indie rock

Case CockrellLive MusicPreview

Live music preview: Seven bands to see at Hot Summer Nights July 18-20

Hot Summer Nights in the Red River Cultural District in Austin, is yet another RRCD-sponsored event that features countless local artists performing across the downtown area. Each showcase will not charge a cover at the door, meaning dozens of free showcases akin to the annual Free Week, which takes place the first week of each January. Hot Summer Nights will take place July 18 – July 20 and will feature over 140 acts from all over Austin and surrounding areas.

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Greg AckermanLive MusicPreview

Live music preview: Local acts play SIMS Saturday this weekend at Love Wheel Records

This Saturday, June 29 Jeremiah Jackson, Et Ceteras and Psychic Seatbelt (solo) play SIMS Saturday at Love Wheel Records 4-7 p.m. The performances are free. You can RSVP here. The quarterly event benefits SIMS Foundation, the mental health organization that supports local music industry workers and their dependent family members with mental health and recovery services.

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Case CockrellReviewSong

Song Review: The Cuckoos reveal eclectic new track Dirty Pictures

Kenneth Frost has proven to be a hometown prolific mastermind. Since performing as a part of Grandmaster, Sexpop, and his brainchild band, The Cuckoos, it’s mind-boggling to wonder how the Austin musician manages his time. On new track “Dirty Pictures,” Frost shows that his musical staying power is here to stay in the Austin scene. The band’s sound takes an eclectic route, showing touches of funk, soul, psychedelic rock, and the roots of classic rock. 

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Greg AckermanLive MusicReview

Live music review: Kilby Block Party days two and three featured LCD Soundsystem, The Postal Service with Jenny Lewis

The fifth Kilby Block Party celebrating 25 years of Salt Lake City’s most beloved DIY venue, Kilby Court was as good as billed last weekend as the upstart music festival concluded days two and three with standout performances not only by headliners LCD Soundsystem and The Postal Service with Jenny Lewis but scene-stealing sets by Belle and Sebastian,  CSS, Pond and Santigold. Not since Austin’s Fun Fun Fun Fest has there been a mid-tier sized festival as well run, booked and executed.

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Greg AckermanLive MusicReview

Live music review: Kilby Block Party on day one featured Vampire Weekend and a host of gifted female performers

In Salt Lake City one of the most beloved and revered music venues is Kilby Court, the tiny, DIY performance space for which the Kilby Block Party music festival is named. Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the legendary club, organizers and venue operators, S&S Presents are also marking the fifth year of the festival with another stellar lineup that attracted fans from all over the country to the Utah State Fairpark for what is turning out to be an incredible weekend of musical performances. Friday’s lineup included Vampire Weekend and a host of gifted female performers including; Joanna Newsome, Courtney Barnett, Alvvays and Blondshell among others.

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Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music review: Eclectic Austin Psych Fest returned to Far Out Lounge last weekend

The Spring installment of Austin Psych Fest returned last weekend to the Far Out Lounge & Stage for a three-day, two-stage, no-overlap experience that brought over 30 acts to Texas for an eclectic weekend of music from all across the trippy psychedelic spectrum. Event organizers, Levitation was, in part founded by local psych rock revivalists, The Black Angels, but the local organization has become much more over the years.

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Case CockrellLive MusicPreview

Live music preview: Seven more acts to see at Austin Psych Fest this weekend

The second edition of the revived Austin Psych Fest is coming up fast. With an all-star lineup from all over the psychedelic and indie rock spectrum, different acts from all over the world will make their way to South Austin at Far Out Lounge & Stage’s massive backyard for a two-stage, no-overlap, three-day rock and roll shindig. With more than 25 artists performing over the weekend of April 26-l28, there will be no shortage of music to discover while including Levitation mainstays such as festival founders, The Black Angels, West Coast psych punk berserkers Frankie & The Witch Fingers, Aussie shredders Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, and more. Here are seven more acts The Cosmic Clash team has handpicked as must-sees for the end-of-April festivities. Tickets and set times can be found via the Levitation website here. 

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AlbumDaniel SalasReview

Album review: Semihelix has a new seven inch EP out that will revive your faith in indie music

Rock music is doing just fine thanks to artists like Semihelix. Based in Austin, Semihelix play a mix of American indie underground of the 80s with a smidge of C86 jangle-pop with their chiming guitars, driving bass lines and dreamy vocals. Semihelix has been in the scene over 12 years comprising of mastermind and founding member Geannie Friedman on guitar and vocals, along with long standing comrades Mike Cota on bass and Valdermar Barrera on drums. This solid EP release comes with three bangers; “Slower Pace,” “Renovate” and “Downstream” released on Strawberry Pancake Records.

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