Austin Spotlight: Young Tongue

YoungTonguePicYou want to do what!?!  Many bands in the past have decided at one time or another to take the leap and change their name after copyright issues, lack of hits on google search, etc.  Today we’ve been told that local hit makers The Baker Family are moving on from their old ways and officially going by Young Tongue.  I personally think the change is for the better, but of course I never would have told them that before today….  So the band begin their new adventure with a new single called “Cat Calls” which can be found below.  I’d call it a great, driving, indie rock number that certainly won’t let anyone forget about these guys after the rebranding.

Young Tongue will be celebrating the release of their new single at Red 7  on February 22nd.  More info here.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/cat-calls-master-1.mp3]

Download: Young Tongue – Cat Calls [MP3]

New Tune from The High Wire

highwireIt’s been a minute since we’ve written about London’s The High Wire, but the group is back with a new single for you to download today.  On this track, you’ll find an expansive indie rock approach from the band, using as many instruments as possible to create this wall of ornate sound. Of course, the multiple part harmonies created definitely have a soft spot in my heart; they’re the most prominent part of the song itself.  The group also has a few other singles that are worthy of your attention, so feel free to browse through their site and get some tunes to round out your solid indie rock collection.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/THE-HIGH-WIRE-Still.mp3]

Download: The High Wire – Still [MP3]

Upbeat Number from Little Racer

littleracerFeel like I started off the week throwing a lot of somber tunes your way, so I feel like today should be a little more uplifting, making this new track from Little Racer the perfect ditty for your day.  Musically, it’s all about the rhythm section filling out the track; the bass and drum beat propel the song, but also give you something you can tap your toes too.  This doesn’t mean you can’t attach your ears to the warmth of the vocals, but rather that the mood is impacted most by what’s going on in the background.  You can find this tune on the group’s upcoming EP, which is slated for an April release.

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

Download: Little Racer – Dancing [MP3]

Announcing the Austin Music Blogger Awards – February 27, 2014

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

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]

Big Synth Hits by Anne

AnneAnne, a project fronted by Portlandier David Lindell, will be releasing a new album March 4th called Pulling Chain. You have two choices to get your fill of what is in store on that album. I am going to embed the track you should stream. You will have a Read More to check out a video.

“Terms”, the embed, has a big chunky set of waves to set the bass line and then come a pulled vocal and a few breaks. “Blonde Men”, the video, has more elegance. Both a delightfully dark and carry a post-punk sensibility belying the transition towards synth from more analog means. Run For Cover Records has been putting out some pretty sweet jams lately. Keep on it…

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/115191596″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

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Hello Echo Return with New Single

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

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

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

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” /]

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