Le Diamant Brut: ACL Edition w/ The Virgins & Leatherbag
What’s the deal: In the select roster of Austin musicians playing Austin City Limits this year is Leatherbag, which is helmed by singer-songwriter Randy Reynolds. He has been previewed on Le Diamant Brut before, but it’s been a year and a half and since and Reynolds and the boys have released two EPs, Tomorrow and Everything I Once Knew, and were featured on Austin City Limits (the show) Stage Left. Now, Leatherbag is preparing for the release of their new full-length album (title TBA) recently recorded with Michael Crow of Grand Champeen and Mat Smith at Hot Tracks.
Leatherbag’s music and Reynolds’ songwriting and vocal style have been compared to both Bob Dylan and Lou Reed at times, but perhaps the best description, as broad as it may be, is American rock and roll. “Wagon Wheel” feels like a slower, windier part of the country where piano class meets road grit and a touch of twang. “On Down The Line” is a bit like an old Bob song drenched in garage fuzz and a bright, sun-shiny, classic, layered chorus.
Something Interesting: Leatherbag will be opening the day Friday, October 2nd at Austin City Limits on the Austin Ventures stage.
Other Tracks Worth Checking Out: “Here Comes Change”
What’s the Deal: This New York dance rock foursome will be stopping in at this year’s Austin City Limits between shows in Germany and France to give Austin a taste of the music that’s been scuffing up dance floors in New York City clubs since before the release of their self-titled debut last year. They’re a little funky, a little new wavy and a whole lot of club pop. With at least one former model in the group and a whole heap of songs about young hook ups and coke brunches, the band would be an ideal candidate for shows like Gossip Girl. It will be interesting to see music with such a metropolitan feel make an impact in the heat of Zilker park.
“Hey Hey Girl” is a little less dancey than some of their other numbers like “Private Affair”, but within the abundant pop there are plenty of lyrical doses of disco drug use and wild nights the dirtier side of the club scene can understand. Speaking of disco, “Teen Lovers” is a bass heavy boogie down with synth and sassy guitars.
Something Interesting: You can check out The Virgins at ACL on Saturday, October 3rd opening the day on the AMD stage. Later, the stage will host artists like Flogging Molly, Mos Def and Ghostland Observatory.
Other Tracks Worth Checking Out: “Rich Girls” and “Murder”
