This is fine.
For those of you living outside of Austin, please pay attention. For those of you already here, you’re hopefully familiar with Austin’s John Wesley Coleman. His solo work and his work with The Golden Boys remain a constant in this city, and we briefly caught up with him to get a few words before he starts playing all over town. Check out what he had to say in response to our questions. Read more
2014 has been a jam packed year, but some labels have seemingly been in hibernation, like my personal favorite, Dirtnap Records. They’re getting in the swing of the action though, with the announcement that they’ll be releasing a new record from The Estranged. While it’s rumored that the band has widened their spectrum on post-punk influences, this tune rings a bit of Ted Leo, which if you know me, isn’t a bad thing by any means. It’s a self-titled record and it hits the stores on March 18th…enjoy a little preview below.
I’m most definitely a sucker for some good crisp power-pop, which is one of the reasons I love the work of San Francisco’s Cocktails. It doesn’t hurt that some of their work for Father Daughter Records was recorded by Matthew Melton of Warm Soda. These guys are high up on my list of bands to catch at SXSW, and after reading a few words from the Patrick Clos and Lauren Matsui, maybe you’ll feel the same. Read more
Of all the bands crafting noise-pop music at the moment, perhaps none have my heart more than Odonis Odonis. The Canadian act are preparing for the release of Hard Boiled Soft Boiled, and this new song is just another reason that I’m backing the band to grab a huge following in 2014. I love the way the guitars screech through the speakers, while a slight bit of pop sensibility gurgles beneath the noisy wash the group has created. They’ve also created a nifty little video for the tune, which you can check out by jumping HERE. You can hear the whole record on April 15th via Buzz Records.
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After news of the finality of Vivian Girls, it would only make sense that Katy Goodman and her project, La Sera, would get more of a focus. She leaked news via a Youtube clip earlier in the week, and now we get our first full listen to one of the tracks. It’s definitely a more rock n’ roll approach, which fits with Goodman’s known adoration of classic West Coast punk like Black Flag and the Wipers. After hearing this track, we’re completely giddy in anticpation of her new record, Hour of the Dawn. It’ll see a release of May 13th via the good folks at Hardly Art.
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Of all the names on the list for SXSW, perhaps none has had a greater run-up than Mutual Benefit. The work of the band has surely paid off with the praise heaped upon Love’s Crushing Diamond. The band make their way to Austin riding that wave, with promise to live up to, and beyond, the hype that’s been ascribed to them. Here’s how they answered some of our questions on their way into our city. Read more
CYMBALS are riding high after the recent release of their latest album, The Age of Fracture. They’re heading into to Austin to play SXSW, and they’ve got a special day lined up on Wednesday, March 12, opening for the Pains of Being Pure at Heart during the Force Field Day Party. Check out the band’s thoughts on the festival as they prepare to blow into town. Read more
You’ve likely heard about PUJOL on these pages before, as we’re always clamoring for whatever new music Daniel Pujol is working on. He just announced that he’ll be releasing KLUDGE, his newest album,on May 20th with Saddle Creek. The Nashville artist still holds onto his DIY garage aesthetics, but it’s becoming increasingly clear that his songwriting is taking a liking towards a more pop-centric writing style. It doesn’t hurt his songs though, as you’ll clearly see this one as just another hit from one of our favorite songwriters.
Download: PUJOL – Pitch Black [MP3]
I’ve been rather enjoying this great new track called “Tongues” by Glasgow band PAWS. When talking labels, I’d dare call this one an indie pop tune with a washed out, punk rock overtone. I find myself hitting play time and time again once the play meter hits the end. Great track.
New album, Youth Culture Forever, is due out June 2nd on Fat Cat Records.
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Arsonist was one of my favorite albums last year, but Andre Obin is not resting on my accolades. This is a new track from the forthcoming Way Of Escape and is so damn good.
The song is called “Approaching Zero” and debuted at Impose earlier today. It starts out with a rather light Phantogram/Jagwar Ma-like opening sequence that has a bit of guitar and an airy pop sound … and then the synth-lines join. Andre mentioned on his personal bookface that he is very proud of the vocal. It is a wonderful recording made better with light processing that suits the mood, pulled back and an element of the melody bridging elements and moving the song forward.
Check out the rest of Andre’s work over on Soundcloud. I am a big fan.
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