Robby Share Video for Stay Awhile + Album Release Show

Subtle pop music is currently one of my favorite things; the sort of pop tune that’s unassuming, but just makes your soul feel good. That’s precisely the spot that this new single from Austin’s Robby hits with their new track “Stay Awhile” off their forthcoming LP, Impressions. The verses are steady, these careful little guitar lines mapping out the pop sensibility that comes in full during the choruses; I love the way the guitar has this gentle turn just before the words “stay awhile” are released. The band will be self releasing Impressions this weekend via their own label collective, No Wisdom; they celebrate the album with a show Sunday night over at Cheer Up Charlies with TVs Daniel and Lolita Lynne.

Stream the Glaze TV EP

Those of you following the Austin scene are surely aware of the talented noise rockers, Glaze; they’ve been one of our favorites for the last few years, known for incredible live performances. Today, the band release their Glaze TV EP, and I think it’ll only take one listen before you, too, fall in love with the band. “Beetlejuice” is an obvious standout, but I love it for illustrating all the things I love about the band; there’s heavy noise present, stripped back for melody, brooding energy and even a little bit of post-rock thrown in the breakdown…they’ve got all your favorites covered in one jam! I think “Moody” is another nice addition to the band’s catalog as well, giving off glimpses of the band’s dreamier side, containing the noise only when necessary; it allows for the band’s natural catchiness to shine through that blanketed feedback. Austinites can catch the band live tomorrow night over at Mohawk for the celebratory release show; you can grab tickets HERE.

The Sour Notes Share New Single

The Sour Notes, always adventurous, have decided they’re going to release their new album one 7″ at a time, and today we’ve got the latest single from the series for you to enjoy. This one should come as no surprise if you listened to their ambitious collection This Is Not Our Music; I mean, if you don’t hear Galaxie 500 in here, I don’t know what you’re thinking. I love the softness of Jared’s voice on this, matched up against the heavy riffs that sort of billow in and out of the mix. It’s the sort of slow churning pop music you wish they had at your middle school dance, so you could fall in love and feel totally cool while doing it. Austin folks can get their hand on the new 7″ on June 13th at Hotel Vegas for the release show!

Genuine Leather Drop New Single + Release Show

We’ve long been behind Austin act Genuine Leather, but the group has been fairly quiet since the release of Brunch in 2016. But, today they return with a brand new single and celebratory show at Cheer Up Charlies. The new song has a horror-themed video to accompany it, with just a bit of fun added in to match the song’s pop desires. Just sit back and let those crunchy guitars burst through your speakers, wait for the vocal hooks to wash over you, then rinse and repeat. The band celebrate the new single with a great line-up at Cheer Up Charlies featuring Shivery Shakes, Pollen Rx and Robby; the band will have some old school TVs up to, streaming the new video with headphone sets attached for your listening pleasure.

AMA Ready New EP

AMA are already one of our favorite acts here in Austin, and they reached out to drop us a fresh track and news of their Trilogy EP. Our journey begins with a fuzzy riff riding the wave of crashing cymbals before singer Blair coyly slides right into the song. Her performance has her sitting back ever so slightly in the mix while the riffs echo through your speakers. It’s a crunchy rock number that rivals the best of like minded acts, offering heavy riffs balanced by melodic vocals…and more than enough DIY spirit to prove to your friends how cool they are. The band is currently on a short tour, culminating in an Austin release show on March 9th over at The Electric Church.

Premiere: RG Lowe Drops New Single + Release Show (2/2)

Last year RG Lowe stepped out of the limelight of Balmorhea to begin crafting an R&B influenced album, Slow Time, which was met with rave reviews. He’s already back with a brand new single for Western Vinyl, and you can stream the A-side of the release below. You’ll marvel at the power of his voice, and delight in the little guitar lines moving just beneath the front of the mix. To celebrate the release of the single, RG Lowe will be playing a ridiculously stacked bill over at Sahara Lounge. His labelmate Caroline Says will be playing, along with perennial ATH favorites Taft and Batty Jr. Plus, it’s an early show, so you can roll right over after that work happy hour; Doors open at 7:30, with music kicking off at 8. See you there!

Celebrate the Release of Blushing’s Weak EP @ Cheer Ups (1/27)

We’re really really excited to kick of the label side of ATH with our first release of 2018: Blushing‘s Weak EP. It’s a heavy dose of dreamgaze gems, all organized into a handy 12″ record. Several tracks have already garnered raves from the likes of DKFM Radio to the esteemed Gold Flake Paint, so clearly they’ve got something you need. Plus, if you’re in the Austin area, you can catch the band live at their release show at Cheer Up Charlies on Saturday night. It’s a pretty solid bill, with Ringo Deathstarr and Single Lash among bands filling the evening out. Just because we love you, we’re streaming the album below for you, in advance of its Friday release. You can grab the vinyl version HERE or the tape HERE.

Stream Self-Titled LP from Little Mazarn

Don’t have too much time to develop an elaborate post about how much I’m really enjoying Little Mazarn‘s debut for Self Sabotage Records, but I feel that it deserves to take us into the weekend several reasons. First, this is probably the last Austin-based LP being released in 2017…and what a great way to cap off our city’s output. Second, the band is celebrating the release with a huge show over at Central Presbyterian with Twain; it’s probably going to be a packed house, so you have no excuse to miss out! Just enjoy the wintry weather, and let this LP take you into the weekend.

Sour Notes Release Darkest Sour This Friday

Austin’s The Sour Notes have been fairly quiet, but all that will change when the band drop their new record, Darkest Sour, this Friday over at Hotel Vegas. They’ve shared this great little album promotional video, which seems to show the band delving into the realms of dreamy pop, fitting for the matching imagery in the video. If you want to preview the band’s live set, they’ll be over at KUTX doing a taping at 8 (Tix HERE). Not sold yet? Just check out the amazing line-up they’ve slung together: A Sinclair, Duncan Fellows and El Lago, who I’ve really been enjoying a lot as of late. A great week for The Sour Notes…let’s all be thankful!

Do You Know Catalina La O? She’s on Slack Capital 2

Slack Capital 2 is a compilation of music by 27 of the greatest bands in Austin. All proceeds from the comp go to SafePlace, which provides support for victims of domestic and sexual violence. We’re unveiling one song per day until the the release party on April 14.

Song of the day: Catalina La O — “Se Nos Rompio El Amor”

And now for something completely different. Catalina La O is the new project of Khattie Q, formerly of the politi-punk band BLXPLTN. If you got to see Catalina La O at Bill Ball 2 last fall, you were treated to something completely unexpected — a bracing display of powerhouse vocals, belted out over a paired-down rock band arrangement totally designed to spotlight the emotion of the song and the singer. Like wandering into David Lynch’s night club Silencio, it was at once beguiling and captivating.

“Se Nos Rompio El Amor” is an epic ballad first made famous by Spanish singer Rocio Jurado, and the band is fully dedicated to it. After a long instrumental intro, Khattie’s first whisper draws you into the emotional turmoil of the song. Soon she and the band reach great heights, draw things back down again, then explode into a finale that will leave you spent (the title of the song means “We broke love”). A truly powerful performance by a talent we’ll be keeping an eye on for a long time. — Eric Braden

PreOrder Slack Capital 2 HERE.

Release Show on April 14th at Barracuda!

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