This is fine.
Despite some of the self-inflicted guilt of being part of the machine, we’re still out there trying to cover as much music and see as many bands as we could on Thursday. We were able to really bounce here and there, with the Valhalla and 13th Floor giving a prime location for the bloggers crossing the road. I think we all squeezed in some bands that we had wanted to see this year, so that’s an added bonus getting to cross a rad act off your list!
I don’t know if you guys noticed, but RayRay got a new gig, so he’s had tons more time to get some sweet jams up! It’s great, as we definitely have some crossover, but also our own styles, so our playlists are probably much more diverse! I mean, just last week he premiered new Mother Sun and Peter Matthew Bauer, while I was rocking the heck out of Almond Joy and The Smashing Times. I mean, there’s no winner, but you! We also were able to get some old friends on the pages with Why Bonnie and Cam Bina! So, happy Monday to us all!
Listening to Sam Sarty’s story in relation to the new Living Hour single, it’s easy to relate to the sentiment of missing something that symbolized your life or your love of a place or person, only to find it gone when you least expected; it seems to embrace a universal sentiment that only feels more real over the last several years amidst Covid and changing landscapes (esp. in Austin). All of this is set to a pensive vibe, one that kind of allows you to drift in and out of consciousness, as one would when waxing nostalgic about the past. You’ll hear jazzy little flourishes bubble up from beneath, as the band add depth with layering flourishes; you’ll ultimately find yourself enjoying the mental vacation the song encourages as it spins through your speakers. Someday is Today will be out on September 2nd via Kanine Records.
It’s that time of the week friends, where you get to revisit all the stuff we covered last week, mostly because we’re too lazy to do it on a Friday. We had a lot of super rad stuff, with fresh tunes from the likes of Living Hour, Interior Geometry and Lost Film. Plus, with Liars reissue treatment, I get a chance to post an old school Liars jam, so I was stoked there. Plus, our friend Nick Rad documented his fun at the Turnstile show, so I included a jam in here too, because why the heck not?! Happy Monday!
I have a feeling that if you’re writing about best tunes for the week, this new Living Hour track definitely has to be up there (if not, one of my favorite tunes of the month). I got hooked on the crashing guitar opening, but love the contrast as the tune quickly slides into a more mellow space, leaving lots of room for notes to ring sharply in your ears, allowing all those notes and vocals to kind of hang in the air. All that said, the song eventually slides back into the heavier notes, but I love how the mix keeps it heavy, though quiet; the vocals still have their dreaminess, even when coated with the distortion. A perfect balance between fragility and noise awaits you. The group will release their new LP, Someday is Today via Kanine in September.
Happy Monday everyone! Hope you’re doing alright, physically and emotionally. We’re here to wrap up last week’s hits, or at least what we loved. This collection has a bunch of songs included from some albums that dropped on Friday, as well as new tunes from Gustaf, Dinner and the new collaboration from Living Hour + Peel Dream Magazine. Start your week off right by reviewing what we loved last week. Have a good day!
This whole pandemic situation has really given music fans some rewards, and despite hardships, artists have continuously found ways to create in new ways. Living Hour, having already shared their help with supergroup Central Heat Exchange have returned with their own piece, but this time they’ve teamed with ATH fave Peel Dream Magazine. Perhaps it’s clich, but the union provides you with this expansive pop that feels like you’re floating in space, or perhaps peering out the window of your favorite submarine below the sea. Of course, it could also be envisioned like many of us, watching the world from our windows, or screens, still scared to step outside fully. Regardless, the song’s beautiful, and a wonderful way to lose yourself in the weekend.
We’ve previously written about the group project Central Heat Exchange, featuring members of Varsity, Living Hour and Daphne Tunes…but I’ll be open here…this one gets a little close to home as the vocals come from our friend Santi of Daphne Tunes. I love the song’s construction, feeling like it’s brimming with textural heaviness, while still seemingly floating in nature due to Santi’s vocals here; he’s got this magical touch that seems to feather every note, providing this endless coziness. The video, whether intentional or not, seems to kind of capture the band’s spirit, though perhaps not capture the band. It’s a bunch of friends, playing and skating and doing their thing, much like the members of Central Heat Exchange accomplished in crafting this LP. The self-titled album is out on September 10th, courtesy of Sunroom/Citrus City/Birthday Cake Media.
We’ve been hearing rumors of Central Heat Exchange, primarily through out distant connection with Santi of Daphne Tunes/Growl, who is actually in the band; we also knew it was a supergroup of sorts, featuring various members from Varsity, Pool Holograph and Living Hour, not to mention their friends and cohorts. Today, we finally get the joy of the first single, with an announcement they’ve signed with Birthday Cake/Citrus City/Sunroom for their debut LP. Being a fan of all the members, I had high hopes, but they’ve really knocked it out of the park here. The vocals feel like a cool crisp bike ride through hilly territory, cruising lightly, wind at your back. And, while I like the soft jangle approach, there’s these little peaks and valleys in the musical melody that really works its way under your skin. I think my favorite ten seconds comes between 2:20 and 2:30, so be sure to tune in all the way to the end. We’ll keep you posted when we get more news about the LP!
We’re in the thick of it, and yet it’s just started. Me? I’ve already seen 45+ bands in the last three days, so I plan to keep that going. One act on my radar is definitely Living Hour, and they’ve quickly thrown back some answers to our questionnaire. Read more
