Get Some Beer Commercial Lead Guitar from Sofa Pets

sofackingwutSome days you just want to sit in your chair, drink a beer and listen to some commercial rock with your friend Mark Kozelek.  If you’re up for it, I think the two of you will likely be listening to Sofa Pets.  The Helsinki band has that same guitar sound popularized by Budweiser and War on Drugs, and there’s a slight hazy emotion that shines through the lead single.  There is a loftier vocal approach in here too, soaring high above the mix, meeting the swirling guitar work at the highest notes.  Look for their debut EP soon on VILD Recordings.

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Show Preview: Mark Kozelek @ Scottish Rite (9/21)

Date 9/21/12
Location Scottish Rite Theater
Doors 8pm
Tickets Sold Out?

My apologies to the Mark Kozelek fans out there for the super late show post, but I’m sure you keep up with the guy and knew about this already.  For those of you who were clueless like me, Kozelek has a planned solo show going down at the Scottish Rite Theater in Austin Friday night.  If you’re going to keep being like me, I’ve been a huge fan of Kozelek for a long time so I expect to see you at the show.  The guy crafts some of the best singer/songwriter, albiet depressing, music in the game.

Oh and it appears that tickets are sold out so showing up to the venue and scalping is recommended.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/SunKilMoon_CarryMeOhio.mp3]

Download: Sun Kil Moon – Carry Me Ohio [MP3]

Great Slow Burner from Easter

Sometimes you stumble upon music that moves you emotionally, though you can’t exactly put your finger on it. That’s precisely how I felt when I put on this record from Manchester’s Easter titled Innocence Man. It’s got a casual alternative rock feeling to it, like one would find with early Mark Kozelek works. Oddly, the vocal affectation that comes along with most UK bands isn’t overwhelmingly present here, which makes it feel like it wasn’t written here in the States during my formative college years.  Here’s to hoping you enjoy this on your way to a great work week.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Easter-Damp-Patch.mp3]

Download:Easter – Damp Patch [MP3]

FTC: Red House Painters

So as I read through the Pitchfork’s very admirable attempt at listing the top tracks of the 90s, I came across a song by Red House Painters called “Katy Song” that I hadn’t thought about in a long time.  I’m not totally sure why I haven’t been spinning any RHP tracks as of late, but it might have something to do with it not being the best “summer music”.  So after listening to that epic track again from the band’s second LP(also known as the Rollercoaster LP), I started delving back into some of my old Mark Kozelek tracks.  Honestly the guy still doesn’t get his due even after 20+ years in the songwriting game.  Maybe it’s because his music defines the term “acquired taste” or it’s just too depressing for some people, but you can’t deny the beauty he creates.  I mean the Red House Painters debut LP came out almost exactly a year after Nevermind yet no one puts this band, or Kozelek for that matter, in the same breath as Cobain or other great songwriters.  I’m here to say he’s got that kind of talent.  Instead of blabbing on all day, I’ll just tell you to spend some time with the Red House Painters and their 5 releases in the 90s.  Then move on to some of that sweet Sun Kil Moon action via debut Ghosts of the Great Highway or April from 2008.  Below is one of my personal favorites “All Mixed Up”.  Yes I know it’s a cover, but honestly I don’t care much for the Cars and creating great covers is another one of Kozlek’s trademarks.  The track appears on the incredible album Song for a Blue Guitar which was the last release with the group still together until “lost” album Old Ramon came out after that big legal dispute.  Enjoy.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/08-All-Mixed-Up-The-Cars-cover-1.mp3]

Download: Red House Painters – All Mixed Up [MP3]