Punctum Records is run by Austin resident Dan Rudmann and is an extension of the nationally focused, Brooklyn-based open access book publisher of the same name. Shivery Shakes is currently the only band to have released material on the label, which recently issued a two-song flexi-disc, available for order here.
However, the label’s (impressively well-designed) site features blurbs on several additional Austin artists with which the label has recently worked, including Taft, RF Shannon, Jess Williamson, El Campo, and Mole People. The label’s page also includes blurbs on cult, underground noise artist Minóy (for whom the book imprint released a book and accompanying CD), Brooklyn band Lip Talk, and Michigan based experimental artist The Young Vish, who will release an album with Punctum in 2014. Everything about Punctum has impressed me. Their selection of artists is diverse yet of high quality, and they’ve assembled an impressive collective of musicians in a short time of existence. Four of the aforementioned bands graced a bill at Mohawk on Tuesday night for a Free Week show.
Battle Bend, the solo project of multi-instrumentalist Andrew Stevens opened the night with a sparse set that included ambient background tape loops. Stevens also performs with Taft, Little Lo, and Jess Williamson among others; he’s easily one of Austin’s hardest working musicians. We’d all be blessed if he’d grace us with solo appearances more often.
RF Shannon took the stage next, delivering sustained folk rock that climbed to epic heights and dwelled lovingly in somber valleys. I’ve been seeing the band’s name everywhere the past few months, but after seeing them live for the first time, I’m sufficiently impressed. The group’s sound bears similarity to AA Bondy’s two most recent albums–haunting, ethereal acoustics and atmospheric pedal steel create notable hallmarks.
After greatly enjoying Taft’s debut EP, we’ve been on parallel tracks in recent months and have missed a number of opportunities to catch the band live. We were pleased to rectify that fact Tuesday. Featuring Josh Halpern of Marmalakes on drums and the talented (previously mentioned) Andrew Stevens on guitar, Taft’s backing band isn’t to be trifled with. The group’s indie pop songs incorporate twinkling guitars and ambling rhythms. Live, Taft Mashburn’s vocals exude a quirky bounciness that recalls Talking Heads frontman David Byrne, something I didn’t detect at all in the band’s recorded work. Their set was a great segue from the RF Shannon to the outright pop focus of Shivery Shakes, who performed next.
Shivery Shakes’ frontman Will Glossup is a pop savant. The guy can put together a beachy pop song like he was born to do it–maybe he was. The group just released two excellent tracks on a flexi-disc for Punctum Records. Although the beach seems to be the go to descriptor for the group, the songs also possess a summer city pavement grittiness. One quality that sets the band apart from any number of other indie pop acts is their ability to deliver an incredibly solid live set. They’ll play again on Saturday at Cheer Up Charlies, and you’d be wise to be in attendance.
Below you can check out a few photos from the night. All photos © Bryan Parker & Pop Press International. Click any image to open in slideshow viewer.
