Saturday, April 25, 2009

Do512 + the Boxing Lesson = Good Times

The other day I told you all about the show I saw at the Mohawk and how Ume stole the show. Well, I also mentioned how I wish I had seen more of the psychedlic histrionics of the Boxing Lesson. No fear people tonight is the night to catch a full-on performance from the Boxing Lesson with my friends over at the Do512 compound on South Lamar. The show is free with RSVP, unfortunatly the list is closed. Although something tells me if you're down with Twitter, you may be able to weasel your way into the show somehow.


the Boxing Lesson - Dark Side of the Moog video via YouTube

More from the Boxing Lesson after the jump...
The Boxing Lesson folks were kind enough to send along their latest album for me to hear. It's called, Wild Streaks & Windy Days and if you can imagine Syd Barret joining Black Sabath to make a New Waveish band then you're getting closer to the sort of sound you can expect from the Boxing Lesson. The twelve tracks run about an hour long and range in styles. You can hear some slow-bringing show-gazey tracks along side some beautiful psychedelic freak-out jams. But it's all anchored with really nice melodies and tight rhythm section. Check it out for yourself on iTunes.


the Boxing Lesson - Brighter video via YouTube

Pay attention other Austin bands 'cause the Boxing Lesson could teach you all a lesson about promotion. First of all they have a Wikipedia entry, which is key but they also have a YouTube channel. Get it other local bands? That's how you get blogs to promote you, give us some info, give us some content. Thanks Boxing Lesson :-).


the Boxing Lesson - Dance With Meow video via YouTube

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Friday, April 24, 2009

Ume Steal Show Sorry ILYBICD

Last night I went to the Mohawk to see the Boxing Lesson, Ume, and I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness. ILYBICD headlined the bill, going on at 11pm I enjoyed their set but I must say I spent most of the set thinking of all the other bands and songs that their songs reminded me of. Here's a list that my friend Orion and I came up with: My Bloody Valentine, Joy Division, Interpol, Explosions in the Sky. So obviously, they were pretty shoe-gazey with somewhat dis-affected vocals but there was also some Explosions sound in there. To me that means beautiful guitar tones with some lyrical interplay. They have as many guitarists as Ume has band members.


I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness - the Owl video via YouTube

Ume and the Boxing Lesson get their due after the jump...

Speaking of Ume their one SUPER-charismatic female guitarist rocked out so hard, you don't even know y'all. She's a somewhat diminutive, fair-haired young lady with ballet slippers and her purse on the stage but she totally slays y'all. She had some serious rock god moves up on that stage. I purchased their latest EP Sunshower at Waterloo records the other day but obviously it's a lot better to see the performance live. You should still go get the EP though 'cause it pretty much kicks ass and you'll want to sing along at the shows right? No? Why the eff not?!?


Ume - The Conductor video courtesy of Ultra 8201 via YouTube

Free Mp3 courtesy of Transmission Entertainment, thanks.

Free Mp3 ---> Ume - The Conductor

The Boxing Lesson was the band I was least familiar with at the Mohawk last night. I'm following them on Twitter and I had seen their name in listings but I hadn't heard, what they call their Space-Rock, yet. To be honest I only heard them play one song last night, but that song was enough to make me want to see them again. Lucky for me all the bands last night are local, so I'll be seeing them all again real soon. In the meantime you should read the Wiki article for the Boxing Lesson it's pretty crazy, they have more former members than members (Including one who's in jail).

Free Mp3 courtesy of Transmission Entertainment, thanks.

Free Mp3 ---> the Boxing Lesson - Muerta

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Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Thao with The Get Down Stay Down


Thao - Swimming Pools video via YouTube

Have y'all heard Thao? She played the NPR showcase during SXSW along with the Get Down, Stay Down. That same showcase featured the likes of BLK JKS, Dirty Projectors, Blind Pilots and K'NAAN. Well Thao with The Get Down Stay Down are coming back to the Parish Room tomorrow night and if you want to stay ahead of the curve then I suggest you get some tickets. By the way, in case you're not the curious type, that NPR link up there takes you to a page where you can listen to the full sets from the above-mentioned showcase.

Free Mp3's courtesy of Kill Rock Stars, thanks.

Free Mp3 ---> Thao - Bag of Hammers

Free Mp3 ---> Thao - Beat (Health, Life, and Fire)

There's a little bit more after the jump...

Since, I mentioned a list of artists at the top of the post I should mention at least one other. I've talked about my love for Dirty Projectors before, so I won't re-hash all that. However, I will mention that there was a lot of K'NAAN buzz at this past weekend's Coachella festival. I haven't heard a lot from this guy, but his story is intriguing I highly recommend the Wiki article.

I just fear his cross-over appeal may land him major success and thus remove his indie-cred. Oh indie-cred, such a fickle, fluid bitch. Oh wait, this guy is touring with Snoop Dogg does that mean he has NO indie-cred? But he played the effing NPR showcase! I don't care I'm still blogging it, indie-cred be damned!


K'NAAN - Dreamer video via YouTube

Just for the record, K'NAAN is also a member of the evil, Sony/Universal Music Group anti-embedding conglomerate INC. Soooooo NOT indie.

As opposed to AustinBloggyLimits favorites, BLK JKS who have mad, indie-cred y'all!


BLK JKS - Summertime video via YouTube

You can download this song over at RCRD LBL, they don't like embedding either but they still get my love and support...sorry UMG.

Summertime is a great song but it doesn't really capture how great BLK JKS are live perhaps the "single" is a better representation.


BLK JKS - Lakeside video via YouTube

I really hope you were patient enough to hear when Lakeside gets to the skank, that's when they really get down. It's another band doing that Paul Simon/Vampire Weekend rhythym, but check this out...are you ready...BLK JKS is ACTUALLY African...from Africa. Take that Ivy League "African-Influenced" bands...whom I also <3 dearly.

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Monday, April 20, 2009

Another Tuesday in Austin

Last week I mentioned how this Tuesday has a lot of good shows. Events that are so good, in fact, that if you're not already going you're gonna have to get scalped tickets.

The first thing I'm going to mention is Spoon at the Scoot Inn. That's right chalk up another coup for the folks over at Transmission for booking that show.


Spoon - I Summon You video via YouTube

Find out who else is in town and score free Mp3's after the jump...

Well, in addition to a Tuesday night Spoon show, you can catch My Bloody Valentine hot off the heals of Coachella at the Austin City Music Hall.


My Bloody Valentine - Realise video via YouTube

So you've got local indie-legends, or international genre-creating legends. Your pick. If that's not enough selection, there's still more! That's right you could also catch Dr. Dog at the Parish Room.

Free Mp3's courtesty of Dr. Dog Music, thanks.

Free Mp3 ---> Dr. Dog - California

Free Mp3 ---> Dr. Dog - Worst Trip

This is from their latest record, Fate and borrows from Paul McCartney AND David Bowie w/ just a twist of the Faces/Rod Stewart. How do you like that?


Dr. Dog - Hang On video via YouTube

That's not it kids, I'm not stopping at Dr. Dog although that's probably the show I would attend given the choices thus far. You can ALSO catch Ladytron:


Ladytron - Seventeen video via YouTube

With the Faint at Stubb's but that show is going on like...uh...now. So leave already if you're gonna.


the Faint - Agenda Suicide video via YouTube

Lastly but not leastly you can catch one of my personal favorite, local bands. You've heard me mention them MANY times before but you can see Harlem at the Mohawk tonight too.


Harlem - Think I'm Thinkin' Bout video via YouTube

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