Some of your favorite local tracks may be from Anthony Schatz, but you would never know it. He's been recording under the guise of anonymity for years, with some of his albums secretly reaching heights of critical acclaim and maximum enjoyment, including from popular musicians like Fleet Foxes frontman Robin Pecknold. While those in the scene may know his face from the house shows he's thrown, everyone else will soon know that face due to his upcoming new album, due out on February 3rd.

Under the moniker PWRHAUS (or sometimes, Tonality Star), Schatz's tender concoction of ethereal dreampop, retro Motown soul and indie, topped with a witty cheekiness, is undeniably catchy. 

The newest single to come off the release, "Heartbeat," is a lo-fi reworking of a traditional love song as far as the ear can make out of the slightly droned out but definite head-bobbing beat. You can experience this track live along with the rest of the album, at his visual album release on the 8th at Holocene. Secrets, the solo project of Aaron Chapman from Nurses, and Schaus will also be a part of the soulfully dreamy fun. Take a peek at "Heartbeat" below.

The reclusive and prolific anonymous composer Tonality*Star is putting out his first full length album backed by a band; he calls this incarnation of the project PWRHAUS. PWRHAUS stays true to the descending pop melodies, ambling pace, and linear songwriting approach typical of Tonality*Star releases, complete with Mr. Star’s classic air, whisper-voice, which bears resemblance to the throaty resonance of vocalists like Andrew Wyatt of Miike Snow. However, unlike a Tonality*Star show, at a PWRHAUS show you’re likely to see the stage overloaded with musicians and instruments: guitar, bass drums, piano, sax, even the possibility of a cello. In light of this lineup of instruments, don’t expect the crazy electronic texture pads present in Tonality*Star shows, but instead a more organic and earthy approach to nu-pop. Imagine if his old sound melted itself in a pot with a hunk of ’60s beachy love songs and stirred itself around a bit. PWRHAUS will release their first full length recording, Magic Spell, Monday night at Mississippi Studios. 

To keep with the surreal, meandering indie-pop energy, Lady Lazarus will make an appearance to bolster the lineup. Her music is intimate and minimalist in terms of accompaniment--most songs are just piano and a single voice--but is reinforced with a brilliant wash of reverb that puts its grandiosity level at even with early Grizzly Bear, while the tone curbs and balances this effect with a melancholia that deviates the sound in the direction of Grouper.

- Bryce Woodcock