Pond Releases “Beard, Wives and Denim”; Announces US Tour

Artist: Pond
Album: “Beard, Wives, Denim”
Release Date: March 6, 2012
Hails From: Australia
RIYL: Tame Impala, 70’s tinged psych rock
Featured Track: “Moth Wings”

One of my more anticipated albums of 2012,  the lastest release by Australian group Pond features two members of Tame Impala‘s touring band, Nick Allbrook and Jay Watson, and a lot of that Tame Impala- esque psych rock goodness you’ve come to know and love. They’ve just announced an extensive US Tour and will be announcing SXSW show dates soon! Stream the new album in it’s entirety on Hype Machine now.

POND US TOUR DATES

Sun March 11th || Fitzgerald’s || Houston, TX
Sun March 18th || Low Key Arts || Hot Springs, AR
Mon March 19th || Grimey’s Record Store || Nashville, TN (in-store show)
Tues March 20th || Johnny Brenda’s || Philadelphia, PA
Wed March 21st || Bowery Ballroom || New York, NY
Thurs March 22nd || Brighton Music Hall || Boston, MA
Fri March 23rd || Casa Del Popolo || Montreal, QC
Sat March 24th || Café Dekcuf || Ottowa, ON
Sun March 25th || The Drake Hotel || Toronto, ON
Tues March 27th || Lincoln Hall || Chicago, IL
Wed March 28th || Taylor University || Upland, IN
Fri March 30th || Cactus Club || Milwaukee, WI
Sat March 31st || The Maintenance Shop || Ames, IA
Mon April 2nd || 7th Street Entry || Minneapolis, MN
Wed April 4th || A Club || Spokane, WA
Thurs April 5th || Sunset Tavern || Seattle, WA
Fri April 6th || The Biltmore Cabaret || Vancouver, BC
Sat April 7th || Jinx Art Space || Bellingham, WA
Sun April 8th || Squeak & Squawk Music || Tacoma, WA
Mon April 9th || Mississippi Studios || Portland, OR
Wed April 11th || Rickshaw Stop || San Francisco, CA
Fri April 13th || The Echo || Los Angeles, CA

Polarsets – “Sunset”

Artist: Polarsets
Album: Morning
Hails From: Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
Featured Track: “Sunset”

This is exactly the kind of band you need 8 hours into your SXSW schedule when you need a serious jolt of energy. Luckily the Newcastle trio will be making the journey to Austin this year, appearing at several showcases and previewing new material off their forthcoming ‘Tropics EP’ due out in May.

16/03/12 – Sea Now Party, venue tbc
16/03/12 – Neon Gold party, Karma Lounge
17/03/12 – Northern Party, Latitude 30
17/03/12 – Filter Party, Bar 96

SXSW Pick: Boy + Bear

Artist: Boy+Bear
Album: Debut LP Forthcoming
Homeland: Australia
Track: “Mexican Mavis”

I sound like a broken record but I’ll say it again…Australia is where it’s at. Boy & Bear is another Australian band bound for Austin that’s sure to make some waves. Especially after being hand picked by groups like Mumford & Sons, Laura Marling and Angus & Julia Stone to support their tours.Their EP With Emperor Antarctica is out now and a forthcoming debut full length album is in the works.

SXSW SHOWS:
3/16/11 @ Lamberts (C3 party) 3:20 pm
3/17/11 @ Klub Krucial (Communion/Chess Club showcase) time TBA
3/18/11 @ Buffalo Billiards (Billboard) 8 pm
3/ 19/ 11@ Maggie Mae s Rooftop (Aussie BBQ) 12:35 pm

SXSW Pick :: Bare Wires – “Family Heat”

Vodpod videos no longer available.

Make way for Oakland-based Bare Wires, one of my favorite local garage pop bands. SXSW-goers, be sure to check out one of their shows.

MAR 15: The Scoot Inn 7:00 PM
MAR 16: Beerland 7:00 PM
MAR 16: Spider House 7:30 PM
MAR 17: Red 7 – Panache Showcase – 7:00 PM
MAR 17: The Spider House – Burger City Party ! 10:00 PM
MAR 18: CMR TYZ Party- 7:00 PM
MAR 20: Beerland – Panache Hangover Party 7:00 PM

James Vincent McMorrow – “If I Had A Boat”

Artist: James Vincent McMorrow
Album: “Early In The Morning”
Release Date: Jan 25, 2011
Featured Track: “If I Had A Boat”

When it comes to singer/songwriters my reactions are pretty binary. They either bore me to tears or move me to tears. The debut release James Vincent McMorrow creeps into the latter category. Especially this song. Like Justin Vernon of Bon Iver, he’s got that special something. A kind of soulful wistfulness you just want to wrap yourself up and get lost in. His new album, “Early In The Morning”, just released last week. He too will be on the line up for SXSW.

Alexander Ebert – “Truth”

Artist: Alexander Ebert
Album: Alexander
Release Date: March 1, 2011
Featured Track: “Truth”

You know that band Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros? Yeah, you might have heard of them. Well, Alexander Ebert – the lead singer for that band – is about to release his debut solo album featuring ten lovely tunes he wrote and composed entirely himself. Such a crafty and talented fella. And from what I’ve heard I quite prefer his solo work. He sorta has that Andrew Bird quality that is hard to resist. But Edward Sharpe fans, do not fret. Alexander has not defected. He will be back in the studio to finish recording the second LP for the band due out later this year. Look for him at SWSW this year.