ATX Spotlight: New Shawn David McMillen

sdm12XU had a solid day yesterday with some national press for Uniform (which you can read about HERE), but quietly they also unleashed this striking new tune from Shawn David McMillen.  It’s nearly six minutes of sprawled out electric roots rock, reveling in the soul of Texas summer nights.  One would think that it’s lack of brevity would make repeated listens difficult, but there’s a spirit in this song that’s undeniable, which inevitably forced me to press play at least a half-dozen times before I even touched this post.  It doesn’t hurt that his new album On the Clock with JJ & Mitch is a representation of his work with local heavy-hitters JJ Ruiz and Mitch Frazier (from such acts as Church Shoes & Trustees).  Look for the album on April 28th, if you’re into buying music.

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Show Preview: A Giant Dog @ Mohawk (7.31)

show

Date Thursday, July 31st
Location Mohawk
Doors 9:00 PM
Tickets $7


So many great shows, so little time.  And tonight you get to see three incredible Austin acts tearing up the Mohawk.  It goes without saying that A Giant Dog, who are recording their 3rd LP, are one of Austin’s better live bands.   But, even with that in mind, you need to get there early to catch the other two openers.  Trustees kick off the night; they’re one of the most impressive bands in town at the moment, though we’ve yet to here recorded material, so you’re only chance to hear them is at Mohawk.  And, Hundred Visions will also be rocking in the middle of the line-up; they never put on a bad show, at least in my opinion.  So you’ve got three bands. Three killer bands.  Plus, you’re likely to run into Norman Wanklord.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/ToPutItBluntly.mp3]

Download: A Giant Dog – To Put it Bluntly [MP3]

Humpday Austin Shows: Our Austin Show Preview Spotlight

53640-Happy-Hump-DayThe great thing about our fair city is that with all the huge traveling shows drawing people out, we can also sneak off to our favorite venues to catch a lot of the great local acts.  And, for those of you out on the town already…you’ve had a few drinks so far, so you may as well go the extra mile and catch one of these three suggested shows below.  I promise you won’t be disappointed in your night.  Check out these gigs:

Think No Think, A. Sinclair, Lowen @ Mohawk – 9 PM – Free if you’re already at the Future Islands gig.

A Giant Dog, The Stuffies, Trustees, DJ Andrew McCalla @ Hotel Vegas – 9 PM – Not a single bad band on this bill.

Tele Novella, The Sour Notes @ Stubbs – 10 PM – It’s a free show following the modern day version of Wilson Phillips, Haim.

Here’s some tracks by some of the bands playing (A.Sinclair, A Giant Dog, Sour Notes) on the evening, hoping you go local, then go home.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/04-Shiny-Things.mp3] [audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/ToPutItBluntly.mp3] [audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Mannequin-Wire-Cover.mp3]