Results tagged “shearwater”

When at a loss in descriptive powers, resort to metaphor: if bands were wines, Shearwater would be a French Chardonnay. Their sound is rich yet delicate, smooth and fleshy, packing tightly layered elements that offer to the palate lush sonic fruits with a proud, metallic Old World austerity. It's easy to imagine Shearwater's Jonathan Meiburg in monk's robes tending to ancient vines. But luckily for audiophiles, he's currently tending to a new release instead- The Golden Archipelago, due out early next year. (Fun Fun Fun Fest attendees just may be treated to a sample pour, if you will.) Jonathan was gracious enough to take time out to answer a few of our questions and whet our palate.

Rep. Nasishat 'steps in' KUT controversy.

Tickets go on sale today at the brand new Fun Fun Fun Fest Web site. For two weeks, early birds can get a weekend pass for $67.50 or a PIP (Pretty Important Person) pass for $135.

Fun Fun Fun Fest has confirmed four more bands to this year's lineup, including Yeasayer, Kid Sister, DRI and Vega. This is in addition to already-confirmed performers Atlas Sound, Death, Red Sparowes, WHY?, Broadcast, Lucero, Les Savy Fav, GZA (performing Liquid Swords), HEALTH, Jesus Lizard, Melt Banana, 7 Seconds, King Khan & BBQ Show, Shearwater and Todd Barry. More leaks expected very soon.

In the early 70s, brothers David, Bobby and Dannis Hackney started a band in their Detroit garage. Fed by a healthy rotation of Alice Cooper, the Stooges and Black Sabbath, the trio recorded a demo under the moniker of DEATH. The demo saw a bit of radio play, and eventually caught the attention of Clive Davis of Columbia records.

Jonathan Meiburg’s pristine voice makes incantations out of lyrics. With its disciplined swells and polished weight, Shearwater taps an almost medieval resonance, seemingly without anachronism. If you are thinking of going green but just haven’t found the energy, there is plenty of inspiration here.

Shearwater opened for Neko Case as she kicked off her Middle Cyclone tour at Stubb's last night. Photos courtesy Chad Wadsworth.

It seems like everyone is in love with Neko Case. The cluttered halls of the 'net feature her portrait in gilded frame every few feet, and not simply because she's promoting her new album Middle Cyclone. She's an obsession. From the print editions of NME to Rolling Stone and all blogs north.

There's not a lack of things to do tonight in Austin, but we'd be remiss to overlook our local darlings in Shearwater. After a busy 2008 touring the U.S. and abroad to support their latest Matador release, Rook (along with a jaunt opening for Coldplay), the ornithologically-obsessed Meiburg & Co. perch (sorry, couldn't help it) on the outside stage tonight at the Mohawk.

This winter, Austinist wanted to take some time to check in with some of our favorite local performers, artists and musicians to see what they enjoyed in 2008. Our request was simple: give us a few things that you enjoyed listening to this year, and feel free to include releases that might not have been released in 2008, but that found their way onto your turntable anyhow. We'll be sharing our own list too, but be patient and hear what some of our favorite folks thought was worthwhile in '08.

The new Riverboat Gamblers album, Underneath the Owl, doesn't come out until March 2009, but SPIN is offering a free download of the single, "A Choppy, Yet Sincere Apology."

As you might already know, Zilker Park's Dinoland opened last weekend. What you might not have known is that Ghostland Observatory is a "Hadrosaurus Sponsor," meaning they contributed at least $10,000 to the exhibit.

Shearwater sure has built themselves a little sea swell of fanhood and critical approval these past few months, and it's no surprise. Since frontman Jonathan Meiburg—the man with the super-big voice—made the executive decision that his days in established local faves Okkervil River had to end, the added focus on Shearwater has allowed the band to release a widely-praised LP, Rooks, not to mention tour the country like bandits. By making music that is not even remotely afraid of the dramatic, Meiburg, along with Kimberly Burke and the Austin ever-present personality Thor Harris, has drawn fawning comparisons to eighties pillars of profundity Talk Talk, and have made sure that they are a band to be reckoned with, not only on album but with their big-sound live shows.

Preview Okkervil River's new album, The Stand Ins, at their MySpace, where you can listen to "Lost Coastlines."

As ever, the Daytrotter.com crew acknowledges all Austin has to offer in the way of incredible music. This week, they're featuring a session by Bill Baird's {{{Sunset}}}, featuring an unreleased tune called "Loveshines, Part II".

One of our favorite post-rock acts here in town, My Education, have a new album called Bad Vibrations. Until our review, get a sampling over at NPR Music, where the band is featured on Second Stage.

On this day in music history, David Bowie released the "Space Oddity" single to coincide with humankind's first lunar landing. And now, onward! Here's your Midweek Show Jumpstart:

Shearwater weren’t what you’d call a secret, but the acclaim and attention that they’ve somehow ducked for years has finally caught up with them, thank god. Their musical direction over the years has evolved and twisted, moving from hushed and occasionally melodramatic folk on their first record and snuggly pushing into the more artful and strange world of operatic-pop where we find them now, for their first proper full-length for Matador entitled Rook and their fifth album in all.

This week's band to watch is The M's and their Real Close Ones long-player, out today on Polyvinyl. The Chicago-based quartet's retro psych is garnering lots of attention, and this release is most likely the gate-crasher. Also out this week are Fleet Foxes' self-titled record and Shearwater's Rook (Matador), please check back with us later in the week for reviews.

Last Thursday at the Parish Room, Shearwater gifted their attentive audience a very special performance, showcasing their new record (Rook, out tomorrow) in its entirety. Supported by a small woodwind and string section as well as the album's studio harpist, Elaine Barber, the band soared through the record's highs and lows effortlessly. Jonathan Meiburg's voice brought the room to a hushed awe, ranging between vulnerable insistence ("I Was a Cloud") and emotional volatility ("Leviathan, Bound"). After a short break, a reduced ensemble rejoined for a second set full of archive material, pulling from 2006's Palo Santo for a grittier ending to the night's performance.

For almost ten years, Shearwater have made huge strides as a progressive folk project that began with sparse, humble origins which has since blossomed into something altogether more intense and uplifting. They’ve also made Austin proud through a continued career of challenging and strikingly original material, not to mention the fact that they've given the seabird that inspired their name some much-needed attention.

Matador Records will release Shearwater’s fifth LP Rook on June 3rd but that isn't the only recent good news regarding the eclectic Austin act. The band is scheduled to play a number of cities in May including a couple of very special shows in New York and Austin. The New York gig on May 5th at the Florence Gould Hall kicks off the tour before the band makes its way back to Austin for a night at The Parish on the 29th. Both shows will feature a complete performance of Rook with accompanying strings, woodwinds, trumpets, and harp for our listening pleasure. Of course, some older material can be expected as well. You can read the official Matador Records press release here and buy tickets for the Austin concert here. The ticket price of $15.50 seems to be a steal for this exceptional event. And that’s not all -- a limited 7" that includes a cover of Talk Talk’s “The Rainbow” will be available at both shows. Bonus round!

Austinist & Gothamist's day party is today, at the Mohawk (912 Red River). The party kicks off around 11 a.m., and the day ends at 6, but not before Shout Out Louds, Shearwater, Liam Finn and Phosphorescent perform.

Austinist & Gothamist are proud to announce our SXSW day party, taking place on Wednesday, March 12 at the Mohawk. The party kicks off around 11 a.m., and the day ends at 6, but not before Shout Out Louds, Shearwater, Liam Finn and Phosphorescent perform. As usual, the party is free, open to all. See you then!

It's been a big year for local acts. Big name bands like Spoon, Iron & Wine and Okkervil River made a huge impact on the independent music scene world-wide, while up and coming acts like White Denim and Moth!Fight! captured our attention at the indie rock water cooler all year long. As rising hopes and swelling egos swept the town alongside buzz and bravado, we parted ways with bands like SOUND Team and Clap!Clap!.