This is fine.
Maybe you thought we were done previewing bands for SXSW this week? Well maybe you thought wrong! We were not quite finished with all of our previews and have one more for you today coming from Australian based upstarts Hachiku. These are some great and thoughtful responses, and we super appreciate these and all of the responses we’ve received so far. See ya out there! Hit the jump for interview from Hachiku along with tunes and set times.
It is upon us and here people. SXSW music officially kicks off TODAY and while most of the ATH staff is stuck at work, you should be out and about or at least prepping for the week ahead. We are super pumped today to finish off our preview interview series with possibly our favorite band coming in to town this week, Australian buddies Delivery. They smashed it out of the park with these responses and we hope you’ll enjoy them as much as we did. Full responses along with set times and music can be found after the jump.
If you come to our site from time to time, we hope you uncover something that’s possibly overlooked but worthy of repeat listens. Dumb Things is one such band, and their “Self Help” single was one of my absolute favorite tracks last year. The Aussie outfit have just announced they’ll be releasing their Self Help LP this April, and with that, they’ve sprinkled this delighting ditty to satiate your pop needs. Steady drums march you into the tune, then the sweetness of the vocals from Madeleine hit you right in the face; it’s enough that her voice sparkles in the verse, but when that chorus drops, aided by the rest of the group, I was just crushed. Really excited for the group, and for you to get to hear these songs! Self Help is out April 4th.
You only have to wait a handful of days before Shrapnel unveil their latest LP, and we’ve been helping cover as much as we can on the lead up, and now there’s one final peek under the covers. This number has this sharpness that pushes some bravado, though their melodic vocal mixture belies their natural pop sensibility. They begin to push that more and more as the track progresses, which ultimately takes the tune into the psychedelic territory; it then becomes apparent you’ve been on this mystical journey all along, only you had no idea where they were taking you until they come back in with a punchy drop of riffs that ride off onto the horizon. Sedan Center is out Friday via Tenth Court.
If, like most parts of the US, you’re in need of a little musical warmth, you can turn to Skeleten this morning, as the Australian offers a fresh single from his new LP that seems perfect for a blanket and a cup of tea. Like most of the work we’ve heard from the forthcoming Mentalized LP, things are more contemplative, letting the beat work slowly evolve into its own experience. On the vocals, here, and elsewhere, there’s a R&B bend, illustrating a little bit of pop influence leaking into the craft. Mentalized will be released on February 7th via 2MR, but feel free to immerse yourself in the listening experience as most tracks are streaming currently.
We’re already looking forward to the SXSW lineup, particularly as they’ve listened, relatively, to some of the noise surrounding their sponsorships (though the artist pay bump could still be higher). But, one of the main things I love, and I know a shit ton of folks who over look this benefit, is that it allows bands to apply for grants from their governments to come perform in our country…and Coldwave is one of the group’s just announced for a trip to our shores. The Australian band reminds me a lot of Shame, though they’ve got a larger group building in the texture, as you’ll see from this live video they recorded for “Italia ’06.”
I was pretty high upon Eat Your Greens, the debut LP from Aussie outfit The Sprouts (2023), so hearing they’ve got a new release on the way is welcome news. According to the release, the six songs on the forthcoming EP were recorded at home, and while they’ve got that inclination to wear the private charms, there’s still something beyond special in this single. While perhaps I’m tethered to the video, it’s as if the song’s a lightly penned vacation soundtrack, perhaps crafted by a young Lou Reed and friends. Guitars are soft and wistful, and the underlying charm of the vocals just feels like a crisp cool wafting across your life. Keep your eyes out for the new EP, slated to drop in January.
We always standby our recommendation of anything that Pop Filter puts together, and today you can stream Ray and Lorraine’s, the group’s new record. I’ve been fortunate enough to have a listen to the record ahead of time, and if I picked a must recommend track, I’d go with “Documentary Footage;” it captures the rawness of a group, while still illustrating the focus they put in the arrangements. Tracks like “Strawberry” and “For Me” offer glimpses of a sort of Aussie brand of French pop, which I’m quite keen on. And, as per usual, with multiple songwriters, the tunes twist and turn, and you’ll turn over a new favorite track with every single listen. Enjoy the full stream below.
One of the great records I’ve been listening to over the last few weeks is officially out today, and you’ve got to just crank this one up to the max. Best Bets have delivered perhaps “the” hit power-pop record this year, delivering on the promise they delivered with On An Unhistoric Night. They added songwriting credits this go round from band member Joe Sampson (Salad Boys) and he’s infused this immediacy that blasts the hooks into your face the instant you press play. Seriously, if you do anything today, just listen to this record and revel in the pure joy you feel as you continue to turn that knob up to feel the power. The Hollow Husk of Feelings drops courtesy of Meritorio Records.
I’m still here! At times I have been known to write about music and today the music oversharer in me had to drop this double AA-side release from Australian based upstarts Coldwave. A video for the track “The Ants” can be found below which has a very post-punk focus with some lovely horns to give it a sort of edgy meets Beirut vibe. For further listening, also check out the lengthier, and more contemplative track called “Italia ’06.” Both have something different and unique to offer and should get the band on your radar for good.
