Austin Bloggy Limits

Rubblebucket at Beauty Ballroom Tonight

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Wintle) — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 16:47:00 +0000

Alright, so I already mentioned tonight's Rubblebucket show at Beauty Ballroom in my Chaos in Tejas post but I wanted to be doubly-sure you were aware of tonight's show. I'm not going to re-hash everything I've already posted about Rubblebucket, I'll just say get tickets, have fun.

Rubblebucket - Down in the Yard video via YouTube

Rubblebucket - L'Homme video via YouTube

Maps and Atlases with The Big Sleep

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Wintle) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 20:38:00 +0000

So, you're not going to Houston for Free Press Summer Fest, you don't want to take part on the Chaos in Tejas festivities and the Two Door Cinema Club/Bad Veins show is sold-out. Well, fret-not my indie-rock loving friend. There are still tickets available for tonight's Maps & Atlases show at the Parish. The latest record from Maps & Atlases is called Beware and Be Grateful (See what they did there?) it might be their best album to date. It has soulful vocals, creative melodies and lots of creative writing dealing with themes in the fear of aging.

Maps & Atlases - Beware and Be Grateful Trailer video via YouTube

New York-based band, The Big Sleep are on tour with Maps & Atlases and their set is not to be missed. You may recall that they were a band I highlighted during SXSW this year. Their latest album Nature Experiments is brooding, post-rock masterpiece. In a live setting this truly shines so make sure you arrive in time to catch their set tonight at the Parish.

The Big Sleep - Valentine video via YouTube

Don't Miss the Opener: Bad Veins

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Wintle) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 20:09:00 +0000

Tonight's Two Door Cinema Club show at Stubb's is sold-out. It seems like only yesterday that Two Door Cinema Club were opening a sold-out Stubb's show for Phoenix. Oh, how times have changed. Tonight, I want you to arrive early enough to see, listen, and not talk-through Bad Veins' set. The Cincinnati band is back in Austin with a brand-new album The Mess We've Made, which was released by Austin-label, Modern Outsider. It picks up where the band left off, with indie-power-pop songs full of heartache and triumph. You can listen to it now on Spotify or wait until tonight to hear the songs performed live!

Bad Veins - Dancing on TV video via YouTube

For those of you who go WAAAY back with Austin Bloggy Limits, you may recall that my first ever interview with a band was with Bad Veins when they were touring in support of their last record. Revel in the awkwardness, marvel at the sudden change in visual formatting and generally re-live the past in that, almost, three year old interview here.

Free Press Summer Fest This Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Wintle) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 19:47:00 +0000

While Austin is buzzing with Chaos in Tejas Houston will be holding their annual Free Press Summer Festival at Eleanor Tinsley Park. The line-up is more mainstream than FunFunFun Fest and more indie than Austin City Limits Fest. Each year FSPF has booked an increasingly solid batch of artists and this year is no exception. If you can't find some music you like on any of the festival's NINE stages then there is, clearly, something wrong with you. Flaming Lips, Afrojack, Snoop Dogg and Erykah Badu headline Saturday night. Sunday night you'll have the chance to hear, Willie Nelson, Descendants, The Avett Brothers, Primus, and Pretty Lights. There are still passes available for one or both days. Oh, and don't worry, if these bold names don't make your heart race there are lots of other really great bands playing FPSF.

Erykah Badu - Window Seat video via YouTube
Here are my (non-headliner) recommendations for the rest of Free Press Summer Fest this weekend in Houston:

Saturday:

Zlam Dunk on Stage 5 at 12:30pm
East Cameron Folkcoreonm Stage 6 at 1:00pm
Big Freedia on Stage 3 at 1:30pm
Best Coast on Stage 3 at 2:40pm
Morris Day and the Time on Stage 1 at 3:00pm

Diplo

Morris

Day

Phantogram on Stage 2 at 3:50pm
Two Door Cinema Club on Stage 2 at 5:00pm
Major Lazer on Stage 1 at 5:30pm
Maps & Atlases on 5 at 6:40pm
Bad Veins on Stage 6 at 7:00pm

Bad Veins - Dancing on TV video via YouTube

Sunday:

Suite 709 on Stage 5 at 12:30pm
Quiet Company on Stage 5 at 1:30pm
Fitz and the Tantrums on Stage 2 at 2:10pm
Young the Giant on Stage 1 at 3:00pm
Portugal. The Man on Stage 2 at 3:50pm
Danny Brown on Stage 3 at 5:40pm
Ume on Stage 6 at 6:00pm
What Made Milwaukee Famous on Stage 5 at 6:30pm
Shabazz Palaces on Stage 3 at 6:50pm
Electric Touch on Stage 5 at 7:50pm

Danny Brown - Radio Song video via YouTube

So, there you have it. Have fun out there kids and stay hydrated!

Chaos in Tejas This Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Wintle) — Thu, 31 May 2012 21:10:00 +0000

Alright, I'm not going to pretend to know alot about Chaos in Tejas other than the fact that it should be called Chaos en Tejas. If you've visited this site in the past you haven't seen too many posts highlighting metal bands, punk bands or all of the sub-genres within those headings. I don't mind if YOU listen to that stuff and I recognize the talent that lots of bands in those genres have, it just doesn't appeal to me. Just as fans of Norwegian metal probably don't understand my love for Robyn. With that all said, rather than launch into some diatribe highlighting the "important" bands playing Chaos in Tejas this year based on knowledge I culled from reading lots of Wikipedia entries, I'll highlight the fact that Best Coast are playing the festival!

Best Coast - The Only Place video via YouTube

I have no idea how Best Coast ended up a part of this line-up. Perhaps dating Wavves makes Best Coast eligible for Chaos in Tejas? Regardless, with the recent release of one of the most shimmering, surf-pop records of the summer Best Coast are sure to put on a great show Sunday night. You can buy individual tickets to any of the Chaos shows including the Best Coast show at Emo's Sunday night. Tickets for the full 4-day event have already sold-out but you can buy passes that get you into any event within specific venues and you can buy tickets to other individual shows from the event's schedule page.

The whole thing kicks off tonight, for my money I'd do some hardcore ass-shaking at the Big Freedia/Katey Red show at Club Deville tonight. It's going to be a New Orleans Sissy-Bounce showdown with the most pornographic ass-shaking you will ever see in real life.

Katey Red - Where the Melph At video via YouTube

My Friday highlight of the festival is No Age. They always put on a really great, high energy show. They'll be at Beauty Ballroom and you'll find individual tickets here. My Satuday highlight is also at Beauty Ballroom. Rubblebucket return to Austin Saturday night with a headlining set. They are sort of included in Chaos in Tejas and sort of not. Regardless, this post is sort of aimed at those of you who, like me, didn't buy a 4-day pass and aren't really into the angry aggressive music.

Rubblebucket was a band I highlighted before SXSW this year and I really love their record Omega La La. They remind me of a more fun version of Stereolab and their live show is like smiling rainbows. If you only get tickets to one event this weekend. I hope that it is Rubblebucket at Beauty Ballroom Saturday night.

Rubblebucket - Silly Fathers video via YouTube

Review: tUnE-yArDs at Austin City Limits TV

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Wintle) — Wed, 30 May 2012 18:30:00 +0000

Ladies and Gentlemen Merrill performed for Austin City Limits Television last night and she was NOT fucking around. This was my third time seeing a performance from tUnE-yArDs and it was incredibly impressive. One of the most exhilarating things about seeing a live performance from tUnE-yArDs is to witness the construction of the songs. When you listen to W H O K I L L it sounds great but what you might not realize is the majority of the record is vocals and percussion. Merrill starts most songs with a microphone that is attached to a looping pedal. She adds elements of the song that loop and become the canvas for the song. Some of these elements are vocal, some are percussive but most all of them are Merrill herself. She started her set with the song Party Can (Do You Want to Live), which is actually not on either one of her records but is a staple of her live set. It's truly a tone setter starting with just Merrill herself adding her layers and textures until she is throatily screaming, "Do you want to live?!?!" At most shows after this question is shouted to the crowd they respond with a resounding "YEAH!!" Last night this did not happen at first, which sort of frightened me because the audience interaction is one of the best things about seeing tUnE-yArDs live so I took it upon myself to get things going. I was sitting in the mezzanine, which made things slightly awkward but next time the chorus came around and Merrill shouted, "Do you want to live?!?" I shouted "YEAH!!!" with all my might. Luckily, this cued the crowd so the next time I wasn't the only one and then by the third time I think most of the audience was into it. From that moment on, the atmosphere was electric.

It was apparent that a majority of the audience had never even heard anything from tUnE-yArDs before, which is the best way to go into one of their shows. As the performance progressed I looked around to see people completely entranced and energized by Merrill's spirit. You could tell the gravity being booked for Austin City Limits was not lost on Merrill. She acknowledged how lucky she felt for the opportunity and was very aware of the idea that here musician parents would be watching this performance at some point in the near future. She thanked the show and thanked PBS for making her the person she is today mentioning the importance of Sesame Street, Reading Rainbow, and Mister Rogers.

I applaud the producers of Austin City Limits for making such a risky booking. I'm sure there are a lot of people who will be confused and even shocked by tUnE-yArDs performance when it airs but I'm incredibly impressed that the people behind ACLTV went to bat for one of the most exciting and innovative performers in indie-rock today. Even those of you who don't enjoy listening to tUnE-yArDs at home couldn't help but be impressed with her soulful, passionate performances. She is truly a trail-blazing artist whose influence will reach far beyond her time performing and I feel incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to be in attendance at last night's taping.

For those of you who purchased tickets to tonight's sold-out show at the Mohawk, may I suggest face paint?

tUnE-yArDs - My Country video via YouTube

Father John Misty at the Mohawk

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Wintle) — Fri, 25 May 2012 20:40:00 +0000

Photo Credit: Emma Garr

J. Tillman is already an accomplished musician having released a series of solo records under his own name and playing drums for Fleet Foxes for a number of years. Father John Misty is his latest musical project. Fear Fun is not easy to put into any single genre. Like most records released post-iPod it blends influences from classic country, folk, classic rock and traditional pop. Lyrically and thematically Fear Fun borrows from ancient myths and mysticisms with Tillman embracing the notion of Father John Misty as a character persona mask he can wear to express his emotional turmoil. Based on Tillman's very public and venomous reactions to blog reviews of Fear Fun I'd say it's a very personal record. If you want to watch him bare his soul at the Mohawk tomorrow night, you best get yourself a ticket whilst you still can.

Father John Misty - Nancy From Now On video via YouTube

Har Mar Superstar is touring with Father John Misty, which means he'll be back on his home-turf tomorrow night. No, he's not from or based in, Austin but he recorded his upcoming record with Spoon's Jim Eno here and he played every week for a month in April. So, for all intents and purposes the Mohawk's outside stage is like his second home. Expect some partly goofy, partly sexy songs performed with very little clothing from Har Mar's set.

Ty Segall + White Fence at the Mohawk

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Wintle) — Thu, 24 May 2012 17:54:00 +0000

Photo Credit: Ruthie Swanson

Ty Segall Band will be playing the Mohawk tomorrow in what promises to be one of the most talked-about shows of the month. As a solo artist, Ty Segall has been extraordinarily prolific releasing numerous albums but it wasn't until last year's Ty Rex album of T. Rex covers that people really started to pay attention. Since then there's been some revisionist history of his popularity but regardless of when people started to pay attention they are certainly paying attention now. Ty's set at FunFunFun Fest last year was one of the most lauded of the festival. He and his band are known for putting on a high energy set that melts both brains and faces. The upcoming release of, Slaughterhouse, will be Ty's first release to include his full touring band. I listened to it earlier this week and I can tell you it is some heavy shit y'all. His sound has always had one foot in psychedelic and one foot in classic rock. Slaughterhouse dives head first into a pool of the 13th Floor Elevator by way of Black Sabbath. Tomorrow night's show is sure to feature some of these sludgy psychedelic jams. It's also sure to sell-out. In fact it may be sold-out by the time you're reading this but you can click for tickets just cross your fingers when you do so.

Ty Segall - Where Your Head Goes video via YouTube

It should be noted that tomorrow night's show at the Mohawk is not simply the Ty Segall Band. It is Ty Segall Band WITH White Fence. Ty and White Fence released a collaborative record, Hair, which is much greater than the sum of its parts. Hair sounds like a collection of songs that were re-discovered after being left out of a Nuggets box set. It makes you want to wear paisley pants and quit your day-job to start smoking reefer full-time.

Ty Segall + White Fence - I Am Not a Game video via YouTube

This is an outdoor show with two opening acts. Memphis band, Useless Eaters should start around 9pm with local band, Rayon Beach taking the earliest support slot tomorrow. It is Friday night downtown so leave early because parking is going to be scarce and costly. See you there!

Suckers with Young Man at Red 7

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Wintle) — Thu, 24 May 2012 15:38:00 +0000

Photo Credit: Marley Kate

It was SXSW 2010 when I first fell in love with Suckers. I was at a free showcase at Malverde and Suckers was one of the bands who played early in the night. Their sound was rawkus and melodic with all of the band members singing at once throughout many of the songs. Their fashion was Goodwill cast-offs from a trailer park and I loved their energy. Well it's been over two years and now they're back and their touring in support of their recent release, Candy Salad. The record picks up right where the last one left off with manic vocals that hit high highs and low lows. There are the out-of-tune full band sing alongs and some of their best melodies yet. If you even casually enjoy some of the songs you've heard from Suckers in the past then I encourage you to check out their set at Red 7 tomorrow night. Tickets are a mere $10 if you buy them in advance and I all but guarantee a good time. Candy Salad has some of Suckers best songs yet and they are going to sound even better with the live energy of the band to back them up.

Suckers - Chinese Braille video via YouTube

Playing the support slot for Suckers tomorrow night will be fellow Frenchkiss Records band, Young Man. Their latest album, Vol. 1, was released this week and it has already earned them praise from all the cool kid critics. For my money Vol. 1 blends the perfect balance of pop and melancholy. There are elements of indie-jangle along with baroque sensibilities. Thematically the record explores loneliness, finding one's-self and all of those other post-collegiate indulgences. Think of it as an indie-pop meditation and/or the foundation of a good one-man-show. You can hear it in full on Rolling Stone.

Young Man - Fate video via YouTube

Plants and Animals at Lambert's

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Wintle) — Wed, 23 May 2012 15:57:00 +0000

Photo Credit: Caroline Desilets

Montreal-based band, Plants and Animals will play at Lambert's Friday night in support of their last LP, The End of That. The band describes their sound as "post-classic rock," which I find to be a very apt description. The songs have elements of Blues, and pure Rock with lots of anthemic choruses and sing-along moments. There are also very intimate acoustic guitar songs that remind me of Ryan Adams. The songwriting is superb, with personal lyrics and catchy melodies. Tickets are only $10 in advance or $12 on the day of the show and it will be a great opportunity to see a great band in a small space before their star significantly rises.

Plants and Animals - Light Show video via YouTube

Playing the support slot for Plants and Animals Friday night will be Papermoons. The band has been on hiatus for a couple of years but they are officially back with a new album coming out soon. Friday night's show will be their first in quite some time. You can hear a few of their most recent tracks over on Soundcloud.

Yann Tiersen Tonight

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Wintle) — Fri, 18 May 2012 19:24:00 +0000

Alright, I know a lot of you are reading this and thinking, "Yan Tiersen, I've never heard of him, why should I care?" Well, firstly you're reading a music blog, which means you are inherently adventurous with your musical tastes. For that reason alone you should consider seeing Yann Tiersen at Emo's tonight. Secondly, it's Friday night if you go downtown it's going to be a total clustercuss. The streets will be teaming with testosterone monkeys who wreak of Axe body spray and their orange spray-tanned hangers-on. Parking will be wretched and you'll have to hear over-loud dub-step throbbing out of every doorway. Also, you may not realize it but you probably already know and enjoy Yann Tiersen's music, he scored the film Amelie. This year he released a solo record called Skyline which is filled with beauty and melancholy. The album is largely instrumental with vocals that are more like instruments adding another texture to the soundscape. Obviously, the album sounds very cinematic and the live performance promises to be very moving. The long and short of it is, even if you don't know who Yann Tiersen is, you should go tonight because I think you'll like it. Also, if you act fast you can get tickets 2 for the price of 1 so you and a friend can go splitsies.

Yann Tiersen - Another Shore video via YouTube

The doors for tonight's show open at 9pm and support act Piano Chat should start by 10pm. Expect Yann Tiersen to take to the stage about 11pm.

Spiritualized at Emo's Tonight

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Wintle) — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:17:00 +0000

Back in 1997 when Radiohead were touring in support of OK Computer they chose Spiritualized to be their support act. Spiritualized had just released their, now classic album Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space. It was filled with songs that mixed elements of shoegaze with elements of American gospel. Even today, 15 years after that album's release the tracks still sound fresh, innovative and like nothing else that has even been released. So, now it's 2012 and Spiritualized have released their 7th record, Sweet Heart Sweet Light. In interviews, Spirtualized's Jason Pierce has said that the recording and production of the lastest record was largely influenced by the performances of Ladies and Gentlemen... in full at 2007's All Tomorrow's Parties Festival. In many ways the record is a return to form, with sounds that move more toward pop than anything the band has released in the past. Obviously, when a band's first single is over 8 minutes they still haven't full embraced the pop aesthetic so if you are a fan of the musical meditations of Spiritualized's previous releases don't worry.

Spiritualized - Hey Jane video via YouTube

Tonight, you have the rare opportunity to see Spiritualized perform live at Emo's. The band doesn't play U.S. shows very often so even if you just consider yourself a casual fan it's worth the cost of the ticket to head over to E. Riverside tonight. Also, for those of you who collect vinyl bring a little extra cash because chances are you'll be able to grab the latest LP at the merch booth a week before you can buy it in stores. From what I've seen online the packaging is beautiful and the album is pressed on white vinyl.

Washed Out and Memoryhouse at the Mohawk

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Wintle) — Wed, 09 May 2012 17:40:00 +0000

Recently, one of my co-workers asked me what I thought about Washed Out and my response was that they are the best live band of all of the "chill-wave" bands. Generally, I like most all of the bands who have been dubbed "chill-wave" and I have seen many-most of them throughout my years here in Austin and last fall's performance by Washed Out at the Mohawk definitely stood out. In the live setting, Washed Out sounds much less warbly and self-conscious compared to their recorded sound. The band is driving, energetic and just bad-ass in an over-arching way. Ernest's vocals are usually kind of buried on the Washed Out records but in person you can hear his voice much more clearly and it sounds good! Unfortunately, if you don't already have tickets to tomorrow night's show at the Mohawk then you won't know the joys of seeing Washed Out live because it's already sold-out. Sorry to be a buzz-kill y'all but this is why you really need to pay attention to those handy little planning ahead ticket-roundup posts I write.

Washed Out - Amor Fati video via YouTube

I'm just as excited about tomorrow night's support act as I am about Washed Out. I have been a fan of Memoryhouse since I first heard last year's cinematic EP, The Years. However, that EP only hinted at the full sound that is evident in their full-length, The Slideshow Effect. The vocals are much more pronounced and frequent, the music is more propulsive but still balances the elements of ambient music that made the EP so great. In other words, for the love of Oprah, make sure you get to the Mohawk early enough to bob along to the sweet sounds of Memoryhouse tomorrow night. In the meantime, read my interview with the band from last year.

Memoryhouse - The Kids Were Wrong video via YouTube

Review: Tennis at the Parish

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Wintle) — Wed, 09 May 2012 16:25:00 +0000

Last night was my third time seeing Tennis perform this year and I had so many thoughts throughout the show. The first one is superficial but I was somewhat fixated on it. Does Alaina get spiral perms or is her hair naturally curly like that? Or perhaps both? My next thought was about her singing. Did she perform in church as a child or just listen to a lot of Whitney Houston? I had a vision of a younger, more awkward looking Alaina as a child, in her bedroom singing along to Whitney records into a hair brush. Her voice is so plain but so powerful and she really delivers when she sings live. I feel like if you met her on the street, or she were your co-worker at Starbucks you would never suspect that she had such a powerful, soulful voice, which is part of the appeal of her as a singer.

Musically, the band is always on point. They aren't reinventing the wheel with their synth fueled surf-pop but what they do have in abundance is restraint. It's pretty obvious that all of these musicians could play much more complex arrangements but they stick to their wrote parts perfectly. Tennis' music does not fit neatly into any specific genre box, with elements of pop, surf, and jazz but one thing you can say is that if any element is out of balance it throws off the entire composition. In other words, it's difficult to play stuff that is so simple on the surface.

In terms of reviewing the crowd, I give them a B+, A-. This wasn't your typical, let's chat through the whole show kind of crowd, that you find at most Austin shows. People were largely attentive and rapt with the band's performance. I feel like sometimes Austin audiences can be a bit unnerving to some bands because we don't, necessarily dance around a whole lot, we tend to be either laser-focused on the performance or largely disinterested and chatty. My biggest complaint with the crowd last night has to do with one girl who was between myself and Tennis who had her iPhone right in my line of sight throughout 3-4 full songs, repeatedly trying to take the perfect cell-phone photo. Obviously, I like to take shitty cell-phone photos at shows and it can be tricky to get a good one but there is a line of respect for your follower patron that was crossed by that one girl last night. Don't leave your fucking phone in my fucking line of sight throughout an entire song or an entire set of songs. You pop the phone up, you shoot a couple of photos then you get it out of my fucking face. This is even permissible at several points in the show but have some fucking dignity and respect. Your shitty iPhone shots are an embarrassment to you, to Apple, to the band and to your fellow patrons.

So, other than that one girl the crowd was cool, the sound was impeccable, the lights were fancy and the drinks were out of my price range. In other words, it was a typical show at The Parish. Check the Tennis tour page to see if they are playing your (non-Austin) metro-area.

MSTRKRFT, Araabmuzik at Emo's

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Wintle) — Wed, 09 May 2012 15:57:00 +0000

Alright y'all, so I wasn't going to preview this show until a bit later in the week but if you buy tickets today you can get them for $10 less. Just use the promotional code "PARTYHARD" and you could be partying hard at Emo's on Saturday night. MSTRKRFT has been making asses shake since 2005 with one of the dudes from Death From Above 1979 and the dude that used to produce their records hitting buttons, turning knobs and dropping beats. Together these Canadians have remixed some of the biggest names in music from around the globe and seeing them live is always a party.

MSTRKRFT - Back in the USSA video via YouTube

Arrabmuzik has been making music in Providence, RI since 2006 but it was only last year that his star began to rise. He is known for his YouTube videos showing him using the MPC to create complicated live drum patterns. His Electronic Dream mixtape made a lot of Best of 2011 lists and has even been reissued in a deluxe edition with 6 bonus tracks. His sound is bases in hip-hop and he likes to use vocal samples from soul records (who doesn't?). Lately he has been working in the studio with some hip-hop heavyweights producing backing tracks for them to rhyme over. Look for his name in the production credits of lots of upcoming hip-hop releases.

AraabMUZIK - Flippin a Beat video via YouTube

Tennis at the Parish

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Wintle) — Mon, 07 May 2012 21:20:00 +0000

You may remember from my SXSW 2012 coverage that one of my favorite trends in indie-rock right now is the proliferation of excellent female musicians. What was once a boy's club now has a lot of really talented women taking over and I highly approve. Denver-based band, Tennis is one of the truly fantastic, female-fronted acts that I saw during SXSW this year. Their music is pop perfection, with infectious melodies and really hooky choruses. Their latest album Young & Old sounds instantly classic and the band truly delivers in a live setting. Don't take my word for it, go to the Parish tomorrow night. For a mere $13, you can grab yourself a ticket and bask in the glow of Tennis' sunny song cycle.

Tennis - My Better Self video via YouTube

I don't know a whole lot about the support act tomorrow night other than I just discovered Vacationer via Spotify and I really dig it. Their music mixes singer-songwriter vocals with hip-hop beats, it won't be for everyone but I enjoy it and I bet it will be big on college campuses. Perhaps it is already for all I know. Regardless, you should arrive early enough to form your own opinion on Vacationer.

Vacationer - Good as New video via YouTube

Don't Miss the Opener: Youth Lagoon

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Wintle) — Fri, 04 May 2012 21:17:00 +0000

I know many of you are going to see Death Cab for Cutie at ACL Live tonight and I won't judge nor fault you for that. After all, who hasn't been caught in the spell of the Gibbard? Even Zoey D. was temporarily under his spell in spite of the fact that he once wrote a song called Why You'd Want to Live Here all about what a wretched place Los Angeles is and how all of the people who live there are vapid and shallow. Enough gossiping, the whole purpose of this post is to highlight Youth Lagoon. They are playing the support slot for DCFC and I really want those of you with tickets to catch their set. On record, Youth Lagoon is the brainchild of Trevor Powers who wrote the songs that make up his debut as an outlet during his time at the University of Boise. The Year of Hibernation is already a critical darling and I count myself in the chorus of people who champion the record. I'm not in love with the production values but the songwriting is truly solid and I expect the live show to be quite impressive.

Youth Lagoon - Montana video via YouTube

For those of you, like me, who won't be at the DCFC show tonight and thus won't be catching Youth Lagoon we'll have another chance in November. I know it's quite a ways away at this point but Youth Lagoon will be doing a headlining tour at the end of the year that will make its way to Emo's in November. Although, I suppose that information might have been referring to November 2011, I don't remember?

Active Child at the Mohawk

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Wintle) — Fri, 04 May 2012 19:30:00 +0000

Photo Credit: Ricky Chapman

Active Child is the musical expressions of a tall ginger named Pat. He has a high tenor voice and he sang in a boy's choir in Philadelphia as a child. His Dad moved the family out to L.A. where he worked for the record label that released the first N.W.A. record. The first time I heard Active Child was at FunFunFun Fest 2011. I missed most of their set but caught the last song and a half. I was completely mesmerized by the mix of electronic textures and that other worldly high voice coming out of that giant of a man. I listened to the album a few times on Spotify then out of nowhere I found myself listening obsessively. First it was just the song, Playing House over and over, then it was the first 3-4 songs, then I couldn't stop singing Way Too Fast. Next thing you know, I"m at End of an Ear and Waterloo Records digging through their vinyl bins on a mission to own You Are All I See on vinyl. It took several trips and much inquiry but now I have the album on vinyl and I listen to it whenever I have a lot of writing to get done. It is a musical mediation, with themes of love and loss, obsession and pain and I can't get enough of it. You can find out what all the fuss is about at the Mohawk tonight for a mere $10, or $12 if you want to risk it and just pay at the door.

Active Child - Hanging On video via YouTube

Balam Acab and Superhumanoids are playing the support slots starting at 9pm. Expect Active Child to take to the stage around 11pm, it's Friday night so the sound curfew goes a little later.

Justin Townes Earle with Tristen

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Wintle) — Fri, 04 May 2012 15:43:00 +0000

Photo Credit: Joshua Black Wilkins

Justin Townes Earle lastest album, Nothing's Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now, is his most intimate record to date. It has Jazz, Country, and Americana influences and feels like his most personal work. Imagine Van Morrison and Dr. John collaborating with Ryan Adams and you are getting close to the sound of NGCTWYFAMN. I don't know what informed the songwriting for JTE's latest album but it sounds like he was in a relationship and they drifted a part. This isn't a typical break-up record, I mean just look at the title, that isn't a you cheated sort of situation that's a what happened to us situation. Shit got real y'all and JTE is exorcising the demons of love. Catch him at Antone's tonight, tickets will only set you back $16.

Justin Townes Earle - Nothing's Gonna Change The Way You Feel About Me Now (trailer) video via YouTube

If you are going to see Justin Townes Earle at Antone's tonight, promise me you will arrive early enough to see Tristen. If you haven't seen me write about Tristen then you haven't been paying attention. I adore her and I want everyone to love her as much as I do. I have seen her perform three times and each time was with a different combination of musicians. One of those performances was just Tristen, Buddy and a drum machine it was good but to get the true experience it's best to hear her with a full band. Well, on this tour Tristen will be backed by a full band and she does not mess around in choosing her touring musicians. She is based in Nashville and she selects some of the city's best available talent to propel her music. At the moment, Tristen is still supporting her 2011 release, Charlatans at the Garden Gate but you can expect to hear lots of unreleased material as well. She is a prolific writer and she refuses to play the same song cycle over and over.

Tristen - Baby Drugs video via YouTube

Planning Ahead: Another Ticket Link Roundup Post

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Wintle) — Thu, 03 May 2012 18:48:00 +0000

Well folks it's a new month, which means it's time to get prepared for all of the awesome upcoming shows in and around Austin. As usual, this list is not comprehensive, it is simply intended to be a highlighter. I do not, necessarily, endorse all of the shows I will link to some of them I have included for you more than for me. If the show appears with a ~~strike-through~~ then unfortunately it is already sold-out, if the artist's name is simply bold without a link that means there is no ticket page (yet). All you have to do to buy tickets is to click the name of the artist, the ticket purchase page will open in a new window and you can take it from there.

Let's start with tonight shall we? Austin's-own Strange Boys are back in town and they'll be tearing up the Mohawk's outside stage. I don't think all of the band is based here anymore but we will still claim them as our own, just like we do with Spoon and all of the other bands who may or may not actually live in Austin anymore. Their latest release Live Music really sort of floated under my radar but it has some really great tunes. It's not a live album and in fact the title is with a short "i" sound as in live and let live. Tickets are still available and since the show was announced not too long ago you may even be able to just pay at the door.

Strange Boys - Doueh video via YouTube

Friday, May 2nd

Active Child at Mohawk
Death Cab for Cutie/Youth Lagoon at ACL Live
Tristen/Justin Townes Earle at Antone's
Sarah Jaffe at Parish

Saturday, May 5th

~~Rodrigo y Gabriela at Stubb's~~

Quiet Company at Beauty Ballroom
Tom Petty/Regina Spektor at Erwin Center
Esperanza Spalding at Paramount Theater

Tuesday, May 8th

Nick Lowe at La Zona Rosa
Tennis at Parish

Wednesday, May 9th

Lambchop at Cactus Cafe

Thursday, May 10th

Washed Out/Memoryhouse at Mohawk

Friday, May 11th

Lil' Kim at Emo's
What Made Milwaukee Famous at Hotel Vegas
Pachanga Fest 2012 at Fiesta Gardens

Saturday, May 12th

MSTRKRFT/Araabmuzik at Emo's
Jane's Addiction/The Duke Spirit at Bass Concert Hall
Ume at Hotel Vegas
Salt 'n Pepa at Belmont
Pachanga Fest 2012 at Fiesta Gardens

Sunday, May 13th

R. Kelly at The Mansion

Wednesday, May 16th

Spiritualized at Emo's

Thursday, May 17th

Dead Prez at Red 7

~~Snow Patrol at Stubb's~~

Run DMT at Beauty Ballroom

Friday, May 18th

Yann Tiersen at Emo's

~~M83 at Stubb's~~

Saturday, May 19th

Phonte/9th Wonder at ND
Auto Body at Mohawk

Tuesday, May 22nd

Wednesday, May 23rd

Great Lake Swimmers at Stubb's

Friday, May 25th

Saturday, May 26th

Father John Misty/Har Mar Superstar at Mohawk

Sunday, May 27th

Tuesday, May 29th

Margot and the Nuclear So and So's/Dinosaur Feathers at Mohawk

Wednesday, May 30th

tUnE-yArDs at Mohawk

Thursday, May 31st

Chaos in Tejas at Multi-Venue Festival

Friday, June 1st

Chaos in Tejas at Multi-Venue Festival
Maps & Atlases at Parish

~~Two Door Cinema Club/Bad Veins at Stubb's~~

Flosstradamus at Belmont

Saturday, June 2nd

Chaos in Tejas at Multi-Venue Festival
Collective Soul at La Zona Rosa
Rubblebucket (Chaos in Tejas) at Beauty Ballroom

Sunday, June 3rd

Best Coast (Chaos in Tejas) at Emo's
Chaos in Tejas at Multi-Venue Festival

Tuesday, June 5th

~~Foster the People/The Kooks at The Backyard~~

Wednesday, June 6th

Xiu Xiu at Mohawk

Thursday, June 7th

Snoop Dogg at Stubb's
The Crystal Method at Beauty Ballroom

Friday, June 8th

Saturday, June 9th

Prefuse 73 at Beauty Ballroom

~~The Impossibles at Mohawk~~

~~The Head and the Heart/Husky at Stubb's~~

Sunday, June 10th

The Impossibles at Mohawk

The Head and the Heart/Husky at Stubb's

Monday, June 11th

The Temper Trap/Crocodiles at Stubb's
The Cave Singers at Red 7

Tuesday, June 12th

The Cribs at Parish

Tuesday, June 19th

Thursday, June 21st

Robyn at ACL Live

Friday, June 22nd

Saturday, June 23rd

El-P at Mohawk
Kashmere Stage Band Alumni at Scoot Inn
Loudon Wainwright III at Cactus Cafe

Sunday, June 24th

Loudon Wainwright III at Cactus Cafe

Tuesday, June 26th

Lower Dens at Parish

Thursday, June 28th

Howard Jones at ACL Live

Friday, June 29th

Saturday, June 30th

The Men at Red 7

Monday, July 2nd

Friends at Mohawk

Friday, July 6th

Z-Trip at Belmont

Tuesday, July 10th

Bass Drum of Death at Mohawk

Thursday, July 12th

RJD2 at Belmont

Friday, July 13th

Blind Pilot at La Zona Rosa

Thursday, July 19th

~~Tenacious D at Austin Music Hall~~

Thursday, August 2nd

Dirty Projectors at Emo's

Friday, August 3rd

Obits/Mind Spiders at Red 7

Review: Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Wintle) — Thu, 03 May 2012 15:51:00 +0000

Last night's Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs show at the Mohawk was exactly what I wanted it to be. TEED did not have his dancers and he performed without stage lighting but he was wearing a feathered costume that I had seen in photographs. He hit the stage shortly after midnight with three tables worth of electronic equipment. I'm not sure if the show ever officially sold-out but the inside room was packed to the gills. I thought the sound for the support acts was kind of quiet but by the time TEED took the stage the bass was chest-rattlingly loud. I was crammed against the front speaker tower and the rhythm was controlling my breathing. The audience was full of fans, with most people knowing most of the lyrics to most of the songs. There is very little material that has been released in the U.S., which means these folks had been studying YouTube videos and/or downloading from BitTorrent.

The music was thumping dance jams some I recognized some I didn't. Most of the set blended from song to song without pause, with a few exceptions. As far as stage banter, there was very little speaking just singing and dancing. It is difficult for me to describe the dance mayhem that was happening in that cramped little room. Especially when Garden and Tapes & Money were played, the whole dance floor became a single, sweaty unit of pogo-ing fools who were completely losing their minds. TEED's music has elements of all of electronic music's subgenres with emphasis on some particularly dirty bass grooves that were very Chicago-House. From start to finish last night's set was a party and I really hope that the fine folks over at Transmission are able to book Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs for the Blue stage at FunFunFun Fest. His music deserves a larger scale audience and stage show. I've heard that in Europe he has glitter cannons!

Interview: Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Wintle) — Wed, 02 May 2012 14:55:00 +0000

I have been trying to convince my friends and co-workers to go to tonight's Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs show at the Mohawk. One of the things I've been telling them is that it could be one of the most important shows of the year. Sure, that's somewhat hyperbolic but I honestly believe it. TEED's music is completely infectious and undeniably good. In Europe he is already performing at festivals so, to have the opportunity to see him play in the tiny little room inside the Mohawk is an extremely rare opportunity. Tonight's show will be one of those experiences where you'll tell people you saw TEED and the Mohawk inside and they'll be flabbergasted. All of the elements of future fame are there. He's got blogger buzz, he's big in the U.K., he has the approval of platinum-selling superstars, and he's on the verge of releasing his debut full-length album. I didn't even mention the best part, which is that tickets are only $10. I had the chance to send some questions to TEED in anticipation of tonight's show at the Mohawk and you can find those below the break. In the meantime, you should desk-dance to this song:

Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs - Tapes & Money video via YouTube

You've been called the hot new dance act from England in numerous publications. Is that inspiring or does it simply inspire pressure and stress?

Errr...honestly, that's just weird. I like making music and I'm really happy people like what I make.

What has been the most surreal moment of your music career thus far?

It's always surreal traveling around dressing up playing music.

What has been the most encouraging thing for you so far? Most discouraging?

It's good when people make noise and dance, it's bad when I don't get enough sleep.

When other people remix your music does it feel like they're messing with your children or do you enjoy hearing other's interpretations of your music?

No, it's cool. The original is always finished first so I'm happy to hear what people do with it.

I'm sure you've been asked to do lots of remixes for other people in the past year or more, which request was the most shocking to you? Who would you like to remix but haven't yet?

Lady Gaga definitely, I didn't think that would happen. I would like to remix people with completely different sounds to me.

Lady Gaga - Marry the Night Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaur remix via YouTube

Can Austin expect the full, dinosaur-costume, head-dress, on-stage dancer regalia at the Mohawk or did you have to scale back your stage production for the U.S. tour

Wait and see... but yeah, I had to fly.

If money and general feasibility were no object, what sort of stage show would you create?

I don't know. I think a good show is one that makes the most out of the shitty venues and small amounts of money we have to play with. I've still got a way to go there.

Do you still have/wear your first dino-costume that your mother helped you to sew?

I've still got it somewhere, but it's been a while since I put it on. Maybe I should get it back out.

Psych and Moontower Fests, Respectively

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Wintle) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 21:59:00 +0000

Psych Fest starts tonight and Moontower Comedy Festival continues. Meanwhile, I feel like hanging out on the sofa in my underwear with Miss Paws and Mr. S. I guess I've gotten old Austin. I don't really know when it happened but for some reason it feels very official today. My joints ache and I just want to stay in, don't judge me, it could happen to you too! For those of you who aren't sad, old men like me I'll highlight some things for you to enjoy, while I'm in bed with The Hunger Games books.

Peaking Lights headline the Beauty Ballroom tonight. People fucking love that record and with Sleep Over and Ringo Deathstarr also on the bill tonight, Beauty Ballroom could be a great one-stop destination for some trippy-ass tunes. At this point in the game, you can not buy tickets to Psych Fest online but you can pay $45 at the door, which gets you access to ALL of the shows within a single day. You can find the complete line-up here. That may seem steep but it's pretty fair considering how many bands you'll have the chance to see.

Peaking Lights - Hey Sparrow video via YouTube

As far as the Moontower Comedy Festival goes, tonight and tomorrow are the last nights so at this point it would be pretty silly of you to buy a badge if you haven't already. I would suggest you commit to a venue and buy an individual ticket. Tonight, I would suggest you check out John Mulaney at the Parish or JB Smoove at the Mohawk. If you bring a friend of a different race to 29th St. Ballroom tonight for W. Kamau Bell they're doing a 2 for 1 admission.

There's tons of other elements to both of these festivals so, if you feel like hitting the town this weekend you shouldn't be want for things to choose from.

W. Kamau Bell - Two Questions That you NEVER Ask Black People About Their Hair video via YouTube

Hospitality and Eleanor Friedberger at Frank

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Wintle) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:54:00 +0000

With all of the festival hub-bub this weekend it's easy to overlook some of the other quality events going on in Austin. Especially when said events take place in a gourmet hot dog restaurant in the warehouse district. Well Bloggy-faithful, I'm here to point you in the right direction, which isn't to say those festivals are the wrong direction, this is just another choice for you. Hospitality have released an indie-pop confection of a record that have been on repeat at Bloggy-HQ throughout most of the year. I had the chance to see them during SXSW this year and they truly delivered. Their songs have great melodies and you'll find yourself humming them for days after listening. In a live setting they sound even better than on the record. The vocals are on point and the band is a cohesive, well-rehearsed unit. As far as the venue is concerned, Frank actually has great sound, especially when you consider it's a restaurant. However, it is a cramped little space and you will have to wade through the crowd and squeeze by the stage if you need to use the bathroom so, don't drink too much. Tickets are quite reasonable at around $12 and look on the bright-side, you won't have to deal with 6th St. on a Saturday night.

Hospitality - Friends of Friends video via YouTube

The ticket site lists Eleanor Friedberger as the headliner tomorrow night, which shouldn't surprise me since she has been around a lot longer and she played after Hospitality at the Merge Records showcase during SXSW. Her set is a lot quieter and more intimate than what you will hear from Hospitality. She performs solo, just herself and a guitar. Here lyrics are intimate, clever, coy and occasionally bitter and biting. During her SXSW set she informed the audience that she was going to play quietly so that they would be quiet. I would expect she'll try the same thing at Frank tomorrow night and I hope that it works. As I mentioned, Frank is an intimate performance space and when someone is talking it is very disruptive to the performer and the audience. The performer can plainly see the audience so I wouldn't be too surprised if Friedberger called people out.

Eleanor Friedberger - I Won't Fall Apart on You Tonight video via YouTube

Lee Fields and the Expressions at the Continental Club

noreply@blogger.com (Ben Wintle) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:38:00 +0000

With everything going on in Austin the last couple of weeks, tonight's Lee Fields & the Expressions show at the Continental Club really snuck up on me. Thankfully, I bought myself and Mr. S. some tickets as soon as the show was announced. I know a lot of you have other plans tonight but Lee Fields doesn't go on until 11:30p so you should consider working this show into your schedule. If you're a fan of Charles Bradley, Sharon Jones or soul music in general then I bet you'll be thoroughly impressed with Lee Fields. If you can't make it out to tonight's show then you should at least check out Lee's latest album Faithful Man, it's an instant classic. My particular jam is I Still Got It. In the meantime here's a live video fo the title track courtesy of Your Tru.ly.

Lee Fields - Faithful Man video via YouTube

I'm not entirely sure what the ticket situation is for tonight. I know that the buy ticket link is no longer on the Continental's page but that doesn't mean it's sold-out. They are pretty old-school so I would suspect that you can pay a cover charge to get in. The tickets were $17 so bring a $20 for sure. If it is sold-out, I would think they would list that on their site but like I said they are pretty old-school so, who knows? When I bought my ticket online I was sent to a PayPal page if that gives you any idea.

Lee Fields - You're the Kind of Girl video via YouTube