Tag: austin

Variety Offer Valentine Single

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Clearly we’re big supporters of Variety, and they quickly threw up a new track the other day, which originated with another Austin act, Exercise. While the song’s technically a cover, the original version has never been released, so all we get to hear is the version below, offering a glimpse at where we might see Variety going as they finish up their debut LP. I love the way the rhythm guitar seems to crawl through the background, walking its way through the crashing of cymbals, whilst matching step for step the vocals from Rhys Woodruff. Ooh…and little string touches at the end? What a rad touch to this jam. Play it please!

Strand of Oaks Shares Party at Monster Lake

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Not sure exactly what it was that grabbed me, but there’s something magical about the new single from Strand of Oaks. Part of me wants to pledge allegiance to the father/son panda duo of the video version, but I’m also keenly aware that Tim Showalter’s vocal performance here is what really made this track a marvel. A synthetic backbone sets up a light strum, and though simple, that’s all Showalter needed to roll out his voice; it hits a true high point when he hits the line “there’s something about the rain,” which oddly coincides with what’s going on outside my window at the moment. If you think the vocals are all that matter though, be careful when you open up the music box as the tune is filled to the brim with accents and nuance that create this huge texture that soaks you in emotion. Miracle Focus is out June 7th via Western Vinyl….with an Austin release show on June 21st at the Parish.

Blushing Unleash Slyce Single

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As much as it was easy to pigeonhole Blushing for their adherence to a certain genre, their work on Sugarcoat seems them completely branching into other like-minded realms. The verses on this new single feel like they’re channeling late 80s Britain, while the chorus harkens back to 90s anthemic rock for the disaffected youth. They don’t just settle either, flirting with breakdowns in the song’s structure, tossing in explosive solos…they’re tighter than ever, and seem to be relishing every thundering beat and wave of feedback. This ain’t your grandmother’s Blushing, or even the Blushing of an early ATH EP; this is a force to be reckoned with. Sugarcoat is out via Kanine Records on May 3rd.

Eastside Suicides Offer Another Single from their Reissue

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There’s a period of Austin’s music scene that seems to have faded. The tenacity, explosiveness and creativity, to a degree have waned a bit…so it’s good to go back in my brain and listen to the good time rock n’ roll of Eastside Suicides. They’re reissuing their debut LP shortly, with all the tracks getting a touch up through remastering, so why not toss out another teaser for folks. While their pop tendencies were all over “Streets Got Your Baby,” this tune below is all New York Dolls; it has the bravado and a more just a punch in the face rock aesthetic. Desolate Sound Records will drop Streets Got Your Baby on May 10th.

Broken Gold Share Fault Single

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I’m running a million tracks today so had to make sure I got a touch of Austin in the coverage, and it never hurts to offer up a Broken Gold single. While they’ve traditionally been working on a more punk aesthetic, you’ll find that they’re latest track continues to see their allegiance to Paul Westerberg grow a bit. There’s still an edge with the guitar work in the mix, but the rhythm guitar is out there running with a nice little jangle, which ultimately allows for a soaring pop vocal from singer Ian MacDougall. There’s just enough pop hear to satisfy your cravings, while not straying too far from the rock n’ roll roots of the group. Wild Eyes will be out May 3rd via Chicken Ranch Records.

Variety Share Pooling Rain

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I feel like I’ve only got a handful of bands on my radar in the Austin scene at the moment, and Variety is definitely high upon that list overall. On their latest single, they offer up hints of what could make them exciting as they continue to flesh out their sound. Their first two singles have been right up my alley, but I love how this track seems to almost work in contrast to those early tunes. There’s this harrowing feel, accented by gunshot snare work that almost seems industrial in nature. Guitars snake around, carefully bending behind the buried vocal work. I love how the song’s allowed to breathe within the vocals, building in this natural emotive quality you won’t be able to pull away from below.

The Juniper Berries Share the Home Team

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We’re less than a month away from the release of Death and Texas, the new record from Austin’s The Juniper Berries, and I think today’s single might be the finest piece on the LP. You’ll hear the core of the song working with Josh Stirm’s vocals riding atop the muted strum of an acoustic guitar; you’ll definitely hear some similar notes to Elliott Smith, both in the tone and sincerity. I love how the arrangements behind the strum and vocals help lift the song beyond mere fireside ballad, giving more depth to the emotional feel that will surely pull you into the band’s world. Feel free to lose yourself in these 3 minutes, and be sure to order a copy of the group’s LP; Death and Texas is out April 19th.

Strand of Oaks Announces Miracle Focus

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Tim Showalter has described his new record Miracle Focus as a record that represents “a temple of peace in my life,” so when listening to the first single, it’s interesting trying to piece together the puzzle in where this would fit in a record; you’ll find that it’s the opening tune on the album, which perhaps hints at its mesmerizing blend of soulful vocals and wash of electronic atmosphere. His voice, for longtime Strand of Oaks fans, is always going to be the draw, and this approach sees him moving that even further into a croon-adjacent voice; I think of moments of Cohen or Cave (also Patrick Wolf, but not sure that’s a household name), just letting their notes drip with emotion. It’s going to be really special when this all gets put together; Miracle Focus is out on June 7th via Western Vinyl.

Blushing Share Seafoam Video

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We’re really excited for Blushing and their new album, Sugarcoat, as we’ve long been in the band’s corner cheering their successes. They’ve got a brand new video out today, and it’s one that shows the group flirting with a little bit of the band’s range, sonically speaking. Sure, you can hear the guitars encircling overhead, building on their classic dreamy textural repertoire, yet as that washes through, I was drawn to the vocal work on this chorus; it even encourages the guitars to stretch a hint too, taking on almost more of a darkened pop goth feel. That vibe gets furthered around the 2 minute mark with an almost spoken monologue whispering through. Sugarcoat is going to rule, and it’s out on May 3rd via Kanine.

Eastside Suicides Reissue Debut LP on 20th Anniversary

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There’ve been a lot of punk acts in the Austin area over the years, but one that I always had a particular fondness for was Eastside Suicides; they only had one proper release, but owned nights over at Beerland for sometime. Today, word comes our way that Desolate Sounds Records will be reissuing their debut on its 20th anniversary, adding in some remastering and a few bonus tracks. While a lot of the punk scene here is written with “weirdness,” I liked how the the group just encompassed a classic rock n’ roll sound; the tunes have the same bravado as the Dolls as the Stooges, with their performances matching that enthusiasm too. So, if you’ve got an itch for old school, let’s celebrate! The newly retitled Streets Got Yo Baby will drop on May 10th.

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