The Paper Shapes

The Paper Shapes recently posted a new song that will be on their upcoming EP. What makes this track special is that this is the first song the guys recorded together as a group. When the initial EP, Space Invasion was recorded (which you can listen here), the current line up hadn't formed yet. This track "Bed Bugs" was recorded with Kevin Butler from Test Tube Audio and it sounds pretty awesome. Have I mentioned how much I love this band? It's not official yet, but this might be my new favorite band.

I was lucky to get an exclusive performance of this song after their interview. All seven of us comfortably crammed in their practice space and the guys rocked out for me. Thank god for earplugs. (Thanks Alex.) Ah, the perks of the job.

Anyway, so listen to the song, download it, share the wealth.

For those that missed it, here's an interview I did with the Paper Shapes for my now-named Accent blog, Sarah's Abusive Pencil.

I have a new blog for Accent as part of my editor position. This blog (which is currently nameless) is going to be featuring bands and musicians that have current or former ACC students. Here's my first interview for the blog with The Paper Shapes.

I've known Jason Bearden since his days in the former band, Consider the Source. He recommended I checked out his new band, The Paper Shapes.

Maybe it was my tiredness of the same formulaic, predictable indie music I had been covering for the past year or maybe it was what I needed to perk me up that morning, but once I heard this aggressively melodic post-punk band on the bus ride to class, I was instantly hooked. Either way, this band has my attention.

The Paper Shapes were formally known as the band Prom Nite, but after noticing the new direction the music was taking, the five guys decided to start completely fresh. A new band name and a new genre. This band is pretty new to the music scene. However, I'm sure there are fans out there who feels just like I did and are ready to embrace their refreshing vigorous sound.

But hearing the album isn't enough. This band is definitely one that needs to be seen live. One memorable time I caught one of their shows was during Transmission's Free Week at Red 7. The temperature at the outside stage was a freezing 17 degrees that night, but that didn't stop the band from performing with as much as energy as they would have given if they played on the inside stage. In fact, the guys claim to this day that that was their best show they've had so far.

I had a chance to sit with the band during one of their practice sessions at Music Lab. It was that night I learned that vocalist, Aaron Pearson-Jordan is a currently student at ACC as well as that guitarist, Hector Guerra, is a former student.

At this meeting, the band chatted with me about how the band got together, the recording of the EP they are currently working on and why there is a guy in the band that just works the lighting during the shows.

Click here to read the rest at Accent.

Free Week has come and gone. I went out with the intention of just seeing bands. No interviews. No reviews. Just hang out with friends and check out bands that I could featured in the future. Sadly, I missed five nights of shows. Well technically four because I went to an early show one night at Emo's but had to pay cover so it wasn't an official free week show. But still saw a good amount of bands. So instead of writing out an epic recap post, I figured I keep it short and sweet. Here are the reviews of each band I saw Twitter style, in 140 characters or less. FYI: Some of these might be a repeat of what I tweeted for Better Than the Van. Hey originality only happens once with me!

Monday
Guns of Navarone: Country rock provided the soundtrack for the cold Monday night at Mohawk. All I needed was something warm to drink.
Shitty Carwash: Walked to Plush for something really different. To sum it up: it was a mess but an organized awesome entertaining mess.

Wednesday
Milk Thistle: stumbled onto to this show while killing time for another band to get on stage. I love discovering good bands on accident.
Frantic Clam: been wanting to see this band after i reviewed their album. I was amused by their Psycho Killer cover.
Orchestra of Antlers: only caught the first and last song of this band but from what I heard reminded me a bit of Dignan but more melodic.
Oh No, Oh My: Marlee wanted to see this band all night. I only caught the last 2 songs. I love when indie is done right.
New Roman Times: 2nd time seeing this band. They're a little predictable but they're still good.
We the Granada: Tagged along with Ajay to see this band. All he said was that they were over the top. That doesn't even cover it.
Born to Lose: APR Flashback. I forgot how much fun this band was. Had beer thrown on me many times but that's part of the charm.
New Disaster: I haven't seen Natchet Taylor perform in awhile. Another APR flashback. This band is more aggressive than the previous band.

Friday
White White Lights: Was hesitant at first because I'm burned out on indie. However, these guys and gal didn't fit the cliche. I liked them.
Sober Daze: Didn't see much of this band because I had to get to another show but they got the crowd going pretty well in the cramped Red 7.
SPEAK: I love these guys. They look like they're still in high school but they're over 21 (with beers in hand). Music reminds me of the 80's
Krum Bums: These guys are grittier punk rock. So even more crazyiness in Red 7 ensued. Apparently I missed the singer climb the rafters.
Betaplayer: Beauty Bar was crazy crowded and hot which became unbearable after awhile, but that didn't stop the band nor the crowd.
Lower Class Brats: These guys have been performing for years and are still freaking energetic and crazy. No better way to end the night.

Saturday
The Paper Shapes: Poor guys were freezing on the outside stage of Red 7 but were still entertaining, complete with light show.
Markov: the singer used one of those old school mics that looked like an ice cream cone. That was awesome. Yeah, the music was good too.
The Laughing: Caught the last two songs of these guys at Beauty Bar. I love bands that make me wanna dance. Definitely worth the attention.
Watch Out for Rockets: The first song was a bit on the droney side which made me hesitant but then they started playing more folksy indie.
White Rhino: Another band that I walked in and only saw two songs. But those two songs were pretty damn raw. How refreshing.
Watching the Moon: I've heard the name from various friends so I wanted to check them. The bass head vibrated off the amp. That says it all.

Sunday
In Situ Sound: Austin Vida crew has been praising this band so I wanna check it out. Totally worth freezing to see them. Definite potential.
Exeter: Even by a heater, I was still freezing. Haven't seen these guys in a long time. I forgot how much I liked them.

And Free Week is done. My only complaint (besides it be too cold to do anything, but that wasn't the venues' fault) is for venues to list the times the bands play. Free Week is becoming a little Austin version of SXSW so times are crucial when trying to catch all the bands you want to see.