Anytime I hear Ghostland Observatory's "Sad Sad City," particularly the opening, I think of roller skating. (I'm a retired elementary school speed skater from the mid-'80s; it's in my blood.) Initially I didn't really get the connection, but upon further inspection I realized it had to be the '70s style sound effects and bouncy drums.

This nontraditional duo ("not a band but an agreement between two friends" ) were the talk of this year's SXSW, playing countless day- and after-parties aside from their official showcase. And even before SXSW took the city by storm, Austin's music scene had been atwitter over the electronic rockers who choose to focus on delivering stellar live shows rather than catching the eye of some big-wig record exec. Frontman/guitarist Aaron Behrens and electronic guru Thomas Turner have created two successful albums, their 2005 debut "delete.delete.i.eat.meat" and most recently "Papparazzi Lightning," on Turner's own label, Trashy Moped Recordings. Spin magazine recently highlighted their quirkiness as one of the "breaking out" bands for the summer. And to top it all of, they've got a load of festival shows lined up, including Lollapalooza, Monolith, Austin City Limits Festival, Voodoo Music Experience and Vegoose.

I predict these guys are the next big thing to escape this music bubble--they're already mid-flight.

Pitchfork may absolutely hate Matt Pond PA, but wtf do they know?! This new album, entitled Last Light and originally slated for release earlier this Spring, was put on hold so it could be mastered and he could work out a tour schedule. The album, their seventh, marks the first time Pond has stepped behind the boards to produce. He also wrote about 25 songs for the album and gradually whittled it down to 13. He took a very different approach to his songwriting this time around, mostly due the departure of a few now-former bandmates. Collaborators on the album included Neko Case, Isobel Sollenberger (Bardo Pond), Rob Schnapf (Elliott Smith, Beck), John O'Mahoney (Metric), Taylor Locke (Rooney), Mike Stroud (Ratatat), and Thom Monahan (Pernice Brothers, Devendra Banhart). Matt Pond PA's MySpace

Matt Pond PA - People Have A Way (high rec!)
Matt Pond PA - Honestly

I found the Boston-based Christians and Lions as I was scoping out shows in Chicago for an upcoming trip. Great pop songs with great melodies...throw in some horns, as in Skinny Fists, and you can bet I'll have it on repeat. The band was founded by brothers Samuel and Benjamin Ellis Potrykus, who recorded some rough demos while on a half-assed tour. Afterwards, they returned to Boston, recruited a band (including their younger sister, 16-year-old multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Katherine) and recorded this new version of the album which has been gaining them momentum on the Boston club scene the past little while. They say their their influences are Os Mutantes, The Beach Boys, The Kinks, and their contemporaries, Danielson Famile and CocoRosie.

The album, which they released last summer, is called More Songs for Dreamsleepers and The Very Awake and you can buy it here for only $8. They're touring pretty extensively througout August, so maybe you should go check them out. Chtristians and Lions' MySpace.

Christians and Lions - Skinny Fists
Christians and Lions - Gimme Diction

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Meiko, a small-town Georgia girl turned Hotel Cafe waitress, has an effortless, breathy voice and a way with performing that makes singing seem so simple.

Continue reading "One to Watch: Meiko"

I loved Austinite Nina Singh back in the late '90s when she fronted Kitty Gordon with her ultra-feminine, supersoft voice and uncontrollable energy that she often took out on her drum kit. I kept up with her for a couple three years until my college days (read: consecutive nights out catching live music) turned into true adulthood with morning-after accountability and everything boring.

Since that time, Singh has worked her way through a couple different projects, leading directly to her current gig with Adrian and the Sickness, a three piece, dead-on rock group that, according to their MySpace bio, draws comparisons to The Donnas and AC/DC.

Continue reading "Adrian and the Sickness"

Austin's own Derailers have proudly released a new tribute to their collective idol, Buck Owens.  Aptly named "Under the Influence of Buck," this 14-track gem is the twangy group's eighth album, revisiting several of Owens' most beloved creations, such as "Together Again," I've Got a Tiger By the Tail" and "Down On the Corner of Your Love."

Continue reading "The Derailers | Under the Influence of Buck"

These Canadian identical twins remind me of a younger, punkier and more identical Watson Twins, whom I LOVE. I've been intrigued by their story from the beginning—lesbian identical twins who "work" together but have vastly different writing styles while living in separate cities - obviously not an easy task. Regardless, they've managed to put out another skillful album. Released just last week, "The Con" has garnered a fair amount of good press, including a 3.5 star review from Rolling Stone. This confessing album, produced by Chris Walla of Death Cab for Cutie, places their tart vocals alongside danceable pop that's bound for regular radio play.

Continue reading "Tegan and Sara | The Con"

 
Sometimes, when I'm introduced to a local musician that I haven't discovered for myself yet, I realize just how much I take this live music capital for granted.

I was lucky enough to assist with a photo shoot recently. The subject was the young, beautiful and amazingly soulful Wendy Colonna. I had yet to hear her music, but based on her relaxed nature and happy-go-lucky attitude, I had a good feeling that I'd like whatever she'd created. When the photographer popped in her latest release, a double-disc live set complete with DVD, I was floored. There's such a timeless quality to her voice--a hearty, strong voice that immediately implies  she's a wise woman who's lived through some times if you know what I mean.

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So despite losing over an hour to being lost on Saturday night and for a while feeling at real risk of being eaten by wolves or abducted by aliens, I managed to make it home and was back up in Guelph early Sunday afternoon, somewhat rested and caffeinated and ready to take on the rest of Hillside.  Or at least some of it.

Continue reading "Hillside 2007 II"

Roky Erickson is a prized name around these parts, a musical legend whose mention brings both sadness and respect to mind. In the '60s, Erickson led the groundbreaking 13th Floor Elevators as singer, songwriter and guitarist. The group had a massive impact on the music scene, as they're unique style paved the way for other psychedelic rockers.

Continue reading "Roky Erickson’s “You’re Gonna Miss Me”"

Deadboy & the Elephantmen had a sweltering mid-afternoon spot at last year's Austin City Limits Festival but it didn't stop frontman/guitarist Dax Riggs and drummer Tessie Brunet from rocking out like it was a dark, crowded club set. Since that stellar performance full of blood references and aggressive, energizing rock, I've kept up with Deadboy & the Elephantmen, and more specifically, Riggs. In mid-April and with a long history of bailing band members, the swamp rock group dissolved, leaving Riggs to work alone.

Continue reading "deadboy’s Dax Riggs"

There was merchandise available at this year's Hillside Festival with the clever slogan "Thrillside" emblazoned on it - this I take a little bit of issue with. If they wanted a suitable adjective/awful pun, they should have gone with "Chillside".

Continue reading "Hillside 2007 I"