The Texas Ten

by Garrison Reid

Garrison Reid of IndieInterviews.com takes a look at Texas bands whom he expects things from in the New Year.

Baptist Generals (Denton): Denton's Chris Flemmons has high hopes for his band and their next record. His aspirations to develop pure beauty in a lo-fi shell was present on 2003's No Silver/No Gold. If time and effort are equal to blood and tears, Revolutionary Modern Heart (tentative spring release - SubPop) will be both bloody and tearsoaked.

Bosque Brown (Denton): National touring acts rarely take note of their local counterparts, Bosque Brown not only amazed Damien Jurado but has been asked for as tour support by many others (Two Gallants and John Vanderslice). Her gothic sound resonates venues and leaves audiences wanting more. See this band live and you'll agree.

Jana Hunter (Austin): After an amazing year, including a split with freak-folker Devendra Banhart and tour dates with like-minded Castanets and Deerhoof, 2006 should be an even stronger year for Jana Hunter. Her late 2005 release, Blank Unstaring Heirs of Doom, is gaining audience interest and press attention. IndieInterviews thinks she might be the reincarnation of Nico.

I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness (Austin): After three years recording and scrapping sessions, Chosen Darkness signed to Secretly Canadian and have finalized their debut LP, Fear Is On Our Side, due in March. Using a studio shared with Austinites ...Trail of Dead, the band has developed a sound expanding from their popular 2003 self-titled EP.

Knife in the Water (Austin): Since impressing many with their 2003's Cut The Cord, Knife in the Water has been touring extensively and recently have been working in south Austin on their upcoming record Viet Kieu. The band's country-fused psychedelia has garnered them foreign and a growing domestic attention. Heavy touring is expected in Texas and their home away from home, Europe.

Midlake (Denton): Expanding on the European successes of fellow Denton artists, 5-piece Midlake signed to English label Bella Union and released 2004's Bamnan and Slivercock. After a brief tour with Rilo Kiley, Midlake spent most of 2005 working diligently on their sophomore release Van Occupanther.

Pilotdrift (Texarkana): The band's recent release Water Sphere, a Good Records release, has got them much local press and excellent local bills. They will join fellow Good Records labelmates, Polyphonic Spree, at the band's annual winter show. If the band's successes continue to leave the DFW area, who knows what well happen. The band will have their chance for this as they nationally support Supergrass in February.

Shearwater (Austin): Unfairly confined to the weaker placement in their relationship with Okkervil River, Shearwater will define their identity as Texas' most accurate rock band: expansive, beautiful and yet, full of lament. After their 2005 EP release Thieves and touring with The Mountain Goats, Jonathan Meiburg has written, recorded and is now finalizing their next full-length, Palo Santo, planned for April 22 release.

Sound Team (Austin): The band's most recent EP, Work, explains what this band does most of their time. The band has been working on a major label full length with Mike McCarthy and Alan Moulder, whose collective resumes include Smashing Pumpkins, Spoon and My Bloody Valentine. The record, which the band has been working on for over a year, should be evidence of their passion, effort and work.

Voxtrot (Austin): Their EP Raised By Wolves has gotten the band massive press in the blogsphere (including SPIN Band of the Day). The band's history includes major love from their Austin homebase, from home shows to sell out shows at Emo's, the band has broadened their audience greatly after SXSW and CMJ showcases. Their full length record is in the works and should amplify from the era fusing pop featured on their EP.

Do you agree with Garrison? Got a band you think he missed? Comment below.

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