Joanna Sternberg Drops Stockhold Syndrome

One of my favorite sets this past SXSW was that of Joanna Sternberg, playing quietly on the stage inside Cheer Up Charlies. They were self-deprecating and humorous, with an intimate performance that endeared itself to those in attendance. This Friday, Fat Possum will be releasing the new album I’ve Got Me, and Sternberg has crafted this marvelous little video to entice you with one more tasty treat. The whole of the record has Joanna opening up on all these intimate life experiences, but with lines like “when you turned off the light/there was a roach crawling on my arm” make it hard not to chuckle along with every word. We’re blessed to have artists like Sternberg take unearth the mundane and shine a light on the little pockets of our lives. Buy the new LP this Friday!

Hand Habits Share Their Private Life

Call it old age or whatever, but I’m admittedly getting swept away, emotionally, by certain pieces of late. For instance, the simplistic beauty and elegance in this fresh Hand Habits tune simply took me aback. Meg Duffy’s voice has little other accompaniment through the first few minutes other than this climbing piece of piano work; there’s this feeling of baring it all that seems to resonate with that moment, which alludes to their willingness to kind of let the sounds and songs find themselves this go round. It all leaves you with this moment where you’re sort of levitating in this empty space, just floating with you and your mind and the song on loop. This song features on Sugar the Bruise, out on June 16th via Fat Possum.

Dehd Drop Empty in My Mind Single

I know there’s that new Black Keys track, and Angel Olsen, but as far as the heavy-hitters in the indie sphere, I’m still a Dehd stan. Their newest album, Blue Skies, definitely seems like they’re mixing things up from their earlier releases, adding in more textures and flexing some of their musicality. I love Emily’s performance here; it’s definitely working with her distinctive tones, but there’s something a touch more playful, especially when the guitar notes twist and bend around. All in all, this might be one of my favorite tracks off the new LP, so be sure to keep your eyes on them as they prep for a huge tour throughout May; the new LP drops via Fat Possum on May 27th.

Dehd Announce Blue Skies

As of late, I generally try to stay away from the cool kids table when it comes to repeating their posts, but there’s just something Dehd that grabs me each time. Part of it has to be that I continue to marvel at how such a minimal band set up creates such a huge sound. On this new single from the forthcoming Blue Skies, its entirely down to Emily Kempf’s vocal performance, from her pseudo-stutter to her dramatic howl, all of it reeks of breaking into pop rock territory, albeit with that perfect bit of attitude. Looking forward to see where this new record is headed, but if this is our first taste, the LP should be pretty promising. It hits on May 27th via Fat Possum.

 

New Music from Why Bonnie

It’s always nice to hear from old friends, so here we are with the latest single from Why Bonnie, formerly a staple of Austin’s music scene. This new single is the first thing we’ve heard from the band since their last EP, and the promising vibe here will hopefully make its way onto a new LP. I love how the band hold some resolve in this recording; Blair’s voice rises and seems to sink out this sort of climactic explosion…and to be fair…it’s there, but held back just enough to not overstep the selling point, which is undoubtedly Howerton’s voice. Let’s hope this new single signals more tunes!

The Districts Return With New Album

A couple of years ago Philadelphia based The Districts put out one of my favorite albums of that year with the release of Popular Manipulations. Since then, I’ve steadily jammed that album with a couple of other new singles as anticipation built for more new tunes from the band. Lucky for me, yesterday the band announced a new album with this new single called “Hey Jo” as the first teaser. As per usual, I love the unique sound the band can create and the ease at which the song progresses beautifully over three and a half minutes. This is sure to be one of my favorites of next year.

The Districts will release You Know I’m Not Going Anywhere on March 13th via Fat Possum.

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A.A. Bondy Finally Returns

Man A.A. Bondy is one of my all time favorite songwriters to come out during the rise of our website. He has always had a knack for simple, yet emotional and powerful songs capable of evoking real feelings. For eight long years we haven’t heard much from Bondy, until he dropped two new singles late on Friday afternoon. The first one, entitled “Killers 3”, is just an absolute beauty in songwriting. It’s Bondy at his best with a slow burning, atmospheric track featuring some sick organ playing. He’s also released a new song called “Images of Love” with a bit more of a dancy vibe to it which is certainly a cool change from the songwriter.

A.A. Bondy will release new album Enderness on May 10th via Fat Possum Records.

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Hear Another Spiritualized Single

There’s just something in the craft of J. Spaceman that makes me come back again and again, especially now that he’s really been focused on this swelling style of Western americana. On this round, we find him right at home, almost resting in the midst of some vast expanse of musical landscape. Because it’s Spiritualized, there are, of course, added textural elements from like horns and strings, not to mention this vibrating electronic note that runs through the background…and those backing vocals only sweeten the deal. And Nothing Hurt will drop on September 7th via Fat Possum.

We Have New Spiritualized

Man, summertime is the right time. I hit up the gym, got a few miles of running in, then I get to come home to a sweet new track from Spiritualized, one of my favorite bands. It seems to be the same place J Spaceman left us when they last dropped a release back in 2012, though the recording process was said to be much different this round. Spaceman says he spent months writing the songs in his bedroom, but if that’s the case, he still manages to capture what makes some of the band’s shows so captivating with huge horns and textured keys built around the simple structures. And Nothing Hurt, the new full length LP, will be out on September 7th via Fat Possum.

Soccer Mommy Announces Debut

If you’ve been anywhere in the Interwebs over the last year, then you’ve surely seen the name Soccer Mommy pop up a time or two (even here at ATH). It looks like Sophie Allison’s star continues to rise with the announcement of her album, Clean, which will be released by Fat Possum. At the age of 20, Allison carries a certain confidence in her songwriting that many veterans can’t come near; the soft hush that hits at the chorus is a pretty special moment, repeated to craft that dreamy essence before the guitar lightly feeds back. Look for this record to be a huge hit when it’s dropped on March 2nd.

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