From The Closet: Hum

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hum“She thinks she missed the train to Mars, she’s out back counting stars.”  Before the Cadillac commercial, I was a 13-year old kid when I first discovered Hum.  Best known for their 1995 hit “Stars,” the Champaign, Illinois quartet combined heavy-distorted guitars, melodic-monotone vocals, and songs about plants, dreams and suicide machines that proved a breath of fresh air from Pearl Jam-clones in the mid-nineties.  1995’s LP You’d Prefer an Astronaut is a solid effort, but 1998’s Downward is Heavenward is a ten-song epic adventure through space.  For every tender moment sung by lead-singer Matt Talbot, there’s a sonic blast of splintering guitars that erupt like a goddamn Android Volcano!  I’m not quite sure what that means but you can judge for yourself by listening to my favorite Hum song, “I Hate it Too.”

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/08-I-Hate-It-Too.mp3]

Built To Spill @ Stubbs (10/24)

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Built-to-Spill-leanback

Date 10/24
Location Stubbs
Doors 7pm
Tickets $25 from Frontgate

The great pioneers of indie rock Built to Spill are making a return to Austin at Stubbs on Saturday night.  Fellow groundbreaking artist Dinosaur Jr. along with Lou Barlow, and Disco Doom will also be on hand to make this one of those can’t miss nights.  Built to Spill are currently touring in support of their brand new record There is No Enemy which we reviewed recently.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Built-to-Spill-Hindsight.mp3]

Download: Built to Spill – Hindsight [MP3]

New Tuns from The Uglysuit

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uglyI know that being from Austin, we’re supposed to ignore all things Oklahoma, but you can’t really ignore great music, regardless of local mores.  So, now that Stereogum has thrown up a new tune from an unreleased EP by The Uglysuit, we had to jump on it.  This tune is a lot quieter than their work in the past, but it has an ornate quality, which definitely brings pleasure to the ears of us here at ATH.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/The-Uglysuit-1902-Deep-Ocean.mp3]

Download: The Uglysuit – 1902 Deep Ocean [MP3]

The Get Up Kids on Daytrotter!

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tgukSure, we love the in-house sessions on Daytrotter, but they’ve outdone themselves, at least in our nostalgic eyes.  They just ran The Get Up Kids session, which includes classic tunes like “I’m a Loner Dottie, a Rebel,” not to mention the inclusion of a Vitreous Humor song.  To top it all off, there is a brand new song, said to be one of nine. Could it be? Are they back for good?  I hope so!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/the-get-up-kids-your-petty-pretty-things.mp3]

Download: The Get Up Kids – Your Petty Pretty Things [MP3]

FFFFest Spotlight: Les Savy Fav

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lessavyfavAs we look forward to the debauchery that will be Fun Fun Fun Fest, there can be only one band that will bring the best time to all those in attendance: Les Savy Fav.  Forget the fact that they bring their own spin of angular punk and indie grit to the sound board, and just focus on the fact that they have one of the single most entertaining frontmen of all time.  Tim Harrington will bring his sweaty bald head and parade around the stage, and the crowd, like nothing else anyone has ever seen.  You should love the band for their tunes, but you’ll fall in love with them as soon as you see this one man show.  Case in point, last time I saw LSF, Tim hung upside down from the rafters of the venue and screamed the lyrics before dropping to the floor, stuffing a pillow beneath his shirt so as to be with child, and took shots with the crowd. Enough said, be there.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/07-One-To-Three.mp3]

Download: Les Savy Fav – One To Three [MP3]

Combo Meal Fun Fest Pre-Party

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Fun Fun Fun Fest is fast approaching and we wanted to go ahead and give you some details about a pre-party we have planned with some other fine local folks.  Our Combo Meal event will be going down on Nov. 6th at Scoot Inn and features 2 stagse of incredible bands and DJs.  The outside DJ stage features headliners Hood Internet, local legend Neiliyo, and Prepmode.  The inside stage features Stillwater boys Colourmusic along with Zlam Dunk, StABBA (metal aBBa cover band) and up and coming locals Ideal Soul Mart.  If that wasn’t enough, the great Annie Ray will be on hand to take some fancy photos and Under Pressure will be on site making custom screen t-shirts.  Price for the show is $5 if you RSVP ahead of time at do512 and $8 if you don’t. 

Along with ourselves, this tasty event is sponsored by Cherry Peel, Knuckle Rumbler, Champion Scion, My Old Kentucky Blog, do512, Ultra8201, and Sailor Legs.  This will be the only place you’ll want to be to celebrate your night before Fun Fest.  We’ll drop some reminders your way as the event date gets closer.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/02-put-in-a-little-gas1.mp3]

Download: Colourmusic – Put in a Little Gas [MP3]

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/beyonce_fleet_foxes.mp3]

Download: The Hood Internet – Single Foxes (Put A Wood On It) [MP3]

New Music From Great Nostalgic

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GNOne time Austin artist to watch band Great Nostalgic are back with some new material after the release of their stellar debut album earlier this year.  This new track is called “Spirit World” and will appear on an upcoming 7″ due out later this year on Nov. 21st.  These guys continue to amaze us with the quality of their song writing and recording quality.  Oh and check out that new press photo!

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/01-Spirit-World.mp3]

Download: Great Nostalgic – Spirit World [MP3]

New Tunes from Motion City Soundtrack

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Motion-CityMake no mistake about me, I was a dedicated pop-punk fan throughout my days, and still hold dear to many of those mainstays.  Sure, I’m more likely to get into Descendents as opposed to all the new stuff, but even some of the new stuff gets me.  Motion City Soundtrack is one of those bands, and I’m looking forward to seeing what they do on their new album My Dinosaur Life. This track is just the beginning.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/01-Disappear-1.mp3]

Download: Motion City Soundtrack – Disappear [MP3]

ATH Interviews: Black Joe Lewis

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blackjoelewis_featureShortly after our time at ACL, we realized that we failed to interview any of our favorite local acts playing over the weekend.  To make up for our miscue, we caught up with up and coming Austin artist Black Joe Lewis via email.  Black Joe has been hard working hard and touring the country with his band The Honeybears after releasing his debut LP earlier this year.  Follow the jump to read full interview.

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New Music From Frightened Rabbit

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frightened_rabbitScottish indie-rockers Frightened Rabbit have a single called “Swim Until You Can’t See Land” that’s been floating around the internet over the last few days.  This tune is being offered as a sneak preview of the band’s upcoming album to be released in March of 2010.  The band’s label, Fat Cat Records, is also streaming new track “Fun Stuff”.  We like ’em both.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/swim-until-you-can_t-see-land.mp3]

Download: Frightened Rabbit – Swim Until You Can’t See Land [MP3]

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