I'm fairly certain yesterday was trying to kill me, but there was one moment where the sun shined through, and it was when I gave the new Smith Westerns track a listen. Now it's your turn, friends. The band will release their third full length, Soft Will , on June 11 via Mom + Pop (they just signed to them). Enjoy. : Smith Westerns - Varsity : Not much in 2013 has been as easy on the ears as this pop gem. I'm not sure the Smith Westerns could make an ugly song [...]
If I was at SXSW, I'd probably stick to whatever films featured the slowest, most easily understood narrative, and the biggest explosions as there'd be such much alcohol flowing through my system that just keeping my big, beautiful peepers open would be hard enough. That said, for a few of you who are interested in subject matter aside from Spicy Coke and the occasional shot of Goldschlager, I put together a list of a few of the more interesting sounding documentaries. Surprisingly, there is very little full frontal nudity lauded in any of these film's descriptions. [...]
Even though I'm a 16 year veteran of attending SXSW, I'm reluctant to do much in-depth research for fear that my head will cave in from information overload. The festival is certainly no longer limited to the latest buzz bands. I admit I'm looking forward to seeing bands that are festival veterans and maybe even a rock n' roll legend or two. I also willingly break the unofficial rule for Austinities by checking out local band showcases. I know I can see them throughout the year, but why is it so wrong to support them during SXSW? I've selected five Austin bands and five non-Austin acts worth checking out [...]
SXSW is almost here! I can tell because every band I've never heard of has suddenly decided that the one time I said some other band sounded like another band that they too probably sounded like that band that the other band that had no relation them sounded like and because of that, they should probably send me a 45-page email detailing they're sound and that they once opened up for a guy who played back-up drums for a Van Halen studio sesh. Mmmmmmm ... bitter. I won't be in the arid plains of Austin this year but [...]
I didn't realize Colleen Green had readied a new album, so receiving news of it yesterday was a pleasant surprise. Hear a track below. The new full length is titled Sock It To Me , and it's expected out on March 19 via Hardly Art . If you're in Austin, Green will be playing Hotel Vegas on April 9. Enjoy. : Colleen Green - Heavy Shit : I love Colleen because she writes songs that are thoroughly catchy. You'll see what I mean once you hit play and realize you can't decide [...]
Recently I was browsing Facebook, and I noticed that a local artist by the name of John Wesley Coleman was offering up custom songs for $10. I've been a fan of the guy for a while, so I did what any person with an extra $10 would do and I commissioned him to make a SOTO theme song. What resulted was some sort of bizarre, yet oddly catch psych tune that I really dig. Do me a favor and listen to it. : John Wesley Coleman - Side One Track One Theme : By the way, [...]
Previewing SXSW is such an odd task. It would take a year's worth of daily posts to cover just the great acts playing, and I think doing a mammoth playlist that contains every SXSW artist is a waste of time. So, today I'm keeping things clean and providing five bands that are can't miss this year, and then I'm tossing in five local acts for those of you that aren't based in Austin. Enjoy. See These 5 Bands At SXSW [...]
Today's music was crafted by tiny dancers. Enjoy. : Empress Of - Hat Trick : Lorely Rodriguez, who is the main brain behind Empress Of , had a single last year that I really liked called Don't Tell Me . This song plays smaller, but it's still a good one. I love her voice. The Systems Out EP is due April 2 on Terrible Records . : Zorch - We All Die Young : Here'a an act out of Austin that just signed to Sargent House . Even [...]
Time for your weekly movie news update! Below you’ll find a slew of sentences meant to provide a brief glimpse of what’s been going on over the past week in movieland. If something leaves you desperate for more info, then my advice is to do a little extra research on one or all of the following fantastic sites: Latino Review , Dark Horizons , Ain’t It Cool News , CHUD and/or JoBlo . Read on! Sam Raimi recently noted that he hopes to work on [...]
People are doing traditional-style reviews all over the web, so we decided to try something different. In each “breakdown” we’ll take a look at what a film’s marketing lead us to believe, how the movie actually played, and then what we learned from it all. Read on! The Impression: It feels a little bit like Pitch Perfect , but for the competitive jump-roping crowd. This, well, this leaves me baffled. The Reality: Family Weekend feels a bit like [...]
Springtime officially begins this month and we celebrate so many things, Spring Break, March Madness and for many SXSW blocks off a major portion of the calendar. In years past metal has taken a prominent role as one of the major genres at play, and this year is no exception. Though the official showcases may be a little light in the metal field, there is no shortage of the extreme to be found during the music portion of the conference. March has also been declared Metal Month by some blogger, or website or label or something, [...]
The SOTO inbox is always full of cool stuff that never gets to see the light of day on the actual site, and I’d like to change that. So, every Friday I’ll be posting the best album streams and videos that were sent my way during the week. Take a scroll and find something worth remembering. FULL ALBUM STREAMS David Bowie - The Next Day Cloud Cult - Love Caitlin Rose - The Stand-In Rhye - Woman [...]
The Black Angels have long been one of my favorite local acts. They consistently put out quality efforts, I love what they've done with the Austin Pysch Fest over the years, and I certainly appreciate how they always seem to be get louder and louder. On April 2 they'll release their fourth full length, Indigo Meadow , via Blue Horizons. Enjoy. : The Black Angels - Evil Things : I don't usually think of this band as aggressive, but this is a big, swirling rock track that clearly wants to crush anything [...]
Austin's Boy + Kite recently released a video for their first single , Think In Stereo , from their 2011 debut album , Go Fly . Its colorful, eye-catching imagery (complete with a paint filled band fight) complements their catchy indie pop hooks that are intertwined with sharp, dynamic dueling guitars and vocals from Beth Puorro and Darvin Jones. The band is also gearing up for their official SXSW showcase on March 15 at the Parish Underground, and the release of their new We Can Go Anywhere We Want [...]
Sound Samples is a SOTO feature meant to provide some insight on what inspired and/or influenced an artist’s latest release. Today’s entry comes from Austin's The Couch, who have quickly become one of the city's buzz acts. You can pick up their self titled album now (it came out late last year) here , and like them on Facebook here . The band decided to each provide a section of influences, and first up is Taylor. Taylor Wilkins's Samples [...]
Spending a couple of hours at the dentist yesterday put me in a mood to find something super pleasant, and what I ended up with was the brand new single from London's Still Corners . You're going to like it. The band will release Strange Pleasures on May 7 via Sub Pop . : Still Corners - Berlin Lovers : I love the bubbly synths here so much that the song's two and half minute runtime almost becomes a disappointment. I need more of it along side Tessa Murray's shimmering voice! Oh [...]
As the slick, overproduced country sounds of the 1980’s transitioned into the insufferable cubicle pop of the 1990’s and beyond, traditional country music was pushed to the AM radio fringes and then mostly forgotten by mainstream radio. LOST COUNTRY will take a look back at obscure and overlooked artists from country music’s heyday of the 1960’s through 1970’s. The Late, Kinda Great Johnny Darrell While the country “outlaw” moniker wasn’t formally kicked around until Willie Nelson released his Austin-recorded [...]
Today's music thinks you should get out more. Enjoy. : Bill Baird - Spring Break Of The Soul : Austin's Bill Baird is back on the scene with a double album, and I can't wait to check it out. This elaborately creative single should put you in the same mindset. Spring Break Of The Soul is due out on March 5 via Pau Wau Records . : Born Ruffians - Needle : I've been jamming this song for days. It's upbeat, refreshing, and I just can't get it out of my head. Get [...]
Time for your weekly movie news update! Below you’ll find a slew of sentences meant to provide a brief glimpse of what’s been going on over the past week in movieland. If something leaves you desperate for more info, then my advice is to do a little extra research on one or all of the following fantastic sites: Latino Review , Dark Horizons , Ain’t It Cool News , CHUD and/or JoBlo . Read on! Joe Carnahan is no longer attached to direct the remake [...]
Happy Friday! I don't know if you're excited that it's nearly the end of February, or if you're stressed that the beginning of the year seems to be going by so quickly because, well, I don't know who you are. You seem cool, though. However you're feeling today, I hope you're enjoying the moment right now, whether this mix provides you with a respite from work, or gives you a soundtrack for your day or weekend. In a too philosophical-for-me way this week, I've been contemplating the moment, and how important being present is. I ain't even [...]
Side One: Track One
![STRFKR // Atlantis [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/youtube/1EL03Pl4oL4_130.jpg)
Old Photos of Football Fans from 1900–1940
Song Diary / The Dig – Without Your Love
R.F.T.W.E. pt.2
DANCE BITCH DANCE: disclosure - when a fire starts to burn
