Tag: thor & friends

Last Week’s Jams (3.31 – 4.4)

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While we covered a lot of territory, I’ll admit that there’s definitely a shadow hanging over last week’s jams, namely the much-hyped return of Allo’ Darlin. I also had to go back and make sure I added in that Day Friend to the list, as that’s one of my favorite ATX acts. Plus, the return of ATH faves the High Water Marks makes another weekly highlight, and now that I’m thinking about it…there’s just a ton of rad stuff here. We got other Austin stuff represented with a new single from Thor & Friends, not to mention this really great introduction to the Pennys (which has some ATX connections). Also, some photos of Hey Nothing ran with a show review, so we threw up their latest single too! Stream it all below!

Thor & Friends Share Anne Sexton’s Monocle

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For years, Thor Harris has held up the creative spirit in Austin, like Atlas with the globe on his back; he’s more revered than most, operating with a quiet humility and a willingness to spread positivity whilst pushing back against the inhumanity of the world. And as such, he’s amassed Thor & Friends, collecting like-minded musicians to complete his musical imaginings. Below, you get the newest installment, a recorded segment from the tune “Anne Sexton’s Glasses,” which will appear on his new record, Heathen Spirituals. This number centers around marimba play, but it’s clear the goal is crafting a sound that operates as a united front…and it’s clear that he’s got friends and musicians helping him see out his vision (including one of my old co-workers; I see you Melissa Nguyen Lype). If you’re into art, be sure to order Heathen Spirituals from Joyful Noise Recordings before its May 16th release.

Thor & Friends Helps Slack Capital 2 and SafePlace

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Slack Capital 2 is a compilation of music by 27 of the greatest bands in Austin. All proceeds from the comp go to SafePlace, which provides support for victims of domestic and sexual violence. We’re unveiling one song per day until the the release party on April 14.

Song of the day: Thor & Friends — “Bees”

“Bees” is a work unbetrothed to time– an instrumental hymn, something beyond the language of humans. Like a chamber orchestra you stumble across in the jungle while hallucinating on a deserted island, Thor Harris (of Swans) and his band of collaborators, chiefly Peggy Ghorbani and Sarah Gautier (aka Sarah La Puerta, who appears on this very compilation), make a kind of secular devotional music. For fans of Johnny Greenwood’s film score work for Paul Thomas Anderson– otherworldly, creepy, somehow both minimalistic and epic– the music of Thor & Friends will be something you’ll want to put on repeat. A looping xylophone pattern sort of travels down an eerie back road of sounds, until stabbing strings add a Hitchcock vibe. Even with its playful touch, “Bees” evokes both the frenzied life of the titular insect and the terror of an industrialized, de-natured world.

PreOrder Slack Capital 2 HERE.

Join us at Barracuda on Friday, April 14th for the Release Party.

The Perfect Bedroom Pop of Sarah La Puerta Lands on Slack Capital 2

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Slack Capital 2 is a compilation of music by 27 of the greatest bands in Austin. All proceeds from the comp go to SafePlace, which provides support for victims of domestic and sexual violence. To keep things exciting, we’re unveiling one song per day.

Song of the day: Sarah La Puerta — “Don’t Make Me Do It”

You may know her as the secret weapon in baroque indie pop band Tele Novella, or as the secret weapon in the transcendental chamber-folk jams of Thor & Friends, but rising star Sarah La Puerta makes music of her own, too. Today we are excited to present “Don’t Make Me Do It,” a striking and heartfelt pop gem. Never raising her voice above speaking volume, La Puerta puts just enough character into each line to convey more than is said– particularly on the titular plea of the chorus (which incidentally, unlike the rest of the song, is not bathed in synthesizers). Yes, there it is, that Sarah La Puerta keyboard sound– playful, hopeful, but always just a little bit concerned. The song’s lyrics follow a similar path. “I’d like to know/ that your love/ is a love I can be sure of” is intoned dreamily, as if to herself. We see shadows slowly moving across a garden at night; we are slowly dancing down a cobbled Parisian alleyway, stepping gingerly on the rocks; we smell cigarette smoke, and there are lights colored orange, pink, and blue. The song ends with a deep sigh of relief. We feel OK. — Eric Braden

Pre-Order Slack Capital 2 HERE.
April 14th Release Show Info HERE.

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