What’s the Deal: They’ve been around the Austin music scene long enough so that anyone with a rudimentary knowledge of local music should be very familiar with them. These indie poppers are working on a follow-up full-length to Maps and Organs that’s sure to be full of harmonies and pretty keyboard tones, but in the meantime they’re releasing a 4-song EP called Flashlights on August 5th. And, if this EP is any indication of the music to come from these guys, fans can expect some rather ripe tunes with mature piano melodies, which are often as delicate and airy as the vocals, along with some colorful usage of pedal steel and banjo.

The very first track on Flashlights, “Lamprey Eels”, stands out with a touch of enchanting eeriness as a dominant bass line and the soft whine of the pedal steel flirt with the twinkles. The use of a banjo in the beginning of “Speckled Eggs” is just enough to perk ears at the start of the song, but then the snappy pop and harmonies take over and all is right in the world.

Something Interesting: Whereas a full-length album gets a full-length tour, looks like this EP gets a much smaller tour with stops only in Oklahoma City, Athens, Asbury Park and New York City.

Other Tracks Worth Checking Out: “Chopper” and “Stethoscope”

Loxsly MySpace

Photo by Jonas Val from Mugison’s official site

What’s the Deal: He’s sometimes called the Icelandic Beck and poses for pictures in rustic (what must be) Icelandic fisherman’s garb in mid-yawp with his bearded mouth agape and snowy mountains in the background. His real name is Orn Elias Guomundsson, and until last year’s album, Mugiboogie, his outfit included just him with a guitar and computer. He has since beefed things up a bit. And now, the man and his crew have received kind words in Spin and Paste, and they’re local music celebrities in their native land. A little bit of experimental rock might goes a long way.

“Mugiboogie” is a great introduction to the band with scratchy, passionate vocals melting and squeaking into the mic, a falsetto chorus and wailing guitar strings. The song is soulful and full of some thick rock and roll guitar licks. The singer occasionally yells, “Cause Jesus is such a good name to moan!” before the lead guitarist furiously rakes bringing on the feedback while they all chant “Jesus” as if praying to a different god, one found in passionate places and between the sheets.

Something Interesting: The video for “Mugiboogie” features a woman... er... enjoying her own company a little too much.

Other Tracks Worth Checking Out: “To The Bone” and “Murr Murr”

Mugison Official
Mugison MySpace