G_ack's Austin Blog

Live music review: Parker Griggs' new Radio Moscow lineup rocked The Mohawk

2012-01-28T18:36:00.000-08:00

After learning Radio Moscow front man, Parker Griggs was arriving in Austin with a new rhythm section in tow, we were a bit concerned the show would not measure up to their great set at Austin Psych Fest last year. Griggs mentioned early in the set they had only been playing together two weeks. Although there were a few rough patches early on, overall the performance was mind-meltingly, crowd-pleasing.

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Live music preview: Radio Moscow tonight at The Mohawk with Graveyard

2012-01-25T10:46:00.000-08:00

One aspect of music festivals we love is the opportunity to find new bands we have not had the pleasure of listening to before. At last year's Austin Psych Fest, that band was Radio Moscow who delivered a scintillating performanceon the small Stage 2 at Seaholm Power Plant along Town Lake. The unusual visuals projected onto the screen behind the band enhanced the experience considerably. We are excited the Los Angeles-based Iowa rockers are returning to town to play The Mohawk tonight.

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Live music preview: Oh Snap Festival expands with Ume, T-Bird and Mother Falcon

2012-01-24T13:16:00.000-08:00

Our first exposure to the Oh Snap Festival was also Examiner's first The Bright Light Social Hour show which is appropriate since the event organizers are friends with the band. This year the lineup has expanded to 50 bands from 18 last year. Some notable additions to the bill include Ume, T-Bird and the Breaks, and Mother Falcon. Attendees will also see local DJ favorite, Orion along with Freshmillions who performed at the Austin City Limits Festival for the first time last summer.

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<a href="http://umemusic.bandcamp.com/track/gleam">Gleam by Ume</a>

Live music review: The Couch brightened up a corner at Hole in the Wall Thursday

2012-01-21T08:17:00.000-08:00

Austin blues/rock/soul fusion band, The Couch headlined Hole in the Wall Thursday after performing in front of a packed house inside The Mohawk last month. The quartet has recently released their first official LP, Old and Touchin' Blue last December.

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Live music preview: Local pianist Reuel to perform at Reagan Day Gala

2012-01-20T20:19:00.000-08:00

A Reagan Day Gala event has been organized to honor Texas Attorney General, Greg Abbott Tuesday at the AT&T Center on the University of Texas campus with pianist, Reuel Meditz performing for guests. Senatorial candidate, Ted Cruz and Justice Jeff Rose will offer tributes to AG Abbott who is a likely candidate in the next election for Governor of Texas. A VIP reception at 6p.m. will be followed by dinner at 7p.m.and a silent auction.

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Weekend music preview: The Greatcoats CD release set for Friday at Frank

2012-01-10T10:54:00.000-08:00

Power-pop quartet, The Greatcoats have released their debut EP, "Find Someone Else" last month and are performing the new material at their EP release atFrank Friday. They will be performing with The Sweet Nuthin, Jason Ludwig and Featherface. Examiner had a chance to catch a bit of The Greatcoats set last month at Hotel Vegas. Continue reading...

Live music review: Hard Proof impresses fans at Free Week and get a surprise

2012-01-09T15:24:00.000-08:00

When Graham Williams was booking events at the original Emo's venue years ago, an idea was born that reflects Austin at its heart, Free Week. The event has blossomed from cover free shows the entire week following Christmas at Emo's to a larger event spanning multiple clubs along Red River Street downtown. The event gives Austin music fans easy access to a large variety of local acts. We were in the thick of the action early in the week seeing...

Slideshow:

Hard Proof Afrobeat and Tony Congas need your help during Free Week in Austin

2012-01-03T10:18:00.000-08:00

All music fans, Austinites, and good folks,

My good friends, Hard Proof need your help. Their conga player, Tony Cruz has been struggling with health issues since the Spring of last year. He has not been able to work a full-time job since. That, coupled with health care costs have put him in a precarious financial situation. Hard Proof members and folks close to the band have all expressed concern and have offered what financial support they could to Tony. But now they need your help. Ideally, you get something in return for your generosity. In this case, that means an outstanding Afrobeat-inspired album that you can own today, just name your price. Click the band website or bandcamp links below to download the album now.

Here's a taste of what you will receive recorded live at KVRX radio at the University of Texas:

Other ways you can help:

1. Share this post with your friends, email list, on your website or republish to your blog

2. Come to the Free Week show at Red 7 Thursday and donate a few dollars

I hope to see y'all at Red 7 Thursday. If you have any questions on how to help or need to contact me, please use the email contact form in link below or connect with me on your preferred social media channel. I will respond as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

Greg Ackerman

Austin Concerts Examiner

http://about.me/gregackerman

Here is a copy of the email Hard Proof sent to fans today:

Happy Holidays friends!

We’ve had quite a year. Each show seems to be better than the last, and we’re cranking out some new righteous jams that promise to blow your mind.

We’ve got a handful of shows inked for the next year. Most notably, we’re playing Adi Anand’s free week throwdown on Thursday, January 5^th at the Red 7 with 5 other awesome bands. Free week in general is a total blast, just head towards Red River, walk into a bar, and I promise you will hear something that will change your life (if you let it)

http://www.facebook.com/events/293534044016477/

Next we’ll be at the Sahara Lounge with Money Chicha on January 13^th. Money Chicha is a Psych-Cumbia side project of Grupo Fantasma & Brownout. Our drummer turns 35 at midnight. He has but 1 birthday wish this year, which leads me to a story.

Tony Cruz, our conga player, was diagnosed with the pulmonary disorder COPD back in the Spring. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001153/

Like most musicians in Austin, he doesn’t have proper health coverage and has been utilizing state services and whatever else to get by. Since his diagnosis he’s had pneumonia at least once, just had his gall bladder out, and I can think of a few times where I looked over at him on stage and wondered if he was leaving the club in an ambulance that night. He has been unable to work full time and has been waiting on disability payments to come through for months, and now may need a lawyer to get all of those that he’s entitled to. As we're a family, we’ve helped out as much as we can from both band and personal funds, but we’re depleting our recording budget rapidly in doing so. If you’d like to help, here’s a few ways.

-Pay what you wish for the record. Either from hardproofmusic.com or http://hardproof.bandcamp.com/

-If you see any of us at a show with a bucket that says “Tony’s Rent” or something similar, put a few bucks in.

-Hire him for conga lessons, gigs or light labor work in the Austin area. He’s been a handyman forever and can do just about any home repair you can think of. Email the band account and we will connect you. That being said, he’s hoping to get certified as a home inspector in the next few months as his health is becoming prohibitive of him doing hard labor all the time.

-If you are in the healing arts or a dietician and would like to volunteer a consultation, by all means let us know.

-As always, COME TO THE SHOWS!

Free Week preview: Calm Blue Sea, White White Lights, Boxing Lesson, Hard Proof

2011-12-30T10:50:00.000-08:00

Although we are not past New Year's Eve, Austin music fans should begin preparing for the annual FREE WEEK ( Do512.com has a great list of shows) which features local bands in the Red River District and surrounding venues at no cost. The 2012 edition is loaded with great acts, like... Keep reading...

New Year's Eve Live Music preview: All My Friends, The Black Angels, White Denim

2011-12-25T03:02:00.000-08:00

With Christmas behind us tomorrow, it is time to look ahead to New Year's Eve in Austin and there are plently of shows to consider. LCD Soundsystem tribute band All My Friendsplay Beauty Bar, The Black Angels host an evening at Emo's East and White Denim headlines the Slacker Magazine launch party. Grupo Fantasma, T-Bird and The Breaks and Russian Circles are on the books as well. There is no shortage of good live music concerts to choose from to celebrate the New Year.

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Live music review: Hard Proof put the Afrobeat in KVRX's Local Live show Sunday

2011-12-19T08:55:00.000-08:00

Austin Afrobeat collective, Hard Proof performed a live set for radio and internet listeners last night at KVRX radio at The University of Texas. The nine-piece band features members of The Calm Blue Sea, The Echocentrics, Ocote Soul Sounds and Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears. The set was part of an ongoing series called Local Live produced each Sunday evening on 91.7 FM. The eclectic nature of the station programming is part of the appeal for listeners. Hard Proof's Afrobeat inspired sound was a departure for the normally punk and indie-rock guests the student-run station usually has in studio.

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Hard Proof, Live 1/14/11 in Austin, TX Move In-Lion of Mali from hard proof on Vimeo.

Live music preview: The Couch | Zlam Dunk | Little Radar at Mohawk tonight

2011-12-14T12:11:00.000-08:00

San Marcos, Texas rock/blues/indie act, The Couch is performing tonight at The Mohawk with Zlam Dunk andLittle Rascals. The Couch has a sound similar to The Bright Light Social Hour that melds blues-rock and indie music with a danceable beat. The show is being presented by From the Mind of Adi and Transmission Entertainment.

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Show poster

Live music review: Wilco taped Austin City Limits TV, sold out ACL Live

2011-12-02T13:49:00.000-08:00

Wilco appeared at The Moody Theater at ACL Live on consecutive nights this week. Wednesday evening was an Austin City Limits TV taping. Lead singer, Jeff Tweedy mentioned it was the band's fourth appearance on the show. The alternative rock band from Chicago followed up an elegant performance in front of the TV cameras with a rocking, sold-out ACL Live show last night that appropriately included a number of songs from "Summerteenth" (1999) an album primarily recorded at Willie Nelson's Spicewood Studios near Austin.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Live music review: Wilco taped Austin City Limits TV, sold out ACL Live - Austin Concerts | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/concerts-in-austin/live-music-review-wilco-taped-austin-city-limits-tv-sold-out-acl-live-review#ixzz1fPsRgB2J

Is championship a possibility? Previewing the Austin Toros season with COO Peter Lubell

2011-12-02T05:51:00.000-08:00

The Austin Toros of the NBA Development League begin home action Friday evening against the Tulsa 66ers at 8 p.m. at the Cedar Park Center. The Toros opened the season last Saturday at Frisco, defeating the Texas Legends 101-96 behind the strong play of point guard Justin Dentmon (29 pts, 7 ast), who was recently acquired by the Toros from the Legends on draft day. Second-year Toros forward, Lance Thomas (Duke) added 25 points and 6 rebounds for the Toros. Carldell Johnson scored 25 as the Toros pulled away in the fourth quarter, outscoring the hosts 33-25 to start the season 1-0.

Continue reading at CultureMap Austin

Click image to purchase tickets

Live music photo retrospective: Fun Fun Fun Fest 6 at Auditorium Shores

2011-11-14T09:54:00.000-08:00

It has been over a week since Fun Fun Fun Fest 6 descended upon Auditorium Shores on the banks of Town Lake in Austin for three days of independent music from the masterminds at Transmission Entertainment. The festival was a success minus the ...

Continue reading on Examiner.com Live music photo retrospective: Fun Fun Fun Fest 6 at Auditorium Shores - Austin Concerts | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/concerts-in-austin/live-music-photo-retrospective-fun-fun-fun-fest-6-at-auditorium-shores#ixzz1dhfu4par

Live music review: The White White Lights and Black Pistol Fire at Emo's

2011-11-13T09:52:00.000-08:00

With the construction of Emo's East completed last month, we have turned our attention to the original Emo's latley, feeling nostalgic about the venue that burgeoned the Red River indy-music scene in dowtown Austin. The end of the year will see the live music landmark close it's original location. Consequently, we have made an effort to catch a few shows over there recently. Saturday evening, incendiary act, The White White Lights performed followed by more great music by Black Pistol Fire.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Live music review: The White White Lights and Black Pistol Fire at Emo's - Austin Concerts | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/concerts-in-austin/live-music-review-the-white-white-lights-and-black-pistol-fire-at-emo-s-review#ixzz1dbomiiu6

Live music review: FFF Fest - T-Bird, Joy Formidable, Neon Indian, The Damned

2011-11-08T19:18:00.000-08:00

The second day of Fun Fun Fun Fest (FFF 6) included a diverse array of acts from the hilarious and bizarre Captured by Robots to a Wu-Tang/Fugazi mash-up duo, Wugazi to Donald Glover alter-ego, Childish Gambino and the UK'sThe Damned. The day belonged to The Joy Formidable and Neon Indian both of whom delivered excellent FFF Fest 6 performances Saturday at Auditorium Shores on the south bank of Austin's Town Lake.

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Live music review: FFF Fest ~ Day One | Ocote | BJL | Four Tet | Public Enemy

2011-11-07T06:01:00.000-08:00

When Fun Fun Fun Fest organizers announced the independent Austin live music festival was relocating to Auditorium Shores last year, many fans were concerned. They liked the intimate setting Waterloo Park provided. The artists appearing at the venue had been increasingly more high profile up to the move. Friday's Day One lineup was an improvement over an already impressive booking list last year. Any fears proved unfounded as Transmission Entertainment ratcheted up the quality...

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Slide show: Fun Fun Fun Fest 6 Photos

2011-11-06T08:10:00.001-08:00

Fun Fun Fun Fest 6, a set on Flickr.

Images from the first two days of Fun Fun Fun Fest 6 at Auditorium Shores - Austin, Texas

Live music preview: FFF Fest 6 | Kool Keith | Lykke Li | M83 | The Damned

2011-11-04T09:24:00.000-07:00

fter scouting out Empire Automotive last night with a thumping Passion Pit DJ set and seeing My Education open for Philm (Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo's side project) it is official, FFF 6's Nites aftershows are a welcome addition to the event. Today's preview picks up where we left offyesterday, with Friday evening shows like Kool Keith andThe Thermals. Saturday, Fun Fun Fun Fest shows we like are Austin acts, Shapes Have Fangs and T-Bird and the Breaks for those festival foot soldiers who manage to make it to Auditorium Shores early. M83, Swedish electro-pop sensation, Lykke Li and UK punk legends, The Damned play sunset and headlining sets tomorrow.

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Live music preview: FFF Fest 6 | My Education | Reggie Watts | Danzig Legacy

2011-11-02T12:32:00.000-07:00

Fun Fun Fun Fest 6 is this weekend which means Austin's best progressive music festival is about to kick off the first three full day event in it's history. Several notable additions to the festival include a new venue, Auditorium Shores (previously at Waterloo Park), Nites aftershows, and an iPhone app. Festival producers, Transmission Entertainment have made the aftershows free for 3-day pass holders.

Continue reading here...http://www.examiner.com/concerts-in-austin/live-music-preview-fff-fest-6-my-education-passion-pit-bjl-danzig

Breaking music news: Quiet Company on Last Call w/ Carson Daly November 2

2011-11-01T22:48:00.000-07:00

Examiner has been notified Austin indy-pop upstarts, Quiet Company will appear on Last Call with Carson Daly on November 2nd (tonight) at 12:30am CST. It will be the first network television appearance for the group who recently released "We Are All Where We Belong" to critical acclaim. The band has secured a promotional deal with Grooveshark announced in June after the streaming music service noticed a high volume Quiet Company tracks streaming on the site...
Continue reading Quiet Company on Carson Daly

Quiet Company - Fear and Fallacy, Sitting in a Tree - Official Music Video from Digital Shakedown on Vimeo.

Live music review: Concrete Blonde and Johnette Napolitano impress at new Emo's

2011-10-28T07:32:00.000-07:00

Do you remember the hit, Joey by Concrete Blonde? Last night, the Los Angeles-based alternative act from the 80's, made an appearance at Austin's newest venue, Emo's East. The amazing thing about their leader and vocalist, Johnette Napolitano is she still has the same sultry, smoky voice she did over 20 years ago.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Live music review: Concrete Blonde and Johnette Napolitano impress at new Emo's - Austin Concerts | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/concerts-in-austin/live-music-review-concrete-blonde-and-johnette-napolitano-impress-at-new-emo-s-review#ixzz1c5SLDPP9

Live music review: All My Friends packed ND for return gig after year absence

2011-10-24T17:15:00.000-07:00

LCD Soundsystem tribute band, All My Friends performed their first show since disbanding last year to a packed house at the ND at 501 Studios Friday. It was a glorious evening of dance-punk and DJ sets kicked off by Chris Heckendorn (AMF vocalist) on the decks followed by Ricky Jean Francois who were quite good. After AMF's set which included some surprises, DJ Richard Gear kept the party going until the venue closed with some classic 80s and 90s tracks. From the size of the crowd, our assesment is Austin music fans were thrilled the band decided to reform.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Live music review: All My Friends packed ND for return gig after year absence - Austin Concerts | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/concerts-in-austin/live-music-review-all-my-friends-packed-nd-for-return-gig-after-year-absence-review#ixzz1bkQXS2dd

Weekend music preview: All My Friends | Battles | Hacienda | Zombie Uprising

2011-10-21T11:38:00.000-07:00

A bye week for the University of Texas football team this weekend means there are a ton of Festivals happening in Austin. The Gypsy Picnic Tailer Food Festival, The Austin Film Festival and the Texas Book Festival are all happening over the first "real" weekend of Fall. Along with an event-packed schedule, there are so many great shows over the next couple of days; our live music preview only scratches the surface.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Weekend music preview: All My Friends | Battles | Hacienda | Zombie Uprising - Austin Concerts | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/concerts-in-austin/weekend-music-preview-all-my-friends-battles-hacienda-zombie-uprising#ixzz1bRWXBIQq