Austin Town Hall

Nice Jam from MV + EE

nathan.lankford — Wed, 16 May 2012 19:13:50 +0000

When I first got the latest LP from MV & EE, Space Homestead, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I had heard a few things, and I had mixed feelings, but over time, I’ve really fallen for the album. You’re probably going to have the same feeling, at least if you’re in the same shoes. This new single that the band’s had floating around for the last 24 hours really encompasses some of the cinematic quality of the group’s tunes. There’s hardly audible quality to the music, but I think that’s precisely what draws you in so intimately to the tracks that are present. Might not be for everyone, but lately it’s been just for me.

Download: MV & EE – Sweet Sure Gone [MP3]

Show Preview: M83 @ Stubbs (5/18)

nathan.lankford — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:31:33 +0000

Date	Friday, May 18th
Location	Stubbs
Doors	700 pm
Tickets	SOLD OUT

M83 doesn’t need much of an introduction anymore, though old school fans might found his new usage of vocals a little different than his instrumental construction pieces; I dig both styles, but I’m sort of partial to his earlier career. Unfortunately, the show at Stubbs sold out, but if you’re willing to browse Craigslist or hit up a friend, I know you can get in to the show. A real reason you should get there early, however, is to catch I Break Horses. The Swedish band has graced the pages of our site on several occasions, and I know our photographer B. Gray really enjoys what they do. Their music is a clever combination of electronics and soundscapes, sort of like what Anthony Gonzalez had done on his most recent effort. If you can score a ticket, catch a great show from these two solid acts.

Download: I Break Horses – Winter Beats [MP3]

New Heavy Pop Track from Bloody Knives

nathan.lankford — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:14:15 +0000

There’s a lot less blood on the hands of Bloody Knives than one would expect, if you were going by their name and the title of their most recent album Blood. That being said, it’s sort of irrelevant because the music they’re making is pretty incredible, and you can grab that record from Saint Marie Records. As a kid who grew up with his fair share of angst, there’s a darkness captured in the song itself, but the combination of shoegaze elements transforms the song itself, giving it a metallic sheen to coat its pop attributes. Totally enjoying this one.

Download:Bloody Knives – Bleed Out [MP3]

Exciting Pop Punk from English Singles

nathan.lankford — Wed, 16 May 2012 12:50:41 +0000

There are tons of reasons to adore the hard-work of Slumberland Records, but as the band continues to expand their catalogue I’m amazed at the talent they’re bringing on to their team. English Singles is a Sacramento band, and while you can see similarities to a lot of their labelmates, they’ve got a little more of an off-kilter punk rock sound. My ears finds this sort of raucous gang vocal approach ultra-endearing, and the more I listen the more that seems to move beyond my nostalgic leanings towards punk rock and more towards simple adoration. This four song 7″ is out now!

Download:English Singles – Finer Points [MP3]

Gorgeous New Track from Tara Jane O’neil

nathan.lankford — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:02:22 +0000

It’s nice to find a tune that regardless of its lyrical content, it forces you to look at your like with a bit of introspection. I don’t know what it is, but this new song from Tara Jane Oneil has put me in this ultra-reflective mode today…I’m actually okay with that as I near the end of my time with 120 13 year olds. This single is the A-Side to TJO’s newest release on K Records, which also features “Rainbow Connection” as the B-Side. Tara sounds incredible here, and I can’t do much more than just fall in love with her voice at this time. Hopefully you find a similar sentiment when you listen, and if so, be sure to pick it up at the K Store.

Download: Tar Jane Oneil – Sirena [MP3]

New Hazy Pop From Permanent Collection

RayRay — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:54:49 +0000

Permanent Collection is a newish group put together by former Young Prisms member Jason Hendardy along with founding members of the indie label Loglady. The group offers an interesting take on the recent shoe gaze movement which can be sampled with this new free track “It’s Alright”. If you dig this one, point your calendars to the August 7th release date of their new album Newly Wed Nearly Dead on Loglady.

Download: Permanent Collection – It’s Alright [MP3]

New Track from Tallest Man on Earth

nathan.lankford — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:31:59 +0000

It’s good to have Tallest Man on Earth back again, not that he’s really been gone, but you know what I mean. Rolling Stone posted this great new track, “1904″ from the songwriter today, and it’s exactly what you want from the man we fondly refer to as the Swedish Bob Dylan. There’s No Leaving Now is the title of the new record, set for release on June 12th on Dead Oceans. There’s a little bit of a change to Kristian’s vocals in the second half of the song, which hopefully shows that he’s looking to add something to his sound. In the end it’s not really going to matter much because he’s got this quality that makes everything he writes emotionally touching. He better be ready for more praise!

Download: The Tallest Man on Earth – 1904 [MP3]

More New Music From Island Twins

RayRay — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:59:54 +0000

When I last posted about Queens based Island Twins back in March, we were introduced to the band with jamming track “Lying in State”. Now the band have seen their debut self-titled LP hit stores earlier this month as they prep for touring to promote. To help get the word out about their tunes, the band just made this new track “Creepaway” available as a free download. It’s pretty similar to the original song I posted, but should perk your ears and tempt all to purchase the band’s latest.

Download: Island Twins – Creepaway [MP3]

Nice Pop Tune from Lace Curtains

nathan.lankford — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:31:16 +0000

I knew this was coming, after running into Michael Croomer over at Fun Fun Fun Fest last year, but I couldn’t have dreamed that it would sound as good as this track that GvsB ran recently. Lace Curtains, Croomer’s new project while Harlem is on the back-burner is just another great spawn of that incredible Austin band, with Grape Street being the other. Sometime this year we shall get to hear The Garden of Joy and the Well of Loneliness, which is slated to come out via Female Fantasy. I don’t really care when it comes out, as long as it has great songs like this one on it.

Download:Lace Curtains – High Fantasy [MP3]

Drifting Pop Tune from Grandparents

nathan.lankford — Mon, 14 May 2012 19:09:22 +0000

When you come across a tune that you can’t escape you’ve got to just sit down and applaud the efforts of the artists; that’s exactly what I did when I listened to this first track from the latest EP, titled Fumes, from Portland’s Grandparents. There’s sort of a far-out approach to the craftsmanship of the group’s pop efforts, something that makes their songs always seem to rise and fall with the changes of the wind. Hopefully you get the same sentimental drifting emotion that came to mind when I continuously played this song through my stereo; you’re going to find your spirit lightened just by listening.

Download:Grandparents – Arrows [MP3]