This is fine.
It was a wet evening in Austin on Saturday, but no one was letting a little rain keep them away from the Foals show at Emo’s East. Many folks may have still been sticking around at Psych Fest so this may have been a show more for those not attending the festival. Judging from the sold out crowd and positive vibes in the venue, the show delivered on the top name billing.
Follow the jump for more.
Toronto is known to be a musical hot bed, though that seems to have died down just a bit. That won’t be the case once people get a chance to hear the new EP from Grounders. Listening to their Wreck of a Smile EP, it’s difficult to really place their music, though the band’s creativity is clearly obvious. Cleverly, they’ve layered sounds atop sounds, all the while promoting a playful bounce that serves as the backbone for the track. If you’re interested in what you’re listening to, and you should be, then you can pick up the group’s EP on July 7th from Park the Van Records. Enjoy your day.
Download: Grounders – Along the Line (Alt. Version) [MP3]
I never got the chance to shoot Band of Horses when they were in our prime, i.e. still carrying the buzz of the early releases through the blogosphere. I did however got to see them in the big church during SxSW. That was pretty moving. Wall of sound, cathedral (seriously) ceilings, perfect venue for the at times sparse and haunting songwriting that made us suckers for the first two albums.
They have since left our little corner of the intarwebs for bigger pastures, but so what. I got to shoot them finally under the carnival tent that is cathedral-esque at Stubb’s and they played some early hits, so there.
Roadkill Ghost Choir opened, a few thoughts and some snaps past the break to ogle while you wait for your ride to Psych Fest.
| Date | 4/27/13 |
|---|---|
| Location | Emo’s East |
| Doors | 9pm |
| Tickets | SOLD OUT! |
It’s Psych Fest weekend in Austin, but that doesn’t mean that other show options aren’t in abundance for those of you who missed the boat on festival tickets. For this guy, the best “other” show in town would have to be Foals playing to a sold out crowd at Emo’s on Riverside. On top of the great headliner, the undercard is also stacked with ATH favorite Surfer Blood in direct support with Blondfire opening for all. See you there?
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Spanish-Sahara-1.mp3]Download: Foals – Spanish Sahara [MP3]
Here is another streaming offering from Snowden’s latest effort, No One In Control called “So Red”. Those familiar with Jordan Jeffares work will love this. Those not should take note. As we get ready to be all Psyched out, how about a little hazy gaze goodness.
Snowden will make a stop in the new home base to play Red7 on June 7th. I sincerely hope the merch table is stocked.
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For some of us, catching Youth Lagoon on this tour would be the first time we caught the group with a full line-up, as the last time I caught Trevor Powers he was working the stage on his own. Such a change was likely to mix the sound up. We arrived early to catch the recent signing to Matador Records, Magical Cloudz.
Read on for my thoughts and photos from the excellent Brian Gray.
It seems like every couple of weeks we get a new tune from GRMLN, and I’m totally cool with that, especially when they’re as hook-laden as the following song we’ve got for your listening pleasure. We’re nearing the June 4th release date of Empire, the debut LP from the group, and I’m getting excited. Some part of me feels like there’s a Foutnains of Wayne ode in here, just propping up a solid rock tune with a powerful chorus. It’s actually sort of a rarity nowadays, so I’ll gladly take a revisiting of one of my favorite genres.
Download: GRMLN – Hand Pistol [MP3]
One of the great things I love about Austin Psych Fest is the way the festival is slowly branching out beyond your stereotypical psychedelia into related territory. This is the perfect case for Cali’s The Growlers, who do have some lineage, though I think their recent efforts put them well outside that spectrum. Honestly, this is the highlight for the festival in my opinion; I’ve been jamming to their most recent record Hung at Heart since it came out earlier this year. It has a definite California feel, especially in the bright ringing of the guitars, which is probably how they fit into the festival. Or maybe it’s that organ hanging out on the record.
Regardless, if you’re going to be making it out to the festival this weekend, then this should be one of the acts you check out, and if not, then you should at least fall in love with their record.
The Growlers play Sunday, April 28th at the Levitation Tent at 10:30 PM.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/1-01-Someday.mp3]Download: The Growlers – Someday [MP3]
If you were following us during SXSW you’d know we tossed a tiny gathering with Father Daughter Records (among others), so we’re lucky to have a new tune from the label to share with you by Saskatchewan. Earlier this month they released a more somber affair, which I’ve got down at the bottom for you to stream, but this new jam is much more light-hearted, sonically speaking. It has many of the signature moves of the group, such as a stuttering guitar line, and percussion for accents; it all leaves you with the sense of floating, perfect for drifting off to sleep. The label will release the band’s debut, Occasion, on April 30th.
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[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/03-Possession.mp3]Download: Saskatchewan – Possession [MP3]
I know this song comes with an extremely sad story, but I think just the fact that it was written demonstrates that Matthew Siskin, aka Gambles, is more than just some sad troubadour writing great songs. He’s got an emotional/political spirit, reminding me that there’s so much more that music seems to have moved away from. I like the fact that it’s mostly Siskin’s voice, with a lightly strummed guitar and a few piano chords quieted in the background; that voice is so striking it will continue to haunt me for years. You won’t see this on any release I’m sure, but you can check out the lyrics and a brief post from Matthew HERE.
Download: Gambles – A Song for Jeff Bauman Jr [MP3]
