This is fine.
Somehow we are a very short week, or really less than a week, away from SXSW kicking off and a flood of amazing artists coming into town. This week we are planning to hit you with a whole bunch of amazing previews, interviews and possibly even a playlist. I am excited to kick the week off with another interview from Icelandic artist Eydis Evensen. Being that she is from my second home, this is a true pleasure to share. Hit the jump for everything. Read more
I will be the first to admit that I love my indiepop really crisp and angular, for the most part. But, the National Honor Society are brandishing a brand of the genre that feels powerful and refreshing; they’re banging out these huge sonic riffs, billowing with noise and discord, tethered to this beautiful central melody. Every time your speakers shake, you’re drawn to this tractor beam of beauty that reverberates just beneath the surface. The chorus, a calm in the storm, punctuates the melodic nature. It sounds huge, but doesn’t lose that shared moment between friends, which draws so many to indiepop sounds. Plus, it comes with a message that highlights the disillusioned American dream as “democracy crumbles around us.” The band will release To All the Distance Between Us on April 21st via Shelflife and Discos de Kirlian.
We used to cover Crocodiles quite a bit when the band first hit back in the late 00s, but I’ll be honest, I kind of just got caught up in the shiny new toys. But, when I heard this new track, I couldn’t help but be excited for the band and their forthcoming LP on Lolipop Records. It’s the sort of furious and bratty punk meets pop that I really love; it’s got a driving rhythm, gritty guitars running fast, and all of it with a big swelling hook that keeps you coming back for more. Felt like this was the perfect Monday morning energy all of you need today! Their new album Upside Down in Heaven will be out on April 7th.
We covered a whole lot of ground last week, as there’s always tons of music spilling out into the world. I was really high upon the new track from Daisies, which is why its leading our playlist. There were also tons of ATH regulars like the Reds Pinks and Purples, Lachlan Denton, Jana Horn, Dippers and the High Water Marks. Plus, with SXSW on the horizon, we did tons of little meet and greet posts with the bands: Blondeshell, Meernaa, Foamboy and more. So find a song you love, and go check out what we hit up last week!
As we offer more preparation for SXSW week coming soon, I am excited to share one of my top bands to see during the week, Blondshell. I have been jamming the new singles a lot recently and just clicked purchase on my pre-order of the upcoming debut album. Always a pleasure to hear from new and unique perspectives from all over the world. Hit the jump for full deets.
After switching their name up from Thigh Master to Dippers, the band helmed by Matthew Ford have really upped their productivity. An eponymous EP dropped in late last year, but now we’ve got news of a fresh LP, Clastic Rock. With that, we get a slew of sharp guitar work hitting your speakers from the get-go; it’s almost as if they aim to knife through, hitting with such rapidity that things almost feel more buzzsaw than angular. When you hit the chorus, it almost subtly passes you by, as Ford’s vocal maneuvering hides the hints of structural song changes. Plus, the group are about to make their way to the States for a mini-tour and SXSW, so keep your eyes out! If you’re into buying great music, then be sure to grab Clastic Rock from Tenth Court/Goner Records on June 23rd.
Seth Woods has worked with a lot of incredible names from the Austin scene, like Chris Simpson (Mineral) and Emily Cross (Loma/Cross Record), but as of right now he’s working under his solo moniker, The Whiskey Priest. Today we bring you the first listen from the forthcoming LP Grief & Praise; it’s an expansive piece of balladry, shot by our good friend Michael Maly. Lyrically, the song seems to be a reflection on coming to terms with the present while looking back at what was once shared. With Woods voice, the song definitely pulls on the emotional elements of our nature, as it has this pseudo-gruffness that practically gives voice to a sense of longing. Listen carefully, as there’s huge arrangements that sweep through the song too, adding this textural depth that is undeniably powerful. Grief & Praise is out April 28th via Casita Records.
We continue today with more introductions to artists who will be rolling into Austin during SXSW week; this one’s extra special as they’re working with our friends over at Keeled Scales. They also just released a brand new set of songs this past week, which you can hang out and listen to after getting to know the band a little bit below.
Obligatory posts are very rare, but when someone’s in the writing form like Glenn Donaldson has been, it seems like it’s a no brainer as his songs for The Reds, Pinks and Purples are that good. There’s something in the title track for The Town That Cursed Your Name that seems uplifting, spiritually, almost joyous. For me, I think that highlights some of the thematic pieces that course through the entire record, as Donaldson seems to have found solace in just creating, pushing forward to balance living and art, despite the trials and struggles artists face these days. It feels like he’s giving a voice to all those out there in the same spot, loving to create in the face of decreased opportunities. The new LP is out March 24th via Slumberland Records.
While I feel I moved on a bit from that soulful garage sound that I fawned over in the early ATH years, I’m still a sucker for the sound when its done well…and no one’s done it quite as well as Gringo Star on their latest single. This one’s got this almost LSD-infused desert vocal that rolls through the track like a lone tumbleweed. Musically, it almost feels like its given everything to the vocals, except the space gets filled in by these perfect bits of string arrangements that manage to elevate every inch of the song by their very presence. It almost feels like it was penned in the traditional soul era, and I don’t mind that one bit. You’ll find this tune on their new LP On and On and Gone, which was just announced!
