This is fine.
You are probably aware already that I’m a huge fan of RVG. If you’re lucky enough to catch the Aussie act on their brief US jaunt, then you’re in for a treat. Their album A Quality of Mercy was a stunner, and to those who spent time with it, it sounds like everything pop music was meant to be. We caught up real briefly with the group to have them answer our little SXSW interview, which is below with their most recent video.
Lindsey Baker and her Guts Club project came into my world in 2015 with the Arm Wrestling Tournament, followed quickly by the highly-rated Shit Bug. She’s been fairly quiet since, but returns today with this brilliant ballad from the RIP Records Introduces Series (it’s also slated to drop on a forthcoming LP later this Summer). This new track still brings the intimacy that you’ll find in the earlier releases; it always feels like your sitting right next to Baker as she pours her thoughts out. I also love the use of space in this song; the chords often seem like they’re just out wandering the world, taking you for a ride along with them. If you’re headed to Austin next week for SXSW, Guts Club will be there, so a chance could be yours to check out some new tunes.
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.
It’s totally cool if you’re drawn into this new Salt Lake Alley tune because of the seductive indiepop vibe that opens the band’s latest single. But, don’t go too far down, as the band burst forth with a blast of pop rock that kicks in with an swagger. Still, the melody is the bread-and-butter of the tune, so they spin back to the soft pop stylings for the kids. A lot of movement within the confines, guaranteeing you won’t find yourself bored when you listen to this track on repeat. This track is the A side to a new 7″ the band are releasing with esteemed label Cloudberry Records later this Spring.
I first came to discover Parrot Dream through my Interwebs friendship with band member Matt, who also played in Exiles. He dropped me some tunes, and when I heard they were coming for SXSW, so I reached out hoping to catch them for a few quick questions. There’s also a few singles hanging out at the end of the Interview for you to enjoy.
I can’t stop playing this brand new track from Jaala. At times it seems as if it’s a soulful R&B performance, but the edges aren’t as soft and the fleshed out sound seems a touch more artful. Singer Cosima Pay flirts with various nods to other artists, but she has a voice all her own; I’m particularly impressed by the range of notes she can pull of, even when she’s delivering vocals in a stop/start fashion. Ultimately, this track’s a soulful ballad under the umbrella of experimental pop tunes. The group will release Joonya Spirit on April 20th via Bedroom Suck Records/Captured Tracks.
Malena Zavala will be releasing her debut album, Aliso on April 13th, and we’ve got one last tune for you to enjoy before it drops. This song is striking in that it the first half of the song is a pretty barebones affair; careful notes hang in the ether while Zavala’s voice draws all your attention. But, as the song turns in its latter half, backing vocals and the lightest bit of percussion enter the picture, albeit just for a moment. Eventually the song evolves into a spacy fade out where Malena drops the chorus one final time for emphasis. A beautiful performance from a beautiful record; look for it in stores via Yucatan Records.
As this new album from A Place to Bury Strangers begins to take shape before the Interwebs, I’m starting to really be drawn into the goings-on. This track opens up with an emphatic drum march and discordant chords swirling about. Vocals enter in a spoken fashion, with a more prominent role for Lia Simone quite noticeable. The trio let loose on the noise too, but in a much more controlled fashion than we’ve previously heard from the band; it leaves you to focus on the band’s message in this track: “there’s only one of US.” Pinned definitely feels like its that proverbial onion with layers waiting to be peeled; it drops via Dead Oceans on April 13th. They’ll also be part of this year’s SXSW festival…playing near 100 times.
Yesterday, Marmalakes dropped a live version of the below track, recorded at the home of drummer Josh; you can check that out HERE. This is one of my favorite tracks on their new LP, Please Don’t Stop, which we’re fortunate enough to be releasing on ATH Records on May 11th. It’s such a great tune, and hopefully it convinces you just how great the entirety of the new LP is, so you’ll wanna go grab it. Regardless, listen to the song a whole lot!
BOYS flirt with indiepop on the start of their new single, slightly hanging those crips guitar chords out in the air. But, where many would push on into the realm, these lads turn the song into deeper textures. For starters, there’s a level of haze added to the vocals, perhaps moving towards dreamier pastures. But the core of the song has this driving guitar line that really pushes the natural tension of the song; it’s the driving force in the song, rushing the track to its finale. And then, without overstaying their welcome, the tune’s over. You love it, and you go on your way.
