Free Week Show @ Holy Mountain (1.5) – Jonly Bonly

FREEWEEK2015_JAN05_HOLYMOUNTAINFree Week is here, and that means I should prepare you for the great show we’re putting on at Holy Mountain on Monday, January 5th. We’ve got Slow, Jonly Bonly, Shivery Shakes, Grape St. and also Young Girls. I’m going to toss out a little love to each band every day before the show, in hopes you’ll come join us. Also, don’t forget that our show is also a celebration bash for Pooneh Ghana, local photographer extraordinaire. Don’t forget to buy tons of records and t-shirts to make this worth it for all the bands. So, here’s a bit on Jonly Bonly. Read more

Free Week Show @ Holy Mountain (1.5) – Slow

FREEWEEK2015_JAN05_HOLYMOUNTAINFree Week is just about here, and that means I should prepare you for the great show we’re putting on at Holy Mountain on Monday, January 5th. We’ve got Slow, Jonly Bonly, Shivery Shakes, Grape St. and also Young Girls. I’m going to toss out a little love to each band every day before the show, in hopes you’ll come join us. Also, don’t forget that our show is also a celebration bash for Pooneh Ghana, local photographer extraordinaire. So, here’s a bit on Slow. Read more

Free Week Show @ Holy Mountain (1.5) – Young Girls

FREEWEEK2015_JAN05_HOLYMOUNTAINFree Week is just about here, and that means I should prepare you for the great show we’re putting on at Holy Mountain on Monday, January 5th. We’ve got Slow, Jonly Bonly, Shivery Shakes, Grape St. and also Young Girls.  I’m going to toss out a little love to each band every day before the show, in hopes you’ll come join us. Also, don’t forget that our show is also a celebration bash for Pooneh Ghana, local photographer extraordinaire. So, here’s a bit on Young Girls. Read more

Top 15 Austin Albums of 2014

Top LocalsIt’s that time of year when we all toss up our arbitrary lists of what we think is best, and seeing as we’re based here in Austin, we opted to go with our Top 15 Austin Albums first.  Why 15? Well, there were a lot of great releases all over the place, covering different styles, and appealing to our different writers. Sure, the list isn’t perfect, and it doesn’t reflect singles and EPs, as that could get entirely too crazy.  I included links to the labels so you can buy these albums from the hard-working folks in our town.  Also…there are two releases on our label, but I have no qualms about that; I didn’t set out to put out a bad LP, so obviously, they’re going to be in here.  And without further meaningless words…here’s the best records from Austin that you should already own!

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Weekend Show Preview: Beyond Weekend 2

Austin, I love you.Yes, ACL gets all the headlines around these parts, but there’s still plenty of great music to be had, so why not head out on the town and catch a good old fashioned gig.  I mean, it’s Texas/OU weekend, so the streets are likely to be less crowded…and there’s really no other excuse for why you shouldn’t catch a good act.  Look below for our highlights, including a must attend Sunday night show at Vegas; I’ll be there for sure! Read more

Austin Spotlight: Jonly Bonly Unleash New Single

jbIf you did what was right last week, you picked up the excellent Put Together LP from Austin’s Jonly Bonly.  The band, if you haven’t caught wind,  is the project of Jason Smith (formerly of OBN IIIs) and his buddy Stephen Svacina (Sweet Talk).  As always, Jason just kills the guitar licks on this tune; they’ve got an old school rock n’ roll feel while drawing some similarities to modern acts such as Parquet Courts.  This album’s filled with really sharp guitar playing, energy and a cock-sure attitude; you should head over to 12XU Records and pick it up now!

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Austin Spotlight: Jonly Bonly Back with New Tunes

jbSeems like a rad day for Austin bands, as we get to hear the first official single from Jonly Bonly today after earlier rocking out to Spray Paint.  We’ve talked about JB before as the project of Jason Smith (OBN iiis), with friends Stephen and Marley filling out the sound. They’re releasing their debut album, Put Together, on September 9th via 12XU, and I have a feeling it’s going to be one of my favorite records of the year.  If you’ve met Jason, you’re likely to note that he’s got some of the most eclectic tastes around town, and while there’s a bit of a Wire feel in the opening lines, the warmth of his guitar playing definitely takes the song further away from that sound.  I’m excited to hear what the entire record sounds like…hopefully you are too.

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Free Week Video: Jonly Bonly

Jonly BonlyOne of our favorite things from Free Week this year was the set at Red7 by Jonly Bonly. The trio is fronted by Jason Smith playing a guitar and singing with friends and fellow Austin-jams creators Stephen Svacina playing a bass and Marley Jones on drums. I busted out the super phone and got some video to share. This song is called “Long Distance.”

There are some sweet pyrotechnics during the guitar solo and a lightshow at the end. #blackcat #powerstripfailure

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Austin Free Week Reflections

ATH Free Week 14 BannerDespite the debates of recent months concerning Free Week and proper pay, it’s probably best if we look at the unique situation set up by promoters here in town (and Transmission wasn’t the only force putting on great shows!).  For a little over a week, every big venue in town was filling out line-ups with their favorite acts, the newest bands and the old stand-bys. Personally, I had an incredible time, and relished in the environment Austin offers.  

Here’s some thoughts for you, as well as my highlights. 

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Free Week Thursday Preview!

austin-skyline-mark-weaverIt’s drawing to a close, but things have warmed up, so make sure you take advantage of Free Week while we’re all still getting our fill of free rock n’ roll throughout the city.  Fasten your seat belts, put down your camera phones, and buy some merch.  Here’s our recommendations for this evening.

Golden Boys, Jonly Bonly and Orthy at Red 7 at 9 PM

Obscured by Echoes and Migrant Kids @ Holy Mountain

Little Radar at the Swan Dive @ 9 PM

Midnight Masses at Hotel Vegas @ 11 PM

Treat it like SXSW…bounce around, meet new people, catch new bands, or catch bands you love.  Just go out. It’s Thursday. Here are some tracks from Jonly Bonly and Little Radar.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/02-A2-Never-Thought-Id-Die.mp3] [audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/01-Spitfire.mp3]
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