This is fine.
As we pump out more interviews leading up to SXSW, let us not forget our local friends who will be working hard all over town just like everyone else. One of our favorite up and comers in Austin has be garage/blues band Ghost Wolves. Drummer and multi-instrumentalist Jonathan Konya was kind enough to offer up his opinion on all things SXSW. Follow the jump to read his responses.
For those of you living outside of Austin, please pay attention. For those of you already here, you’re hopefully familiar with Austin’s John Wesley Coleman. His solo work and his work with The Golden Boys remain a constant in this city, and we briefly caught up with him to get a few words before he starts playing all over town. Check out what he had to say in response to our questions. Read more
Over the last year or so, I’ve had several conversations with people in town about the community aspect of the Austin music landscape. I realize, of course, this isn’t always the most important question to ask, but it’s still a great conversation to have, especially when one considers the varying opinions. I caught up with the hard-working Andrew Stevens while he was out on tour with Jess Williamson (just one of his many projects, as you’ll see below). Read on for Andrew’s insightful comments about the way he sees things working in Austin. Read more
Have you had enough interviews yet!? I will assume the answer to that question is no and offer up yet another interview to preview the upcoming SXSW festival just a few short weeks away. Today we’ll be hearing from up and comers in the Nashville scene Gunther Doug. To be honest, I didn’t know a whole lot about the group prior to this interview, so it will be nice to learn a bit about them. Follow the jump to get your learn on. Read more
With our SXSW interview extravaganza, it’s only fair that we do some coverage of up-and-coming Austin acts who are making a name for themselves, right? Today we’re going to bring you a bit of info on the act Coeds. They’ve previously popped up on our radar before with some coverage from B. Gray, bu we wanted to go a little further in-depth for their SXSW preparation. Click on for responses from the band’s Meredith Munoz.
Less than a day away from the AMBAs, and we wanted to run one of our last interviews with one of the nominees for Best Album. Love Inks had an incredible year, and we loved Generation Club. We caught up with the band to talk about some of their achievements, influences and what nots. We hope to see you all out tomorrow night over at Spider House Ballroom. Read more
As we prepare for SXSW, let us not forgot all of the great local bands that will be performing all over town that week. I know some of us Austinites tend to stay away from our local friends since we see them so much during the year, but let’s at least promote their greatness to the world. Today I’ll be doing so by sharing some interview responses from recent discovery and ATH favorite Big Bill. Follow the jump to see what they have to say. Read more
When the first notes of this new track from Hikes started maneuvering in and out of my headphones I was pleasantly surprise. The band employs a math rock staple to open the tune, reminiscent of old Pinback tunes. But, they don’t stick here for too long, choosing to throw in a more collective pop piece by combining male and female vocal pieces; the odd time signatures and guitar work do stick around. You can find yourself an owner of this tune, as well as 13 other great tracks from undiscovered acts via the Secret Peaks Winter Compilation from Graveyard Orbit. Order yours HERE.
Saturday night I was hanging out over at Hotel Vegas, catching a great local show in honor of this new single by Major Major Major. While the group’s line-up has changed quite a bit since their inception, the duo that remains still has the ability to get a crowd all riled up (which was par for the course for the night…see Growl/Shivery Shakes) into a frenzy. This new single is energetic, and revolves around the erratic vocals and pounding rhythm of the drums. You’ll be able to find this new track on the band’s up-coming EP, which we hope is out sooner rather than later.
Download: Major Major Major – God Doesn’t Want Us [MP3]
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While they’ve been working at crafting their owned dreamy indiepop for some time, the boys in She Sir have largely gone unnoticed. But, good things come to those who wait, with the group putting together their most confident record to date, Go Guitars (Shelflife Records). There’s not a bad song on the record, and listeners will surely find several of the tracks more than memorable.
“Portese” sets the tone early, with a guitar that has angular intentions ringing immediately in the foreground, while a dreamier chord cascades in the distance. Russell’s Karloff has this whispering gentleness to it that creates the emotional pull for the listener; his performance on this track is purposefully understated, giving you more of a feel from the song’s craftsmanship. Then you’re off into the beautiful world of “Kissing Can Wait,” a track where the vocals are surely the winner in the tune; they playfully move in line with the progression of the bass and drums, molding the song into an upbeat number that leaves your spirit lifted.
Other songs offer more of a dream-pop style on Go Guitars, such as the album’s first single, “Condesendidents.” Karloff’s voice has this soft quality that seemingly rests in the background of the track. Personally, I like how the group breaks out into a relaxed pop jam near the end of the track (about 1.5 minutes); it’s a special moment on the record that illustrates She Sir have decided to go in whatever direction they see fit. And, you can’t cruise through the record without taking on “Snakedom;” this is the best song that’s not on Captured Tracks. There’s a lively beat going on in the background, while the guitars work against each other to create a swirl of blissful pop.
Honestly, those were the things I expected from the band. What I didn’t expect were songs like “Bitter Bazaar.” It starts innocently enough with a lightly strummed guitar line, but the steady vocal opening prepares you for the song’s driving intentions. It sets the scene for a track that appears reserved, though your short wait will see the band pushing the pace and spinning bright guitars twirling around your ears. This is by far one of my tracks the band has left us with, so be sure to give it your undivided attention.
While some bands might get caught up in adding too much to their music, the one thing that stands out in Go Guitars is that the band isn’t trying to do too much, musically. They know what they’re doing, and they’re going to offer listeners the perfect version of that sound. She Sir will leave you with a listen that merely asks for you take it all in and let the warmth of the indiepop deliciousness take care of the rest; your listen will be better off for it.
