Austin Sound http://www.austinsound.net The Indepedent Music Source for Austin Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:48:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en Mp3: Frank Smith - “L.O.V.E.” http://www.austinsound.net/2010/09/02/mp3-frank-smith-love/ http://www.austinsound.net/2010/09/02/mp3-frank-smith-love/#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:45:24 +0000 Austin Sound http://www.austinsound.net/?p=3363 After staking their claim with 2009's Big Strike in Silver City, Frank Smith is wasting no time in moving forward. They're shooting to have a new album out this October, which is tentatively titled Nineteen. According to the quartet's myspace, the album seems to have been originally titled Takers, but they apparently changed it so as not to create confusion with this Oscar-worthy screen-gem. After all, who can compete with Matt Dillon? We're not sure why it's called Nineteen instead, but we're glad to know it's at least of legal age, especially given the song "L.O.V.E." that they have shared for download below. There's a lot here that folks familiar with Frank Smith will dig in the tune - the loping alt-country rhythm, subtle steel, and of course, Aaron Sinclair's direly graveled vocals. But what has always made Frank Smith so interesting is the unexpected turns they make, and "L.O.V.E." is no exception. The quiet harmonies and hushed high range that band shifts into in the middle of the song is a surprise, and downright eerie - making us very curious what the rest of the album will sound like. We'll have a chance to find out tomorrow, September 3, as the band will deliver some of those tunes at the Mohawk with a nice lineup of the Mynabirds and Crooked Fingers. Check out "L.O.V.E." below. ]]>

After staking their claim with 2009’s Big Strike in Silver City, Frank Smith is wasting no time in moving forward. They’re shooting to have a new album out this October, which is tentatively titled Nineteen. According to the quartet’s myspace, the album seems to have been originally titled Takers, but they apparently changed it so as not to create confusion with this Oscar-worthy screen-gem. After all, who can compete with Matt Dillon? We’re not sure why it’s called Nineteen instead, but we’re glad to know it’s at least of legal age, especially given the song “L.O.V.E.” that they have shared for download below. There’s a lot here that folks familiar with Frank Smith will dig in the tune - the loping alt-country rhythm, subtle steel, and of course, Aaron Sinclair’s direly graveled vocals. But what has always made Frank Smith so interesting is the unexpected turns they make, and “L.O.V.E.” is no exception. The quiet harmonies and hushed high range that band shifts into in the middle of the song is a surprise, and downright eerie - making us very curious what the rest of the album will sound like. We’ll have a chance to find out tomorrow, September 3, as the band will deliver some of those tunes at the Mohawk with a nice lineup of the Mynabirds and Crooked Fingers. Check out “L.O.V.E.” below.

Mp3 from Nineteen:
L.O.V.E.

Websites:
http://franksmith.com
Myspace

]]> http://www.austinsound.net/2010/09/02/mp3-frank-smith-love/feed/ Through the Trees - Dig It Up (SR) http://www.austinsound.net/2010/08/31/through-the-trees-dig-it-up-sr/ http://www.austinsound.net/2010/08/31/through-the-trees-dig-it-up-sr/#comments Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:57:45 +0000 Marc Perlman http://www.austinsound.net/?p=3361 Through The Trees’ debut, Dig It Up, is a startlingly audacious ten-song career-opening salvo fired right across the bow. After taking stock of their influences and history – Ben McCormack (vocals/guitars/piano/etc) and Will Tanner (bass/percussion) played together in The Stags, McCormack in a variety of bands ranging from jam to garage band, Rob Jasinski drummed for the long departed garage and hip shaking The Good Looks – Dig It Up is even more disarming. Given where the trio came from, the resulting alt rock as played by late 70s classic rock fans isn’t completely surprising, but it seems refreshingly welcome. Pile on the fact that the band was practically born in the stale beer afternoons at the Hole in the Wall – Tanner owns it, McCormack books it, and Jasinski owns Cream Vintage next door – and one might expect an album of shambling, sloppy burners. Instead, Through The Trees wind up generally soaring through some fifty minutes of majestic rock and roll. ]]>

Through The Trees’ debut, Dig It Up, is a startlingly audacious ten-song career-opening salvo fired right across the bow. After taking stock of their influences and history – Ben McCormack (vocals/guitars/piano/etc) and Will Tanner (bass/percussion) played together in The Stags, McCormack in a variety of bands ranging from jam to garage band, Rob Jasinski drummed for the long departed garage and hip shaking The Good Looks – Dig It Up is even more disarming. Given where the trio came from, the resulting alt rock as played by late 70s classic rock fans isn’t completely surprising, but it seems refreshingly welcome. Pile on the fact that the band was practically born in the stale beer afternoons at the Hole in the Wall – Tanner owns it, McCormack books it, and Jasinski owns Cream Vintage next door – and one might expect an album of shambling, sloppy burners. Instead, Through The Trees wind up generally soaring through some fifty minutes of majestic rock and roll.

Despite owing some pretty hefty debt to both Hole and The Strokes, the opening tracks – “Hearse” and “Vampire” – don’t come across as derivative. In fact, even though the songs sound so immediately familiar, repeated spins don’t appear to explain why or how Through The Trees seem to own that familiarity perfectly. As strong as “Hearse” and “Vampire “are, they are two of the three shortest songs on Dig It Up and the real fun doesn’t begin until the band stretches out. A fifth of the way through “Anchor,” Through The Trees get absolutely filthy. That first fifth sounds like a murky afternoon hangover… and then Jasinski opens up the engines, McCormack starts shredding, and the band never slows down again. There’s absolutely no way to accurately describe McCormack playing guitar hero on “Anchor.” Maybe this is what it sounds like when grownups aren’t chasing trends, fans, and industry contacts and instead just make the music in their heads.

“Anchor” might be the sonic highlight of the album, but it’s not like the subsequent seven songs are duds. In fact, with the exception of “Victim” – the other shorty on the album – Through The Trees don’t really drop a clunker at any point. On “Birds”, “Suburbs” and “Dig” – the final three tracks of the album – the band gets lengthy without getting long. All three songs clock in at over seven minutes, but each song feels like a mini rock opera complete with more than the standard verse-chorus changes. And somehow, maybe because Through The Trees never seem to abandon their surroundings – presumably a small dark Austin bar reverberating with the ghosts of decades past – it never feels indulgent, forced, or completely over the top. Even as “Suburbs” decays into a minutes long coda worthy of The Afghan Whigs, it just sounds like the cigarette smoke and guitars of bands long gone oozing out of the walls and into Through The Trees’ canon.

It’s been a long and winding road for these three guys. From past bands to independent businesses that take more energy and soul than the average nine-to-fiver, Through The Trees have paid their dues. Congratulations – and thanks — are in order for creating a great record as part time musicians hustling between all their other responsibilities.

Websites:
Myspace

]]> http://www.austinsound.net/2010/08/31/through-the-trees-dig-it-up-sr/feed/ Video: The Murdocks - “Black Jesus Knocking” http://www.austinsound.net/2010/08/31/video-the-murdocks-black-jesus-knocking/ http://www.austinsound.net/2010/08/31/video-the-murdocks-black-jesus-knocking/#comments Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:34:54 +0000 Austin Sound http://www.austinsound.net/?p=3359 Whoa, the Murdocks are pissed! What the hell, guys? The trio shared the mp3 for "Black Jesus Knocking" with us way back when, and will finally be releasing their new album, Distornist, this Saturday at the Parish. This is their first LP since 2005, and apparently they've pent up a little anger and energy. The new video for "Black Jesus Knocking" is just, well, disturbing. Kudos on finding a little kid that looks like he could actually be a young Franklin Morris, but this kids also got some problems. Actually, the stigmata-palm slapped bullies at the end probably have bigger problems. We imagine this is something like how a tea party rally goes down - first they get really mad and bully folks, then have some kind of self-abusing spiritual revelation. Or something. Check out the video below, which was directed by Tina Carlsen, produced, edited, and written by Noël Kristi Wells, and with cinematography by Travis Ragsdale. And catch the Murdocks CD release show this Saturday, Sept 4 at the Parish with The Couch, Naysays, and Through the Trees. ]]>

Whoa, the Murdocks are pissed! What the hell, guys? The trio shared the mp3 for “Black Jesus Knocking” with us way back when, and will finally be releasing their new album, Distornist, this Saturday at the Parish. This is their first LP since 2005, and apparently they’ve pent up a little anger and energy. The new video for “Black Jesus Knocking” is just, well, disturbing. Kudos on finding a little kid that looks like he could actually be a young Franklin Morris, but this kids also got some problems. Actually, the stigmata-palm slapped bullies at the end probably have bigger problems. We imagine this is something like how a tea party rally goes down - first they get really mad and bully folks, then have some kind of self-abusing spiritual revelation. Or something. Check out the video below, which was directed by Tina Carlsen, produced, edited, and written by Noël Kristi Wells, and with cinematography by Travis Ragsdale. And catch the Murdocks CD release show this Saturday, Sept 4 at the Parish with The Couch, Naysays, and Through the Trees.

Video: The Murdocks - “Black Jesus Knocking”

Websites:
www.the-murdocks.com
Myspace

]]> http://www.austinsound.net/2010/08/31/video-the-murdocks-black-jesus-knocking/feed/ Mp3: Monahans - “I Break the Silence” http://www.austinsound.net/2010/08/25/mp3-monahans-i-break-the-silence/ http://www.austinsound.net/2010/08/25/mp3-monahans-i-break-the-silence/#comments Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:48:52 +0000 Austin Sound http://www.austinsound.net/?p=3357 If you haven't been following Monahans' mp3 a month project as they build up to a new album, you're really missing out. Go here and get all six tracks that they currently have up while you can. Their latest song, "I Break the Silence", offers up some excellent work from drummer Roberto Sanchez, who is literally a primary driving force behind Monahans' sound, turning Greg Vanderpool and company's sound into epic dimensions. The song is purportedly inspired and derived from accounts about "Wounded Knee," but it's still pretty impressionistic in usual Monahans' style. The quartet's third album, composed of these songs and possibly more, should be out early next year if all goes to schedule, and they will next be playing live in Austin in late September with a show at the Parish, which should be a great room for their encompassing sound. Check out "I Break the Silence" below.]]>

If you haven’t been following Monahans’ mp3 a month project as they build up to a new album, you’re really missing out. Go here and get all six tracks that they currently have up while you can. Their latest song, “I Break the Silence”, offers up some excellent work from drummer Roberto Sanchez, who is literally a primary driving force behind Monahans’ sound, turning Greg Vanderpool and company’s sound into epic dimensions. The song is purportedly inspired and derived from accounts about “Wounded Knee,” but it’s still pretty impressionistic in usual Monahans’ style. The quartet’s third album, composed of these songs and possibly more, should be out early next year if all goes to schedule, and they will next be playing live in Austin in late September with a show at the Parish, which should be a great room for their encompassing sound. Check out “I Break the Silence” below.

Mp3:
I Break the Silence

Websites:
www.monahans.net
Myspace

]]> http://www.austinsound.net/2010/08/25/mp3-monahans-i-break-the-silence/feed/ Photos: Danny Malone at Stubb’s 7/29/10 http://www.austinsound.net/2010/08/25/photos-danny-malone-at-stubbs-72910/ http://www.austinsound.net/2010/08/25/photos-danny-malone-at-stubbs-72910/#comments Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:39:00 +0000 Chris Galis http://www.austinsound.net/?p=3355 Will Foster.]]>

There’s not much to say after you tell the Mayor [Lee Leffingwell] that everything’s going “really ‘effing well” and he walks awkwardly away from you after a proclamation that it’s official Danny Malone Day, but Malone still manages to somehow come through. With blues-rock protégés the Steps and School of Songs in tow, Malone managed to put on a show last month at Stubb’s full of choreographed lights and dance, pomp, and his trademark folk rock worthy of a day of his own deserving. Read our interview with him here, and see photos from the show below courtesy of Will Foster.

(Photos by Will Foster)

The Steps

Danny Malone

]]> http://www.austinsound.net/2010/08/25/photos-danny-malone-at-stubbs-72910/feed/ The Blind Pets - Smashed (SR) http://www.austinsound.net/2010/08/25/the-blind-pets-smashed-sr/ http://www.austinsound.net/2010/08/25/the-blind-pets-smashed-sr/#comments Wed, 25 Aug 2010 15:30:38 +0000 Marc Perlman http://www.austinsound.net/?p=3354 Like so many first albums before it, Smashed, The Blind Pets' self released debut, is an admirable stab at rock immortality that comes up short while providing a quite a few glimpses at a promising future. Like the image inside the gatefold and printed directly on the disc, Smashed is a fractured record; at times, the band riffs, solos, and shreds its way out of the mundane and slices a mighty groove. Other times, the band freaks out into metallic spasms, seemingly intended to flip their audiences' ears into a completely different direction. Just because a young band hasn't quite put it all together yet on their first try doesn't mean The Blind Pets should be dismissed. On the contrary, it just means listeners will have to work a little harder to find the hidden gems on the record.]]>

Like so many first albums before it, Smashed, The Blind Pets’ self released debut, is an admirable stab at rock immortality that comes up short while providing a quite a few glimpses at a promising future. Like the image inside the gatefold and printed directly on the disc, Smashed is a fractured record; at times, the band riffs, solos, and shreds its way out of the mundane and slices a mighty groove. Other times, the band freaks out into metallic spasms, seemingly intended to flip their audiences’ ears into a completely different direction. Just because a young band hasn’t quite put it all together yet on their first try doesn’t mean The Blind Pets should be dismissed. On the contrary, it just means listeners will have to work a little harder to find the hidden gems on the record.

At almost fifty-five minutes, it’s a little hard to call Smashed an in-your-face uppercut; instead the band appears to want circle and circle before invading personal airspace with intermittent jabs. Even the opening track, a generally spunky rocker that - like many of the songs - has The Blind Pets sounding like The Offspring’s darker hopped-up cousin, opens with the sound of breaking bottles and ends with lead singer and guitarist Joshua Logan noodling all over the place before the entire thing collapses into Logan and the band talking shit to each other. Shave that beginning and end down a tad, reel in the meandering breakdown and solos, and The Blind Pets’ opener goes from good to great. Sadly, this isn’t the only moment where a bit of production or outside guidance might have helped reel in the chaos and resulted in a tighter, leaner animal.

Nonetheless, after the band stumbles through a few unremarkable tracks that show The Blind Pets’ penchant for angular metal riffing, the band hits its stride with a three pack of great songs. “Downtown Girl,” opening with Logan strumming softly and singing almost gently, could play side by side with Nirvana, Mudhoney, and many others. Loud-soft-loud (or soft-loud-soft-loud-loud, in this case) is a tried and true formula that The Blind Pets excel at. And, it’s no coincidence that one of the best tracks on the album is also one of the shortest. Similarly, both “Merchant & Consumer” and “The Others” - the two songs following “Downtown Girl” - are crisp rock and roll songs that wouldn’t sound out of place on an early 90s mix tape. Bassist Dustin Hannah and drummer Daniels Olivas click perfectly behind Logan’s distant vocals, proving that when the band doesn’t wander off into a spastic moment of chaos, The Blind Pets are a really solid power trio.

Fortunately, on the back half of the album, more of the songs follow The Blind Pets’ early grunge wanderings than B-Rate Queens of the Stone Age covers. On “Know It All,” the band roars like a caged animal in a zoo– not like any animal you’d ever want to keep as a house pet. The song is the perfect example of how the band can tease about stretching it out, tantalizing the listener, but not waste any time on seemingly never ending stoner jams. If the band can find the happy medium between longer tunes and the taut crunching of the shorter songs, The Blind Pets could be onto something pretty fun and special. The ingredients are all there; it’s just a matter of production and execution for these guys.

Websites:
http://theblindpets.com
Myspace

]]> http://www.austinsound.net/2010/08/25/the-blind-pets-smashed-sr/feed/ Video: The Sword - “Tres Brujas” http://www.austinsound.net/2010/08/24/video-the-sword-tres-brujas/ http://www.austinsound.net/2010/08/24/video-the-sword-tres-brujas/#comments Tue, 24 Aug 2010 19:43:32 +0000 Austin Sound http://www.austinsound.net/?p=3352 Holy hell! If you missed the Sword yesterday in the Waterloo parking lot, this should help you regret it even more. Today the Sword unsheathes their new album, Warp Riders, on Kemado, and to celebrate they have offered up the first of their "Warp Riders" series of videos. Last month, we previewed the mp3 of "Tres Brujas", and let's just say that the video lives up to the epicness of the song. We'll let you tease out what exactly the story is here, basically because we can't figure it out. The press release says that it is "Seven Samurai crossed with The Magnificent Seven meets Mad Max filtered through the imagination of the Sword", which works for us except that the Sword is only a quartet. This video will be followed by two more, "“Lawless Lands” and “Night City," so you'll have to wait to see how it all ends. We predict total domination by the Sword though. In the meantime, your next chance to catch them locally is at the Austin City Limits Music Fest in October, after they return from slaughtering Australia and Japan. Check out the video below. ]]>

Holy hell! If you missed the Sword yesterday in the Waterloo parking lot, this should help you regret it even more. Today the Sword unsheathes their new album, Warp Riders, on Kemado, and to celebrate they have offered up the first of their “Warp Riders” series of videos. Last month, we previewed the mp3 of “Tres Brujas”, and let’s just say that the video lives up to the epicness of the song. We’ll let you tease out what exactly the story is here, basically because we can’t figure it out. The press release says that it is “Seven Samurai crossed with The Magnificent Seven meets Mad Max filtered through the imagination of the Sword”, which works for us except that the Sword is only a quartet. This video will be followed by two more, ““Lawless Lands” and “Night City,” so you’ll have to wait to see how it all ends. We predict total domination by the Sword though. In the meantime, your next chance to catch them locally is at the Austin City Limits Music Fest in October, after they return from slaughtering Australia and Japan. Check out the video below.

Video: The Sword - “Tres Brujas”

Tres Brujas

The Sword | MySpace Music Videos

Websites:
www.swordofdoom.com
Myspace

]]> http://www.austinsound.net/2010/08/24/video-the-sword-tres-brujas/feed/ Official ACL Aftershows Announced http://www.austinsound.net/2010/08/24/official-acl-aftershows-announced/ http://www.austinsound.net/2010/08/24/official-acl-aftershows-announced/#comments Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:35:25 +0000 Austin Sound http://www.austinsound.net/?p=3350 Hold your horses there SXSW and Fun Fun Fun Fest, we aren't done talking about ACL, yet! Today, C3 announced their official after and pre-shows for the early October bash in Zilker Park, and there is some good stuff for those of you that prefer to pass on the heat. We know it will break your hearts to miss those ACL headliners that everyone is so uber-excited about, but hey, here's your chance to see the Antwoord. For the Thursday pre-shows, you can kick off the weekend with Spoon at the Mohawk (wow!), while Friday our money is split between Emo's with the Black Lips, Those Darlins, and The Ettes outside, and Givers, Cults, and TV Torso in, while the Black Keys and Foals take on Stubb's. For Saturday night, we'd probably take Girls with the Soft Pack at Antone's, but it's also tempting to see if there might actually be a tune or two that Jimmie Dale Gilmore does with the Monsters of Folk at Stubb's. Anyway, peruse the schedule below, or here. And tickets for all of these shows will be going on sale August 27 at 10:00am. We suspect that Spoon at the Mohawk will blow out the servers first. ]]>

Hold your horses there SXSW and Fun Fun Fun Fest, we aren’t done talking about ACL, yet! Today, C3 announced their official after and pre-shows for the early October bash in Zilker Park, and there is some good stuff for those of you that prefer to pass on the heat. We know it will break your hearts to miss those ACL headliners that everyone is so uber-excited about, but hey, here’s your chance to see the Antwoord. For the Thursday pre-shows, you can kick off the weekend with Spoon at the Mohawk (wow!), while Friday our money is split between Emo’s with the Black Lips, Those Darlins, and The Ettes outside, and Givers, Cults, and TV Torso in, while the Black Keys and Foals take on Stubb’s. For Saturday night, we’d probably take Girls with the Soft Pack at Antone’s, but it’s also tempting to see if there might actually be a tune or two that Jimmie Dale Gilmore does with the Monsters of Folk at Stubb’s. Anyway, peruse the schedule below, or here. And tickets for all of these shows will be going on sale August 27 at 10:00am. We suspect that Spoon at the Mohawk will blow out the servers first.

Official ACL Aftershows:

Thursday, October 7

Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears
Antone’s

Paul Oakenfold with Die Antwoord
Austin Music Hall

Neon Indian and Prefuse 73
La Zona Rosa

Spoon with Elvis
Mohawk

Pat Green
Stubb’s Outdoors

First Aid Kit with Ferraby Lionheart
Stubb’s Indoors

Friday, October 8

Mayer Hawthorne and The County with Kings Go Forth
Antone’s

Deadmau5 with Calvin Harris DJ Set
Austin Music Hall

Black Lips with Those Darlins / The Ettes
Emo’s Outdoors

Givers with Cults / TV Torso
Emo’s Indoors

Robert Earl Keen with Lucero / Ruby Jane
La Zona Rosa

Ryan Bingham and the Dead Horses
MoMo’s

The Black Keys with Foals
Stubb’s Outdoors

Blind Pilot with Cory Chisel
Stubb’s Indoors

Saturday, Oct. 9

GIRLS with The Soft Pack
Antone’s

Gayngs with Bear in Heaven
Emo’s Outdoors

Dawes with Lissie
Emo’s Indoors

Sonic Youth
La Zona Rosa

Beats Antique with Lance Herbstrong
MoMo’s

Monsters of Folk with Jimmie Dale Gilmore
Stubb’s Outdoors

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Stubb’s Indoors

]]> http://www.austinsound.net/2010/08/24/official-acl-aftershows-announced/feed/ Sound Off: Melogrand http://www.austinsound.net/2010/08/23/sound-off-melogrand/ http://www.austinsound.net/2010/08/23/sound-off-melogrand/#comments Mon, 23 Aug 2010 18:33:50 +0000 Austin Sound http://www.austinsound.net/?p=3348 former project, The Story Of, Alex Huff, David McCully, and Michael Brennan teamed with drummer Brian Bolek to create Melogrand earlier this year, and already with a 7" under their belt, the quartet's melodic pop has been garnering deserved attention down Red River. While maintaining some of the expansive elements that defined The Story Of's direction, Melogrand smooths the edges with a tighter focus and Brit-pop touch that can still drift into extensive psych-laced digressions, especially live. The band's debut LP will be released later this year, and looks already to be one the year's best local premiers. Melogrand will be joining the giant Red River Rocks party this Saturday, August 28, at the Mohawk, which features three stages of bands and DJs including Dead Confederate, Hacienda, Futurebirds, The Eastern Sea, Frank Smith, The Noise Revival Orchestra, The Mercers, Booher and the Turkeyz, The Georgian Company, ZEALE, Freshmillions, Ume, Built By Snow, The Pons, Stereo is a Lie, The Boxing Lesson, Red Falcon, Young Girls, My Education, Team Fabrication, and much more. The party kicks off at 2:00pm. ]]>

Building on the chemistry achieved with their former project, The Story Of, Alex Huff, David McCully, and Michael Brennan teamed with drummer Brian Bolek to create Melogrand earlier this year, and already with a 7″ under their belt, the quartet’s melodic pop has been garnering deserved attention down Red River. While maintaining some of the expansive elements that defined The Story Of’s direction, Melogrand smooths the edges with a tighter focus and Brit-pop touch that can still drift into extensive psych-laced digressions, especially live. The band’s debut LP will be released later this year, and looks already to be one the year’s best local premiers. Melogrand will be joining the giant Red River Rocks party this Saturday, August 28, at the Mohawk, which features three stages of bands and DJs including Dead Confederate, Hacienda, Futurebirds, The Eastern Sea, Frank Smith, The Noise Revival Orchestra, The Mercers, Booher and the Turkeyz, The Georgian Company, ZEALE, Freshmillions, Ume, Built By Snow, The Pons, Stereo is a Lie, The Boxing Lesson, Red Falcon, Young Girls, My Education, Team Fabrication, and much more. The party kicks off at 2:00pm.

Profile: Melogrand

Year Formed:

2010

Members/Instruments played:

Alex Huff: Vocals, Guitar
David McCully: Guitar,
Brian Bolek: Drums, Samples, Percussion
Mike Brennan: Bass

Former Bands/Side Projects:

The Story Of (disbanded in 2009)
Oceaneers (Mike and Brian’s side project)
Alex used to play guitar in country rock band Pissant Farmers

Albums:

Melogrand 7″ EP (Self-titled / Recorded at Public HiFi) April 2010
Full Length album due out Fall 2010 (Self-Released)

Influences:

We’re influenced by a lot of new bands too, but some of our common mainstays: Beatles, Radiohead, Spoon, Arcade Fire, Tool, Bowie, Belle and Sebastian, Brian Eno, Neutral Milk Hotel, Sigur Ros, Built to Spill, John Vanderslice, M83

Strangest comment or comparison ever made about your music:

We were once compared as a cross between Sunny Day Real Estate and Genesis.

Favorite local bands:

Brazos, Balmorhea, The Eastern Sea, Magnifico, The Strange Boys, Mike and the Moonpies, Spoon, Octopus Project, Royal Forest, Wiretree.

Favorite local venue:

Mohawk

Upcoming shows scheduled:

Red River on the Rocks at Mohawk 8/28

Shows over the next month that you’re excited to see:

Twin Sister 8/23, Efterklang 9/24, Guided by Voices 9/30. School of Seven Bells (10/9)

Some of your favorite albums from the past year:

The National High Violet, Yeaysayer Odd Blood, The Heligoats Goodness Gracious, Young Man Boy, Phantogram Eyelid Movies, Beach House Teen Dream, Cults Cults 7″, Brazos Phosphorescent Blues, Arcade Fire Suburbs, Efterklang Magic Chairs, Twin Sister Color Your Life.

Ideal band (past or present) to open for on a national tour:

ha, umm…Spoon, The National

Austin Sound questions:

Looking back, what would you say is the story of The Story Of?

It was a story of good friends sharing lives and making music.

If “all the young will die here”, how are they going to die?

It’s not a matter of “how” but “why.”

Song Introduction:

All The Young.

A: This song was written after talking with some teacher friends about their students . It was depressing, but we all agreed that all hope is not lost. The “shaker” in the record is actually a can of Tony Chachere’s cajun seasoning.

M: To me, the song is more about the death of the spirit… kids getting wrapped up in societal roles, becoming apathetic, losing the spark. It can be difficult to live on one’s own terms and appreciate each moment. When I think about this theme I also think of Shaw’s quote, “Youth is wasted on the young” or Yates’ poem “Sailing to Byzantium.”

Sound Off:

Memories are just patterns of movement across neurons. Some elicit emotional responses, detected by an arrhythmia in pulse. Take us in your tympanic membrane and we’ll love you ’til we die.
http://vimeo.com/melogrand

Mp3s:
All The Young
We’re Being Robbed

Websites:
www.melogrand.com
Myspace

]]> http://www.austinsound.net/2010/08/23/sound-off-melogrand/feed/ Daytrotter Setting Up Shop Full Time in Austin http://www.austinsound.net/2010/08/19/daytrotter-setting-up-shop-full-time-in-austin/ http://www.austinsound.net/2010/08/19/daytrotter-setting-up-shop-full-time-in-austin/#comments Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:57:27 +0000 Austin Sound http://www.austinsound.net/?p=3346 This week's Chronicle reports that Daytrotter, the popular site based out of Rock Island, Illinois that has made a name for itself over the past 5 years by offering unique recording sessions with a who's who of indie's most popular acts, will be branching out to Austin. The site has partnered with local studio Big Orange to start recording Daytrotter Sessions there full time, helmed by TV Torso's Matt Oliver. Daytrotter has been using Big Orange during SXSW since 2007, but having them set up full time down here is a huge win, both for Daytrotter and Austin's indie bands. The site has always had its ear close to the ground when it comes to the Austin music scene, continually tapping up-and-coming ATX bands to do sessions, but recording out of Big Orange full time will allow them to also take advantage of the bands rolling through town on tour, rather than, say, trying to convince them to go out of their way to Rock Island! Daytrotter is currently hitting over 100,000 unique visitors a month, so that's a nice little bit of attention to bring to the table. Plus, given their horse logo, what better place to set up shop than a studio right next to urban stables!!]]>

This week’s Chronicle reports that Daytrotter, the popular site based out of Rock Island, Illinois that has made a name for itself over the past 5 years by offering unique recording sessions with a who’s who of indie’s most popular acts, will be branching out to Austin. The site has partnered with local studio Big Orange to start recording Daytrotter Sessions there full time, helmed by TV Torso’s Matt Oliver. Daytrotter has been using Big Orange during SXSW since 2007, but having them set up full time down here is a huge win, both for Daytrotter and Austin’s indie bands. The site has always had its ear close to the ground when it comes to the Austin music scene, continually tapping up-and-coming ATX bands to do sessions, but recording out of Big Orange full time will allow them to also take advantage of the bands rolling through town on tour, rather than, say, trying to convince them to go out of their way to Rock Island! Daytrotter is currently hitting over 100,000 unique visitors a month, so that’s a nice little bit of attention to bring to the table. Plus, given their horse logo, what better place to set up shop than a studio right next to urban stables!!

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