Saturday, April 24, 2010

Psych Fest Day 2 Tonight!

Well, I wasn't at Psych Fest last night but from what I read on my Twitter feed a good time was had by most. Apparently the Raveonettes performed as a 2-piece, which must have been interesting because when I saw them the 2 man Raveonettes didn't play any percussive instruments. I'm guessing they had a drum machine last night. Also, there was a torrential downpour last night, and given that the Mohawk is mainly an outdoor venue, I'm guessing that wasn't too pleasant either. I did hear from my friends over at Ultra8201 that Warpaint was amazing, astounding, gorgeous perfection. Lots of folks were saying they were even better than during SXSW!?!?

In any case, tonight/today there are even more bands performing than yesterday. Once again, if you're looking for the full Psych Fest line-up be sure to click that Psych Fest link. Also, if and when you go make sure to ask about the complimentary 3-D glasses. So, today's line-up is all about the up and coming psychedelic rockers. There are fewer big, big names but lots of up-and-coming acts are featured today/tonight. Of course, this whole thing is the brain-child/curated-by local bad-asses, the Black Angels and tonight is their night to shine. Expect their brand of psychedelic, freak-out, drone in the headlining spot this evening.


the Black Angels - Young Men Dead video via YouTube

I wanted to highlight this band, the Frequency who will also be playing Psych Fest tonight. They recently received some good buzz in, England's version of Rolling Stone, NME. Their sound mixes shoegaze, psychedic and electronic music into a wash of textures, reverbs, and emerging melodies. Catch them on their way to the top, or before they burn out and fade away, whichever comes first, in any case catch them today at the Mohawk.


the Frequency - Talk to Me video via YouTube

Wow, so there really aren't that many names on the list today that jump out at me. That doesn't mean there aren't any good artists playing today it just means I need to do more homework before I start writing next time. I definitely want to highlight a couple more Austin artists that will be playing tonight including, Cry Blood Apache.


Cry Blood Apache - Royal Family video via YouTube

Also, Smoke & Feathers always put on a killer/interesting/haunting set are a definitely a not-to-be-missed local artist. They play right before dinner time (5pm) tonight y'all! This whole thing kicks off at 2pm today and goes on for about 12hrs, so bring some granola maybe get a pizza delivered or something 'cause you're not going to want to miss these bands.


Smoke & Feathers - Ride video via YouTube

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Thursday, April 22, 2010

Local Natives with Suckers at Antones

Well, just like the show I featured yesterday, tomorrow's Local Natives and Suckers show at Antone's is sold-out. Lucky for you, you can still see Local Natives perform a free, acoustic set at Waterloo Records. That set starts at four and you should probably get there, at least, a half hour early if you want to actually see what the band looks like.

If you already have tickets to tomorrow's show, make sure you get there early enough to see Suckers. I've been obsessed with their four song EP since shortly after SXSW and I'm looking forward to hearing a full length album, which should be out at any minute. Here's a song from that new album, I shot this video during SXSW.


Suckers - A Mind I Knew video via YouTube


Local Natives are another band who was just here during SXSW but we're certainly glad to have them back. Their latest LP, Gorilla Manner is already one of my favorite albums of 2010 and I'm sure seeing them live will only solidify that feeling. I know I saw them for a minute during SXSW but I had to leave for some reason, so tomorrow at Antone's I'll be giving up my full attention to Local Native. If I can get out of work in time I may actually check out their acoustic set at Waterloo as well.


Local Native - Wide Eyes (Live on KCRW) video via YouTube

I want to include one more song from Suckers, this is my favorite/most listened-to track from their EP. They'll be playing this one at Antone's tomorrow. Learn it and sing-along.


Suckers - Easy Chairs video via YouTube

Just for the record Bloggy does not condone setting your easy chairs aflame.




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Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Washed, Out, Beach House, Sold-Out

So, I hope y'all bought your tickets to see Beach House and Washed Out at Emo's like 6 months ago otherwise you're hitting the scalp scene. I'm kind of a fair-weather fan when it comes to Beach House. I remember when their first LP came out all of my music nerd friends were masturbating over it and I was a bit underwhelmed. However, I am excited to see what a live Beach House show is like. It will definitely push me into full-on fandom or quite the opposite, there's nothing like a live show to help you make up your mind about a band. I will say that I have listened to their latest album, Teen Dream more than any other to date and it should also be noted that I still bought every album they released just to hear it.


PS22 Chorus covering Beach House - Zebra video via YouTube

I'm a fan of Emo's but it's not really where I'd like to see Beach House in Austin. Maybe I'll bring a folding chair, 'cause it's going to be weird to stand and stare at Beach House as they perform haunting, delicate, moody music. Perhaps Austin Music Hall would have been a more suitable choice but if that were the case my ticket would have cost twice as much. So, I'll focus on the bright points, for one Emo's has switched to LCD lighting, that's nice. Also, you can dance(?) to Washed Out, which would have been harder to do(?) at Austin Music Hall.


Washed Out - Luck video via YouTube

As you have probably guessed from the above video Washed Out is, "part of the chillwave scene". I bet all of the artists who wear that ridiculous label despise it. Basically, they get off on vintage synthesizers and psychedelic drone and really can we fault them for that? I blame "New Wave" for introducing all of the lame "____ Wave" movements that have followed its lead. I am also annoyed with "Watergate" for introducing "_____gate" and "Woodstock" for giving us "____stock". Damn, I have a lot of complaints to share today don't I?


Beach House - Master of None video via YouTube

In any case I'll be camping out near the front, center middle section of the crowd to get y'all some BloggyCam video of tomorrow's show. I'll try to include footage of the crowd staring, talking, texting and general after-party planning, as well. All in all I'm looking forward to this show both from an anthropological point of view and a musical-appreciation point of view. How will the tribes of Austin dance or not dance at Valium-fest 2010? Only time will tell, time and the Bloggycam.


Washed Out - Feel It All Around video via YouTube

By the way it might be hard to tell by the general tone of this piece, but I actually do enjoy BOTH Washed Out and Beach House, let that be noted on the record.

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