Washed Out and Memoryhouse at the Mohawk

Recently, one of my co-workers asked me what I thought about Washed Out and my response was that they are the best live band of all of the "chill-wave" bands. Generally, I like most all of the bands who have been dubbed "chill-wave" and I have seen many-most of them throughout my years here in Austin and last fall's performance by Washed Out at the Mohawk definitely stood out. In the live setting, Washed Out sounds much less warbly and self-conscious compared to their recorded sound. The band is driving, energetic and just bad-ass in an over-arching way. Ernest's vocals are usually kind of buried on the Washed Out records but in person you can hear his voice much more clearly and it sounds good! Unfortunately, if you don't already have tickets to tomorrow night's show at the Mohawk then you won't know the joys of seeing Washed Out live because it's already sold-out. Sorry to be a buzz-kill y'all but this is why you really need to pay attention to those handy little planning ahead ticket-roundup posts I write.


Washed Out - Amor Fati video via YouTube


I'm just as excited about tomorrow night's support act as I am about Washed Out. I have been a fan of Memoryhouse since I first heard last year's cinematic EP, The Years. However, that EP only hinted at the full sound that is evident in their full-length, The Slideshow Effect. The vocals are much more pronounced and frequent, the music is more propulsive but still balances the elements of ambient music that made the EP so great. In other words, for the love of Oprah, make sure you get to the Mohawk early enough to bob along to the sweet sounds of Memoryhouse tomorrow night. In the meantime, read my interview with the band from last year.


Memoryhouse - The Kids Were Wrong video via YouTube

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Washed Out at the Mohawk

To be honest, I really can't believe tonight is the Washed Out show at the Mohawk. Maybe it's just me but I feel like once you're not in school any more time just goes by so much faster. It's like, damn landlord I JUST paid my rent and now you want it again. Shooooowwwt! I know, it's a Monday night but you should really see Washed Out tonight. I have to work tomorrow, you have to work tomorrow but Washed Out and the bartenders at the Mohawk have to work tonight and if we're not there, it's all for not. As of this moment you can still get tickets to tonight's show but I have a feeling that won't be true by dinner-time tonight. If you're worried about waking up early tomorrow, don't sweat it. Tonight's show is on the outside stage so you can catch a full set and still watch the 10 o'clock evening news in your fucking jammies.

Washed Out - Amor Fati video via YouTube

Washed Out's newest album, Within and Without is effing glorious. The packaging is beautiful and the songs are the perfect blend of woozy-disaffectedness and personal introspection. If you heard it blaring from some rolled-down car windows this summer in Austin, that was probably me. Without a doubt, the lead-single, Eyes Be Closed is one of the greatest singles of 2011.

Washed Out - Eyes Be Closed video via YouTube

Austin band, Sleep ∞ Over are playing the support slot for Washed Out tonight so make sure you arrive early to support your local-scene. Make sure you bring some cash for the merch table too. Even though Sleep ∞ Over is local it's hard to find their LPs and EPs and the local record shops. Who knows, maybe they'll even have a few copies of their limited-release debut cassettes?

Sleep Over - Casual Diamond video via YouTube

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Washed, Out, Beach House, Sold-Out

So, I hope y'all bought your tickets to see Beach House and Washed Out at Emo's like 6 months ago otherwise you're hitting the scalp scene. I'm kind of a fair-weather fan when it comes to Beach House. I remember when their first LP came out all of my music nerd friends were masturbating over it and I was a bit underwhelmed. However, I am excited to see what a live Beach House show is like. It will definitely push me into full-on fandom or quite the opposite, there's nothing like a live show to help you make up your mind about a band. I will say that I have listened to their latest album, Teen Dream more than any other to date and it should also be noted that I still bought every album they released just to hear it.


PS22 Chorus covering Beach House - Zebra video via YouTube

I'm a fan of Emo's but it's not really where I'd like to see Beach House in Austin. Maybe I'll bring a folding chair, 'cause it's going to be weird to stand and stare at Beach House as they perform haunting, delicate, moody music. Perhaps Austin Music Hall would have been a more suitable choice but if that were the case my ticket would have cost twice as much. So, I'll focus on the bright points, for one Emo's has switched to LCD lighting, that's nice. Also, you can dance(?) to Washed Out, which would have been harder to do(?) at Austin Music Hall.


Washed Out - Luck video via YouTube

As you have probably guessed from the above video Washed Out is, "part of the chillwave scene". I bet all of the artists who wear that ridiculous label despise it. Basically, they get off on vintage synthesizers and psychedelic drone and really can we fault them for that? I blame "New Wave" for introducing all of the lame "____ Wave" movements that have followed its lead. I am also annoyed with "Watergate" for introducing "_____gate" and "Woodstock" for giving us "____stock". Damn, I have a lot of complaints to share today don't I?


Beach House - Master of None video via YouTube

In any case I'll be camping out near the front, center middle section of the crowd to get y'all some BloggyCam video of tomorrow's show. I'll try to include footage of the crowd staring, talking, texting and general after-party planning, as well. All in all I'm looking forward to this show both from an anthropological point of view and a musical-appreciation point of view. How will the tribes of Austin dance or not dance at Valium-fest 2010? Only time will tell, time and the Bloggycam.


Washed Out - Feel It All Around video via YouTube

By the way it might be hard to tell by the general tone of this piece, but I actually do enjoy BOTH Washed Out and Beach House, let that be noted on the record.

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