Here are all 65 of SOTO’s 2014 Austin Essentials! Enjoy.
:Major Major Major – God Doesn’t Want Us: Throughout 2014 Major Major Major have been increasingly impressive. Their shows are a blast, and then there’s also the way the duo can’t seem to write anything that isn’t infectious. Look out for their debut full length next year. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Abram Shook – Coastal: I really love Abram Shook’s Sun Marquee. The album is one of those pop efforts that’s both wonderfully crafted and super accessible. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Tele Novella – Trouble In Paradise: Tele Novella spent much of the year further establishing themselves (singles, videos, lots of shows), and I think 2015 is now set to be a big one for them. Jump on the bandwagon now. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:The Dead Space – Behind The Wall: The Dead Space’s Faker is probably my favorite Austin album of 2014. It’s a fantastic collection of post-punk tracks. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Magna Carda – Every Weekend (Featuring Olivia Applegate): Magna Carda are no longer just one of the best hip hop acts in Austin, they’re one of the city’s best overall acts. Here soon they’re releasing an album, and I can’t wait to check it out. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Dana Falconberry – Palmless: Dana Falconberry and Jim Eno (from Spoon) crafted this song together for a Record Store Day release. I want a lot more of the same. Please. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Borrisokane – God Doesn’t Want Us (Major Major Major Cover): Borrisokane’s Versus Project (a box set that features them and a variety of guests doing covers and original tunes) is probably the most ambitious thing that popped out of Austin in 2014. Check it out if you haven’t. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Letting Up Despite Great Faults – Wrapped: Neon is the name of Letting Up Despite Great Faults’ latest (and maybe final?) album. You should pick it up just so that you can own a physical copy of this absolutely stellar song. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Summer Salt – Sweet To Me: Phil and Eugene (from the now defunct Yum) are two-thirds of Summer Salt, a retro pop act with a knack for providing rather hooky, breezy tracks. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Otis The Destroyer – You’re The Wealth: The Couch are no more, but that’s OK because some of its former members started the equally loud and glorious Otis The Destroyer. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Equals – Glistener: If you’re a fan of instrumental rock, then Equals’ Tracts is an album that you need to seek out. I’ve been jamming it for most of the year. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:BLXPLTN – Start Fires: With music that’s all at once danceable, mosh-worthy and inspired, BLXPLTN are an Austin band that has dominated in 2014. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Future Death – Basements: Future Death play like maybe there really won’t be a tomorrow, and I like that. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Genuine Leather – The Enemy: For those of you that love clever pop tunes, there’s the Genuine Leather album Losers. Snatch it up. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Phil Ajjarapu – Sing Along Until You Feel Better: SOTO’s own Jennifer made sure I included Phil Ajjarapu on the list, and it’s not hard to see why – the guy has some really good pop songs in his repertoire. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Lowin – Heave Ho: Sara Houser’s soaring voice is now front and center in her own band (and no longer as part of The Couch), and the results so far have been pretty great. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:SHMU – She’s Leaving: Sam Chown, who is also one half of Zorch, is the man behind SHMU. Give the guy a listen if you like experimental electronic pop. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Pompeii – Blueprint: After a solid five years or so, Pompeii finally rallied up a new album. Loom, if you ask me, is fantastic and totally ended up being worth the wait. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Growl – Jackie: I don’t remember many local music convos this year where someone didn’t excitedly bring up Growl. This song is from a compilation, but you should also spend some time with the band’s EP, No Years, that was put out back in January. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Crooked Bangs – Ce Type: This year Crooked Bangs put out this attitude-laced gem (it’s from a split with Houston’s Secret Prostitutes) and played Fun Fun Fun Fest. Solid. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Alex Napping – Weak Knees: Alex Napping popped out of nowhere this year and instantly impressed. Their debut, This Is Not A Bedroom, is the kind of introspective indie pop that college me listened to too much of. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Hundred Visions – You’re Gonna Cut Me Loose: The fuzzy garage rock ways of Hundred Visions have been on point in 2014. You’d be crazy not to check out their sophomore album, Spite. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Flesh Lights – Just About Due: My passive appreciation of the punk trio Flesh Lights ended with Free Yourself. The album features some great songwriting. And it rocks. If you’re into that sort of thing, of course. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Sweet Spirit – Let Me Be On Top: It was a bummer when Bobby Jealousy called it quits, but at least Sabrina Ellis, who is one of Austin’s most dynamic performers, quickly landed on her feet in Sweet Spirit. Eventually the band will officially release an album and make the world a better place. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Shivery Shakes – Hold On: Shivery Shakes put out their debut full length, Three Waves & A Shake, this year. You pretty much have to listen to it if you consider yourself a fan of indie pop. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Gentlemen Rogues – Mocking Love Out Of Nothing At All: Jennifer, SOTO’s purveyor of local music, was adamant that this slice of power pop from Gentleman Rogues make the cut. Look out for a new album from the band soon. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Grape St. – Wallpaper: Last year Grape St. released the excellent A Date With You, and just recently they followed it up with the equally fantastic Free Stuff EP. The band just can’t miss! They’re a must-listen for fans of jangly garage rock. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:The Sour Notes – Cutthroat: Earlier this year The Sour Notes put out a really solid album (their fifth overall) by the name of Do What May. It’s worth your time if you dig hooky indie rock. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Ramesh – The King: For those of you that don’t know, Ramesh was once a part of Voxtrot. His debut solo album, The King, is a well crafted alt pop effort that features a lot of great vocal work. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Coeds – Sensitive Boys: I haven’t seen Coeds play and this is the only song of theirs I’ve heard, but that’s not stopping me from being into the duo. Make a note to keep an eye on them and their synthy ways once 2015 rolls around. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Young Tongue – Heavy Metal Thunder: Once known as The Baker Family, Young Tongue have a sound that’s a pleasant mixture of indie rock and pop. Recently they released an album titled Death Rattle. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Jess Williamson – Snake Song: Jess Williamson spent 2014 fully establishing herself as one of the best singer/songwriters in Austin. If you haven’t already checked out her album, Native State, then you should do yourself a favor and seek it out ASAP. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:A. Sinclair – Shiny Things: Indie rockers A. Sinclair (formerly known as Frank Smith) had a nice year. They signed with Dangerbird Records and churned out a good album, Pretty Girls, for all to indulge in. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Boyfrndz – Design: When it comes to experimental rock in Austin, not many can compete with Boyfrndz. Their sophomore LP, Breeder, is a daunting, but rad listen. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:OBN IIIs – No Time For The Blues: OBN IIIs are a loud, good ole fashioned rock n’ roll band, and their latest release, Third Time To Harm, is further proof that you should be giving them all of your attention. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Spray Paint – Rest Versus Rust: Many would argue that Spray Paint are Austin’s premiere punk act, and I think I’d have to agree. Their album, Clean Blood, Regular Acid, is one you need to hear. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Polio Club – Poison The Well (Demo): I just recently came across Polio Club, and I’ve already pretty much worn out the demos on their Bandcamp page. I’m looking forward to whatever is the post-punk act decides to do in 2015. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:The Wolf – In Waves: SOTO’s own Dan said that I should include psych-rockers The Wolf. He’s apparently a big fan of the noisy, distortion-filled sound that’s all over their latest release, Ride. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Christian Bland And The Revelators – Brian Wilson: Back in September Christian Bland (of The Black Angels) released his third album, The Unseen Green Obscene. Naturally, it’s a gloriously hazy psych rock experience. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Scuare – Mind States: SOTO’s own hip hop expert Leah recently recommended Scuare to me, and he’s been firmly on my radar ever since. This song in particular is pretty fantastic. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Roger Sellers – Steps: Roger Sellers is not a DJ, but he does craft some particularly good electronic music. Primitives is the title of his latest album. Grab your headphones and go give it a listen. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Ghetto Ghouls – Simple C: Ghetto Ghouls’ self titled debut is a furious effort that punk fans have been all over for most of the year. Oddly enough though, I think the best song on it is actually this plodding album-closer. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Pollen – Not A Test: Pollen were just getting going last year, so it’s not really a surprise that they took a nice-sized leap forward in 2014. Their self titled EP features four rather good garage pop tunes. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:The Ghost Wolves – Gonna Live: Carley and Jonathan Wolf are the duo behind The Ghost Wolves, and their latest album, Man, Beast, Woman, is loaded with quality bluesy, garage rock tunes. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Holy Wave – Wet And Wild: You’re doing something wrong if you’re a psych rock fan (in Austin or anywhere else) and you don’t adore Holy Wave. Seek out their latest album, Relax. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Megafauna – Time To Go: Fronted by the versatile Dani Neff, Megafauna have a sound that’s big, loud and a lot of fun. Don’t be afraid to let the album Maximalist rattle your walls. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Chipper Jones – Scout: A new favorite of mine this year has definitely been experimental rockers Chipper Jones. This rad song comes from a cassingle that was released via local label Graveyard Orbit. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Love Inks – Shoot 100 Panes Of Glass: Back in September Love Inks released Generation Club, a nice effort full of minimalist pop tunes. Listen to it and I promise you’ll fall in love with Sherry LeBlanc’s voice. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Night Drive – Young Rivals: If you’ve been waiting to get something immensely dance-worthy out of this year’s Austin-centric list, then this gem of a single from Night Drive is for you. Have fun. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Pure X – Heaven: You know, somehow I’ve still never managed to see Pure X live. It’s weird. Anyways, Angel is a beautifully constructed album that’s really easy to get lost in. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Molybden – Woman Who Left Behind: Singer/songwriter Molybden has a fantastically solemn voice, and I hope her upcoming full length gets released early in 2015. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:John Wesley Coleman – The Love That You Own: I’m forever a fan of John Wesley Coleman because he once wrote a SOTO theme song for $10, but you should applaud him for The Love That You Own, which is the album he put out on Burger Records this year. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:East Cameron Folkcore – In The House Everything Dies: East Cameron Folkcore really worked it in 2014, and I don’t just mean around Austin – the band toured Europe and played CMJ. They also put out this snarling single. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Jonly Bonly – Too Many Things: SOTO’s resident super punk fan Dan was all about Jonly Bonly this year. The band is fronted by Jason Smith (formerly of OBN IIIs) and their debut, Put Together, is one you should own. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Emily Wolfe – Swoon: This year Emily Wolfe played ACL and released a very solid EP titled Roulette. If you love sultry voices, then she’s the one for you. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Other Lovers – Let Me Go: Other Lovers are a folk rock/country/whiskey-fueled act that spent 2014 really honing their craft. Hoot is the sort of album that will make you move even when you don’t want to. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:She Sir – Condensedindents: Go Guitars is the name of the rather enjoyable dream pop effort that She Sir released this year. They’re apparently already in the midst of putting together a follow-up, which is exciting. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Ruby Fray – Photograph: K Records artist Ruby Fray, who accurately describes her sound as witchy chamber folk, released her sophomore LP, Grackle, this year. You should listen to it. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:The Clouds Are Ghosts – 54: This nicely textured track is a favorite of mine from The Clouds Are Ghosts’ Fractures. Slap on some headphones before you hit play. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Whiite Walls – June 9th: Whiite Walls followed up last year’s teaser tracks with a disco-enthused self titled EP. It’s a total must-listen if you’re looking to softly dance the night way. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Gloves – Hot Checks: Dance punk isn’t exactly a big thing in Austin, so I appreciate that Gloves are giving it a go. I think this particular track of theirs is super catchy. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Holiday Mountain – My Body: Holiday Mountain are total sensory overload, and I love them for it. Here’s hoping their new album gets released soon. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Feral Future – No Means Nothing: For those of you who like your punk rock to be both loud and loaded with a worthwhile message, there’s Feral Future. The band’s debut, Haematic, is a good one. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Orthy – Night Touch: If you didn’t indulge in Orthy’s E.M.I.L.Y. EP earlier this year, then you need to get your act together. It’s a really well crafted electronic effort. Provide Facebook love HERE.
:Basketball Shorts – Candy Boys: If you ask me, Basketball Shorts are Austin’s version of Diarrhea Planet. Get on their bandwagon. The Houston Sessions is the name of their latest release. Provide Facebook love HERE.
