Tag: sxsw

Kick Off St. Patty’s Day With Broken Records

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As tomorrow is St. Patrick’s Day and I like to pretend that I’m part Irish, let’s celebrate with a new digital single from Scots Broken Records.  This track, “Lies”, actually appeared on a single a few years ago, but has just now been made available for free online.  You’ll find that it fits right in with the themes of tomorrow’s heralded day.  If you dig, you could also check them out on Wednesday at one of the following free SXSW parties:

Rare Party @ 4th Street Fort (216 E 4th st.) – 12:30am

Dirty Boots Showcase @ Wave Bar (408 E. 6th st.) – 3pm

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

Download: Broken Records – Lies [MP3]

SXSW Music Sampler From Amie Street

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So SXSW music starts tomorrow and you still aren’t to sure about who to see?  Well, you can make the decision easier (or harder?) by downloading a free SXSW music sampler from music website Amie Street.  The sampler features 22 tracks from the likes of Fool’s Good, Flying Lotus, Born Ruffians, and tons of others.  Check check check it ouuut now.  Disclaimer: You will be required to sign up for an account on the site.

Seabear – We Built A Fire

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Rating: ★★★★☆

It’s heating up around Austin with SXSW right around the bend and with spring weather here, wildflowers across the state spring to life.  Nevertheless, Seabear is coming through town to cool things down a little. Icelandic septet Seabear, led by soothing songster Sindri Már Sigfússon, is set to release their nature-infused sophomore album, We Built A Fire. Iceland is renowned for its otherworldly landscapes and ethereal musicians (i.e. Bjork and Sigur Ros), but this record hits a familiar chord closer to home.

The release is premium indie-folk and shows the “Icelandic Beck” at his whimsical, yet haunting best. Although based in Iceland, Seabear’s lyrics are all in English; which makes it a surprise that this year marks the band’s first trip through North America, starting with SXSW. Beginning as a lo-fi solo project for Sigfússon, Seabear has expanded to a full 7-member band with the emphasis on the collective creative process. Their first release, The Ghost That Carried Us Away, was a much more intimate release with delicate, orchestral arrangements containing many indie-folk gems. Similarly on their latest, there’s no shortage of them. This time around, mutual input in the writing process was the modus operandi and what materialized is an improved confidence in all the parts. This translates into a stronger sound and superior effort as a whole.

Sigfússon songwriting talents (whose last solo effort came under the moniker Sing Fang Bous) is in full bloom starting with the opener, ‘Lion Face Boy’. His voice is a force, both full and soft simultaneously, driving the tempo throughout the track and ultimately the extent of the record.  ‘Fire Dies Down’ is a more up-tempo and moving track, displaying the rest of the group’s expanded instrumental vocabulary.

The pseudo title track and first single ‘I’ll Build You A Fire’ is a stand out track with wonderful harmonies. On Sigfússon’s 2009 solo tour, he was joined by headliners and fellow Icelandic indie poppers múm, and it’s obvious that a little rubbed off. ‘Cold Summer’ begins with a poignant piano intro. Then the vocals and cello drift in and out like a summer breeze over an Icelandic meadow. The depth and soothing nature of his voice prove to once again be the driving force followed by the country influenced ‘Wooden Teeth’; which is one of the more joyful moments on the record. This country influence continues into ‘Leafmask’ with a guitar intro displaying true country roots, before Sigfússon slows things down and emerges with one of the more impressive vocal tracks on the album.  After ‘Softship’, the album loses a little momentum and becomes more introverted before the back and forth crescendos and decrescendos of ‘Warm Blood’.

Seabear brings the tempo back up for the final track ‘Wolfboy’, completing one of my favorite releases of the year. We Built A Fire is thought-provoking music while physically moving to boot, and we can only hope their tour is so successful they return with more dates for years to come. Amazingly, this time around Austin gets 4 (yes 4!) chances to see them. You will not want to miss at least one of these free sets:

March 17th @ Epoch Coffee (221 W North Loop) – 7:15pm

March 18th @ Scoot Inn (1308 E 4th st.) – 1pm

March 18th @ The Hideout (617 Congress Ave.) – 1am

March 20th @ Cafe Mundi (1704 E. 5th st.) – 2:45pm

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Seabear-03-Ill-Build-You-A-Fire.mp3]

Download: Seabear – I’ll Build You A Fire [MP3]

SXSW Watchlist: We Were Promised Jetpacks

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It’s as if these incredible Scotish bands just keep pouring outta the country!  A band that sometimes gets lost in the depths of the Scotish scene is Edinburgh boys We Were Promised Jetpacks.  Now their sound will sometimes sound a bit similar to country mates Frightened Rabbit or The Twilight Sad, but they’re still able to stand out on their own.  I’ve also heard that these guys bring the noise in the live setting, so you’ll definitely want to check them out when they stop in town for SXSW.  Prior to their arrival in Austin, we had the chance to speak to guitarist Michael Palmer about his band.  After the jump you’ll find his answers.

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Miles Kurosky – The Desert of Shallow Effects

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Rating: ★★★½☆

When Beulah called it quits many thought this might be the last we had heard of Miles Kurosky.  He hid under the radar for a little bit, but the instrumental orchestrations within his mind eventually won out, encouraging Miles to take to the studio once again. The Desert of Shallow Effects is his first solo album, and while it doesn’t stray too far from his previous works, it serves as a reminder that he still has the ability to craft amazing pop gems surrounded by big band moments.

The album opens with a slow burner, “Notes From the Polish Underground.” Miles doesn’t do too much to push the energy on this number, instead choosing to let the horns and piano flesh out the song.  It’s reminiscent of his work on Yoko, which left Beulah on the quieter side of California pop. But, he moves on quickly with “An Apple for an Apple.”  Seconds into the song, you get a ringing guitar, one that comes in and out of the song.  Here is the Miles that fans will fall in love with all over again.  Instruments abound, production wise, but it’s his warm vocal drenched in a faint moment of backing vocals that celebrate the exuberance we once associated with the singer.

While this record has moments where Miles brings back that passionate mini-yelp, such as “I Can’t Swim,” energetic moments are clearly not all that will define his return to form. The Desert of Shallow Effects also utilizes his softer side to great effects.  “She Was My Dresden” is really just a song for him to strum along while you are soothed by his vocals.  What’s relevant about this song in regards to his past is his focus on first-person storytelling it’s one of the few songs on this album where his feelings are the sole focus of the work.  In contrast, he has other slow turning songs like “Housewives with Knives” and “West Memphis Skyline” where he looks at writing from the third-person perspective.  Despite the change in lyrical content, these quieter moments also show that he’s polished his songwriting in this style, fusing his own distinctive writing with his lush orchestration.  Perhaps time has allowed him to clear the cobwebs a bit, and construct sublime moments all over.

Suffice it to say, The Desert of Shallow Effects is a triumphant return for Miles Kurosky.  Sure, he does seem a bit undecided on precisely where he wants to go now that he’s back in the music game, but what remains central to this album is that he can still create amazing songs, use his friends to provide great backing moments, then carry you into momentary bliss.  We should all consider ourselves lucky that such a wonderful voice has returned to the music scene to warm us over with his sunny chamber pop tastes.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/10-West-Memphis-Skyline-1.mp3]

Download: Miles Kursoky – West Memphis Skyline

Miles will also be playing the following SXSW shows:

3/17 @ Red Eyed Fly – 3:20 PM   3/18 @ Emos 9 PM  3/19 @ Home Slice Pizza – 5:15

SXSW Liars Contest!

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We’ve long been admirers of Liars; they seem untouched by their peers, always exploring their own sonic pallet.  Luckily, they have an incredible live show to back up their ridiculously respectable musical chops.  You’ll all get a chance to glimpse them in Austin this week (if you’re here, that is).  But, to top that off, we’ve got a killer contest brought to you by the friendly people at Mute Records that will allow you to win a package with all the band’s works, and a bonus disc of their latest, Sisterworld, with reinterpretations from the likes of Thom Yorke and Devandra Banhart.  Leave us a comment with your favorite SXSW moment, and we’ll select 3 winners!  Contest will end Tuesday, March 16th 12 PM CST. Good luck.

Make sure to make it out to these SXSW dates:

3/18 @ Insound Day Party – 4 PM  & 3/19 Billions Showcase – 1 AM

We bet that closing set at Antones will be one of the best moments of SXSW!

Broken Bells – Broken Bells

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Rating: ★★★★½

If you’ve been living in a cave for the past 10 years or so, here’s a music tip: There’s an indie rock band from New Mexico called the Shins and there’s a music producer from New York named Danger Mouse (aka Brian Burton). They are both good at their respective positions and have enjoyed very lucrative careers. Well the romantic tale begins in 2004 in Denmark when Shins front-man James Mercer met with Burton and they discovered a mutual respect and fandom.  After years of playful collaboration in a secret, bunker-type studio, the result is virtually seamless.

The resources of Mercer and Mouse blend together in a way that is well thought out and intriguing as first, but it’s not life changing music. (For me, Chutes too Narrow changed my life) It is, at the least, very enjoyable. The record is no doubt a candidate for best album released so far; however just ask me about it at year’s end.  If you listen to the radio, chances are, you’ve heard the first single, ‘The High Road’.  The group also just began their tour with a stop at the Late Show with David Letterman (AKA How can anybody stand him?) performing the single live for the first time to great success. The group isn’t going to blow you away with their live performances, but no one should find that surprising.

The track ‘Your Head is on Fire’, pulls a page from Animal Collective with very Panda Bear-esque vocals and samples mixed in. This simple but effective layering technique falls away displaying some of the best of Mercer’s lyrics on the album and I find myself going back to this track in particular for repeated listens. ‘The Ghost inside’ sounds like the next Gnarls Barkley single/ Gorillaz until Mercer’s lyrics come back in about half way through. (How ironic that the Gorillaz new album was also released the same day?)

‘October’ and ‘Citizen’ are about as vintage Shins as we find on the new record, circa 2007. On both tracks we find intriguing lyrics of which Mercer is well known, though the latter, it is the only track that feels over-produced.  It’s really the only track that feels significantly different from the rest, though the final third contains wonderful musical dénouement.

‘Mongrel Heart’ with a good hearty bass line that drives the track and ‘The Mall and the Misery’ finish off the record strongly, but fall to make any real lasting impression for me. It is a smart record that holds a good tempo throughout, with each track holding an infectious beat which is becoming something of a Danger Mouse calling card. So at your next party,  if you were wondering  how to make the Broken Bells ‘cocktail’: Take one part Shins, one part Gnarls Barkley, and one part Gorrilaz, mix with ice and strain (for a smooth consistency), garnish with a little Panda Bear and serve in a high-ball glass (Nothing too classy). Repeat as needed.  Your buzz may not last as long as you’d like.

Austin gets 2 chances to catch the group at SXSW:

Wednesday March 17th @ Stubbs – NPR’s Official Showcase

Friday March 19th @ Lustre Pearl – Dickie’s/Filter Party

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/01-The-High-Road-1.mp3]

Download: Broken Bells – The High Road [MP3]

Strange Boys @ Red Eyed Fly (3/13)

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Date 3/13/10
Location Red Eyed Fly
Doors 8pm
Tickets Free

Attention to all you out of town kids coming in for SXSW!  If you want to hear some solid local music before the week really kicks off, head over to Red Eyed Fly on Saturday night for a free show put on by bloggers Aquarium Drunkard.  Some of our best and brightest Strange Boys & Harlem will be playing along with Brooklyn band Blair.  I’d plan on getting there real early if you plan on getting in.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/08-Dare-I-Say.mp3]

Download: The Strange Boys – Dare I Say [MP3]

SXSW Music: St. Deluxe

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As our SXSW week of mayhem draws ever closer, we wanted to share some tunes with a few of the lesser known acts making their way into Austin.  Today we’ll take a quick look at Scottish band St. Deluxe.  This fuzz-pop quartet dropped their stellar debut LP in February of last year and have already shared the stage with the likes of Mudhoney, The Vaselines, and Sonic Boom.  Ironically the band come across as a more modern version of Mudhoney, or a sort of Scottish take on Dinosaur Jr, with a bigger emphasis on distorted vocals and bass.  However you want to label them, St. Deluxe will be a band to check out next week.  Not convinced?  Check out this live video of their song “New Wave Stars” and tell me that doesn’t do it for ya.  Two opportunities to see these guys for free:

Friday 3/19 – Dart Music Party @ Mi Casa (503 E. 6th st) – 1pm

Friday 3/19 – BME Scottish Stage @ Latitude 30 (512 San Jacinto Blvd.) – 4:20pm

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/01_After_the_Fire_St_Deluxe.mp3]

Download: St. Deluxe – After the Fire [MP3]

SXSW Watchlist: Eisley

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Now that the SXSW music festival is upon us, it’s time to take a last minute look at the bands you should really be paying attention to during the week.   I’m thinking the best way to do that would be to put the spotlight on Tyler, TX. band Eisley.  Now some of you may have forgotten about this band since they’ve been quiet for a couple years now in the music world, but we haven’t!  We’re also excited to hear that new material is on the way soon.  I’m sure that the first new album since 2007s Combinations will no doubt continue to bring those sweet pop jams we’ve grown accustomed too from Eisley.  We also had the chance recently to speak with front lady Sherri Dupree Bermis about her band.  Follow the jump to read the SXSW oriented questions.

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