In an effort to make your consumption of what’s happening in popular music and in Austin, TX easier, we’re rolling out a new post called “Weekly Rundown” that will run near the beginning of each week. The post will feature a local show, a touring act, an album to check out released during the week, and a track and video we’re particularly digging. Show recommendations and new things to watch and hear all in one spot. Here’s our first edition of the Weekly Rundown.
LOCAL SHOW:
Mirror Travel, Suspirians, RF Shannon
Where: Hotel Vegas
When: TONIGHT October 15th, 10:00 PM
Tickets: Available at the door
We’ve been keeping up with Mirror Travel over the months leading up to the release of their newest effort Mexico, which is out today on Modern Outsider. The noise pop trio celebrates the release of the album tonight at Hotel Vegas. As we said regarding the last show where caught them, this band is something to see live. Highly recommended. Shake off the early work week boredom and get out there, Austin. Stream their song “I Want You to Know” from Mexico below.
TOURING SHOW:
Crystal Antlers, The Zoltars, Hundred Visions
Where: Mohawk (Indoors)
When: Saturday, October 19th — Doors at 9:00 PM
Tickets: $10 Advance, $12 Door — Available here
Crystal Antlers’s new album of powerful indie rock is out today on Innovative Leisure. While we anticipate our review is forthcoming, we’re pleased today to show you a recently released video for album single “Rattlesnake.” Solid local openers will be The Zoltars and Hundred Visions. Get ready to be pummeled by intense rock n roll on Saturday night. Watch “Rattlesnake” below.
ALBUM: Cass McCombs – Big Wheel and Others
While we’re still working through our official review of this sprawling 22 track album by musical genius Cass McCombs, we can tell you already that it will be one of our favorite for the year. McCombs has created upbeat indie rock, soft introspective folk, and (more recently) artful arrangements that almost disappear in a haze of subtle beauty. On Big Wheel and Others McCombs does it all and he does it expertly. Full review later this week. For now, hear two tracks from the album below.
TRACK: Tycho – “Awake”
Electronic artist Tycho has released a pulsing new track that balances between upbeat snares and dreamy synths. Perfect for that morning drive, the song is called “Awake,” and is the first single to emerge from a yet to be titled full-length record that will see release next year. As for this single, it’s available now from Ghostly International.
In related news, if we haven’t told you yet, we’re all about everything Fun Fun Fun Fest, so the fact that Tycho will be performing come the second weekend in November has us extra pumped for this track. If you haven’t purchased your tickets for Fun Fun Fun yet, we propose you stop being dumb, and do so. Listen to Tycho’s “Awake” below.
VIDEO: Matthew Squires and the Learning Disorders – “Song For a Future Phoenix”
As with any music blog, we receive a tremendous amount of unsolicited emails and submissions. However, perhaps none have been so adorably strange or earnest as those we sometimes receive from Matthew Squires. Squires just released a new album earlier this month under the moniker Matthew Squires and the Learning Disorders, and now he’s sharing the first video to emerge from that collection of songs.
The strange, nighttime, fireside video for “Song for a Future Phoenix” features eerie make-up and burning skulls. However, it works conjointly with a song that encourages forward progress and rebirth. As we have seen with Squires before, the songwriter has a penchant for embracing both the joy and misery of life. “To be a phoenix you first must become ash,” he sings, “and that fire has been lit so stop trying to clutch the past, my friend.” With his rocked up folk and nasally vocals, Squires shares a musical kinship with artists such as Jason Anderson, Kimya Dawson, or Paul Baribeau. Watch “Song for a Future Phoenix” below.
