Contest: Here We Go Magic with Oh No Oh My

Photo Credit: Gregory Mitnick

I'm sure many of you are still experience an ACL Fest hangover but everyone knows that the best cure for a hangover is a hair of the dog that bit ya. Also, it's time to get back in the saddle and experience what's really great about Austin, I'll give you a hint it has nothing to do with standing in a field amongst tens of thousands of people to watch a 90's stalwart. No, what I'm referring to is the intimate experience of being face to face with an up-and-coming artist in a small venue. Well, tomorrow night is the perfect time to experience exactly what I'm talking about. Emo's is presenting a show at the Parish with Here We Go Magic Wednesday night and I want you to be there. Tickets are still available and they'll be cheaper today than tomorrow. HOWEVER, I get to put one person on the guest list with a +1. Will it be you? As usual, the rules are simple: Send an email to Contest[at]austinbloggylimits[dot]com with "HWGM" in the subject and you name in the body along with a reason why you should get on the list.


Here We Go Magic - How Do I Know video via YouTube.

One of my favorite local bands, Oh No Oh My, will be playing the support slot so be sure to show up early enough to hear them play. I love their brand of indie-pop and I think you will too. Oh, and one more note about Here We Go Magic you should pick up A Different Ship on vinyl while you're at the show. Even though it's not fancy and it's not 180 grams it is one of the best sounding pieces of vinyl I've bought all year. Secretly Canadian knows what's up. Also, that record is fucking awesome so you should have it in your collection anyway.

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Interview: Here We Go Magic

Photo by Christaan Felber

With the help of super-producer Nigel Godrich, Here We Go Magic have released the best album of their career. In the past month they have played a successful set at Bonnaroo and managed to pick-up a hitchhiking John Waters while touring in support of A Different Ship. That tour will be here in Austin next week when the band plays the Parish on Tuesday. Tickets are still available at the moment but Here We Go Magic are riding so much buzz at the moment, that I wouldn't be surprised if the show sold-out by this weekend. I sent Luke from Here We Go Magic some interview questions in preparation of the show, which you can find below the jump.


Here We Go Magic - How Do I Know video via YouTube


Was your experience working with Nigel Godrich vastly different from
your previous studio experiences?

Yeah, I had never worked with a producer before.

What is your writing process like?  Do you write as a group on the road
or do you take time to yourself during road breaks?

I take time by myself and then show it to the band usually. I usually just write on a classical I have.

What are some of the themes being explored on this latest record?

Simplicity, both musically and lyrically.

Is your writing inspired by specific personal experiences or is it a
more esoteric sort of inspiration?

I guess more esoteric, I just let it sort of come to me and then I usually realize it's something I was already thinking about anyway.

Are you compelled to read your own reviews or do you try to avoid them?

Try to avoid them but sometimes I can't help myself

What music have you been listening to lately?

• Captain Beefheart-Clear
  Spot
• Marvin Gaye-Here My Dear

.

Marvin Gaye - Sparrow via YouTube

Your songs have always had a very cinematic quality, are you inspired
by film-making?

Not really, I'm a visual artist so that's probably where
that comes from.

If you could have your music in films, what genre or director would you
most like to be paired up with?

Both dead but Fellini or Kubrick.

What are some of the day-jobs you worked in the past?

Plasterer, house-painter, muralist, janitor at a mall, landscaper, fudge maker, waiter, host, mover, barista.

What interview question are you most bored by/tired of?

Desert island questions.

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Dr. Dog with Here We Go Magic

Well folks, last time I went to Stubb's a pint-sized security woman told me I couldn't shoot vid of my friends Bad Veins but that's not going to stop me from going back. The high drink prices and the non-stop chatter by people who go to the shows won't stop me either. Do you see how I sacrifice to catch Here We Go Magic and Dr. Dog? That's how much I love you the Bloggy-public, I will attend a show at Stubb's so you don't have to...but you should because Dr. Dog are weepers and I really don't want to see them cry. Also, I've seen Here We Go Magic twice already and the second time was better than the first so it would only stand to reason that the third time will be EVEN BETTER than the second time was and so on and so forth. They're still touring behind their latest LP, Pigeons, which came out earlier this year and I expect it will make at least a few best of 2010 lists. You can download some free samples if you click the Here We Go Magic link above.


Here We Go Magic - Moon video via YouTube


As far as Dr. Dog they have certainly come a long ways from when I first saw them perform inside End of an Ear 3 years ago. I feel like they have a knack for making tunes that sound instantly-classic although I have to admit they did release an album or two that I didn't realize existed until I started writing this preview. Their latest LP, Shame, Shame came out in April and that's the one that totally flew under my radar. However, they are also featured on a compilation that I want to check out called Twistable Turnable Man: A Musical Tribute to Shel Silverstein. If you're reading this, and you're somehow affiliated with that compilation you should totally send me a copy. Or if you're just feeling generous, and you're not affiliated feel free to send it to me. Oh, I forgot to mention you can download FOUR new Dr. Dog tunes on their F*c*book page as well.


Dr. Dog - the Girl video via YouTube

As of the writing of this post, tickets to see Dr. Dog and Here We Go Magic at Stubb's tomorrow night are still available. Just remember that tiny security lady might ask you to not shoot video and they charge as much for ONE Lone Star as a 6-pack costs at the store. I recommend getting loaded on $3 well liquor at the Side Bar before and/or after.

Ps.
Hey Side Bar time to update your webpage, somehow I doubt you're showing the Palin/Biden VP debate.

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Magic Time

I don't know about you but I'm really liking what I've heard from Memphis band, Magic Kids. I knew, vaguely, in the back of my mind that they were coming to Austin at some point and I sort of thought I had missed it. Lucky for us, the show isn't until Aug 3rd. Then, upon further inspection I noticed that Here We Go Magic are playing Austin the very next night. So, obviously, this means it will be perfectly acceptable for you to wear any and all Harry Potter, or Lord of the Rings crap you've got kicking around your apartment. Calling it up, Tuesday and Wednesday August 3rd and 4th will be magical times here in Austin Texas, magical times indeed.


Magic Kids - Hey Boy video via YouTube


Now, both Magic Kids and Here We Go Magic were in town during SXSW 2010. I know, I wanted to see both artists perform but I only ended up catching Here We Go Magic. Ironically, I had already seen HWGM but have yet to see Magic Kids. This changes next month though, tickets for that show at the Mohawk will set you back $10 if you buy in advance, or $12 at the door. Sorry for the faux-video(s), which will probably get pulled from YouTube and probably should BUT I like these songs so...


Magic Kids - Summer video via YouTube

I won't be needing any faux-video to show you Here We Go Magic. As previously mentioned I did see HWGM at SWSW 2010 and I had seen them on tour with Grizzly Bear the previous fall. In a lot of ways it was like seeing two different bands. Their sound has shifted pretty dramatically between albums. The sound is much bigger now but there's still the same great songwriting at the music's core.


Here We Go Magic - Bottom Feeder video via YouTube

I suppose it's unfair to compare a live recording with a studio recording but Tunnelvision is my jam from the previous LP so I'm sharing it here with you now. I find it's best to hear with headphones and/or really loudly so you pick up all the different textures that get added and subtracted. Keeping in mind, of course, that even a decent sounding YouTube video pales in comparison to hearing this on vinyl or even CD, obviously.


Here We Go Magic - Tunnelvision video via YouTube

You'll have two chances to catch Here We Go Magic while they're in town, as they'll be performing a free in-store at Waterloo Records as well as their headlining show at Emo's. Tickets for the August 4th show will set you back $10.

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ABL's Rambling Re-Launch-ish

You may, or may not have noticed that AustinBloggyLimits has been short on updates the last two weeks. Well there are several reasons for that. First and foremost being hey it looks different now. I thought the old look was a bit dark so I went with this weird banana pudding look. You like?

Man, I have so many things to tell y'all so this isn't going to be a typical AustinBloggyLimits post. I'm going to be a bit scatter-brained trying to relay two weeks worth of somewhat interesting stories.

I'm going to start by saying congratulations to one of AustinBloggyLimits' favorite local bands, Harlem as they were signed to an international record deal with Matador Records. That's a pretty big deal if you ask me. Hopefully it means there will be more free, promotional Harlem material from now on. *fingers crossed*


Harlem - Witchgreens video via YouTube


Part of me wants to split these stories across a few posts but instead I'm just going to quickly vomit out some highlights of my music life in the past two weeks.

Ok, I'm going to start with the sold-out Animal Collective show at Stubb's. I really wanted to go but didn't have tickets and refused to pay the outrageous scalper prices. At the last minute my Twitter tweeps hooked it up. Austin Kleon offered me a set of tickets "Radiohead Model" pay what you want. I ended up taking 1 ticket for $20 and giving Austin a ride to the show, but for the record he would have flat-out given me 2 tickets so, take that scalper d-bags!

As far as the show itself? I was entertained and inspired/intrigued by Animal Collective. They are doing something completely different with music. The show was more like performance art than a straight-up concert. Was it totally entertaining/engaging the whole time? No. Was it worth the $20? Hell yes! My personal highlight was hearing Lion in a Coma I like that song so much more now. I think Summertime Clothes got the biggest response from the crowd though.


Animal Collective - Summertime Clothes video via YouTube

The week after AC was somewhat uneventful other than dealing with day to day non-music bull and trying to straighten out/gay-up my site. Then THIS week I saw Grizzly Bear crossing the street in front of my car, later that night I saw them perform at the Parish Room. Here We Go Magic was the opening band and they did an excellent job.


Grizzly Bear - Fine For Now "video" via YouTube

For me the job of an opening band is to play a 30-45 minute set, in which time you should remind us the name of your band and latest album at least twice. This may seem awkward but a lot of people are showing up throughout the opening slot so.. self-promote opening bands! The other key factor for a "good opener" is that their music is similar or complimentary to the headlining band. Here We Go Magic covered all of these bases. They also saved their most-well-known songs for the end of the set. There is nothing worse than an opener that starts with their hit and then makes you listen to 40 more minutes of songs you don't know.


Here We Go Magic - Tunnelvision video via YouTube

Grizzly Bear was outstanding/beautiful/powerful. When I listen to the albums it's easy to get caught up in the most obvious elements, the singing/songwriting. In person though I was totally engrossed in the rhythm parts. Grizzly Bear has some amazingly thoughtful, soulful, powerful drum parts in their songs. It's like Sigur Ros where it's less about precision and more about mood, tone, feeling. Personal highlight for that show was hearing the, "Chin up, cheer up" crescendo/explosion from the song Lullaby, that was a transcendental moment for me. Oh yeah, and the sound at the Parish can only be out done by the sound at the next venue I went to.


Grizzly Bear - Lullaby video via YouTube

Last night I had the pleasure of attending my first live taping of Austin City Limits the TV show. Before I moved to Austin ACL was pretty much all any of my friends/family knew about Austin so it was quite moving to be on the set in real life. It is a lot smaller than I imagined it to be, and they give out free beer. Not enough to get drunk but enough to taste beer you didn't pay for. Austin locals Okkervil River performed in the KLRU studios and they played a career-spanning set. Touching upon songs from all of their albums from the last 8ish years. The crowd was very reverent, hanging on every note and leaving a space of silence before erupting into applause after each song.


Will Sheff & AC Newman - Lost Coastlines video via YouTube

In the above video AC Newman is singing Will Sheff's part. Okkervil played this twice for the ACL taping. Oh the magic of television. The sound on the Austin City Limits stage is impeccable. I promise you I have never attended a live performance with better sound in my life! I was worried because I forgot my earplugs but they were not needed. I could understand every word that was sung, I heard every bass note clearly and every pluck of every stringed instrument was full and rich. I was so used to muddy bass tones and washed out vocals I sort of forgot what a live performance SHOULD sound like. You hear that downtown?!?! Louder doesn't mean better, and when the bass is so loud it effs up my breathing I'm not entertained. The other super-pleasant thing about the ACL taping was the air conditioning. I haven't been to a concert that was so temperate since I lived in New England.


Okkervil River - Lost Coastlines video via YouTube

Get it? They played Lost Coastlines twice so I posted it twice. The truly crazy thing about the ACL taping is I have tried to get into that show for three years and somehow this week I'm going twice. Like that old expression says, "When it rains, it pours." Oh, and for those who don't know, that other guy singing on Lost Coastlines is the lead singer of Shearwater and he used to be in Okkervil River but now he is just a "guest" and he performed at the taping too.


Shearwater - the Snow Leopard video via YouTube

So, that's what I've been up to. I wonder if anyone will read this I haven't updated in so long y'all probably gave up on me. I'm back though, so come and see me and tell your friend(s) too.

Before I sign off I forgot to mention, I had a spare ticket to see Grizzly Bear and ended up selling it to, Toto, the drummer from the Octopus Project. How Austin is that?


the Octopus Project - Truck video via YouTube

Oh and when I was at the Animal Collective show I was standing amongst members of Harlem and Electric Touch. It was such a "scene" environment complete with dude-bras and uber-hipsters who just show up to chat and make fun of people/places/things/nouns.


Electric Touch - Love in Our Hearts video via YouTube

Speaking of chatting, if you happen to have the chance to see Grizzly Bear in concert do you think you could shut the eff up while they're performing? That was so annoying I wanted to collectively slap people. I don't get spending money to try and talk OVER a band? There's like 1.3billion bars in Austin pick one without an amazing band if you feel like getting your chat on. Oh, and could the dude-bras lay off the Axe body spray PULEASE!?!?

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Phoenix + Grizzly Bear = Tomorrow

These records leaked such a long time ago, but I wanted to make sure everyone remembered that tomorrow is the day to get your physical copies of BOTH the new Grizzly Bear album AND the new Phoenix album!


Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks video via YouTube

Free Mp3 courtesy of Grizzly Bear.Net, thanks.

Grizzly Bear - Cheerleader


You can catch Grizzly Bear at the Parish Room with Here We Go Magic on June 16th. However, it's Sold-Out so if you didn't get tickets you can still catch the Grizzly's at ACL Fest. Looks like Here We Go Magic will ALSO be performing at ACL-fest this year.


Here We Go Magic - Fangela video via YouTube

Coincidentally, you can also catch Phoenix at ACL this year and hopefully at an after-show as well. Fingers-crossed on that one. These dudes are so French...what's up with French bands having videos that look French? What is it about their film-stock in France that makes it so French?


Phoenix - Lisztomania video via YouTube

French-Looking video Exhibit B:


M83 - We Own the Sky video via YouTube

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June is Going to Effing Rawk Y'all

Alright, let's keep this between us 'cause I'm about to talk about a lot of hot-ass indie-rock shows coming to town and I don't want them all to sell out before I get tickets ok? Seriously though, June is shaping up to be hot in every way you're thinking. Let's look at who's coming to our fair city...

Tue. 6/2

* Black Moth Super Rainbow, School of 7 Bells at the Mohawk
* Mr. Lif, Willie Evans Jr. at Red 7


Black Moth Super Rainbow - Sun Lips video via YouTube

It just gets more and more ridiculous after the jump...


Wed. 6/3

* Passion Pit, Harlem Shakes at Emo's
* Langhorne Slim, Samantha Crain at the Parish


Harlem Shakes - Strictly Game video via YouTube

Thu. 6/4

* Helio Sequence at the Mohawk


the Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead video via YouTube

Fri. 6/5 !!!

* Bonnie Prince Billy, The Howling Hex at the Mohawk
* Animal Collective, Black Dice at Stubb's
* New York Dolls at Emo's
* Alejandro Escovedo at Antones


Animal Collective - Water Curses video via YouTube

Sat. 6/6

* Mika Miko, The Strange Boys at Red 7
* Au Revoir Simone at the Mohawk


the Strange Boys - Woe Is You and Me video via YouTube

Mon. 6/8

* Gomez at Stubb's

Tue. 6/9

* Matisyahu, Les Claypool, Dub Trio at the Austin Music Hall

Thu. 6/11

* Peaches, Drums of Death at Emo's
* Holy Fuck, Crocodiles, Woven Bones at the Mohawk


Holy Fuck - Lovely Allen video via YouTube

Sat. 6/13

* Viva Voce, Cut Off Your Hands, The Lemurs at the Mohawk
* Doug Stanhope, JT Habersaat at Red 7
* Gregory Isaacs at Flamingo Cantina


the Lemurs - They Do What They Like video via YouTube

Mon. 6/15

* Camera Obscura, Anni Rossi at Antones
* Santigold, Amanda Blank, Trouble Andrew at Stubb's


Santigold featuring Amanda Blank - I'm a Lady (Diplo Remix) video via YouTube

Tue. 6/16 !!!

* Grizzly Bear, Here We Go Magic at the Parish


Here We Go Magic - Tunnelvision video via YouTube

Fri. 6/19 !!!

* St. Vincent, Pattern is Movement at the Mohawk


St. Vincent - Actor Out of Work video via YouTube

Sat. 6/20

* The Meat Puppets, Retribution Gospel Choir at the Parish
* Sunset Rubdown at the Mohawk


Sunset Rubdown - the Mending of the Gown video via YouTube

Mon. 6/22

* Jenny Lewis, Heartless Bastards at Stubb's


Jenny Lewis - Pretty Bird video via YouTube

Fri. 6/26

* John Vanderslice at the Parish


John Vanderslice - Trance Manual video via YouTube
Sat. 6/27

* Ben Kweller at Emo's

Is that ridiculous or what? And that's just what's being reported right now on Show List Austin

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