Saturday, September 27, 2008

CSS, Gnarls, Jamie Lidell All Bring It


So last night I had the chance to catch two ACL after parties. Well technically I could have gone to more than two but I'm only one man damn it! Anywho, so I started my night at Stubb's, CSS were up first. The 6-piece Brazilian group brought their high energy dance punk jams to life with one of the loudest sets I've ever witnessed. I must say that the crowd wasn't really feeling it though. I suspect that a lot of the Gnarls Barkley fans had no idea who CSS were and/or there were a lot of folks who were already worn out from watching so much live music during the day at Zilker.

In any case, by the time Gnarls Barkley came out the crowd had filled in and was very excited to hear the perfect pop sounds of Cee-Lo, Dangermouse and 5 of their snappiest dressed band mates. I thought it was interesting that before GB took stage the house music was all Gorillaz songs. But not just any Gorillaz songs, the ones that Dangermouse produced. Isn't that a bit narcissistic or at least odd? They didn't save Crazy for last, which means a lot of folks left before GB left the stage. Personally I feel like if you have a hit as big as Crazy was you better hold it for the encore if you want the crowd to stay. Also, I thought Cee-Lo's voice was like honey except during Crazy when he didn't really sing all of the lyrics clearly, he just sort of mumbled/missed the first verse.

More review and a preview of tonight's parties after the jump...

Gnarls Barkley's set ended a little before midnight, which gave me enough time to walk over to the Parish room to catch Jamie Lidell. When I walked in around 11:45 Black Joe Lewis and the Honey Bears were playing their last song. Jamie Lidell took stage an hour later.

I was predisposed to like Jamie Lidell since he put out one of my favorite records of the year, Jim. I was not disappointed in his set but I was a bit surprised. I knew that before his latest record Lidell was known more as an electronic artist than as a soul artist. So after the first 3 or 4 songs the band walked out into the crowd disappearing back stage for a full 15 minutes while Jamie Lidell used his machine trickery to compose electronic music by sampling and effecting his vocals. Also, there was an instrument used by one of Lidell's musicians that I had never seen. It looked like a clarinet with a mic top instead of a reed and it sounded like a talk box a la Peter Frampton.

The Parish crowd was very lively and you could tell that they were all big fans too, since most folks were singing along and clapping in time to the music without even being prompted. I will say that a lot of people did leave before Lidell left the stage but come on he didn't even take the stage till 12:45am, so his set wasn't over till 2am, which is pretty late if you hit Zilker park 12 hours earlier for ACL.

So wrapping up last night, I would rate Jamie Lidell's performance as my favorite followed by CSS and I would probably put Gnarls Barkley in last place. Not that they were bad but they just think they're a big deal and you can tell. Whereas Jamie Lidell and CSS are still fighting to be noticed.

Here's what you can expect tonight on the party scene:

Mike Farris gospel brunch at Stubb’s BBQ
Doors at 11 a.m., Brunch at 11:30 a.m.
Call 512-480-8341 to make reservations and purchase tickets.

Butthole Surfers w/ The Kills at Stubb’s BBQ (outdoors)
Doors 7 p.m., Show 8 p.m.

Mugison at Stubb’s BBQ (indoors)
Doors 11:30pm, show midnight

Band of Horses with James McMurtry at The Parish
Doors at 10:30 p.m.

The Swell Season w/ Bill Callahan at The Paramount Theatre (713 Congress Ave.)
Doors at 7:30 p.m., Show at 8:30 p.m.

Okkervil River w/ Man Man & Crooked Fingers at Emo’s (Outdoors, 603 Red River St.)
Doors at 10 p.m., show 10:30 p.m.

Jose Gonzalez w/ Neva Dinova & McCarthy Trenching at Emo’s (Indoors, 603 Red River St.)
Doors at 10 p.m., show 10:30 p.m.

Car Stereo Wars at Emo’s Lounge
Doors at 10 p.m., show 11 p.m.

Jakob Dylan and The Gold Mountain Rebels w/ Back Door Slam at Antone’s (213 West 5th St.)
Doors at 10 p.m., Show at 10:30 p.m.

Ocote Soul Sounds (featuring members of Grupo Fantasma and the Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra), Buscando El Monte, DJ Chorizo Funk at The Compound (1300 E 4th St.)
Doors at 9 p.m., show at 10 p.m.

Austin Music + Entertainment unofficial ACL afterparty
Featuring Lemurs, Loxsly and Red Leaves Scoot Inn
Doors at 8 p.m.

ACL Afterhours at the Beauty Bar
Outside: Scorpion Child, Grand Ole Party, And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead (original lineup)
Inside: DJ Mel, Smalltown Pete
Doors at 9 p.m.



The only show I'm planning to see tonight is Jose Gonzalez at Emo's inside. I think he is one of the most under-rated/overlooked acts of this fest so I'm gonna show you some vid...


Jose Gonzalez - Teardrop video via YouTube


Jose Gonzales - Heartbeats video via YouTube


Jose Gonzales - Crosses video via YouTube

Here are two of those songs in different forms:
Heartbeats is originally done by The Knife (They are kick-ass)

The Knife - Heartbeats video via YouTube

The dudes from Zero 7 love Jose Gonzalez so much they remixed one of his songs and featured his vocals on a few of their songs.

Zero 7 - Crosses video via YouTube

And I wanted to include this next video because I just love the lyric "We didn't come into the world, to walk around, we came here, to take you out". I apoligize for the awful visuals just close your eyes and listen.

CSS - Jager Yoga video via YouTube

Friday, September 26, 2008

...and so it begins


That's right, the official Austin City Limits Fesitval starts in mere moments. If you're in town and don't have a ticket, you should def check craigslist cause there's a lot of folks selling 3 day passes for around $100.

Last night I caught the Manu Chao show at Stubb's. There was no opening act just a 2hr set by Manu Chao. Overall I would give it a B or B+, it wasn't an A for me because I felt there were far too many punk rock breakdowns. It sounded like Gogol Bordello covering Manu Chao songs in a lot of spots. However, to be fair it could be just that my expectations were more focused on hearing a nice reggae skank and instead I got a French/Central American punk rock band. I can see why he is a headliner though, Manu Chao and his band were full of energy. They were all directing the crowd to jump and clap throughout the entire set. Even the ballads demanded fist pumping with call and response parts, so if you are hitting the fest tonight you won't be dissapointed by Manu Chao.

Preview tonight's after-parties after the jump...


Friday night sees the most after party action of this whole fest. Here's a list of what's happening:

G. Love & Special Sauce at La Zona Rosa (612 West Fourth St.)
Doors at 10 p.m., Show at 11 p.m.

Gnarls Barkley and CSS at Stubb’s BBQ
Doors 8 p.m., show 9 p.m.

Jamie Lidell w/ Black Joe Lewis and The Honeybears at The Parish (214 E. Sixth St.)
Doors at 10 p.m., show at 11 p.m.

Drive By Truckers w/ Shooter Jennings at Emo’s (603 Red River St.)
Doors at 10 p.m., Show at 10:30 p.m.

Heartless Bastards w/ Dead Confederate & Wax Fang at Emo’s (Indoors, 603 Red River St.)
Doors at 10 p.m., Show at 10:30 p.m.

Car Stereo Wars at Emo’s Lounge
Doors at 10 p.m., show 11 p.m.

Rolling Stone presents The Cool Kids, Voxtrot and Belaire at the Mohawk
Doors at 8 p.m.

Afrobonics 1: The Melting Pot at the Whisky Bar
DJs Chicken George, Aquaman Chill with horns and percussion from the Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra
Doors at 10 p.m.

ACL Afterhours at the Beauty Bar
Inside: Prince Klassen, Bird Peterson
Outside: AUX, Ume, The Steps, Always Already
Doors at 9 p.m.



The Rolling Stone party is RSVP but I'm not going to bother with the link because they aren't taking any more RSVPs. However, I went to an RSVP event sponsored by PASTE magazine at Emo's last night and not only did they not care about "the list" they didn't even have a list. So, if you want to go the show at the Mohawk tonight, just show up early and act like you're supposed to be there. Another good trick is to pretend you don't know their having an event and you just wanted a Lone Star real quick. Good luck and godspeed dear reader. If you are headed to Zilker for the fest don't forget your dang sunscreen!

If you're not headed to the fest you can watch it on your computer here. And/or you can hear it on XM radio.

Here's a vid of Manu Chao live so you can judge for yourself:

Manu Chao - La Primavera & Radio Bemba video via YouTube

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Official, Un-Official ACL Kick-Off Tonight


The official Austin City Limits Festival starts tomorrow afternoon. However, the festivities begin tonight. Two of the festivals headliners are playing for more intimate audiences tonight. Manu Chao will be playing Stubb's while David Byrne is rocking the Paramount Theater.

Meanwhile over at Emo's Paste Magazine is hosting an RSVP only party. Usually that means free booze. At SXSW the Paste party had a Ketel One Ice Luge. The Emo's party is at the Inside and Outside stage, so you can roam freely while you check out the bands.

Mates of State - My Only Offer
What Made Milwaukee Famous - Resistance St.

Videos and full Paste party line-up after the jump...

Austin locals What Made Milwaukee Famous are the act I'm most excited about at the Paste party. But I'm also pretty psyched to possibly catch Mates of State as well. In addition to those two acts you can catch:
Bobby Bare Jr.
Dan Dyer
White Ghost Shivers
Thomas Function
All for the price of...well free.

Check out this Donny Darko-esque Mates of State video:

Mates of State - Get Better video via YouTube

It looks like being on Barsuk Records means WMMF gets a video budget now :-)

What Made Milwaukee Famous - Sultan video via YouTube


Bobby Bare Jr. - Let' Rock and Roll video via YouTube


Dan Dyer - Stop For a Second video via YouTube


White Ghost Shivers - Mama Said video via YouTube


Thomas Function - Filthy Flowers video via YouTube

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

David Byrne in Austin...Already


So you probably already knew that David Byrne was playing the Austin City Limits Fest, but did you know he is doing a pre-show tomorrow night? Well, if this is news to you, chances are you can't get into the show. In fact I tried to get tickets 3 hours after they went on sale and it was already sold out. That's my bad for hedging over the $50 ticket price.

In any case, for those of you who don't know, this tour is in support of a new collaboration between David Byrne and Brian Eno. I won't get into their elaborate histories together, but I will tell you there's a Talking Heads connection...DUH!

The new record is called, Everything That Happens Will Happen Today and it's been getting great reviews. I've only hears snippets so far but it sounds like more great music from some legends of modern and post-rock.

Find some video after the jump...


Here is a widget from the promo page for the album. You can stream the whole thing:


But if you go directly to everythingthathappens.com you can download an Mp3...if you give a valid e-mail address.


David Byrne & Brian Eno - Strange Overtones video via YouTube


David Byrne - This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody) video via YouTube

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Stereolab, La Zona, Tomorrow


Stereolab - Neon Beanbag video via YouTube

Just a friendly reminder that you can catch Stereolab with Atlas Sound tomorrow night at La Zona Rosa here in Austin.

Atlas Sound video after the jump...


Atlas Sound - Bite Marks video via YouTube

By the way last time I checked tickets were still available to this show and they'll set you back roughly $30.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Plan for Final Day of ACL


So by day 3 of ACL you're gonna be worn out, hot and almost tired of live music...almost. But hang in their fateful festival goer for day 3 may bring you many surprises.

I'll start with an Mp3 teaser, of who you should catch Sunday, Sept. 28th the final day of the Austin City Limits Festival.

Band of Horses - Is There a Ghost

Okkervil River - Lost Coastlines

My choices and choice videos after the jump...

Abigail Washburn & the Sparrow Quartet ft. Bela Fleck @ 12:30
The Kills @ 1:30
Mike Farris ft. The Roseland Rhythm Revue @ 2:30
Stars @ 3:30
Silversun Pickups @ 4:30
Okkervil River @ 5:30
The Raconteurs @ 6:30
Band of Horses @ 7:30
Foo Fighters @ 8:30

And now for the VS. column. Day 3 has fewer conflicts than Day 2 did, but when they happen it's pretty tough to decide. I should also note that the Foo Fighters are the only band playing at 8:30 otherwise I probably wouldn't have chosen that show...no offense Grohl and friends.

The Kills VS. The Octopus Project @ 1:30
Mike Farris VS. Flyleaf @ 2:30
Stars VS. Against Me! @ 3:30
Silversun Pickups VS. Neko Case VS. Colour Revolt @ 4:30
The Raconteurs VS. White Denim VS. Gnarls Barkley @ 6:30
Band of Horses VS. Tegan and Sara @ 7:30


Abigail Washburn & The Sparrow Quartet - Captain video via YouTube


The Kills - U.R.A. Fever video via YouTube


Mike Farris - Green, Green Grass of Home video via YouTube

Stars - Your Ex-Lover is Dead video via YouTube


Silversun Pickups - Lazy Eye video via YouTube


Okkervil River - Our Life is Not a Movie, Or Maybe video via YouTube


The Raconteurs - Level video via YouTube


Band of Horses - The Funeral video via YouTube


Foo Fighters - Best of You video via YouTube

And now the VS. Videos:


The Octopus Project - Truck video via YouTube


Flyleaf - Sorrow video via YouTube


Against Me! - Thrash Unreal video via YouTube


Neko Case & Her Boyfriends - Furnace Room Lullaby video via YouTube


Colour Revolt - Mattresses Underwater video via YouTube


White Denim - All You Really Have to Do video via YouTube


Gnarls Barkley - Who's Gonna Save My Soul video via YouTube


Tegan and Sara - Call it Off video via YouTube

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Let Me Plan Your ACL Day 2


By this time next week, it will be the final day of the Austin City Limits Fest but don't get sad yet. Today we're still excited about what's to come. So let me plan out what you're doing next Saturday, day 2 of ACL.

Firstly I should mention there are a lot more conflicts on day 2 than there were day 1 but with that in mind check out my picks below.

Video and more after the jump...

There's LOTS of video below, but here are a few complimentary Mp3's from the artists on SubPop

Iron & Wine - Boy With A Coin
CSS - Rat is Dead (Rage)
Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal

And now for my picks:

Langhorne Slim @ 11:45
Fleet Foxes @ 12:30
Jose Gonzales @ 1:30
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings @ 2:30
CSS @ 3:30
Erykah Badu @ 4:30
MGMT @ 5:30
Conor Oberst @ 6:30
The Black Keys @ 7:30
Beck @ 8:00

And now for the VS. list. These are the other acts playing at the same time that you might want to catch instead.

Fleet Foxes VS. Old 97's @ 12:30
Jose Gonzalez VS. The Fratellis @ 1:30
Sharon Jones VS. Drive-By Truckers @ 2:30
CSS VS. Man Man VS.Black Joe Lewis @ 3:30
The Black Keys VS. Iron & Wine @ 7:30
Beck VS. Robert Plant & Alison Krauss @ 8:30


Langhorne Slim - Restless video via YouTube


Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal video via YouTube


Jose Gonzalez - Heartbeats video via YouTube


Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings - 100 Days, 100 Nights video via YouTube


CSS - Rat is Dead (Rage) video via YouTube


Erykah Badu - Honey video via YouTube


MGMT - Kids video via YouTube


Conor Oberst & the Mystic Valley Band - Souled Out video via YouTube


the Black Keys - I Got Mine video via YouTube


Beck - Gamma Ray video via YouTube

The VS. vids


the Old 97's - Dance with Me video via YouTube


the Fratellis - Flathead video via YouTube


Drive-By Truckers - Never Gonna Change video via YouTube


Man Man - Engwish Bwudd video via YouTube


Black Joe Lewis & the Honey Bears - @Lollapalooza video via YouTube


Iron & Wine - Naked as We Came video via YouTube


Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Gone, Gone, Gone video via YouTube