ATX Spotlight: Brand New Album from Slow

slowWe’ve been hot on the heels of Slow since we first caught their set a few years ago. Out of nowhere the band, fronted by G. Thurston, just uploaded a brand new album, Pocketknife. It’s filled with 8 songs of stuttering guitar-monies, recalling the best of the guitar-pop realm. I love that they were able to capture some of the band’s live energy in the recordings, not to mention Darren Shorts (of Basketball Shorts fame) is working out the bass here. Congrats to the band for getting these songs out here; go listen and be sure to spend your money where your heart is.

Stream Shy Mirror’s When Nothing Is Next

shymirrorsA few months back I was excited for you to hear new music from Shy Mirrors, Sweden’s latest purveyors of great poppy punk rock. Now you can stream the entirety of When Nothing Is Next, their latest album. It’s almost like a pop version of Guided by Voices, employing a lot of similar guitar sounds, only with larger hooks for listeners…akin to Austin’s Slow. There’s not a song on this whole record that I didn’t enjoy, and with short tracks, it’s easy to fall in love, then press repeat to start enjoying yourself all over again. Stream it below and get you some!

ATX Spotlight: New Music from Slow

slowI’ve dug Slow since the first time I caught the band a few years ago; I went on to include the band in several of our own ATH shows around town too. I caught up with songwriter Garrick a few months back and he told me he had the band’s first LP almost ready to go, so here we are with the album’s first single. On display is Garrick’s distorted guitar riffs, put out there in almost a mathematical sense, crashing into one another while the lyrics are seemingly thrown in from a distance. The LP is titled Pocketknife and should be out later this year via Play Pinball.

Show Preview: Flesh Lights @ Sidewinder (Tonight)

12189211_1670535453161781_4666457673454939594_oThe following reasons should encourage you to go to Sidewinder this evening in Austin and catch a great show featuring some of Austin’s best rock n’ roll. Reason One: Flesh Lights are headlining…they put out one of my favorite records of 2014, Free Yourself; it’s punk, it’s power pop and it’s just plain good. Also, Sweet Talk is in the mix, and their album Double Perfect will be in my 2015 year end list for sure…best work of that band to date. Oh, and opening the evening is Slow, who don’t have an official release, but I’m betting they’ve got new songs that will blow you away. And, Endless Youth! It’s going to be cheap and it’s going to be all ATX awesome, so we’ll see you there! Doors are at 10 PM.

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Show Pics: Twin Bitches @ The Mohawk (4/30)

We had a fun night of having fun at The Mohawk. While reports of Kaiser Chiefs’ performance at Stubb’s trickled in with some vocal issues attached, Nathan, Nicole and I were enjoying local faves Slow and Jonly Bonly with a first time look at Twin Bitches. No issues here, other than wanting a few more people to join us. It was a full tilt batch of jams featuring broken guitar strings, pedal stomps, bass face and neck strains.

Read more and check the pics…

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ATX Spotlight: Twin Bitches Do It Right

11174497_942951285737062_3480207812902951185_oBeen helping a friend put together a show this week over at Mohawk on Thursday night, and in doing so, I encountered a new band, Twin Bitches that’s really exciting.  Based on their two singles, the band has sort of that post-punk Constantines feeling to them, using jagged guitar chops to push forth the lyrics, which come across somewhere between a throaty growl and a gentle croon.  Musically, you can see similarities to other indie acts, but combined, it sounds like something wholly different. They’ll be playing with two of our favorite local acts, SLOW and Jonly Bonly…so come out, grab a drink, jam out and enjoy some of the finer rock n’ roll tunes in town. Doors are at 9, but you can always come hang out early.

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ATX Show Spotlight: Generationals vs Jonly Bonly

Jonly BonlyHump day requires celebration. It means the weekend’s almost here. So check out these two shows going on that beg your attendance.

You can hit up the Generationals show at the Parish.  They’re a Louisiana based pop group, built on maximizing hooks and memorable lyrical content.  But, to be honest…nothing has hit me as hard with this band as Con Law…but that’s just one man’s opinion.  The gig starts at 8 PM sharp!

Or, for you late night rockers…you need to be at Hotel Vegas to catch Jonly Bonly.  The local band is fueled by the excellent guitar play of Jason Smith (ex-OBN IIIs); they’re debut Put Together was one of my favorite records last year, so you can take that to the bank.  Plus, they’ll be joined by locals Slow , Mike Melindi and Caroline Says…two other acts on the rise in town, so you’ve got to be sure to show up early.  This one kicks off at 10 PM.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/The-Generationals-When-They-Fight-They-Fight.mp3] [audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/02-A2-Never-Thought-Id-Die.mp3]

 

Show Pics: We Partied @ Holy Mountain (1/5)

Lego KittehWe had a couple of excuses to throw a party. It was Free Week. Our friend Pooneh had a birthday. We had merch to sell.

The lineup was all kinds of ATH favorites; Young Girls, Slow, Jonly Bonly, Shivery Shakes and Grape St. As it turned out, Grape’s St‘s Brendan also had a birthday. Isn’t that great. Shout out to Holy Mountain‘s winter diorama.

Pinata. Confetti Eggs. Drink Specials. We were surrounded by friends. Couple comments after the break with a ton of pictures…

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Free Wee Show @ Holy Mountain (Tonight) – Grape St.

FREEWEEK2015_JAN05_HOLYMOUNTAINFree Week is here, and that means I should prepare you for the great show we’re putting on at Holy Mountain on Monday, January 5th. We’ve got Slow, Jonly Bonly, Shivery Shakes, Grape St. and also Young Girls. I’m going to toss out a little love to each band every day before the show, in hopes you’ll come join us. Also, don’t forget that our show is also a celebration bash for Pooneh Ghana, local photographer extraordinaire. Don’t forget to buy tons of records and t-shirts to make this worth it for all the bands. So, here’s a bit on Grape St. Read more

Free Week Show @ Holy Mountain (1.5) – Shivery Shakes

FREEWEEK2015_JAN05_HOLYMOUNTAINFree Week is here, and that means I should prepare you for the great show we’re putting on at Holy Mountain on Monday, January 5th. We’ve got Slow, Jonly Bonly, Shivery Shakes, Grape St. and also Young Girls. I’m going to toss out a little love to each band every day before the show, in hopes you’ll come join us. Also, don’t forget that our show is also a celebration bash for Pooneh Ghana, local photographer extraordinaire. Don’t forget to buy tons of records and t-shirts to make this worth it for all the bands. So, here’s a bit on Shivery Shakes. Read more

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