Austin! Welcome to the weekend! One of my favorite aspects of this article series is the pure discovery. I have my favorite ATX artists, but scratching around in the underground for cool new sounds is what makes this less a promotional device and more a musical expedition.
This weekend I bring you three wonderful finds: a smooth yet funky soul/jazz/funk act, screaming shoegaze, and minimalist goth rock in the vein of Nick Cave and The Velvet Underground. In a city full of fun surprises, there are a hundred reasons to listen local!
Friday, Aug. 9
The Selfless Lovers w/Honey Made, Buenos Diaz
@ Mohawk Indoor (912 Red River) – 8 p.m. – Tickets
By blending jazz-inspired keys and guitar with an old school groove, The Selfless Lovers has a unique sound that generates genuine boogie and legit funk. Lead vocalist/keyboardist/sax player Nik Parr injects a mountain of soul and rock-a-blues boogie into the band’s smoothed out sound.
Choice tracks include the rocking “Back Home” and “Do It Right,” an upbeat jammer that would sound at home on a Lagoons record. A fun band that promises a rollicking good time at Mohawk this Friday.
Saturday, Aug. 10
Moist Flesh w/Yellow Rose
@ Hard Luck Lounge (3526 E. 7th) – 7 p.m. – Facebook event
While I admit I had to ensure Safe Search was on when looking up Moist Flesh on Google, I’m happy I went through the extra trouble. With a sound that’s as entrancing as it is moribund and ominous, this ATX three-piece is a fascinating expression of musical minimalism.
Guitarist Johnny Hilbun’s surreal low key vocals hover over simplistic percussion, to create an unsettling yet intoxicating mood. A brand new discovery I dedicated a good chunk of time listening to, Moist Flesh deserves your attention and attendance.
Glaze EP release w/Brother Sports, Emme
@ Mohawk Inside (912 Red River) – 9 p.m. – Tickets
Big, expansive, guitar-driven shoegaze makes my heart go a-flutter–and Glaze hits that sweet spot in an incredibly satisfying way. A trio playing with the power of 10, the group’s songs like “Daisy” unleash guitar fury upon a steady background of slick ’80s bass lines and Stephen McElwee’s mournful, emotion-soaked vocals.
While I haven’t been able to get my ears on the new EP, if “Daisy” is any indication, this will be a power-packed record of unbridled musical fury wrapped in a warm, fuzzy blanket.
@BillTuckerTSP wants to know:
Where will you be going for live music in Austin this weekend?
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