New Music from Thalassocracy

artBy now you know that one of my favorite labels is Art is Hard Records, and one of the founding men behind the label has his own act, Thalassocracy.  As a follower of the label I’ve been quite impressed, as the band’s work equals that of the group’s on the label.  The newest tune from the group has this chugging guitar with these distant vocals coming in with a mellow semi-shout.  There’s nothing particularly mind-blowing about the tune other than the fact that I just want to turn it up really loudly and blast through my speakers!  Join me won’t you.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Art-Is-Hard-Records-Thalassocracy-Shimensoka.mp3]

Download: Thalassocracy – Shimensoka [MP3]

The Mantles Are Back with a New 7″

mickeysThere’s just something that captures your ear like a catchy good tune, and it seems like The Mantles keep pumping those sorts of tunes out. Recently they left us with the gem of an LP, Long Enough to Leave, and they’re back with a brand new 7″ that’s set to hit stores in December.  This particular tune puts more of a dreamy California spin on their sound; there’s a slight little vocal call-and-response that adds a nice dosage of pop emphasis to the track as well.  If this band hasn’t captured your ears and heart just yet, then maybe this song will do the trick for you.  Look for the 7″ via Slumberland just in time for the holiday giving of gifts.

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Show Preview: The Shivas @ Hotel Vegas (TONIGHT)

The-ShivasIt’s Wednesday, your energy is back up from the weekend, so why not destroy it with a little rock n’ roll? Sure, there’s some other shows in town (Guitars Eat Bass Amps, Borrisokane), but there really is one place you can go for the best rock n’ roll time of your life.  For one, The Shivas will be in town at Hotel Vegas.  Their last 7″, with the track below, literally played every day on my stereo for two months…at least once a day, if not more.  Plus, three incredible local acts from your town of Austin will be playing: Rayon Beach, Loteria and Nameless Frames.  The latter is fairly new on the scene, but the other two have been killing it for years, with Loteria taking up my vote for most underrated act in town. You know you’ll have fun here.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/TheShivas_YouMakeMeWannaDie_IPU143_01_YouMakeMeWannaDie.mp3]

Download: The Shivas – You Make Me Wanna Die [MP3]

Sorry I Missed This: New Paperhead Tune

TIM083.Paperhead.Africa-Avenue-LP.jktIt seems to me like The Paperhead of this great ability to always weave new influences in sounds into their works, yet still sound roughly the same.  Just a week or so back, they tossed up this brand new track, and it’s definitely filled with more of a 60s vibe.  But, that style was always in their songwriting, it just lurked in the shadows, hanging out behind the reverb and psychedelic touches.  Aside from the lasers fighting off the martians in the background, this new tune has a bit more of a straightforward approach.  I’ll be interested in what they have to offer on their new LP, Africa Avenue, which Trouble in Mind Records is putting out on November 11th.

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Brand New Song from Dream Boys

10624604_757477180962452_2560762181686648683_nI owe the entire enjoyment of this song to our friend over at IPSML; he pointed me in the right direction (as always), though I’ll admit I’ve been aware of the Dream Boys…just not this brand new single.  There’s something in the spritely jangle that makes my heart swell; you’ll even find a quieting coat of atmospherics draped across the shoulders of the vocals on the back end of the song.  It’s off a brand new 7″, but that reminds me that if you didn’t catch their last self-titled LP you’re a dummy and I hate you (I’m being childish, but it’s that good!).  Just try to ignore this wonderful song.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/01-Positive-Arguments.mp3]

Download: Dream Boys – Positive Arguments [MP3]

Rock It Out with Small Reactions

smallerreactorsJust a few weeks ago, I thought I had found the next band to fill my Walkmen void with Small Reactions.  That being said, I think they’ve got more to offer than where I pigeon-holed them, musically speaking.  On this brand new single, they’ve got this ringing guitar that’s just huge; it’s right up in the mix ready to unleash madness.  You can hear the pace being packed on by the drum work, pushing the track forward; it’s almost falling off the tracks at points.   The group unleash their LP, Similar Phantoms, on October 28th, so you don’t have too long to wait to hear it in its entirety.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/166511285″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Kid Wave Making Big Waves

kiddyShit. Music’s keeping real as of late.  By that I mean I’m running into great tunes from all the genres; these bands are working hard.  London’s Kid Wave have this great sound that’s doing just the trick right now, offering this perfect blend of guitar pop fused with soothing harmonies.  There’s even a smoky quality to the vocals, which really just gets under my musical skin.  While there’s no full-length planned, the group is releasing this new single on their Gloom EP, which is slated for a release at the end of November via Heavenly Recordings.  Just wait til the whole band joins in for the vocals. Winning.

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Austin Spotlight: Polio Club Blew My Mind

10704175_10205008146462144_3837601728872752832_nSo, amidst all the ACL hubbub of last weekend, I was introduced to a pretty solid act I hadn’t really gotten a chance to know, and I’m hooked: Polio Club.  I caught their set on Friday night over at Hotel Vegas as I went to catch The Stevens (who killed it!). Even as I was exhausted, I was really taken aback by the group’s sound.  It’s definitely got sort of a no-wave art rock sound; I could also make a comparison to the earlier grooves of The Rapture, only spun in a more artistic manner.  As of right now, they don’t have too much recorded, other than a few great demos, so I thought I’d get them on your radar early…that way you can plan on keeping an eye about town for this group; I’ll also make sure you know when their next gig pops up.

 

Pop Rock Stomper from Brass Bed

brasstaxI dig Brass Bed.  They’ve been hard at work, touring and recording, and we’re finally getting to hear a bit of their new LP with a few sampling tracks that are being laid down for a 7″.  There’s a rolling stomp to the drum work, keeping a steady pace to this song, but what I love are the harmonies.  To me, and lord knows I’m always right, there’s a hint of the great Nada Surf in the vocals; they’re soft, surrounded by a perfect swell of noise.  If this song means anything, there’s a solid foundation that will make the next LP pretty spectacular.  Look for the new 7″ on November 18th.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/170094868″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Algernon Doll Release Video for Sweet Nothing

algeaI needed something with a hook and a bit of guitars to continue my brain’s decline into productivity.  I wanted to post the new Low Culture tune, but I’ve been Soundcloud cock-blocked, so this track from Algernon Doll will do, especially since there’s a video treatment to go with it.  The guitars have this nostalgic 90s quality to it (also in the scream vocal moment), but they coat everything else in this sensation of floating; not quite sure how you go from beautiful loftiness to screaming, but that’s just me. Check out the video for the track and hear the song below.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/07-Sweet-Nothing.mp3]

Download: Algernon Doll – Sweet Nothing [MP3]

 

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