Tag: video

Logan Farmer Shares Sorrowbirds

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Up until now, I felt like I’ve been holding it together; I’ve mostly retreated to good reliable pop tunes to keep my spirits up the last few months. But, this week the damn seems to have broken, and this Logan Farmer track seems to be part of that. The darkness of the cinematography in the video accompanied by the solemn tones of the piano/guitar that opens the track kind of pull you beneath the murky water of your own mind. There’s hints of promise on the horizon in Farmer’s voice, however, dangling little syllables out into the night sky, letting them drift into the ether. Just sit back and absorb this one. This tune appears on Still No Mother, out on August 21st via Western Vinyl.

Los Blenders Announce Mazunte 2016

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I’m really grateful for the resurrection of Devil in the Woods as a label; they’ve already introduced me to some great acts, and they’re back with another one that apparently should have been on my radar: Mexico City’s Los Blenders. The band maintain their influences fall between surf and punk, but you’d be remiss if you didn’t catch just a little bit of that indiepop jangle in the guitars; the notes are sharp as a knife, making your tap your toes as the melodic vocals circle about your head. In fact, this is definitely an indiepop number, and I’m not shying away from that statement! The band will release Mazunte 2016 on September 25th.

Daphne Tunes Share Thinkin on a Mem Video

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Daphne Tunes is helmed by one of our dear friends, Santiago; he formerly fronted ATH act Growl (those LPs are $5!). But, don’t let our allegiance to our friends steer you away from the playful video below, directed by Santi himself. Plus, we’re really picky, and we only love the greatest voices out there…so just listen to those pipes and I think you’ll get why we love his work so much. I love the guitar work here too, the way it kind of shuffles up your feet, getting your body swinging naturally from side to side. Right now I’m thinkin’ on a mem, and missing this band’s live sets! If you dig, you can grab Volume 2 from Uncool Records.

Vintage Crop Share The North Video

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Had we not been in the midst of a world pandemic I’d place bets on Vintage Crop being the next big thing. They’ve got that sound people keep gravitating towards, combining these sharp guitar cuts with the matter-of-fact vocal delivery you’d expect from a singer stalking the stage. One thing I like is that they’re kind of reveling in the joy of their own song; they’re so in love with this riff that they refuse to push the pace of the song, holding themselves back. In doing so, they allow the natural pop attitude to bleed through the speakers. I promise, this is your new favorite band; they’ll drop Serve to Serve Again on August 7th via Upset the Rhythm.

Memory Keepers Share Forskalii Video

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The Sour Notes are one of my favorite local Austin acts, particularly as they’ve really come into their own over the last few years. But, this is about two of their songwriters using a more electronic approach to exercise their musical muscles as Memory Keepers. Last week they dropped the Forskalii 7″, which features a nice Primal Scream cover (rumored to be praised by the band!). In this video for the A-side, the pulsating synths get mixed with live footage from the band’s last show, courtesy of photographs from Vineet Gordhandas; you’ll also find some great texture work, layering guitar lines and synth lines just beneath the wash of Jared’s vocoder-modified voice. It’s always fun when you try to tie the two bands together, trying to see where their pop sensibilities united in their different approaches to craft. Plus, if you enjoy it and grab the 7″, the band are donating all those funds to the NAACP-LDF…so everyone wins.

Another Gordon Koang Tune

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Sometimes it takes awhile for music to reach your ears, but I’m really glad that the last year has turned me onto the work of Gordon Koang. The South Sudanese songwriter (currently living in Australia) shares another track from his forthcoming LP, this time singing in Nuer, his native tongue. This is one of those tracks, however, where language barriers are surpassed by the uplifting music itself. Koang says the song refers to an aid worker he knew back in Sudan that helped save his community from poverty. The video features he and his cousin Paul Biel sharing some of their favorite local spots. Unity, the new LP, will be out via Music in Exile/Light in the Attic on August 14th.

Tina Shares Golden Rope Video

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Some labels require a close eye, as they seem to always be the tastemakers, whether intentional or not. Speedy Wundergound is one such label, and their latest singing Tia just dropped this new track from their forthcoming Positive Mental Health Music. The drumming adds this natural gallop, though the vocals contrast with that energy, almost calmly delivered in some sort of Calvin Johnson nod. The chorus, of course, has this burst of brightness, which also introduces some of the rough edges from Joshua Loftin’s voice as he stretches his pipes into that more guttural growl. Hints of summer here, but you’ll have to wait until November 6th for the album’s release!

Hinds Share Burn Video

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I think of all the records I’ve spent the most time with, the most unexpected joy came from The Prettiest Curse…the latest LP from Hinds. Amidst this global pandemic, we’ve all been seeking our own small joys, and nothing has been nearly as fun as this record (in my opinion). The opening three tracks alone are worth countless repeat listens (as my iTunes can attest). But, in the context of the record, there’s a very slight energetic respite falling those opening 3 tunes; you get a couple more thoughtful slow-burners before “Burn” jumps back in to establish the joyousness that is this LP. There’s this undying frivolity that seeps through the speakers when you press play on this one, and the only thing lacking in the video context is that same feeling and camaraderie, due to the filming taking place during the lockdown in Spain. Can’t get enough of this LP.

Stutter Steps Share Leafy Dreams Video

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It’s easy to get lost in this pandemic situation, so much so that I neglected to devote enough time to the excellent new Stutter Steps LP, which has been out for a wee bit now. Reeling is chock full of both warm ballads and upbeat fuzz pop songs. One of the more calming tracks, “Leafy Dream,” is here with the video treatment; it’s as nature-oriented a visual as the song itself, using minimal percussion and the faintest hint of backing vocals to seduce you, while the song seemingly takes you on a hike through the forest with Ben’s music your willing accompaniment. Come to mention it, there’s quite a bit of nature imagery on this record; you can stream it all right HERE. For now, enjoy the tune and the video, and pick up the album!

Helena Deland Readies Debut LP

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The last time we were all able to gather for SXSW, Helena Deland was very much on the minds of many, particularly with the success of Altogether Unaccompanied. She’s been fairly quiet until now, mostly spending her time touring, but it looks like that debut LP is finally in the works.We get our first glimpse with this new song “Lylz,” in part inspired by the story of the Boulanger sisters, with the other part a nod to the devoted friendship of the song’s namesake. I love the heavy breath of the vocals in the beginning, working over really quietly strummed notes. Like the burning candles (fashioned as the Boulanger sisters), notes flicker and in an instant the song begins to soar into a more celestial sort, leading to the introduction of steady rhythm to propel the track to its close. Very much an artists to keep your eye on as the year draws to a close.

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