This is fine.
Tomorrow is the ATX Popfest over at Cheer Up Charlies, doors are at 6 PM, bands start at 7. It’s $5 for 10 Bands. All the money goes straight to the bands…so let’s not complain about $5. But, I also want you to have notes on all the bands, and why you should check them all out. It’s a long post, so please read it all. It should convince you why attendance is required.
Come enjoy yourself some pop music. There’s no place else to be Saturday.
I think I know a way to guarantee that your weekend will be rad. You see, Nathan is a bit of a stubborn sort. He talked shit about hosting a fest for locals doing pop right. As a man of his word, with the help of some friends, ATX Popfest is going down Saturday night. Team ATH will be on hand to make your evening great because how can you not with this line up of great bands. I have a feeling, we’ll get one more reminder…
The track for this week’s edition of HANW is by CHPLN. It is a slightly brooding, head-nod-inducing synth pop hit. I love the people I know. There is a great break and whip to a snap with a new hook midstream. It is one of those songs that could twice as long and you’d be cool with it.
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Interestingly, the Radio Dept have been rather active, with all signs pointing towards a new release earlier next year. That being said, they’ve dropped a brand new track that won’t appear, yet deserves your attention. It still holds true to some of the group’s trademark sounds, but if you’re asking me, this is their take on an indiepop gem. Subject matter might be a bit grim, but that sets it perfectly against the lighthearted tune the band have left you with. Really, I wish these guys wrote more stuff, indiepop or not, political or not, it’s always great.
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Looking through the songs we had ready for today, I felt like Friday was looking pretty bleak, pretty low-key. So, it’s a good thing I had this track from The Funs hidden away for just such a cause…you’ve got to up the ante with a little rock n’ roll. The production has the song’s secret pop tendencies hiding beneath a wall of scuzzed out fuzzed out noise, which creates the impression that the group recorded their effort in a cavernous concrete fallout shelter. Still, it’s hard not to find enjoyment in this number, no matter how gritty it comes off. Their LP, My Survival, comes out next week.
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Carroll are a group who hail out of Minneapolis and they’re making spiraling and sleek indie rock with just enough bite to grab your attention. The track below, “Green Acres” is reminding me a lot of the sound of Snowmine; the vocals are light and airy, synths and guitars take turns sharing the spotlight, and bombastic drums propel the track forward. It’s a great alternative rock song and the band is just about to release their debut self titled album on September 18th via Entertainment One Music.
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It says a lot that this new single from 23:23 is my favorite track of the week, especially considering the great acts that have put out songs like Wildhoney and the Mantles. But, a great song cannot be overlooked, so I’m happily imploring you to fall in love with the new effort from the project of Delay Trees frontman, Rami. Earlier this year, Soliti released a record trilogy of Remi’s work, but now there’s a new EP, titled To Die on a Faraway Island with You. This single alone has this understated beauty, falling into the relaxed approach between Rami and friend Ringer Manner. This new EP will be released by Soliti on October 2nd, and it looks to be another brilliant piece of pop music.
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Company of Selves seem to offer an incredible diversity in their sound, as is seen by the deeply moving tune below. When we first heard them they had remnants of art-emo (early Jade Tree stuff comes to mind), but upon delving into this tune they’ve created a pop-centric funeral march, hauntingly pleasant. If you peeled away the vocals, the music would fit perfectly into any haunted house; the vocals are there, however, allowing the song to brim with hope. It’s just another reason why Butterfly Handlers & Memory Travelers should be on your watch list; it’s released by Fleeting Youth Records on September 25th.
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So I know you’ll be tired on Sunday from staying out late at our very own Popfest, but that’s really no excuse to miss out on a great show the following evening at the Moody Theater. This Sunday, Sweden’s The Tallest Man On Earth and company will be gracing the stage to delight all with new and old folk inspired tracks that will surely melt your heart. Word on the street is that he’s bringing along a full band to flesh out these new tracks, but we’ll still be given the special chance to spend some time alone with this man and his brilliant songwriting. If you weren’t already convinced about going, (which you can do, as tickets are still available here) be swayed by the fact that another vocal powerhouse, Lady Lamb, will be opening. You can get excited for the show with these two tracks below, and just know that you’ll be forever regretful if you miss this night of pop and folk music centered around passionate songwriting. No pressure.
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I discovered Vancouver based Avid Walker earlier this year and I’ve been eagerly awaiting more music from the band over the last couple of months. Well today is my lucky day with news of another single from the group entitled “Sun In Eyes”. This bright and easy going music is so easy to get into, and honestly, I don’t see why everyone isn’t jumping on this bandwagon faster. I expect even bigger things from these guys in the future.
Stay tuned for more information on an upcoming debut EP this Fall.
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Another new Mantles song? What a great week for music I love. I think for fans of great pop music, there’s not going to be a better release at the end of the year than this band’s new LP (well, that Expert Alterations is stellar too). There’s definitely some sonic changes in the band’s approach this round, and on this single in particular, rocking almost a punk rock approach in the bass line and energy department. Still, you can expect a group this good to get away with hooks, which are making their way with the way the vocals are delivered and enunciated. Look for their album All Odds End via the ever-reliable Slumberland Records on October 16th.
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