This is fine.
| Date | Friday, July 19th |
|---|---|
| Location | KNomad Bar |
| Music @ | 5:30pm |
| Tickets | Free duh! |
It’s that time again for another ATH vinyl happy hour at Knomad Bar right here in Austin, TX. We will of course be playing only music from our vinyl collections with no digital music allowed. If you’re Friday night plans are looking lame, why not come hang out with us and listen to some great tunes. We sometimes take requests, but only if it’s cool.
Back In May I shared some news about Auckland based band Miss June signing to the legendary indie label Frenchkiss. After a 7″ release via the label in May, the band is now prepping to release a new LP entitled Bad Luck Party on September 10th (pre-order here). Prior to that release, Miss June just dropped this blazing new single called “Enemies”. Honestly, I’m not sure I can remember a song recently that rocks and melts faces as much as this one. It’s under 3 minutes long and doesn’t let up in its intensity for one second.
Having been on board for the first track from the new Lina Tullgren record, it seems only fitting that I continue the course with their newest tune. I’m really drawn to the string arrangements in this number; they’re quite striking and create this sort of cocoon of isolation that wraps around Tullgren, at least in my ears. In that, they end up seeming fairly fragile, as if they could crumble in your hands. I don’t want them to crumble, but it creates this bond between musician and listener that’s undeniable and hard to replicate. You’ll find the tune on Free Cell, out August 23rd via Captured Tracks.
I reckon that It’s the Mick Trouble LP will probably be a niche record; it will be a hit to those who adore the Television Personalities and other oddball popaholics. But, one thing I hope you agree about upon listening is how timeless these tracks sound. Sure, you could place them in the early 80s UK, but they’re definitely a collection that’s ever as vital nowadays. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that if you’ve listened to any of the art-punk of the last few years, you’re going to be salivating listening to this LP below. It’s 12 absolute hits you’ll want to have in your record collection; I think my favorite tune is “Weekend at the Wag.” Grab it from Emotional Response right now!
I don’t know too much about Andrew Rinehart other than that he’s on a roll of dropping single after single, with the most recent being “Rose Gold.” While the video seems mostly like a playground adventure at Salvation Mountain, that exuberance seems to work in contrast to the song’s vibe. Sure, the guitars have this natural brightness to them, but Rinehart’s voice has this low register that seems to subdue your ears, like the best of thoughtful folk; it doesn’t really change much until the 3:30 mark before rolling back off into the California sunset. Don’t know if what’s coming, but if its this good, I’ll have my ears peeled.
Florida’s Ghool has a bunch of wonky pop numbers up on their bandcamp, but I felt like their latest tune would be a solid way to really kick off Wednesday. It’s got this real upbeat beach vibe, poppy and bouncing, though it’s got just a touch of the ghoulish nature alluded to in the band’s name; you can hear little ghostly moans in and out of the tune. When it picks up right after the 2 minute mark, the song really takes off, and I couldn’t stop tapping my toes right up until the song draws to a close. Figured this was as good a way as any to start your day.
“Hope” is the latest single from the pending album House of Sugar due on Domino in mid-September. (Sandy) Alex G was a highlight for my ACL last year and now there is this lovely song, at odds with some of their material that features teeth gritting vocals and big chords. “Hope” is a mostly acoustic affair with layers added from a number of sources.
Feel like I went a little soft on the early morning listening, but it’s nearing lunchtime, so you’re probably feeling a touch lethargic, maybe the coffee’s worn off…so now I bring you Hammered Hulls, the newest DC supergroup. The band is made up of Alec MacKaye (yes, Ian’s younger brother), Mary Timony, Marc Cisneros and Chris Wilson (Ted Leo’s drummer)…pretty much guaranteeing that it’s going to rock. Opening with tight hi-hat work and driving guitars, the band blasts off in a way only a DC outfit can; Alec has this stretched growl, built perfectly for the post-hardcore…kind of sounds like a more dangerous Hot Snakes to me. Their new 3-song single will be out August 9th via Dischord.
I was all about enjoying Light Goes, the debut LP from dreamy pop outfit, Parrot Dream. But, as is probably the case with almost every band you love, a few of the songs didn’t make it onto that LP, and they’re just now getting to see the light of day. This particular number, to me, seems like its a performance piece for Christina; her voice controls the entire mood, like an emotional tractor-beam for listeners. That’s not to say that the band don’t do great work behind her; they’re sharp and focused, but sure to stay clear. This B-Side appears with two other leftover tunes from the session that gave us Light Goes…which is available now via Good Eye Records.
If you haven’t read my Albums of the Year…so Far, you should; you’ll find Cartography, the latest effort by the BVs hanging in the top ten. Today, you’re further encouraged to adore the band by watching their new video for album stunner, “Catapult.” In regards to the track itself, it features these deepened vocal tones working over these guitar chords that seem to dart off into the far horizon; they all swirl and mesh together for a beautiful chorus. This video version is part lyric video, part tour diary; I love the tour diary aspect, as it captures what life on the road is for so many bands…trying to make sense of it all and crack a smile while dealing with the mundane life inside a car/van. Their album is being repressed by KUS…and they’ve got dates all through the UK next week.
Tour Dates: 7/19 – Brighton, 7/20 – Rainham, 7/23 – Oxford, 7/24 – Nottingham, 7/25 – London, 7/28 -Derbyshire (IndieTracks)
