May 17, 2007
The Austin Chronicle has an excellent article about the making of Voxtrot and their first LP, set for release next week.
Before reading the article, I was curious about the album and knew I’d buy it. Now, I am excited.
That’s the power of music features.
Listen: Voxtrot, Kid Gloves.
Buy: Voxtrot, Voxtrot.
April 14, 2007
jefitoblog has an eclectic “Friday mixtape” that includes Matt the Electrician, along with Genesis, Kool Moe Dee, Tom Petty, etc.
(Fun Fact: I attended a charity dinner in 2003 just because he was the opening act, after I had heard him live on KUT’s Eklektikos.)
Austinist links to am post about Austin band Golden Bear. I find myself painfully unaware of Golden Bear, though they have been getting great reviews. Sometimes, my stunning ignorance surprises even me.
Austin Sound reviews Peel’s new album in the context of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. It’s an excellent review:
It’s in this regard—the club-sandwich vocals, the busy-but-not-too-busy musicianship, the playfulness of the atypical sound effects and distortions—that they are most reminiscent of CYHSY. It takes seamless studio work for both Peel and Clap to make it all happen, for this is ludicrously difficult music to put together. If the puzzle pieces do not click perfectly together then things fall apart quickly. On Peel, the joints never show.
March 31, 2007
I mentioned Sounds Under Radio in one of my myriad SX posts. Now that the tracklist for the Spider-Man 3 soundtrack is out, the buzz about them is deafening.
Riiiiiight. It’s Austin.
My theory is that you can either be famous in Austin or famous from Austin.
Sounds Under Radio is taking the famous from Austin path, as they record their project for major release.
March 18, 2007
I am now home, drunk, after my only real foray into SX territory.
Yes, it’s like 7:30 here, but I have been drinking for a few hours. I don’t drink much anymore, but S kept bringing them and who I am I to say no?
I went to the CDF showcase, which was excellent. I caught a few minutes of Sounds Under Radio, a major buzz band . . . about to be signed to WB and featured on the SpiderMan 3 soundtrack (replacing WolfMother, if I am not mistaken). As usual, I have heard no local buzz about them. All the buzz is national.
I spent quality time with our band’s producer. He’s a tremendous talent and he really supports what they’re doing.
The band was awesome, as always. They were all recovering slowly from the flu, so I could tell they were not thrilled with their performances. Musically, they were just as good, if not better, than always. Vocally, they were holding back a bit. Despite the fact they failed to play my favorite song, it was a great set. The audience on the lower level sang along. The audience on the upper level (the industry folks) seemed really into it.
A collected me at 7th and Congress. I thought I walk would do me good. What it did was give me a chance to see all the band dudes in skinny jeans. A note for all the men out there: you look awful in skinny jeans, especially spandex skinny jeans. Look like a man, for goodness sake.
The one piece of advice I gave everyone today is “enjoy each moment.” Don’t rush through thinking that the next level is where it’s at. Right here, right now, this moment is special. Enjoy the good things, and the bad things. Enjoy each stage of this journey for the journey. Focusing too much on the destination will drive you insane.
February 28, 2007
Here are a few links from around the web today that I will definitely be checking out:
Analog Giant posted a new song by DJ Day featuring Aloe Blacc and a new Stacey Epps song from Stones Throw Records.
Brooklyn Vegan has “I.C.E.” — a new Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra song. (Fans of TV on the Radio should definitely check it out.)
Covert Curiosity posted Arizona and My Party from the new Kings of Leon album Because of the Times, which is scheduled for an April 3rd release. Mr. Curiosity says it’s decent, but not great. That fits pretty well with the early critiques I have heard. Still, I am looking forward to hearing more of it, and looking forward to seeing the On Call video # worked on a few weeks ago.
Free iTunes Downloads has a link to the new k-os single “The Rain.” k-os is a hip-hop artist from Ontario.
Idolator posted a couple of Los Lobos songs from The Town and The City. I really like Los Lobos. I saw them live at ACL fest a few years ago, and they were really great.
I Guess I’m Floating has a Beirut demo, entitled “Interior of a Dutch House.” As you all know, I am a huge Beirut fan, so it’s great to hear something earlier than Gulag Orkestar. Check out my earlier Beirut posts here.
Instrumental Analysis has three Jeff Buckley songs from Grace. Because I listened to Tim Buckley a lot as a kid, I have always loved Jeff Buckley.
Lifehacker posted 12 iTunes scripts I am excited to use. The scripts do everything from removing dead tracks (the ones with little exclamation point) to automating adding lyrics (without using Sing That iTunes on the dashboard).
Noise for Toasters has three songs from Field Music’s Tones of the Town, one of my favorite albums of the year so far, and the video for She Can Do What She Wants.
So Much Silence has a review of the bird and the bee. I have really enjoyed them lately, and I will get around to posting about them at some point.
Austin Sound has a track from Austin band The Carrots, who I originally heard via The Voxtrot Kid.
February 20, 2007
On February 8th, I noticed that Austin band Peel was featured on Idolator, with mp3s of “In the City” and “Oxford.”
Yesterday, Peel was featured on gorilla vs bear, with an enthusiastic write-up and mp3s of “In the City” and “Oxford,” along with a radio version of Oxford.
Today, Peel got another blog on the bandwagon, Music for Kids Who Can’t Read Good.
Of course, they had already been getting plenty of Austin love on Austinist since 2005 and on Austin Sound.
The only thing awaiting them is meta-coverage about the the blog coverage.
Like this.
Congratulations, Peel. You’re officially buzzy.
Peel plays the Beauty Bar on Thursday.
Buy their debut album from the band here on their website.
February 9, 2007
Austin band Peel was featured in a “Listening Station” post on Idolator today, along with two songs available for download: Oxford and In the City.
