Category: Tunes

New Music from Azure Blue

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For me, it’s been a great week, seeing the triumphant return of probably the best small label out there.  Matinee Recordings had a silent summer, but they’re back, and their roster now includes Azure Blue.  The group is primarily the project of Tobias Isakkson, who played prominent roles with Irene and Laurel Music.  Matinee will be releasing Rule of Thirds this December, and the band is already getting comparisons to groups such as OMD and New Order.  Sounds like a perfect way for Matinee to wrap up the year, and for you as well. Try out this little gem.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/azure01.mp3]

Download: Azure Blue – The Catcher in the Rye [MP3]

Funx3 Fest Preview: Cold Cave

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Well friends, Fun Fest is officially upon us this weekend and it’s time to take a bit of a closer look at some of the bands that we’d recommend you check out.  My co-writers and editors have already brought you some choice picks and battles so I guess it’s now my time to turn the spotlight on a band that’s got me amped up for this weekend’s events.  Cold Cave seem like an obvious choice.  Follow the jump for more on the band.

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Brand New Track from Cloud Nothings

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The self-titled release by Cloud Nothings this past January was one hell of a ride, consistently staying in my player for most, if not all, of 2011. And now we’ve got news that Dylan and his group are at it again, ready to rock and roll with a brand new record on Carpark.  As of now, it’s titled Attack on Memory, and it should be hitting the streets on January 24th, so we’ll probably have another year to enjoy fresh new Cloud Nothings jams.  Don’t think that you’re gonig to get the same fare this run around, as this first single displays a more subdued group, tossing out a more stripped down, slow-burner, as opposed to the furious blisterning rock of last year.  I’m interested to see where this goes.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/01_No_Future_No_Past.mp3]

Download: Cloud Nothings – No Future No Past [MP3]

New Jam From Active Child

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When it comes to the electronica side of ATH, I usually leave things to the experts that stay tuned to the genre way more than I do.  However, when a song like this sweet jam from Active Child falls into my lap, I have to share my joy with the masses.  The song “Diamond Heart” appears on a deluxe edition of new album You Are All I see which has been available in regular form for awhile now.  This new deluxe reissue of sorts will be made available on itunes tomorrow and features this new and previously unreleased song.  It is currently ruling my world.   Let this also serve as a Fun Fest preview as the band will be playing the festival this weekend on Saturday at 12:55 on the blue stage.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/11-Diamond-Heart.mp3]

New Music from Sea Lions

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Make no mistake about it, the last few years have seen a huge resurgence for Slumberland Records, and yet the consistently seem to discover great band after great band.  Sea Lions is their latest signing, and this little number right here is a perfect fit to the label’s sound.  There’s a bit of a washed out jangle floating in there, but singer Adrian Pillado have a fairly distinct vocal delivery, which differentiates the outfit from a lot of their current peers.  Personally, I like the clarity of the vocals because, whether or not this is true, they seemingly have no vocal effects in the mix, making it easier for you to find your favorite lyric.  First Sea Pinks and now Sea Lions? Must be the year of Sea creatures.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Grown-Up-Single-Edit.mp3]

Download: Sea Lions – Grown Up [MP3]

Their album, Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sea Lions But Were Afraid to Ask is out on 11/22 via Slumberland.

Fresh Pop Track from Cameras

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America, please meet Cameras, an indie pop group from Australia.  Their first album featured a predominantly female vocalist, but I like how they switched it up on this recent release, especially the lead single–using a male vocal.  The crisp guitar line that opens up the song holds a lot of power when combined with the deep vocal, but then the song takes off, soaring into a more traditional pop realm.  If you dig this track, you can expect to find more tunes just like it on the new album, In Your Room, which you can find now.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/08-Defeatist.mp3]

Download: Cameras – Defeatist [MP3]

More Swedish Pop from The Pale Corners

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I have no idea what actually goes on over in Sweden, but in my head, the country is just full of people that sit around and write great little pop tunes.  I discovered The Pale Corners (via OTR) this weekend, and really have been digging this pleasant little track from the group.  It’s got a bit of an atmospheric wash that opens up the ground, but that quickly disappears into the background, opening up for a much more casual melodic hook to evolve.  The string arrangements really add an extra bit of depth, but overall, the group just kicks into gear in the way only the Swedes seem to do–perfecting blissful pop.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Fireflies.mp3]

Download: The Pale Corners – Fireflies [MP3]

Fresh New Track from Strawberry Whiplash

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It’s possible that I might have talked about Strawberry Whiplash too many times on these pages, but hey, at least I’m not trying to force Thom Yorke down your throats?  Luckily for you, there’s great new news coming from our dear friends over at Matinee Recordings, who’ll be releasing the Stop, Look and Listen EP from the Scots sometime in Decemeber (I hope!). You’ve just got to love Sandra’s voice, and the strength of the production makes the band sound absolutely superb.  For those of you who get lost in great pop music for days, this new track from our dearest Scottish band will have your head spinning.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/straw04.mp3]

Download: Strawberry Whiplash – Stop Look and Listen [MP3]

Bright Dance Pop from Black Taxi

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This song is a real throwback to those early 2000s when we could all just join up in a club and dance for fun.  Black Taxi are a Brooklyn foursome, currently working towards the release of their record in January 2012.  On this number you’ll find that steady guitar jangle stomp often heard in the likes of Franz Ferdinand or The Strokes.  I can already tell that this is one of those numbers that will have you and your friends dancing about late at night after the bars.  And if you like what you hear, the band will be playing the Zombie Ball at ACL Live this Saturday in Austin.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/01-Tightrope.mp3]

Download: Black Taxi – Tightrope [MP3]

New Girl Pop from Jennifer O’Connor

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Don’t let anyone tell you we don’t give love to female stand-alone artists.  I’ve been following Jennifer O’Connor for some time, and I always appreciate her simplistic approach to crafting listenable gems.  She’s got a brand new album available titled I Want What You Want, which will hit stores on November 8th via her own Kiam Records.  Her first single from the record is exactly what you’d expect her to do, writing a song tipped with a personal story.  You’ll find that it’s mostly just a stripped down guitar and a bit of percussive accompaniment, all geared towards winning you over with a sing along track.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/07_JOC_IWantWhatYouWant_RunningStart.mp3]

Download: Jennifer O’ Connor – Running Start [MP3]

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