This is fine.
This week is the week! Hoping that I’ll be able to catch Pachyman this week, as I’ve been super jamming to his latest LP, Switched-On. It’s a collection of Latin influenced dub, with hints of indie and psychedelic grooves…and to be honest, a sound that’s probably more obscure than it deserves to be. So, we reached out, caught up…and here we go!
It’s here ladies and germs, it’s officially time for another festival here in Austin as things for Levitation festival kick off on Thursday and run through Sunday. Your friendly ATH team of course has made plans for tons of coverage with some previews and interviews to get you prepped and excited for the long weekend ahead. As part of our preview process, we continue today with a quick interview from long time ATH favorites Shannon and The Clams. Hit the jump for the interview, set times, and some tunes.
Next week is Levitation; it’s also the week of Video Age‘s new LP hitting the streets! Why would that matter? Well, you actually get both together, at the band are part of the festival’s line-up! But, let’s put that aside for the moment, and listen to the group’s latest single on Away From the Castle. This one’s a true slow burner, crafting nostalgic pop vibes through the first minute and a half, then dropping in a sick beat to get a little bounce beneath your feet. They flesh the track out too, letting some little vocal samples and washes of electronics kind of crest in the middle of the tune, all of it reminding me of thoughtful pop like Radio Dept. or Red Sleeping Beauty. If, like me, you’re coming to the festival next weekend, be sure you’ve got the band on your radar, and if not, grab the new LP from Winspear.
Party people. That ACL thing is over and done with for real so now it’s time to direct your attention to the festival that the ATH crew REALLY gets amped for. In just about a week and a half, the entire town will be getting down and cruising downtown for Levitation Festival. As we tend to do for this thing, be ready for a slew of previews, interviews, playlists, and band recommendations. For now, hit the jump for a few updates from the festival along with all your links for ticket purchasings and whatnot.
Sure, this new track from Indiana’s Wishy popped up yesterday, but seeing as the new group featuring Kevin Krauter is making their way to Austin in a few weeks we wanted keep the band in your thoughts. Kevin’s sharing lead songwriting duties with Nina Pitchkites, who takes over the vocals here, giving the song the melodic backbone that allows the noisiness to swirl and spin about. On one hand, its sort of working with bedroom pop tendencies, offering up a sweetness that feels intimate; the flip side of the coin is the incessant push forward with noisy notes shooting off like fireworks in and out of the core. Paradise EP is out December 15th via Winspear.
If ever there was a song title that established the mood of the song for the listener, then it has to be this new track from Video Age. For starters, there’s this lightness to the track, almost playful like the first rays of Spring after a long dark Winter; the airy nature sets up the abundant melodic nature you can’t escape. Speaking of that melody, whether it pops up in the notes from the keys or the vocals, it blankets you in this striking warmth, crisp and golden, as the song title would suggest. The band release Away from the Castle on October 27th via Winspear…then celebrate two days later at Levitation!
There are so many artists coming to Levitation next month, but aside from Ted Leo and Chisel, the next act on my mind is Pachyman. This new single feels like a beachfront, cocktail-sipping good time, as it employs bits of Latin vibes with sprinkles of dub and modern production to really just hit this groove you can’t get pass on…nor do you want to! The video is humorous, with Pachyman himself playing all the instruments in various outfits, claiming all the musical fame on his own. Switched-On is out on September 29th via ATO Records.
Honestly, I’m a super-avid Pachyman fan. I was super stoked to hear that he’d be making his way to Austin for Levitation, and now I’m equally stoked to hear that he’s got a new record coming out this year. The LA instrumentalist definitely lets his Latin roots shine in his work, and yet there’s something in his style that makes it feel more than an homage…its an intangible something that makes it feel like part of the lifeblood of the modern Latin music. Plus, he’s still flirting with his love of Jamaican dub, but making it entirely his own sound, and I’m going to keep jamming this tune all day long. Switched On is out via ATO on September 29th.
Ladies and germs, the moment you have been waiting for is finally here. Levitation Festival is back in 2023 with a first wave lineup announcement and WOW, this bill is stacked with some serious heavy hitters. Beach Fossils, Slow Pulp, Blonde Redhead, Death From Above, THE CHURCH, Panda Bear… LET’S GO! Yep the bill is loaded and you can expect the entire ATH team to be out in full force. Full lineup below and on that fancy poster. Tickets are also on sale NOW. Full lineup can be seen after the jump (for style purposes) or over on that very fancy pants poster.
And just like that, Levitation 2022 has come and gone as fast and powerful as a Slift guitar interlude. With absolutely no remorse for ear drums, the entire billing unconditionally brought their fucking A game. Earsplitting, breakneck, and with style points in spades, this years fest was one for the record books. 2 nights of Gizz, 4 nights of the Osees, La Femme and Black Angels closing things out, what is not to like? If you were following along, your ATH crew enlisted amongst the thronged masses in the Red River Cultural District this weekend to get a massive dose of culture. We spread out as much as possible over the weekend and below are our major takeaways and favorite shows you should be listening to and seeing live if you get the chance. Until next time, hit the jump.
