This is fine.
A new song called “Promises” from Berkley band Morning Benders is showing up all over the internet today. The new single will appear on the foursomes upcoming LP Big Echo which hits stores March 9th via Rough Trade. This new jam comes off sounding a tad like Grizzly Bear minus the incredible vocal harmonies. Of course that’s not too surprising since since Chris Taylor is co-producing the album.
Download: The Morning Benders – Promises [MP3]
The Cold Beat are a fairly new band hailing from the Boston area who have been getting some spins in the ATH offices recently. Sine the band is currently unsigned and releasing material on their own, we know that most of you probably aren’t familiar with the band. The trio have been living around the Boston area for years and just started The Cold Beat after stints in a slew of other bands. Now coming off the release of their debut EP Dumbwaiter, the guys bring more new self-released material with a split 7″ with fellow Boston boys Movers and Shakers. The tune you’ll find below,”Absolute Zero”, appears on said 7″ along with one more from The Cold Beat and two from Movers and Shakers. Upon first listen you’ll hear a bit of an old school pop/punk aesthetic similar to early Juliana Theory. Lead singer Chris Amaral also sounds a hell of a lot like Tim Kasher from Cursive and that spells goodness to me. So have a listen, check out more songs on the band’s myspace and let us know what ya think.
Download: The Cold Beat – Absolute Zero [MP3]
Local label Western Vinyl stays hot on the trail of release for 2010 with a second album from Brooklyn band Slow Six. Their new joint, Tomorrow Becomes You will hit stores next week on Jan. 12th. Those unfamiliar with the band should know that they rock as an instrumental outfit somewhat similar to our very own Balmorhea or Calm Blue Sea. Have a listen to new single “The Night You Left New York” below to make your own comparisons.
Download: Slow Six – The Night You Left New York [mp3]
We’re happy to announce today a little party we’re helping put on next weekend at the up and coming music venue Ghost Room. This little shindig is hosted by Above the Radar PR and Do512 along with support from yours truly and End of an Ear Records. The lineup features 3 solid local bands going by the names of Monahans, Sad Accordions and Frank Smith. To make the event even that much more special, we will all be there to celebrate the birth year of our dear friend Michael over at Sonic Itch. Word on the street has it that he is old as dirt so expect him to turn to dust at the stroke of midnight. Should be good times had by all. We’ll make sure to plug this party again a few days before the January 16th date next week. Show time? 9pm ladies.
Download: Sad Accordions – Sacrificial Chumpsucker Diatribe [MP3]
My mind is seriously about to explode at the thought of all the albums I’m going to have to buy between now and March. The upcoming release list just keeps getting sicker and sicker. Canadians Besnard Lakes are getting in on the action as well with their 3rd studio album The Besnard Lakes Are the Roaring Night due out March 9th on JagJauwar. Prior to that release, check out this new single “Albatross” which will actually be available as a vinyl 12″ single next month. Suhweet.
Download: Besnard Lakes – Albatross [MP3]
Polyvinyl Records band Aloha are yet another band returning in 2010 after a lengthy break in new material. The band’s new LP is set to be called Home Acres and hits stores March 9th. Head down below and you’ll find brand new single “Moonless March” from the upcoming LP. Anyone ready to offer up some first impressions?
Download: Aloha – Moonless March [MP3]
After too many struggles with personal loss and injury, we’re happy to see that Cali band Rogue Wave are returning in 2010 with new material. The guys have apparently written what they’re calling a “dance” record that goes by the name Permalight. Check out first single “Good Morning” which debuted yesterday and find out Rogue Wave dance music sounds likes. The new LP will be out March 2nd on Brushfire.
Download: Rogue Wave – Good Morning [MP3]
After a long lapse in Austin artist to watch features, we return this week with a spotlight on local band The Pons. Some of you out there may remember this band under their old name Lalaland, which was changed to the much more grown up sounding Pons moniker a few years ago. Not only did the band change their name after one release under Lalaland, but a former member also dropped off the roster to form the now 3 piece Pons. Fast forward just a bit to the new decade and the band has already released their debut LP In the Belly of a Giant in 2008 along with a few compilation CDs and mixtapes. That debut long player is an album that we are unfortunately just now getting our hands on, but better late then never they say. On the debut you’ll hear lead singer Thomas Mazzi sounding like a mixture of Jakob Dylan thrown in with a young Phil Collins. Musical stylings of The Pons are generally related to 90s alt-rock, and one can easily see that comparison after a few spins of In the Belly of a Giant. I’ve really taken a liking to the band because they remind me of a time when things were a bit simpler. When a bass, guitar, drums and some vocal harmonies were all you needed to make music. None of this backing track, electronica mumbo jumbo that we’ve grown accustomed to. No, none of that. Mazzi, along with Ruby Painter on bass and Steve Sanders on drums, create simple guitar driven jams with full, emotional and harmony laden choruses. Good shit for you simpletons. Keep an eye out for these guys in 2010 as talks of a sophomore LP are already in the works for the new year. In fact, a few rough mixes of those new tracks can be heard on The Pons EPK. Be sure to check out last single “Wherever You Are” below to decide if The Pons are for you. Also, don’t forget that the band is playing free week at Stubbs this Friday along with Leatherbag.
Download: The Pons – Wherever You Are [MP3]
So you haven’t found yourself a leak of the new Vampire Weekend album Contra yet? Well head on over to NPR for a streaming version which is made available prior to the Jan. 12th release of the album. Our amigos Ultra8201 also report that the band will be stopping in Austin in April and tickets for that show go on sale this Friday at 10am. Think that will sell out fast? Duh. Be warned that tickets are running at $25 and count me as one writer who doesn’t really think this band is worth that price tag. Maybe I’m just spoiled living in Austin… or maybe I’m right.
Denmark band The Kissaway Trail are returning in 2010 after a little bit of a hiatus in terms of releasing new material. An upcoming LP from the young band will be called Sleep Mountain and sees the light of day April 6th on Bella Union. Until that time, have yourself a listen to this new single “SDP” which will appear on the upcoming sophomore effort. The song can get a little long for my taste, but also has some really beautiful elements to it.
Download: The Kissaway Trail – SDP [MP3]
