Tristen Returns to Austin

Photo Credit: Eddie Mills

There are times, as a music blogger, when I find myself questioning, "Why this artist and not this artist?" As in, how come The Shins are a big name but The Helio Sequence continue to dwindle in obscurity. Why Bon Iver but not every other singer-songwriter with a falsetto? Tristen is an artist who should be a household name. She is a fantastic song-crafter, a wonderful performer and she has loads of personality. She's everything Lana Del Ray is not, yet she's not as famous. If you have read this site with any sort of regularity you may be tired of me writing about Tristen but each time she passes through Austin I will do my best to spread the word. I implore each and everyone of you to go to the Swan Dive Saturday night and hear for yourself. Tristen has been touring with a full band and she was opening for Justin Townes Earle on his recent tour. The band is going to be tighter than ever. Tickets are still available and if you buy them now they will only set you back $7. I know going downtown on a Saturday night is not an ideal situation but if you miss Saturday night's show, you're really missing out.


Tristen - Special Kind of Fear video via YouTube

Playing the support slot Saturday night will be one of Austin's best homegrown bands, Follow That Bird. I don't know about you but it's been WAY too long since I've seen Follow That Bird. I'm guessing they've got lots of new material since they were recording in Marfa earlier this month so, make sure you arrive early enough to catch their set.



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Ultra8201 Turns Six

One, of the many, things I love about Austin is the collaborative atmosphere in the arts community. When I started this little blog a few years ago it was not met with resistance from the other Austin music bloggers, it was embraced. They posted links to my site on their site, they said hello at shows and they supported me morally and professionally. It is with this spirit that I jokingly refer to Richard from Ultra8201 as my blog-father. Ultra8201 was the first site to add Austin Bloggy Limits to their blogroll and Richard was the first person to introduce me to our fellow bloggers and tweeters and I will always appreciate that.


Politics - Live at Cheer-Up Charlie's video via Ultra8201

Writing of any sort can feel like sending a message in a bottle, you've put your words out into the universe but you're never really sure if anyone has received your message. That is why writing a music blog, consistently, for six years is quite a milestone. Ultra8201 brings lots of great content to the masses on a regular basis and they also put on great events. They have supported some really fantastic Austin bands when they were just starting out and helped to get their names recognized around town. Tonight is a celebration of great writing, great events and great friends. All of us in the Austin blog community hope that you can make it out to Swan Dive this evening to enjoy some great music from local artists and to celebrate six years with Ultra8201. Also, you should dress to impress because Austin's greatest party photographer, ulovei will be spinning tunes and capturing you with his camera as well. See you there!


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