Last Week’s Jams (10.23 – 10.27)

We had a busy week here at ATH, prepping for the festival by throwing some Levitation interviews your way, but there was still tons of music to get out there. We ran some conversations with Video Age, Pachyman, Civic and Shannon and the Clams…plus, I got a Rock n’ Recipe in from the good folks at Lower Plenty. So, lots of words to read from other folks on their music. We also had fresh tunes all over the place from ATH favorites like the Umbrellas, Steven van Betten and Glimmer. Pretty busy week with tons to talk about, so be sure to browse through the site too…as there’s more than just sweet jams from last week!

Last Week’s Jams (10.16 – 10.20)

We’re gearing up for Levitation this week, so we had some coverage that worked towards that end, with new music from Wishy and Video Age, plus an interview/new track from Font. Plus, we did the usual coverage of great tunes from the likes of the Serfs, Say Sue Me and Spllit. Tossed out that new Idles tune, kind of feeling on the fence, but interesting to see James Murphy be part of that new project, so we’ll see what the final LP sounds like. We were also able to throw some love to Dot Dash, who released a compilation this last week on vinyl for the first time, including the cover below of “Jackanory Stories.” Stream and jam and have a great day!

Video Age Share Is It Really Over (Levitation Artist)

Next week is Levitation; it’s also the week of Video Age‘s new LP hitting the streets! Why would that matter? Well, you actually get both together, at the band are part of the festival’s line-up! But, let’s put that aside for the moment, and listen to the group’s latest single on Away From the Castle. This one’s a true slow burner, crafting nostalgic pop vibes through the first minute and a half, then dropping in a sick beat to get a little bounce beneath your feet. They flesh the track out too, letting some little vocal samples and washes of electronics kind of crest in the middle of the tune, all of it reminding me of thoughtful pop like Radio Dept. or Red Sleeping Beauty. If, like me, you’re coming to the festival next weekend, be sure you’ve got the band on your radar, and if not, grab the new LP from Winspear.

Last Week’s Jams (10.2 – 10.6)

Kind of a hectic week on my end over here, with RayRay being out of town, B.Gray getting ready to fest, and well, the usual life goes on. Managed to squeeze in a couple of phenomenal shows, so that’s a bonus, catching both Lewsberg and the Walkmen. Tons of fun songs hit last week, though admittedly, it seemed a bit thin in comparison to weeks gone by. Still, Onyon dropped fresh tunes, and Lower Plenty finally dropped their marvelous new No Poets LP. Loved that English Teacher bop, so chose it to start off the playlist. Unfortunately, one of my favorite tunes was that new Lightheaded, but it wasn’t streaming yet, so be sure to check in with Slumberland Records on that note. Monday is here. So is the music.

Video Age Share Golden Sun (Levitation Artist)

If ever there was a song title that established the mood of the song for the listener, then it has to be this new track from Video Age. For starters, there’s this lightness to the track, almost playful like the first rays of Spring after a long dark Winter; the airy nature sets up the abundant melodic nature you can’t escape. Speaking of that melody, whether it pops up in the notes from the keys or the vocals, it blankets you in this striking warmth, crisp and golden, as the song title would suggest. The band release Away from the Castle on October 27th via Winspear…then celebrate two days later at Levitation!

Last Week’s Jams (9.5 – 9.8)

Just because we took Monday off last week, it didn’t mean we were taking it easy; I think I posted 11 things in one day, simply because there’s been so much great jams to get turned onto. Austin had tons of representation with TVs Daniel, Motorsports, Friday Boys, DAIISTAR and Feeling Small, but my own love for Spanish-language pop was made all the better with tunes from Melenas and Mint Field coming our way. Teenage Tom Petties were back for the attack, with a new album announcement. Plus, there’s some reissue news with Kath Bloom and Single Bullet Theory getting coverage. So yeah, music! Whoohoo!

Video Age Share Better Than Ever

Wanted to toss a bit of joy into your listening rotation today, especially as I love the funky bop of this fresh Video Age tune. Honestly, it reminds me in construction, of early Chromeo, playing with burying really deep hooks in a track that eventually rise and hit you right in the face. That said, the New Orleans project slings it about with a little bit more modernity, tossing in dreamy notes behind the rhythmic bounce; the vocals have a nice little melodic curl, never stretching beyond their boundaries, continuing to let the hook of the tune evolve. They’ll release Away From the Castle on October 27th via Winspear.

 

Last Week’s Jams (8.7 – 8.11)

Admittedly, we might have outdone ourselves last week; I’m fairly certain I’m the one to blame. Somehow, we tossed up 40 songs, though a few are unavailable in the streaming sites, so you’ve only got 38 tracks on this week’s playlist. There’s a ton of Austin stuff, with new music from Daiistar, Semihelix, Half Dream and more…obligatory A Giant Dog is in there and such. Plus, still continuously impressed by the magic that is Prewn. Oh, and Australia’s buzzing at the moment, and their music isn’t half-bad either, with new tracks from the Small Intestines and Soft Covers being considered as must listens. So, if you’ve got an hour or two to kill…go on and stream!

Video Age Share Away from the Castle

It’s really hard to put my feelings into words when listening to this new track from Video Age. The song’s not really doing anything crazy different from acts like Real Estate or the like, but something in the way the production and execution are done is supremely gratifying. It all starts with that steady snappy percussive piece; it propels the track forward, allowing the guitars to hit some really crisp notes. Those notes jangle and churn, seemingly dancing around the deliciously dreamy vocals…that actually remind me of early Teenage Fanclub (weird that I wrote about the Teenies earlier today!). Jam the title track from the band’s forthcoming Away from the Castle, out October 27th via Winspear.

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