This is fine.
We are nearly there people. SXSW starts next week and I think we MIGHT be ready for things to get wild. Hopefully our short interviews have made you feel somewhat more prepared as you enter into spring festival season. Our latest, and possibly most thoughtful interview to date, comes by way of Welsh based artist Minas. You can check out all the responses, music, and festival dates after the jump.
It’s been just over a month since we helped Fantastic Purple Spots get their Vibrations Now EP out into the world, and today we’re here to encourage you to revisit those jams by checking out the band’s self-created video. The video takes the same visual art that the band used for their EP cover art, only this time, there’s movement, with the psychedelic notes signaling movement within the visual journey. It’s almost as if you’re witnessing the ebb and flow of the vibrations alluded to in the title track. Have a nice little trip below! And be sure to stream the whole EP over HERE.
When Bummer Year came out a few years ago, everyone in Austin was glad you could all finally understand our adoration for Good Looks. They’re the friendly band’s band, the band you want to hang out with, the band you want to book shows with…and ultimately, a band we’re all hoping finds success. Today, you get to hear a fresh new tune from the group’s sophomore LP, Lived Here for a While; I love the way it kicks off with a nice punch of energy, letting a second guitar line turn the song into this rhythmic jaunt through sunny days. It’s interesting to find so much joy in a song where singer Tyler Jordan’s dissecting his own heartbreak…not to mention all the hardships the band’s endured (Jake Ames injury, burning vans)…but there’s something uplifting and promising about the way the lyrics see us all moving on in life. Can’t wait for more folks to fall in love with the band; they drop the new LP on June 7th via Keeled Scales.
I was just having a conversation this weekend about some of my favorite new bands in Austin, and while often folks drop the same big names, we always have great new bands existing just under the surface. ATX based musician Christian Luis French is a great example who currently makes music under the moniker Sundozer after many years with other projects. The music has a sort of underground, garage psych feel too it, but with the speed and energy turned way way up. None of that contemplative, mellow psych stuff here. Have a listen to new single “Still Life” below and let us know what you think.
Sundozer will release this track as part of a new EP entitled Death Bloom, which is due out on March 28th.
Harold Whit Williams has been turning up the amps to 11 with the most recent Daily Worker pieces, and today the project announces the MF Genius EP, which will drop in May. But, you’ve got the opening rip-roaring tune below to tease you with what’s to come going forward; stuttering drums and a visual rush down an old highway lead you right into this pop rock madness. In some manner, the song feels like a drag race, riffs racing by with speed, and a little melodic pause in between from Harold and company before the next set of riffs line up and race through your speakers. And, if you live in Austin or are around the area on March 10th, Daily Worker will be rocking the stage at our annual ATH vs SOTO show at Hotel Vegas.
Once upon a time, in a music city long ago, ATH Records helped press Blushing‘s Weak EP to hot wax; it sold out and has since been reissued as the band have risen to meteoric status in the dream pop/shoegaze scene. I actually take little credit in that rise, as the band have been one of the hardest working acts, which has seen them get huge and sing to Kanine Records. Today they dropped us a new tune and a new video to announce Sugarcoat; this song feels like they’re dipping beyond the modern “gaze” era and looking almost towards an alt-rock of the 90s…at least when it gets to the chorus. Give this deserving act a chance; Sugarcoat drops on May 3rd.
Last week we announced our annual SXSW Party with our friends over at Side One Track One, and one of the acts we wanted to be sure was on the show was new act Variety. They’ve just released a fresh track, with a nice little hint at their sound, and what we can expect from future singles. Although brief, there’s a frantic nature in the guitar work, trying to maneuver with as much movement as possible within the song’s time frame. The vocals seem to work in the opposite direction, keeping you off kilter a little bit as you try to keep up with the furious drumming…which I can attest is phenomenal in the live setting. Give it a whirl will ya.
Austin based band Grackles is a conglomerate of sorts featuring an astounding eight member group all of various big name projects in and outside of town. The ATX super group features members who have toured with the likes of The Chicks, backed up Ben Harper and even had involvement with some of our favorite local indie bands like Megafauna. All of that star power combines beautifully on this twangy and southern soaked new single called “Top of the World,” which features guest vocals from Kat Edmonson. I think you’ll find it a lovely addition to our ever growing Austin alt-country scene.
Grackles have also announced an Austin Record release show on February 24th at The Pershing. Tickets and more info can be found HERE. See ya there!
I met Miranda Haney a few years back through my brother-in-law, and at the time, she was working solo, letting friends help bring her songs to life. But, after some life changes, she moved that project into a more organic affair, more full-band oriented, which is where we get to meet Other Vessels for their debut EP. Though not a Texas native, you can hear the mysticism of the state sink into the songwriting, particularly when you get lulled into those guitar lines on “Tangerine,” which is one of the standout tunes. You’ve also got tunes such as “Tall Buildings” that build carefully, pulling you along emotionally every step of the way with careful bits of piano
Had you been on this site at all lately, you would have hopefully heeded our advice to pick up the fresh LP from the Infinites, and today there’s another song to give you a nudge. Of the three singles we’ve heard, this one opens up with the most urgency, pounding drums and guitar lines rushing to set the scene for you; it’s that sort of driving sensation like you’re rushing towards the light on the horizon. Of course, Jared’s vocals are the steadying force, the sensible driver, letting you know that it’s okay to take it all in as you speed towards your destination. I loved the guitar work in-between verses, sharp and jagged like this old fella loves. Archetypes is out on February 16th via Meritorio Records.
