FT5: Top 5 Austin Musical Fallacies

The last week or so has seen the Austin Interwebs go a little haywire, with Austinist vs. Michael Corcoran in a debate on the status of Austin as anything more than mediocre. We only talk about music, so we’re not going to worry about the discussions on traffic or eateries…we’re just looking at the music here. I grew up in this town, and I’ve been actively participating in the music scene since 92′, so I feel more than qualified to hold a discussion here.  I do want to say that I actually think both parties make some valid points, which sort of leads me to think that there’s a lot of us in Austin, music or otherwise, that realize our town could make some improvements–whether they’re all the same or not doesn’t really matter, as we should be working together to unify the scene.

The following list is compiled of things that stood out to me in both articles (linked above), or that I just sort of came to on my own terms as an active participant in the “scene.” They’re ordered into a Top 5 to stick with our occasional Friday theme, but the order is irrelevant for the most part. Please feel free to comment on these things, as I think the best thing for our city and music is to have some actual discussion about it rather than make accusations–that’s just a dick move that gets us all nowhere.

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Show Preview: School of Seven Bells @ Mohawk (4/13)

Date Friday the 13th
Location Mohawk
Doors 800 pm
Tickets $10 from Frontgate

If you’re not worn out from the ridiculous amount of shows in town this week, we’ve got one more we think you should consider as we head into the weekend.  School of Seven Bells have been making dreamy electronic pop for some time, and they recently released their third LP, Ghostory, on Vagrant at the end of February.  Now that the band is a duo, you better expect a killer performance from the band; we personally vouch for their shows. And, if you’re smart, you should get there early to see Exitmusic, one of my favorite groups at the moment.  So, if you’re up to it, this will be a special show worthy of your $10. Be sure to say hi to our photographer Brian Gray; he’s been living at the Mohawk all week.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/School-of-Seven-Bells-Lafaye.mp3]

Download: School of Seven Bells – Lafaye [MP3]

Whitman – Weekends

Rating: ★★★½☆

It’s been quite a while since locals Whitman put out their debut album, Torch Songs. Since then their style hasn’t really changed too much; they’ve maintained a classic alternative sound while not getting too serious. Weekends is no exception to this style, delivering quality tunes that fall easy on the ears.

The album creeps out slowly, with Ram Vela’s vocals whispering through layers of echoes and atmospheric sounds on “Technicolor Blues.” It’s as though the band is feeling its way into your ears, analyzing the space that they are going to fill before they really kick into things. This kicks comes in the last forty or so seconds before the first song has met its completion. At this point, it’s clear that Whitman has woken up, and continues to pick up the pace on the second song, “NW Thurman.” Jumping right into things, Vela’s Ted Leo-esque raspy chords leads you right along, bounding atop bouncing piano and some “Ooh la la’s” in the background. Immediately on this track, there is that ‘good times’ mentality that this band perfects. It’s the perfect kind of song to bob your head easily along to and perhaps dance a little if you’re feeling up to it—it doesn’t demand anything.

This easy rock-n-roll continues through the duration of the album, exploring highs and lows, crazy times and falling-outs. “Barstools” comes across as a bitter recollection of a friendship gone astray. As Vela sings honestly that he would “rather be falling off barstools than hanging with you,” the electric guitar growls, the cymbals crash violently, and some synth all rage along with him, and it feels as though the song consists entirely for the purpose of driving this hated friend away, making sure he knows he isn’t welcome anymore.  Later on, Whitman slows things down a bit on “Manchester-By-The-Sea,” whose soft nature serves as a nice little meander from the consistent full-tilt pace. This song relies on a gentler strumming of acoustic guitar and instrumentals that stray from the buzz of before and we see a more delicate Whitman. The album finishes up with “Day Drink Part 1” and “Day Drink Part 2” which brings things back up before it reaches its conclusion.

Weekends is exactly what its name entails: relaxation. There simply isn’t a song on here that requires more than a good attitude to enjoy. With the weather warming up around here, count on this album to be perfect for blasting out of your open car windows.

New Jam from Little Radar

Seeing as we rep Austin, we’re really happy to share this new track from Little Radar, one of the city’s rising stars.  The group will be offering up their new album Up In Arms on April 29th, and this is our first taste of the effort.  The guitars are a little bit on the traditional rocking indie side, but the softly delivered vocals give a nice contrast to the musical tones, creating a really powerful hook that displays the band’s abilities to rock it out.  With a history that includes Berklee School of Music, it’s clear the group has the talent to take us all by storm.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/01-Spitfire.mp3]

Download:Little Radar – Spitfire [MP3]

New Track from Deep Time (formerly Yellow Fever)

It’s been a great couple of weeks for Austin artists (depsite Michael C.’s hatred); releases by Whitman, Zoltars, Literature and leaks of songs by Eastern Sea, Little Radar (coming tomorrow) and now Deep Time. Formerly the group was known as Yellow Fever here in our fair city, but as they’ve signed to Hardly Art, it’s time to move on up in the world–and move in new directions.  As Deep Time, the duo will release a self-titled debut as a sign of new things to come; it’ll be in stores on July 10th. I really like the sound of Jennifer’s voice on this track, and it’s definitely a stronger (if only in production) sound for the group. Congrats Austin…seems like you’ve got a lot going on afterall.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/DeepTime_Clouds.mp3]

Download: Deep Time – Clouds [MP3]

Show Preview: Bowerbirds @ The Parish (4/11)

Date Wednesday, April 11th
Location The Parish
Doors 800 pm
Tickets $15 from Frontgate

The week’s picking up folks, and Wednesday is definitely a doozy. One of the shows we think is worth your time is checking out the Bowerbirds over at the Parish.  I fell in love with their most recent release, The Clearing, which has the group sounding at their best.  Their sound is sort of quieted folk music, so you couldn’t ask for a better venue than going over to the Parish to catch the group.  I have a feeling they’ll be giving an incredibly emotional performance that will leave you talking about it for quite some time.  Dry the River will be opening the evening, so be sure to get their early, as they are another act worthy of your attention.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/01-Tuck-the-Darkness-In-1.mp3]

Download:Bowerbirds – Tuck the Darkness In [MP3]

 

An Interview w/ Terry Malts + Show Preview

For the last year, I’ve absolutely devoured everything this band has released.  Their debut full length, Killing Time, is currently holding its own as my top record pick of the year (Out now on Slumberland Records). They’re heading to Austin on Thursday night (Buy tickets HERE) at Mohawk, so we caught up with the group before their trip into town to chat about various things.  Thanks to Anton for hooking the interview up. Read more

Show Preview: Megafaun @ Mohawk (4/10)

Date Tuesday, April 10th
Location Mohawk
Doors 900p
Tickets $10 from Frontgate

In a busy week for our rock n’ roll community, this seems like a great place to start off with previews, unless you catch ATDIMegafaun has quietly been making a name for themselves with their gentle brand of folk rock–and we’ve love every bit of it. Their self-titled album from the fall of last year received some great praise all over the Internet, and it should say something that they’ve been chosen to pack Mohawk right after the Hold Steady finishes. Also on the bill for the evening is Field Report and Dana Falconberry, designed to perfectly whet your appetite for the Faun.  Come on, it’s time for us all to get out and take in the great music we’re so privileged to have come into town.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/State_Meant.mp3]

Download: Megafaun – State/Meant [MP3]

At The Drive-In @ Red 7 Tonight!!!

In case you aren’t tied to your twitter account, you might not even know that the seminal Texas indie rock pioneers were going to be playing at Red 7 on Monday night.  After avoiding the reunion tag for years, the five piece El Paso posse has decided to end all the what-ifs and whens, choosing to bring us all a bit of the past–a past many of us might have missed. Whether or not they’re just doing it for the money, you know that every one in town in will be clamoring for a spare ticket (as the show sold out). Personally, it’s going to be the best opportunity in the world to catch At The Drive-In, as they’ve long eclipsed playing the small venue status, so it’s definitely going to be unique experience. Plus, it gives me an excuse to post this great track from their Vaya EP.  I hope to report back with great things, but if not, there’s still 400 other shows to go out and see this week in Austin.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/01-Rascuache.mp3]

Download:At The Drive-In – Rascuache [MP3]

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