Last Week’s Jams (11.10 – 11.14)
In a week where paywall was all the buzz in the indie rock world, we just did what we did. We opened the emails, we listened to the songs, and we tried to give you an idea of what you may or may not like…and we did it for free, for the love of the game! We had new music from Jason Balla aka Accessory, and the beautiful tones of Bill Callahan makes an appearance this week too! SXSW announced its first few musicians, and happy to see my homies in the All American Rejects as the opening of the festival. Club 8 offered up one of their monthly gems, while our friends at Keeled Scales announced the signing of Hiding Places. A lot to share this week, and you don’t have to pay for any of it! Enjoy!
While the previous week seemed like the music biz was doing their typical song and dance, closing down releasees to focus on the lists and what nots. But, this week picked up, at least on my end, as we covered tons of new releases and new singles. There were a couple of out-of-the-blue announcements that I was grateful to enjoy, like brand new Just Joans and Kiwi Jr, both of whom just dropped some straight bangers into my mix. I really loved the new Pansy single, as its one of the more special tunes in the mix this week…and that Hirons single had its own way of captivating too. Along with all that, it was good to see Natalie Jane Hill back in the fold, as well as Emma Russack. Little bit of everything for you, so dig on.
During this time of the year, there’s slim pickings in terms of what’s out there, as labels and bands prepare to kind of whole up for the Winter, but we still have a really solid collection of jams for you. For starters, B. Gray and I met long, long ago at a Twilight Sad show at the OG Emos here in Austin (not the blasphemous new spot), so their new song gets precedent to show our love. We were really stoked to see our Internet pal Matt Kivel, currently of Austin, drop a single form his forthcoming LP, so that, of course, shows up. Then there’s just quality hit after hit, with Diles Que No Maten and Twin Shadow and Vilde and Devin Shaffer (sorry for the polysyndeton). There’s a little bit for you all!
Not sure what it was, but for some reason, just didn’t get a ton of new stuff out into the world last week, though I’ll admit, sometimes life takes precedence. We were fortunate enough to grab some new tracks from our favorite Austin acts like Annabelle Chairlegs and Daphne Tunes, not to mention a little show coverage for Nations of Language/Deeper over at Mohawk too. There was some new stuff I thought was really special from No Lonesome and Hush, and then Optic Sink dropped a slow burner that I’ve had on repeat for a few days now. Feel like last week was very much a quality over quantity, but you be the judge.
Are old buddies in 
As we poured through B. Gray’s photo coverage of Levitation, we also were able to get in some pretty solid tracks, even a premiere here and there, so a pretty busy week on our side. We did some Austin repping with that new Mugger tune on Friday, if you dare to let it rip! Dropped brand new stuff from Strange Passage, Marni and the Lions Constellation, all which are worthy of your listening. Plus, even got to stretch our taste a bit with the likes of Greg Weeks, Devin Shaffer and Magic Fig, so feel free to step outside the confines of today’s indie rock playlist!
ATH got her groove back! Okay, maybe not entirely, but feel like we’ve gotten some solid coverage this week, bringing you some stuff that the other hit promoters might have missed. I wanted to start the playlist off this week with the new single from Massage, as that track made me rush out and count my quarters to grab a copy. RayRay reminded us that Shy Boys are still a force to be reckoned with, while B.Gray is out there encouraging those remaining tickets for Levitation to get picked up. Otherwise, we’re a little all over the place, stylistically, moving between the post-punk of Optic Sink and electronica of Sam Prekop to the quiet beauty of Greg Jamie; there’s a little something for everyone if you click play below!
Stella is getting her groove back, or at least I am. Managed to get my feet underneath me a little bit this past week, so we’ve got a pretty decent amount of tracks to represent. Threw out a couple of premieres for the homies at Feel It Records, with new No Peeling and Fan Club dropping this week. Turned around and dropped some Austin love for Skloss and Whisper too, which is always a goal. Really enjoyed my own introduction to the tragic story of Stroik, with a powerful tune you should put on your radar. Nice to see some favorites on the dial too like Sharp Pins and Frog. But man, this Happy Dust Gang tune in here is just my jam!
We have to own up to riding the struggle bus last week; I’ve been back at school, but the kids were finally in my classroom, so didn’t quite get to as much of the jams as I normally would. But, even as I adapted a new routine, found some real joy in the week’s music, though I know there was tons more out there. We got some solid Austin love with fresh Jane Leo and Rad Gnar, encompassing both sides of the Austin area scene. RayRay crushed it with a premiere for new Living Hour track, so be sure to swing by that jam. Fans of my indiepop coverage will want to be be sure you get your ears on new Tullycraft, Love Burns and Massage, all worthy of some extra listens. Sneak in and enjoy a little dose of new jams. And B.gray threw out some news on the ACL Night Shows, if that’s of interest, dig into the site!