"Vibrations Now" by Fantastic Purple Spots

 Austin Town Hall is one of the best indie music sites on the internet, specializing in short form but incisive blurbs about recently released music. If you want to know what good stuff came out on any day (or maybe the day before) ATH is your source.

But ATH also has a little record label that releases the kind of stuff that they feature on their site. And today they have announce an upcoming EP from Austin psychedelic/garage duo Fantastic Purple Spots. The band consist of  Barrett Jones and Dave Junker, and not only do they have a perfect name for a psychedelic band, but their music is ace. Check out the title track below and note that the Vibrations Now EP will be released January 26 via Austin Town Hall Records.

Facebook

Bandcamp for "Vibrations Now"

ATH Records Bandcamp

"The Expat" by The Infinites

 

Austin indie rock band The Infinites are new to our ears, but we love the way their new single "The Expat" builds -- guitar, then rhythm, then keys -- into a swirling psychedelic arrangement riding an insistent groove. We want more from these guys, and we are going to get it because new album Archetypes will be out on February 16 via Meritorio Records; pre-orders are available now.

Instagram

Bandcamp for "The Expat"

Bandcamp for Archetypes

Being Dead - When Horses Would Run

 

Playful and musically adventurous, adept multi-instrumentalists Falcon Bitch and Gumball, more widely known as Being Dead, take themselves and their lucky listeners on a musical journey like few others. Think of it as a set of freaky short stories with varied meters and styles. Whatever you are looking for -- a bit of surf, a bit of punk, a bit of pop -- you likely will find a vein on their new album When Horses Would Run. Think of it as modern O'Henry short stories set to music and told in an original, spontaneous jump-in-th-pool-we-can-add-water-later vibe. Is that a good thing? We certainly think so.

When Horses Would Run is out now via Bayonet.

Instagram

Bandcamp for album

Facebook

Various related links

"Recoil" and "New Destination" by Semihelix

Dream pop from Texas? You bet your boots and spurs. Austin's Semihelix dishes out hyper melodic and, on the two songs featured here, up tempo dream pop that have us eagerly anticipating their summer album release. And so you can appreciate our enthusiasm, here are the two singles from the album: The newly released title track "Recoil" and the previously shared "New Destination".

Semihelix is Geannie Friedman (guitar/vocals), Kevin Martin (bass), and Valdemar Barrera (drums). Recoil will be released by Mariel Recording Company.

Facebook

Bandcamp

Twitter

"Woah Man" by Dayglow

As promised last night, we started our day with a few more spins of rousing glam rock from Wales. But as the sunshine began to warm an early spring day here, we decided to turn to some sweet pop. Our first choice is "Woah Man", the fresh new single by Dayglow. The man behind the project is 21-year old Texan Sloan Struble, and the song is taken from his upcoming second album Harmony House, which will be out May 21 via Struble's own Very Nice Records.

"Woah Man" has a warm '70s vibe, infused with a relaxed, natural charm. And just makes us smile every time we listen. For the fourth day of a busy work week, that is just what we needed.

Facebook

Twitter for Dayglow

Various links for "Woah Man"

Growl - Won't You (with a friendly boost for Austin Town Hall)

 

Many of us who follow music know the excellent music website Austin Town Hall (link). But are you aware that they also run a label? Well, we are, and in our opinion it reflects the same superb taste as they demonstrate daily in their music writing. So, please dive into one of ATH Records' releases, Won't You by Austin band Growl. It isn't the label's latest release, but we think it gives you an entry into their catalog. And the digital album is only $5. Listen, buy, and then check out some more of the label's fine releases.

Facebook

Bandcamp for Won't You

Still Corners - The Last Exit

 

One of our more pleasurable listing experiences of the new year so far has been The Last Exit by UK-to-Texas-to-Woodstock duo Still Corners. To our ears the special magic is the seamless combination of dream pop, desert noir and cinematic soundtrack. Consisting of well-crafted songs, perfectly rendered by instrumentalist Greg Hughes and vocalist Tess Murray, the album is captivating and relaxing. Each song surrounds the listener with its own atmosphere and pulls him or her into the story. We can feel the dry wind and the rustle of unseen wildlife, and feel the growing unease. Magic, indeed, and it will keep us entertained for a long time.

The Last Exit is out now as a digital release via Wrecking Light Records.

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Bandcamp for The Last Exit

Bayonne - Drastic Measures

We get a large number of submissions, and it is an unavoidable fact that we will miss posting about very worthy music.  Sometimes we have the chance to go back and sample a few submissions that flew under our sometimes faulty radar.  Fortunately, one such recent foray brought to out ears Drastic Measures, the February release by Austin, Texas' Bayonne.  The ten songs on the album are drawn in vivid colors, with delightful melodies layered with orchestral detail and snatches of field recordings.  The final result is an album of incredible depth and complexity, and a thoroughly magical listen from start to finish.  We have played it daily since our belated discovery, and we don't intend to stop soon.

Bayonne is Roger Sellers, with some help from additional instrumentalists.  Drastic Measures is out now as a digital release via Mom + Pop Records.







Facebook
Twitter
Bandcamp for Drastic Measures

She Sir - Ways A Season

If your work week is starting like ours, you need a soundtrack that isn't too jarring.  May we suggest that you begin as we did, with the new EP from Austin, Texas band She Sir?  The six tracks of Ways A Season reveal a band creating a richly detailed shoegaze and dream pop evoking an alternative My Bloody Valentine that is more interested in pleasing and intriguing than shocking and bludgeoning. For us, this EP is the aural equivalent of sitting on a beach having warm waves gently surround you.  Give it a try!

Ways A Season is out now in digital and vinyl formats via Austin Town Hall Records.




Website
Facebook
Twitter
Bandcamp for EP

"Stranger" by Fanclub

We think you should become familiar with Fanclub.  Yes, the Austin, Texas trio has chosen a name that won't help prospective fans very much with search engines, but the quality of the music redeems them.  Their latest single is the energetically jangling "Stranger".  Frankly, we aren't surprised to find the sounds appealing, after noting that Mike Lee of Letting Up Despite Great Faults is involved.  For this project, Mike is joined by Leslie Crunkilton and Daniel Schmidt.  Check out "Stranger" below, and other recent singles at the Soundcloud and Bandcamp links.



Facebook
Twitter
Soundcloud
Bandcamp

Holy Wave - Adult Fear

On Adult Fear, the third album by Austin's Holy Wave, the band weaves a dreamy psychedelia with enough traces of mystery and veins of unease to create a soundscape reflecting the record's title.  The arrangements are layered and enveloping, sprawling patiently while revealing varied textures and sly hooks through the haze.  This band knows what they like, and what they are good at, and Adult Fear is their best album yet.  Fans of psychedelia can rejoice.

Holy Wave are Kyle Hager, Dustin Zozaya, Julian Ruiz, Joey Cook, and Ryan Fuson.  Adult Fear is out now in vinyl, digital and CD formats via Reverberation Appreciation Society.  A cassette version is available via Burger Records.







Facebook
Twitter
Bandcamp for Adult Fear

Caroline Says - 50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong

After Alabama native Caroline Sallee finished college she worked as a waitress in Yellowstone, and then traveled around the western United States via Greyhound, writing songs as she went.  Armed with fresh material, Sallee returned to Alabama and recorded 50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong in her parent's basement.  The album was offered under the name Caroline Says as a cassette only release.  Fortunately for Sallee, now a resident of Austin, and indie pop fans, Western Vinyl has released the album in vinyl, digital and CD formats.

When we first played the album, no one in the office was familiar with Caroline Says, and we made some assumptions about what we would hear based on Sallee's age, her Alabama roots and her Austin residence. We listened, and were stunned. Stunned and very, very impressed.  Sallee's range as a songwriter is breathtaking.  Stylistically, she is equally adept at dreampop, retro pop, psychedelic, ballads, jangle pop and even a touch of Latin influences.  Thematically, she has crafted a growing up album with a mature perspective and confident voice.  And then there is her voice -- lovely, clear and versatile.

50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong is out now.  And Caroline Says likely can't count on 50,000,000 fans just yet, but we assure that however many fans she has (including us) can't be wrong.  Note that an album of new material is expected to arrive in 2018.








Bandcamp for 50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong
Western Vinyl

She Sir - Rival Party

Guitars, guitars, wonderful guitars.  On Rival Party they chime, jangle, and layer over each other, riding a pulsating rhythm section, and the result is aural euphoria.  Austin band She Sir has been known as a dreampop and shoegaze band, and those elements remain dominant on this album.  But there also is that aforementioned robust rhythm section and many uptempo songs, so to our ears this band has stepped outside the lines to great effect.  With ten songs in a bit over a half hour, Rival Party is like a pleasant daydream in the sun, and one you try it, you may find yourself reworking your schedule for more frequent naps.

She Sir are Russell Karloff, Matthew Grusha, Jeremy Cantrell, and David Nathan.  Rival Party is out now via Shelflife Records.





Website
Facebook
Twitter
Shelflife Records

Noveller - A Pink Sunset For No One

That Sarah Lipstate is an extraordinary electric guitarist is amply demonstrated by her work with the bands of which she has been a member, including Cold Cave, Parts and Labor and One Umbrella, and her collaborations with JG Thirlwell, Carla Bozulich, David Sims, and Lee Ranaldo.  But full appreciation of her talents is best achieved by experiencing her work as Noveller.  In this guise, she creates expansive, cinematic soundscapes, devoid of vocals but richly detailed nonetheless.  Her latest album as Noveller is A Pink Sunset For No One.  Layering sound on sound, with drone elements holding the lower end while Sarah's inspirations take flight in delightfully directions.  Her guitar, pedals and fingers conjure and entire assembly of synths, pianos, bass, woodwinds and other instruments.  One moment you can close your eyes and visualize fairies, another you sense an ominous presence or anticipate a revealed mystery.  You luxuriate in warm chimes, or shiver at the approach of thunder.  The detail is breathtaking, the timing is impeccable.   If you don't think you like instrumental music, you probably haven't given Noveller a chance.

A Pink Sunset For No One is out now on vinyl, digital and CD formats via Fire Records.  See the Bandcamp link below for details.









Website
Facebook
Bandcamp for album
Twitter
Fire Records page for Noveller

Letting Up Despite Great Faults - Alexander Devotion EP

Formed in LA and residing in Austin, Texas, Mike Lee's Letting Up Despite Great Faults never fails to deliver hoods and melody.  There is a touch of the New Order vibe, but not so much that the material appears dated.  Other touchstones would be Scandinavian indie poppers The Radio Dept. and the Mary Onettes, which is a tribute to LUDGF's ability to creates pristine music. Their latest work is the four-song Alexander Devotion EP, which arrives in advance of their Japan tour and March dates at SxSW.  The defining brilliance of this band is their ability to weave various textures into a song that feels substantial and important while listening, but leaves a pleasant aftertaste.  That sounds simple, but we assure you that it is not, and it is the definition of a good musical guest in our home.

Alexander Devotion EP is out February 10 via Shelflife Records.




Website
Facebook
Twitter
Shelflife Records page for EP

Warm Soda - Symbolic Dream

Warm Soda's Symbolic Dream is for two kinds of music fans: Teenagers; and people who remember being teenagers.  If you don't fall into one of those narrow categories, you may want to skip to another post.  But the rest of us will find this album a tasty treat.  Using a template artfully constructed from a vintage '70s mix of garage, glam, power pop and bubblegum, seasoning it with teenage angst and then glazing it with sugary hooks, this is the good times soundtrack for the start of your summer.

And while the hooks, energy and sweet glaze make all 12 songs worth your while, what makes this album a cut above others in the genre is just how well it is constructed.  Music that is direct and immediately pleasing isn't necessarily simple to make.  But on Symbolic Dream the performances and incredibly tight and the production spot on.  If you are wondering whether summer is here, this album likely will help you make up your mind.

The band is beginning a one-month tour in Europe next week.



Warm Soda, now located in Austin, Texas, is Matthew Melton, Austin Shockley, Max Eaton and Caleb Dawson.  Symbolic Dream is released by Castle Face Records.

Website
Facebook
Castle Face Records

Shivery Shakes Three Waves & A Shake

Austin's Shivery Shakes are a breath of fresh air -- their Three Waves & A Shake delivers a bit of jangle, a bit of twang, a bit of roots rock, a bit of surf, and plenty of reverb and polish.  Although the lyrical content nestled in the nostalgic chords re-imagined for the slacker world can defy the happy sound, the songs bounce along with buoyant bass and energetic drumming.  So while someone might cry to the heartache and #youngguysproblems, it probably won't be the listeners.  In style of composition, the band seems to borrow a bit from fellow Texans Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly, and Britt Daniel of Spoon, while coming across as an imitator of no one.  And given the quality of the songs, I think Roy, Buddy and Britt would be proud to be listed as influences.  As there are no filler tracks, everyone may have different favorites, but for me, "Hold On", the jangling "Remember When", and the '60s flavored "Summer Lover".   So play the tracks below and stream the entire album at the Bandcamp link.  I suggest that you may be prompted to hold on to summer a bit longer by buying piece of The Shivery Shakes.

The Shivery Shakes are William Glossup (vocals/guitar/bass/piano/vibes), Marcus Haddon (vocals/percussion), Andrew Penmer (bass) and Jack Thorton.  Three Waves & A Shake is out now via Punctum Records and Austin Town Hall Records.  The boys are touring a bit in November; the dates are listed at the bottom of this post.







Website
Facebook
Soundcloud
Twitter
Bandcamp for album (and digital download)
Punctum Records
Austin Town Hall Records order page for album

TOUR DATES

---

11.12.14 – Phoenix, AX @ The Lost Leaf
11.13.14 – Los Angeles, CA @ Ham & Eggs Tavern
11.15.14 – Oakland, CA @ We Are Scandinavia
11.16.14 – San Francisco, CA @ Amnesia
11.18.14 – Portland, OR @ Valentine’s
11.19.14 – Seattle, WA @ Victory Lounge
11.20.14 – Boise, ID @ The Crux
11.21.14  - Salt Lake City, UT @ Diabolical Records
11.22.14 – Denver, CO @ Savoy

REVIEW: Collin Herring - Some Knives

There are a lot of Texas singer/songwriters, and some of them are pretty good. Then there are some that are sort of transcendent. Guys like Willie Nelson, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Joe Ely - and currently guys like Will Johnson and Rhett Miller. You get Texas in their sound, sure. Some well-placed pedal steel, a twang or cry in the voice, but there's more - you feel like everybody could get this, no matter where they live. I feel that way about Collin Herring now. His sound is distinctive: in his vocals I'm reminded of favorites like Steve Earle, Joseph Arthur, Ryan Adams, maybe Jeff Tweedy a little bit, and the playing calls to mind the lonesome guitar-centric country rock of Centro-matic and Jason Molina's Magnolia Electric Company.

Here's "Kicked Around":



That's Centro-matic's Matt Pence on drums and producing. That's Collin's dad, Ben Roi Herring on pedal steel. Herring plays the guitars and they brought in Jeremy Hull on bass. Herring, on their approach: "I like that the credits on this album are short. I like small groups. There was no 'that sounded good' and then re-recording it at a later date. We all just played our parts."

Here's "Psychopaths":



Herring has a way with a casual phrase, making his lyrics sound immediate, not labored-over - even though it's widely known what hard work good songwriting is, you get the sense that Herring is just throwing these things out there, because he's just that good. You know who else I used to feel that way about? Jackson Browne. And Herring reminds me of him, too.

Gosh, I hope I haven't oversold it. This album is terrific and it would be a shame if I overburdened the young man with expectations borne of my enthusiastic praise. Go check it out. Some Knives is out now (May 13).

Collin Herring website
Facebook

WYMA Favorites on BreakThru Radio: Jay Arner, Mirror Travel, Joanna Gruesome

We get updates from the fine folks at BreakThru Radio when they feature WYMA-reviewed artists live in their studios. We're happy to feature these, as they are always of very good quality and usually slightly different versions of songs we've already raved about, plus they usually feature a short interview with the artists.

First example, the sweet guitar pop of Jay Arner (previous WYMA post here):



Arner's pop instincts are terrific.

Second up, here's Austin, TX shoegaze/dream pop outfit Mirror Travel:



A good occasion to fall in love with their great guitar effects all over again, and it's great to see Tiffanie Lanmon play the drums after hearing the record so often in 2013...

Finally, here's Joanna Gruesome. They made quite an impression in 2013:



Fast, loud and sweet - the guitars, the fast drumming and the vocal harmonies call to mind the best of 90's favorites like The Cure, Dinosaur Jr. and The Breeders (at least to me).

We'll continue to share these, but feel free to keep an eye on their site, too.

BTR Live Studio website

Sondre Lerche releases exclusive single via Public Hi-Fi Records

Spoon drummer Jim Eno has expanded his studio work to include a label, Public Hi-Fi Records. We raved about their first release, Dupree's funky B3 workout Nuestro Camino (WYMA post here). This time, Eno has worked with Norwegian singer/songwriter Sondre Lerche to produce a 2-song single, front side "Rejection #5" and B-side “Screen Door”. According to PHF, "While 'Rejection #5' is a song the Norwegian singer/songwriter tinkered with for nearly 10 years before finally recording it here, 'Screen Door' came together just a couple months prior to Lerche’s impromptu sessions with Eno (who also drums on both tracks). The 180 gram black vinyl’s custom packaging includes gold and black silk-screened artwork, and each 12” comes with a high quality digital download card."

Here's "Rejection #5" - light, jazzy and catchy, with an insistent guitar line and a dance-inspired beat laid down by Eno himself:



The single was released in late November, and you can buy or learn more at PHF's website.

Public Hi-Fi Records