OUT THIS WEEK
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Reckless Kelly, “Sunset Motel” (Thirty Tigers). The Idaho-bred band that moved to Austin 20 years ago revisited their roots by returning to Arlyn Studios, where they recorded their 1998 debut album. “Sunset Motel” captures them at their roots-rocking best, with frontman Willy Braun’s well-written original tunes getting solid support from his brother Willy Braun on fiddle, mandolin, harmonica and harmonies, plus lead guitarist David Abeyta, bassist Joe Miller and co-founding drummer Jay Nazz. They brought in some local ringers to fill things out, including keyboardist Bukka Allen, Mastersons aces Eleanor Whitmore and Chris Masterson, and pedal steel guitarist Marty Muse. No surprise that their brother Micky Braun of Micky & the Motorcars shows up in the credits as well. Highlights include the title track’s fine-line walk between darkness and redemption; the gentle and hopeful ballad “Forever Today”; the guitar-crunching barn-burner “Give It Up”; and the atmospheric, almost mystical closer “Under Lucky Stars.” Playing Oct. 12 for Sun Radio’s “Texas Radio Live” broadcast at Guero’s Oak Garden. Here’s the leadoff track, “How Can You Love Him (You Don’t Even Like Him)”:
Ruby & the Reckless, “In My Head.” Once a child fiddle prodigy, Ruby Jane is 21 now, and this debut with her new band clearly shows an artist coming into her own. She takes the violin in daring new directions here, forsaking almost all trad-roots avenues in favor of contemporary rock, pop, indie and psychedelic explorations. The adventurousness of these 10 original tunes, co-written with bassist Austin Simmons, depends heavily on the backing of guitarist Miggy Miller, keyboardist Sam Powell and drummer Chris Copeland, as well as producer Frenchie Smith (known for his work with forward-thinking local acts including Trail of Dead, Residual Kid and Speak). Release show Sept. 23 at Empire. Here’s the video for the album-closing track “Rainbows”:
Katie Shore, “Fall Away.” Another virtuosic fiddler, but one whose music remains more in the roots vein, Shore has made her name in recent years with western swing kingpins Asleep at the Wheel. She steps out confidently on this 10-track collection that mixes elements of sultry gypsy jazz, sweet folk-rock, stark torch balladry and more. Produced and arranged by her brother Ross Holmes, a major-league multi-instrumentalist who has toured and recorded with Mumford & Sons and Bruce Hornsby, “Fall Away” includes a lush array of instrumentation, from stringed instruments and keyboards to horns and woodwinds. Shore is also an utterly charming singer, a real all-around talent that Wheel leader Ray Benson is lucky to have in his band. Release show Sept. 22 at Continental Club. Here’s a live version of the album track “Maybe Someday”:
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Tele Novella, “House of Souls” (Yellow Year). Following a 2014 single and a 2015 EP, the first album-length release from this quartet fully realizes their deliciously twisted artistic vision that’s a little bit like if “The Addams Family” were a musical collective. Singer-guitarist Natalie Ribbons is the natural focal point, but it’s just as obvious that this is a team effort: Keyboardist Sarah La Puerta, bassist Jason Chronis and drummer Matt Simon are all essential to the band’s sound and style, which often seeks out dark corners that make their lighter moments all the more bright. Their videos are trippy, too — here’s the star-crossed one for the track “Heavy Balloon”:
The Sword, “Low Country” (Razor & Tie). If last year’s Adrian Quesada-produced “High Country” was a bold creative step for this long-running local metal heavyweight, “Low Country” pushes them even further into the unknown, featuring acoustic versions of the previous record’s primary tracks. Playing Emo’s Oct. 14. Here’s the track “Seriously Mysterious”:
Tameca Jones, “Naked” EP. The first release from R&B/soul singer Jones, a fixture on the local club scene, is the subject of our Austin360 Artist of the Month feature for September, written by Deborah Sengupta Stith. Playing Sept. 28 at the Austin City Social at the Domain Nordstrom. Here’s our Statesman video for the song “Let Me Be”:
Misimplicity, self-titled EP. Long established as a rising star in the local under-18 scene, Grace London teams up here with fellow teen Zoe Czarnecki for six mostly acoustic-based songs that draw significantly on the emotional pull of London’s lead vocals. The heavier, more electric tune “Little Girl” bears the distinctive sonic imprint of Austin bassist/producer Brian Beattie. Release show Sept. 23 at Cactus Cafe. Here’s the leadoff track, “What Does That Even Mean”:
Xander Harris, “California Chrome” (Rock Action). Eight new songs from the local electronica musician. Here’s the track “Buckle Bunny”:
COMING SOON
SEPT. 29: “Low Down Violet Crown,” annual All ATX benefit compilation with Bob Schneider, James McMurtry, Nakia, Guy Forsyth, Walker Lukens, Jackie Venson and more. Sold-out concert Sept. 29 at ACL Live.
SEPT. 30: Survive, “RR7349” (Relapse), release show Sept. 30 at Barracuda.
SEPT. 30: Dale Watson, “Under the Influence” (Red River). Playing Oct. 3 at the Continental Club.
SEPT. 30: TripTrio, “Twenty” EP, release show Sept. 29 at the Townsend.
OCT. 7: Sophia Johnson, “One Year,” release show Oct. 7 at Continental Club.
OCT. 7: Eric Johnson, “EJ” (Provogue), in-store Oct. 3 at Waterloo Records, playing Nov. 19 at Paramount Theatre.
OCT. 7: Terri Hendrix, “The Slaughterhouse Sessions” (Wilory).
OCT. 7: Jamestown Revival, “The Education of a Wandering Man” (Republic), playing Nov. 4 at Emo’s.
OCT. 7: Thor & Friends, self-titled (LM Duplication).
OCT. 14: Tinnarose, “My Pleasure Has Returned” (Nine Mile), release show Oct. 14 at Barracuda.
OCT. 14: Paul Cauthen, “My Gospel” (Lightning Rod), release show Oct. 14 at Stubb’s indoor.
OCT. 14: Walker Lukens, “Never Understood” EP, in-store Oct. 14 at Waterloo Records, release show Oct. 14 at 3Ten.
OCT. 14: Jon Dee Graham, “Knoxville Skyline” EP, release show Oct. 14 at Continental Club.
OCT. 21: “Highway Prayer: A Tribute to Adam Carroll” (Eight 30), in-store Oct. 26 at Waterloo Records with James McMurtry, Gordy Quist (from Band of Heathens), Jamie Lin Wilson, Noel McKay & Brennen Leigh.
OCT. 21: Kevin Fowler, “Coming to a Honky Tonk Near You.”
OCT. 28: Bonnie Whitmore, “(Expletive) With Sad Girls,” pre-release show Sept. 29 at Continental Club.
OCT. 28: Croy & the Boys, “Hey Come Back,” release show Oct. 29 at Hotel Vegas.
OCT. 28: Brownout, “Brown Sabbath, Vol. 2,” release show Oct. 29 at Scoot Inn.
OCT. 28: Alejandro Escovedo, “Burn Something Beautiful” (Fantasy), playing Oct. 1 at the Continental Club.
NOV. 18: KP & the Boom Boom, “The Brave.”
NOVEMBER: Jonathan Terrell, “Color Me Lucky” EP.
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