Category: News

Swaggering Rock N’ Roll from Night Beats

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nightbeatsOver the last year, I’ve caught a handful of Night Beats sets, and I’ve always enjoyed myself.  There’s a bit of garage rock hipness, but also a nice little dose of psychedelia that puts them outside the range of your run-of-the-mill act. On this brand new single it seems as if the vocals are in another room entirely, which is an effect I”m personally partial to nowadays.  And, the band have obviously made an impression here in town because the Reverberation Appreciation Society has opted to pick up the band’s new record, Sonic Bloom, for a September 24th release date.  Can you dig?

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/04-Outta-Mind.mp3]

Download: Night Beats – Outta Mind [MP3]

Austin Spotlight: Ramesh Is Back

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rameshFor those of you who’ve missed the effortless pop from Voxtrot (I know I do!), rest assured that Ramesh isn’t giving up on things just yet. A year or so ago I ran a tune that Ramesh was working himself, and then yesterday a few sites popped up with new tunes; it shouldn’t surprise us since he’s got a few shows around Texas with our friends Orthy and Young Girls. This new tune (one of two) is a slow-tempo piece of bedroom pop, though there’s additional musical accompaniment that makes the song swell with effortless beauty.  I’m always happy to hear more from one of my favorite Austin artists.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/102365228″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Playful Pop from Arp

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arpThe more I listen to the latest single for Arp, the more I just want to fall in love with the band; you know give myself over to their grandeur.  This track begins on the backbone of a nice little piano bounce, with airy vocals plodding along atop.  A distant guitar meanders through in the distance about midway through the track, leaving an emotional touch that really steps up the song’s level of achievement, emotionally speaking.  More, the new album from the group, will be available for everyone to enjoy on September 17th via Smalltown Supersound. Can’t wait.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/102406274″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Excited for New Crystal Antlers Tunes? We Are!

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Crystal_Antlers_by_Pixie_MolBack in the day when we were a young blog, one of our first loves, nationally, was Crystal Antlers.  Sure, we had other bands we knew and love, but we caught on to Crystal Antlers, doing an interview, catching some live sets…and we love them.  Johnny Bell is one of my favorite front men, and his performances always made the show.  Now, they’ve got a new track that’s been up and jamming all day.  On first notice, I love the clarity of the vocals, which might not always have been the case.  Of course, it’s a CA song, so it blasts off into punk anthem, which we don’t mind one bit.  For now, all we have to go on is a great new tune, and promise of a new full-length in the future. We’re waiting patiently, sort of.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/102146504″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Folk Tune from Dim Peaks

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dimpeaksI’ve been in this huge folk/americana stretch lately, with smaller doses of the punk rock.  One of the newest tunes to catch my ear is from Dim Peaks, which has a nice dosage of the folk sound, while not going too far into the genre. I’m not sure whether the instrumentation or the vocals got to me, but regardless, I got sucked into the band.  You should check out their Time of Joy album, which just came out via Gold Robot Records; you’ll find that it fits in perfect to your cozy summertime playlists.  Have no fear, the hits are right here.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/08-Reason.mp3]

Download: Dim Peaks – Reason [MP3]

Seabirds Sign with Matinee Recordings

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seabirdsSorry folks, but Matinee Recordings is on a huge role at the moment, releasing their 4th great single to the masses in a little over a week.  This time around, the label has picked up Seabirds to release the Real Tears 7″ this coming August.  On the title track, the tune opens with just vocals and strumming, but soon opens up to a more full band sound with a female vocal accompaniment and drums.  While that quick change-up is pretty special, I’m pretty stuck on the tone of the vocal itself; it’s gentle and familiar, fitting perfectly into the spectrum of great indiepop singing. Cheers to this.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/102274633″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

ACL 2013 Schedules Are Up

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Let the wrangling begin…

The schedules for both weekends of ACL 2013 are out and you can start the process of arguing with your friends over what hillside or stage rail you will be on at 7pm everyday. Not too many either or dilemmas for me on first perusal, but there are plenty of half-set conflict. Pheonix to Atoms For Peace to Lionel Richie? Probably going to happen. So sad I’ll miss Kings of Leon to see The Cure.

But why the hell is Wild Nothing playing at 11:15?

Have Fun with Paper Lions

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paperlionsIt’s one thing to write an artistic statement, it’s another thing entirely to just sit down and write a great pop song.  Personally, I think the latter is probably much more difficult, making the latest single from Paper Lions even more remarkable.  There’s a driving pulse to the song, aided by the rhythm section and electronics, with the lyrics bursting through the pop sensibility.  It’s hard to not just twist and turn with this tune blasting on high; it’s just a gem of a pop track.  The band will release their new album, My Friends, on August 20th via Fountain Pop Records.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/98564694″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

More Great Folk from Joseph Childress

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Joseph_alternateBW.130436A few weeks back I hope I got you interested in Joseph Childress, as he’s a musician getting a lot of rotation on my stereo lately. His songs are often little more than voice and guitar, but that voice, man will it haunt you.  On this new track, pay attention to the 2 minute mark, where it sort of warbles off key, but in a manner that draws you into his world.  Such moments build devoted fans, and many will be established when The Rebirths, his new album, is released by Empty Cellar Records on August 20th.  This is your new Tallest Man. 

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/10-Dance-with-Me.mp3]

 

Rocking Jam from Smartboys

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smartboys-promo-retouched-squareFeel like I’ve posted a few slower pop tunes today, so I had to pick up the pace a little bit with this tune from Smartboys.  The group is comprised of members of other acts such as US Girls and Fucked Up, so the band has a definite established pedigree.  But, unlike those other acts, this single has a little bit more focus on the pop side of garage rock, with an innate hook built in, allowing listeners to immediately attach themselves to the tune.  The Receiving the Bribe 7″ is out now on White Iris Records, so get your hands on it while its hot.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/97339353″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

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