Austin Recap with Go Fever and A Sinclair and Taft

Austin had a huge week, and we did our best to cover it all, but lets circle back for a few really great things we missed that I want on your radar. T

Go Fever: They have a new record coming out next year, and this first single is pretty special. It’s got a slight bit of bravado, giving an aura of punk lineage, but this is every bit an anthemic pop song. It walks that fine line between cool and widely accessible…this could be the band’s breakout hit!


A Sinclair: We’ve been writing about A. Sinclair in some fashion since our site’s inception, and with a new single, the band are back. This one has this soulful indie rock vibe, with really sharp riffs and wonderful backing vocals adding depth to the band’s sound. New LP on its way in 2019.


Taft: I’ll never understand why people in Austin sleep on Taft. His angelic voice always is at the top of my arbitrary best of Austin list. But, his care in song craft is what’s always made him so special, whether working on other people’s music, or the careful layers he adds to his own work. Here’s to hoping Goodnight, Plum builds on all that we know and love about Taft.

Premiere: RG Lowe Drops New Single + Release Show (2/2)

Last year RG Lowe stepped out of the limelight of Balmorhea to begin crafting an R&B influenced album, Slow Time, which was met with rave reviews. He’s already back with a brand new single for Western Vinyl, and you can stream the A-side of the release below. You’ll marvel at the power of his voice, and delight in the little guitar lines moving just beneath the front of the mix. To celebrate the release of the single, RG Lowe will be playing a ridiculously stacked bill over at Sahara Lounge. His labelmate Caroline Says will be playing, along with perennial ATH favorites Taft and Batty Jr. Plus, it’s an early show, so you can roll right over after that work happy hour; Doors open at 7:30, with music kicking off at 8. See you there!

Show Review: Taft Album Release @ Cheer Up Charlies (2.12)

TaftWe hit up good ol’ Cheer Up Charlies Thursday night to support our friends at Punctum Records as they released Taft‘s Groove Redundant…they were joined by Isaiah the Mosaic, Lomelda and Sweet Spirit helped them close out in style.  I’d have to say it was a pretty impressive line-up, and a rather impressive crowd.

Read on for our thoughts on the show and some photos from B. Gray.

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ATX Show Spotlight: Pick a Show, Any Show

Austin-skyline-_9359-copyThursday’s pretty packed with local gigs to get you out of your doldrums and partake in some music.  As it stands, I see three rad shows you could attend…so why waste time.

Hotel Vegas has our favorites Grape St, slanging catchy garage rock, joined by their friends Booher and Idle de’Classe as the opening acts. This show is built for rock n’ roll fans.

Cheer Up Charlies has the Taft album release. There’s some heavy-hitters opening, with Sweet Spirit, Lomelda and Isaiah the Mosaic opening the night’s festivities.  If you go, pick up Taft’s new album.

Holy Mountain has a show hosted by our archenemies and friends from Side One Track One. John always puts together a good line-up (which is why I hate him); he’s got Ton Tons, Wild Moccasins and Tele Novella, so you get your creative pop mix here.

Sample some songs from Grape St, Taft and Tele Novella.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/T0UUVfFXk27s.128.mp3] [audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/QnR6OFbdjkK2.128.mp3] [audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/CEsGNS2OKR2Q.128.mp3]

Song Premiere: TAFT Ready Groove Redundant

10858522_895904757117019_8497295956566305365_nJust before our holiday break we hit you up with a new TAFT track, and now we’re back to premiere this great single, “Pillars of Duh.” My ears hear this remarkable production, with just the right amount of vocals turned up in the front of the mix, while the musical landscape is carefully crafted behind Taft Mashburn’s striking voice.  As always with the band, the voice is hard to ignore, following in the steps of dynamo’s such as Kevin Barnes; the music plays its part working in the vein of elegant art pop, highlighting the musicianship from the group.  Their new LP, Groove Redundant, will be released on Punctum Records on February 10th!

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Enjoy A New Taft Track

tiftTaft has tons of ties to Austin, be it their label Punctum Records or some of the band’s live members, so we’ve got to support that giant circle of community. It doesn’t hurt that their lead single off their upcoming release, Groove Redundant, is ridiculously solid.  The song takes what I hear as a stripped down approach to the craftsmanship of Kevin Barnes, though I feel as if that’s an easy way out due to some of the vocal tones.  Still, the music revels in this world of playfulness, though the subdued nature of the song’s arrangement might indicate otherwise.  Look for the LP to be released on February 10th.

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