Mild Mild Country Announces Never Had a Touch to Lose

Over the years we’ve spent a lot of time getting to know the musical work of Jake Ward, 1/2 of ATH Faves Eureka California; today he’s operating solo under the name Mild Mild Country, and he’s about to release Never Had a Touch to Lose. Our first listen from the new album is “Snake War,” thus is should make sense that the song’s predominantly based on the snake-like weaving of dense synth landscapes crafted by Ward in his home studio. The natural serpentine movement almost feels like Jake’s exploring the world through synths, feeling things out with his forked tongue before switching directions and coming back for more; it’s 13 minutes of great synth pop finding its way into the world. Perhaps it will find its way into your lap on October 22nd when the album drops via HHBTM.

Antlered Auntlord is Danieled Auntlord; Announces Daniel Johnston Covers Tape

There’s a long story behind the upcoming release of Danieled Auntlord: The Daniel Johnston Covers Tape. Back in 2007, Daniel Johnston played the legendary Athens Popfest, going down as one of the most unforgettable moments in the festival’s history. Jump into 2016, and the festival, curated by Mike Turner of HHBTM, was welcoming Daniel back as one of the headliners, but in order to do so, they had to fashion him a live backing band. Mike and his team gathered Jesse from Antlered Auntlord as well as Jake and Marie from Eureka California; they recorded a tape covering Daniel’s songs and sent it to Johnston so he could prepare. But, here we are now in a year that could use some guiding light, so HHBTM has decided to release those recordings via cassette on December 5th, rounding out the year reminiscing about one of the world’s greatest artists. Here’s the Danieled Auntlord version of “Casper.”

Brand New Eureka California

We tried to hype you all to Eureka California for SXSW this year, and we’re right back on that glorious hype machine screaming for you to turn this track up real loud. Jake opens up this track, singing atop a steadied guitar line; you can feel the tension bend as Marie begins to build the force from the background. Then bang…distortion, smashing cymbals and a crunchy bit of guitar pop come ripping through your speakers; it’s the perfect execution of the quietLoudquiet concept. If you haven’t gotten into this band yet, well, I’m sorry, but you’ll get a chance when the group drop their new Roadrunners LP on May 4th via HHBTM.

Brand New Eureka California Hit (SXSW Artist)

One of our favorite duos from Athens, GA just dropped a brand new tune off their forthcoming LP. Like all great track from Eureka California this one drops in at just over 2 minutes, but it packs a ferocious punch. Drummer Mary Uhler is back there furiously pounding her kit, setting a quick pace that forces Jake to push ahead with both vocals and guitars. It’s a breakneck speed, indie rock speaking, but the slight vocal inflection in Jake’s voice give just the slightest hint at pop sensibility. They’re also going to be one of the hot tickets at SXSW, with everyone clamoring to catch them live. Roadrunners will be released by HHBTM on May 4th. Check the song out below, with their SXSW dates included.

March 14: SXSWaterloo Day Party @ Waterloo Cycles

March 15: HHBTM Official Showcase @ Seven Grand

March 16: New Granada Day Party @ Gingerman

March 16: Crashing Through Publicity & Tiger Bomb Promotions Day Party @ Beerland

March 17: Athens in Austin Day Party @ Side Bar

Fresh New Eureka California (SXSW Artist)

It should come as no surprise that we’re rapping Eureka California; the group continuously graces our little blog from time to time (well anytime they release new tunes). Today we bring you their latest single in hopes you’ll jam it out, and if you’re on your way to Austin we hope you’ll check them out. This new rocker comes from their Wigwam 7″, which was just released by HHBTM. It’s quick, a touch noisy and certified ear candy. Here’s the SXSW dates for the group:

3/16 – Austin, TX @ Waterloo Cycles (day party)
3/17 – Austin, TX @ Teller’s (HHBTM Records SXSW Showcase)
3/18 – Austin, TX @ Sidebar (Athens In Austin day party)

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Brand New Eureka California Tune

Fresh off the release of their latest album, Versus, Eureka California is back with a brand new 7″…featuring this rocking number below. While the song takes a second or two to get going, once it hits, it blasts forth with a riotous fury, seemingly running so fast the band can barely keep up! The new single will also feature two other songs, one being a cover of Superchunk‘s “Slack Motherfucker.” And, speaking of that 7″, the band and HHBTM Records aim to remind you that singles should be reasonably priced, offering up this release for $3, giving you no excuse other than to pick it up and support the cause; do so on February 24th when it hits the streets.

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More from Eureka California

eurekaBeing prolific doesn’t seem to be a problem for Eureka California; they’ll be releasing their third album in three years this week! But, while some acts can just push out tracks that blend into album after album, I like that Eureka California always seems to be refreshed with each track; it’s what makes their album’s so enduring in your personal catalog. This song from the album Versus is a high energy rocker, hitting you in the face right from the start, and never letting go until the distorted guitar rings in your ears as the track fades. Feel free to have yourself some fun, turn it up, and buy the LP from HHBTM this week!

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Another Eureka California Hit!

Eureka_California-photo1-by-Stacey_Piotrowski-852x550Miss when college rock was filled with substance? Well, this Eureka California single should take you back in time, filling your ears with a heavy distorted guitar and a pummeling rhythm. My only complaint? It’s too short, I wanted this rocker to blast on forever, but of course, I can just play it again and again. There’s something gratifying in a quick blast of energetic angst, so I’ll gladly take this. The group’s new album, Versus, will be released by HHBTM on March 25th.

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Fresh Music from Eureka California

Eureka_California-photo1-by-Stacey_Piotrowski-852x550The last time we heard from Eureka California was back in 2014 with their album, Crunch (you should already own that one by now). They returned this week with this exhilarating rocker, fueled by distorted guitars and an earnest vocal performance. Before you know it, the song’s over and you press play again, taking you on another rocking journey from these Athens rockers. Their new album will be released on March 26th via Happy Happy Birthday to Me Records; it’s titled Versus…and it’s shaping up to be better than the last one, which is saying a great deal.

Eureka California – Crunch

eureka3Rating: ★★★½☆

Once in a blue moon you stumble across an album that defies the odds.  You might recognize bits of various genres within this sort of album, but every song sounds completely refreshing.  You’ll get precisely this when you listen to Crunch, the newest album from Athens’ Eureka California; they’ve created a pop rock record that doesn’t give a fuck if you like it.

One of the great attributes, of which there are many, on Crunch lives in the fact that only one song on the album breeches the 3 minute mark, with most falling far short of that mark.  Take the opener, “Edith” which is finished in just under a 1.5 minutes, as an example; it’s a jangling rocker with a nice little bounce, but rather than hit you over the head with redundancy, Eureka California quickly gets to the point, then wraps it up.  This is a tactic that’s used far too rarely nowadays, as many bands want to make sure you acknowledge their musicianship.  Here it’ll allow you to bob your head to track after track, never tiring of a single note.

Still, you can’t just rely on short bursts of joyous pop, you’ve got to have great songs tune, and they’re filling up this entire album.  I love “There’s No Looking Back,” opening with a casual chugging riff and vocals, but as you’re growing accustomed to the tune, it blasts off furiously into a more ramshackle version of itself.  There’s also “This Ain’t No A-Side,” which might be one of the album’s better tracks.  It uses a little bit of fuzziness on the instruments, while holding onto this youthful vibrance that burrows into your eardrums.  And you can’t forget the lead single from Crunch, “Twin Cities.” This song in particular gathers all of my favorite bits of the band and throws it into one song; there’s hooks in the vocals, well-executed guitar riffs, various movements and it all seems like the band is on the verge of falling off the tracks.

There’s a reckless abandon to the entirety of Crunch.  After many many listens it seems like the group got together to bang out the loudest, most fun set of pop tracks they could.  They clearly weren’t concerned with where they fit in the grand spectrum of the music world, they just wanted to write a bunch of great songs; it’s part of what makes every track so endearing, and ultimately what makes Eureka California something quite special.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/08-Twin-Cities.mp3]

 

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