Photo by Tommy Lucas courtesy of MySpace

What’s the Deal: Definitely one of the better pun band names, with an extra ‘r’ thrown on the end to avoid any messy copyright fisticuffs with Lucas and the Star Wars powers that be. This Austin foursome have very successfully emerged in time with a re-popularization of shoegaze in a way that doesn’t seem contrived or cleverly created to take advantage of this renewed interest. Instead, they fit right in there with Jesus and Mary Chain and My Bloody Valentine, or at least a step below. It’s fuzzy, super-loud, noise pop with a steady beat, wave after wave of ambient guitar noise and warm vocals that melt into the music.

The entirety of their self-titled, debut 5-song is strong, so we’ll just pick two. “Sweet Girl” is full of ghostly whirring background noise, buzzing guitars, and fluent, dreamy vocals. “Down On You” is a moody tune with prominent bass hum and guitar effects.

Something Interesting: The label that released the debut E.P. is Spoilt Victorian Child based in the UK. It was started by a blogger who wanted to help the unsigned artists that sent him discs that he really believed in. Cheers to you, dude.

Other Tracks Worth Checking Out: “Some Kind of Sad” and “Swirly”

Ringo Deathstarr MySpace

Photo by C. Wilhelm courtesy of MySpace

What’s the Deal: Thao Nguyen is the folky pop songstress leading The Get Down Stay Down – Frank Stewart (lead guitar, producer), Adam Thompson (bassist) and Willis Thompson (drummer) – down a very cute and curious road. The group’s latest album, We Brave Bee Stings and All, is set to be released January 29th on Kill Rock Stars. Nguyen has been a singer/songwriter since she was in high school in a pop-country duo, and she still performs solo with an acoustic guitar occasionally. A degree in Women’s Studies and being raised by her single mother have certainly helped sculpt her into a strong female voice, which she uses in smart, melodic folk songs backed by varied instruments and eminent musicianship.

“Beat Health Life and Fire,” off the upcoming album, is solid indie pop with jangling chords, marching drums and horn blasts during the chorus of sweetly chirping female vocals. Also from We Brave, “Swimming Pools” gleams bright with cute melodies, the pluck of a banjo and a knee-slapping beat that would be perfect for sunny drives or conjuring the images such during the dead of winter.

Something Interesting: Like the Linen is produced by Tucker Martine who is the drummer for Laura Veirs and producer for The Decemberists and Sufjan Stevens.

Other Tracks Worth Checking Out: “Chivalry”

Thao Nguyen and The Get Down Stay Down Official
Thao Nguyen and The Get Down Stay Down MySpace