There's plenty amazing music pumping out of the walls of River City this year, which means there's plenty of exciting stuff to share that will show you just what in the hell SA artists have been up to lately. Stretching across a broad spectrum of genres (including pop, harsh noise, psychedelic rock and hip-hop), you've got an eclectic bunch of options to choose from. Here we've assembled some note-worthy tracks to get you up to speed.
Wayne Holtz
"Bored on the Dance Floor"
Bursting off the stage and into our pants last summer with his debut release Post Plexi, Wayne Holtz returns with the brand new song “Bored On The Dance Floor,” a bass-forward, sensual pop track that invites listeners to get weird and get down. Heads up: the breakdown at 2:26 is heavy as fuck, so hold onto something, honey.
Booty Feet
"Scotty Pippin"
Straightforward indie rock with vocal melodies that would give pop contemporaries a run for their money, Booty Feet’s “Scotty Pippin” is a jovial stroll through smartly-written indie rock with perfect drum fills, dynamic transitions and seriously good guitar licks. If you don’t know about Booty Feet, it’s time you listen to one of the most promising indie acts our town has seen in a minute.
True Indigo
"I Saw Purple"
“I Saw Purple” sounds like what should be playing in the car while Raoul Duke and Dr. Gonzo on Las Vegas. It’s psychedelic as hell and definitely doesn't feel contrived — meaning that in a sea of a psyche rock groups coming out of South Texas, this SA five piece definitely stands out.
Pinko
“Samo isn’t dead”
Even though Pinko’s “Samo isn’t dead” is full of distorted guitar riffs and thundering drum hits, the track is actually quite dancey. You may even find yourself moving your hips to the groove-heavy guitar riffing of frontman Guillermo Mendez as he sings, shouts and screams throughout the two minutes and seven seconds of rock and roll frenzy.
Femina X
“Black Tongue”
What's most noticeable on Femina X’s “Black Tongue,” besides frontwoman Daniela Rioja’s feather-light vocals, is guitarist Alex Scheel’s guitar. It's almost as if he’s imitating a bird or some sort of jungle creature with his tremolo picking, which adds perfectly to the group's tribal vibe.
Chris Maddin
"Stuck In Edit"
When Chris Maddin releases new music, you should pay attention. The frontman to numerous musical projects in San Antonio’s past and present, Maddin’s “Stuck In Edit” sounds like it was written with the intention of pumping all of the artist’s seasoned musical experience into a single song. It’s spacey, rich in layers and just might be the best local release of the year so far.
HVXVN
"Molly Eyes"
If you’re unfamiliar with “harsh noise,” then let us introduce you to HVXVN. Excruciatingly high-pitched electronic screeches and deep rumbles create a sonic avalanche in "Molly Eyes." Listeners could think HVXVN's Ashlee Vaughn is trying to kill them. The truth is, she might be.
Milli Mars
"No More Parties In SA"
Playing off of Kanye’s “No More Parties In LA,” Milli Mars emerges with the mixtape-ish homage “No More Parties In SA." With quick-witted verses and unexpected changes in cadence, Mars proves once again that he’s definitely one of the most interesting rappers representing SA.
