Thor & Friends Share Anne Sexton’s Monocle

For years, Thor Harris has held up the creative spirit in Austin, like Atlas with the globe on his back; he’s more revered than most, operating with a quiet humility and a willingness to spread positivity whilst pushing back against the inhumanity of the world. And as such, he’s amassed Thor & Friends, collecting like-minded musicians to complete his musical imaginings. Below, you get the newest installment, a recorded segment from the tune “Anne Sexton’s Glasses,” which will appear on his new record, Heathen Spirituals. This number centers around marimba play, but it’s clear the goal is crafting a sound that operates as a united front…and it’s clear that he’s got friends and musicians helping him see out his vision (including one of my old co-workers; I see you Melissa Nguyen Lype). If you’re into art, be sure to order Heathen Spirituals from Joyful Noise Recordings before its May 16th release.

Lockstep Arrive With Drag Along

Since that lil festival thing last month wrapped up, I’ve been really focused in on mostly guitar driven, loud (some call it shoegaze) sounds, with bands from the week providing inspiration. Wild as it is, Nashville based upstarts Lockstep are coming into town on Saturday at Chess Club, AND just so happened to drop this new single “Drag Along” yesterday. You will immediately be hit by the sheer noise created by the trio, but also stay around for the melodic tones and beauty behind the wall of sound. If you like this one, also check out the band’s last EP, Arrival, over on bandcamp.

As mentioned, Lockstep will be playing opener for our local pals Grivo over at Chess Club on Saturday night. Tickets are still available.

Day Friend Drop New Single + Release Show (4/4) at 13th Floor

Thanks to my friend Mark during the planning stages of our annual ATH vs SOTO show, he turned me on to one of our new favorite Austin outfits, Day Friend. The band have graciously allowed us to share their brand new single before it’s proper release next Friday! I love the way they set this whole Double AA side up; the first side is a love letter from a parasite to its host, while the flip side has the host giving a big fuck you to said parasite. You can even hear the dynamism in the way they approach the songwriting, with Part 1 embracing a more melodic nature, still angular but with the softer side one associates with a love letter. Turn it over and there’s nothing kind being offered, with a powerful blast of rebellion coming from the host (we could all use a lot more rebellion right now!); this half also features a huge ripping breakdown, with the group’s musicianship on full display. One of the more exciting acts in town at the moment; they’ll celebrate the release of their new single at the 13th Floor, next Friday with Exotic Fruitica and Feedr.

Sophia Warren Shares Grin Single

When Sophia Warren‘s new single hits you, it does so with this maturity that bewilders those who think age matters in songwriting; she makes 21 seem like decades spent honing her craft. The song wastes little time hanging about, with Warren immediately moving into this rhythmic musical stuttering, working her soulful voice in and out of the song’s spaces. It’s in those spaces where the craft and nuance show a mastery; I love the careful backing vocals that almost remind one of the Breeders at their peak, yet this is only the set up. A chorus comes soaring in, filled with the bravado of accomplishment and self-confidence, billowing with power as the track takes on dreamier rock tones. If you’re not impressed with the young Austin artists, keep an eye out for her new Adesso EP, which drops on April 30th via Tigris 33/Universal Music Group Mexico.

New Club Coma Single

I meant to run this on Friday, but as I hope our friend Geoff in Club Coma understands, that dad life gets in the way sometimes. This Austin outfit is, like many of late, fusing club vibes and rock n’ roll, and they do so with this powerful brand of rock n’ roll, particularly if you catch the group in the live set (like we did at our SXSW party last night). They pull in a bit more of an R&B meets pop in their recording, then drive those rock riffs through the roof when they hit the stage. It’s not an act looking for a crossover, just a handful of great musicians fusing their love of genres into this huge musical delight. Try a sample.

Paper Sister Offer Run Home Single

There’s a lot going on in the Austin scene at the moment, with our own SXSW show on the horizon, but last week, this Paper Sister track caught my attention. The group swear an allegiance to the left-of-the-dial anthemic pop of the late 90s, which fits my listening habits of late, as I’ve oddly been on a Cranberries kick (ain’t no shame!). This track puts the pop focus in the verses, walking you into the tracks with a softness that seduces the listener at first. They don’t hang out there forever, however, as they’ve also got a penchant for noisy indie rock, which you can hear filling the backdrop of this tune when the chorus kicks in. Just another reason to keep an eye on the ATX scene this year!

SXSW Interviews 2025: Population II

The ATH team is still thrown off with how early SXSW is going down this year, and it seems insane that things kick off in just over a week. How is this possible?!? Well, ready or not, things are set to go down soon as we close out the long AF month of February. Hopefully some interviews and guides will help you prepare yourself and find some bands to follow around town. Today our next interview set comes by way of Montreal based band Population II. Hit the jump for full interview, show times, and tunes.

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Show Review: MJ Lenderman @ Emos (2.6)

Breaking up is hard to do, but it sure does make for good music.

MJ Lenderman’s lyrics aren’t sprawling, poetic pleas for understanding. Instead, they arrive as snapshots intimate, personal, and timeless observations of everyday life. Wrap that up nice and tight with music that echoes the highlights of a sound delivered within a newly appointed label aptly titled No Depression in the 90s, which found itself a successful hybrid of Americana and Rock, spawning the genre Alt-Country. Breathing life into its faded wake comes Lenderman.

 

“Coward cutting Joker lips into a rubber mask
Please don’t ask how I’m doing
Draining cum from hotel showers
Hoping for the hours to pass a little faster.”

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Semihelix Share Two New Singles + Antones Release Show (2.9)

One of our favorite Austin acts is channeling the great radio alternative, so tune in below to the latest hits from Semihelix! You can hear the riotgrrl spirit coursing through these tunes, as Geannie consistently just rips right through these licks and vocal lines with the perfect amount of indifferent cool. Both of these new jams will appear on a fresh 7″ from Bleached Records, and to celebrate this, the band will be hosting a Release Party over at Antones on Sunday evening, and they ask that you join them! That 7″ will hit the masses on Monday, but you can get a sneak preview by playing the tunes below. If you can’t make it, don’t forget to grab the 7″ while supplies are limited!

Lola Tried Drop Degrader

We’ve always been big fans of Austin’s Lola Tried; they’ve played our annual SXSW party before…and they only just seem to be taking hold of their powers. This fresh single that dropped the other afternoon illustrates just how much singe Lauren has grown; she manages to deliver this harsh vocal curl that fits in naturally alongside the powerful burst of the band. But, growth doesn’t mean moving away from your bread-and-butter, as the chorus has the perfect soaring melodic hook. Despite the hook, the lyrical content has Burton taking emotional ownership back for those that she felt like didn’t have a voice at the time of the writing. Just imagine the joyousness of Cherry Glazer with less fucks to give and you’ve got this new Lola Tried single.

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