James Vincent McMorrow - Get Low

Heard you're getting married (Get low)
Everybody say it (Get low)
Greatest man alive (Get low)
I've been told (I could never show, I could never show)
Bought yourselves a diamond (Get low)
Finally getting paid (Get low)
Buying people's silence (Get low)
They're afraid (I could never show, I could never show)

A month or so ago Kerri and I saw James Vincent McMorrow at the Sydney Opera House. I don't think either of us were familiar with him. The venue, as you might expect, is amazing. It's majestic, beautiful and the sound is mind-blowing. As awesome as it was, James easily matched the spectacle and, despite some somewhat hilarious mishaps, seemed like he was right at home. I was equally impressed by his vocals, which I think he's most known for, and his ability to entertain and hold the attention of a crowd. Would love to see him again and I've had fun digging into his catalog.

RIYL: Alexi Murdoch, Bon Iver, Father John Misty, Volcano Choir

Upcoming Shows

Knox Hamilton - Pretty Way to Fight

You got a pretty way to fight
But I think I like it alright
Even on our worst night
We were bright in the right light
We know, we know

It was love at first sight
We were bright in the right light
It was love at first sight
We were bright in the right light

We know, we know
We know, we know

Knox Hamilton finally came out with their first complete album! The Heights is filled with tracks that deliver on the promises that "Work It Out" and "Washed Up Together" made. Looking forward to seeing them at the (relatively) new Austin venue, 3Ten next month. 

RIYL: Hippo Campus, COIN, WALLA, Bleachers

Upcoming Shows

Middle Kids - Edge of Town

Hey, guy, have you got something on your mind?
Tick, tock, can I take it for a while
Hey, guy, have you got something on your mind?
Tick, tock, could I take it for a while
Hey guys I got something on my mind
Tick, tock, could you take it for a while
Hey guys I got something on my mind
Tick, tock, can I take it for a while
Hey guys I got something on my mind
Tick, tock, could you take it for a while
Hey guys I got something on my mind
Tick, tock

I think I first heard Australian three piece Middle Kids a little while back on the recommendation of a Sydney-based co-worker and thought, that's not bad... and then completely forgot about them. They recently came back to me via Spotify's Discover Weekly, probably because I've been listening to a lot of Australian stuff in the last couple years. Their new, self-titled EP is remarkably good. It's well made pop-rock with a solid, smart and whimsical edge in the vein of Eisley or First Aid Kit. I expect more good things to come and hope to see them live sometime.

(I missed them at SXSW because I was in Syndey. OH THE IRONY. Heh, it's not the first time I've missed a great band where I live for being in Australia. Isnt' that right Gang of Youths?)

RIYL: Eisley, Courtney Barnett, First Aid Kit, Camp Cope

Upcoming Shows

Broken Social Scene - Halfway Home

Come right
Into the sunlight
Cause I see the cold eyes
I feel they still grow
Like it was so what
As if it's so much
All through my fallen face, end to end

There must be something in the air up in the great white north. Everyone's getting the band back together! It's been about seven years since we've heard anything new from Canadian indie super-collective Broken Social Scene and I'm liking what I'm hearing quite a lot. 

Bonus! Here's a video of them performing "Halfway Home" on Colbert. 

RIYL: The New Pornographers, Wolf Parade, The Sea and Cake, Pinback

Upcoming Shows

Florence + The Machine - Ship to Wreck

Don't touch the sleeping pills, they mess with my head,
Dredging the Great White Sharks, swimming in the bed,
And here comes a Killer Whale, to sing me to sleep,
Thrashing the covers off, it has me by its teeth.

And oh my love remind me, what was it that I said?
I can't help but pull the earth around me, to make my bed
And oh my love remind me, what was it that I did?
Did I drink too much?
Am I losing touch?
Did I build this ship to wreck?

To wreck, to wreck, to wreck,
Did I build this ship to wreck?

What's with the long face? Do you want more?
Thousands of red-eyed mice, scratching at the door,
Don't let the curtain catch you, cause you've been here before,
The chair is an island darling, you can't touch the floor

While "Dog Days" is probably the most fun Florence song to date (mandolin and clapping and triumphant chanting chorus!) I can never get over the lyrics to this dreamy tune. I'm pretty sure I attempted to karaoke "Ship to Wreck" one brave and tipsy night, and I'm pretty sure that it's a good thing I don't remember it. Florence has one of those inimitable voices - powerful, moving, a bit of lilt, hint of pain. Wish I'd caught their set at ACL a couple years back! (Darned different weekend line-ups.)

RIYL: Of Monsters and Men, Lana Del Ray, Kate Nash, Adele

Good God, under starless skies we are lost
And into the breach, we got tossed
And the water's coming in fast!

Upcoming Shows