Happenings This Weekend

We're approaching that part of the year when I get particularly lazy. I don't really feel like blogging as much nor do I trek downtown as often but that doesn't mean there isn't plenty for YOU to enjoy. This weekend there are lots of good shows of varying genres for you to attend. Tonight, my top pick for those of you who can attain entry, is the Gary Clark Jr. ACL TV taping. He's a local artist who is blowing up on the national scene and his latest record, Blak and Blu is already topping many year-end lists. I knew he was blowing up when I saw Alicia Keys tweeting about him, sure they are label-mates but that's still pretty cool. Tonight's ACL TV taping is destined to be a landmark event and if you don't have tickets already you can watch the live stream or you can get in the standby line early and hope there is space available.


Gary Clark Jr. - Ain't Messin' Round video via YouTube

If you can't make it to see Gary Clark Jr. tonight I recommend you get over to the Continental Club by 9pm to get some last minute tickets for this evening's Ben Kweller show. This is one of those rare evenings where you'll get the chance to see a big-time Austin performer in a small-scale venue. Tickets are $20 and at this point the only way to get them is at the door. Kweller won't take the stage until 11:30pm but if you aren't in line for tickets before 9pm, you're not getting in. To be honest, I'm pretty shocked that this show isn't sold-out yet.

Tomorrow night's shows are all over the map both physically and musically. I'll start with my top recommendation, which is the Sufjan Stevens Christmas show at Emo's. If I'm being honest, all I really LOVE from Suf is Illinois and I really wish he would stop fucking around with all of these Christmas songs but on the other hand, 'tis the season, which is why this show is my top pick for your Saturday night. Tickets are $20 and I don't really expect this show to sell-out, although I have been surprised in the past.

A VERY CLOSE second in my top picks for Saturday night category is the Talib Kweli show at the Mohawk. I almost made this show my top pick but the Suf show was just more relevant to December. Talib is a solid performer with a solid catalogue and even a casual hip-hop fan is sure to enjoy this event. Tickets for this show sold-out while I was writing. So...hope you got yours.

It takes a very special event for me to recommend you go to the heart of dirty 6th on a Saturday night but I like that David Bazan performing Pedro the Lion's (that's him) Control is one such event. I know lots of emo/hardcore/mopey dudes who credit Control as one of the most important records in their lives and hearing the man himself pull it out of the ashes is sure to be one of the most memorable events of 2012. The bad news is the show is Sold-Out the good news is, now you don't have to go to dirty 6th on a Saturday night! No but in all seriousness, if you're interested in this show you should still head down there I'm SURE people will have spare tickets.

I know, I know, that's two sold-out shows in a row! What am I doing to you!?!? Well, I still have options. Keep things local by heading over to Holy Mountain for the CD Release show from The Couch. Check out the new space, while supporting your local scene. There are no advanced tickets for this event so it's not sold-out, it's only going to cost $5 to get in and they'll have Shiner specials all night long. BOOM!

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Talib Kweli w/Full Band

I'm not here to tell you what to do but if you don't go to the Talib Kweli show at the Mohawk you're fucking grounded! Talib Kweli has been making some of the best hip-hop to hit your ears for 2 decades now and no one can deliver a well-thought-out verse better. I had the pleasure of seeing him perform at Emo's now defunct outside stage a few years ago while he was on tour with Nas and he does not disappoint. I am quite picky when it comes to hip-hop, I feel like the sound is always poorly mixed and most of the emcees out there rap like they're trying to eat the microphone making the lyrics incomprehensible. Rest assured, Talib Kweli knows how to handle a mic, you'll hear what he is saying (provided you can STFU long enough to listen) and seeing him perform with a live band will be a unique and highly-enjoyable experience. You can grab yourself a ticket to see Talib Kweli at the Mohawk BUT if you act fast you also have the option to buy a combo ticket. The latter option will get you in to see Talib Kweli AND you can also catch The Game at Emo's with a single purchase.

Talib Kweli - Get By video via YouTube

I didn't mention this above the break but the single ticket for Talib Kweli is $20 and the combo ticket for both The Game and Talib is $30 and there are only 50 of those combo tickets available. So, if you're a fan of hip-hop that's quite the deal. Hopefully these shows aren't news to you at all though since you're already caught up on all of the goings-on over at Knuckle Rumbler HQ.

Talib Kweli - Hot Thing/In The Mood video via YouTube

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Talib Kweli @ Emo's Tomorrow

I don't tend to talk about hip-hop very much and there are several reasons for that. First of all, I don't really know enough hip-hop culture to speak about it intelligently. The other major reason is, in my humble opinion, hip-hop live is pretty annoying. There are too many directives, put your hands up and all that business. If I want to put my hands up, you'll see 'em, if I'm really feeling a song and feel like clapping along I will. But constantly telling me what to do from stage is not cool. Also, I feel like 98% of the time emcees don't know how to properly use a microphone. Here's a tip, it goes in FRONT of your lips, not inside your mouth.


Talib Kweli featuring Mos Def & Jay-Z - Get By (Remix) video via YouTube

With that all said, I DID want to mention that Talib Kweli is coming back to Emo's outside stage tomorrow night. I caught Talib's last show at Emo's where he performed in the lead-in spot for the incredible, nasty, Nas. If you want to go to the show tomorrow, tickets are still available. At least for now they are.


At Talib's last Emo's performance he was plagued with audio troubles, his mic cut out several times leaving the crowd a bit limp. I know what you're saying, "But the sound at Emo's outside is impeccable! I can't believe they would ever have audio issues there?!!?" But it's true. For the record, Talib was really good at that performance but Nas completely blew him out of the water.


Nas - N.Y. State of Mind video via YouTube

I'm not sure what Talib is promoting, if anything, but it would be nice if he was promoting a new Black Star album...but he's not. I think he just really enjoys touring, maybe? In any case, with or without Mos Def Talib is one of my favorite emcees, even if he has drifted closer and closer to pop music with each album.


Black Star - Definition video via YouTube

Damn, this post is full of backhanded compliments riiiiight?

By the way sorry about the bunk video but Talib's words, music and lyrics are the intellectual property of Universal Music Group and UMG hates blogs that promote their artists. So, they won't let anyone embed their precious videos instead I suppose they expect you to BUY them from iTunes. I've always wondered who the hell buys music videos from iTunes? Seriously what's the purpose in that? You can watch them free on YouTube and if it's the shite quality that concerns you, there's Vimeo or countless others. Get with the times UMG! H8 U.

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Nasty Nas in My Area

Straight out the MF dungeons of rap, Nas will be at Emo's Sunday night . As if that weren't enough on its own, Talib Kweli is also going to be there along with DJ Green Lantern, it's a whole NYC thing. As far as I know you can still get tickets, which will set you back roughly $30 but come on I'm quoting a ten year old rap album and in 10 years people will still be quoting Nas. Not to mention Talib Kweli. Sure he's gone a bit more pop in the last few years but he is still a lyrical genius with a unique sound that adds a needed texture to the hip-hop soundscape.

I'm also excited to catch up-and-comer Jay Electronica, who is from New Orleans but based anywhere in the U.S including somewhere, here in the great state of Texas every now and again. Jay Electronica was getting a bit of blog hype around this time last year. But I had never heard of him until researching the Nas show for this article. After hearing some song samples I'm pretty excited. Jay is the first artist signed to Erykah Badu's label, and he produced the opening track on the latest Nas record, "Untitled".

Jay Electronica - D.O.C. Song

Video and more after the jump...

I guess a talking head on a 24hr (s)news network was talking shhh about Nas, so he made an appearance on the Colbert Report to address the issue:

Nas performing - Sly Fox on the Colbert Report video via YouTube.

Talib Kweli appeared on some show called Mic Sessions:

Talib Kweli has his own YouTube channel

This video should give you an idea of the kind of left-field beats you can expect from Jay Electronica:

Jay Electronica - Dimethyltryptamine video via YouTube

This isn't really related but it's an interesting clip of Cam'Ron and Damon Dash VS. a Right-Wing American (s)news network.

Cam'Ron and Damon Dash on Fox News video via YouTube

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