Category: News

New Tune from Nick Jaina

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PrintMy first foray into attempting to play music began as a young lad on the piano, so it makes sense that I’ll always gravitate towards pop songwriting that centers, or is guided by, piano tinkering. That’s much the case with this new song from Nick Jaina; he’s spent a lot of time composing for ballets and films, so his attention is always there with the finer details.  But, don’t expect this to be some grandiose orchestral affair; his new album Primary Perfections seems to be a jaunt in the direction of more modern indie pop.  It’s good songwriting, simple as that.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/nick_jaina_dont_come_to_me.mp3]

Download: Nick Jaina – Don’t Come to Me [MP3]

Hypnotic Electro-Pop from pacficUV

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Pacific-UV-Pacific-UvI always have this preconceived idea about Athens, Georgia, at least in referencing the city’s musical history.  But, with bands like Twin Tigers and now pacificUV coming into their own, perhaps my ideas will begin to change a bit.  This tune has a hypnotic electro beat that just grooves the whole way through.  You’ll also find some rad interplay between male and female vocalists that really ups the ante on mass appeal.  The band has a new record titled After the Dream You Are Awake, which comes out on May 14th via Mazarine Records…but if you can’t wait, they have a sampler HERE with a few new tracks, as well as some of their other career retrospective tunes.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/85222547″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

New Pop from Marmalakes

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557990_10151464720897210_989583134_nAustin’s music scene isn’t the easiest to break into, let alone stick around in, but Marmalakes have been holding their own for some time.  What bodes well for the group is this ridiculously great new single that they just released over the weekend.  It starts with this bouncing bass line that gives great tempo to the group’s blend of folk and pop.  Personally, I like the changing in tempo that comes in and out of the song, especially the quick to soft to quicker that closes this jam out.  One of Austin’s best acts just keeps getting better. Get in on it now.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/wells.mp3]

Download: Marmalakes – Wells [MP3]

Sharing A Track By Fol Chen

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Good Friday. Slow Friday.

How about a little something you might have missed post? Well, don’t mind if I do do. Take a listen to this lovely track by Fol Chen off the album The False Alarms on Asthmatic Kitty. <- one of my favorite label names Hang with it through the lead in…

BTW, there will be a couple more SxSW related posts from this kid next week. Not done yet. Nope, not me.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/73666975″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Pure Beauty from Wintercoats

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705236_533455266681988_285299108_oIt’s really remarkable when you listen to the music of James Wallace, the one man composer who works with various friends to flesh out his sounds under the name Wintercoats. I like the light-hearted feeling and the feathery quality of the vocals. He’ll be releasing his new Heartfelt EP over in Australia on April 7th through Yes Please.  If you need a composition piece with an other-worldly edge, then allow yourself to be carried away by this new tune.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/01_Everyone-Mixdown_MSTR.mp3]

Download: Wintercoats – Everyone Seems To Be In On Something [MP3]

New Pop from TORCHES

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tochesYou know, I definitely have been enjoying straight rock n’ roll this year, but I don’t want to forget that I really do love great pop music; I won’t hide from that.  This new jam from TORCHES is really enjoyable, and you’ll be able to get your hands on it via the band’s new If the People Stare EP on May 6th…for free I might add.  On this jam the vocals are way up front in the mix, and they definitely have a strong focus, but I like a lot of the light cymbal work that’s going on in the background of the song.  It’s just a good pop ditty. You can enjoy that can’t you?

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/01-When-You-Gonna_.mp3]

Download: TORCHES – When You Gonna [MP3]

Rad Post Rock from Cobalt Cranes

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CobaltCranes_album_LOW_RESI’m really stoked on this new jam from Cobalt Cranes.  There’s something about it’s nostalgic 90s post-rock bent that really is working for my ears.  At the same time, that heavy bass line combined with the atmospheric guitar work cascading in and out of the tune definitely provides the song with modern appeal; I also appreciate that it’s a bit more melodic than some of the rocking tracks I’ve been jamming to lately.  If you like what you’re hearing then you can grab the band’s debut album, Head in the Clouds, on April 9th when it’s released by Anticc Records.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Shake.mp3]

Download: Cobalt Cranes – Shake [MP3]

Welcome Return from Blue-Eyed Son

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W139I actually haven’t heard anything about Blue-Eyed Son in so long that I can’t even remember the last time I busted out their old record, but I’m glad the group is back in the fold.  They’ve got a new five song EP titled Shadows on the Son that will be heading your way on May 28th courtesy of Eenie Meenie Records. It’s weird, but every time I listen to the group, I think back to the innocent days of Beulah, where great pop songwriting and usage of horns was bred out of late night jams rather than extensive layering.  Regardless, I really think people should write more songs like this, both musically and lyrically.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/01_All_Went_Black.mp3]

Download: Blue-Eyed Son – All Went Black [MP3]

SxSW 2013: Movies You Should See

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The Film portion is becoming my favorite part of SxSW. I go on documentary overload, picking obscure topics or things that fit my mood. Sometimes, I even choose whatever is playing at The Ritz so I can grab a beer and a pizza.

This year, I jumped around quite a bit. The first night had polarized moments of horror in a doc about Idonesian “Free Men” and the Raimi/Campbell backed remake of Evil Dead. I also hit docs on Branson, old gay people, Napster and an all brother brass horn group. I took a chance on the black and white low budget Whedon and friends production of Much Ado About Nothing shot in Whedon’s house. Some notes and a few pics from the premiers to follow.

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Clever Girl Pop from Anna Hillburg

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annaI’m a sucker for a female singer, especially one who can carefully craft a pop ditty with ease.  This is much the case with San Francisco’s Anna Hillburg who just released her self-titled album on California Clap Records.  “Wine In a Tea Cup” is a pretty simple track here, pushed forth by a quiet drum track and some keyboard-ish accompaniment.  She’s joined at times during the chorus by the perfectly placed backing vocal; all of this works together to make a joyous little number that you can definitely spin over and over again.  Girl power!

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/80954051″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

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