Ha Ha Tonka - All With You

Tonight I'm telling secrets
You already knew
I know I'm gonna show off
That's just what I do
And I just might, I just might
Be able to prove I wanna see it all
Ah, with you

I can read the stories that surround your eyes
I love it when you smile, how they come alive
Tonight I want to climb up beyond the past and view
I want to see it all with you

Their label puts Ha Ha Tonka in the "Nouveau South" category, which makes it slightly difficult for me to admit I enjoy them, but it's true (along with *some* songs by the recommended artists below). Yes, I have a knee-jerk aversion to country... but not to wry folk-wisdom and heartfelt hooks. I didn't squeeze them into my SX week but they're playing in Brooklyn while Keith & I are in NYC this June. Can't pass up the opportunity to say I'd rather see it all with you, babe. (Two days left apart!)

RIYL: Fleet Foxes, The Head and the Heart, Apache Relay

Upcoming Shows

Braves - Seapunk

There's nothing but monsters at the bottom of the sea, 
There's nothing in the waves I'm convinced that I need, 
I tried to, 
But I'm not going to the beach, 
I tried to, 
You'll have to swim without me

When I was a child there was a shark inside my dreams, 
He ate everyone and now there's only just me, 
And I'm nervous, 
Cause i've got nothing left to feed him, 
I'm nervous, 
I don't want bites out of me

But what if all my friends wanna go to the beach? 
Wanna go to the beach? 
I'll just stay in the sun, 
I'll be fine on my own 

How about a song from a lo-fi garage-surf-punk band from Perth for your Friday? (Inadvertent almost tongue-twister: bonus.) Seapunk is the title track from their most recent EP (hope there's new music coming soon!)

RIYL: Wavves, Cloud Nothings, Surfer Blood, Beach Slang

Upcoming Shows

Real Estate - Darling

The black and yellow finches
That nest in knotted ferns
Which hang upon our front porch
Wait for the warm sun to return

Impatiently, as I wait for you
Impatiently, as I wait for you

That night surrenders swiftly
The moon retreats from sight
The darkness that surrounds me
The sun cuts like a knife to shine

Impatiently
Impatiently

The birds singing
The sun rising
Impatiently
As I wait for you
For you, for you, for you
 

These guys have been on my radar for a few years (notably on TMIS last summer) so I've really enjoyed hearing this new single getting air time on Alt Nation. The lyrics are striking me at just the right time for a re-post of this artist, as I am both impatiently waiting for Keith to get back from Oz (a week or so to go), and also no longer having to wait to see Real Estate live (they will be performing at least 6 times this week during SXSW). 

RIYL: DIIV, The Feelies, Wild Nothing

Upcoming Shows

The Vryll Society - A Perfect Rhythm

This is what you want
Once you believe
Once you believe
This is what you see
Why won't you see?
Why won't you see?

I know next to nothing (yet) about The Vryll Society, but the couple tracks I've listened to are pretty great. "A Perfect Rhythm" seems a good representative of their work, which is atmospheric, groovy, and well put together.

RIYL: Circa Survive, Pinback, The Dear Hunter

Upcoming Shows

The Chain Gang 0f 1974 - Sleepwalking

Maybe we're just sleepwalking
Maybe we're just sleepwalking
Visions of better times
Kingdoms and lilac wine
Why did God fail
To improve us
Teardrops of acid rain
Burning down through my veins
Can't I just sleep for now
Now
Despite my fears
I dance for you
And did what others knew

Kamtin Mohager says this was the first song he recorded for the 2014 (first major studio) album for Chain Gang of 1974, Daydream Forever, but the people behind Grand Theft Auto V approached him around the same time and he was stoked to have this new song be such a big part of that release. Cool story, and cool that he's having continued success with that big bump in exposure. I was excited to see his band perform at SXSW this year, hopefully! (Though announced, I can't find them on the schedule?!?) Also, had to pick this song for today's Most Important because I'm dealing with the sleepwalking-effect of jet lag having returned to the U.S. last night. I just love it when I can pick out a song title or lyric that's on the nose. Such a nerd.

RIYL: M83, Neon Indian, St. Lucia

Upcoming Shows