Last Week’s Jams (4.17 – 4.20)

If there is one song I want you to listen to it has to be the absolute smash hit from Maine’s Big Blood; I think I’ve listened to that track 1000 times since I’ve heard it, if not more. Of course, there’s other great tunes to enjoy as well, like that pop ditty from Tough Age, or Rama Lama’s new signing, Echo Ladies. Plus, Austin held its own again with new stuff from Dress Warm and RF Shannon. And, if you’re looking for something with some legs, there’s at least a handful of tunes stretching beyond the 4 minute mark, so indulge as you must.

Tugboat Captain Share Like Caroline

Tugboat Captain have been hard at work in 2023, already bringing us their third single of the year, continuing a run of solid form the last few years. This tune opens up with a spirited bounce, before sliding into the great literary pop they send our way; there’s definitely some percussive snap here that reminds me of the punctuated moments in my favorite B&S tunes. When that chorus sails real high, you’re going to be rewarded, as you surely knew, built on this soaring vocal that illustrates the band’s range. Good to see them hard at work, and hopefully the UK outfit will have a new LP for us soon!

Last Week’s Jams (1.9 – 1.13)

We had a rough start last week, with a wee bit of server issues…plus getting back into work after some time off. But, we came back to a bunch of sweet tunes from some ATH favorites…new videos from Blues Lawyer and En Attendant Ana, not to mention one that tied up the excellent LP from Doom Flower. I was blown away by another fresh track from Joyeria, and RayRay did a little write up on our friends in Why Bonnie. I was really in love with that Grey Factor tune we ran at the end of the week, but it hasn’t made it onto streaming platforms, so check that out before digging into new EPs from Dippers and Peel Dream Magazine.

Tugboat Captain Share Brand New Single, Flash of Light

Having been away for a few years after the release of the excellent Rut, Tugboat Captain return with a fresh tune, hopefully with the promise of a new LP down the line. On this record, as with many artists during the pandemic, you can hear how the band began to explore new territory; the opening alone on this track is louder than anything they’ve done to date, ringing with guitars once you press play. And while I love a bit of noise, the band’s delicate notes do appear once you peel back the layers; the song even fades out beautifully with this light piano and powerful vocal. It’ll be interesting to hear more from the band as we kick on in 2023.

Tugboat Captain Share Day to Day

It’s a bummer that SXSW cancelled because I was really looking forward to catching Tugboat Captain around town. In fact, this was one of the early songs that caught my ear, though this version has been updated and built up with textured instrumentation and an additional vocal performant from Flirting’s Poppy Waring. This version’s really working for me today; it sounds like if the Spook School shunned their pop punk ways and fell in love with Stuart Murdoch…basically its like hyper-twee pop rock, and we’re all better that its out in the world. If you’re like me, and you’ve been piqued by the band’s work, then be on the lookout for Rut in October via Double A Side Records.

Tugboat Captain Share No Plans (For This Year)

Tugboat Captain were slated to come to Austin this year for SXSW, and while we all know how that ended up, I’m still really intrigued by the band’s offering. They tricked me here, offering up this almost post-punk guitar for just about 11 seconds. But, then the song swells, as you’d expect from a band specializing in sweeping pop stylings. While the beginning seems calm and traditional in presentation, they get a little bounce and a little sonic explosion of exquisite noise too…that sort of texturing makes the song all the more memorable after you’ve reached the 4:18 mark. This tune appears on Rut, the band’s debut dropping this October.

New Pop Tune from Tugboat Captain

I’ve written about Tugboat Captain previously, and with the London outfit scheduled to show up in Austin for SXSW, I thought it would be a nice time to check back in on the band. They’ve just offered up this new tune in demo fashion in hopes of raising some funds for their 3rd LP, as well as that trip across the sea. Personally, I’m not sure what else they could really add to make this more than a demo, aside from punching up a level here and there in the mix. I love the breakdown at the 3 minute mark; it’s the perfect way to cap off a promising tune. If you’re inclined to support the group, you can go HERE to throw a buck or two their way.

Tugboat Captain Share Be Strong Smoke Less

London’s Tugboat Captain should pop up on everyone’s radar real soon, having already established themselves as a strong live band overseas. None of that matters, of course, unless the group can charm with their written material, like on the latest single “Be Strong, Smoke Less.” It’s party lounge crooner, part indiepop ditty, with the trading between male and vocal females definitely perking my ears right up to the pop sensibility. There’s a little bounce from the keyboard lines, but the joint vocal harmonies are guaranteed ways into the hearts of an pop fan. Keep an eye on this outfit, as their star is in the ascendency.

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