Tag: strand of oaks

Last Week’s Jams (4.15 – 4.19)

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Trying to keep pace with ourselves, we covered a ton of ground last week on the site. We got to premiere a psychedelic campfire jam from Mountain Movers, and we might be one of the few US-based sites covering Dr. Sure’s Unusual Practice…which steps in line with that Cola track we also ran. There’s a bit Austin contingent too this week, as Variety, Blushing, Strand of Oaks and Good Looks all honored us with fresh music from their forthcoming releases. We also flirted with a bit of electronic arts too, with new stuff from Martha Rose and Maria Chiara Argiro…just so you don’t think we’re all rock n’ roll over here. Anyways, start your week off here.

Strand of Oaks Shares Party at Monster Lake

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Not sure exactly what it was that grabbed me, but there’s something magical about the new single from Strand of Oaks. Part of me wants to pledge allegiance to the father/son panda duo of the video version, but I’m also keenly aware that Tim Showalter’s vocal performance here is what really made this track a marvel. A synthetic backbone sets up a light strum, and though simple, that’s all Showalter needed to roll out his voice; it hits a true high point when he hits the line “there’s something about the rain,” which oddly coincides with what’s going on outside my window at the moment. If you think the vocals are all that matter though, be careful when you open up the music box as the tune is filled to the brim with accents and nuance that create this huge texture that soaks you in emotion. Miracle Focus is out June 7th via Western Vinyl….with an Austin release show on June 21st at the Parish.

Last Week’s Jams (3.25 – 3.29)

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A lot of really great stuff popped up last week, and we did our best to be on top of as much as we could, though admittedly, it’s a bit of a busy season on our parts (life wise). We were stoked to hear some stuff from Austin homies in the Juniper Berries and Strand of Oaks, both offering great new music you’ll love. Zero Point Energy dropped another tune from their exciting debut, as well as new music from Writhing Squares that sees them stretching our expectations of their sound. Plus, got to finally circle back on some things that had been waiting, like Crumbs, System Exclusive and Climax Landers. Oh, and we ran a Rock n Recipes with our friends in Outer World, so be sure to check it. A few acts like Goosewind and Jetstream Pony didn’t have their stuff up on streaming, so be sure to give it a listen if you’d like.

Strand of Oaks Announces Miracle Focus

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Tim Showalter has described his new record Miracle Focus as a record that represents “a temple of peace in my life,” so when listening to the first single, it’s interesting trying to piece together the puzzle in where this would fit in a record; you’ll find that it’s the opening tune on the album, which perhaps hints at its mesmerizing blend of soulful vocals and wash of electronic atmosphere. His voice, for longtime Strand of Oaks fans, is always going to be the draw, and this approach sees him moving that even further into a croon-adjacent voice; I think of moments of Cohen or Cave (also Patrick Wolf, but not sure that’s a household name), just letting their notes drip with emotion. It’s going to be really special when this all gets put together; Miracle Focus is out on June 7th via Western Vinyl.

Striking New Tune from Dark Blue

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darkblueDammit. I thought I knew what to expect with a band featuring members for Ceremony and Strand of Oaks got together. But, bless me, I wasn’t ready for this incredibly stunning new song from Dark Blue to come our way. Yes, there’s a hint at the darker edges, both musically and lyrically, but I think the biggest statement this band is making is the power of great songwriting. Say what you want about varying genres and tropes, but when you put something together that combines pop sensibility with seasoned musical vets you’ve got a recipe for something that should supersede all boundaries. The band’s brand new 7″ comes your way today via 12XU.

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ACL 2015 WE2 In Pictures: Sunday Edition

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HozierMy have a nice weekend post this week is the final edition of ACL 2015 pics. Sunday Funday…

It was a pretty busy day and though it got off to a slow start, things escalated quickly with a personal highlight from Strand of Oaks. Knifight was a solid local start and Beat Connection was sexually objectified while playing their smooth new jams. Amason seemed hungover. Sheppard proves that Aussie pop music is based on 80’s movie montages in the best way possible. Lord Huron was nice in the crowd. Strand of Oaks is rock and roll. The Decemberists played a mostly different set. Kurt Vile was maybe a little too high? Is that possible? Alt-J was kinda boring, but photogenic at the same time. I had a heat check on Hozier, big humble, genuine smile from a guy that has talent to overcome an annoying hit song. Florence & The Machine was pretty and had mental fans in a completely different demographic from last Sunday’s headliner.

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Another Dark Blue Jam

darkblueI wrote about this Dark Blue a bit ago, hyping it up as a project from Ceremony and Puerto Rico Flowers (not to mention Purling Hiss, Strand of Oaks) members; I’m now permanently hooked on this new june.  The vocal approach is reminiscent of some of the mid-80s post rock or post punk or just post MTV, yet the rest of the music has this brooding angst that never fully gets unleashed.  Instead, they pull in some melody, letting the guitars ring in a more subdued fashion than one might expect.  I’m particularly enjoying the yelps throughout the tune.  Jade Tree will releases Pure Reality on October 7th!

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Dark Blue Offer New Tune

ceremonyWhen I first heard this track from Dark Blue, I had to go back and re-read the information I had on the group.  I knew it was a super-group of sorts, so I immediately thought of Calvin Johnson; it’s not Calvin though.  It’s actually just a bunch of rad dudes from rad bands like Ceremony, Paint It Black, Strand of Oaks and some others.  The lyrical delivery sort of sounds like David Gedge wrote the lyrics and gave the band instructions on how to sing, although the music has it’s own power altogether.  There’s distorting guitars shooting off and simple rhythmic pounding.  If you like any of the nonsense I name checked here, then pick up the group’s album, Pure Reality, via Jade Tree on October 7th.

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Show Preview: Tallest Man on Earth @ The Paramount (8/28)

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Date Tuesday, August 28th
Location Paramount Theatre
Doors 700 pm
Tickets $30 from Austin Theatre

I can’t tell you how excited I am to see Tallest Man on Earth again, not to mention the fact that his music seems perfectly fitting to the inherent beauty of Austin’s Paramount Theatre.  He’s surely going to play a great deal off his excellent new album, There’s No Leaving Now, but you know he’ll play some gems like “King of Spain” too.  I’m just excited I’ll get to hear him somewhere other than Antones, as I think he deserves a better audience than that typically chatty venue.  Strand of Oaks will be opening the evening, so make sure to get there by 8 when the show starts.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/The_Tallest_Man_on_Earth_-_1904.mp3]

Download:The Tallest Man on Earth – 1904 [MP3]

 

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