Austin Sound Check

Heartless Bastards may be new residents of Austin, but they’ve certainly been no stranger to the town prior to moving here. As evidence, I present with previously unseen footage of Heartless Bastards performing their song The Mountain at the 2008 Austin City Limits Music Festival.
The band has also released a fresh round of tourdates in support of their new album The Mountain, which is due out on Fat Possum this coming Tuesday, February 3. Download a free MP3 of The Mountain from the album of the same name by clicking here.

01.30.09 – Young Ave Deli – Memphis, TN *
01.31.09 – …read more

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By now I’ve recommended Tribella on this blog at least a few times, so hopefully some of you have checked them out. If not, you’ve got the perfect opportunity this Saturday, January 31st at The Peacock, when Tribella takes the stage to celebrate their debut EP release.
The all girl trio plays a mix of pop rock and new wave that is both catchy and heart-felt. Their debut EP release is one that I’ve been looking forward to for some time now. Pair that anticipation with the intimate nature of The Peacock and I predict a full house of very happy …read more

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I’ve never been a big Rachael Ray fan. She comes across as trite and insincere, not to mention the mass marketing that has resulted in her face being slapped on everything from a signature line of “EVOO” to dog food (see above).
You can imagine my dismay during the run up to SXSW 2008 when it was announced that Ms. Ray would be hosting a day party at Beauty Bar during the festival. The line-up was unexpectedly solid with The Ravonettes, Scissors for Lefty and Holy Fuck, among others. The Cringe also played the show, which ended up being the most …read more

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The Sword talked with LiveDaily, giving us more details about life on the road with Metallica.
See video of Spoon’s Britt Daniel doing a live cover of 1977 tune 1 2 X U by Wire.
Drowned In Sound asked several indie musicians what they hope for in 2009, including Jonathan Meiburg of Shearwater.

Image: Ana Wolken

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Dark art rockers Death Is Not A Joyride have released a new video for their song, Chiffon Tutu, Dancing Bear. You can view the video below in it’s entirety.
To say the video is strange would be an understatement. However, the video totally fits the aesthetic of the song and the band. Major credit goes to director Lauren LaPage for capturing the essence of Death Is Not A Joyride and Chiffon Tutu, Dancing Bear so well.
Death Is Not A Joyride is currently taking a recording hiatus and will return to the stage at SXSW in March.

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Local art rock heroes …And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead have a highly anticipated new album, Century of Self, due out February 17th and Spin Magazine has an exclusive preview.
Listen to ‘Ascending’ on Spin and let us know what you think. I’m personally digging on the vocals en español and the intricate guitarwork.
Image Courtesy Newscom

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Two of Austin’s up and coming rock bands, The Boxing Lesson and The Steps, have released impending tour dates. The Boxing Lesson will be hitting the Midwest and Southeast, while The Steps stick to a more Southern route.
Will either of these bands be in your area? Let us know if you plan on checking out some great Austin musicians while they’re out on the road.
Full tour dates are below for your perusal, as well as The Boxing Lesson’s video for Dark Side of the Moog, which is also featured on our free mixtape, Feedback Vol. 1.

The Boxing Lesson (MySpace)
Feb 4 …read more

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Guitarist, actor and new media pioneer Steven Van Zandt has been announced as a speaker for SXSW 2009.
Among his many credits, Van Zandt is a founding member of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band and host of the widely popular radio show Little Steven’s Underground Garage, as well as creating two formats on XM/Sirius (Underground Garage and Outlaw Country). You may also recognize Van Zandt from his appearances on all seven seasons of HBO’s The Sopranos.
Van Zandt is scheduled to speak before SXSW registrants on Friday, March 20th at the Austin Convention Center.
Image Courtesy Newscom

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This week is a veritable mixed bag of awesome local music for you to consume. It all starts off on Wednesday with American Graveyard, through Harlem on Thursday and a weekend filled with metal and ‘quiet’ rock alike.
Full recommendations are below for your perusal. If you happen to check out any of these shows, be sure to stop back by Austin Sound Check and let us know what you think.
Wednesday 1/28
American Graveyard @ Antone’s
Think Johnny Cash meets the Sex Pistols. Raw, gritty and good.
Thursday 1/29
Tapes n Tapes and Harlem @ The Parish
Indie rock with pop sensibility, Tapes n Tapes is …read more

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Heartless Bastards have a free MP3 of their single The Mountain available for download on RCRD LBL.
The song shares it’s name with their forthcoming album, due out February 3rd on Fat Possum. The Mountain was recorded with local producer Mike McCarthy who has also worked with the likes of Spoon and Trail of Dead.
The single is solid, as we’ve come to expect from Heartless Bastards. The pleading vocals combined with twanging guitars make for a classic blues rock sound that is simply irresistable. Download your free copy here and let us know what you think.
Image Courtesy Big Hassle

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