Grouplove - Welcome to Your Life

Mean man, promised land
Nothing but a devil's hand
Trying to keep saying I feel okay
Telling myself this now for days
Mean man, machine man
I've been nothing but a puppets hand
But nothing ever comes
Without a change

Big Mess, the highly anticipated third album from Grouplove, was released today (September 9th)! They trickled three singles out over the past couple of months, building the excitement. Grouplove (or their label, anyway) picked well, as "Welcome to Your Life", with just 6 weeks of airplay, made it onto Alt Nation's Top 18 Songs of Summer, and today it adds the gravitas of being featured on TMIS. Ha. Their Big Mess World Tour is making two stops in Austin later this fall, by popular demand. 

Upcoming Shows

Twin River - Antony

Well I hear you say that you're ok
And I don't wanna lie to you, say that you're gone
And it feels like we took off the wrong way
And I can't find the right way to tell you I'm wrong

Vancouver band Twin River has hit on some of my favorite musical notes with "Antony". It's got gorgeous and ethereal vocals that flow beautifully over a perfectly harmonious guitar and bass combo that reminds me quite a bit of The War on Drugs. Their latest album, Passing Shade, is more of the same and well worth a listen if you're into dreamy garage pop.

Upcoming Shows

Knox Hamilton - Washed Up Together

Just one look at you
I saw the truth
Just one look at you
And I crashed into
Mad love washed up
Young blood washed up

Do what you want
I'll pull my punches
Say what you want
Louder than any sound
Feel what you feel
I'll do no better than you
All my life
Be what you want
If it makes you happy
Go where you want
I'll turn the ship around
Feel what you feel
I'll do no better than you
All my life

This new single from Little Rocks' Knox Hamilton has the potential to be an even bigger hit than "Work It Out" was: Equally catchy but with the added bonus of being tweeted about by Katy Perry.  I missed them when they came through Austin last year, but here's hoping they'll be back again soon.

Upcoming Shows

Blowout - Cents Cents Money Money

Cut it out, I can’t be the one you want me to
because I’m nothing like you
And we’ll go on and on and on again, on and on
You might as well say “Bah bah bah bah bah” 
You’ve been talking, I just want to go home
My words mean nothing to you when you’re dressed like that
Maybe I’ll get a job someday, 
maybe I’ll find the words to say
Maybe I’ll get a job someday, 
maybe I’ll stop by
Maybe I won’t smoke as much or
drink as much or give a fuck
Oh no, and I, I’m not just like your type

Blowout is (are? is? Haha.) awesome. Their album No Beer, No Dad hooked me right away. It's got a polished (in a good way) yet raw and energetic sound that strikes a perfectly endearing balance. I bet they're also great live.

Upcoming Shows

RINSE - Lude Jaw

Wanted it all
Well I want it all
I’m feeling the moods changing more
What’s that all about?
It’s finding the time
To give it a try
I’m hoping that you can change your mind
Or live with a lie

If that what it is
It’s under my skin
I’m watching you run around in love
But not out with him
And I can’t get it right
So I won’t get involved
I can’t be the wall, I hold your hand
That’s where I belong

I accidentally discovered another Australian band (this one shoegazers from Brisbane) that I wish I could see live but they're still too small and unknown to get to me anytime soon. (It's a little comical at this point, when I go to research the band behind the song I like and find out they are from Oz. I swear it's not on purpose, there's just way too many of them to only post when Keith is down under.) Anyway, searching for info on RINSE only links to a neglected Facebook page and a semi-active Twitter account, from which I glean the blokes have moved to England where they have quite a few more gigs than before, so keep grinding boys! 

Upcoming Shows