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It’s been at least a year since I’ve caught a touring act take the stage, so I was really excited to head over to 3ten ACL to hear Luna play the entirety of 1994’s Bewitched, with a couple of extra tracks tagged on to the end of the set. Plus, what better way to start dipping my toes into the pond then by seeing old friends Caroline Says take the stage to open!
Clearly, based on the name of our site, we’re always down to represent Austin, and while I feel like releases were down in the city this year, there was tons of great stuff to be devoured. Rather than rank and file our friends; we’re just here to uplift the scene, and maybe remind you of some Texas music that might have (it shouldn’t!) slipped under your radar. Black Pumas got the deserved love, but there’s tons bubbling beneath the surface. I mostly broke it into labels, as they’re the heart and soul of this city. Comes with a fancy playlist.
Been a hot minute since we’ve heard from Caroline Sallee and her project, Caroline Says…until today. Today we got news that there’s a new Ohio River EP coming out in the not-to-distant future, courtesy of Western Vinyl. The song is said to be about returning to a quaint Southern town whilst looking through a new lens; finding a fondness in the past, but perhaps a bit of sadness in the realization that nothing stays the same as our memories. Musically, it’s perfectly matched with the river image, as the song sort of moves in that fashion; the musical waters are twisting, snaking, crawling to the mouth of the . It’s there we find Sallee’s vocals, washing over the song, lapping at the melodic edges with this smoky grace. The band will be on tour with Hovvdy throughout the end of October and into November; the EP drops on November 22nd.
Last weekend, we welcomed a new comer to the Red River Cultural District in the form of KVRX Fest. While KVRX has long been a staple in our Austin music scene, this was their first go round of a festival of sorts and they came in hot, booking 40 bands across two stages to tout the title of largest College Radio music festival. Brian and I served as emissaries for the ATH crew and ventured out for both Friday and Saturday of the festival. Follow the jump to see some excellent (as always) photos from B.Gray and some general thoughts on the first run of the fest.
In case you were wondering what you were doing with your weekend, look no further, as we’ve got a new fest that combines both great local faves and touring acts in small venues. Yes, that’s right! The inaugural KVRX Fest is upon us starting tonight, and for the low price of 45 bucks you get three stages and 40 bands, both local and national, to help kill your Friday and Saturday. Yesterday, B.Gray shared the schedule with you, and after the jump I’ve got my lineup picks as well as more information on what happens if it rains!
In the year’s end, those who “write” about music claim our superior tastes by spouting off about our favorite releases. I figured I should start off all the shenanigans with a list from our home base, Austin, Texas. Below you’ll find a list of my favorite releases from the confines of our fair city.
Let it be known that we released albums by Marmalakes, Feverbones and David Israel (and an EP by Blushing), but those will not make this list for the sake of favoritism…though they’d all obvious take the top spot…duh. Read more
We’ll be out and about the rest of the week to view the things during SxSW so remember to check out the twitter and our various instagram accounts.
Either you missed the big Austin Town Hall vs. Side One Track One party, or perhaps you were there and want to relive it. Check out the gallery after the break that features faces, bands, instruments, lights, beverages, scenes and moods from the day and night at Hotel Vegas. Highlights for me were Glaze, Nite, El Lago, BLXPLTN, Tres Oui, Daphne Tunes and Marmalakes. Find these bands during SxSW. You’ll be happy if you do.
Today’s the day you’ve all been waiting for, the announcement of our annual AustinTownHall vs Side One Track One SXSW party. We’re throwing down at Hotel Vegas/Volstead again, and we’ve booked a pretty solid lineup of acts. We’ve got some bands with huge buzz like Caroline Says or Why Bonnie, a handful of ATH Records artists…and we even got in a few out of town acts like Nite and El Lago. Best news of all? It’s absolutely free, so all you have to do is come on over and just enjoy yourselves…there’s something for everybody. Show kicks off at 2 PM and lasts all day and night. Plus, we love you, so you don’t even have to RSVP! Check out the event page, and plan ahead, you’ll be here all day!
Last year RG Lowe stepped out of the limelight of Balmorhea to begin crafting an R&B influenced album, Slow Time, which was met with rave reviews. He’s already back with a brand new single for Western Vinyl, and you can stream the A-side of the release below. You’ll marvel at the power of his voice, and delight in the little guitar lines moving just beneath the front of the mix. To celebrate the release of the single, RG Lowe will be playing a ridiculously stacked bill over at Sahara Lounge. His labelmate Caroline Says will be playing, along with perennial ATH favorites Taft and Batty Jr. Plus, it’s an early show, so you can roll right over after that work happy hour; Doors open at 7:30, with music kicking off at 8. See you there!
We’ve been huge Caroline Says fans for some time, and we’re really excited that her brand new LP is on its way. Today Western Vinyl announced No Fool Like an Old Fool, slated for a March 16th release. Aside from the video attached below, which is as entrancing as the song, I’m really impressed with our first taste of new music. The smoky tones of the vocals harken back to a simplistic period in pop music, which definitely aligns with my own personal tastes. But, it’s not pastiche, as evidenced by the layered production and the jagged guitar plucking…putting a footprint in modern pop music. Have a listen below.
