Halloween Build-Up

I feel like if you are someone who is serious about Halloween then Austin is a great city for you. We don't even need Halloween to dress up in Austin, so that's why the entire week leading up to the holiday you may or may not encounter say a zombie at your local diner. That's also why there are so many bad-ass shows going on this week. That's my theory anyway. The downside to all of this hullabaloween is you either have to invest in multiple costumes, interchangeable costume pieces, repeat costuming or party-poopery. I generally lean toward the party poopery, just bring Chex Mix, a box of wine and say you're a soccer mom. Who could turn you away with Chex Mix AND boxed wine? No one you'd want to hang with, that's who.

Islands is back in Austin this time at the Mohawk, that's happening tonight. At the same time Mr. Warren G will be regulating things over at Emo's outside stage with the Kidz in the Hall in tow. But the real pre-Halloween madness starts tomorrow with the Cherry Peel, Flip Scene Halloween bash at the Mohawk.


the Bright Light Social Hour - Back and Forth video via YouTube


That's right you can catch the little darlings of the Sound and the Jury contest, the Bright Light Social Hour at Wednesday night's Halloween bash at Mohawk. Well, actually I'm not entirely sure if they WON per say but they were in the competition and oh hell either you liked the song or you didn't geez. Oh, you can also catch the Black and White Years, L.A.X. and others at the 'Hawk. All the details can be consumed here. But, if you're already sold on this idea and want to attend tickets are $12 at the door, or you can check a Front Gate ticket retailer. Their site doesn't have tickets for sale though, might be door only at this point.


L.A.X. - Dire Fire video via YouTube

There's also a bad-ass show for charity happening Wednesday night at Emo's, which might seem like a problem BUT shows at Emo's run pretty late and shows at the Mohawk end "early" so you could probably catch both shows. Also, you don't really want to miss Sea Wolf or Port O'Brien. Both bands, along with Ben Kweller and Sara Lov, will be playing to benefit the Pablove Foundation. Tickets for Emo's Wednesday benefit show will set you back a cool $10.


Port O'Brien - My Will Is Good video via YouTube

I'm a big fan of Port O'Brien and have been for quite some time but My Will Is Good is certainly not their catchiest tune to date. I think that honor still belongs to I Woke Up Today.


Port O'Brien - I Woke Up Today video via YouTube

Also, if you think you won't be able to miss the Flip Scene Halloween Bash at Mohawk but you still want to see Sea Wolf there is still hope for you, dear reader. Sea Wolf are playing a free in-store set at Waterloo Records "promptly" at 5pm.


Sea Wolf - Winter Windows video via YouTube

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Top Songs List '08 Part 1

So I've already mentioned my subjective best of album list for the year to date. Now it's time for the individual songs that have made me crank up the car stereo. These aren't necessarily "the best" anything. They are just songs that have made me happy this year...and hopefully these are all songs that were released in 2008, if not oh well they are still good songs.

10. the Black Keys - Strange Times

The rest of the list after the jump...

9. Jamie Lidell - Another Day
8. Islands - The Arm
7. Crystal Castles VS. HEALTH - Crimewave (Remix)
6. Santogold - Creator
5. Sigur Rós - Gobbledigook
4. Devotchka - Transliterator
3. The Raconteurs - Old Enough
2. MGMT - Time To Pretend
1. Radiohead - House of Cards

Ok, so I know I didn't let Radiohead's In Rainbows make the album list 'cause it was released in 2007 but House of Cards wasn't a single until 2008 so there! And for the Crystal Castles song the opposite is true. The song I listed was released in November of 07 but the Crystal Castles album was an 08 release, so I've taken some liberties.

I've also taken the liberty of making this list into a project playlist...list so you can hear the list songs if you wish:

It should also be noted that some of the songs I've listened to the most this year were released last year. Including Bon Iver and Panda Bear, who both have received a lot of plays this year. I also wanted to mention my love for the song Gone, Gone, Gone by Robert Plant & Alison Krauss but that too was released in 2007.


Panda Bear - Bros (Edit) video via YouTube

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Islands Waterloo Free

So you may recall I mentioned a band called Islands previously, well this is just a friendly reminder that they are playing a free in-store at Waterloo Records prior to their evening show at Emo's. That's all going on tomorrow here in Austin.


Tickets for Islands at Emo's Outside stage are only $8 and apparently the lead singer of the band Death from Above 1979 will be one of the opening acts. Doors open at 9 but trust me Island won't be performing till some point after midnight. So unless you want to hang out all night drinking Sparks I suggest a late arrival.

Here is a whimsical video from Island first release, Return to the Sea:



Islands - Rough Gem via YouTube

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Arm's Way

Montreal band, Islands, released a pretty killer disc last month. I don't know if you've heard it yet, but Arm's Way is pop music at its best. Now I'm not talking about Justin Timberlake pop, I'm thinking more like Badly Drawn Boy, with a touch of Beach Boys crossed with Jethro Tull(?). Island create perfect little melodies then they embellish the hell out of 'em with strings, keys, layered vocals and other textural sounds. Arm's Way is pop on a grander-scale, to me you can hear an almost theatrical quality in the music.

Islands is basically a bedroom band that has evolved from the ruins of the band, The Unicorns, into a 6-piece touring band with revolving studio guests. Arm's Way is the second release from Islands, who is on the Anti- label in the US and Rough Trade in the UK.

I attended a SXSW day party this year called, Mess With Texas, where Islands performed. But if we're being honest I was too drunk and chatty at that point to remember much of anything about their performance. Islands will be returning to Austin, gracing Emo's outside stage on June 23rd. Check the band's MySpace to see if they'll be in or near your city.

Video after the jump...



Islands - The Arm via YouTube


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