New Southern Dream Pop From Black Books

I’d never heard of the style “southern dream pop”, so when I saw this song by Black Books labeled as such, I decided to steal the term and use it for my post.  If you check out the song below, “Like You Best”, you’d be hard pressed not to agree with the word choice by the band.  It’s definitely got the style we’ve grown to love from the band with the reverb laden vocals, building rhythms, and tons of emotion in every word.

You can purchase this tune with the B-side “Shipwrecked” on a fancy pants coke bottle clear 7″ vinyl over on the Black Books bandcamp site.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/A-Like-You-Best-MASTER1_01.mp3]

Download: Black Books – Like You Best [MP3]

Free Week Recommendations for Saturday!!!

We’re coming to the end of the good times, and the weekend is chock full of excellent shows to catch. I encourage you all to get out and support/see as many bands as possible, as that’s what keeps our music community energized…which is something we all claim makes Austin great, so we gotta support it.  Here are my suggestions.

Punk Show @ Mohawk — A Giant Dog, OBN IIIs, Grape Street — Some of the best acts in Austin for rock n’ roll of the faster sort.

Quiet Company @ the Swan Dive — The group released an excellent album last year, so catch em’ while they’re hot.

Fresh Millions @ The Parish — We’ve raved about these bros for ages, and it’s a requirment that you catch them at least once in your lifetime. Do it now. Free.

Rock Show @ Beauty Bar — Ringo Deathstarr and Black Books, just to name a few.  Do we need to say more? Those acts alone make it worth your time!

Sample these tracks from Freshmillions and Black Books:

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/02-The-Helicopter-1.mp3] [audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Out-The-Door-1.mp3]

New Music From Black Books

While we sort of creep further into hibernation during the Holiday season, it’s nice to receive a solid track from local band Black Books.  The track, called “Out the Door” is available for free below and will be a part of the group’s upcoming debut full length album due out on Valentine’s Day 2012.  It’s a great tune full of those reverb laden vocals and slow burn we’ve grown to love about the band.  Black Books also recently recorded a cover of classic tune “Love Fool” by The Cardigans which is available to stream over on soundcloud.  Should be a big year for this band.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Out-The-Door-1.mp3]

Download: Black Books – Out The Door [MP3]

Show Preview: Disastronauts Benefit @ Mohawk (10/13)

Date 10/13/11
Location The Mohawk
Doors 8:30pm
Tickets $6 @ Door

After their successful show featuring Her Space Holiday and Octopus Project, the Disastronauts foundation has put together another show this Thursday night at Mohawk to benefit the musicians displaced by the Bastrop fires.  This show features headliners Black Books, and support from Residual Kid, Boy + Kite, and La Snacks.  The show will also act as the EP release party for the up and comers Residual Kid.  Here’s a track from their new album entitled “Can’t Take Me Away”.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/02-Cant-Take-Me-Away.mp3]

Download: Residual Kid – Can’t Take Me Away [MP3]

Show Preview: Quiet Company w/ ATH DJ Set @ The ND (9/30)

Date 9/30/11
Location The ND
Doors 8pm
Tickets $10 via Quiet Company

When one is asked about local music in the indie Austin scene, most people will initially cite Quiet Company as one of the hottest up and comers in town.  The guys have been making a name for themselves for several years now and are continuing to work hard to build their rep.  This Friday, the band has put together one hell of a local lineup at The ND to celebrate the release of their new album We Are All Where We Belong.  QC are of course headlining, but let’s not forget about the stacked undercard of this show with ATH amigos Whitman, Saints of Valory and Black Books all on the bill.  If you were wanting to see the best and brightest this town has to offer, this is the place to do it kids.  Quiet Company have also put together all sorts of crazy ticket packages on their website with a variety of goodies thrown in depending on how much you want to spend

Also of interest to you kids, the ATH crew will be on hand DJing in the recently opened North Door (back bar of ND) between bands and before and after the show.  Come say hello and check out some sweet tunes when you aren’t rocking out.  We’ll be trying out some new KTTD and *$. remixes of course…

This is where you should be Friday night.  Bottom line.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/fear-_-fallacy_-stitting-in-a-tree.mp3]

Download: Quiet Company – Fear & Fallacy, Sitting in a Tree [MP3]

Show Preview: The Pons @ Scoot Inn (8/25)

Date 8/25/11
Location Scoot Inn
Doors 9pm
Tickets $5 @ Door

It seems like this week is chock full of some great local shows going down, and a headlining show by The Pons at Scoot Inn is a great place to start.  Joining the ATH favorite locals on stage are fellow Austin up and coming bands Black Books and Dark Water Hymnal.  We give this show the ATH stamp of approval.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/the_pons_-_wherever_you_are.mp3]

Download: The Pons – Wherever You Are [MP3]

Show Preview: Sad Accordions @ Mohawk (3/5)

Date 3/5/11
Location Mohawk
Doors 9pm
Tickets $6 @ Door

It really is a weekend for checking out local music isn’t it?  Tons of bands that we really dig are playing this weekend at great venues on the cheap.  Saturday at the Mohawk is one of those great places to stop by while making your weekend plans.  The lineup consists of three awesome local acts in the form of Black Books, Sad Accordions, and Royal Forest.  It’s also a special night for Sad Accordions as they are celebrating the release of their new EP The Colors and the Kill.  You’ve got some tough choices to make on which local show you end up at on Saturday night, but this one should certainly be on the short list.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/05_Inside_Out.mp3]

Download: Sad Accordions – Inside Out [MP3]

The Rumble In Austin @ Beerland (2/16)

Date 2/16/11
Location Beerland
Doors 9pm
Tickets Free!

It’s that time once again for another Rumble in Austin on Wednesday night at highly underrated Beerland.  Our lineup this week is the best one yet with Agent Ribbons, Not in the Face, and most recent ATH fave Black Books.  I don’t see much reason why you wouldn’t make it out to this free show featuring some of the best new talent Austin has to offer.  See everyone there!

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/03-Green-Screen-1.mp3]
Download: Black Books – Green Screen [MP3]

New Music From Black Books

Black Books are a relatively new Austin band that we’ve recently taken a liking too.  Not long ago, the band finished recording their debut EP An Introduction To… which is currently available for free download on the Black Books bandcamp site.  Below you’ll find a nice little MP3 of my personal favorite song “Green Screen”.  The vocals of drummer Ross Gilfillan on this tune remind me a lot of the reverb laden early work of Jim James mixed with a few parts Mark Kozelek.  I’m down with that.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/03-Green-Screen-1.mp3]

Download: Black Books – Green Screen [MP3]

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