I don't love any band like I love Okkervil River . It's been well documented on various sites on the internet and, in fact, when I first moved to Illinois, I was given the nickname "Okkervil River Girl" and for good reason. The adoration I have for everyone affiliated with the band, from front man Will Sheff to former member and current Shearwater front man Jonathan Meiburg , is the kind of love that's hard to come by. If Neutral Milk Hotel was my first musical love, Okkervil [...]
Cursive frontman Tim Kasher continues his graphic storytelling on sixth album Mama, I'm Swollen, out this week on Saddle Creek. He keeps it blunt and lyrically entertaining on the Omaha group's moodiest LP yet, with song themes ranging from masturbation to tales starring Pinocchio. Kasher is guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our Q&A with him. It has [...]
Zykos , an upbeat indie five-piece from Austin Texas, put forth this new EP in the last year, a follow up to two full length LPs released since their inception in 2003. The Keep it Light EP was produced by Mike McCarthy (Spoon/Trail of Dead producer) and the band has also managed to hook up with some noteworthy artists (Okkervil River, Explosions in the Sky, The Hold Steady) in the past few years on tour. If you still aren't sure where you've possibly heard the name, you may have spied a song on Okkervil [...]
He shift now to singing about singers, bands, groupies, superfans, girls in the front row.. Oh right, girls like me... read more
Ahhhh, I get it, now this is meta: head over to Okkervil River's YouTube Channel and you'll find a series of videos of some seriously well-respected musicians play stand-in for Will Sheff as they cover songs from Okkervil River's latest album, The Stand Ins . Pretty clever, and a pretty decent roundup of talent too, as everyone from A.C. Newman to Bon Iver gets in the act here. Let's have a look.... Ola Podrida - "Calling and Not Calling My Ex" (above) [...]
The new Okkervil River album "The Stand Ins" sees release on Tuesday. Much like their previous "Black Sheep Boy Appendix" which followed "Black Sheep Boy," this new record is essentially a collection of songs that didn't make it onto last year's "The Stage Names" for one reason or another. If you're thinking of writing if off as a b-sides compilation album, you'd be sorely mistaken. I'll have my official review of that new album on Monday, but to tide you over this weekend let's have a little fun along with the band. For those who haven't been paying [...]
I've discovered a lot of great new music this summer. A season, to me, is almost a waste if I don't. I just love to find new music. I get excited about new melodies to memories, new lyrics to learn, new experiences to vicariously live through. And of course there's always the few songs you find that mean something more than music because they describe your life as you're living it at the moment that you hear it. For a while this summer, that song was Okkervil River's On Tour With Zykos. [...]
In the midst of Rolling Stone features, touring with Tapes 'n Tapes , and hitting the festival circuit , its been a while since White Denim has played an Austin show. What better homecoming than a full night of Austin's best music at the Mohawk ? We've already mentioned Brazos , as one of the best new (more like re-newed) bands out now, with their all-star band members and [...]
On June 5, Frightened Rabbit played a packed house at the Mohawk with the French Kicks and Zykos . I won't say they were THE act of the show- but I won't not say it either. These Scots put on one amazing show, and I'm sure 400 or so patrons might agree. Check it: Frightened Rabbit live from the Mohawk: I Feel Better ♥ The Greys ♥ Fast Blood ♥ The Modern Leper Completely, Absolutely, Unrelated goodness: Pink [...]
Austin, TX An upbeat confidence like bands such as Bishop Allen. "Race Rabbit" Zykos on MySpace Zykos on The Hype Machine
Thanks to Donewaiting for alerting us to that fact that the official SXSW website now comes fully equipped with bios and mp3s of many of the showcasing artists . This is generally a great way to discover new bands and to assist in planning your SXSW itinerary, and this year is no different. Here are a few of the highlights -- in alphabetical order -- after a cursory glance over the list: mp3: Black Moth Super Rainbow Sun Lips Bodies of [...]
Release Date: 02.12.08 Unearthing a hip new band in Austin has almost become sort of a cliche, as new acts tend to pop up around this town faster than a whack-a-mole, and more often than not the result is sub-par. It is, therefore, such a rare and joyful occasion when one pops up in a way that makes you want to actually give a shit. Zykos is one of these bands. Zykos makes you want to give a shit. Granted, they have been around since 2003 and have actually released two full length albums ( [...]
Here's the newest addition to that "I'm awesome" iPod playlist you've been working on. After three years of prep and touring, Texan quintet Zykos just released Keep It Light with producer Mike McCarthy (Spoon). The five song EP brilliantly exposes the band's addictive piano pop, soulful vocals, and diverse range in sound. They subscribe to an upbeat style, yet keep their music chilled back and sophisticated. Take a listen. MP3 : Zykos - Race Rabbit
![[Fun Fun Fun Fest - One Helluva Recap]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/762513_lg.jpg)
This past weekend's Fun Fun Fun Fest may not have garnered the attention (or the amount of festival-goers) as the other two fests this city is known for, but let it never be said that FFF didn't deliver itself with just as much spirit as it's two older brothers. In only it's second year, FFF has billed acts like The New Pornographers and Of Montreal bringing about a festival that not only lives up to it's name, but gives the veteran events something to look out for in the future as well. Thanks to the kind folks at [...]
01. Ford And Fitzroy - " The Weatherman's Refrain " . It opens with an Explosions In The Sky -esque single-notes guitar riff then launches in with the lyric of the fortnight (" it was filled with B-flats and with F's "). If you'd do dig this at first, let it sink into it. It crawls into my head constantly (and I love those great bass runs). " And when, when he's feeling lonely, he remembers the [...]
Austin will be well-represented at this year's SXSW festival. In addition to bands like Spoon , Ghostland Observatory , Voxtrot , et al., the fest will offer an opportune chance for out-of-towners to catch some of Austin's lesser-known (as of now, anyway) artists that we love. Here are some highlights: Sparrow House On Friday, March 16 , at SXSW, many of our favorite Austin artists will gather at the Tonewheel Collective Showcase at Progress Coffee [...]
SIRIUS & XM Radio Set To Merge, Finally? Engadet says they've been hammering out the details . I hope they keep blog radio! As long as nothing changes, you can listen to MOKB's Blog Radio show Thursday nights on SIRIUS Satellite Radio's Left Of Center, Channel 26 at 10pm EST . Remember: You can listen for free even [...]
The schedule and band showcase pages are now online right here . And just for you I've compiled a bleep load of some of the free mp3s offered by the SXSW website... this, by the way, is the first installment. There's more to come . limbeck big drag [mp3] showcase peter elkas wall of fire [mp3] showcase luke temple saturday people [mp3] showcase pop levi sugar assault me now [...]
Zykos , an Austin, Tx band, are back in 2007 with new demos. The most prominent of these has to be the new version of "Keep It Light." Much fuller and more mastered than the original, "Keep It Light" could turn out to be a beacon for Zykos' album, whenever they decide to release it. Keep an eye out for Zykos in 2007. Post-Parlo , Myspace or the Official Website (Suspended) will probably have updates when they come out of creative hiatus. Zykos | Keep It Light (2007 Demo)
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