in the mix, vol. 1
Introducing in the mix, a new series where fields editors talk about the music that they've been enjoying lately.Our inaugural mix comes from editor in chief Sean Redmond.
BOAN
José Cota (Ssleeperhold) and Mariana Saldaña (formerly of the band //TENSE//) make up this dark dance duo whose long-awaited debut LP drops from HOLODECK today. Opener "Babylon" has a great stuttering beat, with Saldaña's cold, reverberating vocals echoing across the shimmering synths, and album standout "BOAN Acid" recaptures the slow, ecstatic unfolding of Orbital's "The Girl with the Sun in her Head." Austin folks can celebrate the album release on Friday at Cheer Up Charlie's.
THE CONEHEADS
"They sound like Dow Jones and the Industrialists on speed or a more manic Devo" - I can't describe it better than this, so I won't. Great, weird, warped punk. The LP is sold out but you can hear it here.
CHASTITY BELT
This Seattle-based four-piece has been getting some press, appearing everywhere from NPR to The New Yorker, and it's well deserved: Julia Shapiro's vocals have an intoxicating allure, and the woozy guitars are a perfect complement to her blissed-out drawl. Check out the clip for "Drone," above, which, besides having an awesome video, boasts a great Sheila Heti-inspired refrain.
I GET MYNZE
This one came out last year and the charm's worn off a little bit since then, but not much. TV punk at its finest. If listening to "Big Whup" doesn't put a big dumb grin on your face, then you should probably be listening to Chopin or something. Just kidding - I love Chopin. You have no excuse.
DALLAS ACID
Recently reformed after a long hiatus, Dallas Acid has made a triumphant return to the Austin area this year. Featuring former members of Golden Animals and Vietnam, Dallas Acid make long, beautiful, meditative pieces with synths, drums, and guitar. Yes, that is a gigantic gong you see in the picture above. Although they haven't officially released anything since 2009's full-length Odeon, you can listen to an extensive selection of their music here.