Saturday, August 28, 2010

Rabbits and Pirates

One of the things I enjoyed watching and listening to this week is a live set in San Francisco from Scottish band, Frightened Rabbit. They've developed a steady, growing following for their passionate, emotional performances over the past 2 years in the U.S. It's not all sadness and melancholy as this relaxed set highlights the band's sense of humor especially from frontman, Scott Hutchison. The band will be returning to the states for some tour dates this fall. I'm already excited for their set at Stubb's Amphitheater in Austin on October 20th. It may seem trite or dorky but Frightened Rabbit is also a band I've enjoyed meeting ; they're a really nice and funny bunch of guys.

You can watch Frightened Rabbit's performance here : http://revision3.com/frightenedrabbit



Another thing I've enjoyed listening to this week is a set of demos from my current favorite British band, Pete and the Pirates. I'm not sure how to articulate why I like them without going into embarrassing gushing fangirl mode. All of the members are songwriters with different musical tastes which results in a cohesive yet diverse sound without being too over the place. In the "Precious Tones" EP, you have the punk flavored, Selina, followed by harmony laden, Blood From A Stone, soothing melodies in My Sun Hat, and ending with the melodic, multilayered plea of Where Did You Go.

http://petethepirates.bandcamp.com/album/precious-tones-demos


<a href="http://petethepirates.bandcamp.com/album/precious-tones-demos">Selina (Demo) by Pete &amp; The Pirates</a>

Sunday, August 15, 2010

International Waters/TV Torso/STUNTS at Emo's 8/18/2010

This is a weeknight local lineup worth checking out because International Waters and TV Torso will be celebrating their new vinyl releases. International Waters have a new 10" for the tracks Olympia/Cycle of the Chain. TV Torso have a new 12" titled Status Quo Vadis. Opening the show is new shoegaze pop band, STUNTS. If the sound of jangly, sparkling and often fuzzy guitars makes you swoon, then this is the local bill for you.

http://do512.com/event/2010/08/18/tv-torso-with-international-waters

International Waters : http://www.internationalwaters.net/

TV Torso : http://tvtorso.bandcamp.com/album/status-quo-vadis

STUNTS : http://stunts.bandcamp.com/