There's something about Brazos' single "Mrs. Virginia" that evokes a loose comparison to another Austin band--Spoon. It's not a blatant similarity, more of a Rorschach inkblot type of reaction. It might be the initial rhythm that makes me suddenly conscious of my own heartbeat or the slow, succinct build into a faster, bouncier pace. It's the perfect song in that it's catchy enough to love and add to regular rotation, but not enough to get stuck annoyingly in your head for hours.

The indie foursome are pushing their latest EP, A City Just As Tall, which features the aforementioned tune as well as four other worthwhile tracks. Grab a copy on their official website and they'll also throw in a handmade copy of another EP, Feeding Frenzy.

From A City Just As Tall:
Mp3—Mrs. Virginia
Mp3—Mary Jo

From Feeding Frenzy:
Mp3—Feeding Frenzy
Mp3—Travel

 

With American Idol and other reality competitions claiming the majority of television viewers on a consistent basis, it makes perfect sense that this competitive spirit has taken to the internet as well. One such contest is FameCast, an online attempt to find America's next big musical thing. Musicians can enter themselves by simply completing a profile and uploading a performance video in one of 12 genre categories, or "stages." Within five rounds, the loads of contestants are whittled down to five finalists per stage based solely on online audience votes.

The process, which seems simple enough, is currently in the fifth round with the final live performances occurring this weekend right here in Austin, Texas. All the finalists will take the stage to perform two songs before fans and a panel of three genre-specific judges pulled from an array of industry experts. One lucky winner in each stage will walk away with $10,000. Not too shabby.

Local rock star Wendy Colonna, a laid back soulful singer that I mentioned way back in July, will represent the Lone Star State in two categories, pop and singer/songwriter.

Austinites looking for an exciting evening of new music can head over to Stubb's and/or Antone's December 1-5 for a front-row experience.

The name caught my eye first and foremost—I expected some kind of dark, goth-like industrial rock, but no, evidently a vampire lives a calm, slightly preppy weekend life with a significant amount of West African influence. In all truthfulness, the New York-based band, all of whom met while attending Columbia University, got their name from guitarist/singer Ezra Koenig's 2005 movie of the same name (check out the trailer here.)

Although the spunky indie rockers haven't yet released a full-length album, fans don't have to wait too much longer; their self-titled debut on XL Recordings, full of Afrobeat-infused guitar pop, is scheduled to hit shelves January 29. The super-intelligent quartet who are currently mid-tour will celebrate the album's release with a two-night run at the Bowery Ballroom.

The video above, entitled "Mansard Roof," is the first single off the impending album. Check out a couple older tracks below, as well as their October Daytrotter Session.

Mp3: Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa
Mp3: Oxford Comma

Official Website  |  MySpace  |  Tour Dates  

Continue reading "Spoon in VW Green Room"

Thanks to Noz at Cocaine Blunts for posting this remix of Artsy, one of my favorite tracks by any Living Legends member. 

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Do yourself a favor and set aside 13 minutes and 36 seconds to listen to this: hygiene tips from Ghostface Killah. 

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Neko Case is offering a bonus track from the Fox Confessor Brings the Flood rerelease, a demo version of <em>Behind the House</em>, a song previously released only on her <a href="http://www.emusic.com/album/Neko-Case-Live-from-Austin-Texas-MP3-Download/10991698.html">live CD from Austin City Limits</a>.

Continue reading "Neko Case: Behind the House (demo)"

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By rights, it should not have been nearly this difficult to write up something to describe Halifax's Dog Day. I mean, as nebulous a descriptor as "indie rock" is, it absolutely fits as the shortest distance between two points for their latest record Night Group. With janglesome guitars, co-ed vocals, classic pop sensibilities and a stripped-down, no note wasted aesthetic they fall perfectly in line with their Maritime forebears like Sloan, Eric's Trip, jale and Hardship Post.

Continue reading "Know Who You Are"