s NYC, or Lawrence in the late 90, but will stick with the former for now.  The Student Teachers were one of those underground acts that I only heard about; I knew I’d probably like them considering all the bands they’d played with, and that one of Blondie’s members helped record their stuff.  While I’m harping on this whole NYC punk bent, you’ve got to hear the single they’ve re-released to get you acquainted with their music.  It’s definitely not punk, though there’s still that outsider affinity.  Seems like a natural bridge between Bowie and NY…to me anyways.  So, if you like what you hear, you can grab the Invitation to The Student Teachers from Nacional Records.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/04-Looks.mp3]

Download: The Student Teachers – Looks [MP3]

 

Show Preview: The Besnard Lakes @ Red 7 (11.22)

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besnardlakes

Date Friday, November 22nd
Location Red 7
Doors 9:00 PM
Tickets $14 from Transmission


You’ll find a ton of shows in town on Friday, including the hipster-approved Miley Cyrus, I mean CHVRCHES, but here’s a show for those who are looking for something a little far left of the dial.  Canada’s Besnard Lakes are the headliners on the night, offering up their blend of indie meets psych meets folk meets jam.  Then you’ll have the band that I think cold steal the show, Elephant Stone.  They’re another Canadian act that have been on my list of reliable group’s for some time now; you should check out their most recent self-titled album.  And, as an added bonus, you get local opener, The Boxing Lesson.  So, if you’re not going to Cass McCombs, and you don’t like Miley Cyrus, then this is definitely going to be a good place to find yourself Friday night.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/The-Besnard-Lakes-People-of-the-Sticks.mp3]

Download: The Besnard Lakes – People of the Sticks [MP3]

Noisy Jam from Thunders

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thundersI feel like I’ve been taking it easy with my listening lately, pushing lots of softer jams your way.  But, I figured I’d change that up and give you guys a listen to Thunders. The band is offering up this crunchy bit of noisy pop rock as the first single to their record Weird Spines White Trash Whatever, which will be release in January via Maximum Pelt.  I dig the fact that the band is operating around this truly pop-centric musical form, but they’ve just opted to turn up the noise all around the track, making things more fun for us all.  You like your rock noisy? Come no further.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/01-Noasis.mp3]

Download: Thunders – Noasis [MP3]

New Music from Majical Cloudz

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Majical CloudzWithout a doubt, the music of Majical Cloudz is something that’s really reinvigorated my faith in music.  I’ve caught the duo on several tours through Austin, and was floored by how powerful Impersonator was.  Today we bring you the latest tune from the act, which again, really just focuses on this simple layering in the distance, while Devon Welsh’s vocals carefully walk along the soundscape created by his partner.  In my mind, there’s never a bad time to post a song by this group, and if you haven’t, you should go visit their recent LP; it’s remarkable.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/119855000″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Captured Tracks Signs Axxa/Abraxas

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axxaI’m continuously impressed with the growth of Captured Tracks.  What was once a label heading in one direction, they’ve expanded with their Re-Issues (The Servants, Flying Nun, etc), and they continue with their recent signing Axxa/Abraxas.  This definitely continues the label focus on guitar playing, but there’s something different going on in the way the music is crafted, offering up more of a swinging sensation via the band’s psychedelic influences.  It’s good to see a roster grow, especially when the music is as exciting as that being created by this band; the label will release the band’s self-titled debut next March.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/120157278″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Temples Sign with Fat Possum

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templesLooks like 2013 is pretty much behind us, musically speaking.  We’re all starting to look forward towards releases for 2014, and one of the hottest names on that list is Temples.  They’ve just released the single for their debut, Sun Structures, which will see a release on Fat Possum on the 11th of February.  There’s a propulsive element to the track, but the lyrics have this lofty quality that demonstrates the pop-centric approach of the band’s sound.  I love how they go from pushing forward, to breaking things down, momentarily going for a softer moment.  2013 was good, but looks like 2014 has plenty to offer as well.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/119929920″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Show Preview: Cass McCombs @ Belmont (11.22)

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Upload_Frank_and_Cass_2012_01_15 00_44_39

Date Friday, November 22
Location The Belmont
Doors 8:00 PM
Tickets $15 from Ticketfly


The season of rock n’ roll traveling shows is slowly drawing to a close, and there’s only a handful of really remarkable acts remaining on our Austin schedule (there’ll still be tons of great local shows as always).  One of the best acts to see, Cass McCombs, will be coming into town on Friday evening to play the Belmont. He’s touring behind his recent release Big Wheel and Others, which has some really incredible songs on it.  Personally, I find Cass to be really compelling live; I think the performances he gives make it well worth your time to make it out of the house on Friday.  Plus, you’ll get a chance to see Pink Nasty, one of our own local legends kick things off for the night.  Either way, it sounds like you win if you make it out!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/cassmccombs.mp3]

Download: Cass McCombs – County Line [MP3]

Austin Spotlight: New Music from Abram Shook

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Abram.Shook.1.300We’ve long been huge supporters of Abram Shook, one of the nicest musicians around Austin.  We adored his work with Great Nostalgic, but now he’s opted to go it his own, which might be for the best if you take a listen to this track.  I hear a bit of Bolan in his vocal delivery, but I like how that works against the twanging guitar that calmly sits in the background.  Sounds like he’s got things moving in the right direction, which we’ll all get a chance to hear when he releases his Sun Marquee, his new album for local label Western Vinyl.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/06-Coastal.mp3]

Download: Abram Shook – Coastal [MP3]

New (ish) Music from The Wave Pictures

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city forgiveness 500pxOne of the unfortunate things about being in the States is that you occasionally have to wait a long time to get your hands on the works of your favorites artists.  I’ve been a huge follower of The Wave Pictures for some time, and I’m really happy to just toss up their latest single, which is featured on their album City Forgiveness.  The album has been out for a few weeks in the UK via Moshi Moshi Music, but it should soon be making its way overseas, at least I hope it does.  There’s just something perfect about what the guys do; it’s like a nerdier sharpness added to traditional indiepop. Give a listen.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/07-Red-Cloud-Road-Part-2.mp3]

 

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