The Ghost Party Share Severed Hands

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Ghost Party is a new outfit on the Texas scene, though admittedly, they’ve got a familiar vibe going on here. Their first single brings back a smoky psychedelia, laying really low like a bit of rustling leaves in your yard. They build in a nice little plot twist when they hit the chorus, letting the melody evolve into more of a playful boogie or stomp, something that gives off a bit more groove to the genre. As the song circles back through another cycle, it eventually fades out with this bit of ambient space, leaving you with your own ability to take in a deep breath.

Meet The SXSW Band: Hamish Hawk

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The day is coming to a close and you know what that means, we are one day closer to things going wild in Austin for SXSW music festival. Of course some stuff kicks off this weekend, like our annual Sunday day show, but things will really be kicking into high gear about a week from RIGHT NOW. It’s time to get ready people. Ending our day today is a nice interview from Scottish based artist Hamish Hawk. Hit the jump for everything you need.

What’s the name of the band/group? Where are you from?

I am Hamish Hawk, we are Hamish Hawk. I’m a singer, songwriter and frontman based in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Describe your group’s sound using only adjectives or superlatives.

Wordy. Exuberant. Moustachioed.

What was your most recent release? Any planned releases for 2023?

Our new album, Angel Numbers, came out this month, and we’re gonna be heading back into the studio in the next couple of months to record the follow-up.

Why play SXSW? What’s the draw for the band? What about this festival will bring you to Austin?

We played SXSW last year, so we are delighted to be invited again. Admittedly we ran into a few obstacles last time, namely illness and tornados, so armed with those experiences we’ll bring a certain wind-swept danger to SXSW. You get the sense there’s a world of possibility at SXSW, and it’s a thrill to feel a part of that – again!

There are tons of bands coming into town, but if you could create your own perfect festival, who would you have playing? Would it have a sick name? Where would it take place? Feel free to disregard the rules of time and space.

I was a regular festival goer in my teens and associate them with a feeling of new-found fun and freedom. I’d be keen to have a line-up that’s properly joyous, in the business of ensuring everyone’s having a good time. Bob Marley & The Wailers headlining. The Flaming Lips somewhere up there. Dolly Parton. Sly & The Family Stone. ABBA. You get the ridiculous idea. As much as I grew used to trudging around in the mud at Scottish festivals, I’d like to be somewhere warm, with a big lake for swimming.

What has everyone in the band been listening to, or, what plays in the tour van/car/bus

We’ve gotten into the habit of being geographically specific with our music choices in the van. Beatles en route to Liverpool. Sabbath en route to Birmingham. At SXSW I’m gonna have to go Texas wide. I’ll be listening to Willie Nelson on the plane over.

Obviously you have seen or heard about the issues coming up this year about fair pay for artists at SXSW? Care to offer any insight or comment?

The money, sweat and toil it takes to put together a show fit for an audience, to tour it, and to ensure everyone is fed, watered and accommodated would most likely shock anywhere unfamiliar with that world. I think any argument against “fair pay” is a fairly shameful signal to send to artists, to those who make it their lives’ work to put these shows on and bring them to people’s doorsteps. Sadly it’s a trend that continues to worsen, and there are those who are in a position to improve things, and do their utmost to make it worse. We’re in a very precarious place.

Thanks again for this Hamish! Here are current show dates for the band:

Symphony Orchestra Drop Intersection Video

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While I love the mellow tones of that Constant Follower tune we just dropped, you’ve got to make sure to pick up the pace, which is why this great new Symphony Orchestra tune kills. It’s got a new project from a few artists we’ve already covered in their other projects (Badge Epoque’s Max Turnbull and Michael Rault), but that doesn’t mean I got exactly what I was expecting here. In the opening moments, it has the playfulness of early MGMT, albeit with the musicianship the focus as opposed to the hook (that hook is still huge though). Then it moves into some funkier space, letting the guitar work speak for itself while the vocals get this metallic coating that turns the song towards fresh territory. Then when they return, they almost dwell in this bossa-nove croon for a wee bit. Lots of movement in textures and sounds, so should make their debut, Radiant Music, a special listen; it’s out on May 12th via Telephone Explosion Records.

Constant Follower and Scott William Urquhart Announce Even Days Dissolve

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If you read these pages from time to time, you might have read about the moving performance I caught from Constant Follower last year, not to mention the incredibly intricate brand of folk they’ve been writing. Recently, the group announced a collaborative album with Scott William Urquhart, which only adds another delicate layer of guitar work to Stephen McCall’s moving pieces. Here, I love the openness running through the track; the tune allows the song to find its own way, leaving space to breathe and allow the musicianship to shine through. The writing all came about organically, inspired by the poetry of Norman MacCaig, to whom McCall is indebted. Together they will release Even Days Dissolve on April 14th, so prepare to delve into one of the year’s most intimate listening experiences.

Soft Walls Announce True Love

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Today feels like one of those days where I’m just absolutely in love with listening music; it’s lifting my spirits and bringing in this absolute sense of wonder. One of the acts I’ve been enjoying is Soft Walls, the project of UK based Dan Reeves. This single is almost this meditative piece of guitar pop, letting the guitars shine in the very front of the mix as they ring in this bright pattern that returns again and again. For me, the joy is how the vocals seems sort of hidden in the mix, hanging just behind, or so it seems, everything else, providing the listener with this sort of spiritual release. If you’re digging it, Soft Walls release True Love on May 5th!

Cleo Handler Charms with Gold

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There are a lot of wonderful storytellers in the indie sphere nowadays, but as of the last few months, I don’t know if I’ve run across someone so instantly enchanting as Cleo Handler. In a way, the songwriting is similar to early Moldy Peaches, flirting with a matter of fact nature that borders on the absurd; I love that there’s this sincerity to the tracks, a world without pretense as you wear your heart on your sleeve. Throughout Gold the songwriting just sparkles with humor and charm, built on the backbone of stellar pop musicianship, so get at it now.

Beach Fossils Return with Don’t Fade Away

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While there have been a handful of releases in the interim (jazz album, single, etc), Beach Fossils have been fairly quiet since the release of Somersault in 2017. But, worry no more as the band announce Bunny today, their brand new record for Bayonet. Our first listen has us circling back to the group’s sound, building layer upon layer of synths and swirling guitars; this one had me hooked from those opening lines, and it only gets better as the chorus evolves and you get a little extra guitar focus that adds a beautifully dreamy wash to the song’s middle. Stoked to listen to the whole of Bunny; it drops on June 2nd via Bayonet.

Meet The SXSW Band: The Natural Lines

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Many of the bands covered for our SXSW interviews have been mostly newer, or maybe even unknown to some, but today we have a true legend and personal music favorite sharing some responses. Though he recently hung up the old “PA” moniker, indie legend Matt Pond continues to make incredible music with a bunch of his music friends in The Natural Lines. I was very excited when Matt agreed to take part in our interview questions and not the least bit surprised when he shot them back within a few short hours. The man is a true pro. Hit the jump for full interview from Matt Pond as part of his new outfit The Natural Lines.

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Chime-ing New Stuff from Slumberland Records

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Friday was a busy day around these parts, but it seems like it was even busier for those over at Slumberland headquarters. The cherished label got some coverage from us via a new Reds, Pinks and Purples single, but we missed out on some other exciting new stuff, so I wanted to be sure we had that up there. After their great self-titled LP, Chime School came back with a brand new hit from their forthcoming 7″ (out in April). Not to be outdone, or out-chimed, Ohioan power-poppers the Laughing Chimes dropped another charmer through the label. Sorry I didn’t get this all up on Friday, but better late than never?

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