Category: News

Solemn Ballad from Frank Smith

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Frank SmithThe word might be out that there’s a fuller sound, and even a more rocking sound, on the new album from Austin outfit Frank Smith.  For me, none of that matters at all, especially when you listen to the quality of this latest single, “Chewing Glass.”  It’s got the backbone of a piano, with the guitar ringing in the distance; it paints the picture of what I always think of when it comes to Texas defined music, though with a heavier leaning here, slightly.  I’m already calling this one of my favorite tracks of the year.  The band’s new album, Nineties, is out next week!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/10-Chewing-Glass.mp3]

Download: Frank Smith – Chewing Glass [MP3]

Heavy Handed Rocker from Odonis Odonis

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odonisodonisIt’s definitely the year for heavier-handed rock n’ roll to break back through into the mindset of indie fans everywhere.  There’s Milk Music and Metz, but now you can enjoy Odonis Odonis.  The group releases their Better EP on April 16th via Buzz Records, before they blast off on a tour that includes a date at Austin Psych Fest. This song has a swirling guitar part that’s emphasized by some industrial drumming; the lyrics don’t come across as heavy at first, but they’ll blast off to match the pace of the track.  Just another reason to turn up your speakers this year!

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/83813348″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Bright Indie Pop from The Felt Tips

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Felt-TipsOne of the acts I discovered this past weekend while doing my own personal music trolling was The Felt Tips.  Everything about their sound immediately caught my ear; I can’t say if it was the way the guitars dueled or the affecting tone of the vocals, but I know that I’ve just been playing this song on repeat for several days.  The group has a new album titled Symbolic Violence ready for your ears this coming Spring via Firestation Records–that label alone had me scrambling for pen and paper to bring you news of great indie pop.  Sometimes I just like simplicity and cleanliness, both which come to mind on this joyous listen.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/75365041″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

New Matador Signing, Majical Cloudz

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Autosave-File vom d-lab2/3 der AgfaPhoto GmbHMatador Records continues their push to diversify their catalogue by adding Majical Cloudz, the songwriting project of Devon Welsh.  The label will be releasing the Impersonator, the new full length effort, on May 21st.  It takes time for this track to open up to you, much as I expect it will take time to absorb the music within the album…I mean that in a good way.  Electronic flourishes slowly trickle in just before Welsh’s deep voice slowly unfolds.  I like the almost operatic quality of the voice; it’s not too over the top, yet it’s far from ordinary.  I think people are really going to find something to sink their teet into here.

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

Download: Majical Cloudz – Childhood’s End [MP3]

Catchy New Jam from Kingsley Flood

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20121220-kingsley-flood-600x-1356032432It’s good to diversify your tastes, so I have no qualms with posting this new jam from Kingsley Flood, one of the hottest acts around Boston at the moment.  There sound blends elements of raucous bar tunes with punk rock stomps, touched off nicely with bits of horns/violins/keyboard.  It’s an eclectic sound for sure, but one that’s definitely captured my attention.  You can hear this track, along with other equally mesmerizing tunes (like “The Fire Inside”) on the band’s new album, Battles. If they’re making songs as good as these, it won’t be long before they break out of Boston and move on to greener pastures.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/77863097″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Keeping It Austin: Meet Pharoahs

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1887140403-1Over the last year or so I’ve caught several sets from local boys Pharaohs, and they continue to impress with their enthusiastic indifference.  Their goal you ask? Well, in my eyes the aim of the group is to throw down like nobody’s business while building their sets with rad hooks and jagged guitar lines.  I haven’t caught one set that didn’t make me want to let loose, all the while singing along.  You should care about the group, not only because they’re fast becoming an Austin staple, but because their debut record, Babes Booze Bam Bam Baby, is solid track after solid track.  If you like what you hear, then head HERE to grab the album from the band…and remember to contribute to your favorite artists!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Pharaohs-Babes-Booze-Bam-Bam-Baby-01-Prettiest-Girl.mp3]

Download: Pharaohs – Prettiest Girl [MP3]

Fuzzy Pop from The Laurels

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Lyndal-Irons_Laurels_IMG_8056.111030We’re getting close to the Austin Psych Fest, and with that we’ve got news regarding one of the great acts that will be making their way into town: The Laurels.  You know how we love Australia, so it’s only fitting that we spread some love on this Sydney group; they’ll be releasing their new album, Plains, on April 16th.  You’ll find the new single here quite a gem; it has a quality that walks the fine line between psych rock and regulation pop music.  The vocals seem to float away, there’s some fuzzy guitar playing, but the rhythm section is solid through and through, especially the drumming. Now’s the time to start getting ready for Psych Fest folks.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/84419364″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

SxSW 2013: The Spin Party @ Stubb’s

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While it is usually a rather homogenized list of artists, this year’s Spin Party featured some names I wanted to see. Parquet Courts and CHVRCHES were included in the day’s agenda which also gave me a shot to double back on Unknown Mortal Orchestra and check out Solange (Beyoncé’s “indie” sister, y’all). Sorry, had to skip Kendrick Lamar for Girls Names and Small Black . I am sure there were some freebies which I ignored. I got to skip the line with my fancy Red pass and there is a photo pit at Stubb’s, so thank you Spin Mag.

Read on for plenty of pics and my notes on each artist…

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Mas Musica de Pure X

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artworks-000040620860-sbur4m-t500x500Personally, I’m really excited about the upcoming effort from Pure X, Crawling Up the Stairs.  While I really enjoyed their last effort, I’m thinking they might be mixing things up a bit, expanding their sound.  If you listen to this new single, you’ll definitely have to agree, as the vocals alone indicate a larger focus on that aspect; I felt like it was used as an instrument the last go round.  Still, it’s got this drifting quality that enchants listeners, though that’s juxtaposed to the gruff quality on some of the vocal delivery, which might be off-putting (even grating), depending upon who you ask.  All in all, this new single indicates a band refining and expanding their sound; on May 14th we’ll all get a chance to hear the full collection of tunes.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Pure-X-Someone-Else.mp3]

Download: Pure X – Someone Else [MP3]

Carnival Pop from Heavy Hawaii

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Heavy-Hawaii_2013-675x429I honestly have no idea what to expect when Goosebumps, the debut from Heavy Hawaii comes out in stores in a few weeks.  Their first single, which we showed a few weeks ago was warmly draped in bright guitars, but this time around, that seems to be the last thing on the group’s mind.  Instead, they’ve got this odd pop plodder, that opens with playful circus-esque sounds…they pop in and out of the track.  It definitely serves as an interesting approach, though the group continues to use their same vocal approach.  It may be different, but it’s just as good, if not better, as their first single.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/84310384″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

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