Category: Tunes

The Beths Drop New Single

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How can one resists the charms of the Beths and their new single? You can’t; it’s not possible. It’s the perfect summertime hit, featuring just enough of a punch to give you that added energy in the sweltering heat, but with an added bit of charm that keeps you coming back for more. Elizabeth Stokes is definitely winning us over here; her voice almost has an indiepop vibe to it, though with just a bit slight hint of Oceanic indifference…those “oh oh ohs” don’t hurt the hook factor. Their debut album Future Me Hates Me will be out on August 10th via Carpark Records.

Nadine Release Video for Pews

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Earlier this year Nadine released Oh My via Father Daughter Records, and because music never stops, there’s now an accompanying video for single “Pews.” I love how the track opens up with this low-key electronic loop and groove, whilst frontwoman Nadia does some stretches, dance moves and mild-mannered calisthenics. She then enters the picture with a feathery voice; it’s soothing in a fashion that entrances the listener. It’s a perfect late night number (which is alluded to in the song), with Nadia’s voice riding up and down the song’s instrumental groove. The band will be hitting the road in late June/early July, mostly with labelmates Remember Sports, so keep an eye out!

Have You Checked Out Karen Meat

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We know you get bombarded with hot new bands every day, but sometimes you overlook really great acts that swim under the radar, such as Karen Meat. The Iowa-based group has everything to make them your favorite act, if you’d only give it a little time. This single has this groovy funk to it, something you’d definitely find on an 80s dance floor, however, the group spins it in a far more playful manner, particularly with the biting lyrical content. You’re an Ugly Person is the album that everyone needs in their life; it’s an amalgam of influences, from electropop to doo-wop to surf pop…with just a hint of kitsch; you can grab the LP right HEREfrom Emotional Response.

 

 

 

Entranced by Harlan T Bobo

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I’ve been listening to this Harlan T. Bobo track on repeat for the last several days; it’s not of the usual indie rock ilk that usually graces these pages. The opening moments come off as a hardened croon, as if you’re in some downtrodden pub while a lounge act performs before you. But, while I’m definitely attracted to that, I wasn’t sold entirely until the sweeping arrangements of the chorus; Bobo’s voice moves from deep tones to polished pop balladeer. If you dare to step outside the norm and fall in love with a song, then perhaps spend a few listens below. This song features on A History of Violence, which will drop on June 22nd via Goner Records.

Red Sleeping Beauty Release New Single

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Two things that I adore unite together in this joyful track from Red Sleeping Beauty; you get indiepop and you get an homage to soccer. This track is being labeled as the unofficial Swedish World Cup anthem, thus the title of the tune. Heavy on the beats and high on harmonies is a sure-fire way to get right into my listening rotation. Hopefully this track can hold you over until the World Cup kicks off in a few weeks…or until the band wraps up their new studio album, which is rumored to be out this Fall.

Go Fawn over Margot

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It’s probably easy in the guitar-pop stage of the music world we’re in to make comparisons to Real Estate, but I don’t think you’ll find a single band as on point in that style as South London’s Margot. You’ll immediately notice the way the guitars have this sharp intermingling in your ears; you’re going to feel like you’re cruising down the highway with a huge freaking grin on your face. What really sold me on the group was the softness of the vocals; they seem feathery in comparison to the guitar work, lending a dreamier quality to the sound than one would first offer up. A debut EP is on its way shortly!

Have a Nice Weekend

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I wanted to highlight a few shows, but Nathan killed that.

Instead, I am going to focus on a PYAITK scenario. There has been so much hype around SURVIVE and deservedly so, super talented team of analog synth artists. Anyone obsessed with SURVIVE should certainly take some time to review the history of the genre, and in particular, spend time with Orbital. Orbital is Paul and Phil Hartnoll, brothers residing in Brighton. I have loved this band since the release of “Chime/Midnight” and “Belfast” singles. Their releases have been remarkably staggered over the last decade, long breaks between releases, sabbaticals, final tours, reunions. But there is a new single and from a new record, which I can only dream will result in them coming close enough to Austin for me to see them again for the first time since the late 90’s. They lead the path that many stopped following, but popularized again by the analog synth revolution, live programming their performances, even “recording live” on occasion. If you know not of the band, I recommend Orbital II (aka the Brown Album) and In Sides to kick you off.

The track featured in the gorgeous video below is called “Tiny Foldable Cities” from the forthcoming Monsters Exist due in September.

Weekend Show Spotlight for Austin

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As per usual for this time of the year, there’s a powerhouse of rock n’ roll shows in Austin. Some featuring great local acts, others featuring great touring bills. Check out our suggestions.

Friday:

Big Bill/Pollen Rx Tour Kick Off with Caroline Says, Being Dead @ the Electric Church – 9 PM

A Place to Bury Strangers, Prettiest Eyes, Xetas, Jo Passed @ Barracuda – 9 PM

Dezorah, Honey and Salt, Through a Glass Darkly, Claire Puckett @ Swan Dive – 9:30 PM

Saturday:

PT Banks, Tres Oui, Ama, Spirit Ghost @ Spiderhouse Ballroom – 8 PM

The Posies, Terra Lightfoot, Marmalakes @ the Parish

Speedy Ortiz, Anna Burch @ Barracuda – 7:30 PM

Sunday:

Peach Kelli Pop, Go Fever, Mean Jolene @ Cheer Up Charlies – 7 PM

New Track from Why Bonnie

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We were fortunate enough to have Why Bonnie play our SXSW show this year; they wowed us and the many in attendance, assuring their steady rise. And after their In Water EP, the band are ready to drop 5 more tunes for you. Our first listen has the band offering up a more billowy dream number, casually letting the guitars build into this huge wall of atmospherics behind Blair’s stellar vocal performance. It’s great to see the band building on their early success and fleshing out their sound even more. If this band isn’t on your radar already, I don’t know how to help you. But, Nightgown will be out on cassette courtesy of Sports Day Records on June 20th.

Sungod Announces New LP

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Austin’s Sungod have just announced the release of a new full length titled Wave Refraction; it’s of course being released by powerhouse label Holodeck Records. The lead single from the LP is “Hypnotism,” which features the digitally hypnotic video we’ve got streaming below. When turning to the music, perhaps you’d be best served to combine two elements of modern indie that we’re all familiar with at this point. One, you’ve got the instrumental electronica that all Holodeck fans love: two, you’ve got this Grizzly Bear underbelly beneath. It ends up leaving you with this blissed out expansiveness, like traveling through space, or so I imagine. The album will drop on August 24th.

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