Austin Sound

We thought this idea was pretty interesting, a nice intersection of Austin’s arts community. There is, of course, more culture in Austin than can possibly be taken in completely, and we inevitably feel a bit guilty about neglecting all the other awesome events in favor of going to see music. We’re not going to stop going to shows, so thank goodness we can now expand our horizons thanks to Debutantes & Vagabonds and Double Stereo Productions, who are putting on this weekend’s “Are You Alive” at the Long Center.

As our so-called winter quickly turns into a short-lived spring, we wanted to catch up on a batch of recent local EPs that certainly deserve attention. Wine and Revolution deliver their debut effort with the noble 6 track Edward the Magneficent, and The Georgian Company drops their much anticipated first eponymous album. We also couldn’t overlook Leatherbag’s quick four tune disc released in February, which finds one of our favorite songwriters continuing to delve deeper into the classic rock and power pop archives with a new ensemble, the Pretty Tuffs. In his usual prolific fashion, he’s already working up another EP to be released soon. And finally, we revisit the geographically challenged and multiply imbalanced Wax Museum Pandemonium for their attempt to fuse their split ends into a 5 song 7″.

The Georgian Company is fairly new to the scene, but they come from distinguished pedigree, most notably members of Just Guns. Currently working on their debut EP for release next year, the band has been honing their sound into a smooth and powerful country pulse, mellow and emotive with intricate layers and excellent steel guitar. The surprisingly tight sextet (now with two added backup vocalists!) is on the shortlist of bands we’re keeping on eye on in the coming year, and you can get a taste for yourself this Thursday, November 20 as they play the Continental Club in support of previously featured sound off band San Saba County, who are releasing their new album, and the incomparable rollicking folk rock of The Black.