Beautiful Tune from Jordan Moser

It’s kinda rainy here in Austin, and been sort of a shit morning, so it was nice to hear a stunning new number from one of our own, Jordan Moser. Jordan’s got a really striking voice, at times has that smokiness of M. Ward, but it has this ability take that then suddenly stretch it to more angelic tones when necessary; it doesn’t help that the wonderful Molly Burch is back there providing backing vocals. Musically, I think there this brilliance in the sort of understated nature of the whole thing; the drums are steady, but never rocking, while the guitar sort of courses in and out on its own journey. It all leaves this empty space that allows Moser and Burch to drop their vocals inside your ear channels. Long Night will be out in July courtesy of Keeled Scales.

New Music from RF Shannon

Trickster Blues hasn’t even been out a year, and Shane Renfro and RF Shannon are already prepping for another release later this summer. Our first listen to the new stuff below seems to have some slight changes, though revolving around elements that have always been there. For one, the spacier side of folk seems to only bubble up ever so often; this is a much more direct folk number. I think peeling that away, ever so slightly, puts a more distinctive pull on Renfro’s voice, getting the listener to really fall for the track. The new effort is titled Rain on Dust, and should be out in August via local label Keeled Scales.

Brand New Sun June Tune

If you didn’t listen to Years, then I don’t know what rock you were living under, but you missed one of the great albums of 2018. And, Sun June aren’t slowing down, returning today with a new single off their forthcoming digital EP. Just a few seconds in and you’ll hear the organic beauty of the five-piece, texturing the track with just enough rhythm and soul to let the vocals stand out on their own. I love the cascade towards the end around the 2 minute mark. Oh! And did you know the band are playing the ATH vs SOTO show on Sunday, March 10th? Well, they are. This single appears on the digital EP out at the end of March, and accompanied with the 2nd press of Years via Keeled Scales.

Brand New Number from Twain

Perhaps no one in the indie spectrum has been on a quicker ascendancy than Twain, particularly after all the praise awarded to Rare Feeling. What I love about this new track is that it’s employing piano work as the song’s backbone, along with some minimal percussive elements. There’s something special about the way those ivory notes sparkle in your ear, especially when matched with the deepened voice of Mt. Davidson. They’ve still got guitar skipping through the background in a shimmering fashion, but the patience to pull in the listener with the piano is something to marvel. This track appears on the new effort The Two EPs, which is being released by Keeled Scales on January 25th.

New Music from Twain

Twain had one hell of a year thus far, and it looks like he aims to take the same approach to world domination in 2019. Today he announces a double-EP for Keeled Scales, schedule to drop in January. I love the way he just casually strolls into this song, carefully picked notes, twinkling piano and a stomping tambourine of sorts. For a minute you’re enraptured, spinning in the melody, until the piano comes in a bit more emphatically, adding just the slightest bit of a gallop to the tune. There’s even some sort of lo-fi vocal yelps jumping in and out in the song’s second half. Pretty sure at this point, he can’t write a bad tune. We’ll know more when the new release drops in January.

Sun June Album Release Tonight at Spiderhouse

If you haven’t been reading the cool sites, then maybe you’ve missed the swirling hype surrounding Austin’s Sun June. Hype or not, we here at ATH can attest to the band’s talents, both live and recorded. Tonight they gather with friends and label mates to celebrate the release of their new album, Years; you can stream that whole LP right HERE. Daphne Tunes will kick things off, followed by the esteemed Julia Lucille. If you’re not fortunate enough to live in Austin, then go head over to our friends at Keeled Scales and grab yourself a copy there before it’s too late! Oh, and here’s the last single from the LP, and one of my fave tracks. Doors at 8!

Sun June Drop Another Tune

One band hailing from Austin that’s doing exceptionally well beyond is Sun June, and they released another single from their forthcoming Years LP this week. This number is a delicate piece, with all five members playing an important part in the song’s presentation; the bubbling bass groove and the mingling guitar textures illustrate the attention to detail the quintet have put into this new LP. Laura Colwell’s voice, as ever, has this powerful assuredness that others will struggle to match. Years will be released on June 15th via our good friends over at Keeled Scales (who will be at the Texas Label Bazaar this Saturday).

Short Ditty from Buck Meek

Big Thief’s Buck Meek will be releasing his self-titled debut in just a couple of weeks, and we’re getting one last single before the official release day. This short number is pretty special, pulling from folk traditions and fleshing them out in Peter and the Wolf fashion; you’ll hear exactly what I’m talking about when you give the song a close ear. That’s what makes this effort so striking; it’s the little details given to individual tracks that elevate the entire LP. It’s being released over at Keeled Scales, who will also be on hand for the Texas Record Bazaar at ABGB on Saturday.

Yesterday’s Buck Meek Tune

Our good friends over at Keeled Scales are releasing the forthcoming Buck Meek LP, so it only feels natural to give Buck’s music an extra push. It shouldn’t be too difficult, seeing as he’s one of the founding members of indie stars, Big Thief. In this song, there’s a natural bounce evoked, interestingly, it seems to come from the guitars working between the keyboard notes. Even more, Buck’s delivery is extremely lighthearted, and almost playful at times…even as the tune sneaks into an arty, almost G Bear-esque close. Look for his solo record to drop on May 18th.

One Last Twain Tune

This week we’ll happily celebrate the release of the Rare Feeling, the latest LP from Twain. But, before we go that route, let us revel in one final tune; I think I’ve found this as my favorite number. It falls somewhere in the universe between Dan Bejar and Devandra, especially with the way he drops tones in and out of verses. Of course, Twain makes it all his own on the latter half of the number as his voice soars superbly. Look for the release in your local shop, or grab it from our good friends over at Keeled Scales.

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