End of the Week Wrap Up (2/01/13)

Wow there was a whole lot of killer new music out this week and I didn't get to touch on it all, so I wanted to do quick little recap on some highlights that never got posted.

Again a great week for new releases but none more exciting than the new one from Local Natives for me. This was one of my most anticpated for 2013 and it delivers. It's hard to pin down a favorite track right now because it changes daily but if your looking for something quiet check out "Colombia" HERE or maybe something a little more uptempo listen to "You & I" HERE.

Speaking of hotly anticipated albums Night Beds debut 'Country Sleep' is streaming over at Pitchfork now in advance of the Feb. 5 release date. You'll be finding this on everyone's 'best of list' at the end of the year guaranteed. Stream it HERE

Shovels and Rope made their television debut on David Letterman the other night, playing an emotional version of "Birmingham" that I think thoroughly impressed the host. Watch it HERE

High Highs debut album 'Open Season' came out this past Tuesday and among the many sweeping, dreamy tracks is the single "In a Dream." Listen HERE

Wake Owl  released this week what I would call a bit of a folk masterpiece with their phenomenal 5-song EP 'Wild Country'. You can stream all five tracks over on their Soundcloud page HERE

I've been waiting quite some time for this debut album from Trixie Whitley. It's called 'Fourth Corner' and it finally hit stores this week, and it's packed full of gritty soul & blues inspired tunes like only this talented young voice can deliver. Check out the album track, "Need Your Love" played on a rooftop in Belgium at Studio Brussels HERE.

More Things I Missed out on in 2012

So every year I inevitably miss out on tons of great music recommended to me by friends, fellow bloggers, music sites, and put quite simply.. people a lot cooler than me in the know. Last year was no different, but thanks to a most excellent local radio station hear in Austin KUTX, I've been catching up on three new artists the past few weeks. All three were bands/artists I heard of during 2012 but for whatever reason never sat down and gave a proper listen to. So here's what I found.
 
Kopecky Family Band. These guys are my latest obsession. Heard them on the radio one day last week and about 20 minutes later I was in my living room downloading their album Kids Raising Kids and going crazy over each new song I discovered. Their song "Hope" has been one of my favorites, you can check out a very cool video for the track below.
Kopecky Family Band "Hope" from AK Hottman on Vimeo.
 
Shovels & Rope. Some foot stomping goodness out of South Carolina. Here's one I completely kicked myself on. I've heard their name mentioned so many times last year but never did the proper clicking to check them out. Their album O' Be Joyful is out now and I can't get off of their track "Birmingham." Here's a mighty fine live version that captures the spirit of the pair from a performance at 89.3 The Current.


and lastly Ryan Bingham. My good friend Rob has been recommending I listen to him for a while now, and again I dropped the ball. Heard him in the car the other day on KUTX and was immediately sold on this raspy voiced Texan. Check out his killer track, "Beg for Broken Legs" off of his latest LP Tomorrowland. 


Special thanks to KUTX here in Austin for all the good tunes I've found this past month!!