Mates of State/Black Kids @ La Zona

Black Kids - I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You video via YouTube

I feel like Black Kids had kind of bottle-rocket thing going on last year. They had a really buzzy EP toward the end of '07 that almost no one listened to. Then their album came out Springish '08 and it was all over the radio, on television and in movies. In that moment, let's say July '08, I feel like they reached peak saturation and fizzled. I'm not saying they're a bad band, by any means, in fact I recommend you see them at La Zona Rosa tomorrow night. Partly 'cause the Black Kids have such catchy, New-Wave tunes but mostly because Mates of State are the opening act.

Free Mp3's courtesy of Barsuk Records, thanks.

Free Mp3 ---> Mates of State - My Only Offer

Free Mp3 ---> Mates of State - Think Long

Free Mp3 ---> Mates of State - Fraud in the 80's

Have you ever gone to a concert just to see the opening band? I saw Cake once just because the Walkmen were opening. Cake put on a good show too but I didn't stay for their whole set. I also went to see the Cure during their Curiouso tour so I could see all the opening bands. I left shortly after Boys Don't Cry but that was mostly a parking lot/traffic issue. In any case, at this point, tickets are still on available for tomorrow night's show and they'll set you back about $25.

In a completely and totally unrelated note whilst perusing YouTube I discovered this video of Bon Iver doing Dance, Dance, Dance with Lykke Li. How did I not hear about this already? I love Bon Iver AND Lykke Li!


Lykke Li with Bon Iver - Dance, Dance, Dance video via YouTube

And this is related to the last thing but not the first thing, it's another Bon Iver cover song...technically it's a Feist cover by Bon Iver from Aussie radio.


Bon Iver - The Park video via YouTube


Feist - 1, 2, 3, 4 (Sesame Street Version) video via YouTube

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Do512 + the Boxing Lesson = Good Times

The other day I told you all about the show I saw at the Mohawk and how Ume stole the show. Well, I also mentioned how I wish I had seen more of the psychedlic histrionics of the Boxing Lesson. No fear people tonight is the night to catch a full-on performance from the Boxing Lesson with my friends over at the Do512 compound on South Lamar. The show is free with RSVP, unfortunatly the list is closed. Although something tells me if you're down with Twitter, you may be able to weasel your way into the show somehow.


the Boxing Lesson - Dark Side of the Moog video via YouTube

More from the Boxing Lesson after the jump...
The Boxing Lesson folks were kind enough to send along their latest album for me to hear. It's called, Wild Streaks & Windy Days and if you can imagine Syd Barret joining Black Sabath to make a New Waveish band then you're getting closer to the sort of sound you can expect from the Boxing Lesson. The twelve tracks run about an hour long and range in styles. You can hear some slow-bringing show-gazey tracks along side some beautiful psychedelic freak-out jams. But it's all anchored with really nice melodies and tight rhythm section. Check it out for yourself on iTunes.


the Boxing Lesson - Brighter video via YouTube

Pay attention other Austin bands 'cause the Boxing Lesson could teach you all a lesson about promotion. First of all they have a Wikipedia entry, which is key but they also have a YouTube channel. Get it other local bands? That's how you get blogs to promote you, give us some info, give us some content. Thanks Boxing Lesson :-).


the Boxing Lesson - Dance With Meow video via YouTube

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Ume Steal Show Sorry ILYBICD

Last night I went to the Mohawk to see the Boxing Lesson, Ume, and I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness. ILYBICD headlined the bill, going on at 11pm I enjoyed their set but I must say I spent most of the set thinking of all the other bands and songs that their songs reminded me of. Here's a list that my friend Orion and I came up with: My Bloody Valentine, Joy Division, Interpol, Explosions in the Sky. So obviously, they were pretty shoe-gazey with somewhat dis-affected vocals but there was also some Explosions sound in there. To me that means beautiful guitar tones with some lyrical interplay. They have as many guitarists as Ume has band members.


I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness - the Owl video via YouTube

Ume and the Boxing Lesson get their due after the jump...

Speaking of Ume their one SUPER-charismatic female guitarist rocked out so hard, you don't even know y'all. She's a somewhat diminutive, fair-haired young lady with ballet slippers and her purse on the stage but she totally slays y'all. She had some serious rock god moves up on that stage. I purchased their latest EP Sunshower at Waterloo records the other day but obviously it's a lot better to see the performance live. You should still go get the EP though 'cause it pretty much kicks ass and you'll want to sing along at the shows right? No? Why the eff not?!?


Ume - The Conductor video courtesy of Ultra 8201 via YouTube

Free Mp3 courtesy of Transmission Entertainment, thanks.

Free Mp3 ---> Ume - The Conductor

The Boxing Lesson was the band I was least familiar with at the Mohawk last night. I'm following them on Twitter and I had seen their name in listings but I hadn't heard, what they call their Space-Rock, yet. To be honest I only heard them play one song last night, but that song was enough to make me want to see them again. Lucky for me all the bands last night are local, so I'll be seeing them all again real soon. In the meantime you should read the Wiki article for the Boxing Lesson it's pretty crazy, they have more former members than members (Including one who's in jail).

Free Mp3 courtesy of Transmission Entertainment, thanks.

Free Mp3 ---> the Boxing Lesson - Muerta

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Thao with The Get Down Stay Down

Thao - Swimming Pools video via YouTube

Have y'all heard Thao? She played the NPR showcase during SXSW along with the Get Down, Stay Down. That same showcase featured the likes of BLK JKS, Dirty Projectors, Blind Pilots and K'NAAN. Well Thao with The Get Down Stay Down are coming back to the Parish Room tomorrow night and if you want to stay ahead of the curve then I suggest you get some tickets. By the way, in case you're not the curious type, that NPR link up there takes you to a page where you can listen to the full sets from the above-mentioned showcase.

Free Mp3's courtesy of Kill Rock Stars, thanks.

Free Mp3 ---> Thao - Bag of Hammers

Free Mp3 ---> Thao - Beat (Health, Life, and Fire)

There's a little bit more after the jump...

Since, I mentioned a list of artists at the top of the post I should mention at least one other. I've talked about my love for Dirty Projectors before, so I won't re-hash all that. However, I will mention that there was a lot of K'NAAN buzz at this past weekend's Coachella festival. I haven't heard a lot from this guy, but his story is intriguing I highly recommend the Wiki article.

I just fear his cross-over appeal may land him major success and thus remove his indie-cred. Oh indie-cred, such a fickle, fluid bitch. Oh wait, this guy is touring with Snoop Dogg does that mean he has NO indie-cred? But he played the effing NPR showcase! I don't care I'm still blogging it, indie-cred be damned!


K'NAAN - Dreamer video via YouTube

Just for the record, K'NAAN is also a member of the evil, Sony/Universal Music Group anti-embedding conglomerate INC. Soooooo NOT indie.

As opposed to AustinBloggyLimits favorites, BLK JKS who have mad, indie-cred y'all!


BLK JKS - Summertime video via YouTube

You can download this song over at RCRD LBL, they don't like embedding either but they still get my love and support...sorry UMG.

Summertime is a great song but it doesn't really capture how great BLK JKS are live perhaps the "single" is a better representation.


BLK JKS - Lakeside video via YouTube

I really hope you were patient enough to hear when Lakeside gets to the skank, that's when they really get down. It's another band doing that Paul Simon/Vampire Weekend rhythym, but check this out...are you ready...BLK JKS is ACTUALLY African...from Africa. Take that Ivy League "African-Influenced" bands...whom I also <3 dearly.

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Another Tuesday in Austin

Last week I mentioned how this Tuesday has a lot of good shows. Events that are so good, in fact, that if you're not already going you're gonna have to get scalped tickets.

The first thing I'm going to mention is Spoon at the Scoot Inn. That's right chalk up another coup for the folks over at Transmission for booking that show.


Spoon - I Summon You video via YouTube

Find out who else is in town and score free Mp3's after the jump...

Well, in addition to a Tuesday night Spoon show, you can catch My Bloody Valentine hot off the heals of Coachella at the Austin City Music Hall.


My Bloody Valentine - Realise video via YouTube

So you've got local indie-legends, or international genre-creating legends. Your pick. If that's not enough selection, there's still more! That's right you could also catch Dr. Dog at the Parish Room.

Free Mp3's courtesty of Dr. Dog Music, thanks.

Free Mp3 ---> Dr. Dog - California

Free Mp3 ---> Dr. Dog - Worst Trip

This is from their latest record, Fate and borrows from Paul McCartney AND David Bowie w/ just a twist of the Faces/Rod Stewart. How do you like that?


Dr. Dog - Hang On video via YouTube

That's not it kids, I'm not stopping at Dr. Dog although that's probably the show I would attend given the choices thus far. You can ALSO catch Ladytron:


Ladytron - Seventeen video via YouTube

With the Faint at Stubb's but that show is going on like...uh...now. So leave already if you're gonna.


the Faint - Agenda Suicide video via YouTube

Lastly but not leastly you can catch one of my personal favorite, local bands. You've heard me mention them MANY times before but you can see Harlem at the Mohawk tonight too.


Harlem - Think I'm Thinkin' Bout video via YouTube

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This Generation Rules the Nation With Version (?)

So, yesterday I told you all about the shows you could and would see tonight, Friday. Now I'm going to focus on your Saturday. Firstly I should mention again that Reggae Fest '09 is scheduled to take place at Auditorium Shores tomorrow and Sunday. I'm not really sure if they cancel/re-schedule if it rains or not. I'm going to guess not though, if Jah wants rain, Jah shall have rain eh??


Musical Youth - Pass the Dutchie video via YouTube

To me Reggae Fest isn't necessarily about who's scheduled to perform, it's more about the atmosphere and the genre. So, I'm not going to get into all those specifics of artists and showtimes.

Anyway, other than Reggae, the show I'm most excited about tomorrow night has GOT to be Del tha Funky Homosapien playing Emo's outside. Del and Dan the Automator are the reason for the numbers in my online moniker, birkley3030.


Deltron 3030 - 3030 video via YouTube

More content (Including Mp3's) after the jump...

Tomorrow is also, Record Store Day and Waterloo has 2 of the Jayhawks. I'm not really sure if they have non-Jayhawks material or if it will be J tunes with fewer harmonies? In any case, I love me some Jayhawks and you should too, especially since it's free. COME ON!


the Jayhawks - Blue video via YouTube

Crazy, I always assumed they were from Kansas, turns out they're actually Mineapolianic.


the Jayhawks - Save It For A Rainy Day video via YouTube

So, after Reggae Fest and after you see some of the Jayhawks you should have some dinner and drinks and head over to the Mohawk for French Kicks. They do some really nice the Carsesque or Rick Ocasekish Adult-Alternative that the kids should like as well.

Free Mp3's courtest of French Kicks .Com, thanks.

Free Mp3 ---> French Kicks - One More Time

Free Mp3 ---> French Kicks - When You Heard You


French Kicks - Abandon video via YouTube

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Concert Season Approacheth

Well, dear reader it looks like this was a bad week to take a couple of days off. There are so many good shows, that are coming up and/or already happened.

Let's start with tonight. You can, and should, catch the Starlight Mints at the Mohawk tonight. They do quirky pop, even though they are listed under Jazz in the iTunes store, and they're from Oklahoma, which is neither here nor there. The show is outside, so it has to be done by 11pm(?) get there early for local, psychedelic all-stars, Moth!Fight!

Mp3's courtesy of Barsuk, thanks.

Free Mp3 ---> Starlight Mints - Inside of Me

Free Mp3 ---> Starlight Mints - Pumpkin

More Mp3's and show listings after the jump...

Tomorrow night has a few good shows, first and foremost I should mention Dan Deacon is going to be at Emo's outside. That should be a pretty hot, sweaty, late, loud, good-ass time. If you're not familiar with Dan Deacon feel free to head on over to his site and download ALL of his early albums and EP's for free.

Free Mp3's from the above mentioned source, thanks.

Free Mp3 ---> Dan Deacon - Drinking Out of Cups

Free Mp3 ---> Dan Deacon - The House I Was Isn't My Girlfriend's Porsche

If you're not feeling Dan Deacon, that's cool, he's not for everyone. You can head on over to Flamingo Cantina and catch "The Skatalites" before they hit Auditorium Shores for Reggae-Fest later in the weekend. Flamingo Cantina is a WAY, WAAAAAY more intimate/small setting, should be a good time.


the Skatalites - A Shot in the Dark video via YouTube

If that's STILL not your cup of tea, you picky bastard, there's always, White Denim, Ume, and Corto Maltese at the Parish Room? All local bands featured with, what is arguable, the best sound of any venue in Austin. Oh yeah, you know that's going to be a good time.


Ume - The Conductor video via YouTube

Geez, and how could I forget Transmography at Beauty Bar? They are one of my favorite, local acts and who doesn't love Snooty Bar? That's a lot of good shows for Friday night. Wait, till you see what's going on next Tuesday! It's pretty ridiculous.


Transmography - Car Commercial video from YouTube

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Castles, Antlers, Stilts, Method

Crystal Castles are at La Zona Rosa tomorrow night and you can still get tickets. Don't be confused, this is not Crystal Antlers or the Crystal Method it's Crystal Castles.

What's with trends in band names? I feel like it's not as bad as the Deerhoof, Deerhunter, Deer Tick outbreak but it's on its way. Before Deer bands it was just general animals, Fleet Foxes, Band of Horses, Animal Collective and the like. I vote the next trend should be something involving shapes, Squarepusher, Rhombusta Rhymes etc.


Crystal Waters - 100% Pure Love video via YouTube

More video after the jump...


Crystal Castles - Alice Practice video via YouTube


Crystal Antlers - Andrew video via YouTube

I was so wrapped up in Crystal Castles and Crystal Antlers, I forgot all about Crystal Stilts! This is a new video from Alight of Night:


Crystal Stilts - Departure


the Crystal Method - Keep Hope Alive video via YouTube


Dan Deacon - Crystal Cat video via YouTube

I couldn't really talk about "Crystal bands" or "Meth Rock" without mentioning the original Crystals...the Crystals who had many Phil Spector hits including this one:


the Crystals - Then He Kissed Me video via YouTube

and this one too...


Grizzly Bear - He Hit Me (And It Felt Like a Kiss) video via YouTube

Is it me or is, He Hit Me (And It Felt Like a Kiss) just the most completely inappropriate song title?

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Moz in Austin/KidzBop Rulez

Not that I plan on going or anything, but I was quite surprised to find that those of you who would like to see Morrissey on Sunday may still do so. That's right kids tickets for Moz at the Bass Concert Hall are still on sale now. I guess I just thought the city of Austin would be more enthused for Morrissey but that's a big venue and I'm sure his swarms of sad, psychotic fan-boys and girls already got their tix.


Morrissey - Interviewed by Russel Brand video via YouTube

More video after the jump...

I know Morrissey hasn't been a member of the Smith for a great many years now, but he still does some of those songs, so I'm going to post the hits.


the Smiths - This Charming Man video via YouTube

I have just been scouring YouTube for more Morrissey/Smith material but it's all owned by my favorite faceless record giant, UMG (Surprise!). So I can't embed any of their video. Since they don't really want me promoting their artists or their content on my site. You'll get this instead.


Stoned D-Bag - How Soon Is Now video via YouTube

Trust me I hunted around for some of the worst cover songs on YouTube to find the one above, but I was VERY disappointed that there were no Kidz Bop covers. I did find all these cheesy film student videos though. That's fun...or sad...right?


the Smiths - Frankly, Mr. Shankly video via YouTube


Kidz Bop - Since You Been Gone video via YouTube

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Ariel Pink & Vivian Girls @ Mohawk Tomorrow

So, during SXSW the Vivian Girls played something like 18 shows, including one on the Lamar pedestrian bridge. Here it is about a month later and they're back already! They'll be supporting Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti tomorrow night at the Mohawk. If you're interested in checking out the show tickets are still available and cost a mere 10 spot or 12 at the door.

Call me crazy but it kind of seems like at this point Ariel Pink should be opening for Vivian Girls but I suppose they only have one album worth of 2 minute songs, so it might be tough to headline. When I saw them at the Mohawk during SXSW the V Girls only played like 20 minutes, but that's SX for ya'.

Free Mp3's courtesy of Paw Tracks Records, thanks.

Free Mp3 ---> Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Helen

Free Mp3 ---> Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Jules Lost His Jewels

Free Mp3 ---> Ariel Pink - For Kate I Wait

Find a video or two after the jump...

Did I mention how fun the V Girls stage banter is? They are so valley girl, even though they're alleged to be from Brooklyn. The sound quality on this vid kind of sucks, but here are the V Girls fleshing out their set list with a cover of Wavves' So Bored.

Vivian Girls - So Bored video via YouTube

Speaking of Wavves I noticed yesterday they have a new CD in stores, it looks VERY similar to their previous release, with the skateboarding kid. Instead of being called Wavves like the last album it's called, Wavvves. That's with three v's. But that has nothing to do with this post...

Here's the show I saw from the Vivian Girls, aren't they funny?


Vivian Girls - All the Time video via YouTube

The sound on this video is weird, but it's also how the records sound. So, I guess we can't blame YouTube for this one. I guess AP just likes that far away/late 70's production value.


Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - For Kate I Wait video via YouTube

Did I mention they call this guy's music "Freak Folk" and he's on Animal Collective's label?


Ariel Pink - Gray Sunset video via YouTube

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