Meet the SXSW Band: Dream, Ivory

Well SXSW has somehow snuck up on us once again and things will be kicking off in less than a month now with the usual mass influx of artists coming to town. I’m sure everyone has heard the chatter this year about artist fair pay, and we totally support the movement in full, but in the immediate future we have bands coming to town, and we want show our support however we can. One way we can do that as a music site is to give them a platform to introduce themselves and even get their opinion on the fight for fair pay. Today we are kicking off our initial coverage with an introduction and interview featuring SoCal based band Dream, Ivory. Hit the jump for interview, music, and initial set times.

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Say Hello To Smirk

Well we are sort of starting to wind down the season as we discuss year end lists to recap everything we’ve posted about and listened to in 2022. Though it tends to be a slower time for new music, this is when we often find some hidden gems we may have missed recently. This new track called “Souvenir” from Los Angeles based artist Smirk is a perfect example of something I slept on earlier but am loving now. Sometimes a song like this can be so simple in its construction yet still manage to leave a lasting impact with lyrical content, expertly arranged bass lines, and a slight bit of reverb from a guitar. Check check check it out below.

Smirk will be releasing a debut album entitled Material on November 18th. Pre-orders for physical copies are live now.

New Single & Video From Hoogenboom

Brandon Hoogenboom is a California based songwriter who writes songs under the simple last name moniker HOOGENBOOM. For those unacquainted with his work, latest single “Skipping Town” should be a perfect introduction to the songwriting style and musical stylings of HOOGENBOOM. The single has this super melodic, driving, folk inspired sound perfect for the scenery and sights that air paired in the video. Apparently more music is coming soon so stay tuned.

Stream New Album From Gold Star

If you’re looking for even more album streams for the weekend, might I suggest you check out Headlights U.S.A. (Pts. I & II) from Los Angeles based artist Gold Star. The man behind the name, Marlon Rabenreither, truly creates a cohesive and engaging albums worth of Americana inspired, driving indie rock tunes. One might pick up hints of War on Drugs at times mixed with something a bit more playful or twangy like Fruit Bats or Night Moves. It should be a great soundtrack to cooler temps and long road trips.

If you like what you hear, pick up an LP over on the Gold Star bandcamp page.

Another New Jam From Milly

Los Angeles based outfit Milly is quickly becoming one of my favorite new artists to emerge this year. The duos upcoming album, Eternal Ring, has been hitting me with all the feels for early aughts and late 90s style post-emo music with hints of slackerdom and guitar rock. If any of those sounds and styles sound intriguing to you, might I suggest you check out the bands latest single “Ring True”. I love the way this band can pull off these sort of subtle, mellow moments and then kick it up a notch with some loud guitar.

Eternal Ring is out on September 30th via Dangerbird Records. Pre-orders are live now.

Grooving New Tune From Gold Star

Marlon Rabenreither is a Los Angeles based songwriter who has spent the last decade creating music under the moniker Gold Star. Though it’s been quite awhile since we’ve heard from Rabenreighter or posted about him on our site, his new single “Cherry Red” is a nice way to welcome him back to the ATH pages. The song is perfect for his California home as one can almost envision oneself driving down a coastal highway with the driving nature of “Gold Star” on the radio. It’s atmospheric and hazy, yet also bright and full of Americana inspiration.

This track will appear on new album Headlights U.S.A. Parts I & II due out on September 30th. Pre-orders are live now.

Slick New Tune From Jake Tittle

Jake Tittle is a Los Angeles based singer/songwriter who has been making and recording music in the SoCal area for near on seven years at this point. Though you may not yet be familiar with Mr. Tittle, I am sure you will start giving him your attention after having a listen to his new song “Fair Warning”. I love his craft here as a songwriter who doesn’t simply strum a guitar and sing, but also offers some really slick backing beats to turn the song into much more of a summer jam. Give it a listen.

Jake Tittle has plans for a new full length album coming out hopefully later this summer.

Shutups Share Endless Heaven

Before we dismiss you for the day, I would be remiss to not send you on your way with this new song called “Endless Heaven” from Oakland based group Shutups. I’m a huge fan of the way the song lulls you into this mellow, sort of indie rock groove and then explodes into this banging, heavy guitar rock number about 1.5 minutes in. When looking for a song to progress slowly, rise heavily, and then fall again into a fade out, this is the song for you. Absolutely stellar production on this one as well.

Shutups will release this track on new album Can’t Eat Nearly as Much as I want to Vomit which is due out on October 21st via Kill Rock Stars (pre-order now).

Check Out Witness From Sour Widows

Bay area trio Sour Widows really made a name for themselves last year with the highly praised release of the four song EP Crossing Over. Now focused on an upcoming Fall tour, the band sent over a brand new single called “Witness” earlier today and it was just too good not to share with you all. This song can really take you on a musical and emotional journey through slow builds, super dramatic crescendos, and stunning harmonies packed into the nearly 6 minute song. The progression sort of reminds me of early Pedro songs with the deeply rewarding, intensely emotional builds after moments of melodic reservation. Ya dig.

Stream New Flowertown LP

San Francisco based Flowertown has received just about as many posts as a band can on this here website over the last year or so. Simply put, the ATH team are all huge fans of the band and the music they create. Last year around this time, the band released their stunning album Time Trials, and somehow they have yet another album, Half Yesterday, out today. We would be remiss to not post the entire album stream below and shoot you a recommendation to stream it this weekend. You will not be disappointed. It looks like the cassette release is sold out from Paisley Records, but vinyl versions are still up for sale.

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