This is fine.
Moar SXSW interviews! Yes we are crazy people and are planning to share more SXSW interviews than you could possibly imagine. Today I am pumped to share with you an interview with some old friends of ours Criminal Hygiene. These guys are on a high right now with the upcoming release of their new album Run it Again just prior to their Austin visit. We are excited for them. Hit the jump for answers.
Criminal Hygiene is an L.A. based band we have known for many years after meeting at SXSW one year and doing a show together afterwards. Well the guys went quiet for a few years after that, but have returned this year with a ton of new music and a new album on the way. Their latest single “Dangers of Convenience” can be found below and features the always enticing garage rock, in your face style which is what caused me to originally be turned on to the band. I’m happy for the boys to hop on to major label Dangerbird to release the new album Run it Again on March 1st.
If you know me, you know I have a penchant to stare dreamily out the window in my classroom; I wish I could take the kids outside and just enjoy the world. So, I’m always looking for tunes to accompany my daydreaming, like this Jonny Kosmo tune. It’s a way-relaxed number that recalls a touch of tropicalia, while almost pulling in an R&B lounge act at the same time…especially when that horn comes riding in before the 3 minute mark. So, if you feel like daydreaming, just quietly turn this track on and let it carry you off into the sun…or to the self-titled release out March 1st.
It’s a beautiful day in Austin, TX and I’d advise you to play some tunes which fit the current sunny skies and moderate temps. My new friends in Los Angeles based Small Forward have this new single called “Tearjerker” to perfectly fit the mood. Don’t let the track title mislead you, the song is full of bright, shoe gaze style pop music perfect for a morning drive on a crisp, lovely day. These guys are fairly new to the game right now and I’m told we will be hearing much more from them in the new year.
There’s not a lot out in the world that sounds like Brutus VIII, the project of Jackson Katz (Slow Hollows). He just released his album AHackney Pursuit within the last few weeks, and now there’s this great video for “Watch Me Dive.” The song has this pulsating rhythmic push, driving you forward, and the deep throaty vocals are definitely something that gives the sense of a enchanting peculiarity to the track. The video is black and white, with a no-faced stranger dancing and grooving to the music. It’s not your run of the mill electronica, and for that, I encourage you to go enjoy the song.
On this new Ruby Haunt tune, the synth that opens the track took me somewhere unexpectedly. It’s sonically similar to the electronic sound used by M83 for “I Guess I’m Floating,” which immediately let me escape my body for a minute. I welcomed a collision of worlds, and only returned when the vocals just gently decided to walk into the tune. Interestingly, and perhaps induced by my M83 comparison, this song evokes some grand feeling of contemplation, of just getting lost in your own headspace. It’s a good way to spend a few minutes, warm electronic melodies and soft vocals letting you leave the world around you, albeit for just a moment. The band will release Blue Hour in September.
This is not a preemptive Mother’s Day post, but rather an encouraging push towards the work of Momma, the teenage LA duo. Don’t let their age impact your impression; I think this tune sounds better than the majority of like-minded peers. I love how there’s this natural building of momentum throughout, though they show enough restraint to never fully give into that gradual build. Piling guitars atop each other, the duo happily let you drift away on the edge of their notes. It’s a wonderful tune, showing a great bit of care, thus leaving me impressed. Their forthcoming LP, Interloper, drops on May 25th via Danger Collective.
More SXSW interviews, all the time, all day, every day. As you can see, we are not messing around with the interviews this year leading up to the festival. I think Nathan and I have rather enjoyed seeing what all these bands have to say about our town and our festival. What I dig most about it is seeing the overwhelming amount of positivity each band brings even if they are on a long tour or a few days between a solid meal. Today I carry on the interviews with one from L.A. based Gothic Tropic. Hit the jump to see it all.
Maybe stop what you’re doing right now and check out this hot new track “Creation Frustration” from L.A. based band Hearty Har. It’s like if MGMT, Portugal the Man., and you’re favorite weird psych band all got together and made babies. You cant deny the band has one hell of a lot of energy and sound like one of the tightest groups I’ve heard in a while. Carry on.
Stay tuned for more from Hearty Har in the future.
Today I’ve really been digging this new song called “Yeah I Want It” from L.A. based band Umm. It reminds me a bit of fellow duo Jack + Eliza if they added more rock elements and experimental sounds. You can sometimes hear a bit of grunge in the song intertwined with some great vocal harmonies. Most anyone can find something to like here.
Umm will release new album Double Worshipper on July 28th via Majestic Litter (pre-order).
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