Another two-piece pop punk-esque band. Wait, are there really several two-piece pop punky bands – no. MAJOR MAJOR MAJOR somehow manages to not only record but play a tight set. Upbeat hooks are paired with semi-disturbing lyrics of scream queens, surviving life and overall rowdiness. Front man, Adrian Sebastian exercises every part of the stage, with an occasional stumble into Andrew Torrey’s drum set, always having the crowd moving and thinking. If you feel like dressing up and getting down, you can catch their set for RawPaw’s Rawlloween show on October 31^st at Cheer Up Charlie’s. -Halie Davis

Rob Kelly and Maggie Foy are singer-songwriters originally from the East Coast. They made the Texas move and now call Austin their home. They have put their acoustic folk talents together and formed Man Called War.  Influences of Americana and vulnerable indie rock are abundant. Their description on their Facebook says it all, “We think our music sounds like if The National and Damien Rice’s lovechild was backed by the Lumineers.” You can be the judge of that. Check out their three-song demo “The Eastern Seaboard Demo” via their bandcamp page. -Allison Mayoral

Sometimes you just need feel good music to take you away from the realities of the world. Songs that will make you bounce up and down and let out the occasional “woo.” La Migra is a recommended listen when you wanna shove your troubles to the side and focus on rocking.  “Feels Like Summer” is a surf-punk gem that you want to last longer…just like summer. The under three minute romp sets up the energy of the band – carefree happy dudes – and that’s always a combination for a good time. -Allison Mayoral

Sometimes music is best heard in a dark bar; the nights when whiskey is your best friend and just wanna hear a song about loving and leaving. The Harvest Thieves seem to understand that need. Their alt country sound is mellow but still gets you tapping along to the beat. Cory Reinisch’s comforting vocals make everything all right. On the track “Little Feet,” from their four song EP Lightning In a Bottle, released last summer, he sings, “I’ll never love you half as much as he does…and you were right.” Reinisch’s delivery of the line is the perfect mix of compassion and frustration. Harvest Thieves play Stubbs this Friday Oct. 17.  Go check them out, drowning your sorrows in whiskey is optional. -Allison Mayoral

Self-proclaimed “4-piece foxy-pop band,” Alex Napping have labeled themselves correctly. Peppy indie-pop like Best Coast and Tennis can become tiring; Austin’s Alex Napping follows the same endearing formula but have a fresh energy with a tinge of 90s angst. The track “Kill The Lights” has malaise lyrics mixed with short and sweet guitar riffs that are ripe with Pavement influences. And that’s a good thing. Singer Alex Cohen knows how to make you feel vulnerable with her timid yet positive delivery. Guitarist Adrian Haynes, bassist Tomas Garcia-Olano, and drummer Andrew Stevens bring the foxiness to the next level. Released in late September This Is Not A Bedroom is their six-song debut album. The perfect length to watch the Austin autumn sunset, with a tall can of Lone Star of course. -Allison Mayoral

The lush sounds of the latest track from Caterwaulrus will have you wondering how it all comes from just one man. John Michael Sherry is the guy behind the psychedelic indie pop act, but to be fair “Fading” features members from Austin psych-rock outfit 365colours. Sherry’s layered sound could have come off as contrived but it’s a beautiful jumble that knows where it is going. Think Woods mixed with the swagger of Devendra Banhart. Hopefully more new music will be released under Caterwaulrus sooner than later. – Allison Mayoral

Check out his set with a live band at the Ditch The Fest Fest at Empire Control Room this Saturday, Oct 11. 

 

Löwin is more than just the basic formula of three guys with a front woman. Sara Houser is said front woman with a voice and spirit of a hipster incarnation of a young Chrissie Hynde, but with blonde hair. Chris DeGeorge, Kyle Durst and Nathan Ribner respectively round of the rest of the band. Their sound is a mix of Rilo Kiley-esque sweet indie pop with the alternative-rock styling of Paramore. It’s a good combo that shines in their track “Lobo.” Houser’s innocent delivery over the clash of guitars and drum crashes pairs well on the track without over doing it. ATX rock and roll done right. Catch them at Cheer Up Charlies this Thursday Oct. 2 at 9p.m. -Allison Mayoral

Sahara Smith is a singer/songwriter who now goes by the name Girl Pilot. T Bone Burnett’s team produced her 2010 debut, Myth of The Heart, so you know this girl is the real deal. Born in 1988 she has the soul you would expect in someone far beyond her young age of 26, but the girlish qualities in her voice bring a youthful energy to the table. Now performing under Girl Pilot, Smith keeps the same vibe but adds a little more indie-pop to her rootsy debut sound. Think Jenny Lewis mixed with Norah Jones. As the name suggests Smith is her own navigator and is ready to take on the Austin music scene, one song at a time. – Allison Mayoral 

Roger Sellers does not push play. He is the one behind every note, lyric and jangle on his latest release, Primitives. Think more composer than the dreaded “DJ” label. The intricate layers Sellers creates is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Comparisons to Sufjan Stevens are just. Like Stevens, Sellers takes advantage of our need for lush sounds and intoxicating melodies. Sellers will play an album release show this Saturday at Cheer Up Charlies with visuals by Topher Sipes. Expect chill vibes and plenty of beer. The self-produced Primitives is out via Punctum Records September 30. – Allison Mayoral 

Clean Blood, Regular Acid is the latest release from Austin trio Spray Paint. These guys – guitarists/vocalists Cory Plump and George Dishner and drummer Chris Stephenson – play grimy indie-rock with a spasmodic punk flair. The surf riffs and frantic shouty choruses pretty much equal a party. They deliver it all in such a nonchalant Sonic Youth inspired way, you might not even realize how hard they rock. Go check them out before they go on tour with their Monofonus Press labelmate, The Rebel. Hotel Vegas LP release show this Friday, Sept. 19 at 9 p.m. –Allison Mayoral

Clean Blood, Regular Acid is due out Sep. 23 on Monofonus Press. 

Wednesday is the rebel of the week. Right smack in the middle it can be the turning point that leads to an epic week ahead or just another day to tick off the calendar. Get out of a mid-week slump and head to Beerland and check out Smoking White. The Austin foursome’s shoegaze-psychedelic sound is every bit present on their early summer release, Soft Chains.  Available on cassette, yes a cassette tape, the distorted guitars and subdued vocals of Soft Chains will sound great as you contemplate life while listening to your Walkman. Go get your copy September 17 at Beerland, 9 p.m. There is also a digital version, but where’s the fun in that? -Allison Mayoral

April 17, 2014 was declared “Salesman Day” in Austin, TX. No, not an ode to the hard working salesmen and women of ATX but a spring day dedicated to local band Salesman. The band has been together for over six years but just this week they have given us their debut LP Escalante. Opening track, “7×7” brings a My Morning Jacket root-rock influence but Devin James Fry’s falsetto voice is more Jeff Buckley than Jim James. That allows for a more vulnerable tone to Saleman’s sound. It’s not something you can just put on and walk away from. You’ll want to space out and just listen, maybe that’s why their liner notes suggest playing the album under the night light of a meteor shower.Buy the digital or cd/vinyl version now on their Bandcamp page. -Allison Mayoral