Last Week’s Jams (1.23 – 1.27)

We’d like to formally apologize for some outages last week. One was our old server, the other was the process of switching 15 years (!) of writing and such over to a new server. But, we definitely still ran a ton of tunes, you just might not have been able to hear them all! So, let’s rectify that with our weekly playlist. Ran a premiere for a fresh track from Animal Scream off their new LP, plus we were excited by another new Whitney’s Playground track. Personally, I liked the babybaby_explores single a ton, despite that name driving me nuts. RayRay ran a Bratty tune to get you excited for the return of Austin Psych Fest. Plus, I had to throw in a Tom Verlaine track, as it just feels right; RIP sir.

Playlist: R.E. Seraphin

R.E. Seraphin was a staple in the Austin music scene for years, even working with ATH Records own Mean Jolene…but, life led him out to California where he’s just released a really wonderful new collection of songs: Tiny Shapes. I reached out to Ray to see if he’d be willing to share a playlist of tunes that influenced his latest release…and he kindly obliged. After the jump you’ll get 10 songs that helped R.E. Seraphin make a great new record. And if you’re so inclined, go grab a copy from Paisley Shirt Records!

Read more

Here’s Another Cool Ghouls Tune

coolzWe’re just a few weeks away from the release of Animal Races, the latest LP from Cool Ghouls, and they’re finally sharing what I think is one of the record’s standout tunes. The upbeat vibe was apparent back on their self-titled release in 2013, but I think they’ve fleshed it out and improved the production a bit. Don’t get lost on the opening half’s lyrical vibe, as the majority of the track is just this great psychedelic jam, circling back in the latter half to close the song out with another vocal flourish. Weirdly, I also hear a nod to Television in there. Empty Cellar will release the album on August 19th, so be ready to grab a copy.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/263330405″ params=”color=00aabb&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

A Little Folksy Pop From Heroes of Toolik

Heroes of Toolik 2013Heroes of Toolik, an NYC based super group, are on the verge of releasing their second full length LP in August. In anticipation of that release, they’ve put out a single that shows off their avant-garde folk pop style. “Perfect,” which you can listen to below, is a nice blend of avant garde folk pop which orchestral influences. The vocals are a bit unconventional, almost like a bit of poetry in the verses, but then they remind me a bit of Belle & Sebastian in the harmonious choruses. And it’s impossible to ignore that nice string presence in the mix that adds an extra layer to the song. Take a listen and then get ready for Like Night, which will be out in August.

 

Groovy Electro New Wave From NO/NO

12028820_904958519559904_2891444078120180650_o-2You’re probably already gearing up for a weekend of fun and jams, so why not just give into those carefree vibes and pop on this new NO/NO track. It’s a new wave gem off their upcoming record,Sound and Light, which will be out May 31st viaGloss Records. For now, you can appreciate the dynamic combination of oddly distorted vocals and raging synth drum beats through the whole song. You’ll be shimmying your way through the rest of the day in no time.

 

Fun Post-Punk from Deleter

deleteListening to Deleter, I can’t help but tie the guitar noodling to Television. But, in doing that, I think I sell the Minneapolis group a little short…they’ve got more to offer, including bits of freaking out with noise. This single, however, takes it all and pushes the envelope by pulling in a little bit of pop sensibility by way of the vocal delivery, leaving you with a track that’s displays both musicianship and a little bit of fun. You’ll find this song on the group’s new record, Oblique Sessions, which is slated for a December 7th release date via Land Ski Records.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/231209337″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

EZTV’s New Song is a Winner

ezA bit back, I tossed out the a single from the EZTV 7″, naming Television as a possible touch-point for interested fans.  Now the band is back with a brand new single from their forthcoming full-length, and it’s really hard to place the sound, though there’s some obvious musical touchstones lurking in here: sharp guitars, fused harmonies, 60s nostalgia.  I’ve been hunting for something really striking to hit me, and this track definitely does the trick.  Their album, Calling Out, will be release by Captured Tracks on July 10th.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/197508382″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

EZTV Sign with Captured Tracks

ezWhen Captured Tracks signs a new act, I generally take notice as they’ve become one of my favorite labels to follow.  So, when they announced that they had grabbed EZTV for a new 7″, I immediately pressed play and fell in love.  For some reason, the guitar work sounds rather reminiscent of Television; it’s crisp and angular, then filled in by some really soft vocal tones.  This is a sound that’s rather fond to my heart, offering just enough rock n’ roll with classic pop ballad nods.  The label will release the band’s Dust in the Sky 7″ on April 28th, and let’s hope we hear even more from them in the future.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/196367283″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

FFF8 In Pictures – Saturday Edition

BleachedSaturday featured legends and legendary performances, though usually not at the same time. Johnny Jewel gets best performance of the day with double duty killer jams from Chromatics and a manic dance party with Glass Candy. MIA eludes me. I just don’t get it, but okay, the kids like to here abbreviated beats up and down. Ice-T let Bushwick Bill freestyle. Deerhunter had the most epic sound check ever, reconstructing “Marquee Moon” to test the levels.

This giant photo post features Frank Smith (kinda), Ola Podrida, Bleached, The Impossibles, White Lung, Chromatics, Geographer, Glass Candy, Television, Tycho, Deerhunter, MIA, Ice-T and The Descendants. Click through…

Read more

FFF Preview: Television

Those of us who adored punk rock have been salivating about this show every since FFF announced that they’d be bringing back Television to their yearly festival. I don’t know how they do it, but they always bring a band out of the woodwork that deserves some acclaim for all their accomplishments.  Television is one such band; they were part of the punk scene in the 70s, and though they branched out a bit into their own realm, they definitely helped define the sound, especially with some of the groups that wanted to expand beyond the short fury of CBGBs. I might speak for myself, as opposed to the whole ATH crew, but this is the absolute top of my list for the upcoming festival.  Ever so often we get to witness a group reemerge that defined who we were as children or teenagers, and I know my record collection owes a great deal to the work the band did.  If you’re going to catch one band this weekend, this is my MUST see.  

I’ll leave you with the most cliche hit the band have, off of Marquee Moon, and hopefully you hear the brilliance that made them so endearing to us all.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/02-Venus.mp3]

Download: Television – Venus [MP3]

1 2