Austin Sound

Minimalism is certainly an Austin standard, whether it be the simple song structures of indie bands or the one-key drone of post-rock. Austin’s Jude/Ross embrace the idea, but go minimal on the orchestration rather than on refinement or talent. With their eponymous full length, the band jogs through 10 pop tunes at record pace, dipping their toes into puddles of rock and folk/country along the way. While never breaking out of its reticent shell into anything starkly memorable, these tracks are solid enough to lend an innocuous soundtrack to a gentle summer night near the edge of the city limits.

Tonight Jude/Ross will be releasing their debut album at the Mohawk, with support from Wiretree and Sinners Repent. The eponymous LP is an excellent shot of power pop steeped in Lou Reed and the Modern Lovers, with a touch of Big Star, of course. Fronted by Michael Ross, with backing from former Tammany Hall Machine and current Leatherbag guitarist and bassist Geoff Dupree and Drew Emmons, the quartet should be ready to make a dent in Austin with the long-awaited release. The available is available now, and you can get a taste with two tracks below, the jagged drawl of “Sailor” and the quick closing burst of “Dead Everyday.”