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What’s the Deal: An Austin group in the earliest stages, Ideal Soul Mart are full of potential and DIY attitude. They’re an indie pop duo of multi-instrumentalists who have a tendency to work out the songs as they’re playing live, helping give them an experimental flare as the guitar, drums and keyboard rage on and frolicsome melodies dance about in the atmosphere. They’ve got pounding drums, jangly guitars and arm fulls of catchy vocals.
Their bio mentions working on their debut EP, but it doesn’t appear to be out yet. There are, however, several tracks recorded live at Emo’s up on their MySpace. And while the quality isn’t the best it could be, you get the point. And, it’s enough to make you look forward to more produced recordings. One song on their MySpace called “Wrk Demo” isn’t live and shows just how rich their sound can be recorded. It’s a dancer with tons of tambourine, an infectious chorus and what sounds like a backing band and then some in support.
Something Interesting: They took their name from a convenience store on Austin’s east side.
Other Tracks Worth Checking Out: “You Belong To The City” and “Don’t Fight It”
What’s the Deal: It has recently come to our attention over at the Le Diamant super-secret underground bunker that Jeff Hanson (whom has been referred to as the eunuch on at least one occasion due to his unnaturally-high singing voice) is releasing his follow-up to 2005's self-titled album. It’s called Madam Owl and is scheduled to break daylight on August 19th on Kill Rock Stars. And, although none of the songs are available for listen at this point, it’s important to prep everyone for the super-sweet, most heart-breakingest indie folk you’ve ever thought was being sung by a woman but was actually a man. There isn’t much being mentioned about the album yet, but if it’s anything like the previous two, everyone will be in for a lot of intricate acoustic guitar work, a voice as pristine and pure as a child’s, and an album packed with emotion.
“Now We Know” from the self-titled album is one of the tracks people always seem to come back to. It’s supported by a sturdy, gently-plucked acoustic guitar and features Hanson’s ripe falsetto reaching amazing heights over the top while also providing some softer tones at near whisper. Hanson brings in bass and drums on songs like “This Time It Will,” and thankfully these additions don’t compromise his songwriting or vocals. They enhance it.
Something Interesting: If you play just about any Jeff Hanson track for a friend who hasn’t heard him yet, nine times out of ten they’ll go, “Wow, she has a really pretty voice.”
Other Tracks Worth Checking Out: “Welcome Home” and “Let You Out”
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