“Listen Local” Podcast

A while back, I created a short-run Podcast called “Listen Local.”  It featured music and interviews with some of Austin’s up-and-coming bands, and I wanted to share it with you here.  To subscribe, just follow this link.  You’ll hear from Collapsing Horse, Royal Forest (formerly Loxsly), Ethan Kennedy and Ideal Soul Mart. I’m hoping to re-start this project in the future, but for now just enjoy the archives!

Royal Forest (formerly Loxsly) at the Independent

On Saturday, Loxsly performed for the last time under that moniker; henceforth, you can refer to the guys as Royal Forest.  They ripped through ten songs with tons of energy, sounding tighter than ever on stuff from Tomorrow’s Fossils, plus a lot of new material that will be released on an EP in March.

A sizeable crowd had gathered by the time the band took the stage at 10pm; many were there to see headlining Japanese act, Polysics.  Royal Forest unquestionably converted new fans; there was head nodding, raised “rock on” horns, and a bit of body shaking scattered throughout the audience.

The group kicked everything off with a new song.  Reminiscent of some Fossils tunes, there was still a slightly different vibe to it; other new stuff pushed the band in even more varied directions.  The second new song they played had an almost bluesy swing, and the breakdown at the end saw lead singer Cody Ground really rocking out; it wouldn’t be the last time the front man would bang his head this night.  “Battalions” brought quick flashes of fall-colored leaves onto the large screen to the audience’s right of the stage, and people turned to watch as RF kicked into this guitar-heavy tune.  “Lamprey Eels” might have been the most animated the band has ever been (or maybe it seemed that way because I was moved to leap around; either way, the resulting adrenaline rush was fantastic).  A new song followed, changing the pace of things.  It was a lounge-pop tune, and at places almost felt bossa nova.  “The Manual That You Wrote” inspired concert-goer Raquel Villarreal to remark, “They’re a bulldozer, man!” as the group shot through the rhythmically-tricky tune.  Over time, that has definitely proven to be a trademark Loxsly/Royal Forest signature:  the group continuously shows off its musical ability by navigating complex rhythms with seeming ease.  They finished their set with a Neil Young cover, “Borrowed Tune.”  It’s become somewhat of a staple in their set list, and they do it justice every time.

The band formerly known as Loxsly has been at this game for 7 years, but with its rebirth as Royal Forest, there is a sense of change just over the horizon.  Perhaps, finally, more people will know the name of these Austin natives, and be able to enjoy the beautiful, cool, intricate indie-rock tunes they create.

Loxsly’s Last Stand

Tonight, the Austin indie-rock kids known as Loxsly will play their last show under that moniker, before switching over to their new name, Royal Forest. Come out to the Independent to see them and Japanese electro-dance band the Polysics tonight.  Doors at 9pm, tickets are $14 at the door.