Four new songs from Austin artists that we can’t get enough of.
by Taylor Wallace-Riegel
Skateland: “As the Father”
UT student by day, budding Austin musician at night. What’s not to like? Our KUTX Artist of the Month was a showstopper at our Free Week show in January, mesmerising a packed house at Cheer Up Charlie’s. As the EP’s title New Wave Revivial suggests, Skateland’s music mashes the pop ambiance of Washed Out with the mood of Bauhaus and early Cure. “As the Father” also showcases Skateland’s deft ability to pivot the course of a song without dropping the vibe. You can even hear the curtain opening on the intro of the song with the trill of Disney-like songbirds. All of Skateland’s music is meant to be listened to with full range, so bust out those cans or turn up the volume. Better yet, come see him live at the Far Out Lounge on February 28th for the New Wave Revival EP release show, with Como Las Movies and 10pmtoclose (part of KUTX’s 10th Birthday Concert Series).
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Caroline Rose: “Miami”
The artwork associated with the upcoming Caroline Rose album is smoky, sultry, and marked with her trademark red, suggesting a deeper, more personal journey will be chronicled in The Art of Forgetting. The debut single does just that, centering on waking up one day to see not only the literal sun coming up over the horizon but the metaphorical one in your heart. The realization dawns that you’ve been in a fully committed relationship, yet not getting what you need in return. Once that veneer is removed, you feel like a stranger around the person who has your heart. It’s a near universal experience that builds character and empathy. But hey, part of realizing what’s happening is understanding you have the power to redirect and reclaim control.
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The John Pauls: “Same Dweller, Different Cave”
What can I say? I’m a sucker for a fuzzy little power-pop riff and 90s indie rock vocals that aren’t trying too hard to hit any notes. This song, featuring co-vocalist Philip John-Paul, is like a music dreamboat; I kind of have a crush on it. A little too off-beat and country to be power-pop, and a little too Pavement to be post-punk, the John Pauls fall in a happy place somewhere in between. The John Pauls play a free show Saturday, February 25th at Buzzmill off of Riverside Dr.
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Holy Wire: “Phantom Nhilism”
As far as groups embracing the revival of new wave and post-punk goes, Holy Wire gives many of these bands a run for their money. They’re as close to an audio time machine as you can get. If you threw this onto a playlist between Billy Idol, the Human League, and Joy Division, everyone would be trying to figure out who this group was they somehow missed 40 years ago. “Phantom Nhilism” possesses the dark, kinetic energy of an 80s teen movie about a kid finding himself on the dark streets of a big city. Or something like that.
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