Bringing the jams
It’s Thursday, the weekend is in sight, and I’m ready to party. At the moment, the band who seems the best prepared to party with me is London based artist Calva Louise. The trio has just sent along this new track “Outrageous” and it’s a raucous and fast rock n roll song. Imagine if a band like Death From Above added a lady lead singer like Marissa Paternoster from Screaming Females. If nothing else, it’s sure to wake your ass up this morning.
If you haven’t been reading the cool sites, then maybe you’ve missed the swirling hype surrounding Austin’s Sun June. Hype or not, we here at ATH can attest to the band’s talents, both live and recorded. Tonight they gather with friends and label mates to celebrate the release of their new album, Years; you can stream that whole LP right HERE. Daphne Tunes will kick things off, followed by the esteemed Julia Lucille. If you’re not fortunate enough to live in Austin, then go head over to our friends at Keeled Scales and grab yourself a copy there before it’s too late! Oh, and here’s the last single from the LP, and one of my fave tracks. Doors at 8!
Always keeping my ear to the seas, word’s been spreading about Australia’s Rabbit Island for some time, and today we get a glimpse of why Amber Fresh’s project is riding the whispers of hype. This track is very bare and emotional; it revolves entirely around Fresh and a piano, with the ivory keys striking a solemn tone. Her voice has this innocence to it, with her words showing us a more playful side of songwriting. The world will all get to hear her new album, Deep in the Big, when it’s released by Bedroom Suck Records/Remote Control on August 17th.
Proud Parents are just a few weeks away from the release of their next LP, and what better way to entice you to open up your wallet then by offering a listen to this super infectious single. It sounds a lot like Shannon & the Clams, if you painted the band with a slightly more energetic and jangling vibe. It’s soulful and youthful, all at the once, leaving you to tap your toes and sing along from the get go. Their self-titled LP will drop on June 22nd via Dirtnap Records, with a tour to follow in July (including an Austin date at Beerland on 7/12).
Tim the Mute is the project of one Tim Clapp, who also happens to run a rather great label, Kingfisher Bluez. Just recently he put up previews of a ton of new music; I’m particularly looking forward to the next full-length, Do In Yourself. In a sense, he’s writing the same classic pop songs he’s always written, but I feel like music of this sort has sort of gone to the wayside, unfortunately. His voice has some Wayne Coyne tones, which would be an easy way to connect, or just listen to someone writing earnest pop songs you won’t hear anywhere else. KB will release the vinyl, with Lost Sound Tapes putting out a tape version.
Hopefully you Austinites remember that we just recently released the wonderful debut LP by Feverbones, Dream Talk. Well, tonight you’re likely to hear a set including several of those tracks, as the band take the stage with their friends (and ours), Good Field. But, rest assured, they aren’t the only bands, with Linen Closet and My Golden Calf also gracing the stage tonight. A bunch of really talented local acts ready all together to help ease your Hump Day ills? You betcha! See ya’ll there! Doors are at 9 PM!
There’s a new band in Chicago, and it should come as no surprise that the Stolz brothers (Jake and Paul) are involved. The two have previously played in Varsity/Pool Holograph, but their new project Discus is readying its debut EP for Middle Distance Records. They’re pulling off a casual guitar pop vibe here, akin to all that Aussie stuff you know I love; it’s never in a rush to go anywhere, settling for a solid groove and delightful melody. But, the band do add some extra little flourishes that have me fawning over them. For instance, the moments at the 1 minute and 2:22 mark when the guitars dive down and they’re matched by a falling vocal that’s simply intoxicating. Then they close it all out with this rad guitar noodle that takes it all home in the most sublime way possible. The debut EP drops June 29th; they’ll be playing a release show in Chicago at Sleeping Village with our ATX friends Why Bonnie!
When I heard that Lindsey Baker and her Guts Club project was going electric, I admittedly was a slight bit skeptical, having adored Shit Bug. But, through the first couple of singles from the forthcoming Trench Foot I’ve been fairly convinced, but never more than with this single below. It stretches over 6 minutes, with atmospheric touches working behind a solemn electric guitar line; then of course you’ve got Baker’s guttural drawl working alongside that lonesome stretch of musical highway. A slight uptick jumps in with some percussion at the 5 minute mark…and all of its worthy of your time. Look
This Friday you’ll all finally get to hear the new LP from Sweden’s Kluster; I’ve been doing my best to hype up the band for the entirety of this album cycle. Today the band have given us one final tiny morsel before Civic drops. This track jumps in with the band dropping some angular post-punk vibes, though they also carry a sort of arty side in the guitar sound, akin to early Field Music. Linnea’s steady voice helps keep the jittering ship stable throughout, all the while offering a slight bit of pop sensibility to keep listeners coming back. Their debut album is being released by Rama Lama Records; grab it HERE.
In listening to this new Piney Gir single, I’ve been going back over it again and again just trying to figure out why I find it so intoxicating. There’s something oddly nostalgic about it, as if Piney’s work has a timelessness fitting it into both the past and present all at once. For one, the song’s construction is precise, allowing open space for the voice, whilst also filling in some of the odd turns with textured instrumentation. But, I’ll also keep coming back just to hear some of the vocal turns; I like slight change in intonation just after the 35 second mark…it builds right into the grand chorus. She’s enjoying a brief UK tour with Gaz Coombes, but lets hope that only gives her more tunes to offer us in the future.
