This is fine.
We got back to being super busy last week, with RayRay premiering that new No Win jam, plus a bunch of other new stuff that we were stoked to dive into. Good to see Free Time and Laura Jean back with new stuff, not to mention a little local love from the likes of First Names and Twain (he lives here!). All in all, its a bunch of stuff, all over the place musically, just like we do, so hopefully this kicks your Monday into gear!
Well, we wrote up at least 25 fresh tracks last week, many of which we purposefully tried to make sure weren’t on all the other cool kid sites. That also might be why we missed a few that you’d expect us to cover. It was great to hear Cool Sounds taking some new risks for their new LP, plus we made sure we had that new Mary Onettes tune right up there. And, our old friends Big Bill dropped a new record, so we wanted to remind you of their gifts…and then, there were loads of other songs, meant to get you through those early Monday morning blues without having to think too much about what you’re listening to all day…just know it’ll be good.
How can you not be thrilled by this new jam from the Soft Moon? It’s heavy and propulsive, hinting at darkness, but disguised as a heavy pop song. The moment the rhythm drops in with those tuned vocals, you’re lured into the dark side of pop. I feel like that’s fitting, as songwriter Luiz Vasquez details how the song expresses the turmoil built by his own battles with ‘good side/bad side.’ This track and video also features fish narc adding in some vocals, mixing in a little bit of that duality in the song itself. With this video you get the announcement of Exister, a new LP for Sacred Bones (9.23), as well as a huge tour across Europe and the States…with an Austin date in the fall.
This show was immediately on the gotta-go list, The Soft Moon with Boy Harsher? Yes. I know both were about during SxSW, but I wanted full sets and the stars never aligned to allow for viewing freeing time slots for other acts from overseas. Double win. When you add in local openers Troller, you have a show that has great potential to sell out Barracuda.
…and sell out it did.
I’ll share a few thoughts about each of the band’s sets and plenty of photos right after the jump. Sound good? OK.
Last Friday, it was supposed to be some nostalgia with Killing Joke playing The Parish. However, they cancelled leaving plans in the lurch. The truly awesome news was that scheduled openers would still come to town and even better, they added Video in support. A last minute add of Autlier completely rounded out the night.
Click through – I have plenty of photos from the night and thoughts on The Parish’s recent upgrades.
Friday night one of our favorite bands will be gracing the stage for a nice set, and I couldn’t think of a better sound system to handle the wall of beautiful noise that The Soft Moon will bring to the table. The band, primarily the project o Luis Vasquez has been carrying a blend of noise, electronica and industrial pop for some time now, and he’s captivated us through several albums on Captured Tracks…and a nice set at Levitation/Psych Fest. Joining him on the stage that night will be Austin act, VIDEO, as well as Autlier. If you want a pair of tickets for free, leave a comment…pick a number between 1-1000. We’ll contact the winner after NOON on Thursday when the contest comes to a close!
You can also go the other route, and buy tickets from The Parish HERE.
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We’re so close guys. Levitation is just around the corner, and it’s going to be a helluva time. I can’t really think of any band that I don’t want to see, so we’re trying to catch up with as many as we can before the fest to give you a little insight into what you should catch…or look into even if you’re not going to be out with us next weekend. Read more
Our friends at Captured Tracks sent over news of The Soft Moon‘s latest album. The album is called Deeper and will be released March 31st. Along with this news comes a stream of the lead single called “Black”. Way too soon. I have to wait four months? I broke my SxSW rule of not seeing a band twice with these guys (erm, guy in that the band is actually Luis Vasquez).
Deeper is the product of isolationism in a new country and if this lead track signifies anything, it may be the best yet. Dark, sparse but huge, bottled aggression…
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No, I am not done yet. This one and a gallery of the showcases is all that is left. If I can muster it, I’ll do a best of post. Best-ofs are easier well removed from a festival because lasting memories help define what really got you going.
Anyway, this giant gallery of daytime show goodness includes some candids and portraits from around the conference during the unofficial events. Highlights include Wax Idols, Nobunny, The Soft Moon, Criminal Hygiene, Bleeding Rainbows, that band Thurston Moore is in, Delorean and so much more.
Click through. Play a game of “oh yeah, I was there.”
Seems like Friday is the night for me at Psych Fest, but rest assured, there are plenty of great acts all weekend long such as The Soft Moon and Fresh & Onlys. One of the bands I’m most excited to catch is Bass Drum of Death. Read more
