Delta Spirit at Emo's Tonight

Alright kiddos it's the eve of ACL Fest and it's your final night of, "see a show every night leading up to ACL Fest." For tonight, it's a 2 for 1 kind of deal, I'm sending you to our beloved Emo's to see Delta Spirit. See, it's a 2 for 1 because it's an OFFICAL ACL aftershow, even though it's actually a pre-show. You can still get tickets and they're less than $20. As I mentioned yesterday, Delta Spirit are playing the same time as Fool's Gold at the fest, so this will be a great opportunity for you to see both bands perform full sets.

Delta Spirit - White Table video via YouTube

Of course, given that tonight is the unofficial kick-off to ACL weekend, there are lots and lots of shows for you to check out. Some of these shows you can just pay at the door, some require purchasing tickets in advance and some are crazy exclusive. One of my favorite hip-hop producer/DJ's is in town tonight at Red 7, you might know him as the DJ for North Carolina's Little Brother, that's right I'm talking about 9th Wonder. Tickets are only $10 and anyone who is a fan of hip-hop will be highly entertained. Perhaps you're familiar with his work already and didn't realize it. Here's one of my favorite of 9th Wonder's productions.

Erykah Badu - Honey video via YouTube

Just a door or two away from the 9th Wonder show, over at Beauty Bar you can catch all sorts of great Austin bands at the Art Disaster party. All sorts of genres will be represented with both DJ's and bands spinning, performing and generally destroying any and all types of music. Click the link for the full rundown on who is playing when, and on which stage. You can also download a free mixtape from the site and RSVP for entry.

Now, is the part where I mention the more exclusive shows. No offense, but if you didn't already know about these ones your chances are getting in are quite marginal. There is a mini-British-invasion at Austin's W Hotel tonight, with performances by both Coldplay and Katy B. Coldplay are taping an episode of Austin City Limits in the Moody Theater, which promises to be their most intimate performance in years. However, word on the tweet is they are bringing their full-arena show into the much smaller space. I'm talking balloons, confetti, balloons filled with confetti and Chris Martin running his tiny-ass off. Katy B is bringing her U.K. dancefloor bangers to the Great Room in the W as part of their Symmetry Live series. It will be one of Katy's first shows in the U.S. and I, for one, am very excite to see her perform.

Katy B - Witches Brew video via YouTube

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Planning Ahead aka. Get Your Tix Now (July)

Well, I know that FunFunFun Fest isn't until November but you should keep on top of the ticket situation early so you can get them the cheapest.


the New Pornographers - Your Hands (Together) video via YouTube

In the more near future, there aren't too, too many acts hitting Austin in July that I expect to sell-out. I already mentioned a while back that the New Pornographers are hitting Stubb's on July 23rd and I can't believe there are still tickets available. I love this band and feel that their last three records have all been A.M. radio, pop-masterpieces. If you haven't seen them perform live then what are you waiting for? This show will sell-out. Did I mention the Dodos are also playing on that bill?


the Dodos - Longform video via YouTube


There are actually 2 other shows I want to check out on that same night, Friday, July 23rd. It's feasible to catch 2 of the 3 shows, especially if 1 of those shows is the one at Stubb's, which should be over around midnight or shortly thereafter. I really want to catch the Parson Redheads at Emo's.


Parson Redheads - Peace In the Valley video via YouTube

I also would love to be at the Mohawk's inside stage on July 23rd for TV Torso with Cut Chemist rocking the outside stage. Tickets for that show are only $15. I foresee this show selling-out within the next 10-12 days or so. People really like Cut Chemist and the inside stage area is not very big at the 'Hawk.


Cut Chemist - Live at Amoeba Music video via YouTube.

It's going to be Mom-jeans galore on Tuesday, July 13th at Stubb's. Watch for swooning MILFS as Mr. Jamie Cullum takes the stage. Don't be mistaken I'm not hating on JC, I am featuring the show after all. Snag a ticket and oh hell, take your Mom.


Jamie Cullum - Frontin' video via YouTube

Go local or go touring on Saturday, July 17th. Local favorites, the Octopus Project play the Mohawk with Tia Carrera. I expect the $12 tickets for this show to sell-out pretty quickly. The Octopus Project doesn't play a whole lot these days, so when they do, people show-up.


the Octopus Project - Wet Gold video via YouTube

The touring act I'd catch Sat. the 17th is the Delta Sprit at Emo's. They always put on a great show and they are great songwriters, writing tunes that stick with you days/weeks/months later. tickets will set you back $ for that show.


Delta Spirit - History From Below video via YouTube

At the very end of the month Iron & Wine will perform at the Paramount Theater on Congress. I will warn you that the seats there are ridiculously uncomfortable but it's still a great place to see an artist like Iron & Wine as the environment is highly-conducive to people STFU. Besides there are ushers, how cute is that? Don't complain about the steep ticket prices, the show is a HAMM/MANA benefit and will surely sell-out at any moment.


Iron & Wine - Pagan Angel and a Borrowed Car (Live) video via YouTube

So, that's what you should plan ahead for this month. Of course, there are a lot of other good shows happening I'm just giving you the heads-up about these particular ones as I expect they'll become sold-out.

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Delta Spirit's Ode to Sunshine

Delta Spirit's latest release, Ode to Sunshine is one of the most instantly like-able albums I've heard this year. It will most definitely be a late entry into my top albums of the year list. Call it America's answer to the Kaiser Chiefs these guys do straight ahead rock-radio ready, blues-based tunes.

I might lump them in with the folk-revivalist scene with Iron & Wine and Fleet Foxes but think less drowsy. Not all of the songs are, what I would call, sunny but they certainly aren't intricate folk songs either.

They are currently on tour with Nada Surf, which is a great pairing both bands do 3-4 minute rock songs with understandable lyrics. They'll be playing at Emo's outside stage for a mere $15.

I first heard this song on KGSR but didn't realize it was Delta Spirit until I had Ode to Sunshine. If this song isn't on your local, rock radio station...it should be.

Delta Spirit - Trashcan

Video after the jump...


Delta Spirit - Trashcan (Live Acoustic Performance) video via YouTube


Delta Spirit - Motivation video via YouTube


Delta Spirit - Parade (live in Austin) video via YouTube

Oh yeah, and you can also find a Delta Spirit Daytrotter Session, which is streamable or downloadable.

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