This is fine.
Back in 2010 I stumbled into the Forcefield Party at SXSW looking for a good time, or expecting a good time. Lots of bands were on the bill such as Fresh & Only and Toro y Moi, but the band that stuck with me the most was Beach Fossils. Read more
Just when I swore to the world that I was going to swear off dance-y music, I come across this new number from Neighbors, which is the preview to their upcoming August EP, which the band will release for free on May 24th. Sure, those beats just hang there momentarily, but the vocal resemblance to Matt of The National is what really sucked me in, as I’m a sucker for baritone/bass voices when recorded. I suppose there are other things to hate in the world, such as all the kids filming their favorite song during a concert (I’d like to see the band, not your camera), so I’ll hop back on the electronic touch here for a bit, as long as it sounds this good.
Download: Neighbors – Watergun [MP3]
Yesterday we received word of a new EP entitled Spring Fools by old time ATH favorite band Matt Pond PA. The short player is due out April 26th on Altitude Records and features this new jam “Love to Get Used”. I gotta say, this band has really lost some of their initial appeal to me over the last few years, but this track redeems them a bit with a nice little pop tune. The new track also features guest vocals from Austin’s very own upstart singer-songwriter Ariel Abshire. Keep it up PA, keep it up.
Download: Matt Pond PA – Love to get Used [MP3]
I’m having a personality crisis! I’m tossing out two new electronic jams today, and you know what, I don’t care. these things are too good to just simply put aside. New Moods is a fairly new project, and seeing as they don’t have a lot of output yet, this one should definitely grab your attention. At first, I figured it was sort of just an oddball electronica piece, but then it unloads into a lush melodic hypnosis that will surely grab the attention of those in attendance when the band plays May 4th with Gang Gang Dance in New York. Don’t resist this; it’s just too good.
Download: New Moods – Playtime [MP3]
One of the groups we’ve really been into over the last few years, which was reinforced by their solid SXSW sets this year is about to release a new record. Thee Oh Sees are putting out their new album, Castlemania (not to be confused with Castlevania), on In the Red Records on June 14th. Surprisingly, this first listen has a lot less anxious chainsaw guitar, and more of a folky little swagger to it, though I’ll admit that the change of pace and styles is never something these guys seem to steer away from. All in all, seems like an excellent way to get people excited, as this a pretty solid little number.
Download: Thee Oh Sees – I Need Seed [MP3]
I was recently sent some new music by NYC based band Soft that I’ve been giving some heavy spins at work today. The guys have that all too familiar twee pop/shoegaze style that’s becoming ever popular in the music world with bands like POBAH and Yuck leading the way. Now I won’t simply say that Soft sounds like those bands, but they do have an eerily similar sound while still bringing something new to the genre. This track “Cieling” is set to appear on upcoming album Dogs which is said to be available sometime very soon on itunes. Dig.
Download: Soft – The Ceiling [MP3]
What’s that? You’re not into Iranian post-punk? Well, that might change once you get a good listen to The Yellow Dogs, one of the leading band’s in Iran’s hidden music scene. The group is about to release their In the Kennel EP on May 17th of this year, and it’s been a long time coming. While they may not have the government’s support, the band has had to rely upon word of mouth to spread their tunes. This new track from the four-song EP definitely has a nice little vibe, offering steady drumming and an off-kilter vocal performance, all the while hammering out angular cuts of the guitar. It’s a stomping affair worthy of our support. I also dig the way the song sprawls to a close.
Download: The Yellow Dogs – Gastronomical Meal [MP3]
Seattle based band The Night Beats mine as well change their address and move down to Austin, because their sound truly evokes images of some of our favorite psych rockers in town. Ironically enough, the band will be making their way into town next weekend for the annual Psych Fest at the Seaholm Power Plant. This new song “Ain’t Dumbo” will appear on the upcoming debut self-titled LP from The Night Beats due out June 28th on Trouble in Mind Records.
Download: The Nigh Beats – Ain’t Dumbo [MP3]
This new single from Seapony is by far the best I’ve heard them sound. Hazy pop vocals are coated over every bouncy bit of this track, and so we’re really happy that our friends over at Hardly Art have picked up the band. They’ll be putting out Go With Me on May 31st, and after listening to this upbeat gem of a tune, I can’t help but get those tinglinging feelings of joy. Right now, I feel like I’m taking the emotional aesthetic of Beach House and blending it with some straight twee power-pop. That’s right, that sounds delicious.
Download: Seapony – Blue Star [MP3]
Hailing from the NYC area, Beat Radio are a band lead by the songwriting skills and hard work of frontman Brian Sendrowitz. Over the last two years, Sendrowitz has compiled 3 full length LPs with many lineup changes making it difficult to maintain a steady flow. To be perfectly honest, I knew little to nothing about this band until they sent me an email with the title track to their recently released Golden Age LP. After the first listen, I was immediately drawn to the creative backing drum beat supporting the song. Now that the track has gotten a few more spins in the ‘ol itunes, I’m impressed with the pop melodies of the song as a whole. The new album from Beat Radio is available for purchase on their bandcamp as a limited edition vinly or digitally.
Download: Beat Radio – golden age [MP3]
