Friday Top 5: Austin Artists to Watch in 2012

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Usually the year begins in January, but I typically don’t get my musical gears started until after SXSW.  So I started thinking about the Austin scene, and honestly, I think it’s really struggling right now (and I don’t quite know who to blame).  But, I wanted to give a shout out to five bands that I think are going to make a huge impact this year in Austin and/or Texas, at least that’s what I’m hoping to see from them.  These aren’t in any particular order, so just go with it, and if you see that one of these bands is playing…do Austin a favor and actually go watch them play. Oh, and we included one Houston act because they’re here all the time and we love them. Deal with it.

 

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Show Pics: 2nd St. Showdown @ SxSW 2012 (3/16)

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I was a happy kid. Sure, things could have gone a tiny bit smoother with sponsor issues and sound-guy car troubles early, but we pulled together like a community and put on an excellent day of music. Big thanks to all involved, my +1 for bartending early, the bands for helping each other out, whatever it took was whatever it took and the party felt like SxSW of old.

So here are a bounty of pics from the 2nd St. Showdown…

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Sprawling New Song from Lost Left

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Lost Left is a three-piece, recording their music somewhere between London and Glasgow.  They’ve just put up their new record, Levollinen, which has really caught my attention.  It’s full of these extended soundscapes, crafted with truly remarkable melodies that come in and out, and then in again.  It takes a truly willing ear to listen to this record in its entirety, but the reward you receive will have you reeling.  It’s some of the more emotional compositions I’ve stumbled upon this year, and the band’s currently offering it up for the convenient Name Your Price.  If you’re looking to lose yourself this weekend, this is the perfect place to find yourself.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/01-Thank-You-For-The-Lung-1.mp3]

Download:Lost Left – Thank You For The Lung [MP3]

Great Garage Jangle-r from Blooper

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It’s taken me almost a full week to completely recover from SXSW, but luckily I can go to our friend Toby’s site, Finest Kiss, and catch up on the good stuff he’s stumbled upon in his neck of the woods (Seattle).  This track he ran by Blooper is superb, and reminds me a lot of basically every sweet jam I’ve been rocking in my house for the last several years.  There’s a bit of swing within the jangle, and an infectious aura that sucks you in.  The band’s working on a new EP as of now, but they’ve also got a free Ballard Avenue EP you can grab to wet your appetite while you wait if you go HERE.

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

Download:Blooper – Secret Song [MP3]

New(ish) Music From Lost In The Trees

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Not sure how I missed out on the new album A Church That Fits Our Needs from Lost In The Trees.  It’s already out now on Anti Records and can be purchased straight from the label’s website or in your local record store.  Despite my tardiness, I wanted to post the group’s most recent single “Golden Eyelid” to share with you guys.  It’s a very haunting song with impressive vocals that keep reminding me of Jonas Bjerre of Mew for some reason.  Check out the song below.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Lost-In-The-Trees-Golden-Eyelid.mp3]

Download: Lost In The Trees – Golden Eyelids [MP3]

Quirky Pop Gem from Volcano!

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Beginning with an odd stutter-step propulsion, this new track from Chicago’s Volcano! moves into a space occupied by few in the indie spectrum.  The group’s combination of electronics and off-kilter timing makes for a hard pill to swallow; it’s immediacy is not apparent, but repeated listens find you warming to the spastic pop gem. The group are set to release Pinata, their third record, on June 12th via the Leaf Label, and it’s shaping up to be a listening experience you aren’t likely to find anywhere else. Seriously, a patient ear will lead you to the immense pleasure this track has to offer.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/01-Piñata-1.mp3]

Download:Volcano – Pinata [MP3]

New Song from S Carey

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A few years back S. Carey released All We Grow, which I felt was a highly underrated, or unnoticed, album.  It got some press for his participation with Bon Iver, but having seen him live since then, I think he definitely deserves some recognition on his own.  Perhaps he’ll achieve that goal when he releases his Hoyas EP via JagJaguwar  in May.  Based on this first listen, he’s still building his own little soundscapes, often based around small loops and intricate instrumental flourishes.  I suppose this could fall under the electronica spectrum, but you know Carey’s probably writing all these little elements himself.  Regardless, sounds pretty solid.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/01-Two-Angles-1.mp3]

Download:S. Carey – Two Angles

New Dream Pop from Little Chords

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If you dig hard enough, you can find some really incredible groups putting out records on bandcamp.  That’s how I discovered this great number from Little Chords, an act hailing from Vancouver. After doing my research, I was shocked to find out that it’s Jamison from Teen Daze, who’s winning over a lot of people on the Internet.  This Little Chords effort isn’t as dance heavy, instead reminding me of the bedroom works of Jack from Wild Nothing.  You can find this song, as well as other on the new record just released called Afterlife. It’s definitely repeated spin worthy.

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

Download:Little Chords – Always/Never [MP3]

More Hooks from Literature

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We’re nearing the release date of Literature‘s Arab Spring (April 10th), which will be our first AustinTownHall Records release, working with our friend Chris over at Square of Opposition.  Sure, I’m easily biased as I believe whole-heartedly in this record, but I wanted to share another track to convince you that you’ll need a copy in your hands!  “14 Seconds” opens the album, setting the mood for a jangling indie pop record that inevitably gets you to swing your hips as the record completely sucks you in.  You definitely need to head HERE to get your pre-order on before you have to hunt down this brilliant release!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/01-14-SECONDS.mp3]

Download:Literature – 14 Seconds [MP3]

BGray’s SxSW Reflection

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I had my camera. I took almost 4,000 pictures. That seemed like a lot, but once I factored in the number of bands, the odd things that have to be documented, the friends gathering for shenanigans and the eight long days involved, it really wasn’t surprising. I haven’t done the final tally, but it would be fair to say that I saw part of a set from around seventy bands.

It is my turn to give a rundown on bests and worsts of The Conference. The many highs were tempered by very few lows. I chased that BUZZ that drives the relevant music fan. My summary will be a little different because I did the whole damn thing; twelve movies, several Interactive and film panels and of course all the music.

So, plenty on the movies, panels and bands and a flurry of pics to accompany all that 411 after the break…

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