New Music: Skegss – “Stranger Days”/”December”
"Stranger Days" nurtures our grateful appreciation of Skeggs. Whereas the general expectation for songs from the band is more in the vein of self-deprecating cynicism, this time around we get optimistically driven motivation as inspiring as it is the closest the band has ever sounded on record to their Triple J session from back in 2019.
NEW MUSIC PREMIERE: Christine Renner – “Drown”
Christine Renner's bold in broken places sentimental pop warmly spins the experience in the omnipresent naivety of youth while maintaining integrity worthy of introspective appreciation. Renner is an idealist shaping inflected lyrics into rich ambiguous lingering dream monuments to greater truths and devastating defeats, no truer is this statement than with her new single "Drown."
New Music: Country Legend Roky Moon – “Choo Choo”
It seemed impossible to love Roky Moon any more than we already did. We were wrong.
New Single: Cafe Racer – “Faces”
Like digging boxes out of the closet and finding that leather jacket we thought lost all winter, slipping this one on makes for a good walk around the block with the cool comfort of familiarity. One can imagine "Faces" representing the band turning down the sheets for us to climb into bed with them; I for one already have one of my boots off in anticipation of going heels to Jesus.
New Single: Dan Rico – “Let’s Go Back”
With now expected minimalist poetic prose Dan Rico matches his words this go 'round with bare lain instrumentation to deliver a personal yet all encompassing expression of the social societal malaise and the personal regret of the wasted fingertip bygone days to give us on "Let's Go Back" an all in togetherness Stand By Me ending credits sort of song which within seconds sets creeping tears trickling from our reminiscent hearts.
Gooch Palms – New Single “Are We Wasted?” – SXSW 2019 – Tour Dates
Gooch Palms new single "Are We Wasted?" further solidifies our suspicions towards the Aussie tradition of baking up tasty snacks that are the perfect blend of colorful sweetness we somehow manage to look cooler by eating. Something weird has been going on down in Australia for a while now, something is up we can feel. As far as the video goes, our homie Slater said it best, "you couldn't handle that shit on strong acid."
“Air Supply” || ahem
Photo: Taylor Donskey After a two year hiatus, Minneapolis trio ahem is back with an upcoming EP, Chutes and Ladders, due June 22nd on Forged Artifacts. An energetic five track record just in time to pair with the optimism of the coming summer, ahem draws forth an underground punk spirit with infectious power pop roots to make you reminisce back on the simplicity of your carefree teenage days. Their single for “Air Supply” packs a punch with its instrumentation and seamlessly intertwining shared vocals between drummer Alyse Emanuel, guitarist Erik Anderson and bassist Courtney Berndt, embracing stepping out of your comfort zone and defining your own path against the…
Sweet Spirit’s “The Power” by Trish Connelly
Photography by David Brendan Hall Amidst the saturation of bands and fledgling acts cropping up in Austin, Texas, it’s not often that a group seizes the spotlight and successfully continues to hone in on a committed and growing audience. Initially formed as a solo project, vocalist Sabrina Ellis (A Giant Dog, Glad Girls) started Sweet Spirit as a means to expand her singer-songwriter and guitar playing skills. Distinctive from her previous projects, Sweet Spirit’s sounds struck gold with melodious country and pop jams, gaining the attention of Spoon’s Britt Daniels. Following a secret Spoon tour kickoff show at Hotel Vegas and a stretch of dates across the mid-west and…
Music Video Premiere: Zachman’s “Your World Cuts Into Mine”
Photo by Roger Ho With a meticulous eye for creativity, Austin’s psychedelic/rock band Zachman has forged a musical project both personal and accessible. Already garnering attention from the likes of BrooklynVegan, Ovrld and Do512, Zachman is composed of a written and aural storyline by Johnny Zachman entitled I Was Getting On a Plane. With a multitude of chapters and a plethora of songs underway, each piece remains a distinct vignette. Zachman’s new music were recorded directly to tape at The Bell Tree Studio with Gary Calhoun James (Box of Baby Birds, Rain Collectors) — and the band has celebrated their releases at renowned venues in Austin such as The…
Mikey & the Drags’ Single Premiere: “Be Your Man”
Artwork by ANON Magazine’s Becky Bacsik As much as nostalgic retro throwbacks to 60’s garage rock ‘n’ roll have become a theme, Mikey and the Drags pulls it off in the most sincere and gratifying way. Recording and mixing their last album, Make You Mine, with Steve Christensen, the band infuses garage rock and psychedelic influences with organs and kaleidoscopic and bright visuals, on top of bringing absolute vibrancy to their live shows. Making their mark in the Texas music scene, Mikey and the Drags have played lineups from Houston’s Shakin’ All Over: A 60’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Dance Party to the city’s own psychedelic music fest, End Hip…
Bands On Our Radar: The Two Lips
There’s been an influx of some extremely talented, up and coming bands pouring in from San Marcos, Texas. Fuzz garage-rock trio The Two Lips caught our eyes (and ears) after witnessing their work with Spoon’s very own Britt Daniels for their new single, “Repeat”. The opportunity arose during this year’s SXSW Festival where they had the opportunity to be mentored by and discuss ideas with Daniels and record a track in Converse Rubber Tracks’ professional recording studio. Take a look at the band’s experience captured on video below. [embedyt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izP4yg8PShY[/embedyt] Facebook || Instagram || Twitter
Band Spotlight: Common Velvet
Photo by Candice Quarnstrom In light of the growing trend of psychedelic and electronic music, Austin-based band Common Velvet veers off in their own psych-pop filled path, creating infectious gems complete with silky vocals courtesy of front-woman Lauren Sanders. Sanders wrote and recorded demos before fully forming the band, now consisting of Andrew Orsak on guitar, Dane Edwards on bass, Andrew Alter on drums and Mathew Antony on keys. Their newest track, “It Was Your Idea, Not Mine”, was recorded in Austin, Texas by Allie Lingren and mixed in Fort Worth by Curtis Heath. “It Was Your Idea, Not Mine” is a perfect piece to turn up on your…
The Besnard Lakes’ Single “Golden Lion” Is Shimmery Seduction
The Besnard Lakes are not one to downplay epic sweeping and soaring soundscapes – based out of Montreal, Canada, the band gained roots in 2003 and have been gracing their audience with bold orchestrations ever since. Their sound emerges in a similar vein to post-rockers Godspeed You! Black Emperor, tailored with falsetto croons and melodic harmonies from married duo Jace Lasek and Olga Goreas. Their most recent single, “Golden Lion”, is a polished, poppy track compared to some of their older material, yet still materializes as triumphant and bold. Their song provides a continuous wave of shimmering shoegaze and fuzz-inducing guitars, while Lasek’s echoing of “you are a golden…
Jacco Gardner’s “Hypnophobia” Review
From the moment I began Jacco Gardner’s new single ‘Hypnophobia’, I immediately felt as if I had been transported to a different time and place. In this psychosis, I am wearing a dashiki and bobbing my head to new sounds being played over the radio. Except, this is 2015, and Jacco Gardner’s new single is definitely form fitting for our time. ‘Hypnophobia’ starts off with a very hypnotic melody that circulates throughout the entire single. After a few light spins, a heavy bass sets in and the rhythmic guitar gets stronger and stronger. I’m reminded of the Mamas and The Papas until an even heavier bass rift comes forth…
Single Review: Troy Samuela and Monsoonsiren’s “Fiend”
In general, I don’t care for electronic music. But every now and then I’m enticed by the dramatic drops, distorted vocals, and hauntingly catchy beats that define some of today’s better electro-pop. Troy Samuela and Monsoonsiren’s freaky-awesome “Fiend” is one such example – and I can’t get it out of my head. “Fiend” is the first single from new music and art outlet Foreign Family Collective, which is spearheaded by electronic duo ODESZA (you may have heard of them, seeing as they’re the darlings of this year’s festival season). It’s an unusual collaboration between two artists who have both worked with ODESZA but have strikingly different sounds. Monsoonsiren’s take…
Messages’ “Sunshine” Video and Single Release Party
If you’re hanging out in Austin this Friday with nothing to do I have plans for you: Messages is dropping their single and video, “Sunshine” at Lambert’s at 9:30pm. You’re welcome. Formerly Mighty Mountain, Messages has transformed with new members and a new and changed sound. As a result, they are releasing a three part debut of which “Sunshine” is the first song to be released. Part one of the debut will be fully released in April 2015. I’ve already decided that “Sunshine” is going to be my slow, easy ride into summer. It’s energetic and catchy without the cheese. It’s a pure, feel-good song but more…
Valentine’s Gifts for US.
Typically, in the U.S. we see Valentine’s as yet another holiday to buy your significant other a gift (as if birthdays, Christmas, and anniversaries weren’t enough). Most people even see it as a day where just girls expect gifts and romance and all that garb. It’s a holiday for your girlfriend, right? To celebrate how great she is? WRONG. It’s about the BOTH of you. So why not celebrate it in that fashion? Valentine’s shouldn’t be the largest teddy bear available or two dozen red roses with a cheesy heart shaped box of Walmart-grade chocolates. Instead, here are some fun ideas so that you can celebrate both of you in…
The Art Of Moving On
It’s Sunday afternoon, or morning for you, as you are just waking up after a long night of partying and drinking your heartbreak away. You drag yourself out of bed, drink about a gallon of water, and swallow some Tylenol to get rid of your killer headache. You check your phone, and embarrassingly read a total of four drunk texts that you sent to the guy who broke your heart about — you glance at the calendar — 23 days ago. On Facebook, after stalking your ex’s page, and staring aimlessly at the picture of him and a girl that he was tagged in, you type up a long, drawn out…
New Phoenix Single – “Entertainment”
February 18th, almost four years after Phoenix released their killer record “Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix,” the band released their first new studio content. The track is a single, titled “Entertainment,” off their upcoming record “Bankrupt!,” which is expected to drop April 23rd. I’ve been a huge phoenix fan since their release in 2009, and let me tell you, it has been a long four years. Over time, my hope faded slowly. Possibilities of having to replay “Lisztomania” over and over again until the end of time seemed more possible with each passing year. However, now my prayers have been answered. Of course, the bar has been set extremely high by their…
Guys: 9 Signs That You’re In The Friend Zone
Well, it happened again. I’m not exactly sure what brought it on this time, but whatever I did, it worked… in the wrong way. I sometimes wonder if it’s me being too polite, me caring too much about their feelings, or me just trying to be as chivalrous as possible. I would never want to make myself out to be the perfect guy, because that’s far from the truth. However, I try very hard to be different than the other guys that are my age. Needless to say, I was friend zoned again. I think I’ve actually lost count of the amount of times I’ve heard the phrase, “you are…
Love Me Tinder?
It has finally happened, and desperation has set in. If you haven’t heard about it, you most likely will, but what I’m speaking of is a new app for the iPhone called “Tinder.” In a nutshell, this app gives you the task of deciding whether prospective men or women in your area are, for lack of better words, hot or not. The idea is very simple really, and if done correctly, Tinder could give dating sites a run for their money. To give those of you who are unfamiliar with Tinder a better insight, the format of the app is set up so that you can see pictures of men…
The Never Ending Valentine’s Playlist
Valentine’s isn’t only for couples; it’s not only about you being single, it’s not only for “getting it on;” it’s not only for trying to forget your ex… ITS ALL OF THE ABOVE. So, here’s a playlist to suit every aspect of your Valentines, whether you’re single, taken, lonely, or happily in love. It’s all in the list, not a song has been missed. …..Alright, I’m finished with my rap career now. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Anyway- The Playlist. Enjoy. Colin Meloy- Cupid R. Kelly- Ignition (Remix) Boyz II Men- I’ll Make Love To You Shaggy- Angel ABBA- Lay All Your Love On Me (For those who like things a litte more…
Single Ladies: 4 Random Valentine’s Day Alternatives
Now, back when I was single, I HATED Valentine’s Day. I hated it so much, that I could barely stand the whole month of February. Valentine’s Day was just a huge reminder that I was single, and it made me feel awful. But, You know what? It doesn’t have to be that way! You don’t have to feel like crap on Valentine’s Day just because you don’t have anyone to cuddle with. There are the typical suggestions that you might hear; eat an entire gallon of cookie dough ice cream, buy a kitten, and cry into your heart shaped chocolate box, you know, the usual. I’m not going to give…
The “V” Word: A List Of Valentine’s Day Alternatives
People have very different ways of reacting to the “V” word. There’s a lot of hype and connotation associated with this word. The “V” word, my readers, is Valentine. Now, this word might turn some of you away. For instance, some people see the term Valentine and immediately smash their computers on the concrete in a fit of rage, or they just immediately start sobbing and recollecting on all of their miserable attempts (or lack thereof) at finding love. But I’m here to tell you that having a Valentine doesn’t always equate to having a significant other. WHO KNEW, RIGHT?! Due to all of the hype in…
