Premiere: Sparrows Gate Warm Your Ears

sparrowsgateThis new Sparrows Gatetrack opens with little more than a vocal and a piano background, but within moments the song takes on deeper arrangements, offering soft percussive touches and an atmospheric bit of strings/guitars to fill in all the empty spaces. Songs such as these sink deep into your soul, pulling out the emotive notes as you gaze into the nearest fire, trying to stay warm in these winter times. As the song moves all the way forward, there’s this haunting little string piece that always sticks out to me; it’s a forlorn touch that seems to step in line with the tones of the vocals. Look for the group’s new effort, Ghost Blue, which comes out on January 22nd via Royal Oakie Tapes and Records.

New Adam Busch Single

Adam-Busch-450x300Fans of indie rock should recognize Adam Busch, though perhaps by his work in The Curious Digit or Manishevitz, and not by his name. But, what’s important is that despite all the accolades and fans over the years, Busch is preparing his first effort on his own. Our understanding is that he took off to spend some time with his family, but always busy as a songwriter, he got the itch to go at it again…studying varying styles. You can hear it in this song to, be it from the chords working atop one another (seemingly) to the overall production that comes via the crashing drums and his vocal delivery. It brings a refreshing cleanse to the landscape of folk-influence indie rock. I expect really ornate beauty from his album, River of Bricks, when it’s released on November 13th. 

Premiere: Mark Van Hoen’s Nightvision Album Is Ready

markmarkmarkIn my world (I know it’s a skewed one), there are two types of electronic music: one type makes you dance (or aims to) and the other is more of an exploratory sort. The exploratory sort seems to be the world Mark Van Hoen‘s been crafting for us; it’s the sort seeking to tell a story through one’s time spent with the music. On “I Love to Fly” there’s a simple buzz  or warble working immediately, creating this warmth through the trickling synthesized beat; I love hearing the vocal sample that pops up twice in the track, adding a nice extra layer to the story I created in my brain. What’s the story you’re crafting? Expect to find yourself creating many more when Mark releases Nightvision on November 13th via Saint Marie Records

ATX Spotlight: Ben Millburn Readies New EP

benmillburnWe’d like to take this time to really welcome Ben Millburn to Austin, though he’s been here working on his debut EP for some time. But, the Louisiana native is here for good, or for now, and he’s ready for you to hear what he’s been working on…and what’s been running through his mind. Strange Love and Consequence, his latest EP, features this powerful track, brimming with the perfect backing harmony and this swelling of huge guitar riffs that ring out in your speaker long after the tune is over. It’s a refreshing listen, not sounding like much else within the confines of the city’s current musical landscape. Give a warm welcome to Ben, if you haven’t already, and grab his new EP on December 11th via Sunglass Mustache Records.

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ATH Premiere: Historian Readies Current

krisPersonally, I enjoy searching out music that changes on you. You’re accepting one direction, you can see the tension rise, but then it turns. Sometimes, like in the case of Historian, the changes are subtle; they’re quick and simple, like the move that happens around the 2:40 mark. It sets the song off a bit, allowing for the song to grow and change into something completely new; it’s like listening to the evolution of music, right through your speakers. This quiet flare of the dramatic has won Historian, and it’s main songwriter Chris Karman, comparisons to the likes of Spiritualized and Radiohead…that leads to a great deal of promise as the band prepares to release Current on October 30th via The Record Machine.

ATH Premiere: Dark Industrial Pop from SPC ECO

SPCECO-Dark-Matter1500xFirst, the name SPC ECO is pronounced as “space echo,” so I’m glad that’s out of the way. Now, let’s spend some time listening to this great piece of industrialized pop music. Sure, I could just call it some minimal version of electro-pop, but it feels like more than that to me. From the album artwork to the sterility lurking just beneath the emotive croon of Rose Berlin, there’s a concept at work here; you’ll hear actual electronic noise construction, not just repetitive bleeps and bloops. Oh, and it cannot hurt that Dean Garcia, formerly of Curve, is the constructionist behind it all. Their new album, Dark Matter, is being distributed by Saint Marie Records, who’ve had themselves quite a run lately. Happy Friday.

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ATH Premiere: Stutter Steps Are Your New Favorites

stutterstepsOkay, so maybe Stutter Steps aren’t your new favorites, not yet anyways. But, those of you who’ve carefully wrapped yourself in a world of indiepop and Australian/NewZealand guitar craftsmanship will surely find yourselves a new band to adore. This first single is as fine example of the art of songwriting as I’ve come to hear, which should come as no surprise; Ben Harrison, the man behind the band, can call himself a contributor/collaborator to the works of Dean and Britta (if you need to look that up then it won’t mean much). Still, I can hear the band’s references to Flying Nun, though I prefer to imagine Harrison crafting his own American version of the Go-Betweens. There’s incredible melodies and such a gentle warmth; you’re bound to find this the most endearing tune today. Their self-titled album will be out soon via Wild Kindness Records.

ATH Premiere: Grape St. Ready New Album

IMG_1455You know we love our boys in Grape St, and we’re excited to share a brand new tune from their fresh new album, Wallpaper.  This latest single displays Curtis’ further progression in songwriting, moving further away from his old group Harlem and into territory dominated by an incredible knack for pop sensibility. It seems like every song on this new record is built for a huge sing-a-long with your friends…but with a little style and flare.  You’ll be able to grab the new record from Burger Records this October; it might just be his best work to date…and be sure to catch the band’s first LP A Date with You, HERE.

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ATH Premiere: Knowlton Bourne Signs w/ Misra

Knowlton Promo 1Knowlton Bourne is a 23 year old native of Mississippi, which is important, as there’s definitely been some recent indie rock lineage occurring out there…like Dent May for instance.  But, with Bourne, you’re going to get more of a fuzzed-out riff blended carefully with a taste of Southern comforts. Guitar chords sound like something Ty Segall would have constructed, but the structure is slower, much like the pace of the South, which is why the tune succeeds on its own terms. This number will feature on Knowlton’s Songs from Motel 43, which is going to be released on October 2nd via Misra…enjoy your first sample of the LP.

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Premiere: Static Daydream Blast New Single

staticWhy use the term blast, you ask? Please, press play. Immediately, you’ll be hit by a wall of squalling guitars from Static Daydream, echoing loudly in the caverns of your mind.  But, while your ears adjust, listen closely.  Vocals are soft, barely audible.  Then, the pop sensibility that’s been bubbling just beneath the tune’s surface pervades, and the wall of guitar noise is completely removed, making way for an electronic outro that serves as the perfect calming closure to this storm of a song. Saint Marie Records will be releasing the group’s self-titled debut in August; it’s perfect for those of you that love your shoegaze music loud and accessible.

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