More Psych Bliss From RF Shannon

Oh man, I am getting too excited for the upcoming full length album from Austin’s RF Shannon. They shared the title track from their upcoming release yesterday, and it beautiful, other-worldly trip into sun bleached psychedelia that the band does so well. It opens slowly with flute sounds and tinkering piano sounds, like a sleepy day begins, but then suddenly it picks up as the sun always seem to arrive and turn the sky rose before you realize it. Hazy vocals and steady percussion move the song along, accompanied by twangy guitars.Just when you think the song can’t get any more devastatingly beautiful, some female vocals join Shane Renfro, and you’re simply smitten in the psych-desert-blues glory of the song. Take a listen below.

Have you preordered Jaguar Palace yet? It’s out March 31st. Get on it.

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RF Shannon Sign To Cosmic Dreamers/Share New Single

Austin’s own RF Shannon have announced their debut full-length record at long last! The desert blues outfit have signed to Cosmic Dreamers and released a brand new single for your enjoyment. The single, which you should jam below, is called “Had a Revelation” and it’s every bit as mystical psych rock as you’d expect from the band. The whole thing sounds as though it’s coming to you through a layer of thick smoke; the guitars squall slowly and epically, while the vocals are drenched in reverb. It’s a solid track with a particularly gripping build that will pull you away from whatever other menial task you’re doing and make you focus on the song at hand.

Jaguar Palace will be out March 31st via Cosmic Dreamer. Get stoked!

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ATX Spotlight: New Music from Julia Lucille

While Julia Lucille may not be an Austin native, her arrival and presence in our city and state has surely inspired her latest musical outing. This sprawling number wears the soul of nights spent cruising down empty highway rods, aided by slide guitar from RF Shannon‘s Luke Dawson. While it opens with the voice and very very light strumming, the song soon takes off to other-worldly heights, soaking it in extra bits of reverb and textural touches that create the song’s depth. Imagine yourself dancing in the arms of your love in some small town tavern, while an unknown chanteuse serenades you; it’s the best bit of music escapism. Look for Julia’s new record, Chthonic, via Keeled Scales on April 7th.

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ATX Spotlight: New Music from RF Shannon

I’ve been a fan of RF Shannon since I caught wind of their work via Punctum Records, and now Shane Renfro ismoving forward with thebrand new Other Trails EP. Perhaps one of my favorite things about the project is that it consistently acknowledges the influence of Texas, be it in the sound, or the imagery, like in the video below. You get a bit of both here, which is just another reason to keep an eye on all the work that’s promised to be on its way; not to mention that there’s always this level of thoughtfulness streaming from RF Shannon releases. I don’t really need to say more than that you’ll enjoy this tune, and probably the EP when it’s released on October 21st via Keeled Scales.

ATX Weekend Show Preview: Who Isn’t Playing In Austin?

ATX Popfest 10Nathan and I were commenting on the plethora of shows going down this weekend, so I figured it’d be nice to lay it all out night by night for you so you know where you need to be to hear the best tunes. I’ve got all your options broken up by days and if you play your cards right, it could be a weekend filled to the brim with great local and visiting acts. See for yourself after the jump and prep with some tunes… a few more hours and it’s the weekend!

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ATX Weekend Show Preview

austin_mainAlright, summer’s about to be over for most of the ATH crew as we head back to school, so you can bet we want to enjoy the last weekend of true freedom with some great live music. Lucky for you I’ve got the full rundown of all the shows you’ll want to hit up this weekend and some tracks to get you psyched to go out and support your local scene.

Friday (8.21)

Super Thief, Tunic, Xetas, Back Legs at Beerland // 9 pm

Mother Falcon, RF Shannon, Quintessential Clarinet Quintet at The North Door // 8pm

Saturday (8.22)

Daniel Johnston, Dana Falconberry at the Mohawk // 8pm

Ramesh, Roses, The Sour Notes, Moving Panoramas at Hotel Vegas // 9pm

BLXPLTN at Radio Coffee & Beer // 10pm

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Top 15 Austin Albums of 2014

Top LocalsIt’s that time of year when we all toss up our arbitrary lists of what we think is best, and seeing as we’re based here in Austin, we opted to go with our Top 15 Austin Albums first.  Why 15? Well, there were a lot of great releases all over the place, covering different styles, and appealing to our different writers. Sure, the list isn’t perfect, and it doesn’t reflect singles and EPs, as that could get entirely too crazy.  I included links to the labels so you can buy these albums from the hard-working folks in our town.  Also…there are two releases on our label, but I have no qualms about that; I didn’t set out to put out a bad LP, so obviously, they’re going to be in here.  And without further meaningless words…here’s the best records from Austin that you should already own!

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Some Local Monday Night Must See Shows

gobAlright folks…I know it’s Halloween week, so everyone is looking for things to do, and shows to attend where costumes are accepted.  Tonight, Monday, you’ve got one option, plus another show that should be on your radar.  Hotel Vegas has a mellow show on the bill, which might be in contrast to what you’ve know from the venue, but don’t miss some of these acts, namely RF Shannon and Plantation; Plantation is the project of Carlton, who is also part of our boys Grape St. But, if you’re inclined to show off that costume you’ve been working on, you should head over to the Goblin-A-Go-Go at Mohawk this evening. That event is free and starts at 8 PM, featuring A Giant Dog, pumpkin carving, and contests and drawing galore.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/ToPutItBluntly.mp3]

Download: A Giant Dog – To Put it Bluntly [MP3]

Austin Spotlight: New Tune from RF Shannon

rfshannonIf you haven’t heard us rave about RF Shannon until now, then perhaps you have some time this morning to let their latest track carry you away.  Earlier this year they released Hunting Songs, which surprised us, not because we expected it to be awful, but because it was such a cohesive collection of beautiful songs that we were taken aback.  They’re back again with a split 7″ with their friend Jess Williamson, which is being released today via our friends at Punctum Records.  The track below is their piece for the split, and it’s quite special.  I’ve grown attached to the piano that works beneath the guitar lines.  Definitely something you should pick up today, if you’re so inclined.

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RF Shannon – Hunting Songs

rfshannonRating: ★★★★½

When it comes to the local music scene around these parts, it seems we are in abundance of prolific artists. Our scene may be whatever it is you think it is—synth pop heavy, indie rock centered—you name it, one thing you should be able to agree on, whatever your qualms may be with the local scene, that diversity is never something we seem to have too much of. With this diversity in mind, I invite you to talk a step a little bit back in time with RF Shannon, who seem to have found a way to take you back to the days of Rhythm and Blues through the lens of alternative rock.

Hunting Songs is RF Shannon’s debut release, and at five songs and almost thirty minutes in length, one might consider this a savory introduction to their ‘desert R&B’ style. The group kicks things off with “Egyptian White Musk,” and you can instantly grasp what exactly is indicated by this genre; ambient noise generates a feeling of desolation before the bluesy guitars kick in and the slow percussion lulls you into a delicate trance. Vocalist, Shane Renfro soon croons his way into the song, and straight into your heart. With his soft, haunting vocals at the core of the music, he harrows back to the days of yesteryear of singer/songwriter reign ala Jeff Buckley or the likes; you also get a little contemporary aspects of his mellow pipes that remind me of Zach Condon. Their sound is refined and yet not over-processed, a lovely balance of slow rock and raw emotion.

Though there isn’t a track you will need, or have any desire, to skip through on Hunting Songs, I daresay it would be impossible to neglect the overwhelming beauty of “Twin Flame,” the penultimate track. Here, RF Shannon is at their bluesy best—the guitar takes center stage, complimented by the slow rolling drums, punching forward deliberately. The choral arc of the song is hauntingly resonant and all of the elements of this group mix together for a shining moment of radiance: I can’t get enough of it.  If this wasn’t enough, the finale of the album challenges the slot of favorite track and the group gets back into their slow groove to round the album out.

That’s the thing about Hunting Songs: each seems to build upon the last, and yet strike into new territory. It’s short and utterly sweet, so please do yourself a favor and spend a bit of money on this album that will transport yourself elsewhere. Or go catch RF Shannon playing somewhere around town: you won’t regret it in the slightest.

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