This is fine.
I’ve really enjoyed the work of Austin band Follow That Bird, so when I found out that Lauren Green was stepping out from the band for a minute to record her own debut EP, Easy Spirits, I was interested to see where her own work would lead her. Needless to say, I’m really stoked on this whole little EP; it’s got an entirely different feel, but one that you’ll definitely enjoy.
Download: Lauren Green – Quilts [MP3]
| Date | Wednesday, May 23rd |
|---|---|
| Location | Stubbs |
| Doors | 900 pm |
| Tickets | $12 from Frontgate |
Man, so many great bands are playing in town this week, and another to add to that list is the Canadian group, Great Lake Swimmers. Their original incarnation had them crafting quieted folk numbers, but as they’ve continued to grow, they’ve incoporated more into their sound, adding more strings and what nots. They’ll be coming into town with a bunch of new songs from their recent release, New Wild Everywhere, but I promise you they’ll play some of the old hits too…and there are definitely some beautiful hits in their catalogue. Opening the night will be Cold Specks! Oh, and if you can’t catch the show due to time or financial constraints, both bands will be doing an In-Store over at some place called Waterloo Records for FREE starting at 4:30.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/td43-great-lake-swimmers-pulling-on-a-line.mp3]Download: Great Lake Swimmers – Pulling on a Line [MP3]
Last fall I caught wind of this great band, White Birds, a Philly group that was creating lush pop music with a nice coat of fog. Just this past weekend the band released a new track from their debut, When Women Played Drums, which unfortunately will be on a limited cassette release. Again, they come at us with this really steady pop, with the vocals run through this wash of noise…it sort of reminds me of what I would expect a mello Arcade Fire to come off as if they recorded in the midst of a windstorm. I don’t know, it’s quiet and gentle, and perfect for my chilled out afternoon jamming.
Download: White Birds – Waters [MP3]
The Wind-Up Birds are a UK pop-punk band, but it’s clear that the definition of pop punk varies from continent to continent. Vocal delivery is definitely a touch different, which you’ll easily notice–to me it recalls Art Brut in the way it’s very matter of fact, almost spoken word. The group’s just released their new album, The Land, and it’s full of sharp and jagged guitar licks just like the one here. If you’re a fan of bouncing punk rock, then this is going to be right up your alley!
Download:The Wind-Up Birds – Cross Country [MP3]
Sons of Fathers are an up-and-coming Austin band, and with the impending release of their second album, Big Diamond Waltz, coming in August, the boys are prepping to take over Austin…and probably move beyond. This track below is featured on the album, and it had an appeal to both the indie sorts and the country fans. It’s that precise balance of sounds that really has the band poised to have a break out year once the release comes out; we wish them the best of luck, but we hope most of all that you’ll enjoy this track as we kick off the week.
Download:Sons of Fathers – Burning Days [MP3]
 Date |
Tuesday, May 22nd |
|---|---|
| Location | Mohawk |
| Doors | 900 pm |
| Tickets | $10 at the Door. |
It’s going to be a great week for rock shows in Austin, and I have the perfect way to start off your week in the proper fashion. Danish pop group, Alcoholic Faith Mission are coming into town in support of their recent record, Ask Me This. They crossbreed straight pop with elegant songwriting, giving listeners hooks galore. Plus, they’ll be joined by Old Flame Records labelmates, You Won’t. The Massachusetts group blends indie pop and folk, in a fashion that has garnered them accolades for some time. School’s out for a lot of people, so let’s all go and enjoy the music folks.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/07-Ask-Me-This.mp3]Download:Alcoholic Faith Mission – Ask Me This [MP3]
Not too long ago I brought you a sweet single from New Zealand’s The Eversons, discussing the gems off their recent album Summer Feeling. I was stoked today when they offered up a free B-Side from that recording session, and it’s more blissful pop to warm your heart (as if I needed that hear in Texas). You can find this song on their 7″ for Could It Ever Get Better, which you can pick up straight from the band if you offer them a generous (and helpful donation). There’s a youthfulness to the tunes coming from this quartet, and right now, it’s precisely what I need to get ready for summer!
Download:The Eversons – I Don’t Wanna Be Your Friend [MP3]
Rating: 
Having been a fan of Akron/Family for some time now, it’s interesting to see where their music leaves off and Dana Buoy takes over. Summer Bodies is a great bit sunnier in its construction than any of the work he’s done with his band up until now. That being said, you can definitely see the lineage between his solo work and his work elsewhere.
I wasn’t really sure what to expect from Dana Buoy‘s solo outing until I made it beyond the first minute of the opening track, “Anatomy of Now.” For that minute, you get little more than vocals, but then a sort of indie-clad tribal element comes in to join Buoy. There’s definitely a light-hearted mood created, but it’s not overly exuberant…I like a little restraint. “Call to Be” follows it up with another emphatic number, though this one is a touch darker in its musical quality. The chorus line of the rising oh into “this is just a call to be” is possibly one of my favorite moments on the record.
One of the great things about Summer Bodies is Buoy’s ability to build anticipation for the listener, leading you into the glorious hooks slowly. He does this with the opening track, and he does it again with “So Lucky.” But, while those two tracks have heavier (sort of) beats kick in, he can also build into a slow jam like he does with “Sattelite Ozone,” a song that mellows just as it begins to pick up. It might go too far at time, as the formulaic approach begins to grow a bit expected, but it’s a cool touch that I definitely appreciate.
And as much as I enjoy the beats that encourage me to tap my feet, I appreciated Dana Buoy‘s ability to go in a different direction altogether. “Futures Part” is one such song, again building slowly, yet there’s a gentle touch to the track as it unfolds. Time and time again, you think Dana could just go far off into rhythmic bliss, but he’s showing his ability to hold back just enough and explore softer sides. You’re probably going to overlook such tiny nuances, but in a day and age where songs come fast and heavy-handed (in regards to hooks and beats), it’s nice to find someone pulling up short.
Listening to Summer Bodies comes off a bit like a two-sided affair, yet it definitely has enough to tie everything together. Side A has the tendency to hit hard, using beats to catch your ears. Side B wanders a bit, in a pleasant sense, showing that Dana Buoy still has the wish to use his gifts as a writer of exploratory pop songs. Tied in together, the whole record has the ability to thrill and uplift, time and time again. Label me a pleasantly surprised fan of Dana’s solo work.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/03-So-Lucky.mp3]Download:Dana Buoy – So Lucky [MP3]
Not less than a month ago I brought you the title track from the new record, Pinata, by Volcano!, so I’m happy to offer up another fun track that I know you’re going to enjoy. It’s still a little bit off-the-beaten-path pop, using tight guitar work as the backbone of the song. I swear there’s a moment in the song when Ted Leo makes an appearance, but that’s just wishful thinking. It doesn’t even matter, as there’s a shaky quality here, but also a soaring pop element that is crafted near the end of the track. If you like your music to keep you entertained and twisting, then listen to this gem of a tune. Pinata is out June 12th on The Leaf Label.
Download:Volcano! – Long Gone [MP3]
This new track popped up on Stereogum yesterday, and I just had to post it. We’ve heaped praised upon So Many Wizards since back in early 2011, and I’m still supporting, especially as their sound continues to grow. In February I kind of gave them a nod to old school Shins, and they still have that propensity to dig into the pop realm from a very dense arena; these are the sort of things that always make us happy here at ATH. You can find this song as well as others we’ve raved about on August 14th when the band releases their album, Warm Nothing, via Jaxart Records.
Download:So Many Wizards – Happy Birthday [MP3]
