Katie Schottland played in several bands before embarking on her own solo project under the moniker Swimming Bell. Her debut EP The Golden Heart is a reflection, a reverberous voice in the dark, framed by picked guitar and wistful percussive textures. For a moment, listening to "Route 72" with closed eyes, I was transported from my desk to a forest clearing on a dewy morning, birds circling above. "In these times of stolen dreams / how could I know you well?" sings Schottland, alone, later joined by harmonies that sound like the echoes of those perished dreams. The simpler "September on Dekalb" is a lo-fi midnight confession, a love letter forgotten in a coat pocket. Swimming Bell takes you somewhere quieter, in a gorgeous, unperturbed manner. Catch her live at Pete’s Candy Store on October 7th. – Geena Kloeppel
New Track: “Open Circle” – Mohican
Smart Drug For Machines, the new album from the trio of Mohican, is tabbed for release on October 10. Its first sampling, “Open Circle,” ominously tiptoes into existence. Then, sludgy backend and hauntingly hushed vocals creepily mingle. That anticipatory vibe meets a full on attack of heavy instrumentation, bombarding the senses before mellowing out.
Moaning sign to Sub Pop, release video for “The Same”
San Fernando Valley post-punk band Moaning, who we nominated for Artist of the Month back in 2015, have just announced they’re joining famed Seattle label Sub Pop. In view of the announcement, the four-piece has just released a music video for one of their early tracks, "The Same." And the track hasn’t lost one bit of its visceral potency: featuring a combination of squalling metallic fuzz and thudding bass that recalls the grimy industrial chug of Manchester/Factory Records in the late seventies, singer Sean Solomon groans in a soft monotone with a resigned shrug as a practice space gets wrecked.
Moaning are working on their debut full-length record, which is tentatively slated for a spring 2018 release. Catch them opening for Metz at Teragram Ballroom on December 12. Juan Rodríguez
Best Austin Acts At ACL 2017
While Jay Z and the Chili Peppers will grab the headliner time slots and majority of headlines at weekend 1 of ACL, there are a handful of Austin artists who were tapped to represent the local talent pool that are worth seeing as well. Most Austin festivals do a pretty good job of bringing in local talent, and ACL is no different. While well-known national bands like Spoon and perennial favorites like Asleep At The Wheel, are guaranteed to draw sizeable crowds – we want to spotlight our five up and coming local acts, who are snowballing with newfound momentum.
1. Mobley – (Saturday 11:30 AM @ Miller Lite Stage)
A talent who cannot be placed neatly in a solitary genre box – Mobley blends R&B, electronica, and hip-hop for a unique twist that is credited and fortified by superior songwriting. Mobley has the most potential of any artist on this list, and possibly in the city of Austin. See him now before you’re forced to use a binoculars to see him in a few years on the headliner stage;)
2. Capyac – (Saturday 12:15 PM @ Titos Stage)
Although orginally from Georgia, these electro dance wizards know how to get a funky dance party started. A large local following and magnetic stage show means that Capyac is sure to envelope you into their indie electro fold if you give them a chance.
3. Melat – (Sunday 12:30 PM @ Titos Stage)
An Ethiopian goddess whose voice is as smooth as it is seductive, Melat blends soul and R&B with haunting and profound songwriting. This voice is too serene to remain an Austin secret for much longer, so an early visit Sunday to the fest is definitely in order.
4. The Black Angels – (Saturday 5 PM @ Barton Springs Stage)
While the Black Angels are known internationally and have been purveying psychedelic rock for quite some time, they still have a transformative live show and a slew of hits to keep you slack-jawed for their entire set. They may not be a shiny new band, but Christian Bland is one of Austin’s most prolific songwriters for a reason, so don’t miss out.
5. Missio – (Friday 1:15 PM @ HomeAway Stage)
Many Austinites do not know that Missio is a local band, although you’ve almost undoubtedly heard them before, but that’s because they have rocketed to the national stage without having to play a decade in Austin bars. Dark moods, sinister lyrics, and addictive beats make this act definitely worth a listen at the festival.
Wild Pink brings folk tinged Indie Rock to Mercury on 10.08
Hailing from New York City, indie rock trio Wild Pink brings together an intoxicating blend of songwriting talent, featuring lead singer John Ross’s soft and warm vocals on an often driven instrumental backdrop. After two EPs since 2015, earlier this year they released their debut full-length record, a self-titled effort featuring stand out single ‘Great Apes’, and ten more songs walking the line between delicate songwriting and DIY slacker attitude. Tracks such as opener ‘How Do You Know If God Takes You Back’ and ‘Wizards of Loneliness’ (streaming below) showcase the band’s softer side, bringing out dream-folk overtones. They’ll take the stage at Mercury Lounge on October 18th opening for Pinact and performing alongside New York locals Your Dream Coat. – Vernon McGhee
The Shacks take their dream-pop to scattered venues across the US in the fall
It’s difficult to believe that The Shacks’ “Strange Boy” was the first song that Shannon Wise ever recorded, but that’s how the story goes. The New York based duo (made up of Wise and Max Shrager) formed almost by accident, which only amplifies their chemistry. When Shrager’s whimsical arrangements are combined with Wise’s saccharine soprano, a sound akin to magic is created. The Shacks’ debut self-titled EP is a spooky and sweet bedroom pop masterpiece, and it leaves the listener wanting more. This fall they’ll be playing a bunch of shows scattered across the US. Our friends at Delicious Audio asked guitarist Max Shrager a few questions about his guitar tone, see link below. Check out their latest video for single "The Strange Effect," streaming below. – Lilly Milman
Delicious Audio Q&A with Max Shrager of THe Shacks about guitar pedals and tone.
Josh Washam to play record release show at The Crying Wolf (10.08)
With two singles already released, singer-songwriter Josh Washam is quickly making a name for himself in Nashville in anticipation of his upcoming full-length LP The Washam Machine. The single “Misinformation” (streaming below) is a breezy, honest ballad about trust and communication. The energetic, driven Americana is stylistically similar to releases by established groups like The Avett Brothers, except with one main difference—Washam recorded this all on an 8-track machine in his home studio in Nashville. From the production, to the arrangements, to the cover, this album represents Nashville to its core. The Washam Machine is set to be released on October 6th, and Josh Washam will also be playing a record release show at The Crying Wolf on the 8th. – Lilly Milman
Debut Michul Kuun EP Available for Streaming & Purchase
If mind-morphing, percussively propelled, electro experimentation is what you’re looking for, it’s been located. True Beauty (And Other Things), the debut release from NAH, under the new moniker of Michul Kuun. An air of fluid unpredictability encompasses the sonic landscape, as euphoria and chaos shake hands, providing a glimpse into the future. The set of seven tracks is available via Bone Soda and on cassette, courtesy of Ranch Jams and Letter Racer. (Photo by Gabe Coffey)
Debut Ebenezer EP Available for Streaming & Download
Tom Mchugh (of The Retinas) recently shared the simply titled 4 EP, under the moniker Ebenezer. Transmitted from a space station of solitude, the songs illuminate a state of folky personal reflection. These bare-bones, bedroom tracks reveal a relatable, unsheltered vulnerability. You can catch Mchugh with The Retinas, as part of The Deli Philly’s 9th Anniversary Bash, next Saturday, October 14 at PhilaMOCA, with Them Jones and So Totally.
New Track: “Light Elating Everything” – Power Animal
It’s been quite some time since we’ve had a new album from Deli fave Power Animal, a.k.a. Keith Hampson. Good Wind Pt. 1 is currently scheduled for release on November 10 via his charitable record label Human Kindness Overflowing, with 50% of its Bandcamp sales going to The Emergent Fund. Now, fortified into a four-piece, the band’s new single, “Light Elating Everything,” swirls in an electro-bouncing cloud of cathartic, thankful ambience. Amid the perpetual groove, an open letter of intimacy unfolds. They’ll be hosting a dual record release celebration with Friendship on Friday, November 17 at Everybody Hits, with additional support from Tall Friend and Free Cake For Every Creature.
Punkers Surfbort to play Villians 10/23
NYC-based Surfbort may have the noisy heaviness and aggression of other bands, but they offer a definitive lack of angsty bravado and instead boast flippant tongue-in-cheek lyricism and unfiltered vocalism that smacks of real, visceral vigor and musical gut-punches. Their latest EP. Bort to Death, is 4-tracks worth of rough-‘n’-tumble, old-school punk that will leave you dreaming of deep diving into your nearest circle pit. Luckily for you, you can make that dream a reality and catch Surfbort at their latest show at Brooklyn’s Villian on 10/23. – Olivia Sisinni
Punkers Surfbort to play Villians 10/23
NYC-based Surfbort may have the noisy heaviness and aggression of other bands, but they offer a definitive lack of angsty bravado and instead boast flippant tongue-in-cheek lyricism and unfiltered vocalism that smacks of real, visceral vigor and musical gut-punches. Their latest EP. Bort to Death, is 4-tracks worth of rough-‘n’-tumble, old-school punk that will leave you dreaming of deep diving into your nearest circle pit. Luckily for you, you can make that dream a reality and catch Surfbort at their upcoming show at Brooklyn’s Villian on October 23rd. – Olivia Sisinni