Category: News

Austin Spotlight: Jess Williamson

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jessJust so the world of Austin musicians doesn’t hate us, we’re not just into the rock n’ roll stylings of our fair city.  Personally, I love all sorts of different stuff, but right now I’m really enjoying the music of Austin’s own Jess Williamson.  I love her ornate style of finger-picking the banjo, and her unique control of her pipes.  It’s a bit odd, but in that endearing sort of way that makes the boys (and girls) swoon.  She’s set to release her new record, Native State, on January 28th via Brutal Honest, and if it’s all this carefully orchestrated, then it’ll definitely catch the ears of those in Austin, and hopefully beyond.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/02-Native-State.mp3]

Download: Jess WIlliamson – Native State [MP3]

Dance & Drift with Gardens & Villa

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dunesThe California based Gardens & Villa have always had this underlying electronic influence in their music, even though they’re often labeled as a band with folk influences (see flute solo below), and that aspect is pushed even further on the latest single released from the band.  There’s a natural groove to the song, fitting perfectly with the high pitch of the vocals on the tune.  Their new record is titled Dunes, and it’s going to see a February 4th release from Secretly Canadian.  This is like a less-pretentious version of what Arcade Fire seems to be doing…which in the end makes it pretty enjoyable.  I’m going to enjoy this jam for the rest of the day.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/120303281″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Student Teachers Get Re-Release!

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ST_PubPhoto-660x439Man, everyone is getting re-released these days, which is actually quite alright with me, as this latest re-release is sort of dear to my heart.  My favorite time period is probably the late 70s NYC, or Lawrence in the late 90, but will stick with the former for now.  The Student Teachers were one of those underground acts that I only heard about; I knew I’d probably like them considering all the bands they’d played with, and that one of Blondie’s members helped record their stuff.  While I’m harping on this whole NYC punk bent, you’ve got to hear the single they’ve re-released to get you acquainted with their music.  It’s definitely not punk, though there’s still that outsider affinity.  Seems like a natural bridge between Bowie and NY…to me anyways.  So, if you like what you hear, you can grab the Invitation to The Student Teachers from Nacional Records.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/04-Looks.mp3]

Download: The Student Teachers – Looks [MP3]

 

Show Preview: The Besnard Lakes @ Red 7 (11.22)

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besnardlakes

Date Friday, November 22nd
Location Red 7
Doors 9:00 PM
Tickets $14 from Transmission


You’ll find a ton of shows in town on Friday, including the hipster-approved Miley Cyrus, I mean CHVRCHES, but here’s a show for those who are looking for something a little far left of the dial.  Canada’s Besnard Lakes are the headliners on the night, offering up their blend of indie meets psych meets folk meets jam.  Then you’ll have the band that I think cold steal the show, Elephant Stone.  They’re another Canadian act that have been on my list of reliable group’s for some time now; you should check out their most recent self-titled album.  And, as an added bonus, you get local opener, The Boxing Lesson.  So, if you’re not going to Cass McCombs, and you don’t like Miley Cyrus, then this is definitely going to be a good place to find yourself Friday night.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/The-Besnard-Lakes-People-of-the-Sticks.mp3]

Download: The Besnard Lakes – People of the Sticks [MP3]

FFF8 in Pictures – Sunday Edition

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King KhanSlow rolling is now done, though I think we may put up a PYAITK version of FFF8 coverage. FFF9 info is pending and you can recommend artists to the festival honchos.

But for now, you get to peep a ton of bad ass festival pics from a couple Sundays back. This edition features Cayucas, The Men, XXYYXX, Dennis McCoy, PLG, Matt Hoffman, Washed Out, Dismemberment Plan, Deltron 3030, MGMT, Bonobo, Slayer and King Khan with just enough crowd shots that you could be a star!

Click past the break people…

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Noisy Jam from Thunders

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thundersI feel like I’ve been taking it easy with my listening lately, pushing lots of softer jams your way.  But, I figured I’d change that up and give you guys a listen to Thunders. The band is offering up this crunchy bit of noisy pop rock as the first single to their record Weird Spines White Trash Whatever, which will be release in January via Maximum Pelt.  I dig the fact that the band is operating around this truly pop-centric musical form, but they’ve just opted to turn up the noise all around the track, making things more fun for us all.  You like your rock noisy? Come no further.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/01-Noasis.mp3]

Download: Thunders – Noasis [MP3]

New Music from Majical Cloudz

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Majical CloudzWithout a doubt, the music of Majical Cloudz is something that’s really reinvigorated my faith in music.  I’ve caught the duo on several tours through Austin, and was floored by how powerful Impersonator was.  Today we bring you the latest tune from the act, which again, really just focuses on this simple layering in the distance, while Devon Welsh’s vocals carefully walk along the soundscape created by his partner.  In my mind, there’s never a bad time to post a song by this group, and if you haven’t, you should go visit their recent LP; it’s remarkable.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/119855000″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Captured Tracks Signs Axxa/Abraxas

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axxaI’m continuously impressed with the growth of Captured Tracks.  What was once a label heading in one direction, they’ve expanded with their Re-Issues (The Servants, Flying Nun, etc), and they continue with their recent signing Axxa/Abraxas.  This definitely continues the label focus on guitar playing, but there’s something different going on in the way the music is crafted, offering up more of a swinging sensation via the band’s psychedelic influences.  It’s good to see a roster grow, especially when the music is as exciting as that being created by this band; the label will release the band’s self-titled debut next March.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/120157278″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

SxSW Music Announces Round Two

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SxSW Music 2014Gary Numan. That should be cool. Could create an opportunity to have a stage full of legends and the influenced…

PR Quote:

The second round of SXSW Music Festival artist announcements is here, including a much-anticipated appearance by synth and industrial music pioneer Gary Numan.

Numan’s influence has been recognized by a diverse array of artists, including Prince, Lady Gaga, Trent Reznor, Queens of the Stone Age and Kanye West. His latest, and first full-length studio album since 2006, Splinter (Songs From A Broken Mind), is bound to continue such praise, with the award-winning electro-pioneer teaming up with Nine Inch Nails guitarist Robin Finck and producer Ade Fenton for his heaviest and most accomplished album to date.

Other notable round two artists include Broken Social Scene’s Kevin Drew, new Bella Union signing Ballet School, Talib Kweli, Quantic, Of Mice & Men, and more!

Other notables include Wye Oak, In The Valley Below, Phantogram, Typhoon, Diarrhea Planet. CLICK HERE for the big list!

Temples Sign with Fat Possum

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templesLooks like 2013 is pretty much behind us, musically speaking.  We’re all starting to look forward towards releases for 2014, and one of the hottest names on that list is Temples.  They’ve just released the single for their debut, Sun Structures, which will see a release on Fat Possum on the 11th of February.  There’s a propulsive element to the track, but the lyrics have this lofty quality that demonstrates the pop-centric approach of the band’s sound.  I love how they go from pushing forward, to breaking things down, momentarily going for a softer moment.  2013 was good, but looks like 2014 has plenty to offer as well.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/119929920″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

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