Should I Leave the House Tonight?

Well, here we are. I'm dusting some digital cobwebs off of Austin Bloggy Limits because there's a bunch of good shows happening this weekend and if I don't post about them, I'll forget everything I wanted to see. Places you may or may not see me this evening include: Beerland, Hotel Vegas, Cheer-Up Charlies or My Couch.

All of these venues offer an array of positive reasons to attend the festivities they are hosting this evening. Beerland has Jonly Bonly, Trustees, Party Girl and Borzoi tonight. These bands may not be household names to you but they all offer the sort of visceral, authentic rock 'n roll experience I desire and deserve on a dreary night like tonight. Also, I've really enjoyed what I've heard from Put Together, the new LP from Jonly Bonly and I want to see those songs performed live.



Hotel Vegas also has a killer line-up tonight, which also features local bands with brand new records. Spray Paint's new LP, Clean Blood, Regular Acid, won't be released until next week but you can stream it right now via Stereogum and I have a feeling it MIGHT be available for purchase at tonight's gig. The Rebel is performing tonight in support of their new LP, K Rot, which you purchase online or in person right now. Tonight's Hotel Vegas gig isn't listed as an LP release show for John Wesley Coleman because he already did that but his latest, The Love That You Own is also a new release. Damn y'all! What's with all the new releases in September? All this talk of new releases made me lose track of the line-up, which also includes Ghetto Ghouls and Marriage. If you're accustom to very sterile, controlled concert experiences you should come to this show just so you can see how rock is supposed to be experienced.



Tonight's show at Cheer-Up Charlies ALSO features lots of great Austin bands with recent music releases. This show explores the more pop-music leaning side of Austin's rock music scene, which I'm also a big fan of. If my suggestions up to this point have seemed a bit "noisy" to your delicate aesthetic, then this venue might be a more appropriate choice for you this evening. There are THIRTEEN bands on the line-up for this event but at this point several of them have already performed. If I end up here tonight, I'll want to be there by 9:30 to catch Growl but the line-up is solid from top to bottom.



The fourth option I presented was My Couch, which features the ability to sit around in my underwear watching pre-recorded television, movies, access to pre-purchased beverages and snacks including alcohol. It does not require me to ride the bus, find a parking spot, deal with rain, make awkward conversation or walk. So, as you can see there are lots of excellent ways for me to spend my evening. What are you up to tonight? Should we do shots? Did you notice I started this post with the idea of highlighting stuff happening all weekend but then I only made it through tonight? You're welcome.


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Did I Fall Asleep?

Did I fall asleep? What's been happening with you lately? I feel like we never see each other, and it's totally my fault. I don't even know where to begin and I feel like in the interest of TLDR we should just pretend nothing happened and talk about today. That's what old friends do. You don't have to re-hash everything, you just pick-up where you left off. So, let's start there shall we?

The Both tour is back in Austin, this time they're playing the Mohawk. I expect by the time you're reading this, tickets will be sold-out but if they're not, you should get yourself some. The last time Aimee Mann and Ted Leo played Austin, they were at the Paramount- a much more austere setting. I'll be interested to hear people's thoughts who were fortunate enough to attend both the theater and club performances.


The Both - Milwaukee video via YouTube

Also on my radar this week: tomorrow night's ACL TV taping with Thao and the Get Down Stay Down, Friday night at Mohawk with Crocodiles, Tweens & Sweet Talk and Letting Up Despite Great Faults' album release show at Holy Mountain Saturday night.

Thao and the Get Down Stay Down's ACL TV taping tomorrow night will be streamed via YouTube starting at 8p CST. So, even if you didn't manage to get your hands on tickets, or even if you don't live in Austin you can watch tomorrow night's performance. You can also just grab yourself a ticket for TATGDSD's Saturday evening show at the Mohawk.

Speaking of the Mohawk, Friday night's show with Crocodiles, Tweens & Sweet Talk is the rock 'n roll medicine your body desires. Want to know why people love to see bands play loud rock 'n roll in small clubs? Spend $10 and swing by the Mohawk around 9:30 or 10:00 and you'll figure it out pretty quickly.


Tweens - Forever video via YouTube

This is a top to bottom great bill. So, don't show up late because you don't want to miss Sweet Talk and they're going on first.



Saturday night has several shows worth mentioning but I wanted to highlight Letting Up Despite Great Faults' show at Holy Mountain because it is an album-release show and I really dig, Neon, the new album. Tickets will only set you back $5 and the show is being presented by my friends at Austin Town Hall, Pop Press International & Side One Track One.



I'd also like to draw your attention to the line-up at Cheer-Up Charlies Saturday night, which starts with The Bad Lovers and finishes with A Giant Dog. Throw in some excellent food-truck grub, plenty of breezy outdoor spaces to relax and reasonably-priced beer and you pretty much can't go wrong.



I don't usually recommend shows on Sunday nights because I'm in my thirties and I get sleepy. However, this Sunday night Sylvan Esso is playing at Emo's and I plan on being there. If you want to be there too, get yourself a ticket and we can get up, get down with Sylvan Esso together.



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Protomartyr Tonight

What da shit you guys?! Tonight's Protomartyr show at Holy Mountain isn't sold-out yet?! Before you go any further get yourself a $10 ticket because the doors open in less than three hours and by all rights this show should have sold-out last week.

It just goes to show what a strange bubble SXSW can be. Last week I saw Eagulls who were tremendously buzzy before and during the festival but there was hardly anyone at their headlining show last week? Protomartyr came out of the festival critical darlings and several people whose taste I trust told me they were great at the festival but somehow this show isn't sold-out? What's going on Austin? Has the bro-culture surpassed the blog-culture? I know downtown is mostly brofessionals and trustafarians now but we working-class indie kids need to do our part too.



Part of me is afraid that bands like Protomartyr will woo Austin bands away to Detroit. As our city gets more crowded and expensive, urban wastelands like Detroit, Cleveland and Pittsburgh become more and more appealing to artists. After doing a quick Craigslist survey, it looks like you could live three months in Detroit for the cost of one month in Austin. Le sigh.

Regardless of trends in urban development and the possibility that we could lose our favorite bands to cheaper cities we need to focus on right now and right now we are preparing for tonight's show at Holy Mountain. We've already discussed the fact that Protomartyr is the headlining act and that they're from Detroit. Playing the support slots tonight will be Xetas and Simple Circuit. Both of those bands live here so don't let the Proto guys convince them to move ok?





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It's the Last Thursday in May!

It's the last Thursday in May! You know what that means?! It means there's a bunch of cool shit going on tonight! Should I finish every sentence in this post like this?! Can we feign this level of excitement?!?! The answer is, no. We can't do that and we won't do that.

Chaos in Tejas isn't back per se but they are presenting 7 shows over the course of 5 days and two of those shows will take place this evening over at Red 7. Floor reunited last year and decided to make a new record, which came out last month. Tonight you can hear them play songs from their first new album in over a decade simply by purchasing a $15 ticket and checking out their set on the inside stage.




Maybe you're not really into "Doom Rock"? That's cool, you might want to stick with Red 7 but just head to the alley out back because Parquet Courts are headlining the outside stage tonight. The inside and outside shows tonight do require separate ticket purchases and they will be using both the front and back doors, so to speak. Parquet Courts' new album is available in a limited-edition available exclusively to 7 record shops around the country including our-own End of an Ear.



Perhaps you have some sort of issue with Red 7? You don't like places that don't sell Budweiser or something? Don't sweat it because right across the street at Empire Control Room you can catch Heavenly Beat. Tickets for this show are $12 and don't expect Heavenly Beat to start until late in the evening, the event info specifies that the show will end at 2am.



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Easter Shmeaster

It's Easter weekend, which means Jelly Beans, Chocolate Rabbits and something about Mel Gibson sugar tits jews? IDK much about religion because I worship indie-rock and my spirituality is based on that show Sliders with Jerry O'Connell. I can tell you that if you want to hit the town and listen to some live music there are several good options. Shivery Shakes are playing a SXSW Cares benefit with Big Bill and Templo X at Spiderhouse Ballroom tonight. Not only are those bands kick ass, it's a benefit show so you can enjoy some music while negotiating your white-liberal guilt complex. You can also just donate to the cause if you wish.



Tomorrow is Record Store Day, which means I won't be sleeping in because I'll be getting in line three hours before the record stores open like the rest of the nerds. Some of the shops are doing "events" but the shopping is event enough for me. I'm not going to get into all of the details but I'll tell you that End of an Ear has my heart and Waterloo Records is going to have the biggest selection. If you're good at shotgunning beer you should bring some over to Trailer Space Records and demonstrate your skills for a discount. Speaking of Trailer Space they have some kick ass bands playing pretty much every day and tomorrow is no exception.

For your Saturday evening there are lots of good choices but not all of them are available at the moment. Canadian smoke-monster, Trust is performing a sold-out set on Red 7's inside stage. I saw that motherfucker at SXSW and the set was pretty bonkers. RIYL: 80's Night at Elysium.

If you didn't get tickets for Trust but you're still in the mood for a touring act, The Sounds will be at Emo's on Saturday night. They have Ghost Beach and Blondfire with them so arrive early to get more for your money. Tickets are still available and it wouldn't really surprise me if you could just buy them at the door tomorrow.

Did I mention Reggae Fest is this weekend? No? I wonder why I didn't mention that.

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Spending Time and Money on a Saturday

If downtown calls to you on a Saturday night, as it's want to do, I have a few ideas for how you might want to spend your time and money. First things first, who's driving? Who's drinking? What's your timeline? Where are you gonna park? What the fuck are you thinking? Maybe you should just stay home. Blog over.


Pure X - Heaven video via YouTube

The new Pure X record is spaced-out psychedelic-easy-listening. I'm not even sure that's a thing but it sort of makes me feel like I'm listening to a warped Real Estate record after drinking more than the recommended dosage of Tussin. Maybe that's not the most appealing description but I thoroughly enjoy this band and I think you might as well. They're playing Empire Control Room this evening along with M Geddes Gengras. This event should only cost you $8 at the door and I'd expect music to start closer to 10pm.

Maybe psychedelic easy-listening's not your thing? I can respect that. Sometimes you need something a bit more visceral, a real-ass rock 'n roll experience. Well, if that's your thing then you should head on over to Beerland for the Ghetto Ghouls' record-release show. You can buy the band's self-titled LP now from Monofonous for $15 or you can put that money in the hands of the band that made it (or people who know them) at Beerland this evening. Tonight's show is a tour kick-off show, so maybe you could fling fuel cards at the stage instead of just empty beer cans tonight?



Ok, so you don't like psychedelic-easy-listening, you're not interested in the Ghetto Ghouls show either, maybe I can interest you in some power-pop? Cheer-Up Charlies is always the perfect place to end up any night you happen to be downtown and tonight is no exception. First of all admission is free to anyone over 21+ so, if you're tight on funds there's that. If you're not tight on funds, there's usually a donation can at the door for the bands I'm about to recommend. Alms for the poor and all that. The line-up includes Party Girl, Those Howlings, The Mole People, and Growl. Check the Event Page for set times.

Not into guitars whatsoever? Damn boo, you picky. I gotchu though. This is Austin, so far this post has kept shit local. If we're going with that vibe I'm pointing you over to Lambert's for Corduroi and Holiday Mountain. I heard Laurie Gallardo call Holiday Mountain "dub-pop" on KUT. I'm not exactly sure I know what that means but I do know that this poster will tell you everything you need to know about this event. #molly



Ok, so you don't like psych-easy, you're not into garage-punk, you don't like power-pop/guitar-shit and that Holiday Mountain poster scared the shit out of you. Well I have a recommendation even for a judgy prick such as yourself. International superstar DJ/Producer Duke Dumont is in Austin hot on the heels of his Coachella appearance last night and he's playing Kindgom. That's right, the club you get to in that alley behind the Frost Tower is hosting Duke Dumont tonight. If that's not exciting to you, then either you're not into dance music, you're not as gay as I am, or you just discovered Disclosure in which case you'll regret missing this show in roughly 8 months. Tickets are $20 for this show and I wouldn't expect that they'll be available by the time the doors open so if you want in, pay now.


Duke Dumont - Need U (100%) video via YouTube

Still not hearing anything that appeals to you?

Start your own blog.

#dontdodrugs

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SXSW 2014 Preview: SW/MM/NG

Each single SW/MM/NG released last year was better than the last and I liked the first one. The band has been around for several years releasing demos, singles and EPs but they only hit my radar in the fall of last year. With a touch of garage, a dash of psychedelia and enough melody to be a pop band this band will jangle their way into your cold, black heart if you let them. It doesn't look like you'll have too many opportunities to see SW/MM/NG at SXSW but the band is based in Fayettville, which leads me to believe they'll be coming back through Austin several times this year. If I lived in Fayettville I think I would try to be on tour at least 300 days a year.


SW/MM/NG - Some Dreams Come True video via YouTube

Did I say a few chances to catch SW/MM/NG? Well, it looks like there is actually only one and that's their official showcase. If you don't have official SXSW credentials, don't fret. SW/MM/NG's showcase is at Valhalla, which is quite large and I expect the cover will only be around $10 if you don't have official credentials. You can find the full line-up on the Old Flame & Bar/None Records Official SXSW Showcase presented by Revolution Songs Event Page.

Spotify Playlists

• Best of SXSW 2014
• Short List | SXSW 2014
• Long List | SXSW 2014

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Review: Angel Olsen at Red 7

The buzz behind Angel Olsen has been building steadily surrounding the release of her latest record, Burn Your Fire For No Witness. Angel is not new to the indie scene by any means but it seems audiences have finally caught up to her sonically. Like many contemporary indie artists, it is almost impossible to nail down what genre she plays and I'm sure that's just the way she likes it. Contemporary musicians live in the same iPod universe you live in and they listen to a huge array of musical styles just like you, and the best of these musicians have found a way to acknowledge their many influences without merely ape-ing them. I could hear Grace Slick, Loretta Lynn and Ronnie Spector in Angel Olsen's songs last night. As a performer she is absolutely captivating, she has that quality in which each audience member feels as though they are being personally serenaded.


Angel Olsen - Hi-Five video via YouTube

Before leaving my apartment last night I was dreading a disrespectful audience. I knew that there was a lot of buzz surrounding Angel Olsen, which means there are a lot of people who will want to say they were there who might not actually care about listening. I haven't listened to a lot of songs from Angel but I knew that the arrangements were delicate and that there would be lots of quiet moments during the performance. Luckily, the audience last night was incredibly reverent. I'm not saying that it was pin-drop quiet and that's not what I expect but people weren't yelling over the music about completely inane matters. For the most part the sold-out crowd just stared, trying to catch all of the lyrics as the dark, brooding music swelled. There was a moment during the last song in which a dude started shouting at someone who was apparently trying to quiet down their section of the crowd. The yelling dude kept saying that the shoosher was the rude one for scolding everyone around them. The outburst was HIGHLY noticeable and it made Angel Olsen visibly uncomfortable. She continued performing her song but that song turned out to be the last one with no encore, which the audience was DEFINITELY waiting for. Even when the houselights finally came up, at least a third of the crowd stood in place staring at the stage in hopes of hearing another tune.

Part of my logic for going out to Red 7 last night was to see Angel Olsen before SXSW so that I wouldn't have to take time during the festival to see her. That may sound odd to those of you who don't attend SXSW but for my fellow veterans, you get me. I know that most of you reading this were not at the show last night and you WILL be going to SXSW so I can tell you that the hype is substantiated. Angel Olsen is not famous for being pretty, or popular because the cool blogs said she is, she is the real deal. This is a performer with star quality, who writes beautiful, haunting music and she is backed by an incredibly solid and versatile group of musicians.

In other words, I highly recommend her as an artist to watch during SXSW however, I have to add some caveats. Angel Olsen has two official showcases during the festival and those are the only events that will do her act justice. If you're planning to see her during some drunken day-party in a parking lot filled with people grappling for free, domestic, light beers then just don't. Also, I expect that Angel will be playing the summer festival circuit and I think that's great for her and that she will win new fans that way but that is not the ideal environment for her music either. You want to see Angel Olsen in an environment that encourages rapt attention. Ideally, you will see her Friday night Pitchfork showcase performance at the Central Presbyterian Church. That will be her first official showcase THAT NIGHT, then she will play again at Red Eyed Fly the very same evening.

I just wanted to add that I had mentioned to a friend last night that both Angel Olsen and Jess Williamson have that haunted country quality that I love about T-Bone Burnett produced music. Then after Angel's first song, while she was changing the tuning of her guitar she asked the audience if they've been watching True Detective. I thought that was funny because T-Bone is the music supervisor for that show and Angel Olsen's music would fit perfectly in the show tonally. Turns out Angel is fixated on the paper dolls that Matthew McConaughey's character constructs out of Lone Star cans. But that is neither here nor there.

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There are so many great shows taking place this weekend, including two noteworthy shows both happening at Red 7. Look out Mohawk, Red 7 is becoming my favorite place in Austin to catch a show. Granted the two venues are cousins but nonetheless Red 7 is my top choice for this evening as they host headliners, Gardens & Villa on the inside stage. Tickets are still available online so it's possible you could just pay the cover at the door. However, the latest release from Gardens & Villa is fucking great so it's possible this show could sell out in the next couple of hours.


Gardens & Villa - Bullet Train video via YouTube

Meanwhile, just outside the double doors from Gardens & Villa you'll find legendary band, Sebadoh. Tickets for the outside show are completely separate from the inside performance and you'll enter from the alley behind Red 7. Again, these tickets are still available at the moment but the show is only a few hours away so it's possible they'll be gone before doors open. Purchase NOW if you're interested in either of these shows.

If you want to keep things on the purely local tip, I recommend checking out Dana Falconberry and Jack Wilson over at Swan Dive. This show promises to be the perfect date show, if that's your thing and if you're flying solo or hanging when friends then maybe Jack and Dana will be your Valentines? There are three tiers of tickets available for this intimate event, one of which is already sold-out.


Dana Falconberry & Jack Wilson - Swan Dive Tonight! video via YouTube

Saturday be sure to investigate MapJam. It's a really interesting event in which great Austin bands play a free set in various spaces on the east side throughout tomorrow afternoon. I particularly want to highlight Growl and Magna Carda. Growl has been nominated for an Austin Music Blogger Award and Magna Carda will be performing at the awards event on Thursday, February 27th. I would love to see you at the AMBAs and I encourage you to buy your ticket in advance as the price will increase on the day of the show.







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Let's Go to Everything!

Alright y'all, there are a bevy of excellent shows to see this evening. I'm going to highlight four of them here. My top highlight for this evening is the Disclosure show at Stubb's. However, I will add that that particular show is mostly sold-out. I say mostly because the only tickets available are VIP tickets, which will set you back over $140 a piece. I know that some of us ball that hard but most of us don't, which is fine because there are still three more kick-ass shows going on tonight.

For those of you unfamiliar with Disclosure they are a pair of brothers from the U.K. who, un-ironically, produce 90's house-music for a new generation. Their record, Settle was one of my favorite releases of 2013. I have yet to see them live and I will conceit that it won't be the same without all of the guest vocalists who appear on the record. However, I anticipate the stage setup will be pretty elaborate and I know that the brothers Disclosure have a very engaging way of creating their songs live, mixing live instrumentation with on-the-fly sampling and loops. In other words, it won't just look like dudes nodding at their laptops.


Disclosure ft. Mary J. Blige - F For You video via YouTube

Speaking of my favorite albums of 2013, Darkside is also performing this evening. That means the creators of two of my favorite electronic records of 2013 are both in town together. You can find Darkside at Emo's tonight, which means you could conceivably see both Disclosure and Darkside. It would be quite a Yin and Yang experience to catch their sets back-to-back. Disclosure is very light, easily palatable electronic music. Darkside is just as their name implies, dark. This is not electronic music for ravers, this is electronic music for reading a book. In other words, Darkside is some pretty serious shit.

I might also suggest that, following the Disclosure show you head over to Red 7 for Learning Secrets' 10th Anniversary party. Delorean is headlining and I honestly can't believe this show isn't sold-out yet. Those dudes came all the way here from Spain and Learning Secrets only turns 10 once so if you don't go to this show, you'll have to wait like 15 more years for the next important birthday. Can you wait 15 years?

TONIGHT'S RED 7 SET TIMES:
Doors| 9pm
Learning Secrets DJs| 9pm - 11pm
Until The Ribbon Breaks| 11pm - 11:45pm
Learning Secrets DJs| 11:45pm - 12:45am
Delorean| 12:45am - 1:45am

Hell, with those set times you could POSSIBLY catch Disclosure, Darkside and Delorean. That would be a pain in the ass and pretty expensive but it's possible?

Hey rock kids, I haven't forgotten you. My top non-electronic/dance pick for this evening is the Holy Wave show at Hotel Vegas. There aren't advance tickets for this event and the event listing doesn't really have a cover price plainly evident BUT I would guess that it's going to be somewhere in the $10 range. In case this is your first time seeing the name Holy Wave they play woozy, Nuggets-era psychedelic music that is best experienced live. If you're a fan of Austin Psych Fest then you should definitely be at Hotel Vegas tonight to celebrate the release of Holy Wave's new LP, Relax.


Holy Wave - Wet and Wild video via YouTube

• Disclosure | Stubb's
• Darkside | Emo's
• Delorean | Red 7 (Inside)
• Holy Wave | Hotel Vegas

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Planning Ahead: Don't Miss These Shows

In looking ahead at what artists we can expect to see in our fair city the first thing one should consider is SXSW. If you haven't been thinking about SXSW since Thanksgiving, you're clearly an amateur. If you're reading this from outside of Austin and thinking, "Maybe I should check out SXSW this year." It's already too late. If you are an Austin resident then I HIGHLY encourage you to fork out the $189 for a music wristband (On sale Feb 6th to Austin residents only.) That may seem like a lot of money since you can "...see all of the same bands for free at day-parties..." but trust me when I tell you it's a much different experience.

Day parties are great and I love free alcohol as much as the next functioning alcoholic but some of those things are an Absolut shit show. (You see what I did there?) Last year all of my SXSW highlights took place at official showcases. I still went to day-parties but I only went to ones I knew would run on time and have good sound. That narrows it down to roughly three day parties.

I started my list of upcoming event with next week. You're on your own for the rest of the week. If a listing has been struck-through it means the show is already sold-out. Sorry Vampy Weekend fans. Clicking the artist's name will bring you to their Facebook page so you can "Like" and "connect" with them. Clicking the venue name brings you to the ticketing and/or events page. These posts take me FOREVER so please share this with anyone and everyone otherwise it feels like a huge waste of time. This Beyonce video isn't even remotely related to this post. You're welcome.


Beyonce - XO video via YouTube

Monday January 27th

• Pure Bathing Culture w/La Luz | Red 7 (Inside)
• Prefuse 73 w/FaltyDL | Mohawk (Outside)

Tuesday, January 28th

• Fucked Up | Mohawk (Outside)

Wednesday, January 29th

• Cate Le Bon w/Kevin Morby & Love Inks | Mohawk
• Nakia | The Belmont

Thursday, January 30th

• Dam-Funk | Red 7
• Shooter Jennings | Stubb's

Friday, January 31st

• Disclosure | Stubb's
• Darkside | Emo's
• Delorean | Red 7 (Inside)
• Holy Wave | Hotel Vegas

Wednesday, February 5t

• Yuck | Red 7 (Inside)
• Ash | Stubb's (Inside)

Thursday, February 6th

• Superchunk w/Waxahatchee | Mohawk

Friday, February 7th

• Russian Circles | Red 7

Sunday, February 9th

• The Spits w/OBN III's & Flesh Lights | Red 7

Wednesday, February 12th

• John Talabot | Kingdom
• Hayes Carll | Cactus Cafe

Thursday, February 13th

• The Sword | Mohawk
• Poi Dog Pondering | Continental Club

Friday, February 14th

• Sebadoh | Red 7 (Outside)
• Gardens & Villa | Red 7 (Inside)
• El Ten Eleven | Mohawk (Outside)
• White Lies w/Frankie Rose | Emo's
• Bad Sports | The North Door
• Dana Falconberry | Swan Dive

Monday, February 17th

• Hospitality | Red 7
• Neutral Milk Hotel | ACL-Live

Tuesday, February 18th

• Lord Huron | Emo's
• Neutral Milk Hotel | ACL-Live

Wednesday, February 19th

• Cibo Matto | Mohawk (Outside)

Thursday, February 20th

• Kodaline w/LP | Emo's
• Quilt | Mohawk

Friday, February 21st

• Dr. Dog | Stubb's (Outside)
• Sea Wolf (Acoustic) | Lambert's

Saturday, February 22nd

• Shearwater | The North Door
• Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. | Emo's

Sunday, February 23rd

• Hall & Oates | ACL-Live

Wednesday, February 26th

• Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings | ACL-Lve

Saturday, March 1st

• "Pixies" w/Best Coast | Austin Music Hall
• Four Tet | Mohawk
• Dropkick Murphys | Stubb's
• Keller Williams | Emo's

Monday, March 3rd

• Lorde | Austin Music Hall

Wednesday, March 5th

• Com Truise | Red 7

SXSW

Friday, March 21st

• Xiu Xiu | Holy Mountain
• Flogging Molly | Stubb's

Satuday, March 22nd

• Ellie Goulding | Austin Music Hall

Friday, March 28th

• Moistboyz w/Meat Puppets | Mohawk

Saturday, April 5th

• Grouplove w/MS MR & Smallpools | Stubb's

Sunday, April 6th

• Grouplove w/MS MR & Smallpools | Stubb's

Monday, April 7th

• Chromeo | Stubb's

Wednesday, April 9th

• Local Natives | Stubb's

Thursday, April 10th

• Arcade Fire | Austin360 Amphitheater

Friday, April 11th

• Mobb Deep | Parish

Sunday, April 13th

• Mac DeMarco | Mohawk

Wednesday, April 16th

• Flume | Emo's

Wednesday, April 23rd

• Future Islands | Mohawk
• Haim | Stubb's

Thursday, April 24th

• Vampire Weekend | Stubb's
• Mogwai | Emo's

Friday, April 25th

• Vampire Weekend | Stubb's
• Bastille | Emo's

Friday, May 2nd - Sunday, May 4th

• Austin Psych Fest | Carson Creek Ranch

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Free Week(end)

No, Austin Bloggy Limits didn't go under I'm just lazy. Free Week started Wednesday but I haven't said a peep about it. Consider this post my peep. I'm going to get real with you for a minute and admit that I am not prepared for this week in the least. If you have never participated in Free Week, this week is your week to shine. As the name implies, there are a bunch of venues in the Red River-region that are hosting live music events with NO COVER CHARGE. The idea behind this non-festival is to showcase Austin's local music talent and to get butts in bars buying beers. In previous years I have highlighted some artists you should check out but this year I'm taking a different approach. I want to discover artists at the venues this year so, I'm not going to tell you who to see where. Instead, I suggest you commit to one or two venues a night and check out all of the artists who are playing at said venue. Take note of your favorite and support the shit out of them.


Major Major Major - Scream Queen video via YouTube

As if I'm not going to tell you what venues to go to. Do you know what a control freak I am?

Tonight you better get your ass over to Holy Mountain and stay there. The line-up is killer with Mind Spiders Church Shoes playing the headlining slot. Not only that, but Zlam Dunk are reuniting! Honestly though, you could hit almost any Free Week venue tonight and have fun. OBN IIIs are headlining Beerland, Residual Kid is over at the Mohawk and you can catch Hundred Visions at Hotel Vegas.

For Saturday night my top recommendations include Ringo Deathstarr at the Belmont and Ghetto Ghouls with Spray Paint at Beerland.

Sunday night is all about Grape St. at Red 7 but if you're not into messy rock 'n roll you might prefer to catch The Bread at Holy Mountain. The free shows continue into next week but that's all I'm going to talk about for now. If I can get my shit together, I'll give you some more tips early next week. For now, I'm out!

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Weekend Plans

It's a typical weekend in Austin, which means there are a ton of good shows for you to catch. For my money, there is better stuff happening tonight than on Saturday night, which is kind of bizarre but that's just the way the dice land sometimes. Or roll? I don't know, something about dice. Let's do this!

Tonight is all about Red 7's outside stage. Technically, Dead Confederate are headlining but I'm all about Equals and Residual Kid. Both of whom share tonight's bill. You can buy tickets online right now or you can roll the dice and pay at the door. That's your call.


Equals - Live video via YouTube

Friday night there are actually too many good shows so we're just going to stay home in our jammies and listen to Debbie Gibson records instead. No? Not feelin' that? More of a Tiffany fan? I feel that.

Chvrches play Stubb's Friday night, which is sold-out but you can also see them for free at 5pm inside Waterloo Records. There's a great local line-up at Mohawk featuring Boyfrndz, Growl, GoldSpine and TAFT

Friday night also has Besnard Lakes stopping by Red 7 with Elephant Stone in tow. If you like psychedelic music then this is the only place for you Friday night.


Elephant Stone - Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin video via YouTube

Oh shit you guys, Cass McCombs is in town tomorrow night too! How the fuck are we supposed to sort all of this out? The only thing that makes me weary of the Cass show is the crowd. I feel like if people talked through his set I might stab them in the eyes with brooches Oedipus-stylee.

I don't really have a segue from that Oedipus reference but I wanted to mention that if you're down with dance music, The Juan MacLean will be at Kingdom Friday night as well. It's like show-a-polooza on Friday.

On Saturday I'm presenting you with two choices, Built to Spill at Stubb's or head to Holy Mountain for Walker Lukens, Roger Sellers, Royal Forest & She Sir.

Sunday is the Lord's day but he is going to share it with Charli XCX who will be performing two sets. First you can catch Charli at Waterloo Records. That set starts at 5pm and I can't imagine what that will entail. A few hours later she'll take the stage in Austin's best sounding room, The Parish. I'm not sure if I'll be able to attend this show but I really want to. I love Charli, love the Parish, love free street parking, one love.


Charli XCX - SuperLove video via YouTube

Charli XCX Photo Credit: Angelo Kritikos

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FunFunFun Fest 2013: Saturday

It's ridiculous to call this post a highlights post. I basically just re-listed everything happening on Saturday of FunFunFun Fest because everything is worth at least checking out. Alright, that's a bit hyperbolic but this is a blog and that's what you do on a blog. You use hyperbole and, if you're me, you also use the CAPS LOCK KEY AND YOU FUCKING SWEAR! Take THAT print journalism! Back to Fun Fest for a minute, one of the many great things about this particular festival is you can actually move from stage to stage. I'm not saying it's easy but it's easier than it is at some other music festivals so it is conceivable that you can catch bits and pieces from M.I.A., Descendants & Ice-T. These are headlining acts at FunFunFun Fest and this is why we love FunFunFun Fest. These three artists seem to have nothing in common yet the audience for this festival wants to see all of these artists. Maybe I shouldn't speak for the entire audience of a music festival but I'm still being hyperbolic GODDAMNIT!


Chromatics _Cherry video via YouTube

• 12:00 Frank Smith | Orange Stage
• 12:45 Roger Sellers | Blue Stage
• 12:50 Ola Podrida | Orange Stage
• 12:50 Unlocking the Truth | Black Stage
• 1:40 Bleached | Orange Stage
• 2:30 White Lung | Black Stage
• 2:40 Merchandise | Orange Stage
• 3:20 Melt Banana | Black Stage
• 3:35 Jenny Slate | Yellow Stage
• 3:40 Chelsea Light Moving | Orange Stage
• 4:05 Doug Benson | Yellow Stage
• 4:15 Chromatics | Blue Stage
• 4:35 Craig Robinson | Yellow Stage
• 4:45 Geographer | Orange Stage
• 5:15 Glass Candy | Blue Stage
• 5:20 Tenacious D | Yellow Stage
• 5:50 Television | Orange Stage
• 6:20 Tycho | Blue Stage
• 6:25 Body Count | Black Stage
• 6:25 Quasi | Yellow Stage
• 7:00 Deerhunter | Orange Stage
• 7:30 Sparks | Yellow Stage
• 7:30 Simian Mobile Disco (DJ Set) | Blue Stage
• 7:30 Judge | Black Stage
• 8:30 M.I.A. | Orange Stage
• 8:45 Ice-T | Blue Stage
• 8:45 Descendents | Black Stage

My goal was to highlight three must-see bands for each day of the festival but for Saturday, I'm going to cheat. I'm using Glass Candy/Chromatics as one vote. They are two bands and they aren't outrageously similar but they aren't outrageously different either and they're both on Italians Do It Better, so we're calling that one highlight.

I'm also cheating a bit by highlighting Television as a must-see band because they are a legacy band. Every legacy band is a must-see band in the sense that you might never get another opportunity to see them perform again. I try to highlight bands who are on their way up and not getting as much attention but come on, how am I not going to highlight Television? This is a band that I never thought that I would see live. This is a band that broke-up before I was born. They re-formed in the early 90's and played a few gigs here and there but it never really occurred to me that I would have the chance to see them myself. So, yeah don't miss Television. Watch most of Glass Candy then head over to the Orange Stage for Television at 5:50.

My third and final Saturday highlight it going to Lee Fields & the Expressions because I'm breaking all the rules of this highlights post. You'll find Mr. Fields and Co. at Red 7 after you get kicked out of Auditorium Shores. As I mentioned in a previous post, I don't recommend hopping Nites shows because they'll fill up early and stay full. If you leave one venue, chances are wherever you're heading already has a line of people waiting to get in. The list of artists below are just one example of who you will see if you head to these different venues. If you like one of the names below, you'll probably like the other acts on that bill as well.

• Lee Fields & the Expressions | Red 7
• Twin Shadow | ACL-Live
• Chet Faker | Empire Control Room
• Tenacious D | Mohawk
• Bleached | The ND
• Del the Funky Homosapien | Belmont

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FunFunFun Fest 2013: Friday

FunFunFun Fest is here y'all! The festival gates at Auditorium Shores open tomorrow but the Nites start this evening. Yesterday, I posted a quick little guide highlighting my favorite events for this evening. In this post, I'll attempt to help you map out your Fun Fest Friday. I will say, that I am not now, nor have I have I ever been someone who listens to, or is familiar with punk, metal, hardcore or even hard rock music. I have nothing against these genres, it just never appealed to me and it mostly still doesn't. That means that I have a HUGE blindspot in my Fun Fest coverage. I am aware of that fact and I want to be plain with you about it as well. That means these highlight posts won't really talk about what's happening on the Black Stage. I'm sorry but that's just the way things are.

Like I said, the festival gates open tomorrow but you can pick up your wristband or buy a wristband right now and until midnight tonight at Auditorium Shores and/or at Holy Mountain. If you do that this evening you can attend any of the Nites shows tonight for free, you also will be able to walk into the festival on Friday, without stopping at the Box Office on your way in. The downside is you'll be sleeping with that damn wristband for one extra night. You decide what's worth it.


Active Child - Subtle featuring Mikky Ekko video via YouTube

It's tough to post highlights for Fun Fest because the whole thing is highlights for me. Not only that, the artists who I'm not highlighting are often artists that I haven't discovered yet. I had never heard of Active Child the first time they performed at Fun Fest and now they are one of my must-see artists. So, at the end of this post I'll give you three must-see acts for the day in addition to the list below this paragraph.

• 12:35 | The Tontons | Orange Stage
• 1:25 | Active Child | Orange Stage
• 2:00 | Poolside | Blue Stage
• 2:15 | Beach Fossils | Orange Stage
• 3:00 | Ceremony | Black Stage
• 3:05 | Star Slinger | Blue Stage
• 3:15 | Mac Demarco | Orange Stage
• 4:05 | The Impossibiles | Black Stage
• 4:10 | Little Boots | Blue Stage
• 4:15 | Johnny Marr | Orange Stage
• 5:15 | No Age | Black Stage
• 5:15 | Small Black | Blue Stage
• 5:20 | Patton Oswalt | Yellow Stage
• 5:20 | Kurt Vile | Orange Stage
• 6:20 | Big Freedia | Blue Stage
• 6:25 | The Walkmen | Orange Stage
• 6:25 | Thee Oh Sees | Black Stage
• 7:25 | Lupe Fiasco | Blue Stage
• 7:30 | Bill Callahan | Yellow Stage
• 7:35 | Cut Copy | Orange Stage
• 8:45 | RJD2 | Blue Stage
• 8:45 | Snoop | Orange Stage

I decided to not go to my day-job (paying job) on Friday so that I could see Active Child play the Orange Stage at 1:25p. I love Active Child so much that I lost money in order to catch his early set. So, obviously he is one of my three "Can't Miss Artists" on Friday. My second can't miss is, Mac Demarco. I'm not saying that because I have seen him before or even because I particularly love his albums. I am picking Mac because I have yet to see him perform live and I have heard really good things. Also, I like his albums but I feel like after I see him play the Orange Stage at 3:15 on Friday I'll love his albums. My third and final "Can't Miss Artist" for Friday is, Cut Copy. I'm kind of bummed that they're up against Lupe Fiasco because I would like to see him too but as someone who has seen Cut Copy twice before I can assure you that they kick serious ass live and their new record is excellent.


Cut Copy - Free Your Mind video via YouTube

Now, I'd like to make some recommendations for Nites shows as well but it's a bit tricky. As you know, the Nites are free, which means that the venues are all first come, first served. That means you're going to have to work out a plan with the evening shows. It's not going to be easy to see several sets at several venues. My top recommendation is let your heart guide you. Try to focus on one venue. Find the one set happening Friday night that you just have to attend and watch all of the sets at that venue. One of the greatest things about FunFunFun Fest is that it is a festival where you can make new music discoveries. The folks who curate the festival and it's evening shows are on-the-ball and you can trust them to curate some great line-ups.

In the spirit of let your heart be your guide, I encourage you to let your genre be your guide. I'm going ot list some artists and the venue they're playing at. Whichever of these artists speaks to you most powerfully is where you should go.

• Sarah Silverman | State Theater
• Merchandise | Red 7 (Inside)
• Mac Demarco | The ND
• Thee Oh Sees | Beerland
• Holy Wave | Hotel Vegas
• Misfits | Elysium
• Star Slinger | Belmont
• Poolside | Parish

Like I said, the above list does not even begin to touch upon all of the artists you can see after the fest closes its gates on Friday night. My thought is, you'll pick an artist from the list above, you'll choose that venue as your home-base and you'll enjoy the other artists on the bill as well. For instance, if you're drawn to the Merchandise show at Red 7, you'll also enjoy The Young, Lemuria and Chelsea Light Moving all of whom will grace the inside stage between 10:15pm and 2:00am.

Good luck, godspeed, dress appropriately and for the love of Oprah shut the fuck up while the band is playing. Thank you and happy festing.


Mac DeMarco - My Kind of Woman video via YouTube


Mac DeMarco Photo Credit: Brad Elterman

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FunFunFun Fest 2013: Wednesday/Thursday

My first FunFunFunFest-related event is happening at the Barton Creek Mall at 4pm today. Fun Fest artist, Small Black will be playing a free set at Nordstrom today and I intend to be there. Tomorrow at 9pm, you can catch a free in-store from Beach Fossils at a Swatch Store on 2nd street as well. The fest's official, unofficial start is tomorrow night with the FunFunFun Nites shows. You probably already knew this but when you strap that Fun Fest wristband on, it gets you in to all of the Nites events at no additional charge. If you only bought a single day pass, that will still get you in to all of Thursday's Nites events but that is only true for Thursday shows. Every other evening, you will only have access to the Nites shows on the night of your single-day pass. There will be a temporary box office setup at Holy Mountan on Thursday from Noon to Midnight so, if you need to pick up your Will-Call tickets or you still need to buy tickets to the fest, you may do so there. There will also be an on-site box office at Auditorium Shores, which will be open starting at noon tomorrow as well.


Beach Fossils - Generational Synthetic video via YouTube

If you're planning to just stick with one venue Thursday night, I would choose the Mohawk. It's not the only venue with a good Nites show tomorrow but it will get you the most bang for the proverbial buck. You'll want to arrive downtown early to pick up your wristband and get inside the 'Hawk by 8pm to catch Roger Sellers followed by The Tontons. Since these Nites shows are first come, first served be sure to plan ahead. Prepare to stand in line, prepare to be patient and polite with the staff and your fellow patrons. Kurt Vile is headlining the outside stage tomorrow night so, I expect the Mohawk to be the most crowded of all of the Nites venues on Thursday. Don't show up at 9pm and expect to wander in freely.

Once you are inside the fortress of rock that is the Mohawk you have the opportunity to catch sets from 6 bands. I already mentioned the three bands playing the outside stage but once Kurt Vile puts his guitar away you can head inside and catch Dana Falconberry at 11pm. She'll be followed by The Migrant and then Leopold and his Fiction at 1am.

Another strategy for tomorrow night might be to catch the outside show at Mohawk and then skip over to Red 7. That's not my number one recommendation because I love Dana Falconberry and I'd prefer you didn't skip her set HOWEVER, the line-up at Red 7 tomorrow night kicks some serious ass. Most specifically, you'll want to be there by 11:15 at the latest because that's when Dikes of Holland hit the stage. Their set will be followed by, the always spectacular, OBN III's. That's a seriously awesome back-to-back of Austin rock 'n roll.

Too much rock for you? Well, there's a dance party over at The Parish Thursday night and RJD2 is playing a headlining set some time after midnight. Sure, that means venturing into the heart of Dirty 6th but it also means seeing RJD2. You decide what's worth it.



If you're still on the fence about whether or not to attend FunFunFun Fest let me help you out, yes you should go. No, not for just one day, you should get a three day pass. Yes, you should buy me liquor drinks and Topo Chico when you see me at the club. No, you shouldn't wear those toe shoes. Yes, you should cut that pony tail. No, you shouldn't vote Republican.

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Cults at Emo's Tonight

Alright y'all, I know you're bummed that you didn't get to see NIN's ACL TV appearance tonight but that doesn't mean you can't rock 'n roll. Tickets to see Cults at Emo's tonight are still available. I had never heard a song by Cults the first time I saw them and they blew me away. Their music is much lighter and more fun than their name might imply with vocals that evoke Leslie Gore. The first single from their latest album, Static, is one of my favorite songs of the year and the record really delivers on the whole as well.


Cults - High Road video via YouTube

Cults are headlining but the bill for tonight's show at Emo's is a stellar indie line-up from top to bottom with Mood Rings opening and SACCO middling. To be honest, I have never heard of this band SACCO so I think it's really smart to have them play in the middle because Mood Rings are great so people will arrive early and they're obviously going to stay for the headliners. So having SACCO play the middle set will give them more exposure than if they were opening. However, for all I know all of you are really big fans of SACCO and you have never heard of Mood Rings I sort of live in a bubble that way.


Mood Rings - The Line video via YouTube

If Cults aren't really your thing, you might be interested to know that NoBunny is also in town tonight. You can catch them over at Red 7 this evening.

Find out what other note-worthy shows are hitting Austin this month. That show is only $12 and it will take place on the inside stage.




Cults Photo Credit: Olivia Malone
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