This is fine.
It’s that time of year folks, the time when we THINK we know what’s the best of the best. In a year where some old faces reemerged, and some new faces joined the scene, we had a hard time narrowing things down, but these are our favorite Ten Albums by Austin bands in the year 2010. If you think we’re wrong, we’re cool with you voicing your opinion, but be nice, these are just one group’s opinions.
| Date | 12/11/10 |
|---|---|
| Location | Emos |
| Doors | 8pm |
| Tickets | Sold Out! |
Saturday night at Emo’s is home to one of the most random lineups I can remember in recent history. For starters the insane Wu-Tang Clan will be headlining outside with fellow hip-hop acts MC Overlord, Phranchyze, and Riders Against the Storm. Then the inside stage will feature some of Austin’s hot indie bands in the form of White Denim, The Authors, and Hundred Visions. I never thought I’d be saying White Denim and Wu-Tang in the same sentence… Unfortunately tickets are only currently available for the inside stage so maybe you can sneak between the two stages? My guess is that security will be a little more strict on the big difference in price between the two shows.
[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/01-Bring-Da-Ruckus.mp3]Download: Wu-Tang Clan – Bring Da Ruckus [MP3]
| Date | 12/1/10 |
|---|---|
| Location | Mohawk |
| Doors | 9pm |
| Tickets | $6 @ Door |
California indie rock band Birds & Batteries are making a stop on the inside stage at Mohawk this Wednesday evening. Now the Mohawk website says locals Sleep Good are your middle band while several sites claim locals Sunset will be on hand? Who knows! We love em both really. ATH favorites the Authors will also be on hand providing your opening support. Our amigos over at Sonic Itch also have a tasty little contest going for passes and Birds & Batteries merch.
[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/TheVillain.mp3]Download: Birds & Batteries – The Villain [MP3]
| Date | 11/18/10 |
|---|---|
| Location | The ND |
| Doors | 7pm |
| Tickets | $6 @ Door til 10pm/$10 after 10pm |
Those looking for a party on Thursday night in Austin should head on over to the ND for an event benefiting the Movember Foundation. Kicking things off from 8pm-10pm party goers will get a live version of The Encyclopedia Show which has garnered lots of positive local press recently. The Encyclopedia Show’s website describes the set as a “live variety extravaganza…presenting a new verbal encyclopedia entry each month”. Someone please attend and report back on that part of the show? Afterwards, you’ll get some solid music by locals Lacuana Incorporated, The Authors, She Sir, and Residual Kid. Event sponsors will also be raffling off some sweet gift baskets and other prizes throughout the night. More info can be seen on that fancy poster.
[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/01-Timebomb.mp3]Download: The Authors – Timebomb [MP3]
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A few weeks into fall, cooler temperatures are surprisingly here and you feel lost in the jumble of work or school, missing those summer days that are not so far gone. What better way to fall back into the relaxing mood of summer than to listen to music that feels like sunshine and ocean waves? With only an EP released prior to this, The Authors look to establish themselves as experts of the beach-pop, summer feeling genre. With Get Haunted, they do just this.
“Timebomb” kicks off the album strong and fast right from the start. The guitars buzz away the background while slightly fuzzy lyrics float on top of all the other components of the song, swimming to the beat. Next comes “Never Know,” which is great in its vocals, almost a yelp, to the high pitched noise that blends in with the rest of the song, yet gives a “haunted” feeling, as does the raspy vocals at points.
But perhaps in all the jangly guitars and the hyper drum beats, Get Haunted would become banal, like some of the dog days of summer? False. “Feels Like Running,” an excellent song, starts with a hooking guitar rift that takes turns dominating with the vocals. The drums sit back in the spectrum of what the listener will notice, but they drive the whole of this song, as well as the album; simple, yet refined and precise enough to add en element of constant clarity. They then transition to slightly groovier tunes with “Battles” and “Lonely Ways.” The bass line is quite prominent in these songs, giving them the less washed out feel of previous songs and a more solid foundation, which is an enjoyable turn for this album to take as the band continues with their garage rhythms.
The Authors finish just as strong as they started with “The Night.” This brings the album full circle, from quick shadowy beats to a softer and less fuzzy end. They finally kind of slow down with the last few seconds of the song reserved to some ambient noises. Those melancholic ending notes the same as those final days before fall.
This album reminds me a lot of Surfer Blood’s album from earlier in the year. Like that album, it is a sharp and high speed chase from start to finish, but The Authors prove their distinctive sound with clearer vocals, all while staying inside the garage rock jangle that is Get Haunted; a true trip back to those blissful summer days.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/01-Timebomb.mp3]Download: The Authors – Timebomb [MP3]
| Date | 9/2/10 |
|---|---|
| Location | Mohawk |
| Doors | 9pm |
| Tickets | $7 @ Door/$5 with RSVP |
So as previously stated, The Authors have a new release coming out soon that we’ve been looking forward to for quite some time. To celebrate the release of their new album, the Austin band has a planned CD release party at Mohawk for Thursday night. Fellow locals Motel Aviv, Politics, and a DJ set by The Happen-Ins can all be seen at the event as well. Check out Ultra8201 for a new interview with hot and up coming Austin band The Authors.
[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/01-Timebomb.mp3]Download: The Authors – Timebomb [MP3]
We’ve been hyping up Austin’s new IT band The Authors for some time now, and we’ve got great news for you all. These rocking fellows now have a new single to toss your way from their upcoming full-length debut, Get Haunted, which is coming your way September 7th. You’ll get exactly what you need with this track, offering up a little bit of their pounding guitar sound, fueled by hours of perfecting their danceable garage sound. Come on folks, let’s help make this band huge. You can also preview another new track, “The Night,” by downloading our sweet Summer Mixtape.
Download: The Authors – Timebomb [MP3]
So as summer begins to dwindle down and the kids head back to school, we here at ATH thought a Summer mixtape would be in order to boost everyone’s spirits. Let’s be honest, this summer hasn’t really delivered a truly great album as of yet so why not just make your own? Right? For our Summertime mixtape, we handpicked the best new music from up and coming Austin bands that we think you should know about. You’ll see brand new and never before heard music from Great Nostalgic, The Authors, and Sunset along with some you’ve maybe seen on the site from Golden Bear, She Sir, Paperthreat and tons more. All told, we’ve got 20 songs for you to take with you and enjoy. Our Austin Town Hall Summer Mixtape website features a handy zip file download as well as streams of each song and a link to each band’s website if you dig what you hear. So head to the mixtape site, download some tunes, tell all your friends, and enjoy what little summer we have left. No really, tell your friends…. now.
| Date | 1/28/10 |
|---|---|
| Location | Ghost Room |
| Doors | 9pm |
| Tickets | $5 @ Door |
Our good friends Ultra8201 are throwing a huge 4 year anniversary party at Ghost Room on Thursday and we’re happy to be a part of the fun. The guys have a killer evening lined up with music from locals New Roman Times, The Authors, Politics, and The Red Boys. Of course you and also expect a photo booth run by Annie Ray and cheap drinks all night long. Check out that fancy flier for all sponsoring parties.
[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/New_Roman_Times_Smoke_In_Your_Disguise.mp3]Download: New Roman Times – Smoke In Your Disguise [MP3]
We spotlighted The Authors a few weeks back as one of our favorite new local acts we think you should check out if you get a chance. Speaking of chance, they play this week at Art Disaster No. 9, which is Thursday. Until then, we hope to hold you over with one of their newest tracks. We hope you support these guys, and if not, at least you have a sweet new track to grab onto for the day.
Download: Authors – Feels Like Running [MP3]
