News – Page 1487 – Austin Town Hall

Lo-Fi Beauty from Soft Arrows

April 22, 2013 nathan.lankford Leave a comment

The Art Is Hard Postcard Subscription Series is picking up steam, and I’m really enjoying the latest release from Soft Arrows. It’s a soft number for sure, but I like the guitar work that’s echoing in the background, which is not unlike the sound Grizzly Bear have owned for the past few years. Here, the vocals have an interesting delivery, as if they were recorded completely separately from the song itself. And if you like the sound the band’s trying to achieve, you can go to their bandcamp and check out tons of previous work. Always love the AIH releases.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/85626097″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

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Show Review: Crystal Castles (Sea of Phones) @ Music Hall (4/21)

April 22, 2013 nathan.lankford Leave a comment

Let’s just call Sunday what it was: a horrific sea of phones. It’s clear to me now that Crystal Castles have blossomed into a deserving huge act, which unfortunately brings with it its own set of problems. We showed up early to catch Canadians Doldrums do their thing.

You can read on for my thoughts, and pics of Doldrums from our boy Brian Gray. Read more

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Grape St. LP Release Party @ Hotel Vegas (4.24)

April 22, 2013 nathan.lankford Leave a comment

So your plans are to hit up Youth Lagoon, but you can’t stop there. Once the rock n’ roll gets started, you’ve got to keep it going. The best place to head on Wednesday night is over to Hotel Vegas for the Grape St. LP release; this is the band featuring Curtis from Harlem…seriously one of my favorite records of the last year. Of course, you can buy it HERE if you’re not in Austin. Just because we’re putting out the record, doesn’t mean you can miss a single of the opening acts; they’re some of our favorite, and the best, rock acts in town. You’ve got Pharaohs kicking things off, with John Wesley Coleman and Rayon Beach warming up the crowd for all you folks. There will be balloons, A Date With You LPs, and just a ton of incredible bands. It’s dirt cheap, so help support the local scene and come join us for this celebration.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/10-Track-10.mp3]

Download: Grape St. – Double Golds [MP3]

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

Download: Pharaohs – Prettiest Girl [MP3]

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Chilled Pop from Sugarpuss

April 22, 2013 nathan.lankford Leave a comment

The folks from Sugarpuss sent us their new EP over the weekend, and I thought it only appropriate to share the love by offering up this great tune to our readers. It’s a casual little hit, with a soft vocal that’s often delivered in a playful manner. The rest of the tune has this gentle rhythmic stomp, which occasionally goes soft for some careful handclaps and light instrumentation; this is a great way to start off your week, right? You can grab the Psychotic Teenage Supermodels EP from the band by hitting up the site HERE.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Sugarpuss-Drinking-Alone.mp3]

Download: Sugarpuss – Drinking Alone [MP3]

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Holydrug Couple Shares RSD Hit

April 19, 2013 nathan.lankford Leave a comment

We’re winding down our day at the ATH offices, which means it’s time for me to start getting ready to hit up Record Store Day. I hope all you folks are planning on shopping at your local record store tomorrow; I’m planning on hitting up all three of our Austin stores. One of the things I’ll be looking to pick up is the 3rd Annual Sacred Bones compilation, which will feature this track from Holydrug Couple, a band from Chile. RayRay and I are always down to support our Latin American bretheren, especially when they craft careful beauties like this one. Signing out for the day…don’t forget to buy local tomorrow

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/88174844″ params=”color=007cff&auto_play=false&show_artwork=true” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

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Fresh Rocker from Vacation

April 19, 2013 nathan.lankford Leave a comment

We’ve gotta keep Friday going with a banger, and I think this new tune from Vacation is just the right fit. Underneath it all lays a very earnest pop song, verging on power-pop, but the song is filled with discordant noises and a furious rhythm that moves it to an entirely new place. It doesn’t take too long to find this song repeating in your daily playlist, especially if you jam it outside on this beautiful Austin day (hope the rest of the world has such rad weather). You can pick up the group’s new album, Candy Waves, on June 18th courtesy of Don Giovanni Records.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/88313881″ params=”color=49ff00&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

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Feel Good Tune from Cowboy Indian Bear

April 19, 2013 nathan.lankford Leave a comment

A sure way to my heart is to throw in some gang vocals. I don’t really care if they’re harmonized, angrily shouted or whatnot, I just want group vocals! This beautiful track from Cowboy Indian Bear features just that, so I had to share it with you. This isn’t an in-your-face group approach, but rather a relaxed gang vocal, accentuated by careful percussion and light instrumentation; it’s clear, at least on this tune, that the vocals are the winner…the song’s not shabby either. The band will be releasing their new record, Live Old Die Young, next week via The Record Machine, and I sincerely hope it makes it on your list of things to check out.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/09-Let-it-Down.mp3]

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Show Preview: Crystal Castles @ Austin Music Hall (4.21)

April 19, 2013 nathan.lankford One comment

Date	Sunday, April 21st
Location	Austin Music Hall
Doors	7:00 PM
Tickets	$30 from Frontgate

I’ve been really excited about this show since its announcement. Not only have I really appreciated the growth of Crystal Castles that was is illustrated by their latest, III, but their live show at ACL was definitely in my personal favorites this year. They blend noise, electronica, fog and lights; it’s simply compelling. Opening up the night is Doldrums, who aren’t too shabby either. We’ve been fortunate enough to catch them opening for several acts over the last year or so, and I can assure you that it’s worth your time to show up early. It might be pricy, but you’re going to get your money’s worth!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Crystal-Castles-Plague.mp3]

Download:Crystal Castles – Plague [MP3]

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New Pop Tune from Royal Canoe

April 19, 2013 nathan.lankford Leave a comment

You’ve gotta make Friday go off with a band, especially if you’ve got plans to wake up early and hit up Record Store Day (as you should), so I figured we’d start things off with this Royal Canoe track. It revolves mostly around a nice little electronic beat, with some atmospheric touches added in here and there. I like the way the vocals come in and out with different tones, and different effects atop. If you’re enjoying yourself, be sure that you get your hands on Today We’re Believers on June 25ht via Roll Caller Records. Damn you Canada and your catchy hits!