Black Books

Artist Information

Biography

Black Books are a 5-piece from Austin, Texas who make an atmospheric mix of dreamy, visionary pop and epic southern rock. Formed in 2010, Blacks Books heart-wrenching, epic, sun-soaked melodies have already turned heads. Many compare the lush orchestral qualities of Black Books to contemporaries such as My Morning Jacket, Grandaddy, and The Flaming Lips.

Black Books have been featured on NPR’s All Songs Considered and EarthSky, KUT Texas Music Matters, Daytrotter, and BBC’s Mark Radcliffe Show. In addition, their song, ‘The Big Idea’, was used for the TV Show Californication as well as for The Moving Picture Company’s (Harry Potter, The Watchmen, Pirates of The Caribbean) Industry Film Reel. Most recently, their music video for ‘Favorite Place’ racked up over 100,000 views in three weeks after being featured in The Huffington Post, Spinner, Buzzfeed, and Vimeo Staff Picks.

After one hundred live shows around Texas and two solid showings as official SXSW acts, Black Books are set to embark on their first overseas tour, including a two-night stand opening for The Flaming Lips at London’s famed Roundhouse this May. When they return, Black Books are slated to film The Good Music Club series at Austin’s North Door before heading out on a tour of The USA.

Instrumentation

Clarke Curtis - keyboard, sequencer, Synthesizer
Kevin Butler - Guitar
Mike Parker - Bass Guitar
Meg Gilfillan - organ, keyboard
Ross Gilfillan - Vocals, Drums

Discography

'An Introduction To...' EP - February 15, 2011
Daytrotter Session - June 7, 2012
'Like You Best' Single - December 1, 2012
'Aquarena' EP - February 11, 2013
'Black Boos' LP to be released May 2013.

Their music has received radio airplay on KUT's Texas Music Matters, NPR's Earth & Sky, BBC Radio 6, BBC Radio 2, 101.5FM KROX, 93.3FM KGSR, 87.7FM, 91.7FM KVRX, and WNYZ.

Their Song "The Big Idea" was featured on Season 6 of Californication is currently featured in the industry film reel for The Moving Picture Company (MPC).

Official Website

http://blackbooksmusic.com

Links

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Last.fm
• Youtube

Audio

• The Big Idea
  Listen  
• Something To Remember
  Listen  
• Like You Best
  Listen  
• Favorite Place
  Listen  
• Out The Door
  Listen  

Lyrics

• The Big Idea

Video

Black_Books_Green_Screen_V3_METV.mov

Moving Picture Company (MPC) Film Reel Autumn 2011 featuring The Big Idea (instrumental)

Photo Gallery

Press

• Listen: Black Books Aquarena [+ Show ]
  

  Nostalgic undertones conjuring up early MTV sentiments, you know, when rock was still rock, Austin’s...Nostalgic undertones conjuring up early MTV sentiments, you know, when rock was still rock, Austin’s Black Books blend the dreamiest of melodic guitar riffs and unhindered, grunge-flecked vocals with big, woozy orchestral sounds making an audience out of the endless Texas sky above. Wiping your heart on your sleeve in one dramatic gesture, a psychedelic softness of melting harmonies and liquidy, textural effects brush the hair from your face and envelop you in this psychedelic incubator of an afterglow. My Morning Jacket and Grandaddy comparisons can take up pages in every other post, but this one belongs to Black Books and their wildly inventive and exceptionally charming take on psych rock.

• BANDCAMP Staff Pick
  

  Shoegazing at its best.

• Black Books Support Flaming Lips at Roundhouse, London [+ Show ]
  

  Black Books have been confirmed as support to the Flaming Lips on their forthcoming London shows at ...Black Books have been confirmed as support to the Flaming Lips on their forthcoming London shows at Roundhouse on Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st May. The dates will be followed by a Black Books headline show at London’s Barfly, and three regional dates for Dot to Dot Festival in Manchester, Bristol and Nottingham (on Friday 24th, Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th of May respectively).
  
  The Flaming Lips shows will be Black Books’ debut UK live appearance. Black Books have been honing their live set by playing locally in their hometown Austin, Texas, gaining a reputation early as one of the “Top Ten Locals to Watch” - Austin Chronicle and beyond, “No. 1 New Artist of 2011” - Indie Darkroom Magazine.
  
  Black Books released their debut ‘Aquarena’ EP in early February to continued critical acclaim withThe Line of Best Fit streaming the EP exclusively, declaring the sound of Black Books a “wildly inventive and exceptionally charming take on psych rock”. While the Christopher Thockler (Bombay Bicycle Club) directed video for the EP’s lead track, ’Favorite Place’, premiered on Wonderland (UK) and in the US jointly on Earmilk and Austinist, before winning ‘Staff Pick’s’ on Vimeo.
  
  On Monday 12th May, Black Books release their self-titled debut album.

• Black Books DAYTROTTER Session [+ Show ]
  

  Ross Gilfillan and Austin band Black Books make me want to go out into my backyard and build the ske...Ross Gilfillan and Austin band Black Books make me want to go out into my backyard and build the skeletal underpinnings for a set of wings. I've never thought about needing wings before, but every day brings something new and this is today's surprise. I'd need some sturdy and manageable, lightweight wood, along with bags and bags of feathers. Don't care much for actually knowing what I would be doing. Any expertise in aerodynamics would be damned from my mind. We'd rely here on gumption and foolishness to put these wings together. We'd just see how it all went. We'd call up at least two or three different people who possessed hot air balloon licenses (and the balloons, of course, because one is never good for shit without the other) - a few people who would take us up.
  
  We'd order them to stagger the height and distances of their balloons and we'd try to time it just right. We'd bring a step stool up in the basket of the first one and up we'd step, when it looked like everything was right where it needed to be - when it looked like everything was soft and bouncy below us. The wings that we were going to trust would be spread out, spanning a good length and we'd just believe in them letting us glide safely to the next balloon's basket. We'd reach it and we'd do it again, getting a little bit of windburn, with the exhilarating, pants-pissing decision to follow the music where we thought it wanted us to go.

• Black Books : White Noise [+ Show ]
  

  Euphoric psych-pop with new fangs and focus this time around… There’s also more of a wearied Neil Yo...Euphoric psych-pop with new fangs and focus this time around… There’s also more of a wearied Neil Young-ian edge in lead singer Ross Gilfillan’s lonesome howl this time around. What remains the same is Black Book’s immense hooks and soul-stirring orchestrations that sweep you into the cosmos with their inter-galactic beauty.

• NPR All Song Considered: SXSW Lightning Round
  

  Drony, dreamy shoegaze.

• Black Books [+ Show ]
  

  Racking up comparisons to Grandaddy and Band of Horses, Black Books are the latest act to emerge fro...Racking up comparisons to Grandaddy and Band of Horses, Black Books are the latest act to emerge from the music breeding ground of Austin, Texas. They sound a bit like Arcade Fire, if Arcade Fire took a detour into the Deep South and then emerged from a psychedelic trip in the Mojave Desert.

• Future Sounds: You Should Know About Black Books [+ Show ]
  

  This band is for fans of early MY MORNING JACKET (especially on “Maria“), but this Austin based five...This band is for fans of early MY MORNING JACKET (especially on “Maria“), but this Austin based five-piece have put together an absolutely gorgeous debut EP.

• SXSW.com The LP Questionnaire [+ Show ]
  

  Austin goodies Black Books remind me of a shoegaze My Morning Jacket. I sort of can't believe I just...Austin goodies Black Books remind me of a shoegaze My Morning Jacket. I sort of can't believe I just wrote that but listening to "Out the Door" over and over, that's the pervading feeling. My friend Shopkins hearts them hard and oh my, it's a lovely sound they're making.
  
  Singer Ross Gilfillan is married to organ player Meg and they have a two year old son. They currently reside in a camper trailer.
  
  He was in a garage band with most of the guys in Black Books from middle through high school. Originally he was the drummer/singer in the band but now he's learning guitar and doing the vocals up front. He hopes to remember all the guitar parts by SXSW.
  
  Gilfillan loves light beer, tubing down the river, and BBQ. His dream is to live on a large piece of land and have a "BIG" family.
  
  Here's his excellent take on...
  
  The LP Questionnaire
  Name: Ross Gilfillan
  Do you have any nicknames? Rossco or Honey…depends on who is talking to me.
  
  1. Pretend you’re 15. Name three songs you'd put on a mix tape for your girlfriend/boyfriend. I was 15 in 1998. I didn’t make mix tapes for my girl friend because I was an idiot, but band mate Clarke and I exchanged mix tapes quite a bit. I can recall three that were really memorable: The Flaming Lips – Bad Days, Nirvana – Even In His Youth, and Beastie Boys – Sabotage. I think I still have some of them in a box.
  
  2. Which evil villain would make the best President? Magneto. He looks like a founding father with his long white hair. He is really cranky…so he might be the first Tea Party candidate to make it to the oval office. And, if he acted up the X-Men would straighten his ass out. It’s important to have checks and balances.
  
  3. What was your favorite cartoon as a child? X-Men
  
  4. What superpower do you wish you had? Easy. This is way too easy! I would be able to fly and control nature. Make plants/trees grow very rapidly and use them in clever ways to exploit the enemy’s vulnerabilities. The enemy probably relies on robots and in the end nature will win over robots.
  
  5. What would the title of your autobiography be? Nature One – Robots Zero: Portrait of a 21st Century Texan
  
  PICK THREE
  
  The Jesus and Mary Chain: Everyone is looking forward to trying to get into Jesus and Mary Chain. It is great to catch such an influential band at such an exciting festival.
  
  Blitzen Trapper: I will try to see Blitzen Trapper because I saw them a few months ago and I want to take my wife. Great live band.
  
  Golden Bear: I will try to get over to Golden Bear because I have heard good things about them…they are from Austin too, but I keep missing them.
  
  There's just so much going on. I look forward to seeing what bands from different towns are doing right now.
  
  You can get ambrosial with Black Books Tuesday, March 13 at Treasure Island at 10 pm.
  
  It's a mellow Saturday at ye olde SXSW place. I'll be back shortly with more from Mahogany and Choir of Young Believers. If you're sitting around like I am you can have a look-see at the LPQ/P3 archiveness.
  
  Our tweets will make you happy at @mspark and @sxsw
  
  And pretty good is really good for me, lp

• Black Books Aquarena (EP) [+ Show ]
  

  You'll find yourself immersed in dream/pop as well, but it's a combo of genres that work well for th...You'll find yourself immersed in dream/pop as well, but it's a combo of genres that work well for these guys. Driving guitars and melodies that give you this out-of-body experience, you'll find yourself repeating these tunes a few times. Aquarena is well worth the price.

• Black Books [+ Show ]
  

  I’m a fan of local quintet Black Books‘ mesmerizing style, which they’ve aptly described as “Souther...I’m a fan of local quintet Black Books‘ mesmerizing style, which they’ve aptly described as “Southern dream pop.” And they do weave expansive, shoegazey psych-pop waves, providing the perfect soundtrack for the vibe you get as you lay back and absorb a star-filled Texas sky. It also remains with you after you’ve listened, warm and shimmering in what I can only describe as the colors of bliss.
  The band members have played together for awhile now, but officially formed Black Books in 2010, and they’re ready to release their debut full-length early next year. But keep in mind they’ve just released a 7-inch with two new tracks that will not be on the upcoming album, so make sure to check those tunes out.
  

• Black Books, by Jack Rabid [+ Show ]
  

  Black Books deliver a dreamy, delightful, downer drive on the slowcore "The Big Idea" and "Green Scr...Black Books deliver a dreamy, delightful, downer drive on the slowcore "The Big Idea" and "Green Screen," like Loney, Dear and Low wrestling Lightspeed Champion, Idaho, and Wye Oak. They amp it up, too, on "Maria," but save some twinge of Wolf Parade and Fleet Foxes in the harmonic vocals. That could make them dangerous in the U.S. underground. Will Sub Pop steal them?

• yvynyl: Black Books - The Big Idea [+ Show ]
  

  Big, beautiful, heartbreaking work from this upstart Austin, TX rockers. Sounds as though this band ...Big, beautiful, heartbreaking work from this upstart Austin, TX rockers. Sounds as though this band got in bed with Blitzen Trapper and My Morning Jacket and ‘made babies’. Listening to this is like wrapping up in a navajo blanket and laying under the big Texas desert stars with your lover, and, you know, making babies. Or at least this should be the soundtrack. I expect big things from these guys.

• Featured Profile: Black Books [+ Show ]
  

  Fans of the southern rock sound will instantly be drawn to their music… if you’re a fan of Fleet Fox...Fans of the southern rock sound will instantly be drawn to their music… if you’re a fan of Fleet Foxes, Band Of Horses, or My Morning Jacket, give them a shot. I assure you they will not disappoint.

• A.V. Club: Black Books [+ Show ]
  

  Spacious psychedelia, a burbling, drifting form of dream pop with a big-sky Texas twist. The band re...Spacious psychedelia, a burbling, drifting form of dream pop with a big-sky Texas twist. The band represents another branch on Austin’s cosmic cowboy family tree.

• SXSW 2012 Preview: Black Books [+ Show ]
  

  Playing self-described garage magic, the quintet creates epic soundscapes accompanied by reverbed vo...Playing self-described garage magic, the quintet creates epic soundscapes accompanied by reverbed vocals. Starting from the first notes off their debut EP An Introduction To… I was drawn in by their dreamy pop. The slow buildup of the lead song “The Big Idea” explodes into a synthesizer-infused chorus in which the lead singer bellows the lyrics “You can have anything you want” to perhaps a former significant other. Comparisons have been drawn to Sparklehorse, Grandaddy and other southern rock influenced dream pop outfits like My Morning Jacket, and I can definitely hear the similarities, but Black Books stand out on their own because of their excellent guitar work and instrumental balance.

• Top 10 Albums of 2011
  

  It's like listening to Band of Horses under water. I love the Black Books!

• Black Books [+ Show ]
  

  Black Books are one of my favorite discoveries of 2012. With vocals reminiscent of Jim James and mus...Black Books are one of my favorite discoveries of 2012. With vocals reminiscent of Jim James and music that alternates beautiful melodies with anthemic apexes, it’s little wonder the band draws comparisons to My Morning Jacket. It’s not all indie southern rock, though, as the band also delves into psych-rock and dream pop.

• Off The Record with Austin Powell
  

  10 Locals To Watch In 2011

• EARMILK: Straight From The Teet - Black Books [+ Show ]
  

  Psychedelic, another great ambient psychedelic troupe from the lone star state. Black Books have rec...Psychedelic, another great ambient psychedelic troupe from the lone star state. Black Books have recently had success with their release An Introduction To… which is the precursor to their upcoming fall record. Take a listen and be sure to check back on SFTT for more info regarding their upcoming release.

• Float Along to Black Books' of The Cardigans' "Lovefool" [+ Show ]
  

  They have made a great update to a tired track. At first they stick close to the Cardigans’ version,...They have made a great update to a tired track. At first they stick close to the Cardigans’ version, excluding the fact that lead singer Ross Gilfillan is a dude and sounds a little drunk as he slurs through the verses. When they hit the chorus, though, things get a bit trippy. The band really hits on the best parts of the song; rather than being repetitive to the point of being grating, they shroud the words in mountains of reverb and distortion until they are soft enough to float on. Even though the second verse is just like the first, coming after that refrain it sounds completely new. Black Books have captured that nostalgia of the original and made it new.

• Black Books - "An Introduction To... [+ Show ]
  

  Black Books is a sweet sounding dream pop band out of Austin, Texas that pushes the experimental env...Black Books is a sweet sounding dream pop band out of Austin, Texas that pushes the experimental envelope a bit further than most ambient, gaze-y indie rock without losing that approachable southern charm. I like everthing about this 4 song EP An Introduction To..., so I'll just shut up and let the music do the talking.

• Austin Town Hall: New Music From Black Books [+ Show ]
  

  Black Books are a relatively new Austin band that we’ve recently taken a liking too. Not long ago, ...Black Books are a relatively new Austin band that we’ve recently taken a liking too. Not long ago, the band finished recording their debut EP An Introduction To… which is currently available for free download on the Black Books bandcamp site. Below you’ll find a nice little MP3 of my personal favorite song “Green Screen”. The vocals of drummer Ross Gilfillan on this tune remind me a lot of the reverb laden early work of Jim James mixed with a few parts Mark Kozelek. I’m down with that.

• My Old Kentucky Blog: New Band Smell [+ Show ]
  

  Highly recommended for anyone whose been petitioning for a Grandaddy reunion and those of you who lo...Highly recommended for anyone whose been petitioning for a Grandaddy reunion and those of you who love My Morning Jacket’s until they threaten to morph into Pink Floyd.

• Find of The Week Vol. 3 No. 11: Black Books [+ Show ]
  

  Hailing from Austin and fresh off a SXSW appearance, Black Books were rated #13 on Paste Magazine to...Hailing from Austin and fresh off a SXSW appearance, Black Books were rated #13 on Paste Magazine top 100 Bands at SXSW. With the seemingly infinite number of bands that performed there this year that’s some feat to accomplish.
  
  An Introduction To… is an experimentation in atmospheric indie rock and an experiment that works amazingly well. There isn’t a dud on the EP and each track is just wall-to-wall pleasantries of sound.

• Favorites of 2011: EPs and Singles [+ Show ]
  

  Top 10 EP's of 2011 These favorites come in the form of EPs, singles, 7 inch and split 12 inch re...Top 10 EP's of 2011
  
  These favorites come in the form of EPs, singles, 7 inch and split 12 inch releases of the vinyl and digital variety. In no particular order.

• GFP Introducing... Black Books [+ Show ]
  

  It can be incredibly frustrating at times and is also why a band as startlingly fully-formed and bri...It can be incredibly frustrating at times and is also why a band as startlingly fully-formed and brilliant as Black Books can go pretty much unnoticed on these shores for so long. The five-piece from Austin, Texas make huge, passionate indie-rock songs in the vein of early My Morning Jacket, and their An Introduction To… EP, released back in February, is as good as anything we’ve heard this year.

• Black Books - The Big Idea [+ Show ]
  

  I’ve never been but I think I would love Austin. I’ve found another reason: Black Books. They’re app...I’ve never been but I think I would love Austin. I’ve found another reason: Black Books. They’re approximately reason #43431.
  
  Black Books is a 5-piece from the Texas capital. They’re made up of Ross and Meg Gilfillan, Kevin Butler, Mike Parker, and Clarke Curtis. The band plays what they call “a mix of what dream pop and southern rock”. They are old friends but new bandmates. They currently have one release, An Introduction to…. With it they’ve been labelled as a local band to watch in the quality Austin scene. As you listen to their music, you can see why.

• Top 25 EPs pf 2011 [+ Show ]
  

  #11 - Black Books’ version of southern dream pop in a masterfully recorded and mixed package. For fa...#11 - Black Books’ version of southern dream pop in a masterfully recorded and mixed package. For fans of Sparklehorse and Grandaddy, be prepared for epic soundscapes, excellent guitar work and gently exploding crescendos.

• Top 10 New Artists in 2011 [+ Show ]
  

  #1) Black Books These are my personal picks for the Best New Artists in 2011. Each of these artis...#1) Black Books
  
  These are my personal picks for the Best New Artists in 2011. Each of these artists have had their first release or started as a band in 2011. They all deserve some recognition for their great music and you should definitely keep an eye on them in 2012 as they take their next steps in their blossoming musical careers.

• Black Books - White Noise [+ Show ]
  

  Builds from subdued, clean-channel electrics into a flurry of echoing synths and guitars layered ben...Builds from subdued, clean-channel electrics into a flurry of echoing synths and guitars layered beneath excellent vocals. It reminds me of a more atmospheric, less country version of early Band of Horses

• Black Books Release Ltd. Ed. Green Vinyl 10" [+ Show ]
  

  What started as an informal jam session between friends in Manor, Texas, has blossomed into a fully ...What started as an informal jam session between friends in Manor, Texas, has blossomed into a fully formed indie-pop outfit which celebrated the release of its four-song EP, An Introduction To, last Wednesday, Feb. 16, at Beerland. Signed worldwide to Shifting Sounds records, the fivepiece Black Books create lush soundscapes most easily (and lazily) compared to My Morning Jacket and Grandaddy.

• Introducing: Black Books [+ Show ]
  

  Black Books are 5 piece from Austin, Texas that psych rock fans should keep an eye on. They released...Black Books are 5 piece from Austin, Texas that psych rock fans should keep an eye on. They released a great little EP called An Introduction To… and it does exactly what it implies. It’s a great introduction to what the band is all about: Smart psych rock that deserve the My Morning Jacket comparisons that they’ve been receiving. These are tripped out rock jams that everyone can enjoy. This is quite an introduction.
  
  After one run through, I’m incredibly impressed. This is the perfect way to start your career. They main the skills and focus of seasoned veterans. They’re ready to break out. If this EP is any indication, Black Books are going to be a big name soon.

• New Music: Black Books
  

  Dreamy, dark, seductive

• The Come Up - Black Books [+ Show ]
  

  After being labeled one of the Top Ten Local Acts to Watch by the Austin Chronicle and getting the g...After being labeled one of the Top Ten Local Acts to Watch by the Austin Chronicle and getting the green light to perform at SXSW ’12, the band that has been playing together since they were little kids might finally get their chance to grow up. Black Books, a five piece Austin folk/dreampop outfit, is probably best described as two parts Band of Horses and one parts My Morning Jacket. Blending lush instrumentals with soulful vocals, the band’s sound seems fitting for any summer stroll under a giant starlit sky

• Black Books The Big Idea
  

  The song itself is a mesmerizing journey, and they give it a wonderful video to go with it.

• The Big Idea [+ Show ]
  

  Introducing, Black Books, bringing The Shins sounding goodness out of Austin, TX while peppering in ...Introducing, Black Books, bringing The Shins sounding goodness out of Austin, TX while peppering in early My Morning Jacket influence to keep it southern for y'all. "An Introduction To..." is nothing short of a pleasure to listen to. The self described "southern dream rock" fivesome are definitely a band to keep your eye on.

• SXSW Day 0-1: The Lemurs, Black Books, Sahara Smith... [+ Show ]
  

  Then snuck out later this evening to see one of my favorite new Austin bands, Black Books, who boast...Then snuck out later this evening to see one of my favorite new Austin bands, Black Books, who boast the rarely seen drummer/lead singer, and play a kind of off-kilter dream-pop...their "Maria" lit it up + served as the highlight of my night.

• Black Books [+ Show ]
  

  Their sound is reminiscent of My Morning Jacket and Band of Horses, especially vocally (someone need...Their sound is reminiscent of My Morning Jacket and Band of Horses, especially vocally (someone needs to trademark whatever tricks these guys use to sound so great) but also in their melodic construction

• New Music: Black Books
  

  Widescreen music at it's best.

• Indie Darkroom Profile - black books [+ Show ]
  

  In my opinion, Black Books is one of the best bands of 2011. Their dreamy / southern-rock sound is t...In my opinion, Black Books is one of the best bands of 2011. Their dreamy / southern-rock sound is true gold and has gained them much attention this year. Their first EP entitled “An Introduction To” is just a sample of their musical talents and will surely leave you wanting more. Their upcoming release, which has yet to be titled, promises to deliver even more impressive dreamy indie-rock and will definitely keep you satisfied.

• Introducing Black Books [+ Show ]
  

  Black Books hail from the musical mecca of Austin, TX, and their music feels like a gathering point ...Black Books hail from the musical mecca of Austin, TX, and their music feels like a gathering point as well. Their new EP, entitled An Introduction To…, is a four-song, nearly 20 minute journey that builds on itself from track to track. It’s a kind of dream-pop/shoegaze hybrid – although those terms are often used interchangeably. The lead singer sounds like a hybrid himself, mixing the best parts of Damien Jurado and Jim James together. An Introduction To… does just that – offers a solid presentation of a band with undeniable promise.
  
  Said EP will see its official release on February 15th, but you can stream the entire thing right now at the band’s website. There are also plans for releasing the EP on 10? vinyl through the folks at Shifting Sounds, but that seems to be a UK release only. If no one has plans on releasing it here in the States on wax, maybe we’ll just have to start our own label to make it happen.

• Day 1 of SXSW: Austin's black books at Dirty Dog Bar [+ Show ]
  

  I discovered black books' EP An Introduction to... on their Bandcamp page about a week before South ...I discovered black books' EP An Introduction to... on their Bandcamp page about a week before South by Southwest, and it took all of 5 seconds of "The Big Idea" to get me completely obsessed with the Austin band (preview the track below). Lead singer Ross Gillfilan's voice sounds similar to Jim James' of My Morning Jacket, and the track's descent into a mesmerizing haze of lazy, sprawling psychedelia is maddeningly deliberate and highly addictive. But besides their Bandcamp and Facebook pages, I could find little else on this budding Austin band which made me want to see the band's live performance all the more. Though they may be green, I was delighted to find their audience at Dirty Dog Bar last Wednesday robust and more than a little antsy to see the young quintet perform. I was further impressed by the fact that lead singer Ross Gillfilan was also the drummer, and he not only covered both roles but did so with a light touch that's rare for others of his ilk. The band played a very cohesive set, and I thought they represented their recorded music extremely well. When I met up with the members of black books on Friday for the following interview, it was obvious that they felt great about their first-ever set at South by Southwest: every member of the band was glowing with pride and a quietly shared sense of a job well done.

• Black Books - White Noise
  

  Blending heavy doses of psychedlelia with sun-soaked melodies and huge, anthemic soundscapes.

• Black Books - White Noise
  

  You can feel the warmth of the Texan sun seep through.

• Free Week Live Shots [+ Show ]
  

  Black Books was an early surprise, recalling Phil Collins-era Genesis approached from a post-rock p... Black Books was an early surprise, recalling Phil Collins-era Genesis approached from a post-rock perspective, spacious yet dense, with a singing drummer that used enough reverb to warrant Jim James comparisons.

• Listen :: Black Books [+ Show ]
  

  The second I started listening to the first track on their EP, An Introduction to, I was hooked. Th...The second I started listening to the first track on their EP, An Introduction to, I was hooked. This 4-song EP is full of glittery electronics with a heavy, soaring guitar and rich drum beats. And the vocals are the perfect icing on this delicious cake. This 5-piece is a powerhouse that’s undeniably great. Black Books is for fans of Sun Airway and Kurt Vile. You have got to check them out.

• Black Books, A Prologue [+ Show ]
  

  This sounds like the album that you'll put on while driving in open highway at night or a lush fores...This sounds like the album that you'll put on while driving in open highway at night or a lush forest during the day.

• Austin’s Black Books..An Introduction To [+ Show ]
  

  My resolution seems to have come at the right time, because starting off 2011, I’ve come across a fe...My resolution seems to have come at the right time, because starting off 2011, I’ve come across a few local artists that have blindsided me, not only with the fact that they seem to have come from nowhere, but in the fact that have produced some of my current favorite recorded tunes. One of those bands is Black Books. I would have to give credit to Austin Town Hall for catching the talent of this 5 piece outfit pretty quick.
  
  As with most bands that seem to drop from out of nowhere, there isn’t much info out there about the group. Well acquainted friends for years that have played music, suddenly decide to form a band and put out some tunes. Having a band member with a recording studio in his house that doubles as a practice space, is a luxury that most bands would prefer, much less kill for, and from which, would benefit greatly. The band has a 4 song EP titled An Introduction To… which is being handled by the UK label Shifting Sounds. The EP is currently available for FREE download on the bands Bandcamp page, but the free won’t last forever. A Feb 15th release date of limited edition 10? vinyl via Shifting Sounds will probably bring the free to a halt, so get it now.
  
  As for the band’s sound..it’s pretty inevitable that there are going to be the My Morning Jacket and Band of Horses comparisons based on the vocals and some of the musical tones, but there’s something unique and interesting brewing in this short set of songs. Electronic accessories that hint at Grandaddy on track 1 “The Big Idea” find themselves sharing as much of the structural integrity throughout the recording, while each track establishes it’s own identity within the space and structure that the band collectively weaves. Well written songs both lyrically and musically, with attention to the details will have locals paying attention to Black Books over the next year.

• black books [+ Show ]
  

  bands like black books are why I’m bitter that I don’t live in austin. their ep, an introduction to…...bands like black books are why I’m bitter that I don’t live in austin. their ep, an introduction to…, has been played often in my itunes library because the music is just so solid, and the production level is incredibly clear (side note: this is because they record at a band member’s studio, test tube audio). in an email they sent last month, they said the band plans to have another ep out by the end of the year, so cross your fingers that all goes well and we’ll have some new music from them soon.

• Wednesday Rumble: black books and friends [+ Show ]
  

  Black Books spread their lush, dreamy sound over four tracks on a recent nifty-looking green vinyl E...Black Books spread their lush, dreamy sound over four tracks on a recent nifty-looking green vinyl EP, An Introduction to...; lyrics include the very Texas sentiment "if you're not sunburned you're not having fun"...they've also got some upcoming 3/5 at the Mohawk & two more helping kick off the SX madness Tuesday 3/15 at (both!) The Ghost Room and Skinny's Ballroom.

• Black Books - Amazing Instore featured artist #10 [+ Show ]
  

  bold, beautiful and wholly absorbing. Texan quintet Black Books produce the kind of music that's... bold, beautiful and wholly absorbing.
  
  Texan quintet Black Books produce the kind of music that's both heartbreaking and euphoric, it evokes the same sensation that can be felt listening to bands like The Shins or Band of Horses. Black Books aren't too dissimilar from either band, listening to them makes us want to throw our arms in the air and shout, "Yes! Yes! Somebody else understands!" It's like their music takes you by the hand and lets you know everything is going to be ok.
  
  Throughout their 'An Introduction To...' EP, melancholic moments of reflection are interspersed with gloriously euphoric explosions of unbridled passion. Opening track, 'The Big Idea', highlights everything they do so successfully as a band and why you should be so excited about discovering their music.

• Black Books - An Introduction To [+ Show ]
  

  Anyone who puts An Introduction To by Black Books in and doesn't melt after the vocals start is a co...Anyone who puts An Introduction To by Black Books in and doesn't melt after the vocals start is a cold hearted bastard.
  
  An Introduction To is like Pink Floyd's Division Bell in 2011, but with the aforementioned Neil Young at the helm. Even the incidental guitar solo has the instant feel of Mister Young about to go in.
  
  Band of Horses meets the electronic brilliance of Hollywood's mega-blockbuster spray on lacquer, An Introduction To, while not perfect, is as close as near-perfect in indie rock as I will get in 2011 I'm afraid.
  
  Everything inside of this short 4 song project is tasteful, if I had to sum it up in a short sentence. As soon as you're in their pocket and the song changes, you feel like you know everything about Black Books, with the exception of how it's going to feel when you snap out of it.

• TOP 30 UNSIGNED ARTISTS 2010
  

  It's in Swedish but we're #6.

• Black Books: Green Screen [+ Show ]
  

  I think I may be in love. You know that feeling after you form a crush…that first spark of interest...I think I may be in love. You know that feeling after you form a crush…that first spark of interest leaving you wanting to know more. You possibly might become instantly infatuated. Sometimes when you learn more they turn out to be not what you hoped or expected. Other times though you end up falling a little harder. It might be love or it might just be a really big crush, but either way it’s something.
  My current gushing sighing crush is with the Austin, TX band Black Books. When I first heard their song Green Screen, I thought man this is all over the place dynamically sometimes, the guitars seem to be everywhere… but I fucking love it. And the voice…it’s perhaps a little Band of Horses, perhaps a little Jim James in all his bearded glory but mostly a lot of amazing in it’s own right. I think fans of My Morning Jacket will be crushing right along with me when you hear this group.
  Black Books EP is available for FREE download on their website.

• Top 50 Tracks of 2010: Black Books – The Big Idea [+ Show ]
  

  A slow-building, burning from the inside epic, The Big Idea grows and grows, coming on like a sunris...A slow-building, burning from the inside epic, The Big Idea grows and grows, coming on like a sunrise telling you it’s time to get home. It’s a creeper, smoldering under some simple synth lines and evocative guitar growls. Just when you think that’s as far as it’s going, the chorus arrives, expanding temporarily before ceding to the rising guitar.
  
  The real magic begins in the second chorus when it drops to just vocals and a synth swirl. Then the guitar returns, switching gears from “understated” to “dominating”, while Black Books’ lead singer Rosco’s vocals rise to the challenge, delivering a line that’s more desperation than promise:
  
  “You can have anything you want.”
  

• Black Books [+ Show ]
  

  A perfect blend of heavier instrumentals and ghost like vocals… there’s something addictive about le...A perfect blend of heavier instrumentals and ghost like vocals… there’s something addictive about lead singer Ross Gilfillan’s vocals.

Setlist

Favorite Place
Something To Remember
Like You Best
Talk To Me
The Big Idea
Take Take Take
Alley Cats
Out The Door

Basic Requirements

Calendar