Long Slow Dance is The Fresh & Onlys’ fourth album in as many years. The quartet—Tim Cohen, Shayde Sartin, Wymond Miles, and Kyle Gibson— has dozens of other releases under their belts: seven-inches, tapes, and EPs for labels like In The Red, Woodsist, Castle Face, Captured Tracks, and Sacred Bones. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the album, out September 4th on Mexican Summer.
And the video for "Presence of Mind", directed by Dawn Carol Garcia
The Sword will appear Monday, September 3rd on the season premiere of Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations-The Final Tour. The show was shot in March in Austin during SXSW. First Tony grabs a drink with The Sword at their favorite local bar, The Draught House. They then take him to Quality Seafood Market for some fish tacos, fried catfish, and oysters – all with the band’s brand-name hot sauce.
Creator of the sauce, Brian Rush, says the following, “They wanted something hot, but with a good flavor. I already make a really hot red habanero sauce (August in Austin), so it was just a matter of taking that over the top. I added the infamous Ghost Chile, the hottest pepper in the world along with some extra spice to give it another dimension of zing. This is an other-worldly sauce with both flavor and heat, named after a killer song for one of the best bands Austin has to offer.”
Apocryphon, The Sword’s fourth album, will be released on October 22nd.
Soak up this summer anthem from Austin garage rockers La Migra. Their beach party music video for "Feels Like Summer" was created by Tina Rivera and La Migran Casey Beans. The band is comprised of Andy Anderson and Phillip Whaley, two longtime friends and roommates, along with Beans and Phil Dunne. These guys claim influences like King Khan, The Ventures, and Jay Reatard, and have played shows around town with Sleepy Sun, Christian Bland, Dax Riggs and The Growlers.
You can check out some La Migra tunes at reverbnation.com/lamigrarocks, and you can catch the band performing at the Psychedelic Light & Sound festival at 29th Street Ballroom on Friday, September 7th. We are happy to be an official sponsor for the event, which will feature over 15 bands on 3 stages. I'll be focusing on more of the bands in the coming days. Be sure to check out the details on Facebook.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Tame Impala will release their second LP, Lonerism, October 9th on Modular Recordings.
Todd Rundgren applied his remix treatment to the album's first single, "Elephant."
With each new release it's becoming more apparent that Holy Wave is the next great psychedelic band to come out of Austin. Fresh off the release of their excellent debut LP, Knife Hits, the local quintet released a 5-song EP to coincide with their performance at this year's Austin Psych Fest. "The Evil Has Landed" hits even harder than its predecessor, with echo chamber vocals, reverb-heavy surf riffs and steady organ drones that sound like the foundation to a 21st century Nuggets collection. You can purchase the EP for just a few bucks on bandcamp.
Black Tabs is a heavy psychedelic rock trio based in Austin, TX. Singer Natasha Jean and guitarist Josh Nash met in art school while living in Boston, then moved down to Texas together after hearing so many good things about Austin and its music scene. With Jason Armstrong on drums, Black Tabs have been playing shows in Austin and around Texas for two years now. The trio recorded their debut EP last July at Cacophony Recorders with Erik Wofford, who has produced a long list of records from some of Austin's best bands.
Black Tabs is currently putting together their full length debut album and also releasing a live album recorded at their recent performance for the Good Music Club. Their music is gritty, psych-fueled rock and roll with a sinister vibe thanks to distorted guitar and that signature Natasha Jean howl.
You can buy their debut EP on iTunes here, and catch them live at the Psychedelic Light & Sound festival at the 29th Street Ballroom on September 7th.
Thanks to the threat of legal action, Austin minimal pop duo Yellow Fever is now Deep Time. It's an upgrade if you ask me. Deep Time. I like that name. The duo - comprised of Jennifer Moore on Organ, electric guitar and vocal microphone, and Adam Jones on drums - have a solid new album out now on Hardly Art. Check out what people are saying about it on the label site:
"Jennifer Moore, once the torchbearer for girl-group legends THE CARROTS is something altogether unusual in the modern age; a singer with those endangered qualities: personality, style, and an arresting delivery. Adam Jones is the jazzy 'batterista,' as musical and dynamic a drummer as you will see on the scene today. Once upon a time, creatures such as these roamed the earth in the dozens; now they are as rare as the barely glimpsed yeti.
BUT! It's not just their personality that recommends them. It's the tunes, mate. Just listen to the new-wave polka-soul-serenading madness of "Gold Rush," the toe-tapping Italo-mutation of "Sgt Sierra," the easy-listening doom-incantation of "Gilligan" … every song on the record is a bon-a-fide catastrophe for the forces of predictability and boredom."
Deep Time will be far, far away on tour starting next month, but you can catch them in Austin tomorrow night at the Mohawk (indoor) along with Hidden Ritual and Blackgum.
Tiger Waves formed in the spring of 2011 when two songwriters - James Marshall in Austin and Reid Comstock in Chicago - decided to make some music by sharing sounds across the internet. After Reid relocated to Austin, the duo expanded into a quintet—adding the guitar virtuosity and songwriting prowess of a young Tyler Wharen, the steady bass of Bowie-lookalike Kevin Brown, and the multi-instrumental skills of PJ Theberge. Together they create beach-flavored guitar pop that shares cosmic space with Pet Sounds-era Beach Boys, The Shins, and the Elephant 6 collective.
Surgically-masked British psych rockers Clinic are set to release their seventh album, Free Reign, this November. The album was produced by the band themselves in their hometown of Liverpool, and mixed with the assistance of Daniel Lopatin (Oneohtrix Point Never.) Hear a sampling of songs from the record below...
Moon Duo are getting ready to release their second album, Circles, out on October 1 via Souterrain Transmissions. Inspiration for many of the songs themes, as well as the title Circles, came from Ralph Waldo Emerson's 1841 essay by the same name, on the symbol and nature of "the flying Perfect." From the opening lines: "The eye is the first circle; the horizon which it forms is the second; and throughout nature this primary figure is repeated without end." Stream or download the first single from the album, "Sleepwalker."
For their first official music video, Austin quartet Little Radar stocked up on GoPro cameras and headed for the pool. The song "Spitfire" is from the band's debut album "Up in Arms."
Austin-based quartet Little Radar spans multiple genres interlacing indie rock licks with folk, layered with upbeat chord progressions, summery prog-psych, and textured melodies.
Upon releasing their EP Kill A Buffalo in January 2011, the band has built a reputation for being a must-see, must-watch emerging Austin act. Little Radar has shared the stage with local loves The Octopus Project and Driver Friendly, and has landed features on KUT’s Song of the Day (“Birds”), Laurie Gallardo’s Austin Music Minute, and David Brown’s Texas Music Matters.
Comprised of Sean Hale, Trevor Hale, Grant Himmler and Derek Woodruff, the band comes from very different backgrounds ranging from parent-taught guitar lessons outside art shows in Greenville, Texas in the early 90s to studying at Berklee College of Music. After ending up in Austin and running into each other by chance at various local shows around town, the guys decided to start making music, recording their first EP in a living room. Their debut album, Up in Arms (recorded and mixed by Marco Street of Trolley House Productions in Dallas, TX and mastered by Carl Saff in Chicago), was just released on April 29, 2012 at the Mohawk with support from Music Box Media and From the Mind of Adi.
"The Austin, TX quartet known as The Young have kept a somewhat shadowy profile since their inception in 2007. Though Guitarist/vocalist Hans Zimmerman successfully morphed a home recording venture into a full-fledged, elite punk unit with the additions of bassist Jason Costanzo, guitarist Kyle Edwards and drummer Ryan Maloney, the band underwent a stylistic shift shortly after the release of the first two songs (for Chicago's Criminal IQ and Austin's Super Secret respectively). With little regard for public reception, The Young would soon opt for something far more experimental in nature. On the heels of a 2010 appearance on Matador's 'Casual Victim Pile' Austin compilation, the band would record an astonishing debut full-length for Mexican Summer - The 'Voyagers Of Legend' LP."
From Wiki: "The Mustang Ranch, originally known as the Mustang Bridge Ranch, is a brothel in Storey County, Nevada, about 15 miles east of Reno. Under owner Joe Conforte, it became Nevada's first licensed brothel in 1971, eventually leading to the legalization of brothel prostitution in 10 of 17 counties in the state. The Mustang Ranch was forfeited to the federal government in 1999 following Conforte's convictions for tax fraud, racketeering and other crimes. It was auctioned off and reopened in 2005 under the same name but different ownership."
"It is a true pleasure to announce the Third full length release from West Coast dub heads Peaking Lights: Lucifer. With it, the golden duo of Aaron Coyes and Indra Dunis continue to crystallize their mesmerizing sound and find new dimensions within. Lucifer also comes at a time of great transition for this married couple and it reflects the possibilities that they have found during this new life era, especially with the birth of their son, Mikko- a guiding light muse for the album." - Mexican Summer
Austin's own one-man funk band Henry + The Invisibles just released a new track. I saw him bust this song out a few weeks ago complete with his alien friend on stage. Check out "Only Human."
"King Tuff is the new record from King Tuff—his first for Sub Pop and his second album overall. Was Dead, King Tuff’s 2008 debut, captured the attention of the rock underground and quickly blew through its limited pressing (it now resides on ebay, being snatched up for hearty sums). His gem of a new album was produced by Bobby Harlow, of The Go and Conspiracy of Owls, and recorded during a furious two-week run in Detroit."
Dana Falconberry's new full-length album, Leelanau, is out October 9th on Antenna Farm Records. Named after the Michigan peninsula where she was raised, the album is a tribute to the Wolverine state's rural areas. Citing influences ranging from the prints of artist Gwen Frostic, the books of Willa Cather, and the stark, childs-eye beauty of the Swedish film Let The Right One In, Falconberry finds lyrical inspiration in her idyllic childhood retreats to the Leelanau peninsula.
Falconberry has been heralded by the Austin Chronicle as one of the city’s “most arresting female vocalists” and in 2011 she starred in the documentary on the Austin music scene, Echotone, a New York Times Critics’ Pick. Dana will be one of the featured performers at UTOPiAfest this year, taking place Septgember 28-30 in Utopia, Texas.
Volume 4 of the RUBBERNECK photography zine, focused on and around the rock and roll nightlife in Austin, is available now. The issue features photos from SXSW 2012, interviews, articles and reviews from the garage underground. You can order copies at www.rubberneckzine.com.
Each issue is accompanied by a compilation of songs from the bands featured, which you can hear on the Rubberneck Bandcamp. Volume 4 features the likes of Thee Oh Sees, The Golden Boys, Natural Child, Bass Drum Of Death, Heavy Cream and A Giant Dog.
Take a ride on the debut full length from The UFO Club, a collaboration between The Black Angels’ Christian Bland and Nights Beats’ Lee Blackwell. The self-titled album was recorded in the summer of 2010 at Laguna Studios in Austin, with Skyler McGlothlin of Shapes Have Fangs providing production and additional instrumentation.
The name is a homage to the legendary UFO Club of Pink Floyd-era 1960s London. Likewise, the sound bears resemblance to the classic Syd Barrett style, filtered through the minds and influences of Bland and Blackwell, including 50s pop, doo-wop, surf and rockabilly. The 11-track effort is available now via Reverberation Appreciation Society.
Hundred Visions have an album on the way. The local quartet released their debut EP, Last Cab from Tunis, in the Spring of 2011, and its funky post-punk afforded the band some impressive street cred. They got invited to join the Daytrotter 'Barnstormer Tour' and held down the opening slot on White Denim's recent nationwide tour, among other good things. To top it off, Hundred Visions will be performing at Fun Fun Fun Fest this year. Not bad for a band with only a couple of recordings in the bank. Here's a brand new one from their soon-to-be-released debut album:
As we reported in February, Hundred Visions is led by singer-guitarist Ben Maddox, with Eric Loftis on drums, Wes Turner on bass, and Johnny Krueger on guitar.
The Angel Babies are a self-described "3-piece love machine" based in Austin. The band was formed in late 2011 when Frankie and Calida (formerly of The Dirty Hearts) were inspired by a rough night of karaoke at a bar in New Mexico. The Angel Babies create groove-laden rock and roll with electronic beats, synthesizers, and dual vocal harmonies. I discovered the band recently while listening to 'Around the Town Sounds' on KOOP Radio, hosted by Deidre Gott and friends. The release party for the band's self-titled debut is coming up soon at Club 1808. Here are two songs from the album:
White Fence is the project of Tim Presley, who co-founded Darker My Love, has toured with the Fall, plays with the Strange Boys and Ty Segall, and puts on one hell of a live show. He also churns out songs like a machine. The self-titled White Fence debut in the spring of 2010, Is Growing Faith arrived in 2011, and the first half of 2012 was overrun with White Fence records. Family Perfume, Vol. 1 was released in April, Family Perfume, Vol. 2 was released in May, both by Woodsist, and a collaboration with Ty Segall, Hair, came out in April on Drag City.
Here's my boy Shakey Graves (Alejandro Rose-Garcia) doing a few songs for Show Me Shows, a monthly music video series based in St. Louis, MO. They showcase talent from all around the globe via two videos performed as acoustically as possible, live, and in one take. Shakey will be playing tonight at The Blackheart with Wild Child. It's a free show, so be prepared to wait a while for your beer.
Sleep Good is a band from Austin formed by Will Patterson. The other current band members are Willis McClung, John Kolar and Michael Bain. They released the Monsanto 7" earlier this Summer that was recorded live to tape at Corpus Christi Studios in Austin, TX. You can buy the home-made vinyl at Pau Wau Records.
As previously mentioned, Patterson has released a bunch of tunes on his own, was a member of Sound Team, and played/toured with Bill Baird’s Sunset project.
Austin Leonard Jones should have been a household name before now. He's a folk artist based right here in Austin, and has self-released three albums over the past two years. Each album has a cozy, lived-in feel that features a variety instrumentation including Spanish guitar, electric bass, accordion, pump organ, percussion, tin whistles, jaw harps, lap steel, drum loops, and healthy doses of tape echo. The production is deliciously lo-fi, like stumbling upon a great AM pop radio station. Shades of Daniel Johnston and Mark Oliver Everett.
Each of his three albums, Ponderosa, Sundowners, and Superstitions are available for free download at austinleonardjones.bandcamp.com. I recommend you try them out the next time you're looking to chill out with some tunes. You can also catch Austin Leonard Jones playing a free show in Austin this Saturday at Hotel Vegas.
John Paul Bohon, Trey Reimer and Christopher Stephenson formed Dikes of Holland out of the ashes of their previous band Fire Versus Extinguisher in 2008. They added Phillip Dunne and fiery vocalist Liz Herrera to solidify the lineup, and soon began cultivating their own ballsy, turbo-charged brand of rock and roll. It's a little bit of punk, garage, and psychedelic blues rolled into a pounding, hook-filled ball of raw energy and emotion.
Dikes of Holland has garnered plenty of attention in Austin with their raucous live shows and a self-titled debut album that arrived in 2010. In the same year, the band was also included in the Red River sampler Casual Victim Pile from Matador Records co-owner Gerard Cosloy. Band members John, Trey and Christopher share songwriting duties, each penning their own individual songs.
Dikes of Holland are releasing their second full length album, Braindead USA, this month on Screamers Records. You want a review? This shit fucking rocks. Braindead USA was recorded at the band's home studio, Neckbeard Ranch, and was recorded and mixed by Dikes band member JP Bohon. To coincide with its release the band will be on a nationwide tour including 8 dates with Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears.
Austin band The Eastern Sea recently released their new album, Plague, on June 26 via the WhiteLabBlackLab label. Two years in the making, The Eastern Sea began recording the album at a long-running East Austin studio that was closed by the city only a month into production. This forced the band to move to another studio, which later found itself in the heart of the Bastrop fires, again forcing the band to move the recording to temporary studios.
Despite these setbacks, the completed effort was mastered by Jeff Lipton at Peerless Mastering (Bon Iver, Andrew Bird), and represents The Eastern Sea’s most cohesive collection of songs to date. Musically, it combines the hypnotic rhythm of post-rock, the playful melodies of traditional American folk, and the dynamics of contemporary progressive indie-rock.
Leading up to the release this eight-piece outfit performed at Houston Free Press Fest and a hometown sold-out show at Stubb's. This young band is definitely on the rise. They will perform in front of thousands this week at KGSR's Blues on the Green, and again this October when the band makes their debut at the Austin City Limits Music Festival.
Created in 2005 as the bedroom project of songwriter/vocalist Matthew Hines, The Eastern Sea quickly released a self-produced anthology Further Up, Further In, which showcased Hines’ folk and electronic roots. From ‘07-’09, the band added several new members and recorded what would eventually become The Eastern Sea, a self-released collection of two eponymous EPs. Songs such as “The Snow” and “The Name” attracted the band’s first national press and led to several festival appearances (SXSW, CMJ, FPH Summerfest) and a pair of national tours.
