Sphynx w/ Marmalakes, Major Major Major & Golden Sombrero

SPHYNX

Cory Dennis, Todd Harris, and Aaron Miller’s first glimpse of success came in high school with The El Guapos, an indie-rock outfit that disbanded after three years of packed Austin venues, a capacity performance at the 2009 NAMM SXSW-Underage showcase, and a botched European record deal. While Miller and Harris studied at The University of Texas, Dennis honed his recording and production skills, founding Indie Fort Studios and working with local favorites like Zlam Dunk, Mother Falcon, and Little Lo. The three remained best friends and it wasn’t long before they embarked on another musical project, this time experimenting with pop and electronic music. They called it Sphynx.

Propelled by several Austin artist collectives, Sphynx’s debut single, “Razberry Wine,” was released on two local compilations and picked up by University of Texas radio station, KVRX. Sphynx gained more momentum with the February 2011 release of their debut EP, ‘Human Beast.’ Critics applauded the EP’s “elaborate synth pop,” and proclaimed that “here we’ve got a new breed” who “recycles a bit of history and puts a bit of soul to their songs.” During the summer of 2011, ‘Human Beast’ charted in the top 30 on radio stations in Canada, Alaska, New York, Michigan, Florida, California, Louisiana and Texas. In September of 2011, Sphynx was the featured artist on the website of nationally syndicated radio program, Loveline. The three continued to navigate their way through the world of music and in December of 2011, Sphynx released a full-length version of ‘Human Beast,’ in Japan on Thistime Records (The Posies, Anoraak, College). During SXSW of 2012, Sphynx was named one of the top 10 best new bands in Austin at The Austin Music Awards, presented by The Austin Chronicle. In their SXSW 2012 Awards, Unique Squared named Sphynx the “most shocking wall of sound from a 3-piece” seen at SXSW. Sphynx released their second EP, ‘Pre Wild,’ in October 2012, garnering praise from reputable sites like AOL Spinner, The Burning Ear, and Pop’stache. The band followed the release with a month-long US tour that included 3 dates supporting Tilly and The Wall and a sold out CMJ showcase at Mercury Lounge in Manhattan. In their review of ‘Pre Wild,’ Austin-based music blog, Ovrld, called Sphynx “one of the best pop acts coming out of Austin right now.”

Sphynx’s growing popularity is due in part to their energetic and bizarre live show, which “brings together musical elements of punk and glam rock to create a big sound and a live experience worthy of an arena.” The group has toured the US consistently since late 2011 and have been official performers at SXSW Festival, CMJ Festival, Bunbury Festival, 35 Conferette Festival (35 Denton), Chaos in Tejas, and more. They’ve supported Wavves, Tilly and The Wall, Art vs. Science, Baths, Japanther, Maps and Atlases, Holy Fuck, White Denim, El Ten Eleven, Peelander-Z, and The Octopus Project. Their songs can be heard on independent radio stations around the US and their music video for ‘Sha Dynasty’ has been played in Tower Records stores throughout Japan. Sphynx is currently recording their debut full-length album.

Sphynx on Facebook | Sphynx on Twitter | Official Website

MARMALAKES

MARMALAKES is a rock band from Austin, TX. Dynamic and lyrically-attentive, their songs carry folk-pop sensibilities. Since 2008, they’ve released 3 EPs and a 7-inch.

They have played with Portugal. The Man, Shearwater, and Sondre Lerche and have sold out venues such as The Mohawk Austin, The Parish, and Rockwood Music Hall.

Marmalakes on Facebook | Marmalakes on Twitter | Official Website

MAJOR MAJOR MAJOR

MAJOR MAJOR MAJOR is a two piece garage pop band from Austin influenced by the energy and rawness of garage punk bands like Ty Segall and WAVVES with the poppy hooks of power pop bands such as Big Star. Frontman Adrian Sebastian and drummer Andrew Torrey have been playing music together for the past 2 years in Austin, TX. Although originally a 4 piece, Adrian and Andrew decided to take a new direction by arranging their previous sound to adapt to a raw in your face two piece set up.

MAJOR MAJOR MAJOR on Facebook

GOLDEN SOMBRERO

A band from Bryan, College Station, San Antonio, Houston or a garage near you.

Golden Sombrero on Facebook