Category: News

Sunny Pop from Cayucas

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We love pretty much everything that’s being put out by Secretly Canadian, and this new release from Cayucas is surely going to be another hit we’ll adore for some time.  The recent signing has an upcoming 7″ featuring two tracks to give us all an introduction to the band.  This first taste is just what you’d expect a California pop band to construct, full of vibrant energy and tasty melodies.  It sort of sounds like the meeting ground between The Drums and Generationals, both bands we fawn over, so how could we, and you, not love this?

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/01-Cayucos.mp3]

Download:Cayucas – Cayucos [MP3]

Show Preview: The Sea and Cake @ the Mohawk (11.14)

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Date Wednesday, November 14th
Location Mohawk
Doors 6:30 PM
Tickets $15 from Mohawk


Unfortunately the music world is slowly winding its way down towards the end of 2012, but that doesn’t mean there still aren’t some great acts pushing their way through town, such as The Sea and Cake.  They’ve just released their latest, Runner, which really surprised me with its immediate accessibility and careful pop sensibility.  They’re a massive underground favorite of many, and playing at the Mohawk with Fiery Furnaces‘ Matthew Friedberger just strengthens the bill all the more. It’s chilled out indie rock of the classiest sort, so be sure to make your way for a midweek treat.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/02-Harps.mp3]

Download:The Sea and Cake – Harps [MP3]

 

More Noisy Dream Pop from Ethereal and the Queer Show

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Not more than a month ago I brought you one of the lead singles from Cosmotopia, the newest record from Ethereal and the Queer Show.  Now that the album is out, they’re tossing out more incredible hits for you to dive into.  This new one is filled with an instrumental noise for almost a pure minute, but then there’s this driving beat and an electronic cloud coating the lyrics, creating one of the group’s strongest songs.  I can’t get enough of this group, as they’re taking aim at doing things in a completely different manner than most. Enjoy this one.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Cosmotopia.mp3]

Download:Ehtereal and the Queer Show – Cosmotopia [MP3]

Veronica Falls Gets Smooth

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Veronica Falls was one of my absolute favorite sets from SxSW 2011. The band continues to trickle songs out to the world, the latest an offering is plugged-in below from their Souncloud page.

Waiting For Something To Happen lands via Slumberland in the USA on Valentine’s Day 2013. This song, “Teenage”, is very refined and beachy. It isn’t quite as hollow and jangly as early tracks. I love it, nice breakdown as the song let’s you off easy. This is the song made to finish a show.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/66749368″ params=”auto_play=false&show_artwork=false&color=ff7700″ width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Gentle Pop from Songs for Walter

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Monday’s are always a great day to enjoy some mellow pop tunes as your body recovers from a long weekend.  I came across this tune from Songs of Walter off the group’s recent 7″, and it’s really something to behold.  It begins with a strummed guitar and a light stomp before Laurie Hulme carefully enters the fray with his soft voice.  Eventually there’s a slight pick up in the song via a shaker, and then Hulme lets his voice soars elegantly in the mix; you can grab it now from Bleeding Gold Records. It’s a thoughtful tune for a thoughtful return to the working week.  Hope you all have a good one.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Bleeding-Gold-Records-BG030-Tougher-Than-A-Soldiers-Boots-01-Tougher-Than-A-Soldiers-Boots.mp3]

Download:Songs for Walter – Tougher Than A Soldier’s Boots [MP3]

New Music from Being There

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This is perhaps my favorite discovery of the weekend, so I hope it makes your Monday an extra special one.  Being There are an up-and-coming London act, making waves by pretty much killing an old school alternative sound.  Their album, Breaking Away, comes out early next year on January 29th, and I promise you that it’ll warm your heart.  The pacing of the tracks, like the one below, is steady, with hints of distortion on the guitars; the vocals are soft, almost whispered, creating an incredible effect.  I’m really hoping huge things happen for this band; this record deserves all the love it can get.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/The-Radio.mp3]

Show Preview: Jens Lekman @ Mohawk (11.13)

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Date Tuesday, November 13th
Location Mohawk
Doors 6:30 PM
Tickets $20 @ Mohawk

Those of you searching for a blissful pop evening are going to be in luck with two great acts coming to the Mohawk on Tuesday night: Jens Lekman and Taken By Trees.  It’s going to be Swedish pop at its endearing finest, especially with both bands fresh off the release of their own albums.  Jens released I Know What Love Isn’t and Taken By Trees put out Other Worlds, both winning rave reviews.  It’s an early show, so it gives you plenty of time to revel in the glory of what you’ll witness, or you can head over to Red 7 to catch Twilight Sad’s set.  Perfect Tuesday night folks. Perfect.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/01-The-End-of-the-World-Is-Bigger-Than-Love-1.mp3]

Download:Jens Lekman – The End of the World Is Bigger Than Love [MP3]

New Jam from Maus Haus

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If things go as planned, then this should be a good year for Maus Haus.  The group just released their well-balanced Light Noise EP, and it’s a listen that makes its way into your playing rotation pretty quickly.  There’s a play between light and dark throughout the entire listen, operating within a spectrum of psychedelia and more creative pop influences.  This sprawling track displays the group walking that fine line, even tossing in a bit of their Kraut-rock influences to boot.  If you spend some time with this EP, you’re going to find yourself a new favorite band. That I can guarantee.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/3-HEY-JEAN.mp3]

Download:Maus Haus – Hey Jean [MP3]

New Jangle Pop from Gloss

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It’s Friday, so I’m looking for upbeat tunes to whisk you away into the sunset, and I think this new tune from Gloss that I heard via IPSML is going to just the trick.  It’s just a one track single at this point, but it combines elements of our favorite jangling guitars with warm fuzz you’ll find from the likes of most gaze bands. The track is playful, yet there’s a lush quality that allows for the perfect amount of escapism.  Such are the tracks we all adore on a Friday, heading into relaxation mode for the weekend.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/63064012″ params=”auto_play=false&show_artwork=false&color=ff7700″ width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Ticket Giveaway + Show Preview: Twilight Sad @

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Our friends have been gracious to provide us with a pair of tickets to one lucky winner for an incredible show going down next Tuesday at Red 7: The Twilight Sad.  I’m excited by this show for more than one reason: 1) I met our photographer Brian at a T. Sad who years ago, so it’s our anniversary 2) the band is one of the most captivating live bands I’ve caught in years.  They stop in town behind the release of their latest, No One Can Ever Know, but there’s more reasons to want to win these tickets! Opening will be Austin’s The Calm Blue Sea and Errors, so you’ve got three incredible bands ready to blow you away.  Now, how do you win? Simple, leave a comment with your favorite European band, and I’ll pick a winner.  The contest will end on Monday at 5 PM.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/reflection-of-the-television-1.mp3]

Download:The Twilight Sad – Reflection of the Television [MP3]

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