15 Shows You Should Be At This Week

15. Islands & Tigers at Red Eyed Fly
    Wednesday, July 17th

    
    
    
    All you need to know about Islands & Tigers is that they're from San Antonio and this EP they posted on Bandcamp kicks some power-pop ass.
    
    
 

16. Crooks at Holy Mountain
    Friday, July 19th

    
    
    
    If you buy tickets to this show in advance they are $2 cheaper but I'm not sure what the service fees for buying online are like so you may want to risk it and just pay at the door. This shows is definitely worth seeing but I doubt it will sell out if you show up in a timely manner Friday night.
    
    
 

17. Wild Child at Scoot Inn
    Saturday, July 20th

    
    
    
    Tickets to see Wild Child at the Scoot Inn are $8 if you buy them in advance or $10 at the door. The service fee for buying online makes them $9.43 though so I'd just bring a 10 spot if I were you.
    
    
 

18. Grape St. at Holy Mountain
    Wednesday, July 17th

    
    
    
    Tonight's line-up is stacked with bad-ass local bands, the cover charge is very low and all of the proceeds benefit UT's student-run radio station. Also, if you haven't seen Grape St. live you're really missing out. Their messy, off-the-rails energy always makes for a lively and enjoyable experience. You can pick up their new record on vinyl at tonight's show and at our favorite local record shops, End of an Ear or Waterloo.
    
    
 

19. The Couch at Holy Mountain
    Thursday, July 18th

    
    
    
    The Couch are the headliners for this Thursday night show at Holy Mountain but I really want to see Christy Hays and Western Youth too.
    
    
 

20. Natural Child at Hotel Vegas
    Saturday, July 20th

    
    
    
    Best stoner-rock outfit in the game? Maybe so, maybe not? Come to Hotel Vegas Saturday night and form your own opinion.
    
    
 

21. Wiretree at Lambert's
    Friday, July 19th

    
    
    
    Friday night's Wiretree show is a record release party. Pay the cover, buy the record, buy a drink be a hero for supporting your local scene.
    
    
 

22. The Octopus Project at Waterloo Records.
    Monday, July 21st

    
    
    
    I'm not a die-hard fan of The Octopus Project but for one thing, Monday night's performance is free for another thing they are always a fantastic live band and lastly the new record really kicks ass.
    
    
 

23. Rodrigo y Gabriella at ACL-Live
    Saturday, July 20th

    
    
    
    Tickets are in the $50 range for Saturday night's Rodrigo y Gabriella show but if you're a fan of the band it's worth the price of admission to hear them at ACL-Live.
    
    
 

24. S U R V I V E at the Mohawk
    Thursday, July 18th

    
    
    
    All I really know about S U R V I V E is that they spell their name in all-caps with spaces and they are playing the Mohawk's inside stage tomorrow night. Also, I like their haunting vintage keyboard sounds. It's like the score from a really dark episode of Night Rider. Sold!
    
    
 

25. Night Moves at the Mohawk
    Friday, July 19th

    
    
    
    There are a lot of "night" bands out there right now. This is one of them worth paying attention to. This is an indoor show at the Mohawk taking place Friday night with Lord Buffalo opening.
    
    
 

26. The Psychedelic Furs at Antone's
    Thursday, July 18th

    
    
    
    Tickets to see The Psychedelic Furs Thursday night have sold-out so, if you don't already have tickets you're options are thin.
     
    
    

27. New Order at Austin Music Hall
    Friday, July 19th

    
    
    
    I've got good news and I've got bad news. The good news is that New Order is playing Austin. The bad news is that they're playing at Austin Music Hall. I have more bad news, the show is sold-out. I have more good news, if you didn't buy a ticket you don't have to have an Austin Music Hall experience. In news neither bad nor good, I LOVE Holy Ghost! and that's who's opening for New Order Friday night at AMH.



 



28. CSS at Emo's
    Thursday, July 18th

    
    
    
    If you don't have fun at a CSS show, that's on you. That's your bad. Something's not right in your life and that's ok but you can't blame CSS because they brought the motherfucking fun. Not to mention Austin's-own FEATHERS is opening. Be there Thursday night.
    
    



 



29. Saint Motel at Red 7
    Friday, July 19th

    
    
    
    What can I say? I'm just a complete and total sucker for music like this? Maybe this wouldn't be your number 1 show this week and I'm ok with that if you are. If you're like me and you love indie-pop then we should hang out at Red 7's Saint Motel show Friday night. Tickets are only $8 and Saint Motel share the bill with Moonlight Gram and Holiday.
    
    

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CSS and Sleigh Bells Play Sold-Out Show

Part of me hates to keep bringing up these sold-out shows since the majority of you won't be able to attend or already have tickets and thus don't need this little preview post. However, I know that some of you who are reading this right now aren't in Austin and aren't necessarily hip to every blog-buzz band to hit the interwebs. It is for you folks that I mention the sold-out show featuring CSS and Sleigh Bells at La Zona Rosa Saturday night. From the moment the show was announced it, instantly, became the hottest ticket in town. I'm not sure how these artists are received in other markets but in Austin both CSS and Sleigh Bells are bona fide rock stars. Those of you who have followed along with this site for a few years know that I featured Sleigh Bells as an artist to look out for at the SXSW 2010 music fest and I also had the chance to chat with them at SXSW this year. Their music is powerful, abrasive, raw, dance music with a punk-rock attitude and their shows are loud, propulsive experiences filled with energy. If this is your first time hearing about Sleigh Bells do yourself a favor and treat yourself to a copy of their album, Treats.


Sleigh Bells - Rill Rill video via YouTube


CSS is a great match for Sleigh Bells their music is definitely not as in your face but it is certainly dance-rock. I, last, caught them at Stubb's where they played to a sold-out crowd opening up for Gnarls Barkley. They bring syncopated dance rhythms, bouncy keyboards, staccato guitars and some wild body-clinging uni-tards. Their latest album is their first since leaving Sub Pop and I haven't heard much from it but I'm guessing it doesn't sound like Bon Iver or anything. If you already have tickets for Saturday's sold-out show I highly-suggest you bring something to get sweaty and wear your dancing shoes. Oh, and you should probably bring some ear protection because both acts, especially Sleigh Bells, like their beer cold, and their music LOUD! If you're reading this outside of town you should do your best to try and catch these artists when they hit your area or at least rock 'em out in your car whilst sitting in traffic or rolling down the freeway.


CSS - Left Behind video via YouTube

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I Heart SubPop/Blitzen Trapper

I'm sure I've mentioned this in the past, but I love blogging about bands on the SubPop roster. They have such a blogging-friendly website. There are almost always mp3 samples to download, and video too. Not to mention easy to embed press photos. Pay attention UMG, this is how you promote your roster in an internet age.


Blitzen Trapper - Furr video via YouTube

Free mp3 ---> Blitzen Trapper - Furr <--- Thanks SubPop

I highly recommend you head on over to their list of artists. Any of the names in bold are current and you will most likely find free samples to check out. You can also peep their YouTube channel to stream 134 vids.

Here's a couple of highlights from the aforementioned channel:


Fleet Foxes - Mykonos video via YouTube

This CSS jam is the most viewed video on the channel. Go Brazil!!


CSS - Let's Make Love and Listen to Death From Above video via YouTube

I always love the chaos, noise-pop of the Go! Team, even if this isn't my favorite track of theirs:


the Go! Team - Doin' it Right video via YouTube

This track has been played to death by now, but it's still a great tune that stayed our little secret for the first year or so it was out:


The Postal Service - The District Sleeps Alone Tonight video via YouTube

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