“Starsong” is the latest single from Houston (by way of Australia) trio the Valery Trails. The song is off the band’s upcoming album, Buffalo Speedway, out April 29. We asked frontman Andrew Bower to make us a mix tape, which you can check out below. Says Bower, “Let’s call this mix tape Then And Now. It focuses on some bands that have been influential to me throughout the years, not least because most of them are still making new music and not just resting on past glories.”
“Starsong” (download):
Superchunk “Me & You & Jackie Mittoo“
A mix tape has to start strong, and this track does it for me. Back in the day, I used to wonder how the music (and the bands) I was listening to would age. While some bands are content to stick with the nostalgia show, essentially becoming their own tribute bands, Superchunk are doing it right—their music is as exuberant as ever, while the lyrics are tempered with the inevitable accumulation of experience. Video
Buffalo Tom “Arise Watch“
Not sure if it’s good mix tape etiquette or mild OCD that compels me to thematically link or group songs, but for whatever reason, here’s another new(ish) song from a favorite band from back in the day who is still (albeit sporadically) recording and performing. This song kicks off Buffalo Tom’s 2011 album Skins, which has enough trademark moments to satisfy long-term fans, but addresses subject matter that resonates with those who have grown older (and hopefully wiser) with them. Video
Sebadoh “Skull“
Sebadoh is another band still making great records, although Lou Barlow’s songs in particular have always had the kind of introspective vibe that other bands have grown into. However, if I’m going to include only one Sebadoh song, it has to be “Skull.” Lou at his Lou-est, Sebadoh at their best. Video
The Blue Aeroplanes “Jacket Hangs“
Another of my all-time favorite songs from the superb Swagger album. Half-spoken, half-sung beat poetry over guitars that jangle and crunch. I finally saw them live a few years back in a tiny club in Austin at SXSW, and they did not disappoint. Video
Throwing Muses “Bright Yellow Gun“
Another band that is sporadically active (with a new album released a few months ago), although Kristen Hersh keeps herself busy with solo and other projects between Muses albums). I have to admit I came a bit late to this band, and the University album that this song is from is the one that first really caught my attention. Video
Died Pretty “Godbless“
Now we come to the part of the mix tape where I throw in some Aussie bands that never made an impact the U.S. but have been a big influence on me. Each of these bands was on our minds to some extent as we recorded the new Valery Trails album. First, Died Pretty: a band who flirted with mainstream success in Australia but never quite crossed the line like some of their contemporaries. Exceptionally strong songwriting and an epic, moody grandiosity that was all of their own; it’s hard to pick from their lengthy catalogue, but this track is a very good representation. Video
Glide “Something“
Glorious guitars, alternately chiming and grinding behind the distinctive voice and songs of frontman William Arthur, whose untimely demise cut off the band’s career in their prime. These guys are relatively unknown even in Australia, but there’s been a bit of a revival of interest lately, with talk of a tribute concert next year. Video
GB3 And Steve Kilbey “Nectarine”
To finish things off on a more chilled-out note, a sublime collaboration between Glenn Bennie from beloved Aussie shoegaze/dreampoppers the Underground Lovers and Steve Kilbey, frontman from the Church (a band who definitely did make their mark here in the U.S.). The song is gorgeous, and the animated video is something special, too. Video
