Soft Number from Gem Club

gem_club_tonjeWeird. We’re already starting to look forward to great releases in 2014, and this new release from Gem Club is going to be on my list from the get-go. Their first single from the record is a pretty incredible piece of song construction, moving slowly along the skeletal piano that serves as the foundation for the track.  There’s a lofty vocal that soars beautifully atop the production, aided by some light string accompaniment to add extra depth to the song. You’ll be able to grab your own copy of the LP, titled In Roses, on January 28th, courtesy of the folks over at Hardly Art.  Be prepared for something moving.

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Show Preview: Wavves @ Antones (10.10)

Wavves

Date Thursday, October 10th
Location Antones
Doors 9:00 PM
Tickets $20


So, if I were going to have one complaint about ACL, it would be fairly minor; it would be that the punk rock genre is fairly underrepresented at the fest.  Sure, we have FIDLAR, and maybe Parquet Courts, but by and large, we’ll miss my favorite genre. But, ACL knows how to do things right, as they bring you a killer rock n’ roll show from Wavves over at Antones.  The wily bunch of beach rockers will be accompanied by two of our other favorite acts…Jacuzzi Boys and King Tuff.  It’s going to be a noisy night filled with slamming into your neighbor, spilled beer, and an over all sense of joy.  I suggest you hit this gig up.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/King_Tuff_-_Bad_Thing.mp3]

Download: King Tuff – Bad Thing [MP3]

Jagged Indiepop from The Spook School

FPOP156LPA bit back in time I came upon The Spook School, an Edinburgh act that had released a 7″ with Cloudberry Records.  It seems the group are on their way up, having signed with Fortuna Pop to release their latest LP, Dress Up.  On this single, bassist Anna Cory is rocking things out vocally, with the group’s sharp guitar work inserting both twee and noisier pop elements into your veins.  I like the fact that the band is working on hitting the main strokes of modern indiepop, but with a slightly heavier edge.  This is definitely a band you’ll want to keep an eye on, as songs this good are bound to make waves overseas.

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Noise Rock From Young Mammals

389868_10150534123080912_1744921978_nSomehow Houston band Young Mammals has yet to be featured on this here website, and that’s just a shame when such a talented band is living in your backyard.  These guys craft their very own stye of noisy, distorted guitar heavy, rockin’ music.  What I’m sure is many reader’s first exposure to the band, “Build a House”, can be found below.  You’ll find that’s equal parts catchy and gritty all at the same time.

This track appears on a new 7″ coming out on November 5th via Odd Hours

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/01-Build-A-House-7.13.13-MP3.mp3]

Download: Young Mammals – Build A House [MP3]

 

Dot Dash – Half-Remembered Dream

DotDashCoverArtRating: ★★★★☆

This day and age, bands tend to get caught up in fighting for, or against, the status quo of musical movements within the indie scene.  But, some bands just decide to go on their own, writing songs that are full of heart and self-expression; Dot Dash is one such band.  Their third full-length, Half-Remembered Dream, is an ascendency into pop perfection, making nods to the pass, while crafting songs that stand on their own in today’s landscape.

“Here’s to the Ghosts of the Past” opens the affair with a strong riffing guitar; it’s occasionally bisected by a noisier down-stroke on the guitar, creating a sound that’s built for fans of guitar pop.  The warmth of the vocals hold you close to the song, drawing you into what might otherwise be a noisy piece of pop.  That gentleness remains throughout most of Half-Remembered Dream, and it’s made more noticeable on the following track, “Hands of Time.” While the opener had guitars as the hero, the voice takes precedence on this tune; it’s close to a ballad, at least as close as you’ll get from this DC outfit.  There’s a change in pitch just after the 1 minute mark that’s a really nice touch too.

Personally, I enjoy the fact that Dot Dash always seems to be messing with.  On “Do Re Mi” they craft this brooding intro, hinting at a darkness that I wasn’t expecting, so I start to immerse myself in that mood.  But, they abruptly start, choosing to blast off into this heavy-handed piece of powerful guitar pop, starring this sparkling guitar line.  You’ll find varying melodies within this track too, which is one of the reason’s I’ve always appreciated the band; they’re not some one-trick pony.

I think one of the sad things about the music world is that truly great songs get dismissed due to label association or hype, but if you do anything today, try to take a listen to “Shopworn Excuse.”  For me, this is the band at their absolute best.  There’s this certain gleaming polish to the guitar sound, and the vocals take on a completely different tone than I’ve encountered from the group to date.  It’s almost a homage to twee, but done via adaptation from Dot Dash.  It’s followed up a few songs later by my second favorite track, the album’s closing moment: “The Sound in Shells.”  I love the shimmering guitar sound that cascades through the speakers, fighting against the reserved pop sensibility expressed in the vocals.

Odds are, unless you’ve been following the hip cognoscenti such as The Big Takeover, or perhaps even ourselves, you might not have heard of Dot Dash yet.  That’s okay, but this band is begging for your ears.  They’ve got polished guitar pop that maintains a sharp edge, all the while juxtaposing it with the incredible melodies that are naturally created by the vocals.  You’ll do well for yourself today if you go spend some time with Half-Remembered Dream.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Dot-Dash-Half-Remembered-Dream-01-Heres-to-The-Ghosts-of-The-Past.mp3]

Download: Dot Dash – (Here’s to) The Ghosts of The Past [MP3]

Show Preview: The Dodos @ Mohawk (10/11)

thedodos04

Date 10/11/13
Location Mohawk
Doors 8pm
Tickets $15 @ Mohawk App

Non-festival goers have some nice options for live music this week in and around Austin.  One of the best choices has to be The Dodos playing at local favorite venue Mohawk.  Joining the indie mainstays are Dustin Wong and Daniel Francis Boyle.  Having seen The Dodos several times before in the live setting, I can tell you that you won’t be disappointed if you scoop up a ticket to this show.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/The-Dodos-Dont-Stop.mp3]

Download: The Dodos – Dont Stop [MP3]

 

Show Review: Neko Case ACL Taping (10/9)

The folks that run Austin City Limits, the real Austin City Limits, ya know, the TV show approaching forty years of bringing bands into your living room, always take advantage of artists just sitting around before, between or after a festival weekend. Neko Case is one such artist and I was delighted to see and more importantly hear her taping because of conflicts on the Sunday nights at Zilker.

This isn’t her first taping, so that means mostly material from the last two albums. I’m really liking Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You and we gave Middle Cyclone four stars back in the day.

Read on for thoughts on her set and a few pics of the event…

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New Music from Snowmine

SnowmineFrom the very first time I heard Snowmine, I was in love; they’ve played our SXSW party and made several of our year end lists.  After dipping their toes in the waters of record labels, the band have decided to release their new effort, Dialects, on their own.  The first big single is definitely what I expected from the band, using these incredible instrumental accents to build a wall of pop extravagance. The vocals, as always, are delightful, reminding me of exactly why I fell so hard for the band in the first place.  I’m sure if you spend some time with this new single that you’ll feel exactly the same way we do.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Snowmine-Rome.mp3]

Download: Snowmine – Rome [MP3]

Fun Pop Track from COIN

COIN_Promo3.120854As much as I appreciate the weirder side of music or the crisp clean hits of jangling pop, I will always have a spot for straight-forward tunes built for large audiences.  That’s the feeling I get when I first listened to this track from COIN; it’s got an explosive chorus, not to mention a catchy vocal delivery throughout.  The guitars have that ringing quality that’s put a lot of bands on the map lately, such as Phoenix, so why not stick with a solid formula that makes you endearing?  You need a pick-me-up jam? This is the one.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/time-machine.mp3]

Download: COIN – Time Machine [MP3]

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