'NITES • Austin music blog

'NITES, a Blog for Austinites: 2008-2011

2011-09-04T13:49:00.009-05:00

This blog is dead. It will no longer be updated.*

*But you can follow along with my latest exploits on Twitter and on my personal blog.

Tonight: East Cameron Folkcore at Hole in the Wall

2011-01-27T10:03:00.003-06:00

Some things just go incredibly well together: chips and queso, whiskey and Coke, rhythm and blues. Along those lines, I advise you at some point in your Austinite life to experience the band East Cameron Folkcore and the venue Hole in the Wall together. Tonight is a good opportunity to make it happen, as the Folkcore recently returned from a national tour and is playing their homecoming show at the storied venue.

I filmed this nine-piece folk/punk mini-orchestra at Mohawk during Free Week and I can't wait to show you the finished product at Red River Noise. In the meantime, a friend of the band named Pin-Bo Tsai got some footage of his own from that show. Check it out below.

East Cameron Folkcore from Pin-Bo Tsai on Vimeo.

Tonight: Bridge Farmers at Hole in the Wall

2010-10-19T10:23:00.000-05:00

Bridge Farmers are trying to scrape together enough funds to buy a van and go on tour. Their new album, Equus, comes out next month and they want to hit the road to promote it. So this psych/alt-rock quartet has played a Tuesday residency at Hole in the Wall this month with that aim in mind. I highly recommend tonight's installment for fans of whiskey-soaked folk-rock with punkish elements. Joining Bridge Farmers are The Bread and East Cameron Folkcore (folk-core, not "folklore," by the way). Also, this show is FREE.

Tonight: It's a Felabration

2010-10-15T15:13:00.000-05:00

Fela Kuti is one of the greatest musicians of the 20th century. The godfather of afrobeat would've been 72 years old today. It also happens to be the birthday of local concert promoter and Fela fanatic Brandon Badillo, founder of Bemba Entertainment. The dude has put on a lot of great shows around town, including Xemumba Fest, boat cruises, World Music Night and tributes to Nina Simone and Bill Withers. He's taken this shared birthday opportunity to put on another kick-ass tribute night. So come Felabrate, as a handful of local bands put their own spin on Fela classics all night long. I'm most excited about the Bemba Beat Arkestra, a supergroup featuring singer-songwriter Kalu James and members of Hard Proof Afrobeat. The show gets started on Friday at 9 with a $10 cover. Watch a clip of Hard Proof Afrobeat performing Fela's "My Lady Frustration" below.

Also on Friday, two local bands celebrate releases at the Mohawk. Country-tinged indie rockers Frank Smith have a new album dropping, while psych-rockers Smoke & Feathers have a new EP out. Singer-songwriter Danny Malone opens the show. I'd also stop by Beerland, as Ghost Knife (a Riverboat Gamblers side project) plays its last show for a while.

Tonight: SuperLiteBike, Muchos Backflips at Scoot Inn

2010-10-14T11:13:00.002-05:00

SuperLiteBike at the Parish (May 2010)

Bearded Allies is a new promoter in Austin, only having put on a couple of shows. They've been pretty ambitious though, which is the case with tonight's Bearded Allies-presented show at Scoot Inn. The show, which features four local bands, is a benefit for LifeWorks and will also include bobbing for apples and a pie-eating contest. Cover is $7, or $5 if you're wearing a costume. BBQ Heaven will be vending at the show (you know, the Red River trailer that serves some of the best BBQ in town).

Schedule:

9:30-10:15 - Muchos Backflips
10:30-11:30 - Coniferous (Zorch side project) with fire dancers
11:30-midnight - Sideshow Vardo (band with belly dancers) and pie-eating contest
midnight-1 - SuperLiteBike

Tonight: Great Nostalgic, Bubbles, FM Campers at Beerland

2010-10-13T11:13:00.001-05:00

Beerland has a free show tonight with a pretty solid local lineup, presented by Future Sounds. Starting at 9, you can catch FM Campers, The Bubbles and The Great Nostalgic.

The Great Nostalgic's indie-pop sound is at times mellow and at times melodramatic. I reviewed their debut album last year. It was one of my favorite local offerings of 2009. Their sophomore album is due out later this year.

The Bubbles are the only band on this bill I've yet to see live. Listening to their tunes on MySpace, you can tell they're a product of Austin: lo-fi garage pop that seems to be channeling Spoon at times. They've gotten lots of praise, though, so I'm looking forward to finally catching 'em.

When I saw FM Campers for the first time earlier this year, I immediately thought "Animal Collective impersonators." That doesn't mean I didn't enjoy what I heard. They sounded pretty good live. I just hope they've grown as a band and tried to incorporate different sounds and influences since then. Here's a video of FM Campers performing back in February.

Tonight: PUNCH! at Cap City Comedy Club

2010-10-12T11:12:00.000-05:00

Usually it's a $5 cover, but this week's PUNCH! is totally free. If you haven't heard, PUNCH! is arguably Austin's hottest up-and-coming comedy residency, featuring local and touring standup comics. Hosted by local comedy hero Matt Bearden, PUNCH! is always a good time. And this week's show is free, so if it sucks, it's not like you wasted money.

This week's acts include Jimmie Roulette, Mike MacRae and Shane Mauss. The show starts at 8 at Cap City Comedy Club.

Tonight: Context Clues at Beauty Bar

2010-10-11T15:38:00.003-05:00

A fun but daunting aspect of the local music scene is the sheer ginormity of it. You couldn't possibly see every band in town because there are too damn many, some of which come and go without notice. It's hard to get your name out there, but the first thing any band should do is network. Find out what bands have similar sounds or philosophies. Attend their shows and invite them to attend yours.

For the fans, the same concept applies. If you want to discover new bands, ask your current favorites who they like and what good bands they've played with lately. Or ask them if they have side projects. That's how I discovered Context Clues. Jeff Merrill played guitar for a piano-pop band I liked called SNAFU Kitties. I found out that Merrill had his own pop-rock quartet, which he fronted, called Context Clues. So I checked 'em out on a random night at Hole in the Wall and really dug what I heard. I bought the CD and liked it enough to review it, back when I still had time to review albums on this blog. Those were the days.

Context Clues went on hiatus shortly after (like I said, local bands come and go). But they're back and ready to start playing shows. Tonight is their first in more than a year. Context Clues plays at Beauty Bar with the avant-garde classical ensemble Waterloo Sound Conspiracy and mellow folk duo Hill and Range. Spinning between sets will be DJ Orion.

Check out a free mp3 from the band called "Nietzsche's Dead." Download it here.

Tonight: Ditch The Fest at Cheer Up Charlie's

2010-10-09T12:52:00.001-05:00

Want a free crash course in the Red River music scene? Then let me suggest Lucy The Poodle's Ditch The Fest, a no-cover all-day party going on at Cheer Up Charlie's on the east side. Aside from the headliners (Free Moral Agents, 2Mex), this epic bill is entirely composed of local bands you'd see playing at Red River venues on any given week night.

The lineup:

Free Moral Agents (featuring "Ikey" Owens of The Mars Volta) / Woven Bones / 2Mex (Strange Famous Records) / Yellow Fever / The Carrots / Yppah (Ninja Tune Records) / Follow That Bird! / Ringo Deathstarr / ZEALE / Weird Weeds / The Ugly Beats / Missions (ex-Clap Clap) / Transmography / The Boxing Lesson / Agent Ribbons / Butcher Bear and Charlie / Neiliyo / Richard Henry / Cry Blood Apache / Death Is Not a Joyride / Spells (ex-Moth!Fight!) / The Low Lows / The Hi-Tones / Cowabunga Babes / No Mas Bodas / Pataphysics / Amplified Heat / The Jungle Rockers / Oh No Oh My / Megafauna / Muggzy Flowz / Ryat / Silent Diane / Gobi / Red Leaves / White Dress / The Happen Ins / Hatchet Wound / A Giant Dog / Panjoma / Ripe / The Sour Notes / Art Versus Industry / Planet Rye Co. / Os Ovni / Silent Land Time Machine / The Sideshow Tragedy / Super Lite Bike / Miss Moonlight / DJ Hot Britches / Wolfteeth / Girls Rock Camp featuring Charlie Belle

Tuesday show pick: The Young Maths at Mohawk

2010-08-17T10:55:00.002-05:00

Tonight at Mohawk, you have a chance to catch a hot up-and-coming band from the Rio Grande Valley. The Young Maths are a dance-rock quartet that mixes punk, funk and party vibes, like they're The Faint's younger snot-nosed little cousins. Think McAllen's Zlam Dunk. Think Funeral Party, with a little less funeral and a lot more party. And with song titles like "Meet Me at the Gay Bar" and "Fingered on the Dance Floor," it appears they have a sense of humor to match their catchy-as-hell tunes.

Photos: Paradise Titty at The Parish [August 13]

2010-08-17T00:57:00.003-05:00

Paradise Titty, Austin's own all-female Guns N' Roses tribute band (yes, there is such a thing), served up the rockin' tunes on Friday night at The Parish. I was there to shoot photos for Red River Noise. You can view the complete photo gallery here.

Thursday show picks: All My Friends... are F&@#ing Dead

2010-07-15T10:54:00.001-05:00

Tonight proves how spoiled we really are as music fans in Austin. See, in most cities and towns, on any given night the best available musical entertainment is provided by cover bands. Usually, these are middle-aged would-be rockers and weekend warriors playing "Dr. Feelgood" and "Cherry Pie" for the umpteenthousandth time in their life.

In Austin, meanwhile, we mostly have original bands playing good music in almost any genre you could want. But even on a night like tonight, when the best live music options are cover bands, it's not because the original bands suck. It's because our cover bands are inspired in their tribute choices; they're not cliche, instead choosing source material that we know and love but wouldn't expect to be covered.

At Speakeasy, Do512 is hosting a dance party with DJs, Deep Eddy vodka and All My Friends, a local LCD Soundsystem tribute band. Yeah, they play covers by a band who released a critically acclaimed album two months ago, as well as one of the best albums of 2007. Featuring members of SuperLiteBike and Peoplefood, this tribute band puts on a dance-punk show that would do James Murphy proud. Cover is $5 if you RSVP here. Band starts at 10.

Over at Mohawk, it's the debut of a tribute band that has punk fans excited: Refused are Fucking Dead. Refused, a Swedish leftist punk band steeped in lore, released what was arguably the best hardcore album of their generation. Then they broke up shortly thereafter, leaving lots of us fans starved for a live taste of The Shape of Punk to Come. Tonight might be the closest we get. More details here.

Video: Markov at Beauty Bar

2010-07-07T17:24:00.000-05:00

What I like most about Markov is their complete comfort and confidence on a stage. A lot of bands look tentative when they play; you know, each member picks a spot on the stage and doesn't deviate, as if trapped within an invisible forcefield. Markov's lead screamer, on the other hand, wanders about as if he's pacing in his living room recalling a story aloud to himself. He'll then walk into the crowd and continue with his shout-rap style, ignoring the bodies around him. When he's bored with that, he'll find amps to climb and nooks and crannies on the stage to examine, all the while shouting some dark, provocative lyrics. And it doesn't look forced. The dude just looks like he has ADD and makes it work. I'm not saying every band should do this, or take it this far, but every band should at least feel comfortable enough on a stage to move a little. Tap your toe, nod your head, sway. Anything. Just show me you've got a pulse. Markov has tons of life, and it shows. Recommended for fans of Refused and Future of the Left.

Recorded at Beauty Bar on July 2, 2010.

Video: Lights Go Out at Beauty Bar

2010-07-07T14:40:00.002-05:00

Lights Go Out is a super-new band (their MySpace account was created in May) formed by Austin scene veterans. Drummer Adrian Carillo plays with metalheads Pack of Wolves and the alt-folk indie band Western Ghost House. Lead singer/guitarist Rich Mendez plays with the hard-rocking High Watt Crucifixers. And bassist Erik Sanger, well, it seems like he lives at Beauty Bar because you always see him around looking dapper; he also played with Trail of Dead later this same night. Lights Go Out is more of an alt-rock/punk 101x-sounding band. Don't take that as a bad thing. This band was pretty good live. And it's always fun watching a band develop from their inception.

Recorded at Beauty Bar on July 2, 2010.

Video: The Frontier Brothers at Mohawk

2010-07-06T14:08:00.000-05:00

The Frontier Brothers are at a level of development that many unsigned bands don't make it to: They have a look and a sound and an overall clarity of identity and of purpose. They have their act together beyond the chords and notes. It's refreshing to see their professionalism, charisma and confidence, even if the music doesn't always appeal to me. I'd say I genuinely enjoyed most of the set, though I found some of the songs skippable. Read a recent Red River Noise interview with the band here.

Recorded at Mohawk on June 23, 2010.

Video: Tow The Line at Mohawk

2010-07-06T12:49:00.000-05:00

Tow The Line is hard-charging, straight-ahead alternative/punk rock. They're a fairly new band, but they seem to be heading in the right direction. Stage presence is there. Their sound is recognizable but still their own. They utilize three singers (screamers, to be precise), which works to great effect. Tow The Line features the rhythm section of former Fueled By Ramen signees and local post-hardcore heroes RECOVER.

Recorded at Mohawk on June 23, 2010.

Video: The Deaf Ears at Momo's

2010-07-05T13:36:00.000-05:00

The Deaf Ears released one of my favorite local albums of 2009, Live Forever. You should find a way to get your hands on it, especially if you're a fan of earnest piano/key-driven pop that's mature enough to not be cheesy but fun and self-aware enough to rise above the boring "adult contemporary" label. Joel Mullins has a strong, consistent voice and his lyrics are unconventional yet emotive. Watch them perform "Army of Wit" above, and click here to see them do "Amateur Saw."

Recorded at Momo's on June 16, 2010.

Video: Suzanna Choffel at Momo's

2010-07-05T13:01:00.004-05:00

Suzanna Choffel is a staple of the West 6th scene, regularly being booked for residencies at Momo's with respected Austin musicians. She's built a reputation as one of the most consistent and fun-to-watch singer/songwriters in town since her debut album dropped in 2006. A gorgeous girl with a quirky sensibility and a killer voice. What's not to like about that?

Recorded at Momo's on June 16, 2010.

Monday's show pick: Bob Showdown benefit at Mohawk

2010-07-05T11:29:00.000-05:00

BANDS

Bridge Farmers

Jesse Moore / Hobomouth

INFO

Local folk-punk songwriter Bob Showdown is moving to Hawaii. To send them off right, his friends (who happen to play in some really rad bands) are throwing a going-away/benefit show at the Mohawk. Music starts at 8 and cover is $5. One of Austin's most inexplicably abrasive bands, Like Dogs, recently came back from indefinite hiatus and has already left a trail of bloody foreheads and dislocated shoulders in its wake. They're worth admission alone, but stay for the alt-folk orchestra Jesse Moore & the East Cameron Folkcore. Also, catch the indie hip-hop of The Moltyverse.

Printable schedule of Chaos in Tejas 2010

2010-05-27T15:18:00.000-05:00

Big shout out to We Fucking Bang for posting a printable schedule of this weekend's Chaos in Tejas festivities. These should come in really handy for you venue-hoppers and people trying to maximize the experience. Click to enlarge:

Friday's local show picks: Krum Bums at Emo's

2010-05-13T13:55:00.000-05:00

How about some dirty punk rock for your Friday night? Krum Bums are one of the rowdiest, beer-spittingest, stage-divingest bands in town. So if that's your thing, be at Emo's. If it's not your thing, venture out of your comfort zone for once, you predictable hipster! J/K.... but not really.

Thursday's local music pick: SuperLiteBike at the Parish

2010-05-12T17:36:00.000-05:00

I've watched SuperLiteBike change and grow over the years, to mostly pleasing results. They were actually the first band I ever saw live in Austin when I moved here on a muggy summer weekend in 2004. They were called A Pocketful of Deng at the time, and they were skinny kids with lots of potential but a lack of direction. They've evolved as musicians and songwriters over time, becoming more performance-oriented with coolly charismatic live shows. The band spent much of 2009 writing and recording their debut album, and I'm stoked that it will finally be released to the public starting May 13. Their CD release show is at The Parish along with Fatback Circus and The Carrots.

Check out SuperLiteBike's promo video for the show below. More details about the show at Do512.

Photos: The Boxing Lesson at Emo's

2010-05-10T22:08:00.002-05:00

I went to Emo's recently to catch The Boxing Lesson, a spacey/dancey indie band that I hadn't seen play in ages. They added a new drummer, wrote a bunch of new songs and recorded a new album since I last saw them play. The band, known for its covers of Jefferson Airplane and Devendra Banhart songs, has also learned a new cover: "House of the Rising Sun." You can watch that video here. Their next show is at Mohawk on May 18 opening for Montreal's The Besnard Lakes.

View more photos from this show on Facebook.

Photos: Red Falcon at Emo's [April 29]

2010-05-10T22:07:00.001-05:00

Red Falcon is what you might call a local supergroup. This brand-new band comprises members of Aster, Built By Snow, The Seas and Your Kisses Cause Crashes. Red Falcon has played as many shows as you have fingers on one hand, so their stage presence and tightness aren't quite there yet, but that's to be expected from a new group. It should be interesting to watch them grow as a unit. Their other bands may have similar pop sensibilities, but they have different sounds and totally different approaches to songwriting. This band is recommended for fans of The Shins and Grandaddy.

View more photos from this show on Facebook.

Video: Bright Light Social Hour (and Jack's moustache) need money!

2010-05-08T13:52:00.000-05:00

The Bright Light Social Hour needs your help. And by help, I mean cash-money so they can record their debut album. But they're no slouches. They're willing to work hard for the money, offering jam sessions, Spanish lessons, organic homemade cookies and shirtless car-washes for people who donate specific sums. Starting donations are $15 and will get you a signed CD upon the album's release.

They band is going into the studio this summer, after playing one last Austin show tonight!

This fundraiser is being coordinated by the moustache of bassist/vocalist Jack O'Brien. Lear more about it at JacksMoustache.com. Or watch the video below....

Friday's local show picks: "Massive Release" at Encore

2010-05-05T14:51:00.000-05:00

This is one of the best all-local lineups you'll see this year. There isn't a throwaway choice on this bill.

I'd get there at doors so as not to miss The Eastern Sea or STEREO IS A LIE. Either you're into soft-sounding, literate folksy indie rock and The Eastern Sea is right in your wheelhouse, or your into more brooding, darkly stylized rock that rails against corruption and ignorance, in which case STEREO is your cup of tea.

The co-headliners are new-wave revivalists and 101x darlings The Black & White Years, The Rocketboys (who are releasing a vinyl that night) and Quiet Company (who are releasing an EP).

The Rocket Boys' sincere, feel-good pop-rock and relentless touring schedule has earned the band a session with Daytrotter and praise from Paste Magazine to nearly every major newspaper in the South.

On that same feel-good tip, Quiet Company plays earnest piano ballads about what it means to be a male living and loving in the 21st century. It's poignant stuff, and catchy too.

Tuesday's local music pick: Este Vato, La Guerrilla at Momo's

2010-05-03T23:27:00.000-05:00

Cinco de Mayo in on Wednesday, but Momo's has a "Cuatro de Mayo" pre-party, brought to you by KUT and Bemba Entertainment. The night opens at 8p with Latin folk singer/songwriter Mauricio Callejas. Then at 10, the world-fusion collective La Guerrilla takes the stage. This group has been getting lots of local press lately, for good reason. Few bands bring the playful sense of experimentation and showmanship that these guys and gals bring every night. The night closes with the Latin rock/hip-hop band Este Vato. They've been around for just over a year, but these guys are a solid live band with a distinct sound that borrows from diverse sources north and south of the border. Cover is $5 ($3 if you have a student ID).

Friday's local show picks: Zeale, Paper Shapes, and Frank Smith

2010-04-29T13:34:00.000-05:00

Lots of good and diverse local options for your Friday night. The cool kids will no doubt be hitting up Beauty Bar for Knuckle Rumbler's "Robot Parade," a themed party meant to celebrate the release of Zeale's new EP. If you don't know, Zeale is a charismatic emcee known for his solo hip-hop work as well as contributions to Latin pop/dance group Los Bad Apples. Speaking of charismatic, one-man dance party Neiliyo will act as host for the festivities. Fellow electro/dance-minded bands LAX and Gobi open.

Next door at Red 7, melodic alt-rockers The Paper Shapes will have their hyper/mathy brand of post-punk on display. New wave favorites Diagonals are also on the bill. They're going on a long tour next month, so catch 'em before they leave.

Across town at Hole in the Wall, you'll get to see one of the best twangy, slide guitar-driven indie rock bands in town: Frank Smith. Opening is the folk-rock mini-orchestra Jesse Moore & The East Cameron Folkcore. This is music from the soul. I haven't seen many bands in town play with as much raw emotion and genuineness as this band.

Thursday's local music pick: Trail of Dead at Plush

2010-04-28T16:09:00.000-05:00

No lie: ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead is the "special guest" headliner at Plush on Thursday 4/29. The tiny misfit bar at the corner of 7th and Red River is hosting a two-night benefit mini-festival. Six bands will play from 8p to close on Thursday, including punk veterans Lower Class Brats, The Chumps, The Bulemics and more. The $5 cover benefits the SIMS Foundation. This was already a must-attend show for ATX punks, but Trail of Dead is the cherry on top. More details about the show as well as the Saturday show: click here.

Video: Cruiserweight at Waterloo Records [April 22]

2010-04-26T16:01:00.000-05:00

After 11 years of memorable shows and catchy albums, local pop-punk heroes Cruiserweight are no more. The band played its two last shows in Austin ever, deciding to call it quits after bassist/songwriter David Hawkins decided to pursue a master's in audio engineering in Arizona. The band's penultimate Austin show took place at Waterloo Records last Thursday and I caught some of the magic on video. Watch the super-cute dance competition on this clip of "Goodbye Daily Sadness" below and you'll know why Cruiserweight was a special kind of band. Go to YouTube for clips of "Witness" and "There You Are" as well.

Wednesday's local music pick: Downtown Rulers Club at Beauty Bar

2010-04-26T15:28:00.000-05:00

When's the last time you saw a soul band play live? Like, a real soul band. Not neo-soul revival, but dudes who sound like the real deal. That's Downtown Rulers Club, a quartet that plays a variety of soul, funk and old-school R&B tunes. The members of this side project include the lead singer of Maneja Beto, a guitarist from Grupo Fantasma and the drummer from What Made Milwaukee Famous. All three are supremely talented bands, and the musicians gel well in this new group. You should check 'em out at some point. They play April 28 at Beauty Bar.

Tuesday's local music pick: Ocote Soul Sounds at Lamberts

2010-04-24T16:55:00.001-05:00

Ocote Soul Sounds are chill cats. Their music is worldly, funky and serene. It's rare that you get music you can dance to and meditate to in one package. Their albums are works of contemplative Afro-Latin big band smoothness with horns, flute, keys, congas and more creating the perfect soundtrack for sun-drenched weekend afternoons. In concert, Ocote is tight and sounds top notch. Catch the seven-piece band live at Lamberts on April 27. Doors open at 9:30 and cover is $5.

Monday's local music pick: David Garza at Cactus Cafe

2010-04-24T15:13:00.000-05:00

Look, I'm not going to tell you where to stand on the issue of UT's Cactus Cafe being shut down by the university after 30-plus years in existence. University officials say the Cactus is a money-loser. Fine. But what microscopic percentage of the mammoth UT budget actually goes to Cactus operations? Hint: It's almost negligible.

But, to play devil's advocate, UT officials are right when they say students don't use the Cactus anymore. In my four years as an undergrad, I never once felt compelled to pay $40 to see performances by singer-songwriters who hit their prime in the '80s. And I'm a local music fanatic. I've been to as many shows in the last few years as anyone. Down the street is one of my favorite venues in town: Hole in the Wall. You can catch some of the best young artists at the Hole on any given night, and the shows are often free of charge.

But that's all beside the point. The point is, there might not be a Cactus Cafe this time next year. So enjoy it while you can. Respected Austin music veteran David Garza is playing free shows for the next three Mondays at the Cactus. He goes on at 8:30. Take advantage, since "free" is not a word you often associate with Cactus shows.

Here's a video of Garza performing on ACL Stage Left....

Your two last chances to see Cruiserweight ever

2010-04-21T19:46:00.000-05:00

Austin's reigning pop-punk champions are relinquishing their title belts. After a decade of memorable shows and anthemic choruses, Cruiserweight is calling it quits.

Austin fans, you have two last chances to catch the band in action. On Thursday (4/22), the quartet plays a free 6pm in-store at Waterloo Records. Copies of their newest (and last) album, 2010's The Smith Tower, will be available. Cruiserweight's final Austin show will take place at Emo's on Saturday (4/24). The silver lining is that fellow ATX pop-punks Dynamite Boy are reuniting for this show to help bid the band a proper farewell.

Below are some videos I shot of Cruiserweight about a year ago....

File under: Cruiserweight

Photos: Zlam Dunk at Emo's [April 11]

2010-04-17T03:16:00.002-05:00

Zlam Dunk! It's impossible to hate these guys, even if you're tempted to after seeing the toddler-sized basketball hoop on stage and hearing horsely shouted lyrics about the bubonic plague and Patrick Swayze. But once you get passed the hazy fog of dance-punk posturing, you realize these dudes are pretty talented musicians and songwriters. They're extremely performance-minded, but they don't lose sight of the music, even when it would be extremely tempting to exchange the intricate finger-tapping for windmilling powerchords. Zlam Dunk is always a fun time live, but not superficial or dismissible like other "party bands."

You can view more photos from this set on my Facebook page.

All photos by Ajay Miranda.

File Under: Zlam Dunk, Emo's

Photos: Thieves at Emo's [April 11]

2010-04-17T00:55:00.002-05:00

I hadn't heard of the locally based Thieves going into this show, but I was pleasantly surprised. They were opening for touring ska/punk veterans Authority Zero and Voodoo Glow Skulls, both of whom I was shooting for other publications. Thieves had the youthful exuberance and showmanship you'd expect from bands that use words like "punk" or "-core" anywhere in their bio. Their sound was like early 2000s Austin pop-punk (Cruiserweight, Dynamite Boy) mixed with the double-kick pedals and broootal breakdowns you hear in metalcore. If you're not into pop-punk or anything Alt Press-ish, then obviously you can skip this recommendation. But if your tastes hover in the direction of heavy yet melodic, you should check this band out. For their age (half of them were under 21), this is a pretty solid band.

You can view more photos from this set on my Facebook page.

All photos by Ajay Miranda.

File Under: Thieves, Emo's

Happy Tax Day!

2010-04-15T13:23:00.006-05:00

The Bread is one of my favorite local bands to see live. They're a very Austin mix of punk and country/folk... a band that sings about serious stuff without taking itself too serious. Their every-other-Tuesday residency at Hole in the Wall is a guaranteed fun time.

The Bread also happens to have a perfect song for the occasion of April 15, aka Tax Day. And while we're at it, I'd like to also dedicate this song to APD and their high-priority speed trap program.

Here you go....

The Bread - "Taxman" [download]

Maybe I'd have my registration if I had insurance first.
A valid Texas license or a certificate of birth.
You wanted black ink when all I had was blue.
You won't take checks or credit cards, or any IOU.

Taxman, don't squeeze blood from a stone.
Taxman, take our money and call it your own.

So put me on hold again and transfer my call
To find the scales of justice just won't help me at all.
Hope you sleep well at night, just doing your job.
No better than a thief who both plunders and robs.

Taxman, don't squeeze blood from a stone.
Taxman, take our money and call it your own.

Pachanga Fest 2010 lineup announced

2010-04-07T11:40:00.000-05:00

The Pachanga Latino Music Festival has announced its lineup for this year's fiesta, and for the first time ever the party will be stretched to two days: May 21-22. That's a Friday and Saturday.

Last year's Pachanga was a diverse mix of Latin-influenced music across three stages at Fiesta Gardens in East Austin. Essentially, the way it was organized last year, there was the traditional stage (Tejano and mariachi acts for the parents), the indie stage (singer-songwriters and ambient, experimental bands) and the dance stage (techno DJs and Latin big bands). Based on the new poster, it looks like that same flavor, with a little bit of heaviness mixed in. I don't think Pachanga has featured an underground punk band like Piñata Protest before, or a heavy Cream-esque blues-rock band like Amplified Heat, either. I recently interviewed Amplified Heat; check that out here. Indie-pop kids Hacienda, who released a new album this week, are also on the bill. Good stuff!

Local music this week: 4/5 - 4/11

2010-04-07T00:26:00.000-05:00

Wednesday 4/7

Sober Daze is one of my favorite punk bands in town, a throwback to that three-chords-and-a-six-pack approach to rock music. No pretense, just fun. Songs that remind you about the toughest, down-and-out time in your life when paying rent on time seemed like an epic impossibility each month. And yet, it was also one of the funnest times in your life.

Show: Sober Daze, Blank Generation, A Corpse Vanishes, Front Line Martyrs @ Red 7 (see poster)

Thursday 4/8

Follow That Bird has been secretly kicking ass for years in the local scene, so it's good to finally see this sometimes-duo/sometimes-trio led by Lauren Green and Tiffanie Lanmon get its due. Lanmon is one of the best drummers in town, period. Her style is inventive, powerful and always fun to watch. The same can be said for frontwoman Green and her memorable voice.

Show: Follow That Bird!, Love Collector, The French Inhales, The Nightly Rituals @ Beerland

Friday 4/9

How about good music for a great cause? UT's student radio station, KVRX, is in the process of digitizing its vast collection of recorded live broadcasts (these include Devendra Banhart, The Black Angels, Shearwater, etc.). Their Local Live series has captured lots of the best indie bands in town, so let's help them converting their collection to mp3. Cover is $5 and you get to see awesome locals like Zorch and Sunset.

Show: KVRX Digitization benefit @ Karibu (see poster)

Saturday 4/10

Austin Vida is showing the ladies some love with this Chicas Who Rock! showcase: two all-girl alternative rock bands at Mi Casa on Sixth Street. San Antonio's Heather Go Psycho and El Paso's Atomic Pink will rock the house for this free show ($5 for under 21).

Show: Austin Vida & Bemba Entertainment presents Atomic Pink and Heather Go Psycho

This one's interesting. An all-day family event for lacrosse enthusiasts and newcomers alike. The LXM Pro tour will feature a UT vs. A&M lacrosse game in the afternoon and live music in the evening, including party-rockers The Bright Light Social Hour and electro-dance band L.A.X. This shindig takes place at St. Stephen's Episcopal School at 6500 St. Stephen's Dr. The music starts at 6 p.m.

Show: LXM Pro Lacrosse and Live Music Tour (feat. LAX, Bright Light Social Hour, Carolina Liar)

Video: Maps & Atlases at 21st St. Co-op

2010-04-05T18:21:00.001-05:00

Without a doubt the craziest show I attended during SXSW this year was a Friday night (and deep into Saturday morning) party at 21st Street Co-op, near UT. When else in your life will you get to see Andrew WK play a college party at 5 (yes, 5!) in the morning. Chicago's Maps and Atlases couldn't have known what to expect playing a co-op. But after 45 sweaty epic minutes of playing for a crowd that was way over the fire-capacity limit, the band's lead singer declared, "This is the best show we've ever played in our entire lives." I doubt this band will ever see this much crowd surfing during one of their sets any time soon.

Video: Planet Rye Co. at US Art Authority

2010-03-12T17:18:00.002-06:00

I have to apologize to Planet Rye Co. This indie/psych band played a lackluster show at Beauty Bar two months ago, and I called them out on it. But last weekend at OXJAM 2010, they totally redeemed themselves, and then some, by puting on one of the more memorable performances of the 14-band bill. Everyone has a bad night, but this time the once "lifeless" tambourine player was all energy. The band played a tight and energetic set with horror-themed samples in between songs to keep the flow and feel of the show going. Their attention to presenting an overall show, as opposed to just playing some songs, was evident. The set seemed thought-out, planned. And it was well executed. Their vintage horror motifs (perfect for a retro-ish psych band, by the way) will help this band stand out within the saturated psychedelic scene.

File Under: Planet Rye Co., United States Art Authority

Austin music this week: March 8-14

2010-03-08T11:14:00.001-06:00

This week's show spotlight:

This Tuesday at Beauty Bar, it'll be an Austin supergroup night of sorts. Two side projects featuring heavy hitters of the local indie world will grace the stage. Playing their first show ever will be Red Falcon, an indie-pop group comprised of members of Your Kisses Cause Crashes, Built By Snow and The Seas. I'm stoked for this, especially since both YKCC and Built By Snow are kind of on mini-hiatuses. These guys are talented songwriters and need to keep working. Second on the bill is Downtown Rulers Club, a soul/R&B quartet featuring members of What Made Milwaukee Famous, Maneja Beto and Grupo Fantasma. I saw them play a low-key gig at Continental Club's gallery room on a recent Monday night. They were fierce and fiery at times, and soulful and smooth at others.

On Wednesday, Jesse Moore & The East Cameron Folkcore will play their country-tinged, whiskey-soaked folk ballads at Hole in the Wall. If you love the music of Townes Van Zandt and Blaze Foley, you should give the Folkcore a try. They come from that same down-and-out, kick-the-habit tradition of past storied Texas singer-songwriters. Hobomouth is also on the bill. If you were wondering what happened to Bankrupt and the Borrowers, two of the members are now playing guitar for this band. In some ways, Hobomouth is like a heavier, more righteously angry version of Bankrupt. It makes me unendingly happy that these guys are still playing music after the tragic death of their friend and bandmate Jon Pettis last fall.

More shows this week:

Thursday 3/11
WOXY Local Residency Series with The Golden Boys, Crooks @ Stubb's
Shapes Have Fangs, The Black @ Mohawk

Friday 3/12
The Happen-Ins [CD release], A Giant Dog, Nic Armstrong, The Ripe @ Scoot Inn
The Noise Revival Orchestra Experience, Zeale @ Lamberts

Saturday 3/13
Ghost Knife, Lenguas Largas [Arizona], Manikin, Serious Tracers @ Emo's
The White White Lights, Ringo Deathstarr @ Mohawk
The Strange Boys, Harlem, VEGA, Blair @ Red Eyed Fly

Sunday 3/14
Man or Astro-man?, The Octopus Project, Woven Bones, Flosstradamus [Chicago] @ Mohawk
Giant Steps presents Bridge Farmers, Squidbucket, Obsolete Machines, Zorch, Brother/Ghost @ Beerland

Video: Pink Nasty at Hole in the Wall

2010-03-07T15:19:00.016-06:00

Let's clarify something: Austin is cooler than your city. Not because we dress in overpriced vintage clothes or because we're early adopters of flavor-of-the-month indie bands from LA or New York, or anything else as superficial as that. No, the reason Austin is cooler than your city, and the reason no one laughs at the "live music capital" slogan, is because of sights like last Monday at the Hole in the Wall. It's a Monday night and every seat in the moderately sized bar has an ass in it. In fact, people are having to stand in the aisle. Meanwhile, Denis—arguably Travis County's most cordial bartender—is serving up the $1.50 High Lifes with a smile and conversation. The jukebox is running through a music-lover's melody of The Clash, Johnny Cash, Radiohead and Beastie Boys. And the bands that the people are here to see are really good (not to mention, the show was FREE). Pink Nasty's upbeat and twangy brand of indie-pop didn't disappoint, though I'm disappointed in myself for not getting the opening band, The Bottle Service, on video. They were really good. Oh, well.

File Under: Pink Nasty, Hole in the Wall

Video: Sons of Hercules at Hole in the Wall

2010-03-07T15:11:00.001-06:00

I'm just gonna say two things. First, if you don't know about the Sons of Hercules, you need more punk rock in your life. Secondly... Gimme gimme gimme some! GIMME GIMME GIMME SOME!

File Under: Sons of Hercules, Hole in the Wall

Video: Look Mexico at Red 7 [Feb. 21]

2010-03-04T19:11:00.003-06:00

Look Mexico is one of those bands that's gonna have the ability to cross over between various age groups of music fans. They were featured recently in Alternative Press magazine with a full-page interview, but I could just as easily picture this band on Paste or (gasp!) Pitchfork.

Originally from Tallahassee, Look Mexico is now based in Austin (as of two months ago). It's a little-known fact that they relocated, but word will get out in the coming months, as the band is set to release its sophomore full-length, To Bed To Battle, in March.

The band recently played a bunch of new songs at Red 7. The new CD was also on sale at the show. I highly recommend picking To Bed To Battle up when it's out in stores. Production-wise, it sounds great. And these are some of the best lyrics I've heard in a while—clever, sincere and heartfelt. It's emo music for intelligent people who dress normal.

"You Stay. I Go. No Following."

"No Wonder I'm Still Awake"

"Take it Upstairs, Einstein"

File Under: Look Mexico, Red 7

Austin music this week: March 1-7

2010-03-01T13:11:00.002-06:00

Your weekly no-BS guide to the best local music shows and parties in Austin.
All info gathered from Do512, ShowListAustin, venue websites and MySpace.

Mon. 3/1

Pink Nasty (3/1 at Hole in the Wall)

The show: Black Nasty, Pink Nasty, Bottle Service @ Hole in the Wall - FREE
Basically: AIDS can't stop Black Nasty.

The show: World Famous Rock and Roll Karaoke @ Beerland - FREE
Basically: Every Monday, it's karaoke night, Red River style.

The show: The Clientele [UK], Michael Kingcaid @ Mohawk - $12 - 9p
Basically: Lead singer of What Made Milwaukee Famous does his solo thing.

Tues. 3/2

The show: Nacional Records Listening Party presented by Austin Vida @ Mi Casa Cantina - FREE - +21
Basically: Listen to new Latin alternative albums and win free prizes, including concert tickets.

The show: Nic Armstrong and guests (weekly residency) @ Ghost Room - 9p
Basically: Austin singer-songwriter and transplant from the U.K., formerly of the Brit-rock band IV Thieves.

Wed. 3/3

The show: Daryl Palumbo DJ set (of Glassjaw), The Paper Shapes, Betaplayer @ Beauty Bar
Basically: The night before Glassjaw rocks Emo's, lead singer Palumbo spins tunes.

Thurs. 3/4

The Hi-Tones (3/4 at Stubb's)

The show: Follow That Bird!, Diagonals, Cruddy @ Beerland
Basically: Austin lo-fi indie rock at its finest.

The show: FM Campers, Mixed Use Media @ Beauty Bar
Basically: Expect a bunch of synthesizers and MacBooks.

The show: The Hi-Tones, The Ripe, Akina Adderley @ Stubb's [indoor]
Basically: Retro rockin' good times.

Fri. 3/5

Cruiserweight (3/5 at Emo's)

The show: Cruiserweight [CD release], Riddlin' Kids, Here Holy Spain, Schmillion @ Emo's - $7 ($10 for under 21)
Basically: Pop-punk celebration with some of Austin's pop-punk godfathers (and mother).

The show: Deskonocidos, The Dead Space, Wild America @ Broken Neck - 9p - $5 - ALL AGES
Basically: Friday night punk rock show at a skate park.

The show: New Roman Times, STEREO IS A LIE, Sad Accordions, The Astronaut Suit, The Distant Seconds, Bear Bones @ Ghost Room - $8
Basically: A mini-festival of Austin's smoothest and sleekest alternative and psychedelic bands?

Sat. 3/6

Tia Carrera (3/6 at OXJAM)

The show: OXJAM 2010 with LIONS, Tia Carrera, Woven Bones, The White White Lights, The Lemurs, Smoke & Feathers, 'Til We're Blue or Destroy, Prayer For Animals and more @ US Art Authority
Basically: An all-local rock music bash to raise money for Haiti.

The show: Car Stereo (Wars), The Bright Light Social Hour @ Beauty Bar
Basically: Mashup DJ extraordinaire and a band of merry dance-rockers.

The show: Zlam Dunk, A Giant Dog, Wine & Revolution, Waldo Wittenmyer @ Hole in the Wall
Basically: A bunch of up-and-coming youngsters from Central Texas' college rock scenes.

The show: Gals Panic [reunion show], Ariel Abshire, The Ugly Beats, El Bombasi @ Emo's
Basically: Reunion of early '90s ska-punk band from Austin.

Sun. 3/7

The show: Crooks, Western Ghost House, Woodsboss @ Mohawk
Basically: A night of grungy country and ethereal Wild West indie.

Remember to check back every Monday for the week's best shows.

New Zlam Dunk tour video

2010-02-26T11:34:00.001-06:00

Zlam Dunk toured the Midwest and East Coast a couple months ago, and lucky for us they had a videographer capturing the whole crazy trip. This band has built some serious momentum, having released a solid debut EP and being spotlighted in Alternative Press magazine. This year shows promise for bigger things. They're playing a ton during SXSW, so be sure to catch their crazy and super-energetic live show at least once. You'll not be disappointed. The above video features the songs "Top Gun" and "Patrick".

File Under: Zlam Dunk

Trailer for 'One-Eyed Doll: A Rockumentary'

2010-02-25T01:09:00.001-06:00

Austin's One-Eyed Doll is the subject of a new documentary produced by New York videographer David Bruce Bates, best known by his alias DavidJr.com. Bates filmed the local metal trio at shows, on tour and behind the scenes throughout 2008 and 2009. Led by the charismatic, acrobatic and playfully theatric Kimberly Freeman, One-Eyed Doll has built a cult following due in large part to its frontwoman's fearless and high-energy performances, as well as above-average fan interaction and relentless touring. There is no release date as of yet for the appropriately titled One-Eyed Doll: A Rockumentary. I'll give you details as they're available. Enjoy the trailer in the mean time.

File Under: One-Eyed Doll, DavidJr

First Listen: STEREO IS A LIE's "What We Do"

2010-02-23T22:10:00.003-06:00

Exactly a year ago today, 'NITES gave you the first listen of STEREO IS A LIE's first recorded song ("Get It Right"). Now, as the band is finishing up the mixing of its debut album, they've been kind enough to give me a second track to preview for the general public. This catchy Brit-rock tune is called "What We Do" and has been a staple of STEREO's excellent live show. It encompasses a lot of what this band is about: biting lyrics delivered by Glynn Wedgewood's snarling whine, with loud and distorted guitars, thumping bass and up-tempo, precise drum beats. This anthemic and memorable Brit-rock with a hint of Texas twang is what modern alternative-rock radio stations should be playing. Their debut album, expected out this year, is being mixed by Chris Cline, who mixed Trail of Dead's debut album. Without further ado....

"What We Do"

File Under: STEREO IS A LIE

Austin music this week: Feb. 22-28

2010-02-23T16:42:00.002-06:00

Your weekly no-BS guide to the best local music shows and parties in Austin.
All info gathered from Do512, ShowListAustin, venue websites and MySpace.

Tues. 2/23

The Bread (2/23 at Hole in the Wall)

The show: Nic Armstrong and guests (weekly residency) @ Ghost Room - 9p
Basically: Austin singer-songwriter and transplant from the U.K., formerly of the Brit-rock band IV Thieves.

The show: Terry Snow's Punk Rock Bingo Show @ Emo's
Basically: Play some Bingo at Emo's!

The show: The Bread and friends @ Hole in the Wall - +21 - FREE
Basically: Every other Tuesday, this folk/country/punk-rock band sings about whiskey, taxes and the pitfalls of capitalism.

Wed. 2/24

The show: Follow That Bird!, Snake Handler, Half Mile Fox Fur @ Club 1808 [1808 E. 12th St.] - 9p
Basically: Birds, snakes and foxes, oh my! FTB is one of Austin's best up-n-comers.

The show: Golden Boys, Herman the German, A Giant Dog @ Trailer Space Records [1401-A Rosewood Ave.]- FREE - 7p

Basically: Trailer Space in-stores can beat your Waterloo in-stores up (and look cool doing it).

Thurs. 2/25

The show: Salesman CD release [12a], Wine & Revolution [11p], Lincoln Durham [10p] @ Mohawk
Basically: Cinematic country/indie rock band Salesman has a new album they'd like you to enjoy.

The show: Prayer for Animals, Guns of Navarone, Milk Thistle @ Ghost Room - Doors at 9 - $5
Basically: Prayer For Animals is Austin's best-kept psych/blues/surf/country rock secret.

The show: Daft Punk vs. The Clash Mashup with DJ Thibault @ The Parish
Basically: Mash-Up Night at The Parish may result in bouts of spastic dancing and shame-free booty-shakin'.

Fri. 2/26

The Blind Pets (2/26 at Trophy's)

The show: Jungle Rockers, The Blind Pets, Devil Rides @ Trophy's - $5
Basically: Trophy's two-day Dave Fest promises heaviness.

The show: Baby Got Bacteria, Scary Mary, Stupid Drama, Juliana Murphy @ Chupacabra Cantina
Basically: Proceeds of this benefit show help Scorpio Rising's lead singer pay for her breast cancer treatment.

The show: Prince Klassen @ Beauty Bar
Basically: Dance to the eclectic tastes of one of Austin's best established indie DJs.

Sat. 2/27

The Always Already (2/27)

The show: The Always Already's last show ever, Zorch @ Beauty Bar
Basically: This post-punk/dance-rock quartet bids the world adieu after four years of bringing the intricate beats and slinky synth lines.

The show: The White White Lights [EP release], The Happen-Ins, Cowabunga Babes @ Emo's
Basically: A hot young indie band that oozes charisma releases its debut EP.

The show: Neiliyo [EP release] @ Club de Ville
Basically: One-man dance party Neiliyo brings the funktronica in a polo shirt and shades.

The show: Black Bone Child, Amplified Heat, Best Love In Town @ Stubb's [indoor] - Doors at 9p - $8
Basically: A solid showcase featuring heavy rock and dirty delta blues.

Sun. 2/28

The show: Versatile Syndicate 2-year anniversary with Jesse Moore [10p] Bridge Farmers [11p], Watching The Moon [midnight] @ Hole in the Wall - 9p
Basically: Versatile Syndicate compilation CD listening party with live performances.

The show: The Invincible Czars performs The Unknown @ Alamo Drafthouse Ritz
Basically: A unique Austin gem of a band performs a live film score to a black-and-white move at this indie movie theatre.

Check back next week for more show picks.

Video: Hydra Melody at Mi Casa [Feb. 20]

2010-02-23T13:30:00.002-06:00

Austin Vida hosted an indie showcase Saturday night at Mi Casa Cantina, a new music venue on Sixth Street. Despite the location (sandwiched between one shot bar and one meathead bar with questionable music taste at best), this was actually a really good show.

Hydra Melody is one of those bands I can see having crossover appeal for fans of heart-on-your-sleeve indie rock and melodic Alternative Press-style punk. Fans of Cursive and The Dear Hunter (bands with quite different fan bases) can agree on Hydra Melody. Their dual-vocal approach is seamless, and both singers have strong voices with ranges made for that emo-ish alternative sound. They were having lots of feedback troubles from the sound system on this night, which is too bad. Their performance was great, nonetheless. These dudes are from San Antonio; I hope they enjoyed Austin enough to book more shows up here. I'd see 'em again.

File Under: Hydra Melody, Mi Casa,

Video: T Bird & the Breaks and Brownout at Antone's [Feb. 19]

2010-02-23T12:59:00.001-06:00

It was a Friday-night funk fest at Antone's last weekend. Two bands whose reputations for bringing the booty-shaking funk precede them packed the legendary venue.

T Bird and the Breaks are a somewhat modern yet faithful take on old-school big-band soul and R&B. They (meaning charismatic yet cool-as-a-cucumber frontman Tim Crane and his ladies) sing songs about preferring vinyl to mp3 and growing up in poverty but being happy with what you have. Some of these songs, like "Juice" in the video above, are just straight-up anthems meant to get down to. Big bands with horn sections and funk guitars, if done right, never go out of style. It's such a classic sound. T Bird and crew pull it off like no one else in Austin. It was also a nice surprise to see blues-guitar maestro Gary Clark Jr. join the band for a song. I just wish I would've had my camera rolling when it happened. Argh!

Brownout blends old-school funk with psychedelic guitar riffs and Latin percussion, making for a worldly sound that's both exotic and entirely familiar to anyone with some James Brown or Mandrill in their record collection. This instrumental group recently started incorporating some vocals in their music, which adds a nice dimension. Most people at this show were dancing hard, which is how it should be. I don't know how you could stand still during music this funky and powerful.

File Under: T Bird and the Breaks, Brownout, Antones

Video: Zorch and FM Campers at Mohawk [Feb. 18]

2010-02-23T12:17:00.001-06:00

There are lots of good producers in town who put on shows with a distinct personality. My friend James is the brain behind Giant Steps Productions. When I see a show put on by Giant Steps, I know what I'm getting: bands that are often experimental, sometimes loud and usually pretty good. James has eclectic tastes that reach beyond standard jangly indie-rock, and it shows in the kinds of bands he books. His recent Thursday night showcase at Mohawk featured aggressive synth-driven rock bands with unorthodox approaches.

When I listened to Zorch on MySpace, I dubbed them The Punk-Roctopus Project. I don't mean that to pigeonhole their music or to put Zorch in a box, but this band's penchant for dreamy and fluttery synthesizers mixed with bombastic drumming reminded me of a more raw and distilled version of Austin's experimental noisemakers The Octopus Project. The punk part comes in because this band is less melody-driven and more into going full speed ahead. They also sound math-rock in spots, but mostly they're just heavy. Even in the above video, where the duo goes as slow and methodical as I heard them go all night, they were still really heavy. I'll be seeing this band more.

How to describe the music of FM Campers? Well, most of the time, those MySpace categories a band has to choose are really generic and don't help. But FM Campers' choice of Live Electronics / Experimental / Pop is actually pretty accurate. This trio includes a guitarist with a ton of effects pedals on a folding table, a synth player who alternates between a piano keyboard and a computer keyboard, and a drummer who beats his kit up at a high BPM (with his back to the audience). It's hard not to compare this band to Animal Collective, based on the live electronic tinkering used to create a dreamy and psychedelic pop sound. I don't know if a band like this would exist without AC paving the way. I enjoyed FM Campers' set, though I'd have to see them again to determine how much I really like the music. It may have been the novelty that I enjoyed, but I can't be sure. Sometimes a movie requires repeated viewings before it grows on you; FM Campers is that kind of band.

File Under: Zorch, FM Campers, Mohawk

Bob Schneider on Adam Carolla Podcast

2010-02-22T11:53:00.000-06:00

Austin singer-songwriter and Sandra Bullock-ex Bob Schneider appeared on the Adam Carolla Podcast recently. The California-based podcast is a comedy/talk show format, which allowed Schneider (who made a name for himself singing raunchy songs as the frontman of The Scabs) to sing a couple of acoustic tunes about horny women, freaky sex and inserting fingers where they probably don't belong. Schneider projected an air of self-deprecating humor, which was refreshing.

Give the podcast a listen: click here.

Photos: The Daze at Gibson Showroom [Feb. 18]

2010-02-19T13:12:00.000-06:00

The Daze played the Austin Music, Vol. 9 CD release party yesterday evening at the Gibson Showroom. Austin Music is an annual compilation album compiled and released by the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau. This ninth installation features singer-songwriters and bands like Electric Touch, Eleisha Eagle, Ben Kweller and The Daze (pictured above). The Daze are heavily influenced by classic hard rock and blues rock. They're a young band, but they really have it together. Good stage presence and able skills.

You can view the complete photo album on my MySpace and Facebook pages.

All photos by Ajay Miranda.

File Under: The Daze, Gibson Showroom

Spotlight: In Situ Sound, Hydra Melody at Mi Casa

2010-02-18T17:41:00.004-06:00

On Saturday night, I'll be at Mi Casa for an alternative-progressive indie showcase hosted by Austin Vida. Chances are you haven't heard of Mi Casa, and that's fine. It's a new venue (less than a year old) and it's on Sixth Street (between Dirty Dog and Coyote Ugly, a block west of Red River). But don't hold its drunken-frat-boy location against Mi Casa. Like a Red River venue, Mi Casa is for people who like good music. This venue's actually booking some really good shows. Case-in-point: In Situ Sound and Hydra Melody this Saturday night.

If you like bands like Minus The Bear, Dredg, Cursive, Glassjaw or The Dear Hunter, this is the show for you—two bands who bring the heavy yet melodic riffs and introspective, open-book lyrics of the aforementioned bands.

I conducted a short Q&A with In Situ Sound via email. They play at 10:30, so be sure to get there early for music and 50-cent well drinks 'til 11. Here's the Facebook event page.

How long has In Situ Sound been a band?

We've been a band for about three years now but we took a break about two years ago. We came back and added an extra guitarist last February and it's full steam ahead now.

Y'all are from the Valley. There seems to be a lot of young, talented indie bands coming from the Valley right now. Why do you think that is?

We aren't all from the Valley, just three out of the five members. There's not much to down there to keep yourself busy besides maybe music and a few other things. As for the sound that's coming out of there, we're not experts on the reasons, but maybe it has something to do with the lack of indie exposure through media outlets there. A lot of kids are just looking for something that sounds different from standard rock or Tejano.

What has been your favorite gig to play as a band, and what made it your favorite?

Probably the Mohawk. It was Free Week so there were tons of people there, definitely a great crowd to play for. And we opened for our friends Obsolete Machines who also has a great sound going. Also playing the Free Week finale at Red 7 outside in 30 degree weather was fun.

If you could open on a national tour for any band (past or present), who would it be and why?

That's a tough one, either Minus the Bear or Dredg. Both are moderately well known bands, we're not talking arena shows here, but they get good crowds and both are just starting to breakthrough onto the next level of popularity. Not to mention their some of our favorite bands and definitely and influence on the music so it'd probably be a pretty good show.

What can people expect from your upcoming show at Mi Casa?

Good Tejano music. Just kidding. They can expect a couple of new songs for starters, but also a powerful sound that can go from smooth to explosive and back again.

For more on the second band on the bill, Hydra Melody, read this interview at Austin Vida. Below is an entertaining Hydra Melody tour video.

File Under: In Situ Sound, Hydra Melody, show spotlight

Photos/Video: La Guerrilla at Momo's [Feb. 16]

2010-02-18T14:37:00.000-06:00

Tuesday was World Music Night at Momo's, a weekly residency that showcases local bands performing everything from Latin funk to Eastern European gypsy folk to Indian sitar music. Tuesday's lineup included the experimental world/fusion of La Guerrilla. Click the photo to the left to see my photo album from this show on Facebook. The photos are also on MySpace.

La Guerrilla is one of my favorite new bands. They're just fun to watch. They have so much energy and they lack any pretense. Their music is a little bit Latin, a little bit punky. Kinda gyspsy, kinda South American. What I like most is that they're not afraid to experiment with different sounds. They seem to thrive on experimentation, in fact. The band used to have trombone, but now they have flute. They have a hypeman who blows whistles, makes sound effects and shouts through a megaphone (in addition to playing auxiliary percussion). And WTF with this helmet instrument thing in the video above? None of this seems gimmicky, however, because the end result is inevitably a well-written song that's fun to experience live. The song above is called "Tabla Surfer" and is featured on their new self-titled CD.

File Under: La Guerrilla, Momo's

Photos/Video: Hard Proof Afrobeat at Momo's [Feb. 16]

2010-02-18T12:56:00.002-06:00

Tuesday was World Music Night at Momo's, a weekly residency that showcases local bands performing everything from Latin funk to Eastern European gypsy folk to Indian sitar music. Tuesday's lineup included the traditional afrobeat of Hard Proof Afrobeat. Click the photo to the left to see my photo album from this show on Facebook. The photos are also on MySpace.

Hard Proof Afrobeat is led by the same horn section that helps make Black Joe Lewis' live show so damn funky. When they're not spreading the gospel of old-school dirty American funk with Black Joe, Hard Proof pays homage to afrobeat, a funk-influenced 1970s musical movement spawned by Nigerian musical genius Fela Kuti. It's good to see an Austin band getting down with afrobeat, given what a complex yet fun style of music it is. My verdict on Hard Proof Afrobeat: I enjoyed this band, though I wasn't blown away by any means. I think afrobeat suffers when it doesn't have a vocalist. Instrumental afrobeat just lacks the power. I think of Fela's best songs, and they included group chants and scathing politically charged lyrics. Musically, this band is fine. But it's not the full afrobeat experience. In the video above, Hard Proof performs a cover of Fela's early classic "My Lady Frustration."

File Under: Hard Proof Afrobeat, Momo's

Video: Frederico7 & The Hashashins at Momo's [Feb. 16]

2010-02-17T16:54:00.005-06:00

Wanting to avoid the Mardi Gras party-drinkers downtown, I headed slightly west to Momo's for the weekly KUT/Bemba Entertainment residency known as World Music Night. If you're at all inclined toward music that grooves, you should check out this Tuesday night staple.

Frederico7 & The Hashashins is one of those bands you have to go see at least once so you know this type of band exists. Imagine if James Brown were Brazilian and into New Age-ish world culture. That's how I'd describe frontman Frederico7; he's a showman with fantastic (if sometimes out-there) stage presence and a propensity for scatting in Portuguese. Musically, this band has it together. During soundcheck, the drummer went off on this crazy drum solo that borrowed from metal and jazz. That worried me, as I had no idea who this band was or what they were about to sound like. During the actual set, the drummer's funky beats were tasteful and only became bombastic and showy when it was called for. Guitarist Greg Jones showed he has a flair for charismatic soloing, a side of him you don't see with his more pop-oriented group, Los Bad Apples. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised.

File Under: Frederico7, Momo's

Photos: Love at 20 at The Independent [debut show, Feb. 12]

2010-02-16T12:29:00.004-06:00

Love at 20 played their debut show on Friday at The Independent at 501 Studios. Though it was their first show, Love at 20 demonstrated a keen understanding of what it takes to distinguish yourself as a live indie band. The set was tight, and their look was clean and professional. They're going to need a couple more shows to fully grow into their own skin, but I see serious potential with this band. After a brief chat with frontman Mike Groener at the show, I can tell this is one of Austin's most ambitious and driven songwriter/performers. He has a vision and a plan. It's rather refreshing, actually. You'll no doubt be hearing more about this band on my blog. You can download Love at 20's debut album for free here.

You can view more photos from this set on my MySpace and Facebook pages.

All photos by Ajay Miranda.

File Under: Love at 20, The Independent

Austin music this week: Feb. 15-21

2010-02-15T17:00:00.002-06:00

Your weekly no-BS guide to the best local music shows and parties in Austin.
All info gathered from Do512, ShowListAustin, venue websites and MySpace.

Mon. 2/15

Unwed Fathers (2/15 at Plush)

The show: Love and a 45 Record Player Party @ Rio Rita [1308 E. 6th] - 8p - FREE
Basically: Bring your best 45s and sign up to spin 'em, you fucking hipster!

The show: Unwed Fathers, Awesome Death, The Brimmers @ Plush [617 Red River St] - FREE
Basically: Plush on a Monday is great place to discover Austin's underground scene.

Tues. 2/16

STEREO IS A LIE (2/16 at The Parish)

The show: Dart Music International presents: STEREO IS A LIE, Nick Hirsch @ The Parish - ALL AGES - Doors at 8p
Basically: One of Austin's best sounding bands at one of Austin's best sounding venues.

The show: Pine Hill Haints (Alabama), Ghost Knife @ Mohawk
Basically: Ghost Knife is the side project of Riverboat Gambler Mike Wiebe. Awesome!

The show: Hard Proof Afrobeat [8p], La Guerrilla [10p], Frederico7 & The Hashashins [midnight] @ Momo's - +18 - $5
Basically: Around The World Music Stage In One-Hundred-and-Eighty Minutes.

The show: Clyde and Clem's Whiskey Business @ Hole in the Wall - +21 - FREE
Basically: Best bimonthly washboard-band bluegrass ball in town! Who would Jesus bomb?

Wed. 2/17

The show: The Happen-Ins, Til We're Blue or Destroy, Baker Family @ Mohawk
Basically: Indie-rific show with equal amounts of retro swagger, brooding artiness and upbeat poppiness.

Thurs. 2/18

The Ugly Beats (2/18 at Emo's)

The show: The Ugly Beats, The Hi-Tones, The Explosives [CD/DVD release] @ Emo's
Basically: It's a late-1960s-inspired garage-rock dance party.

The show: Giant Steps Productions presents Strangers, FM Campers, Zorch, Plutonium Farmers @ Mohawk
Basically: Experimental-dancey-spazzy-electro-noise craziness ensues!

The show: Zookeeper, The Boxing Lesson, New Roman Times @ Stubb's [indoor]
Basically: Required attire: tight black pants, your blackest/sleekest shades and a tambourine. A black tambourine.

Fri. 2/19

The Yuppie Pricks (2/19 at Red 7)

The show: The Yuppie Pricks, The Chumps, The Open Casket, Contact High 5 @ Red 7
Basically: Punk rock with a twist, but an old-school punk show nonetheless.

The show: Misprint's 4th Annual Beard and Moustache Competition with Diagonals @ Mohawk
Basically: Keep Austin beard.

The show: The Bright Light Social Hour, Zlam Dunk, The Couch @ The Parish
Basically: Can one stage handle this much youthful kinetic energy in one night?

The show: T-Bird and The Breaks, Brownout @ Antone's
Basically: James Brown would be proud of this funkedified one-two punch.

Sat. 2/20

Los Skarnales (2/20 at Flamingo)

The show: Austin Vida presents Hydra Melody, In Situ Sound @ Mi Casa [503 E. 6th St.]
Basically: Two young alternative/progressive indie bands who play the kind of heart-on-your-sleeve rock that is simultaneously mature and fresh.

The show: The Versatile Syndicate presents We the Granada, The Paper Shapes, Smiley with a Knife [New Orleans], Perfect Pants @ Encore [611 Red River]
Basically: The Versatile Syndicate doesn't put on a bad show. This one's gonna be progressive and loud.

The show: Los Skarnales [Houston], Benny vs. the Beast [CD release], The Bandulus, Proper Villain Soundsystem @ Flamingo Cantina
Basically: Reggae, ska, reggae, ska, reggae, ska... a pinch of Latin.

The show: The Big Dirty Shakedown [CD release], Split Hoof, The Vitamins, Meganaut @ Red Eyed Fly - ALL AGES - $5 - FREE LONE STAR
Basically: Cock-rock showcase with free Lone Star Beer!

Sun. 2/21

The show: D.R.I. [San Francisco, Calif.], Condemned Unit, Blunt Force Trauma, Birth A.D. @ Emo's
Basically: Hardcore/Thrash/Punk

Remember to check back every Monday for the week's best shows.

Photos: MoTel Aviv at The Parish [Feb. 12]

2010-02-15T15:36:00.001-06:00

MoTel Aviv ended their Friday night set at The Parish with a cover of The Smiths' "Barbarism Begins At Home". The Smiths are a natural fit for MoTel Aviv, given their moody and broody yet upbeat and danceable sound. I've already talked about this band once this month, so I'll refrain from further flattery, other than to say this band has good energy on stage. The lead singer even hopped into the crowd at one point and danced with the fans. Good times.

You can view the complete photo album on my MySpace and Facebook pages.

All photos by Ajay Miranda.

File Under: MoTel Aviv, The Parish

Photos: Red Leaves at The Parish [Feb. 12]

2010-02-15T14:11:00.004-06:00

Red Leaves headlined a diverse all-local bill at The Parish on Friday. I have to be in the mood for this band, but when I am, they really hit the spot. Their songs are brooding and dark, and they trade off between moments of refined subtly and moments of well-executed melodrama. Their sound borrows from UK post-punk and sludgy American post-rock. Singer Mayberry's ethereal chants and hums mixed with David Lujan's grumpy-indie-dude singing style give the band a unique vocal presence. This is one of the few bands I've seen use two bass guitars at once; it really adds to the menacing tones this band so thoroughly creates on stage.

You can view the complete photo album on my MySpace and Facebook pages.

All photos by Ajay Miranda.

File Under: Red Leaves

Video: Ringo Deathstarr at Mohawk

2010-02-14T20:52:00.006-06:00

Ringo Deathstarr played Baseera's birthday party at Mohawk on Thursday. I have no idea who Baseera is, but she has decent taste in music. And cover was $1, so props for keeping it affordable.

Ringo Deathstarr is a prime example of what irritates me about so many bands in Austin. Don't get me wrong—I like this band. I own their 2008 self-titled EP and have attended multiple shows of theirs. There's nothing wrong with their sound. In fact, this band has moments of sheer genius in their live material; unfortunately, they don't know how to keep building on the momentum they create so effortlessly. They manage to concentrate tons of feedback and distortion and awesome drum beats into little three-minute shoegaze/alt-rock mindfucks... but then they spend the next three minutes between songs tuning their guitars and making awkward small talk. Three-minute song, then three minutes of tuning. Three-minute song, then three minutes of tuning. Rinse and repeat. If they could just find a way to keep the flow of the show going without coming to a complete stop every three minutes, this band would be amazing, instead of just good. Most Austin bands can craft songs—very few craft shows.

File Under: Ringo Deathstarr, The Mohawk

Video: TV Torso and The Happen-Ins at Beerland

2010-02-14T20:30:00.001-06:00

Uber-hip Austin transplants WOXY hosted a free show at Beerland on Thursday night, and it was worth every penny. I checked out the show because it featured two local bands whose names I've been seeing a lot lately, both in show listings and on blogs.

TV Torso has gotten lots of attention locally because the band was formed by two former members of Sound Team, a mid-2000s Austin next-big-thing band that imploded after releasing its major-label debut on Capitol Records. Based on what I saw at Beerland, TV Torso is a middle-of-the-road indie band. It's the kind of inoffensive stuff that does well on Volkswagen commercials and in coffee shops. I wouldn't call their music bad, per se. It just didn't bring anything new or interesting to the table.

The Happen-Ins played their first show almost exactly a year ago. They're getting hyped up early on in their career because, much like TV Torso, the band was formed by dudes who used to be in other hyped-up bands that broke up in their prime (both Lomita and The Dedringers, in this case). I appreciate the energy The Happen-Ins put into their live performance (shimmying and shuffling, and whatnot), but the music just didn't do it for me. It's hard to be '60s-retro and memorable these days, especially in Austin, where every nook and cranny of the 1960s has been mined for inspiration by one indie band after another. Unfortunately, The Happen-Ins' take on early R&B and rock 'n' roll lacks the memorableness of The Strange Boys, the infectiousness of The Ugly Beats and the effortlessness of Hacienda.

File Under: TV Torso, The Happen-Ins

Pachanga Fest 2010 to include Grupo Fantasma, Hacienda and Larry Harlow

2010-02-12T12:36:00.001-06:00

The names of a handful of performers slated to play this year's Pachanga Fest have leaked on the Latino music festival's MySpace page. Local bands on the preview list include retro-rockers Amplified Heat, '60s-inspired pop-rockers Hacienda and salsa/cumbia big band Grupo Fantasma. The festival will take place at Fiesta Gardens in East Austin on May 22.

Grupo Fantasma should have a new album out by then, as they spent much of the past few months recording and mixing. Hacienda, meanwhile, is currently pulling double duty as the backing band for Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys.

As far as national/international acts leaked: Colombian hip-hop/reggae duo Bomba Estereo, Chilean pop singer Pilar Diaz and New York electronic/R&B group Pacha Massive.

But the name I'm most excited about is Larry Harlow. If you don't know, Harlow is a legend. His piano playing helped shape the salsa music movement of the '70s. His work with groups like Orchestra Harlow and Fania All-Stars has produced many classic albums that have inspired everyone from Grupo Fantasma to The Mars Volta (Harlow actually played on the Volta's 2005 album Frances The Mute).

File Under: Pachanga Fest, music news

Videos: Beauty Bar in January

2010-02-11T13:22:00.005-06:00

Don't hate; celebrate! That's Beauty Bar's new slogan (as evidenced by their Twitter page). I appreciate that this notoriously hipster bar understands its perception in town (and that it's got a sense of humor about it).

Beauty Bar is indeed that bar that indie music fans love to hate. On the one hand, your average fan sometimes feels under-dressed and uncool, and while the bartenders have improved lately, it used to take forever to get a drink if you didn't look like an uber-Mod in flashy vintage clothes. But like I said, that seems to be changing for the better.

The reason we've begrudgingly loved Beauty Bar all these years is because the bands that play there are usually really really good. And even when the band sucks, at least Beauty Bar was willing to give them a shot. So in that spirit, let's celebrate. Here are some video clips I took at Beauty Bar on my HD pocket camera last month. If the embeds don't show up below, watch the videos on my Facebook video page instead.

I've been a fan of MoTel Aviv since they were called A.U.X. (they changed the name during Free Week 2009). I appreciate a band that puts effort into its stage show and into its performance. Live music is more than playing instruments. It's about performing. It's my longstanding belief that fans will only have as much fun at a show as the band members appear to be having themselves. So it goes without saying, based on Rodney Connell's giddy hops and Misti Watkins' smooth-as-silk strutting and sliding, that MoTel Aviv greatly enjoy what they're doing. And if they don't, they at least have the showmanship to act like it for our sake.

Jam out with your Frantic Clam out! Sorry, I had to. Anyway, this band isn't the best in town, but they're not the worst. Lead singer/guitarist Zack Hadley has good energy on stage and a knack for writing really catchy songs (I'm a big fan of "We Own The Night" and "Sasha Grey"). But the problem is that those songs don't translate as well live as they do on record. They seem to be missing pieces live. As a trio live, they aren't able to replicate the layered sound of their recordings. Maybe a keyboard player and a second guitarist would do the trick. And a little live vocal harmonizing would go a long way. But I at least respect this band, and that's gotta be worth something.

I was recently interviewed for a feature story by the Do512 Blog. When my interviewer asked me what changes I've seen in the local music scene in recent years, I said I've noticed lots more electro-dance bands, particularly ones who are more concerned with image and hype than actually playing good music. To date, I've seen only one electro-dance act in town that pulls it off and is really really good: Neiliyo, the one-man dance party. He gets it. He has a sense of humor about it. But when these electro-dance bands take themselves seriously, that's when things go wrong and the train runs right off the tracks. Case-in-point: The Madness.

I want to like Love Hate Affair, I do. But they sound so much like their influences that it's hard not to write them off. I can tell they have talent. They just haven't found their sound yet. They have a sound. But it's a sound that's been done a million times. I have confidence that if they stick to it, they'll mature and start writing stuff that moves past the affinity for Interpol and Joy Division. Right now, it's just not there.

File Under: MoTel Aviv, Frantic Clam, The Madness, Love Hate Affair

'NITES featured on Do512 Blog's All-Star Spotlight

2010-02-08T12:06:00.000-06:00

Check this out: http://do512.wordpress.com/2010/02/06/all-star-spotlight-nitesblog-com/

'NITES was featured as part of The Do512 Blog's All-Star Spotlight series. I met with @Do512_Grace a couple weeks ago for an interview. She asked some good questions and I tried to give good responses. The result is the article linked above. Thanks Do512!

Preview: Fashion Freakout 2010 (2/5)

2010-02-04T15:58:00.001-06:00

The third annual Fashion Freakout invades Mohawk this Friday (2/5). Local retro rockers The Carrots will provide live music during the intermission, but the real attraction will be the models sporting vintage digs from local shops like Prototype Vintage, Buffalo Exchange and more.

Read a Q&A with Fashion Freakout co-creator Audrie San Miguel at Austinvida.com.

An excerpt from the Q&A:

So what can we expect from this year's Fashion Freakout?

San Miguel: This year, we made a crazy-cool backdrop with a light installation inside of it. The runway is going to be longer than it’s ever been before and, as usual, the instruments of the band that is going to play during intermission are also part of the set. They stay on stage and they go along with the rock-n-roll theme. It’s inspired by the '50s, '60s, '70s and even the '80s.

South-of-the-border by southwest... The MtyMx music festival

2010-02-03T16:57:00.002-06:00

New York party promoter Todd Patrick has announced a multi-day music and arts festival that aims to compete with SXSW for fans of indie rock. But unlike Red Gorilla Fest, Texas Rock Fest, or the scores of unofficial day shows, this SXSW opponent won't actually be staged in Austin.

The festival, called MtyMX, will take place in Monterrey, Mexico. That's about a seven- or eight-hour drive from Austin, if you're wondering. The festival is taking place on the site of a former drive-in theater.

MtyMx will feature 75 bands over three days (March 20-22), with a ticket price of $30 for all three days. Here's a partial list...

Dan Deacon, Neon Indian, No Age, Fucked Up, Das Racist, Washed Out, Thee Oh Sees, Pocahaunted, Indian Jewelry, Male Bonding, Best Fwends, Banjo or Freakout, Los Fancy Free, Los Margaritos, dd/mm/yyyy, Lemonade, Quiero Club, Los Llamarada, Toro y Moi, Small Black, Liturgy

Monterrey is considered Mexico's Dallas: an upper-middle-class city with lots of culture and nightlife options for young, urban professionals. But Monterrey also has a burgeoning music scene that's producing some exciting independent rock music. In that sense, Monterrey is Mexico's Austin. A third of the bands on the bill are from Mexico.

Get more details about the fest and about the city at toddpnyc.com.

Band to watch in 2010: STEREO IS A LIE

2010-02-03T15:33:00.003-06:00

STEREO IS A LIE has been getting quite a bit of local buzz lately, which makes me happy. I was hooked from this band's very first show in November 2008, when they caught me totally by surprise at Emo's. It's refreshing to see a confident, well-rehearsed band command the stage like SIAL does, rather than awkwardly fumble through a set (a common occurrence in Austin).

I could tell you about their influences... or you can watch this video I shot and edited almost exactly a year ago. The video features STEREO IS A LIE at Stubb's.

Also, check out my Flickr photo album of pictures I took at Ghost Room a few months ago.

STEREO IS A LIE is playing a cool showcase at Ghost Room on Friday, March 5. The showcase is called A Local Night For Local People, no doubt a jab intended for those of us who get cranky with the massive influx of tourists during SXSW. RSVP for this show on Facebook here. Other great bands are on the bill, including psychedelic rockers The Astronaut Suit.

Lastly, STEREO has just about wrapped up the mixing of its debut album. All that's left is for the band to figure out its distribution method, and whether or not that will include a record label.

File Under: STEREO IS A LIE

This is a damn good idea...

2010-01-30T18:10:00.002-06:00

Fulton Read's Synchronize Now contest

2010-01-26T17:43:00.000-06:00

San Marcos piano-pop-rockers Fulton Read are releasing their follow up to 2008's excellent EP Indivisualize. The new EP, titled Synchronize, will be available on January 31st, and like its predecessor, it's totally free. You'll be able to download it Fultonread.com.

To promote the EP, Fulton Read is launching a worldwide graffiti contest. All you have to do is tag the word SYNCHRONIZE somewhere (anywhere), take a picture, and send it to the band.

Prizes include CDs, t-shirts, and other merch. Categories include Best Tag, Biggest Tag, and Best Location.

Here's the event page:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=265972607959

Free-cap: Free Week 2010 videos

2010-01-16T15:01:00.003-06:00

Okay, I meant to go out way more than I did during this year's Free Week. But my girlfriend moved to Austin on New Year's Eve, and we spent lots of time unpacking and organizing and whatnot. And frankly, I would've felt like a world-class douche if I spent every night of her first week as an Austinite going out without her. Because of her 8-5, she can't be a night owl like yours truly.

But I did go out just enough to get some interesting bands on video with my new pocket HD camera. It's an able, though not ideal, replacement for my dead Sony HD Handycam. Note to anyone in the market for a thousand-dollar video camera: The Sony HC9 lasted me about 15 months from the day I bought it new to the day it died. C'mon, Sony. Really?! I won't be buying another.

Austin has an emerging genre I'd like to call saxcore. Along with We The Granada, we have bands like Muchos Backflips and The Gospel Truth who play loud, spazzed-out rock that jams and uses lots of saxophone for a jazzy yet vertigo-inducing effect. These bands are distinct but share a similar Mike Patton/John Zorn chaotic feel. We The Granada also has a bit of Mars Volta and The Locust in their sound. The light show is a nice touch. They have a band member whose sole job is to control the lights.

I didn't know a damned thing about this band. They were a random Free Week discovery. I think every indie band in Austin that plays with an indifferent expression and stiff limbs should be forced to go to more punk-rock shows. Austin's got lots of good ones. And the energy-above-all ethos that fuels punk is what makes it such an appealing genre. I get tired of indie shows with bands who look bored with their own music while they're on stage. Indie, take a cue from punk: The crowd will only enjoy the show as much as the band appears to be enjoying it.

This band spawned around the time every band in town wanted to be a glorified Joy Division or Gang of Four cover band. But The Always Already always kept my attention with solid, energetic performances and slight, refreshing departures from the genre they based their sound on. It was like '80s UK post-punk mixed with old-school hip-hop and electro touches. Unfortunately, The Always Already are no more. They're scheduled to play their last show ever February 27 at Beauty Bar. Bassist Louis Lemuz has a new band called Love at 20, which I really reeeaally like.

Remember two paragraphs ago when I talked about lifeless indie bands? Sorry, Planet Rye Co., but you're kinda flirting with that boundary. The lead singer has alright energy, but the dude playing the tambourine with the lifeless expression is kinda what I'm talking about. Same goes for the bassist. Don't get me wrong... I've seen much worse than this band, but still. Stage presence is horribly underrated in the indie-rock world. When you go to as many shows as I do, it gets old sitting through bands who look like it's a chore to play live. What's the deal?

Remember when I was talking about saxcore a few paragraphs ago? This is one of those bands. I don't know what to make of this style. I don't know if I love it or just kinda like it, but it's still intriguing to me. I'd like to see more live Gospel Truth.

What's in the water down in the Valley? Lots of hip indie bands are sprouting up in the RGV. Melodic rockers In Situ Sound join Dignan and others as examples of the Valley's burgeoning indie music scene. This band is young, but they've got potential. I just wish I would've gotten footage of the large-sounding instrumental jam they played before this song.

Watch videos at the 'NITES Facebook fan page.

AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!! Obooooooes

2010-01-16T03:08:00.001-06:00

Sat. 2010/01/16

My throat hurts from screaming, but at least I didn't get broken glass on me. Colin was wasted, but I've never known him to be anything but. And Anthony Johnson was back!

I love Hole in the Wall.

I knew you had it in you, Austin!

PUNK ROCK.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

I shall miss you dearly, Haunting Oboe Music.

<3

P.S. If anyone has video or pictures from Haunting Oboe's show, please send me a link.

P.P.S. I hope this is as incoherent as this blog ever gets. Cheers.

1/15 Friday show pick: Haunting Oboe Music

2010-01-15T15:35:00.001-06:00

It always sucks to see a good band go away, but it's worse to see a disintegrating band going through the motions. My feelings about Haunting Oboe Music lie somewhere in between. The sextet plays its last show ever tonight at Hole in the Wall. Cover is $3.

On the one hand, I'm sad to see 'em go, but on the other hand the Oboes lost a lot of the raw energy and fury that made them such a force a couple short years ago.

Haunting Oboe Music was amazing the first time I saw them play. It was August 2007 at the now-defunct Whiskey Bar on Fifth. The Oboes put on a frenetic live show that always threatened to explode into chaos between two powerful drummers, two loud guitarists, a dance-happy bassist and a forceful trumpet player. But somehow all the elements not only managed to coalesce in harmony but create something truly memorable in a music scene that sometimes lacks uniqueness and adventurous spirit. I rarely missed a show from 2007 to 2008, becoming friends with the band along the way.

But things started going downhill in late 2008. The band seemed exhausted at shows, due in part to the ambitious 12-EPs-in-a-year project they'd embarked on that January. Their trumpet player left the band after a show at Hole in the Wall in November 2008. The band's performances seemed to lack something after that show -- something beyond the loss of textures created by a trumpet. A year later, after a string of sometimes brilliant but often inconsistent shows, the members have decided to go their own ways.

Word has it a few of the members are going to start another project. I'm excited to see what they do. Haunting Oboe's members never stopped being great songwriters and performers. It's just that the band's current lineup didn't have the same charisma and chemistry. They need a fresh start. And I'll no doubt be there when the next incarnation arises.

Elsewhere, the TXRD 2010 roller derby season kickoff party is going down at Chupacabra Cantina (400 E. Sixth) with free Lone Star and Jameson. Read more about it on Do512 here.

Spoon to open SXSW 2010

2010-01-11T11:08:00.000-06:00

South By Southwest and National Public Radio are partnering for a SXSW kick-off showcase featuring Spoon at Stubb's BBQ on March 17th. The concert will be streamed live and then archived on NPR's SXSW site.

Speaking of free streaming, you can currently listen to Spoon's new album Transference (available in stores Jan. 19th) as part of NPR's First Listen series.

Austin's indie-rock heroes play a free in-store performance at Waterloo Records on Monday, Jan. 25th. It's a good time to be a Spoon fan in Austin.

Best of Austin 2009: drunk people

2010-01-09T19:27:00.001-06:00

It's department policy for Austin cops to ask suspected drunken drivers where they had their last drink. The result is an entertaining annual list of the bars responsible for releasing the greatest number of drunks into the wild.

Not surprisingly, a large chunk (12 of 33) of the bars listed are on Sixth Street. The winner is J. Black's, with 27 suspected drunken drivers in 2009. The bar is part of the more pricey West Sixth district, next to Opal Devine's. Only one Red River club made the list. But it's Stubb's, which if we're being honest is kinda like a Sixth Street raft floating on the Red River.

As for runner-up streets, Fourth and Fifth get second and third. The Yellow Rose gets the distinction of being the only strip club on the list, while Sherlock's and the aforementioned titty bar share the only spots for non-downtown establishments.

It's interesting to me that it's the pricier establishments that have the biggest numbers. I guess people who have money can afford to get drunk enough to get pulled over. Or maybe the indie clubs are flooded with bike-riding hipsters, and therefore produce fewer DWIs. Strange.

Read the entire list at the Austin American-Statesman.

Video: INsite Night with The Bright Light Social Hour

2009-12-27T12:42:00.002-06:00

The Bright Light Social Hour have had a pretty good 2009. They won the ACL Sound and the Jury competition, which gave them an opening slot at Austin City Limits Fest. They also filmed a pretty funky music video for their supremely catchy song "Back and Forth" (it currently has 27,000 views on YouTube). This band has built some serious momentum, and let's hope they keep it going strong in the new year. I shot the above live video at The Parish for INsite Austin.

Free music from former Clap-Clappers

2009-12-21T14:29:00.002-06:00

Luckily for those of you who remember going nuts to the electro-dance-punk goodness that was Clap! Clap!, the former members of the band are still around even if the band is not. Two attention-worthy bands recently sprouted from the seeds of Clap! Clap!'s demise: the electronica/new wave trio of Missions and the moody post-punk of Love at 20.

These two bands join The Always Already and Haunting Oboe Music as homes for former Clap-Clappers, and the interesting tie between all four is that each of these bands has a dark and moody sound to them while preserving the energy of their original more-upbeat band.

Missions is like Clap!Clap! distilled to an electronic essence. The trio, led by Clap! vocalist Josh Mills, is all synth and drum machines, with no acoustic instruments. That can be an immediate turn off for some, so fair warning. Their full name on MySpace and Blogspot addresses is MissionsInSpace, which is fitting since this is some seriously spacey new wave. It's like the best the genre had to offer in the '80s, but slowed down and mixed with a methodical, almost psychedelic element.

You can download a promo mix from Missions' personal blog. The promo mix is available for free download until January 1st. Click here to download Missions' free mix. Missions' next show is a big New Year's Eve party at The Parish with Zeale and The White White Lights.

While Missions has garnered some blogger buzz early on, I'm personally more excited about Love at 20. Their dark, hard-charging alt-rock/post-punk is more in my wheelhouse. This band is much louder and more layered than Missions, but they seem to share a certain spaced-out quality, expressed by this band in its grand, anthemic choruses. Love at 20 sounds like Alkaline Trio with more layering, distortion, and modern-day angst. I can also hear a hint of Muse in there.

Also, "Love at 20" might be the best name for a band I've heard in a while; it's catchy, memorable, and (in an abstract way) describes exactly what the music sounds like: the musical musings of a 20-something trying to find love (and dealing with complicated feelings and consequences that arise).

Love at 20 hasn't played a show yet, but they've already recorded a full-length album, called Time to Begin. This band features two ex-Clap! Clap! members: vocalist/guitarist Mike Groener and bassist Louis Lemuz. Drummer Mark Toohey fills out the trio. Groener produced the album, which sounds awesome. It's a professional-sounding recording all the way (which is something you're never sure you'll get from an unsigned band). The songs are diverse but cohesive as a whole. This band sounds like the real deal. I've been disappointed before by bands who had awesome albums and lackluster live shows. I hope this band doesn't fall into that category.

Love at 20 is scheduled to play their first show two days before Valentine's Day 2010, which seems appropriate. The show also has Missions on the bill and will take place at The Independent at 501 Studios, just east of I-35.

Click here to download Love at 20's debut Time to Begin. It's only available for two more days, so get it now! You won't regret it. If you miss the free boat, you can also purchase the album on iTunes with two bonus tracks added on. Click here to buy the album on iTunes.

Lastly, Love at 20 also has a brand-new video for their song "Waiting". Check it out:

12/19 Saturday show picks: Austin Vida showcase and more

2009-12-19T11:26:00.000-06:00

Tonight, Austin Vida presents its end-of-the-year bash with a diverse lineup of Latin-influenced bands at Beauty Bar for only $5. Here are the official descriptions from Austin Vida:

Maneja Beto (http://www.manejabeto.com/) is a five-piece, indie-en-Español fusion band similar to bands like Latin alternative legends Café Tacvba and Aterciopelados. An Austin Vida staff favorite, Maneja Beto sets the standard for Latin alternative music in Austin.

El Tule (http://www.myspace.com/eltule) combines influences of cumbia, Afro-Cuban, rock, merengue, salsa and reggae. The music is influenced by art, history and culture often focusing on legends and tales of the mystical. El Tule is for those who love to dance, feel good and enjoy the positive expression of music.

The showcase’s opening band will be Este Vato (http://www.estevato.com/). These vatos are serious up-and-comers on the Austin Music scene, having already been featured in major Latino publications Remezcla, Austin Vida and La Banda Elastica. With their debut album in the works, Este Vato will only continue to keep audiences dancing and nodding their heads well into 2010.

Spinning before the bands will be Austin’s own Latino funk master DJ Chorizo Funk (http://www.myspace.com/djebelo).

Over at Barcelona, The Peen Scene's Michael Hernandez will be celebrating his birthday with plenty of electronic musical goodness. Go buy Michael a shot. He and his partner in crime, Jen Devito, work hard for you mofos. Show some appreciation.

And last, but not least, one of my favorite bands in town is playing its last show. SNAFU Kitties will headline at Emo's indoor stage in a farewell show that is also doubling as a CD release show. This band never caught on with the local blogosphere, which is too bad. They write and perform catchy piano-pop with clever lyrics and an undeniable R&B groove. Fans of other local piano-pop rockers like Quiet Company and Fulton Read would dig this band. Sad to see them go.

Transmission announces Free Week 2010 lineup

2009-12-18T19:00:00.000-06:00

Free Week. It's like South By Southwest without the annoying tourists. It's not technically a festival, though every year it feels more and more like one.

Graham Williams started the tradition at Emo's six years ago. He has since founded Transmission Entertainment and continued the tradition at the company's venues: Mohawk, Club de Ville, and Red 7. Other venues like Beauty Bar, Beerland, and a few non-Red River clubs have also followed suit.

What it means for you the fan is that some of Austin's best venues will be hosting some of Austin's best bands totally free of charge.

Transmission is the first to make a mass announcement about its lineup this year. The schedule isn't up yet, but at least we know which bands we can expect to see at three of the best rock clubs in town.

Some personal favorites: Transmography, Obsolete Machines, Prayer For Animals, Shitty Carwash, Christian Bland, Haunting Oboe Music, The Young.... But frankly, there are too many badass bands to list 'em all.

This year's Free Week runs from January 1st to the 10th. You'll be recovering from one hangover whilst working on achieving another. See poster for the bands. Click to enlarge.

Read an official statement from Williams about Free Week here.

12/18 Friday show pick: The Saggi Ball

2009-12-18T14:50:00.002-06:00

Tonight is the second-annual Sagittarius Ball (aka the Saggi Ball... get it?). Last year's was a fun party with great bands at Emo's, but this year the party takes place at Beauty Bar. There's free Dripping Springs Vodka from 8-10, and a ugly-Christmas-sweater costume contest. There will also be free drinks for anyone who brings new toys for the toy donation drive. Good times.

Bands include Ripe with Nic Armstrong, The Boom Boom Box (post-punk from Dallas), The Pons, and Ok Sweetheart (San Francisco). Two DJs, Czech One and Prince Klassen, will be spinning between bands.

It's a pretty solid lineup for such a cheap cover. The Boom Boom Box, particularly, is a pleasant surprise. This band has existed for about a year and they already have an impressive EP under their belt. Check their MySpace page for a live video of this seven-piece playing some brooding post-punk with heavy percussion and the tortured vocals you'd expect from this moody yet uptempo genre. This is a band to keep an eye on.

Doors open at 8. Cover is $5. Click the poster for Do512 details.

12/17 Thursday show pick: Amplified Heat at The Parish

2009-12-17T14:43:00.000-06:00

It's a night of lo-fi, eardrum-busting psychedelic rock 'n roll at The Parish. In the past, I might've thought this kind of showcase was a bad idea for The Parish. But have you been lately? They installed this new fancy lighting setup at The Parish that is perfect for psychedelic shows. I'm also digging the new paint job and decor. The Parish has done a great job of revamping its image. The built-in merch/bar area is a wise addition for courting touring bands, and it also blocks off that wallflower corner, making the room feel more together and intimate near the stage.

As for tonight's music, Austin psychedelic/blues veterans Amplified Heat are gonna make you wish you had earplugs with you. These guys have great energy, and play loud and with bravado. Pure rock 'n roll, as far as I'm concerned. The openers include the dirty psychedelic tones of Smoke and Feathers, as well as the cooly detached indie-ish psych of The Strange Attractors.

This show is a benefit for Caritas of Austin, a local nonprofit that works in social services and food services.

Cover is $8. Doors open at 10. Get more details, including video and music samples at theparishaustin.com.

12/16 Wednesday show picks: Fulton Read, Driver F

2009-12-16T11:00:00.004-06:00

I'm feeling poppy, so today's show picks include the piano pop-rock of Fulton Read, the pop-punk of Driver F, and the poppy reggae-rock of Subrosa Union. Keep warm by dancing your ass off to any of the above bands. Details below....

Fulton Read is playing with The Couch and The Daze tonight at The Parish for the final INsite Night of the year. Fulton Read released one of the best EPs of 2008, Indivisualize, and it was free. It still is, actually. Download their EP here. They have a new EP on tap for 2010.

Over at Stubb's, there's the unlikely pairing of Driver F and Subrosa Union. Driver F writes the kind of pop-punk you see in Alternative Press magazine or on Fuse TV. They're very much of the Fallout Boy generation, so fair warning if that's not your thing. You might want to tell your little brother or sister about it. Subrosa Union plays upbeat reggae-rock that belongs in an outdoor venue in July. But it works any time of the year, really.

Driver F video

New lineup for Death Is Not A Joyride

2009-12-16T10:49:00.000-06:00

The experimental progressive-rock group Death Is Not A Joyride had been in a sort of limbo for the past six months, after a MySpace note said the quintet's lead singer, Kacy Ritter, was taking a brief hiatus from the band. They continued on as an instrumental four-piece without indication of what the band's future held.

Today, the band clarified the situation and confirmed that Ritter is no longer a member of Death Is Not A Joyride, and that the band will continue as an instrumental quartet. Ritter had been in rehab, today's note from the band says. She recently left rehab and has decided not to return to Austin.

My take on this: Ritter is a compelling and strong vocalist, but if any band can survive the loss of a lead singer, it's Death Is Not A Joyride. Their music is layered and textured enough that vocals aren't a huge loss. If anything, this might free them up to write music that isn't bound by having to make room for a lead vocal.

Read the MySpace note regarding Kacy's departure here.

Here's a video I shot of DINAJ about a year ago....

Video: INsite Night with She Craves

2009-12-15T11:15:00.001-06:00

She Craves played INsite Night, the concert series hosted by INsite Austin, this year. 'NITES is rolling out an end-of-year series of INsite videos for your viewing and listening pleasure. She Craves is an alt-rock/power-pop quartet with a DIY spirit and a sound made for 101x, the local alternative radio station. She Craves has self-released three albums in four years. Pretty impressive.

12/14 Monday show pick: Sober Daze, Capital City Outlaws

2009-12-13T12:54:00.001-06:00

Monday night offers a satisfying serving of punk rock and pizza pie at the Parlor on North Loop. The pizza at the Parlor is some of the best in town, and that deal is only made sweeter by the quantity of great, free music you can find there on almost any night of the week. Definitely one of the underrated venues in town.

On Monday, the Parlor has old-school hardcore punk from Sober Daze and Capital City Outlaws. As the name implies, Capital City Outlaws are from here and they also have a country feel to their otherwise straight-ahead punk sound. When you mix punk with country, you get a sound that's kinda downright poppy. But don't tell them that. The Outlaws also have a knack for memorable song titles ("Booze it or Lose it" comes to mind). Then you have Sober Daze, who are the embodiment of a punk show: fun, fun, fun. All that matters is good friends, loud tunes, and cheap beer at a Sober Daze show. The bands start setting up at about 8.

Sober Daze video

12/13 Sunday show pick: STEREO IS A LIE, Frantic Clam

2009-12-13T12:15:00.003-06:00

Today's pick is a benefit show at Antone's, featuring a talented trio of Red River bands. Doors open at 4:30 but there's no rush, as the music is spread throughout the evening. Cover is $10, which is kinda stiff, but this show benefits the Austin Children's Shelter, so at least you know your dollars are going to a cause other than bolstering the bartender's vintage t-shirt collection or supporting the sound guy's coke habit.

Three very worthy bands are on tap at Antone's: SPEAK, STEREO IS A LIE, and Frantic Clam. No, that's not me getting crazy with the caps lock key. Two of those bands do spell their names in all caps.

SPEAK sounds straight out of the New Wave era of the '80s with their quirky and upbeat synth-laden pop-rock. STEREO IS A LIE melds stylish and snarling '90s Brit-rock with just enough Texas twang and 2009 unease to give their music a familiar yet completely fresh feel. Frantic Clam is a band influenced by the more melody-driven side of '90s alternative rock. The opening 20 seconds of Frantic Clam's soon-to-be hit single "Sasha Gray" sound like vintage Weezer, until Zack Hadley's vocals arrive with suggestive lyrics about the notorious porn star of the song's title. Get more info about this show at Do512.

Frantic Clam video

STEREO IS A LIE video

Transmission is looking for interns; apply now

2009-12-09T12:11:00.003-06:00

Remember Fun Fun Fun Fest? Of course you do. Ever been to a show at Mohawk? Of course you have. Transmission Entertainment is behind both that festival and that venue (as well as Red 7 and Club de Ville).

Needless to say, Transmission is a huge part of making Austin's independent music scene as vibrant and memorable as it is at the moment. Now, the live-music powerhouse is looking for interns to help the cause. This is an unpaid internship that runs from January to May. Responsibilities, according to Transmission's website, include "assisting the Transmission staff with events, relevant research for events, assisting with managing the street team, designing fliers and posters, occasionally assisting on site at events, helping us update our social networking sites, assisting with sponsorship and sales, responsibilities associated with SXSW, receiving (and reading in full) Graham William's 'People of Wal-Mart' emails, and having a lot of fun."

If you think you're up to the task, send a cover letter and resume to intern coordinator Zoe Cordes Selbin at zoe@transmissionentertainment.com

Here's a link to more info: www.transmissionentertainment.com/entry/streetteamintern/

12/8 Tuesday show pick: La Guerrilla

2009-12-08T08:43:00.000-06:00

Don't let the label "world music" scare you or turn you off. The world is big and interesting, and so is the diverse array of sounds that gets thrown into that generic genre label. Take La Guerrilla, for instance. This fusion big band blends a mix of punk, ska, Latin, reggae, and funk music to get its unique and highly energetic sound. Horns, violin, and lots of percussion add layers to the usual rock flavor of guitar/bass/drums.

La Guerrilla plays tonight at 8p at KUT's world music night at Momo's, presented by Bemba Entertainment. Cover is $5, and $3 with a student ID. Click here for the Do512 listing.

Why punctuation matters: Bike-riding-hipster edition

2009-12-07T12:31:00.002-06:00

a bike-riding hipster

I was using the men's room at Hole in the Wall last night and noticed the words FUCK BIKE RIDING HIPSTERS! scrawled violently with marker above the toilet. Now, I knew what it meant. But it took a second of processing because I was confused momentarily by the lack of punctuation.

Punctuation is an important aspect of any style of writing. Whether you're an academic or a journalist, or even just a blogger or restroom-insult-writing rebel, punctuation matters. Punctuation is clarity, and clarity is key in all forms of communication. Writing, quite obviously, is communication.

Why I was confused by the sentence: It has a verb, a compound adjective, and an object. BUT... the verb ("fuck") is also known to be used as a noun from time to time, and can even be used as part of a compound adjective. The word "bike", too, can be used as a noun, verb, and part of a compound adjective. Therefore, punctuation is needed to clarify the role of each word in this sentence.

I'm assuming the pissed patron meant "Fuck bike-riding hipsters." As in, fuck hipsters who ride bikes. But without that crucial hyphen, the sentence could have been read as "Fuck-bike riding hipsters" (as in, there's a "fuck-bike" and it's riding hipsters) or "Fuck-bike-riding hipsters" (as in, hipsters who ride "fuck-bikes") or even "Fuck, bike-riding hipsters" (as in, Fuck, man, here come the bike-riding hipsters). The options are nearly endless. But one well-placed hyphen immediately clarifies the intended meaning of the sentence.

That's why punctuation matters. And that's this week's grammar lesson, courtesy of 'NITES: A blog for Austinites, and hipster-hating drunks everywhere. Cheers!

Video: Prayer For Animals on Good Day Austin

2009-12-06T14:08:00.001-06:00

One of my favorite local bands, Prayer For Animals, played Fox 7's Good Day Austin morning show a few days ago. They play again tonight at the Jon Pettis memorial show at Hole in the Wall. If you don't have plans, definitely check out this show. It's 12 bands playing between 4p and 2a. TONS of local music, featuring The Eastern Sea, The Midgetmen, Follow That Bird!, Frank Smith, and more. Check out the poster for details here. You can watch more Good Day Austin videos here.

Video: Austin Psych Fest 2 DVD trailer

2009-12-05T18:37:00.002-06:00

This excites me quite a bit. Here's the first preview of the DVD for Psych Fest 2, which took place during South By Southwest this year. It took place at Radio Room, a venue that lasted all of one week on Sixth Street. There's a for-lease sign up on the place now. But the quality of bands at this festival was great. The DVD was produced by AltaReal Pictures. Thanks to Jen Leduc for the heads up on this video.

The new 'NITES, part 2

2009-12-05T11:58:00.003-06:00

On Friday, I launched a redesign of this blog and made a post about the change in appearance. But that's not all that's changing. I'm officially changing the content format around. Don't worry; it's nothing drastic. This blog will still focus on local music. I've always wanted this blog to be about the unsigned and unsung independent bands that make up the Austin music scene. That won't ever change on this blog. You can read about your favorite touring band elsewhere. What will change is the features... the way I choose to write about local bands.

Read about the planned changes after the jump.

For a few months, I tried to do album reviews, accepting submissions from any band. I wrote a few, but others I never got to. Frankly, I'm much too busy to review every album that's sent to me. Also, I don't want to review an album if I don't like it, or even if I think it's just kinda average sounding. Here's the deal: If a magazine is paying me to write a review of whatever album comes in the mail, that's one thing. But my own personal music blog is my hobby (and my free time), and I don't want to spend my free time writing about music that doesn't inspire me.

I've had this discussion before a bunch of times, and I had it again at a show last night with the lead singer of a band I like. Is it better to be positive or negative in music journalism? In my opinion, neither. It's better to be honest. And honestly, I don't have time to write about music that doesn't move me.

I'll still write about albums I like, but they won't be called reviews. It will be a feature called Check out this album. This way I can write about albums I enjoy without being obligated to write about albums I don't. Bands: You can keep sending me your albums or linking me to downloads, but if I don't like it then I'm not writing about it. Nothing personal. It's a time issue. That said, two bands (Crooks and Oak is Keeping) gave me their albums months ago. I really really liked both and I STILL haven't reviewed them! I'll try to get to those at some point. Again, busy.

If you want to read my negative reviews of albums, you might not have to wait too long. Let's just say I might have another more encompassing music writing outlet coming soon. I can't get specific, but 2010 should be a very exciting year for music journalism in Austin. Stay tuned.

As for my videos, I won't be doing the episodes anymore. 'NITES started as a videoblog. I used to edit these 15-minute videos (click here) featuring a band playing three or four songs. I called them episodes. I did 33 of them between September 2008 and April 2009. I just don't have time to do those anymore. They were fun, but super time-consuming. I will instead focus on one-song videos for my YouTube channel (which has about 180 videos on it right now).

What you can expect from 'NITES from now on: show previews with my videos, Austin music news, and opinion columns about the scene. Thanks for reading!

What's weirder: Cats in wigs or Chief Acevedo in a dress?

2009-12-04T15:22:00.003-06:00

It's almost a perfect storm for video viralness: Cats. In wigs. Glammed up and posing for photos. This 90-second piece of weird is lighting up the Vimeo world with 2,500 views already (it was only uploaded eight hours ago!). The video, with its fancy photo-friendly felines, is a promo piece for a book called Glamourpuss: The Enchanting World of Kitty Wigs.

Watch the video after the jump.

Glamourpuss: The Enchanting World of Kitty Wigs from Julie Jackson on Vimeo.

And over at the Long Center here in Austin, they're getting ready to host this year's version of Texas' longest-running production of The Nutcracker. But there's a twist. Saturday night's performance will feature a very special guest: Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo. If that's not weird enough, the chief will be dawning a dress for the part of Mother Ginger in the play. The local Latino entertainment magazine Austin Vida interviewed Acevedo about his Nutcracker role. Check it out here.

The new 'NITES

2009-12-04T01:40:00.000-06:00

Hey everybody. I decided to redesign this here blog. I was getting tired of looking at the old design. A new year is approaching, and a new 'NITES awaits it.

What's different? First, the design. I've gone from three columns to two. I've reduced the amount of widgets and gadgets, paring down to only the most essential features. Clutter = bad. Simple = good. Those are the rules of good blog design, if you ask me. I've designed a bunch of arty banners like the one above, which I'll be swapping out how ever often I feel like it.

I'm now using the "after the jump" break for longer posts, which means you'll only see an intro to a blog post on the home page. If you want to read the whole post, you have to click on the headline or on the text reading "after the jump". This was also done with clean, simple design in mind.

I might make a few more tweaks, but this is essentially the finished product. Let me know what you think.

Donate to the cause

2009-12-03T23:38:00.003-06:00

Last week, I posted about my video camera being broken. It's going to cost $350 to fix. Not an earth-shattering amount, but still a hefty chunk of change. Since I do this blog for free out of passion, I figured I'd ask you, my loyal readers, to give to the cause and help me out. Several of you have stepped up and you've gotten me almost halfway there. Surprisingly, most of my contributors have been other bloggers and writers.

I'm making one last pitch, since I'm still about $200 shy of my goal. Anything you can give will help. My smallest donation so far has been $5. The largest was $20. Good times. Thanks everybody!

Click the button below to donate via credit, debit, or PayPal account.

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12/7 Monday show picks: Quiet Company and Muchos Backflips

2009-12-03T23:33:00.001-06:00

A lively Monday night is on tap in Austin. One of this city's best indie bands, Quiet Company, will be winning over hearts and minds at The Parish. Over at Headhunters on Red River, the experimental, progressive funk monsters Muchos Backflips will be doing their thing. If you want tight pop-oriented songwriting or free-form craziness, there's a show for you.

More info and videos after the jump.

Quiet Company | Frank and Derol | Windsor Drive
The Parish | Music starts at 8p | Cover: $12 ($14 for under 21) | Do512 listing

Quiet Company plays a feel-good and infectious brand of indie pop-rock that, if you listen close, is full of intelligent and emotionally aware, mature lyrics. This quartet is tight live, too. Their set at Antone's, opening for What Made Milwaukee Famous, will go down as one of my favorite sets of the year.

Quiet Company video

Muchos Backflips | Real Book Fake Book | Buff Clout
Headhunters | Music starts at 9 | Cover: FREE | Do512 listing

I filmed Muchos Backflips at Room 710 before it closed last August. I don't know how describe these guys in one word. They incorporate elements of jazz, funk, metal, hip hop, and prog rock. Some songs are jammed-out instrumentals, while others contain absurd lyrics. They are uber-talented but have a sense of humor about their music too. They're worth checking out if you're feeling adventurous. It's free, and Muchos Backflips play at 11.

Muchos Backflips video

Video: Fun Fun Fun Fest through a Canon 7D

2009-12-03T17:41:00.000-06:00

This video has been posted all over Facebook and on local blogs, including Ultra8201, this week. But in case you still haven't seen it for some reason, here it is. Local videographer Joe Nicolosi shot this Fun Fun Fun Fest montage not with a video camera, but with a Canon 7D still camera. This beautiful and crisp footage makes me want a 7D so bad! Christmas is coming. Anyone? After I fix my Sony HD Handycam (broken flip screen), I'm saving up for one of these. Check out more of Nicolosi's work at Fishrockit.

Fun Fun Fun Fest - Canon 7D from Joe Nicolosi on Vimeo.