Video: The Wooden Birds

The Wooden Birds just debuted the first video for the second full-length album, Two Matchsticks. Directed and created by animator Justin Goldwater, the hand crafted video for the album's title track follows the magical and colorful evolution and destruction of some very interesting wood.

The Austin-based Wooden Birds is led by Andrew Kenny, who previously led American Analog Set and was a touring member/collaborator with Broken Social Scene in 2007. In creating Two Matchsticks, the band drew on the strengths of their live show, making it more driven, upbeat and fuller than the Birds' previous efforts. The album also features Wooden Birds members Leslie Sisson and Matt Pond who, in addition to singing backing vocals on the album, sing lead and duet with Kenny on some of the album's most memorable songs. Other special guests include Ben Gibbard from Death Cab For Cutie along with members of Ola Podrida.

• The Wooden Birds - "Two Matchsticks"
• http://thewoodenbirds.com/

Video: Explosions in the Sky

It's hard to believe that Explosions In The Sky have been making music for 12 years, and have only just now released their first official music video. The Austin band's hypnotic post-rock finally received a proper cinematic treatment, put together by Austin design studio Ptarmak, illustrator Sissy Emmons, and animator David Hobizal. The eight-minute-plus clip was created for "Last Known Surroundings," from the band's latest album Take Care, Take Care, Take Care. Explosions in the Sky have reported that they intend to get a few more videos made by various friends and filmmakers over the next few months.

• Explosions in the Sky - "Last Known Surroundings"
• http://www.explosionsinthesky.com/

The Rumble: Austin

 
The June edition of our free, monthly local show is going down at Beerland tonight. On tap for this one is a great lineup that includes Beautiful Supermachines, Chronolung (fresh off their opening slot for The Memorials), and Milk Thistle. Come out and join us for some free, live, local music on Red River tonight. Doors are at 9pm. To find out more about the bands or simply get more info on The Rumble: Austin, click over to Facebook or therumbletour.com.

THE RUMBLE: AUSTIN @ BEERLAND - JUNE 15TH - FREE!

Featuring Beautiful Supermachines, Chronolung & Milk Thistle

BEAUTIFUL SUPERMACHINES
Led by the masterful David Williams (The Vomit Pigs, Decadent Dub Team, The Jungle Brothers), BEAUTIFUL SUPERMACHINES's, Shut Up (Chicken Ranch Records) was released to rave reviews in 2009 and now their back to showcase new material from their forthcoming second album. Lush and layered instrumentation met with dramatic pop flourishes and you have the epic sound of the BEAUTIFUL SUPERMACHINES

"The group’s debut LP, Shut Up, is a Technicolor mélange of fuzz-box fireworks and aloof pop hooks layered with a producer’s ear for those all-important minor details, and informed by Williams’ wildly diverse palette." - The A.V. Club

http://beautifulsupermachines.com/

CHRONOLUNG
 
This three piece comprised of Collin and Kevin Fish and Ian Grimes, CHRONOLUNG will bring their hard rock to Beerland for the night. These guys dropped their self-titled EP in March, after their stint at SXSW and winning the School of Rock Battle of the Bands at Emo's and recently opened for The Memorials.

"Blistering rock met with thrashing metal riffs that has taken Austin by surprise" - Future Sounds

http://www.chronolung.com/

MILK THISTLE
Called a "sophisticated indie rock group" by our friends at the Austinist, MILK THISTLE'S Dream Blood EP has been on heavy rotation around the FS offices for a while. This quartet take what we love about The Walkmen, pounding bass lines and aching vocals that give Hamilton Leithauser a run for his money.

"They’ve got a great driving sound that hits straight in your chest with heavy bass and powerful vocals to boot." - Austin Town Hall

http://www.milkthistleatx.bandcamp.com/

THE RUMBLE AUSTIN is brought to you by FUTURE SOUNDS, WATERLOO RECORDS, THE ONION AV CLUB, THE AUSTINST, AUSTIN TOWN HALL, SONIC ITCH MUSIC, COVERT CURIOSITY, AUSTIN MUSIC WEEKLY, PABST BLUE RIBBON and EVENTBRITE.

Eagle Claw

Eagle Claw is a style of Chinese martial arts known for its gripping techniques and pressure point strikes. It's also the name of a kick ass instrumental metal band from Austin, TX. The band consists of Matt Rade (guitar,) Mike Gonz (guitar,) Luther Smalls (bass,) and Bart Butler (drums.) When they're not bartending/managing at Beauty Bar, Eagle Claw are out shredding at various venues in Austin and around the Texas area. The band formed in the fall of 2007, and first made a name for itself when their Demo Bastard Usurper started making the rounds in Austin. Then came their debut album, Poacher, which boasts an hours-worth of fat, heavy riffs that would be fun as hell to play on Guitar Hero. Take the eight-minute-long epic "Tailwind" for example:

• Eagle Claw - "Tailwind"

You can get more Eagle Claw info and pick up Poacher at eagleclawhurts.com.

JEFF The Brotherhood

Here's a look at JEFF the Brotherhood's new video for "Hey Friend", directed by Lina Plioplyte. The song comes from the duo's latest slab of unadulterated rock 'n roll, "We Are the Champions," out on their own Infinity Cat Recordings. Recorded by Roger Moutenot (Yo La Tengo, Sleater Kinney, Velvet Underground), the self-produced album digs into what Spin calls "the sweet spot between punk and hard rock."

JEFF The Brotherhood is Jake and Jamin Orrall, two Nashville-based brothers who have been playing music together their entire lives. The duo's rambunctious live shows have made them one of the most talked about bands at SXSW for two years running, using nothing more than Jamin's three drums and Jake's three-string guitar. They just finished up a tour with the Greenhornes, and next up is a tour with Fucked Up, along with a round of dates with metal legends Pentagram. If you like to rock, these guys definitely need to be on your radar.

Check out a tune from their new album, plus one from the Daytrotter Session:

• JEFF The Brotherhood - "Shredder"
• JEFF The Brotherhood - "Heavy Days"
• http://www.facebook.com/JEFFtheBrotherhood