Release

Love Project EP

Available for Free Download

The Austin based rock trio Megafauna, founded in 2008 by guitar heroine Dani Neff is prepping their full-length follow up to their 2010 debut album Larger Than Human. Recorded in Austin by Erik Wofford (Black Angels, Explosions In The Sky, Voxtrot, White Denim..) and Rene Ogando Scratch The Latch (working title), is set for release later this summer.

“They deliver the heavy riffs while incorporating experimentation and quirk. I dig the juxtaposition of Dani Neff’s almost delicate vocals against the thunderous rhythm section and Neff’s searing guitar. There’s an ample helping of fuzzed out 90s rock in their music, which only makes me likes them more. ”
- Dan Corbin, Side One Track One (Jun 23, 2011)

Thax Douglas, Austin’s notorious rock poet who has introduced pretty much every band EVER, proclaimed Megafauna “one of the best bands on the planet.” Pretty high praise considering the man has shared stages with every band from Daniel Johnston to Destroyer. Perhaps he decided to stake his claim after hearing the opening tracks from Megafauna’s much-overdue debut CD, Larger Than Human. – Megafauna bio

The Love Project EP is available for FREE Download

Download: Love Project EP

Love Project EP

3.  Scratch at the Latch

Megafauna West Coast Tour – Touch the Lion from Jake Sam on Vimeo.

Release Video

For

“Winnipeg, Manitoba”

+

Single

Austin’s Guns Of Navarone have wrapped up their first music video for the track “Winnipeg, Manitoba” and are setting it loose on the world along with the single. The song was originally released on their debut EP Singles, and has remained such a fan favorite that the band decided it would be the right fit for their debut video. Directed by Daniel Fabelo and produced by Match Point Productions, the video presents scenes of the band performing the song and a mixed bag of characters including a rabbit, an owl, and a couple of guest vocalists.They do grown them cold up there, and yes…it snows in Texas.

Guns of Navarone: “Winnipeg, Manitoba” (Official)

While the influence of bands like Uncle Tupelo and/or The Replacements might make themselves evident in the sounds of the Austin based four piece band Guns of Navarone, the band has skillfully crafted a sound that meshes their taste while maintaining a sound uniquely their own. The outfit’s debut full-length release Prize and Battlefield demonstrates a depth of songwriting talent and range. From the guitar-driven rock anthem “Resonate” to the country-tinged, whiskey-soaked “I Bid You Farewell” Guns of Navarone cover plenty of ground, and provide something for any fan of rock-n-roll. A year in the making, Prize and Battlefield demonstrates the bands patience and desire to perfect their songs and their sound.

The “New” Boxing Lesson

New Album 

New Attitude

And

“Health Is The New Drug” Single

2012 marks the 10 year anniversary of The Boxing Lesson, a psychedelic progressive rock band started by one Paul Waclawsky in Los Angeles, a band that has been exploring the landscape of it’s genre giving it’s listeners and critics one wild ride for the past 9 years. While most might celebrate 10 years in some typical fashion, Waclawsky, Jaylinn Davidson, and most recent addition, drummer Matt Bongirno are opting to tackle 2012 as The “New” Boxing Lesson. A band with a new attitude, a newly refined rock sound, two new singles, a new album, and even a bit of a new look. You might think that you know The Boxing Lesson, but you don’t really know The Boxing Lesson..it’s time to reintroduce yourself.

The band has spent the past year developing their sound with Chris “Frenchie” Smith (…Trail of Dead, Dandy Warhols, Jet..) at his Bubble Studio in Austin, Tx. Smith’s production style and experience as a guitar player himself, has helped The Boxing Lesson hone in on their strengths as a rock-n-roll band, trading some of the psych/space rock explorations for masculine, heavier rock sounds. The previous sounds still exist, but remain in a more focused and defined context.

The first two singles from the pending full-length (title tbd) to be released in March 2012 will see vinyl 7″ release on Feb 14th. Both “Health Is The New Drug” and “Better Daze” exemplify the focus and new direction of a band that still holds its ground after 9 years of change, critical acclaim, and hardship, while refusing to bend or be broken.

from

Above The Radar Productions
Artists

If you live in Austin and are anything of a music fan, the pending FREE WEEK is one of the greatest times of the year to check out all of local artists that you have on your list to see…because it’s FREE! No excuses, just get your ass out there and bounce from venue to venue at your own leisure and see some of your favorites and some of Austin’s hottest buzz bands destined for bigger stages.

The fine folks that we work with have a few shows happening during FREE WEEK, and we hope that you can make it out. To help you sort through the tedious schedule:

Frank Smith: Recently dropped two singles from their upcoming Before You Were Born LP which sees release Jan 19th. Check out “Monsters” and “A Decline”

“While the official release of their new album, Before You Were Born, won’t hit until 2012, the band is slowly unleashing teaser tracks to build our anticipation.  This first track, which also has an accompanying VIDEO, is titled “Monsters.”  It begins with sort of a mellow dip into the autumnal/wintery quality accustomed to most indie folk, but as the chorus bursts, you’ll realize exactly why we think so highly of the group.  It’s just a blissful cascade of melody, placed perfectly in the song, creating a wonderful musical moment we hope you’ll enjoy.” – Austin Town Hall

-Tue 1/03 @ Mohawk inside show 8p.m Mike and The Moonpies + Frank Smith+ Franny and Zooey + Blind Pets + Mockingbird Loyals

Guns Of Navarone: Recently released their debut full-length titled Prize and Battlefield.

“..their simple approach to songwriting and fast paced punk-country is a welcome refresher to the often times watered down indie scene full of “weird” and “complex” bands.” -Austin Town Hall

“With Prize and Battlefield, you get exposed to something a little more raw, almost like a mix of Southern rock, pop and punk. The band also prefers to keep their songs short, driven by melody, and engaging without oversimplifying. Winning formula.” -KUT Austin Music Minute

Check out the first track from Prize and Battlefield “Gatsby Did It All For A Girl”

-Tue 1/03 @ Mohawk outside show 7:30 Crooks + Guns Of Navarone + Whiskey Shivers

-Sat 1/07 @ Scoot Inn show 10p.m.  Major Major Major + Western Ghost House + Guns Of Navarone

Residual Kid: That’s right! The Kid is back and ready to rock. The first show for Ben, Max, and Deven since the departure of Grace and they have a new attitude. Previous songs have been tweaked, new ones written, some new covers in store, and the rock turned up to 11!

-Wed 1/04 @ Antones show 9p.m.  Equals + Oh Look Out + Stereo Is A Lie + Boyfriend + Residual Kid (get there early!)

The Boxing Lesson: You probably already know the name and are familiar with the music, but 2012 is going to bring you a band that you don’t know…the “new” Boxing Lesson. Working hard for over a year on their new album with Frenchie @ The Bubble, The Boxing Lesson have a new vision, a new sound, and a new attitude…and it rocks. More about this soon….

-Wed 1/04 @ Frock On Vintage show 6p.m.  The Hi-Tones + The Boxing Lesson

-Thur 1/05 @ Swan Dive show 9p.m. The Boxing Lesson + New Roman Times + Megafauna + The Couch

-Fri 1/06 @ ND show 9p.m. The Boxing Lesson + Politics + (boy + kite) + Flemish Giant

-Sat 1/07 @ Mohawk outside show 8:30p.m. Special Guest + The Hi-Tones + The Boxing Lesson + The Midwives

It’s FREE WEEK dammit!!! Get out there and get you some FREE!!

Release 2nd Track “A Decline”

LP
+
Release Show @ Mohawk
& Upcoming Tour

The Austin based band Frank Smith is prepping the release of their 3rd full length (Big Strike in Silver City, Nineteen) since relocating to Austin a few years back, titled Before You Were Born. While the album will not see official release in 12″ vinyl format until early 2012, the band is releasing the second free track titled “A Decline” from the upcoming release. The single follows in the footsteps of the beautifully dark “Monsters” track which was accompanied by the well suited video.

Choosing to stick with previous producer/engineer Alex Lyon the band returned to the local Austin recording studio The Bubble to record Before You Were Born, while taking a different approach and recording the album live to tape with all the members in the same room. Recorded with a fresh approach, Before You Were Born is seen by the band as a new birth and direction.

While known for crafting songs suited for propping your boots up on a bar while sipping on some “misery” and wrestling with your inner demons, there’s no denying that frontman/writer Aaron Sinclair and Frank Smith are creating some of the most complex and interesting songs in the Austin scene currently. The forthcoming LP Before You Were Born will define the scope and range of a band with experience under it’s belt.