Tag: art is hard records

Enjoy The Black Tambourines

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blacktambourinesNo. This is not the famed Slumberland act, Black Tambourine, rather it’s THE Black Tambourines, a UK act who I first caught wind of via Art Is Hard Records.  The label is releasing the band’s self-titled debut today, and I’m pretty sure it’s a band you won’t be disappointed if you just spend a little time with this track.  It’s a pretty fun track that gets your spirits up, offering ramshackle guitar pop that inevitably sinks under your skin.  Guitars cascade in soloing fashion while the drums bang hard in your ears.  I don’t see why you won’t love these guys.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/100154183″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Girl Pop from Big Wave

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a1599649102_2In the wake up Rilo Kiley and Standard Fare passing into the abyss of great bands, I’ve been looking for something to perfectly fill my need for girl-fronted pop rock.  This latest single from Big Wave has me excited for what positive things are sure to come in the future from the group.  While there may be some dark subject matter, you wouldn’t be able to tell by the emotional pull of the music, giving off a powerful boost of energy.  This new single is, as usual, brought to you by the great folks over at Art is Hard Records.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Art-Is-Hard-Records-Goldmine-GW-Bridge-AA-single-02-GW-Bridge.mp3]

Download: Big Wave – GW Bridge [MP3]

Manchester Monday with Sorry, No

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521422_449526295119320_1229524907_nSeeing as it’s been a good year for my favorite soccer team, allowing me to wake most Mondays with a win, I wanted to share a new tune from the city that’s recently been put out by Art is Hard Records.   Sorry, No is primarily the work of Luke Bather, with a little help from his friend; I like the stripped down quality of the track, which creates an intimate listening experience.  Word on the street is that a recording is in the process for an upcoming EP, which features the following track.  Sure, it’s not Madchester, but it’s still pretty damn good. Ra Ra Cantona.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/79371626″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Nerdy Pop from Breathe Out

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tumblr_inline_mhr0qmRPoH1qz4rgpOur friends over at Art is Hard Records are back at it again, readying a new EP from Breathe Out.  There’s absolutely no way you can escape the delicious pop presentation from this tune, “Dead Friends.” It sort of reminds me of an odd blend between Pavement and early Weezer, but there’s also modern elements that make the group more than a re-hash outfit. The EP is titled Absolute True Love, and at the moment, that’s precisely how I feel about the band at the moment; I can’t ignore such infectious hooks–you can’t either! Enjoy the track.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/DEAD-FRIENDS-FINAL-MASTERED-LL.mp3]

Download: Breathe Out – Dead Friends [MP3]

More Sprawling Pop from Au.Ra

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tumblr_inline_mh5cpcBBBR1qbkaszLast year, our virtual friends over Art Is Hard Records are doing something new with their limited releases this year, a Postcard Club.  One of their first releases of the year is going to be a band that I’ve already discussed before: Au.Ra. They’re creating these pop soundscapes that meld bits of melody and ambient noise–it’s done expertly, so I can’t get enough of them.  You can read more about the Postcard Club, as well as get your hands on this limited release single over at the label’s site.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/76317192″ params=”show_artwork=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Rad Rocker from Bird Skulls

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I’ve played this song on repeat at least ten times, and I can’t help but be transported back to my adolescence, fueled by angst and hooks.  In two minutes, one of the UKs hottest acts, Bird Skulls, blasts through with distorted guitars at breakneck speed.  It’s a bit of grunge, but a bit of punk rock, so in essence, it’s sort of like everything we all loved about the late 80s/early 90s.  You can get your hands on their new single cassette from the kind folks over at Art is Hard Records, and they’ll throw in a nice little winter hat to make your life warmer.  I’m glad people still make music like this.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/67243715″ params=”auto_play=false&show_artwork=false&color=ff7700″ width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

New Tunes from Flamingods

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Please excuse us, it’s going to take a little bit of time to get our wings under us after a glorious weekend soaked in sun and booze at Fun Fun Fun Festival. I had this upbeat jam from Flamingods that I wanted to toss up from late last week.  The London group focuses on creating tighy little collage pop tunes, and this single is definitely a resemblance of that fact, using tribal drum beats, almost inducing a dance rhythm.  Oh, and the release comes via our good friends over at Art is Hard Records and features Dustin Wong, so that should make your day!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Flamingods_-_Quesso.mp3]

Download: Flamingods – Quesso

Great Rocker from Best Friends

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I guess I was wrong! I had planned on making it a mellow day for you all, but I can’t resist putting up this track from Sheffield’s Best Friends. The group just did a split for Art Is Hard Records, which unfortunately sold out super fast…I guess that means everyone is as excited by them as I am at the moment.  This tune is a fast paced rocker that just jumps out of your stereo from start to finish.  I can see these guys taking the stage with Terry Malts, pummeling our ears in a furious fashion, giving us instant pop gratification. Ya dig?

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Art-Is-Hard-Records-Mankind.mp3]

Download:Best Friends – Mankind [MP3]

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