Tag: austin

Oakwood Return!

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Oakwood is one of those Austin bands who we feared may have met the fate of many bands we used to love in this town – initial success, followed by a step away from music. It’s not easy to exist creatively here, and we are hyper aware of that.

We do find it crazy refreshing when you see a band you used to really dig make a comeback like Oakwood did a year or so ago with a new single and some live dates. This year it seems the band is really back for good, and in full force, with more planned shows and a full LP coming at the end of May. They’ve shared a new song today called “A Tangled Mess” to tease the new material with the band’s brand of post-emo meets alternative sound. It’s really hitting the nostalgia chord with me today, in a vintage, yet refreshing way. Hell yeah.

Oakwood’s new album entitled Blurred Away hits the streets on May 29th. Pre-orders are live now. They’ve algo got a comeback show of sorts planned for the same day at Mohawk featuring a solid lineup of locals opening. We’ll be there!

Brand New Living Set Tune

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When our friend John Laird and I get together to map out invites for our annual SOTO vs ATH SxSw show, we each throw out ten names, try to find some middle ground, and go from there. Our first go round had a glaring act we new we had to get on the bill: Living Set. They dropped the excellent Last Wave LP in late 2025 and already have started sharing new music, like the single below. There’s a real lightness to this tune that draws me in, using the patience of the guitar to seduce while offering really delicate vocal harmonies that are sure to endear themselves to your ears. A slow mantra leads you to a huge guitar solo, reminding us that even at their softest, you can still hear their penchant for rock.

Touch Girl Apple Blossom Share Vacation Video

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We’ve had nothing but praise for Austin janglers Touch Girl Apple Blossom, and it seems like the world is set up to welcome the group with open arms. A quick guitar shuffle swings you right into the tune; the dueling guitars offer a sunshine brightness while the jangling riffs share a dancefloor ready groove for listeners. It’s quite a mood, and you’re likely ready for the sun to shine right through your living room, but then Olivia’s vocals have this lushness that both works for and against the track’s sharpness. This is the way they magically build tension in their work, dangling slight bits of contrast while allowing their pop sensibilities to take hold. Look for Graceful on May 15th via K Records/Perennial Death.

Last Week’s Jams (3.2 – 3.6)

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Started off with a banging amount of rock n’ roll last week, and then sort of fizzled as the week drew to a close, so all apologies. Still, there was plenty of news and new music for you; we had several SXSW Interviews too, since the festival kicks off this week! Plus, we announced the return of Welcome to the Jangle on Sunday, March 15th. But, new stuff from the likes of Memorials and Greg Mendez caught our ears, as did the newest single from zzzahara, who included Winter on their latest single. Friko continued to keep us guessing on where they’re headed, and some bonus indiepop from the Maureens and Succulents! Jump in below!

Paper Sister Share Dreamy

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We’re just a few weeks out from our annual SOTO vs AustinTownHall show at Hotel Vegas (more info HERE), and one of the group’s taking the stage on our behalf is Paper Sister. The group have a penchant for heavy dream pop sounds, but on their newest single, they pull back the weighted moments to really highlight the melody; it’s one of my favorite things about the track, as the pop sensibility really rises to the surface, highlighting the band’s charms. You’ll still get to hear pretty of angular riffs twisting and knifing their way through the entirety of the jam, with a nice little growl gurgling beneath. Really expert production and a tune you’ll surely love.

SXSW 2026 – A Playlist

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Hard to believe, but it’s that SXSW time again in just a short 10 or so days. While we hear many grumblings from pals about the changing landscape of the festival, we still plan to be out in full force checking out as many bands as we can. Sure, things will be a touch different this year as we maneuver new dates and downtown construction, but we’re planning to roll with it and provide our usual coverage. In the next few days we’ll be dropping some new show announcements, a few of our interviews, and of course, my annual SXSW artist playlist. This thing takes some time people, and I’ve combed the 700+ bands on the official list, to narrow this down to about 60 or so. Please keep in mind – this is tailored to my tastes, so no shade on any artists not on the list. It’s also highly likely that I just missed something… So here ya go, an Apple version and a damn Spotify one too in case you’re still doing that. Seriously, you can just transfer all your tunes out of there…. Stay tuned.

Past Model Share Memory Video

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If you were paying attention to the Austin scene last year, as we’re wont to do, you hopefully caught wind of the excellent In Light EP from Past Model. Their sound is built on cavernous construction, breaking down the barriers between the various styles of gothic music to create a hodgepodge where light and dark intertwine. “Memory” was one of the standout tunes, offering a sort of tether between the two worlds, and they’ve added a video production to go with it now. Playing with shadows and lights creates the perfect contrast to accompany the darker edge of the song, and hopefully spending a little time below will get you into their EP if you passed it up!

Daily Worker Share Anything Can Explode + Release Prefab Maverick

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I had initially planned to point you towards the new Daily Worker record on Friday, but I’ll admit to getting caught up in my paying gig, so I’m here to remedy that. “Anything Can Explode” hits all the right notes of pop songwriting, with just an added touch of power to really make the crispness of the guitars ring out. HWW has this perfect way of spinning his vocals throughout the record, and this tune, letting the syllables bend with each jangling note that hits. Those who’ve listened to the group before (as we know you have) will hear a bit of a bolder punch on this song, and pervading the whole of Prefab Maverick, so don’t be afraid to crank it up with us! Available today (streaming HERE) via Repeating Cloud!

Genuine Leather Drops Gunshy Single

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Over the years, Chris Galis and his Genuine Leather project have slowly evolved, allowing for influences to blossom into striking bits of synth pop. This go round, Galis allowed little memo notes from his phone to serve as the seeds for great pop that will arrive on the group’s forthcoming EP, and this tune celebrates the mixture of the old and new. Careful ears will hear the nods to trip-hop and underground club vibes, but there’s a brightness that unfolds, rolling in little samples and curled loops that provide the perfect pop personality. Looking forward to uncovering the little easter eggs lurking in the new EP, which will drop later this year.

Sundozer Shares Liquid Heaven

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Not sure if Christian Luis French is still living in the Austin area, as the bandcamp from Sundozer now says Vermont, but we first hit upon the artist when he was living here in our unfair city. It seems that after toiling away the last few years, the project is ready to unleash a debut LP, with this track our first glimpse at what’s to come. This single feels like the bedroom project of someone who loves Washed Out and Animal Collective equally; there are all these little textural layers piled upon one another, with corners blissed out and emphasis rising from the natural groove of the track. You get a heavy pulse, working in contrast to wave after wave of dreamy vocal nods. Stoked to see where this LP is headed!

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