Austin Sound

Whether because of the rise in downloading or an appreciation for the artform, there has been a surge of singles recently, which we fully support, especially when it comes on vinyl. In hopes of helping restore the single to its due position of respect, we thought we would offer these recent releases as proof of the form’s viability and importance, whether it be 7″, 10″ or CDS.

1/12/07
Bill Callahan, who has confused promo folks all fall with whether to book him as Smog or Callahan, has finally decided to just officially drop the moniker. With his new album Woke on a Whaleheart, scheduled for release April 17th on Drag City, the artist formerly know as Smog (nee (Smog)), will embrace his birthright, though the exact reason behind the name change hasn’t been mentioned. We’re actually more curious about who’s responsible for the name of that album! Smacks of Newsomness if you ask us.

In fact, the tracklist gave us a little concern as well:

01 From the Rivers to the Ocean
02 Footprints
03 Diamond Dancer
04 Sycamore
05 The Wheel
06 Honeymoon Child
07 Day
08 Night
09 A Man Needs a Woman or…

12/18/06
Since opening its doors at the end of summer, the Mohawk has certainly lived up to its dedication to the community. Not only have they put together some of the best local lineups in town (and always for low cover!), they have also lent their support to any number of causes in town. This Saturday the 23, they’re helping host a show to benefit Safeplace and Capital Area Food Bank. After costs, all proceeds from the event will go to support these causes.

Among the performers on board are Bill Callahan (though we’re not exactly sure what differentiates a Callahan performance from a Smog performance), Shearwater, and Brian Sookram and the Weird Weeds’ Nick Hennies. Other acts and events are in the works as well, but really, with a roster like that and the money going to such worthy organizations, what more can you ask for?

photo by Joanna Newsom

9/18/06
The Parish has just announced a last minute show with Smog and Joanna Newsom tonight. Doors open at 9, the show starts at 10, and the cover is going to be somewhere between $8 - $12. The two teamed up a couple of weeks ago for Callahan’s set at the Cactus Cafe, but this show is apparently a last minute and until now unreported performance.

At the Cactus show, Newsom played through the entire Smog set contributing keys. For the Parish show, however, Newsom will be opening with an entire set of her own, with harp in tow. Smog will follow and hopefully will feature Newsom playing with Callahan as well.

Newsom’s latest album, Ys, will be released this November 14th, and contains 5 songs of epic length. Van Dyke Parks and Jim O’Rourke helped out with arrangements for the songs while Callahan even offers up some backing vocals on “Only Skin.” Hopefully we’ll get a little taste tonight at the Parish. For a taste of the album, you can find the track “Emily” over at the blog Both Sides of the Mouth.

Interview conducted in conjuction with the Daily Texan. Read the article here.

Bill Callahan (aka Smog) is a man of few words - cryptic, poetic. But moving to Austin on the heels of last year’s A River Ain’t Too Much To Love, the songwriter seems to have discovered lighter shades to his characteristic intensity, and perhaps even opened up a bit. Callahan was gracious enough to answer a few questions from us by email (he rarely does live interviews) about his move here to Austin, his songwriting, and dying art of the written letter. Smog performs Tuesday September 5 at the Cactus Cafe with Howling Hex.

photo by Joanna Newsom

Bill Callahan’s musical persona, Smog, is a fitting moniker, for his songs are often occluded and dark, obscuring a depth that is not so much seen or heard as it is felt. On stage, Callahan draws out his songs with a steadfast intensity, words dripping from the corner of his mouth in a caustic delivery. The understated and repetitive lyrics resonate like a lost voice from the wells of your consciousness, speaking with an otherworldly alienation that is yet deeply personal.

Callahan’s songs seem to linger obsessively in a restrained drudging of repressed memory and feeling. Yet for all his characteristic intensity, there is a reflective stoicism that envelopes his inhibited style, especially on his latest album A River Ain’t Too Much To Love.