John Talabot in Austin Tonight!

Spain's own John Talabot will be in Austin tonight. You can find him at Kingdom nightclub, located in the alley behind the Frost Tower. He is in Austin as part of his DJ Kicks tour. Word on the street is Mr. Talabot will be doing a three hour DJ set in Austin's best late-night lounge. Even though the show is tonight and the venue is small there are still $20 tickets available. This show doesn't have the buzz that I anticipated it would but I also feel like electronic acts don't get as much respect as they deserve here in Austin. Sure tonight's set is "just a DJ set" but John Talabot is one of the best working producers/DJs in the world right now so if you can stay out late on a Wednesday, you should.


John Talabot - Without You" [DJ-Kicks Exclusive] video via YouTube

As if John Talabot weren't enough, Austin's-own Learning Secrets will be keeping the party going at Kingdom this evening. Learning Secrets have been nominated in the Best DJ Category at the Austin Music Blogger Awards as well. The awards event will take place on February 27th and will feature performances from some of my favorite bands and DJs. If you plan on attending the AMBAs, and I hope that you do, you should join the event page so your friends know you're going. It's also a good idea that you get tickets in advance because I wouldn't want you to miss out on the opportunity to buy me a drink.

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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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The Rapture is Nigh

A few weeks ago, I was waiting tables and I noticed a couple at one of my tables looking at an ad for a Ghostland Observatory show. They seemed pretty excited that GLO had an upcoming appearance at ACL Live. When, I noticed them staring at the ad and becoming excited I declared, excitedly, "The rapture is coming!" They looked at me as if I had three heads and then I realizes how maniacal that sentence was out of context. I clarified, "The band called, The Rapture, they're playing a show at La Zona Rosa soon." Then I sheepishly walked away and thought about how I must have appeared talking about the rapture with complete strangers. Well kids, like many lunatics before me, I predict The Rapture will be here tonight! Instead of stalking up your bomb shelter, you should get some tickets because it's not very often that The Rapture is upon is and you don't want to say you missed it. They'll be playing La Zona Rosa tonight, in support of their latest album, In The Grace of Your Love. The lead single from the new album has a moment that reminds me of The Thong Song but I'm ok with that. It's still one of the best singles of 2011.

The Rapture - How Deep is Your Love? video via YouTube

The new album is great, but let's be honest, all of us who will be at tonight's La Zona Rosa show are hoping to hear tunes from Echoes as well. The Rapture certainly aren't the first band to create live dance-music with a punk aesthetic but they were definitely the ones who captures my attention with it at the turn of the century. I'm really hoping they still play tunes from their early EPs that were released before Echoes but I'm not really counting on it.

The Rapture - Out of the Races and Onto the Track video via YouTube

I don't know too much about support act, Poolside but from what I've gathered it's a collective from Los Angeles. They are producers and DJs and they'll be playing an official after-party hosted by our dear friends over at Learning Secrets. The after-party will be at 29th St. Ballroom and admission will be $5.

Poolside - Do You Believe? video via YouTube

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Zlam Dunk THEN Learning Secrets

It wouldn't be a Saturday night in Austin if there weren't, at least, 3 events worthy of your time, money and attention and tonight is no exception. So, yesterday I told you about the Monotonix show at Mohawk where the music will be kicking off at 9pm but before THAT goes down you should stop by Red 7. They've got a show that starts at 5pm and features Zlam Dunk. These guys are young, energetic and bring lots of melody, percussion and passion. They have been tapped by various resources, including myself, as a local act to keep an eye on in 2011. I first saw them back in the spring when they were invited, by Fang Island, to play the opening slot at their Emo's show. Fang Island liked Zlam Dunk so much they ended up asking them to play a few more shows with them outside of Austin. Like I said this show starts at 5pm so you can start your evening out at Red 7 before moving on to other festivities.


Zlam Dunk - Robots video via YouTube

I also wanted to remind you about Learning Secrets' 7th anniversary bash happening over at ND. Now, you'll want to RSVP for that show as fast as possible in order to get the $8 entry fee. There will be a live performance by Kisses as well as a DJ set from DFA Records' artist, Tim Sweeney. Doors open at 10pm and this event will be thumping into the wee hours of the morning. If you miss the window to RSVP I recommend just paying $20 for VIP access, otherwise you'll be paying $10 to NOT be a VIP. That's your call though.


Kisses - Kisses video via YouTube



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Help Save Lamebook

Did you hear that one of Austin's most-clever websites, Lamebook, is being sued by that douche (whom I suspect) has mild asperger's at F*c*book? Well, it's true. Apparently 'ole Zuck thinks he owns the rights to _____book.com and doesn't appreciate their satire. If I were him, I would just buy the site and keep it as-is but I guess that's why he's the richest little d-bag in the country and I'm a waiter who blogs for no money. In any case, if you're a fan of Lamebook you can help increase their legal fund and possibly end up with a cameo in The Social Network II: The Jewfro Strikes Back all you have to do is attend their fun-ass party at Shangi-La tomorrow night. The venue is on the east-side, so you might want a mustache and/or leggings and/or an ornate scarf and/or skinny-jeans and/or an ironic t-shirt just so you don't stand out too much. Entry is technically free but that'd be kind of dick-ish considering this is a benefit event. You should also know that there will be gratis beer, while supplies last.

As far as entertainment goes, Austin's favorite yacht-rapper, Neiliyo will be dropping mad rhymes. I mean, presumably they'll be mad but that information hasn't been verified yet.


Neiliyo - Live at the Public School Rally video via YouTube


In addition to the musical-stylings of Neiliyo there will be theater in the form of the New Movement Theater Group who will be performing dramatic readings from Lamebook itself.


New Movement Theater - The Werewolf Dating Game video via YouTube



Also, the people that bring you the best of dance-music every Thursday night at Malverde will be doing their thing at Shangri-La as well. That's right the purveyors of party over at Learning Secrets will have your asses shaking to some serious party music throughout the night.

Speaking of our friends over at Learning Secrets they are celebrating their 7th birthday NEXT weekend and you should be there. All of the relevant info should be on that poster right thurrrr and if you're interested in check it out I'd suggest you RSVP to gain a discounted entry fee. Kisses will be on-hand and should not be missed.


Kisses - Bermuda video via YouTube

Oh, and if you mention this post you COULD get a warm handshake from a confused stranger both at the Learning Secrets party and the Lamebook party.

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Beauty Bar, Friday, It's Going Down.

The only thing better than a party, is an anniversary party for a company that throws parties professionally. That's why you should head over to Beauty Bar Friday night for Learning Secrets 6th Anniversary party. It's also my homegirl Jen Leduc's birthday so she'll be hosting some bands in a different part of the bar. If you act fast, you can still RSVP for the Learning Secrets party giving you $5 entry, otherwise it's going to be $8 at the door. I expect the house will be full 'round midnight. Did I mention that, remixer's du jour, Classixx will be headlining a DJ set?!?!?


Phoenix - Lisztomania (Classixx Remix) video via YouTube


Needless to say with Classixx in the house, Beauty Bar is going to be a throbbing, sweaty, hipster dance-party. Throw your Lone Star's in the air, y'all!! Before Classixx we'll be seeing, Woolfy, who's signed to DFA Records. Maybe you've heard of it?


Woolfy - Odyssey video via YouTube

The doors for this gig open at 9pm Friday and the first 100 people will get drink ticket(s), which they will be purchasing with the price of admission. Take that alcohol enforcement (TABC)! Just kidding, TABC, we cool. Let's hang out more.


Classixx - Cold Act iLL video via YouTube

Oh, and for that one reader that's really upset that I would presume that you, my dear reader, already know about DFA Records, when you don't. ---> DFA Info.

As if I'm not going to include an LCD Soundsystem video, chuh, doubt it.


LCD Soundsystem - Disco Infiltrator video via YouTube

Thanks to DFA Records' distributors Capitol/EMI for not allowing people to embed your official videos from YouTube. That is why I have a video with dogs set to LCD Soundsystem.

I got so caught up in DFA Records, I forgot to give you info about 40 Rock, Jen Leduc's Birthday Bash. Entry to that event, on the same night at Beauty Bar is also $5 but does not require an RSVP. She's hosting four bands, with Stereo is a Lie headlining. Here's the full line-up with poster and more info courtesy of my sister-wives over at Do512.


Stereo is a Lie - What We Do video via YouTube

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