Premiere: Good Sport’s “Big Push”
Streaming now on Spotify is Good Sport’s “Big Push,” the final single released ahead of the July 3rd release of Boring Magic, the Pittsburgh-based band’s Misra Records debut. The track spins a meta-narrative…
Premiere: The Dan Ryan Covers Bowie’s “In the Heat of the Morning”
Far out on the West Coast, a small cadre of music lovers called Cosmic Dreamer Music are issuing outstanding work from a select group of forward thinking artists. Artists like RF Shannon meld…
Five Tracks You Should Listen to Right Now
Life’s too short to check out every single new great song that pops up in your feed, so we’re doing part of the work for you. No navigating necessary. For your Friday listening…
Arcade Fire Share Second Track From Everything Now
With their fifth studio album due out for the first time on a major label, Capitol, Arcade Fire continue their trajectory to becoming the most iconic rock band of a generation. The group…
Hear Mellow, Wavering Track “North of Anywhere” from Jack Cooper
Opening with a wavering, watery guitar chord and maintaining a mellow, fluid mood, “North of Anywhere,” the new single from Jack Cooper, meanders through soulful guitar parts and brushed snare with a nonchalance that…
Japanese Breakfast Shares Second Song from Upcoming Album
Japanese Breakfast is poised to completely reinvent the sound musician Michelle Zauner established on her debut album, Psychopomp. Instead of catchy, shimmering pop, “Boyish,” the second song shared from upcoming album Soft Sounds From Another…
Phoebe Bridgers Signs to Dead Oceans; Hear “Smoke Signals” Now
A few weeks ago when we saw Conor Oberst at the Moody Theater, we were impressed by the restrained yet powerful songwriting and excellent vocal abilities of opener Phoebe Bridgers. Which is why we…
The Districts Share Huge Rock Anthem “If Before I Wake”
The first time I saw the Districts, two years ago, their magnetic stage performance and pulsating, furious energy floored me, as it worked in apparent contrast to their quiet, restrained songs. It took a…
Michael Nau Shares Gentle Pop Tune “I Root”
With a spacious production and a delicate melody, Michael Nau’s newest pop tune “I Root” is a gentle love song thriving on sincerity. At only two minutes long, the brief song drifts by soothingly, easily…
Sheer Mag Shares “Just Can’t Get Enough,” Announces Debut LP
Nobody making music right now creates a better rock ‘n’ roll song than Sheer Mag. Fresh off the streets of Philadelphia, the band’s 70s rock inspired guitar solos and riffs are filled with…
LCD Soundsystem Shares Two New Tracks from Upcoming Album
Some days you wake up to an ever darkening American paradigm. And some days you wake up to LCD Soundsystem releasing two brand new songs from their first album in 7 years, due out…
Hear Moses Nesh’s Folky “Bound to Ride” From Album Due Friday
Bouncing, finger-picked guitar with a steady downbeat provides the backbone for Moses Nesh’s “Bound to Ride,” a track from the songwriter’s new album, No Labor-Saving Machine, set for release Friday on Keeled Scales Records. Nesh’s…
Track Premiere: Dark-wave Champs Knifight Share “Let the End Begin”
Dark-wave champions Knifight return with a new single, “Let the End Begin,” in advance of an upcoming album, Worship, to be released later this year. The song, mixed by Max Lorenzen, recalls like-minded…
Dirty Projectors Share Gorgeous New Track “Little Bubble”
It would be difficult to overstate my affinity for Dirty Projectors. They’re one of the best bands making music today. They have explored a staggering variety of approaches to creating songs and deployment…
Jens Lekman Reflects on Fragrances on New Single
Always balancing tones poignantly nostalgic and whimsically absurd, Sweden’s Jens Lekman has consistently generated playful pop that makes listeners laugh and cry simultaneously. He’s the kind of songwriter who can make a single…
Sylvan Esso Returns with Upbeat New Track “Radio”
What hasn’t changed: Sylvan Esso, the duo of Amelia Meath and Nick Sanborn, still employ smooth synths and thumping bass to create infectious dance-pop on their new song “Radio.” What’s new: “Radio” quickens…
Austin Songstress Molly Burch Signs to Captured Tracks, Shares “Downhearted”
For several years, I was asked all the time who the next big band would be out of Austin. Despite being the “Live Music Capital of the World,” it seemed that Austin hadn’t produced many…
Track Premiere: Genuine Leather’s 80s Pop-infused “Two of Us”
An undoubtedly underrated gem of a local band, Genuine Leather has an ability to constantly reinvent themselves. While they’ve shied away from confining themselves to one fixed aesthetic or sonic palette, the band…
Caitlin Kraus Torres Celebrates New 7-inch with Release Party at Salvage Vanguard Theater
Like catching a glimpse of some glimmering object in the distance of a dim, dusky forest, Caitlin Kraus Torres’ songs hinge on dark melody but offer surprising flashes of lilting lightness. Kraus Torres…
Watch Japanese Breakfast’s Luminous Video for “In Heaven”
Japanese Breakfast’s debut LP, Psychopomp, dropped on April 1st via Yellow K records, bestowing unto the world an outstanding collection of shimmering pop songs. We saw the band, which is effectively the project…
Ought Performs at The Sidewinder May 20th (ATX)
A friend once argued that all bands ultimately despise being compared to other artists. But I think if someone’s calling you a punk rock Talking Heads there’s just not much room to feel slighted….
Dig Steve Gunn’s Motorcycle Adventure in “Ancient Jules” Video
Let’s not kid ourselves, Steve Gunn’s guitar playing towers above most guitarists creating music at the moment. Stylistically, fans of Kurt Vile will find much to like about Gunn’s simultaneously chill yet heady guitar-line-driven…
Mitski Shares “Happy” Ahead of New Album, Puberty 2
On “Happy,” a flat, pulsing beat gives way to eerie vocals before Mitski Miyawaki’s vocals begin to drift into a major key and sax joins the mix. Soon after, the arrangements bursts into upbeat drums…
Watch Spoon’s Britt Daniel Mentor The Two Lips for Converse Rubber Tracks Session
For the past few years, we’ve caught up with artists participating in Converse Rubber Tracks’ pop up studio sessions at SXSW, during which the organization provides a full day of free studio time…
Show Preview: Austin Comp Slack Capital Release Party at Barracuda
Is there a more time-honored underground music tradition than the comp? Compilations have of course been utilized to collect music of all kinds, but underground, indie, and punk labels and artists seem to…
Watch Hospital Ships’ Jordan Geiger Play Intimate Acoustic Version of “All In Time”
Simultaneously bleak and beautiful, Hospital Ships’ “All In Time,” culled from their newest effort, The Past Is Not A Flood, builds on looping refrains and simple parts by adding a variety of synth structures and…
Austin Punk Mainstays OBN III’s Share Politically Charged New Songs
Someone recently quipped that one benefit of a Donald Trump presidency is the massive volume of punk songs sure to erupt from such a catastrophe. Austin punk mainstays OBN III’s perspective: why wait? The…
Premiere: Genuine Leather’s Lo-fi Video for Woozy Acoustic Track “Ray Has To Die Today”
Culled from the B-side of Genuine Leather’s new Jeff Jazz EP, “Ray Has To Die Today” is the aural manifestation of a Saturday afternoon following a Friday on which you were too tired to go…
Watch Real Live Tigers’ Dusky Video for “Denatured”
Relying on shadowy, backlit shots of songwriter Tony Presley wandering through Waller Creek’s dry bed filmed by Mike Ozmun and early 20th century archival footage from the Library of Congress, Real Live Tigers’…
Pageantry Celebrates Influence Album Release Tonight at Cheer Up Charlies
A few weeks ago, we were privileged to premiere “Teenage Crime Wave,” an excellent track from Dallas band Pageantry’s outstanding new collection of dream pop songs. The group’s new album, Influence, officially drops today, and…
Stream Downtempo Bedroom Pop from Fog Lake
Jangling and fuzzy, “Rattlesnake” is a bedroom pop gem from St Johns, Newfoundland-based songwriter Aaron Paul, who records under the moniker Fog Lake. The track wanders gently but steadily through wavering vocals and…
Stream Ronnie Heart’s 80s-infused Pop EP
Before he was Ronnie Heart, he was Ronnie Gierhart and he played guitar for chillwave pop act Neon Indian’s live shows. Fans of Neon Indian’s hazy pop may find a lot to like…
Hear Weird Punk Heroes Big Bill’s Latest: “Weird Walk” & “Mainly Manly”
Big Bill represents everything punk should be. Sure, you’ll find drums played at breakneck speed, distorted guitars, and sneering vocals, but that’s not what I mean. Big Bill’s songs and performances push against…
Iggy Pop and Josh Homme Set for Legendary ACL Taping
To cap their 41st season and launch their 42nd, Austin City Limits will host a taping on Tuesday, March 15th featuring a special collaboration of two music legends: Iggy Pop and Queens of the…
Premiere: Epic Dream Pop Track “Teenage Crime Wave” by Pageantry
Denton, TX dream pop band Pageantry have been honorary members of the Austin music community for a number of years now, as they often make the trek south to perform in the city’s numerous…
Track Premiere & Interview: The Loch Ness Mouse – “Warm Circuitry”
The Loch Ness Mouse has been making delightful indie pop for over two decades. But it wouldn’t be surprising if you haven’t heard of them — the band hails from Oslo, Norway, and…
Fresh Hip-Hop from Tron & DVD: “Magma”
Rapping about everything from the Vice President to Darth Vader and rhyming “fallacy” with “audacity,” duo Tron & DVD deliver a new track filled with literate lyricism that finds the intersection of comic book nerds and…
Dig Two New Tracks from Genuine Leather
If you, like me, expect a band called Genuine Leather to be a punk band or maybe a dark alt-rock band, you’d be wrong. Maybe country is your second guess — you know,…
Track Premiere: Kodachrome Shares Song from Gritty Western Film Soundtrack
Austin psych-pop band Kodachrome, under the guidance of band leader John Constant, has recorded the soundtrack for an upcoming gritty western film, Kill or Be Killed, and we’re proud to premiere one track from said…
Hear Jennifer O’Connor’s Buzzing Pop Track “It’s a Lie”
A decade ago, Jennifer O’Connor released a wonderful collection of indie pop songs called Over the Mountain, Across the Valley and Back to the Stars on Matador Records. The next year, I saw her…
Julia Lucille Shares Bedroom Recordings Inspired by the New Moon
Last summer, songwriter Julia Lucille moved into an Airstream trailer in the woods for a few months after a breakup. There, Lucille began to write and record sparse bedroom songs each new moon as a way of…
Hear Ghostly Experimental Rock from The Renderers
Eerie, moaning strings and gently squealing guitar feedback serves as the backbone for “Seaworthy,” a track culled from New Zealand band The Renderers upcoming LP, In the Sodium Light. Due out via Ba Da…
Hear Sullen, Breezy Pop Track from L.A.’s Amber Quintero
It has been over two years since we shared a track from L.A. pop band and Stones Throw artist Boardwalk, but we welcomed a recent update from band member Amber Quintero who has…
Boone Graham Promises to “Never Give Up”
Those familiar with Austin songwriter Boone Graham know him for earnest and quirky acoustic pop songs akin to Kimya Dawson or Paul Baribeau. Both musically and lyrically, Graham’s songs evoke universal connectedness through simplicity…
Track Premiere: Dana Falconberry + Some Say Leland Split 7-inch
Austin stalwarts Some Say Leland and Dana Falconberry have recorded a split 7-inch, entitled After, to be jointly released by Annie Street Arts Collective and Punctum Records. They’ll celebrate with a show tomorrow night…
Track Premiere: SUPERMOON “Emily (Knot My Nets)” and B-side “Hitchhiker”
You may recognize SUPERMOON front man Paul Banks’ name from his work with his backing band The Carousels. Together, Paul Banks and The Carousels created folk rock songs with occasionally theatrical flairs. Following…
Light in the Attic to Reissue Five Françoise Hardy Albums
Étre tranquille mon cœur! Er, be still my heart! Got carried away there, as I’m ecstatic that purveyors of all things cool and archival, Light in the Attic Records, will reissue five classic…
Premiere: Crocodile’s Subtly Surreal Video for “My Little Girl”
Wavering, surfy guitars ring out over frontman Gianni Sarmiento’s distorted vocals in this infectious little noise pop song from Crocodile. A broken lightbulb, a wooden robot, cacti, and of course a crocodile make…
Hannah Lew Goes Synth Pop on Cold Beat’s “Spirals”
San Francisco musician Hanna Lew has created punk-leaning garage pop first with the band Grass Widow and later with Cold Beat. Today, she debuted a dark pop track, “Spirals,” which centers on her airy vocals…
Track Premiere: “Pulled Over” – Generifus
Steady drums and an undulating guitar whine define the lead track on Olympia, Washington band Generifus’ forthcoming (and sixth) full-length, Extra Bad, which was recorded at the legendary Dub Narcotic Studio. The introduction…
Stream Nap Eyes’ New LP for Paradise of Bachelors Ahead of Release
I’m impressed with the great work North Carolina-based label Paradise of Bachelors has been churning out recently, including the much-lauded new LP from The Weather Station. This Friday, the label will release a full-length…
Stream Hazy Summer Folk Jam “To the Marshes” from Tedo Stone
Tedo Stone’s “To the Marshes” has the big, buzzing production of an epic summer jam like Tom Petty’s more upbeat tunes or Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World” cut with the distorted chords of…
Dig Strange Boy Ryan Sambol’s “Dinner Where I’m Staying”
The Strange Boys were great, and the band created some compelling music, especially considering the incredibly young age of these prodigious musicians. Despite our collective sadness that the Strange Boy’s have come and gone,…
Velo Releases Spring Installment of Their Four-part Album
We reported a few months ago about Austin band Velo’s debut EP. Now, the band has shared the second installment of what will be a four-part release constituting an album’s worth of material…
Wicker Makes Debut with “Blue and Green”
The first time I saw Lauren Burton, she was onstage with punk outfit A Giant Dog, totally losing her shit and screaming along with Sabrina Ellis. The debut of her new project Wicker…
Hear New Track “Cherry Picking” from Duo Girlpool
I caught Girlpool at this year’s Fader Fort during SXSW and was convinced by the duo’s plodding, simple, pop that blends elements of late 90’s punk with the aesthetic of lo-fi acoustic pop. “Cherry Picking,” the…
Velo Shares Atmospheric Pop Show Ahead of EP Release Show Saturday
Saturday night at Empire Control Room, Velo celebrates the release of their first EP. While little information exists about the young Austin band, we’ve been treated today to a listen of a track…
iji Preps Whatever Will Happen for Release on Team Love
Seattle indie pop band iji has announced that their new album Whatever Will Happen will see release via Team Love Records on June 2nd. Few details have emerged, but the band’s past endeavors and the…
Five Tracks We’re Digging Right Now: Rose Windows, Joanna Gruesome, and more
It’s been a while since we’ve let you know what new tracks we’re digging as of late, so here’s five that range from rockin’ to soulful to downright delicate. Listen on, dear reader….
Sufjan Stevens Shares “No Shade in the Shadow of the Cross” from new LP
I’m always a little impressed when the internet so rapidly comments upon a song that has just been released. Of course, many of us know what we like when we hear it, but I…
Premiere: New Salesman Songs Ahead of 7″ Release at Holy Mountain Tomorrow
The new Salesman 7″ comes out tomorrow, cut and distributed by Tuscon, AZ, via Olympia, WA, label PIAPTK aka People In A Position To Know, who specialize in special limited runs. Pop Press International…
Misra Records to Reissue Music from Adam Torres
Misra Records represents just one of the many hard-working, under appreciated independent music labels toiling away to bring outstanding music to a small but attentive fraction of the world. The label has released…
Dark Pop Band Bouquet Shares “Stacks on Stacks” From Upcoming EP
We’ve followed the career of California band Bouquet since before the existed. After her project The Finches came to a halt, Carolyn Pennypacker Riggs took some time gathering her thoughts and forging a…
Song Premiere: The Lonesome Heroes – “Long Time Coming”
Cosmic folk band The Lonesome Heroes are an Austin institution. Though they’ve made plenty of appearances alongside popular indie-rock bands on some of Austin’s most distinguished stages, their real claims to fame have…
Elisa Ambrogio Plays Beerland on Sunday in Support of New Album
You might recognize the name Elisa Ambrogio as a member of the Magik Markers, a prolific Connecticut-based band that toured with Sonic Youth and later released material on Thurston Moore’s label, Ecstatic Peace….
Light In the Attic Shares Debut Album from Arthur
Like all of the label’s releases, Light in the Attic’s newest release has an incredible story. Dreams and Images, the debut album from an unassuming artist called Arthur, was released by Lee Hazelwood’s LHI label…
The Day Sufjan Stevens and Mount Eerie Both Shared New Music and We Thought We’d Died
I’ve had an ongoing conversation with a few friends during which I attempt to convince them that some value lies in identifying contemporary music’s (still active) most creative voices. Often, this results in some…
Track Premiere: Francine Thirteen – “Queen Mary”
Skittering percussive clicks, periodic echoing handclap effects, and the occasional pulsing beat comprise the minimalistic soundscape on Francine Thirteen’s newest track, “Queen Mary.” Over these sounds, Francine sings in a high yet brooding…
Ryley Walker’s Primrose Green Promises Vibrant, Blooming Songs
I’ve trusted Dead Oceans’ label owner Phil Waldorf’s music recommendations since he first sold me records in the early aughts from behind the counter at 33 Degrees, a since departed record store in…
Stone Jack Jones Shares “Circumstance” Ahead of New LP
Stone Jack Jone, like his stalwart label Western Vinyl, flies under the radar. He’s a guy who should be getting a lot more talk than he does currently. His newest track “Circumstance,” released in…
Premiere: Grapes & Friends Prepare for X-mas Bash with New Track
If you’re looking to get in the X-mas mood early in December, Grapes & Friends have got the show for you. On December 6th, this band, comprised of members of Genuine Leather, The…
Quarterbacks Share Sincere, Wobbly Punk Tune “Center”
Coming from a guy who’s deeply in love with Beat Happening, that I’m enamored with “Center,” the new track from NY band Quarterbacks should’t be a surprise. When I say NY, I don’t mean…
Hear New Beacon Track “L1” Now
With a new EP en route entitled L1 due out December 2nd on Ghostly International, Brooklyn ambient-elecronica band Beacon promises to delve further into the complex psychological realm first unveiled in their debut…
Stream LNS Crew’s New Track “Pot Luck” feat. Cory Kendrix, ST 2 Lettaz, Kydd Jones, Dee-1, and Pacboi Tank
LNS Crew are mainstays in Austin’s hip-hop scene. They’ve cut enough tracks that there’s bound to be something that works for everyone. But their new track “Pot Luck” might be my favorite thing…
Signal to Noise: Immune Recordings
Signal to Noise is a new column penned by Neil Lord. It will run periodically on Pop Press International. This feature column will spotlight and discuss artists, labels, and trends within the noise…
Stream Our Fun Fun Fun Fest Playlist Featuring Must-see Artists
Fun Fun Fun Fest starts a week from today! Rest assured, we’ll have plenty of previews for you in the coming days spotlighting the aspects of the festival we’re most looking forward to. Until…
Nightblooms Plot Theatrical Album Release Show
Nightblooms is the project of Karla Manzur. You may know Manzur as the keys player and backup vocalist for Dana Falconberry, or you may have recognized her lending her incredible talents to Alejandro…
Ariel Pink’s New Single “Black Ballerina”
As the days go by, Ariel Pink’s boldness grows and his confidence in trolling expands. He recently caused a stir with his public comments about Madonna, Grimes, and misogyny in general, but let’s focus on…
Track Premiere: Smokey Brights – “Monster House”
We heard about Smokey Brights ages ago now from our good friends who share with them the city of Seattle. However, we first saw the band for ourselves this summer at Timber Fest,…
Stream Hungry Cloud Darkening’s Glossy Recall
Pacific Northwest label Off Tempo recently released a new album, Glossy Recall, from Anacortes based band Hungry Cloud Darkening, and we’re bringing you the whole thing in all its glory for your streaming pleasure….
Peek into the Cosmos with Panabrite’s Blissful “Balsam”
As if on his back in a planetarium, Panabrite’s Norm Chambers crawls effortlessly through the cosmos in “Balsam,” a standout drifter off his recently released new album Pavilion. The song seems to go from azure…
Erica Sings: Adirondack Folk Music for the Weak of Heart
Not much can be found on the 1940’s starlet Alice Armand beyond the few glitzy Romantic Comedies she performed in (most notably The Blue Bird), but if you go off her seemingly isolated…
Hear “Noctilucence” From New Mark McGuire EP
Electro-prophets Mark McGuire released “Noctilucence” this Tuesday, the title track off their new EP released via Dead Oceans. This is the second release of the year from the Cleveland, OH native, who delivers…
Stream the Hazy New Single “Bleached Teens” by Holy Youth
On October 14th, Happenin Records will release the debut record from Montevallo, Alabama’s Holy Youth. Lead single “Bleached Teens” finds itself stumbling around long after the house party is over. Glistening lead guitar…
Ultimate Painting Shares New Track “Ten Street”
We’ve written before that UK duo Ultimate Painting are bringing all the glory of lo-fi 60s rock of the Velvet Underground to the current day with their own mellow indie pop tracks. After…
Marianne Faithfull Breathes Life Into A Dark New Single
Marianne Faithfull began her career in the early 60s by immersing herself in the exploding London scene, befriending the greater Rolling Stones entourage that helped get her career started with, “As Tears Go…
Song Premiere: Yuma – “Gone Before You Leave”
Yuma’s new single “Gone Before You Leave” explodes from the speakers at the onset, all squealing guitars and staccato snares. After a half minute of those early aughts guitar textures, the mix falls…
Sungod’s Heavenly “Shiftless en Nkawkaw”
Out of the gate, Sungod blazes into their latest single with a barrage of percussion. At first, the mix seems to be restrained and tame, easy on the listener. But things are not…
Hungry Cloud Darkening Shares “Blue Green” from Glossy Recall
Anacortes, Washington based band Hungry Cloud Darkening is set to release their new album Glossy Recall, out October 7th via OFF TEMPO. After a close listen to the band, you won’t be surprised to…
SOAK Shares Single, Signs to Rough Trade
UK songstress Bridie Monds-Watson is 18 years old, and she’s already garnering acclaim with her songs that employ diverse production values and emphasize her smoky vocals. Likely that’s what prompted stalwart indie imprint Rough…
Hear Tracks from Taft/Little Lo Upcoming Split on Punctum Records
We’ve written before about how much we like both NYC-based dream pop band Taft and expansive indie rock outfit Little Lo. So, we’re naturally thrilled that the two projects will share a 7-inch…
Mumblr Shares “Got It” Ahead of Full of Snakes
If you’re looking for a soundtrack to laying around on a thrift store rug, semi conscious, surrounded by a sea of red Solo® cups, then you’re in luck! Philadelphia based rock quartet Mumblr…
Suspirians Celebrate Album Release at The Lost Well
We’re not the only ones who think Suspirians are great; we were happy to se the band show up on Do 512’s list of five bands you should be listening to right now….
Watch the Trailer for Scott Walker and Sun O)))’s Collaborative Album
I’m not sure that there will be a time when we can remember the fact that Scott Walker and Sun O))) once worked together on an album, because it’s likely upon the release of…
Seattle Band S Releases Second Single from Forthcoming Cool Choices LP
We were excited when we heard the news that Carissa’s Wierd (yes spelled that way) member Jenn Ghetto had plans to release new material from her new(ish) band S. The first single had us…
Ultimate Painting Share New Track “Winter In Your Heart”
With its jangling guitars, mellow vocals channeling Lou Reed, and steady kick and snare drum beat, Ultimate Painting’s new track “Winter In Your Heart” is an immediately addicting track. It floats by effortlessly…
NYC Band Little Cinema Shares “Diving Board” feat. Dana Falconberry
Although it may seem out of the blue for a little indie pop band based in Brooklyn to have so many Austin-centered components: the group’s first single was recorded here, at Deadly Sparrow Studios…
Song Premiere: Young Tongue’s “Matriarch” from The Versus Project
The Versus Project is going to be amazing. And that’s not a hard claim to make, since several songs have been shared from the forthcoming six-disc, six-band collaborative box set both on this…
Maggie Bjorklund’s Spooky New Single “Missing At Sea”
Maggie Bjorklund will be releasing her second full-length album “Shaken” on Bloodshot Records October 14 here in the US. The first track to be released from the album is spooky stomper “Missing At…
New Track “Pico” by Wave Sleep Wave
Just two members, Wave Sleep Wave make punchy jams, a la “Pico” with enough muscle-building as the track progresses to keep its listener hooked. This track comes off their forthcoming album Never Notice out September…
