Austin Sound

Bear Claw – Bear Claw (Monofonus)

Part of a series of one-sided 10” vinyl releases that the always engaging Monofonus Press is releasing, Bear Claw’s official debut offering (earlier released on cassette) is a beautiful and bittersweet pop delight. The trio’s sound sits well in Austin’s indie pop scene, more subdued than many of their contemporaries, but also envelopingly charming without dipping into saccharine treatments. Their minimal approach serves the songs well, Nigel Rainey’s vocals lending a calmly daydreamed disenchantment atop the sparse backbeats and strums and melodica, a bit like a less dramatic young Morrissey. “Needle and Thorn” clips briskly in its lovelorn weariness, with the female harmonies continually adding an effervescent touch. Similarly, “Warm Winter” could easily play alongside locals like the Lovely Sparrows, especially as the chorus swells sadly into “I’ll be a shut-in, I’ll just stay home, Hope you’re here too, Hope I’m not alone.” “Romantic Period” jangles up behind an acoustic bop and sway, while the martial beat of closer “You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby Blue” strikes with a more deliberately bitter heart that even the melodica can’t soothe. An excellent four song set that begs for more.

Though the Eastern Sea has gone through several variations in the past few years, both in lineup and sound, Matthew Hines has finally developed a quartet that gorgeously explores the contours of his songwriting. Their recently released self-titled debut EP is beautifully subtle but rich in harmonies and delicate unwinding textures, with touches of Iron and Wine or Seven Swans-era Sufjan Stevens. Yet there is also a mesmerizing force underlying the songs, hypnotic in Hines’ deft guitar work as he rolls through oblique personal narratives that suggest the Microphones and Mountain Goats. Catch the band for yourself this Friday, November 7, as they join a spectacular lineup of local bands for the Austinist sponsored Fun Fun Fun Fest pre-show at the Mohawk, including Brothers and Sisters, Foot Patrol, the Lovely Sparrows, and Leatherbag.

The dog days of summer are upon us and it’s hot outside, it’s hot inside, it’s hot everywhere! Yet still, on Friday night myself and a multitude of other indie lovin’ Austinites packed tight into the sauna that is the inside stage of Mohawk for The Eastern Sea EP release party. Why this show did not take place on the outside stage I may never know. But I suppose the heat and sweat was just one more reason the night was pretty much amazing.

Diego Olano started the show with his brother Tomas, on drums, and Jess Graves on keys, the former two familiar from their work with the Interest Kills. It was the type of music that filled up the room, not because it was loud or complex, but because it was interesting in it‘s simplicity.