Austin Spotlight: She Sir Stream New Single

shesirLong have we supported the dream pop of local Austin band She Sir, and it’s about time that the band has their new record ready for you!  Good news comes your way, in that regard, with the band streaming their second single from the upcoming LP, Go Guitars.  On the latest single, you can hear the work of a band who’ve clearly honed the art of writing sensational pop.  There’s steady drum work in the background, with strokes of synth placed in all the right places, maximizing the enjoyment for listeners.  Looks like we won’t have to wait too much longer to hear the beauty in its entirety!

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/100699939″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Austin Spotlight: New Crunchy Track from Not In The Face

Not In The FaceAustin’s Not In The Face has been making quite a name for themselves for the last few years, melting faces with their brash rock n’ roll and outrageous live shows.  They’re wrapping up work on a brand new EP, and they’ve let us share one of these new jams with you all.  Now that the band has moved up from a duo to a tight-knit four piece, their sound is huge, as witnessed in this track.  The vocals have the classic rock swagger, but the music just sounds ready built for arenas–in a good sense.  This is definitely a track that’s going to burst some ear drums, so keep an eye out for a great rock show near you; the band has dates in Ft. Worth, Austin and Houston in early August.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/NITF-Brass-Tax.Pass-3-MASTER-L3_01.mp3]

Download: Not In The Face – Brass Tacks [MP3]

Haunting Folk Themed Tune From Jesse Woods

81385df9d5007ab135be1d818d1c99047cc0fc21Singer/Songwriter Jesse Woods took a very unique road on his path to becoming a musician.  His story tells us that he hails from Katy, TX, played some college football at Texas A&M (boo), suffered one too many injuries, and decided to pick up a guitar.  Lucky for us, the music currently being created by Jesse is some of the most heartfelt and almost haunting songwriter music I’ve heard in quite some time.  I’d liken him to guys like JBM or a darker version of Tallest Man on Earth.  Anyone who reads this blog knows that those are two of my own personal favorites.  Check out new song “Lazerburn” below and let us know what ya think.

Debut album Get Your Burdens Lifted will be out on August 6th via Guns in the Sun.

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/84277678″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Friendly Savages – O, Joshua

Friendly Savages – Her Locket On A Chain 540910_436885409723088_195700355_nRating: ★★★☆☆

Austin’s Friendly Savages have been blossoming for some time, crafting folk music that spins humor and heartfelt lyrics into memorable songs for their swelling fan base.  With the release of O, Joshua, the band has made a statement that they’re going to be around for some time to come, filling 16 songs with care and purpose.

O, Joshua is filled with little orchestral snippets, meant to bridge the gap between statements and songs.  But, the first grand statement that visiting the listener’s ear comes via “Counted Lost.”  It’s a tune circling the idea that humans from time to time tend to wander, drifting from purpose or established norms.  Musically, it’s built around a loose piano and strummed guitar, but the tune picks up more speed near the end with the vocals coming across with a little more of a rasp, and a hurried musical approach. Such things remove a bit of the polish from the record, which surely provides for exuberant moments during the live setting.

Personally, I think the places that Friendly Savages excel revolve around their ability to come in on a whisper, then spring forward into a louder spectrum.  Such a moment occurs in “Trouble with Home,” as the songs opens very quietly, allowing the tension to build slowly before the group unites to create a full-room sound.  The excited finish to the track displays a band willing to push the boundaries of the folk genre. It also helps that the tune leads into my favorite song from the O, Joshua, “The Hold of the Lord on My Sparrow.”  It’s one of the softest tune, but it’s also, pardon the cliche, one of the prettiest tracks you’ll find featured in this collection of songs.  It moves slowly, with the strings working in unison to warm your heart.

But, despite all the beautiful moments built into this listen, there are some areas where I think the group could move forward; I think they try to reach this realm on “Natchez Trace.”  The song, as per usual, begins gently, but during the chorus it takes a harder edge, employing drums to add a needed emphasis to the formula of Friendly Savages.  This isn’t to say that I don’t appreciate the pristine folk produced by the band, I just prefer a grittier element thrown in from time to time to allow for some musical diversity to break though.  Those moments come few and far between, but that’s just a personal gripe.

In the end, O, Joshua is a perfect statement by a band just starting to grow their brand. They’ve got the folk element down, and you’d be hard pressed to find other group’s crafting such an accessible version of the genre.  That being said, Friendly Savages have room to grow, meaning that this is just a first step to what I hope is a prosperous road for the Austin band.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/03-Her-Locket-On-A-Chain.mp3]

Austin Spotlight: Southern Boutique

southernboutiqueWell, color me mystified.  Late last night I received an email with little more than a link to a song; I’m not even sure if the name is for real, but I’m digging this mysterious entity.  Whoever it is, definitely has their ear to the pop writing wheel.  It reminds me of what the older version of the Shins might have sounded like if they had gone on exploring the world.  It’s careful in construction, yet beneath lays a monster of pop ready for rebirth.  All I can say at this point is that Southern Boutique are exciting, and they’re from Austin.  Here’s a great song for you to check out (with another at their SOUNDCLOUD). If any one knows more about this band, please let us know; we want the inside scoop.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Rabbit-Trails.mp3]

Download: Souther Boutique – Rabbit Trails [MP3]

Austin Spotlight: Genuine Leather

The_Viper_600pxIt’s always nice to start off the week with something catchy and fresh, so I figured this new hit from Austin’s Genuine Leather is the perfect way to get thing started.  The band is currently in the studio working on their upcoming LP, and this is our first taste.  It’s got crunchy guitar work to get things moving in the right direction, and the delivery of the vocals have this innate hook that encourages you to get down with the band. This track is perfect for wrapping up your summer with fun times, so make sure you include it in your next hit list.

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Night Moves Show Preview + Ticket Giveaway

NightMoves_PhotoBy_NickWalker_3There’s something about the summer time that makes listening to folk music absolutely perfect.  I can’t explain it exactly, but I do know that Night Moves are one of those bands that seem to fit this bill; it’s a good thing they’ll be playing at Mohawk next Friday with locals Lord Buffalo.  Their recent album, Colored Emotions, has received tons of praise for its nod to folk history, which makes the setting of an indoor set at Mohawk ideal for an intimate show you and your friends won’t soon forget.  We’re giving away two tickets to the show, and all you have to do is leave a CLEVER comment. We’ll pick a winner next Wednesday at 5 PM, and let you know! You can also go the traditional route and buy tickets HERE.

Here’s a recent set from the boys at Bonaroo: Bonaroo!

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Austin Spotlight: Love Inks Announce Album

loveinksThose of you who were elsewhere Saturday night missed the mesmerizing set by Love Inks that closed out the Rockaway Beach Party at Hotel Vegas.   On the heels of that remarkable performance I awoke today to find news that the group had announced the release of their new album, Generation Club; it’ll be released on September 24th.  Their lead single for the upcoming release has a hypnotic beat that vibes throughout, whilst lead singer Sherry Leblanc cooly let’s the warmth of her vocals float atop.  Songs like this one, and a live show to back it up, show that the band is poised for a really incredible end to 2013.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/01-Solar-Diary.mp3]

 

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