SXSW Tuesday In Photos

While Nathan was jet setting around on Monday, Tuesday was my first full day into the SXSW madness. Both of us started early with a focus solely on unofficial and sort of off the beaten path shows for the day. I stuck around the campus area at Tweedy’s and Hole in the Wall while Nathan headed over to the east side. We’ll be giving you a full recap of band highlights and photos later this week and on into next, but I thought ya’ll might want to see what it’s like out there, especially as weather and other factors may come into play as the week carries on. Hit the jump for some quick thoughts on Tuesday with photos.

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Michael Bain Readies Tidal Ways and Album Release

Michael Bain can usually be found playing guitar for local slow-pop outfit Sun June, but this year, he’s got some of his own fully-formed ideas to share with you under his own name. We’ve only got a handful of songs in our ears as of yet, but you’re in for something special indeed. On “Dad Rock” you get a to hear a sort of traditional indie rock vibe filled with more patience and open space; it allows for a sparkling beauty within the song you’ll only find with close ears. “So Far” sounds huge in it’s approach to pop music offering up a huge seductive swell right in the front of the mix, pulling back to tinker in the dreamier side of the pop genre (think Papercuts). In “Earthbound” you get the exact opposite of what one would expect from the title; it’s more of an ethereal track, almost like a lounge act in outer space. That’s just what you’ll get with Tidal Ways, an album filled with varying sounds loosely tied around the pop color-wheel. If you’re in Austin, Michael will bring these songs to the live setting Friday at Hole in the Wall; if you’re not and you love the songs, click on one and they’ll take you to Mr. Bain’s site to grab the LP!



Show Pics: Tres Oui and Growl @ Hole in the Wall (5/25)

…with Blushing, too.

I am finally getting around to sharing some pics from our little party the other night at Hole in the Wall. I used to go there quite a bit way back in the day. I went on a few dates with a girl whose family lived there. I dared not go back for a decade after breaking up, just in case.

HitW also made for a great test of some new hardware. I have gone mirrorless with Sony. It is a brave new world.

Click through to see some photos from the night full of Blushing, Tres Oui and Growl with a few thoughts on both music and photography.

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ATH Presents Blushing, Tres Oui and Growl @ Hole in the Wall Tomorrow

From time to time we like to put together little rock n’ roll shows, and boy do we have an incredible one for you tomorrow night at Hole in the Wall. It just happens to feature some ATH Records bands breaking down the doors and throwing some great pop music in your faces. Blushing is one of our favorite new acts in town, so hopefully you’ve caught on to their dreamy stylings. Tres Oui, well, those guys are great…this is jangling Prefab Sprout at its best. Oh, and you didn’t hear Growl all over your local radio in April? Well, come see them! Doors are at 9..we’ll see you there!

The Grapes and Friends Release Christmas Crush

christmasEach year the guys from Gorgeous Hands, Dangeresque, Genuine Leather and more gather as Grapes & Friends to throw a huge holiday extravaganza over at Hole in the Wall. This year, we get the extra treat of a rad rock n’ roll single to boot! This track holds onto the a catch R&B vibe, while still bringing a solid punch. Basically this track employs members doing what they do best, write great tracks and throw great parties! The celebration kicks off this Saturday at 8 PM over at Hole in the Wall, with TOMA opening the night up. Find out more about the event right HERE, and jam the track below.

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Show Preview: Wednesday in Austin – Growl, Lunar Gold, Nic Armstrong

austin_mainMidweek Show? Why not. There’ s a bunch on the bill this week…some local, some travelers. Hotel Vegas has Growl and Que Pasa, but I’d also like to point out that Winter is coming in from Cali…and that band was incredible during SXSW (Show starts at 10). Or, you can head on out over to Spiderhouse for a slew of great acts…Sailor Poon, Lunar Gold, Bloody Knives; it’s a night of great local acts that you should already have on your radar (Show starts at 7). Also, those of you looking for something a little different might want to see Nic Armstrong and the Thieves doing their thing at Hole in the Wall (Show starts at (9:30).  I’ll toss out some jams below to give you some insight as to where you might want to go tomorrow night.

Winter: 

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Lunar Gold:

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Nic Armstrong:

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ATX Spotlight: Nic Armstrong & The Thieves

unnamed-4Confession: this is, and this isn’t, an Austin Spotlight post. Nic Armstrong & The Thieves are not native Austinites, but are British bred. Their latest EP, however, Negative Slant was recorded here at our very own Cacophony Recordings, so we’ve finally got some claim to fame on these psych-esque, British blues-inspired rock and rollers. Take a listen to the title track below, and you’ll find the band in a buzzy blaze of glory– stomping piano, slight tinkering of tambourine, and driving percussion all great you with warmth. They’ll playing the next few Wednesdays in their residency at Hole In The Wall, so be sure to check them out. Details can be found here. 

ATX Spotlight: Legendary Skies Release Novarupta (4/10)

11081179_1091877397495744_644842800649873449_nAustin’s been known to host an instrumental post-rock act or two…from Balmorhea to Explosions in the Sky, and everything in between.  Enter Legendary Skies, one of the newer acts on the scene, who are ready to unleash their album Novarupta to the Austin masses (and hopefully beyond). Interestingly, the band draw from all the forebears in our local post-rock scene, building crash atop crash, yet always falling in step with more intricate guitar pieces made for long drives along sparse Texas highways.  Head over to Hole in the Wall this Friday night to catch the band live, and help celebrate the release of their album.

[youtube]https://youtu.be/TxRWQQPVEYs[/youtube]

ATX Spotlight/Show Preview: Chicon (02.19)

chiconI’m always down for more shoegazey/dream pop to love, but even more so down for shoegazey/dream pop that comes from our sweet sweet city. So I’m quite pleased to introduce you to some locals to love, Chicon, a four piece who’ve been putting out music since the summer of 2013, according to their Bandcamp page. Their sound is a mix of wistful noise pop and jangly rock, with dueling male and female vocals from Jeremy Diaz and Lila Paillon. The song I’ve got for you below is from their sophomore record, Sin Ti, which came out last summer digitally, but is being released physically this Thursday(02.19) at Hole In the Wall (doors @9:00pm). “Crush” gives you just a little taste of what this band has to offer you, so listen to the rest of Sin Ti here and head out this Thursday to throw some love towards these folks.

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