Tomorrow is the first of three nights, in which, Spoon will be performing at Stubb's. Each note has two different opening bands, one local, one touring. Thursday Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears will be representing the local opener and Quasi will be the touring act. Friday it's Dale Watson followed by Low. The third, and final show, on Saturday will feature the Strange Boys and Atlas Sound.
By the way I never knew this song had a video but I swear I've been to this furniture store I'm quite sure it's on Burnet near W. Anderson. Just sayin'
Spoon - The Two Sides of Monsieur Valentine video via YouTube
Free Low Mp3's courtesy of SubPop Records, thanks.
Free Mp3 --->Low - California
Free Mp3 --->Low - Monkey
Free Mp3 --->Low - Breaker
Free Mp3 --->Low - Murderer
Don't worry, there's more than just Spoon-related content after the jump...
I love Spoon, don't get me wrong but I'm quite sure those shows are sold-out and this is Austin, which means Spoon ain't the only dog and pony show in town. For my money, I would love to catch Deer Tick at Emo's. They are probably the best thing to come out of Rhode Island since...since, whatever great thing has come from RI in the past? I don't know. I do know at the time of my writing this that you can still get yourself a ticket to hear Deer Tick in person. I love the singer's weathered, belching voice and hey, they even have a jug-band style song. Gotta love that right?
Deer Tick - Easy video via YouTube
If, you're a real Austin snob and you don't watch touring acts let's hang out and form a club. Maybe we could talk about it before and/or after Balmorhea performs at the Cactus Cafe tomorrow it's an early show (8:30) so maybe we can head over to Deer Tick after. Mmm kay?
Balmorhea - Night in the Draw video via YouTube
In a totally un-related note, have y'all heard anything from the new the Gossip record? It's produced by Rick Rubin, which I'm sure was great for the band but as a fan I'm not really sure how to put my finger on his "signature sound" to know in what ways he has influenced this new album. I do know that the first single is vicious, I love it and it pains me to post this video since it's sourced for blogger P. Hilton's YouTube channel :-(. Oh well, I guess the Gossip DOES appeal to mall-rats/tweens/vacant souls/etc.
the Gossip - Heavy Cross video via YouTube
I wonder how the Gossip and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs feel about each other? Are the competitors? Peers? Suckling from the same musical teets? I vote totally self-involved and unaware that there are other bands also making music.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Heads Will Roll video via YouTube
Read more!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
Explosions in the Sky @ Stubb's
Tomorrow is the 4th of July, which means Lee Greenwood is getting a lot of airplay this weekend. It also means that Austin heroes, Explosions in the Sky return home, to Stubb's tomorrow night. This show has been sold-out for quite some time, but I'm still going to try to weasel my way in via Twitter like I did for the Animal Collective show. I have saved a search for "Explosions in the Sky" on Tweetdeck and all the posts have been raving reviews from the shows Explosions have already played this week. There is liberal use of the word "epic" when referring to Explosions but I guess with the name Explosions in the Sky it better be epic damn it.
Explosions in the Sky - A Song For Our Fathers video via YouTube
Free Mp3's courtesty of Temporary Residence Limited, thanks.
Free Mp3 ---> Explosions in the Sky - Welcome, Ghosts
Free Mp3 ---> Explosions in the Sky - Look Into the Air
Free Mp3 ---> Explosions in the Sky - Memorial
Free Mp3 ---> Explosions in the Sky - A Poor Man's Memory
One of the reasons this Explosions show sold-out it because they effing kick ass in concert. The other reason is the Octopus Project are the opening act, how sick is that? It's like Austin's best wordless bands are playing together, hopefully while fireworks explode percussively over-head. That part, we'll just have to wait and see. The only down side I can see in all of this is that you will have to go downtown on a major holiday, which is NEVER a good idea IMHO. My advice if you CAN catch this show at Stubb's then you def should because the Octopus Project are about to go on tour and Explosions in the Sky are winding down their tour so you won't get a chance to catch these bands in Austin again anytime soon.
the Octopus Project - Wet Gold video via YouTube
Hang on, did I hear singing in that song?!?! I guess the Octopus Project are going to let us hear their beautiful voices on a new song or two. Now it's not a wordless concert anymore, but it's still damn near close.
Explosions in the Sky - Your Hand in Mine video via YouTube
I have been living with this Octopus Project song for so long that seeing the video makes me feel nostalgic. It's their "First Big Single" so if you're not familiar you should be.
the Octopus Project - Music is Happiness video via YouTube
Of course, I have to mention the Friday Night Lights connection for the one person reading this who doesn't already know. Explosions in the Sky do all of the music/score for Friday Night Lights the TV show and movie and book if you have an iPod.
Explosions in the Sky - Friday Night Lights Trailer video via YouTube
One last one I really like this song and the video was fairly clever/interesting.
Explosions in the Sky - Birth and Death of the Day video via YouTube
Read more!
Explosions in the Sky - A Song For Our Fathers video via YouTube
Free Mp3's courtesty of Temporary Residence Limited, thanks.
Free Mp3 ---> Explosions in the Sky - Welcome, Ghosts
Free Mp3 ---> Explosions in the Sky - Look Into the Air
Free Mp3 ---> Explosions in the Sky - Memorial
Free Mp3 ---> Explosions in the Sky - A Poor Man's Memory
One of the reasons this Explosions show sold-out it because they effing kick ass in concert. The other reason is the Octopus Project are the opening act, how sick is that? It's like Austin's best wordless bands are playing together, hopefully while fireworks explode percussively over-head. That part, we'll just have to wait and see. The only down side I can see in all of this is that you will have to go downtown on a major holiday, which is NEVER a good idea IMHO. My advice if you CAN catch this show at Stubb's then you def should because the Octopus Project are about to go on tour and Explosions in the Sky are winding down their tour so you won't get a chance to catch these bands in Austin again anytime soon.
the Octopus Project - Wet Gold video via YouTube
Hang on, did I hear singing in that song?!?! I guess the Octopus Project are going to let us hear their beautiful voices on a new song or two. Now it's not a wordless concert anymore, but it's still damn near close.
Explosions in the Sky - Your Hand in Mine video via YouTube
I have been living with this Octopus Project song for so long that seeing the video makes me feel nostalgic. It's their "First Big Single" so if you're not familiar you should be.
the Octopus Project - Music is Happiness video via YouTube
Of course, I have to mention the Friday Night Lights connection for the one person reading this who doesn't already know. Explosions in the Sky do all of the music/score for Friday Night Lights the TV show and movie and book if you have an iPod.
Explosions in the Sky - Friday Night Lights Trailer video via YouTube
One last one I really like this song and the video was fairly clever/interesting.
Explosions in the Sky - Birth and Death of the Day video via YouTube
Read more!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
You Must <3 the Club Deville
Looks like Club Deville has a string of good, local acts playing tonight and tomorrow. Tonight I plan on heading downtown (*fingers crossed* for good parking) to catch Woven Bones with Harlem. I'm never sure about the door charge I wish they would post that somewhere but I would guestimate it to be a $5 cover. Although sometimes, I've noticed venues getting sneaky with the $6 cover so you end up with more ones presumably for tipping. *shrug*
Woven Bones - Live @ Emo's video via YouTube
Then tomorrow night, Club Deville is hosting CD release parties for two, count them, two bands at once!
'Til We're Blue or Destroy - Giving Up on the High Side video via YouTube
'Til We're Blue or Destroy is one of the bands with a new CD. Is it me or have they gotten a little weirder since 2007? But then again, haven't we all gotten a little weirder in the past two year? No? Fine then. But check out 'Til We're Blue or Destroy from way back in '07...seems like a distant memory.
'Til We're Blue or Destroy - Don't Ever Let the Bastard Win video via YouTube
New Roman Times is the other band sharing their CD release party tomorrow night. I hope there's cupcakes, it's not really a "party" without them, it's just another damn show.
New Roman Time - Reversion Therapy video via YouTube
Read more!
Woven Bones - Live @ Emo's video via YouTube
Then tomorrow night, Club Deville is hosting CD release parties for two, count them, two bands at once!
'Til We're Blue or Destroy - Giving Up on the High Side video via YouTube
'Til We're Blue or Destroy is one of the bands with a new CD. Is it me or have they gotten a little weirder since 2007? But then again, haven't we all gotten a little weirder in the past two year? No? Fine then. But check out 'Til We're Blue or Destroy from way back in '07...seems like a distant memory.
'Til We're Blue or Destroy - Don't Ever Let the Bastard Win video via YouTube
New Roman Times is the other band sharing their CD release party tomorrow night. I hope there's cupcakes, it's not really a "party" without them, it's just another damn show.
New Roman Time - Reversion Therapy video via YouTube
Read more!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Patrick Wolf & Fever Ray/M83 tangent!
So, Patrick Wolf plays Antone's tomorrow night in support of his latest release the Bachelor. I have been a fan of Patrick Wolf for a while now but I didn't realize what he was doing with this new album. Apparently he was once signed to GiantFacelessMusicCorp. Record Label Machine and got dropped. So, to fund the Bachelor and its up-coming companion The Conqueror, Wolf took to a site I had never heard of called Band Stock where fans purchase shares in an artist and become investors in an album/tour/whatever. How crazy is that? I didn't really peruse the site too much yet, so, I'm not sure if there are any other "well-known" artists using this method but it seems to make sense to me. I'd invest in _________ or The _________s to hear their new material.
Just for the record, I'm really not sure how I feel about this video/how this video makes me feel:
Patrick Wolf - Vultures video via YouTube
At the time this post was written, you could still get tickets to see Patrick Wolf at Antone's for a mere $15. You also get to see Living Things and Plastiscines. Hell, if you get there early enough you can even see Jaguar Love! Not to be confused with Radar Love or JagJaguwar
Patrick Wolf - Hard Times video via YouTube
I feel like an American-born singer-songwriter could never get away with music like this. I don't know why that is but I believe it to be true. There are just certain sounds that are inherently European and P. Wolf def sounds Euro to me. That's not a bad thing, M83 sounds Euro and I love them THIIIIIIS much.
M83 - We Own the Sky video via YouTube
While, I'm on a tangent here, have y'all heard Fever Ray? I first heard this on Sirius XMU and thought damn, this sound like something new from the Knife! Turns out I was sort of right, Fever Ray is one half of the Knife.
Fever Ray - Triangle Walks video via YouTube
I know this is one of the songs that EVERYONE knows by the Knife but it's so effing cool! I'm posting it anyway damn it!
the Knife - Silent Shout video via YouTube
Read more!
Just for the record, I'm really not sure how I feel about this video/how this video makes me feel:
Patrick Wolf - Vultures video via YouTube
At the time this post was written, you could still get tickets to see Patrick Wolf at Antone's for a mere $15. You also get to see Living Things and Plastiscines. Hell, if you get there early enough you can even see Jaguar Love! Not to be confused with Radar Love or JagJaguwar
Patrick Wolf - Hard Times video via YouTube
I feel like an American-born singer-songwriter could never get away with music like this. I don't know why that is but I believe it to be true. There are just certain sounds that are inherently European and P. Wolf def sounds Euro to me. That's not a bad thing, M83 sounds Euro and I love them THIIIIIIS much.
M83 - We Own the Sky video via YouTube
While, I'm on a tangent here, have y'all heard Fever Ray? I first heard this on Sirius XMU and thought damn, this sound like something new from the Knife! Turns out I was sort of right, Fever Ray is one half of the Knife.
Fever Ray - Triangle Walks video via YouTube
I know this is one of the songs that EVERYONE knows by the Knife but it's so effing cool! I'm posting it anyway damn it!
the Knife - Silent Shout video via YouTube
Read more!
Friday, June 26, 2009
John Vanderslice @ the Parish Room 2night!
Is anyone going to the Parish Room tonight for the John Vanderslice show tonight? I'm not a superfan or anything but that dude def has some serious songwriting chops. I'm interested to see how it all translates in the live experience.
John Vanderslice - Trance Manual video via YouTube
For those of you who don't know already, Vanderslice is a member of the band, Mountain Goats, which has a revolving touring line-up. He is mostly known for his championing of analog sounds. He founded an all analog studio, which has been used by some of Austin's biggest heavy-weights including, Spoon and Okkervil River. So tonight I would expect some warm, fuzzy tones and some beautiful throwback singer/songwriter stuff. I don't know about you but that pretty much describes 75% of my favorite music. If you're looking for tickets they are currently still available, and to be honest I don't really see this show selling-out, no offense JV.
Free Mp3's courtesy of John Vanderslice and Barsuk, thanks.
Free Mp3 ---> John Vanderslice - Fetal Horses
Free Mp3 ---> John Vanderslice - Too Much Time
Free Mp3 ---> John Vanderslice - White Dove
John Vanderslice - Time To Go video via YouTube
So, in addition to seeing John Vanderslice at the Parish tonight you will also have the chance to catch The Tallest Man on Earth in the opening slot. The Tallest Man on Earth is actually one Swedish dude who has a bit of Pitchfork buzz already.
The Tallest Man on Earth - It Will Follow the Rain video via YouTube
Even though there is BARELY an affiliation with tonight's show and the Mountain Goats I still wanted to include a song by them too because I'm def a fan.
the Mountain Goats - This Year video via YouTube
Read more!
John Vanderslice - Trance Manual video via YouTube
For those of you who don't know already, Vanderslice is a member of the band, Mountain Goats, which has a revolving touring line-up. He is mostly known for his championing of analog sounds. He founded an all analog studio, which has been used by some of Austin's biggest heavy-weights including, Spoon and Okkervil River. So tonight I would expect some warm, fuzzy tones and some beautiful throwback singer/songwriter stuff. I don't know about you but that pretty much describes 75% of my favorite music. If you're looking for tickets they are currently still available, and to be honest I don't really see this show selling-out, no offense JV.
Free Mp3's courtesy of John Vanderslice and Barsuk, thanks.
Free Mp3 ---> John Vanderslice - Fetal Horses
Free Mp3 ---> John Vanderslice - Too Much Time
Free Mp3 ---> John Vanderslice - White Dove
John Vanderslice - Time To Go video via YouTube
So, in addition to seeing John Vanderslice at the Parish tonight you will also have the chance to catch The Tallest Man on Earth in the opening slot. The Tallest Man on Earth is actually one Swedish dude who has a bit of Pitchfork buzz already.
The Tallest Man on Earth - It Will Follow the Rain video via YouTube
Even though there is BARELY an affiliation with tonight's show and the Mountain Goats I still wanted to include a song by them too because I'm def a fan.
the Mountain Goats - This Year video via YouTube
Read more!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Lil' Dinos & Markov @ Red 7
Have y'all seen this video from local band, When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth? It's pretty hillarious, and I'm not totally certain but I don't think I hear any acoustic guitars, brushes on drums OR accordian in this tune. In case you can't tell it's a visual reference to Nirvana's legendary Unplugged performance. These guys have been playing around Austin for quite sometime and have established a name for themselves here. They'll be doing a west coast tour in August but you can catch em at Red 7 tonight.
When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth - It's Not the Heat, It's the Humidity video via YouTube
There are several other bands on tonight's bill but I mostly want to highlight When Dionsaurs Ruled the Earth and up-and-coming hard rocker's/metal-punks Markov these guys just got a nod in the Chronicle as a band to watch. To be honest they are a lot heavier than the sort of music I USUALLY get into. But sometimes you just need a truly visceral, loud music experience ya know?
Markov - Divine Credit video via YouTube
The band that is actually headlining Red 7 tonight is called Double Dagger and to be honest I know nothing about them really so this video is my first exposure to their music as it probably is yours as well.
Double Dagger - Luxury Condos video via YouTube
So it looks like tonight's show at Red 7 is going to be a seriously METAL experience. So rock your asses off but DEFINITELY bring some earplugs. For real y'all protect your senses 'cause these venues downtown don't mind making your ears bleed. Especially at a metal show, where you know all the amps are going to be set to 11 (ala Spinal Tap)
And if metal's not your thing, there's hip-hop next door at Emo's with Talib Kweli, as I mentioned yesterday.
I must say, I don't know who does the posters for Markov but they are pretty effing sweet. I wonder if there are physical copies or just virtual flyers? Check it out...
Read more!
When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth - It's Not the Heat, It's the Humidity video via YouTube
There are several other bands on tonight's bill but I mostly want to highlight When Dionsaurs Ruled the Earth and up-and-coming hard rocker's/metal-punks Markov these guys just got a nod in the Chronicle as a band to watch. To be honest they are a lot heavier than the sort of music I USUALLY get into. But sometimes you just need a truly visceral, loud music experience ya know?
Markov - Divine Credit video via YouTube
The band that is actually headlining Red 7 tonight is called Double Dagger and to be honest I know nothing about them really so this video is my first exposure to their music as it probably is yours as well.
Double Dagger - Luxury Condos video via YouTube
So it looks like tonight's show at Red 7 is going to be a seriously METAL experience. So rock your asses off but DEFINITELY bring some earplugs. For real y'all protect your senses 'cause these venues downtown don't mind making your ears bleed. Especially at a metal show, where you know all the amps are going to be set to 11 (ala Spinal Tap)
And if metal's not your thing, there's hip-hop next door at Emo's with Talib Kweli, as I mentioned yesterday.
I must say, I don't know who does the posters for Markov but they are pretty effing sweet. I wonder if there are physical copies or just virtual flyers? Check it out...
Read more!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
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.
Read more!
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.
Read more!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Dirty Projectors at Red 7?
I've got to give props to the folks over at Transmission Entertainment they've certainly managed to hold their own in this city full of C3 Presents venues and events. I must say though, I am somewhat disappointed that Transmission booked the Dirty Projectors. Why is that, you may ask? Mostly it's just because I'd much rather see Dirty Projectors at the Parish room than at Red 7. When I saw that DP was coming back to Austin I was ridiculously excited, then I saw they were playing at Red 7 and I wept openly. Not really, but come on a punk/metal venue? The sound system there has GOT to be fried as bad or worse than the sound system at Emo's.
Basically, instead of hearing intricate harmonies matched up with African bass lines we'll hear a muddy soup of low-end sounds with some faint whispering. Maybe I'm just being fatalistic but I hope this message reached transmission and they consider either making sure the sound at Red 7 is tweeked to suite a band that isn't pure noise or maybe have them play a different venue. Like, gee, I don't know how about the damn Radio Room? I really love Transmission I'm just more of a bitch on Sundays you know?
Dirty Projectors - Stillness Is the Move video via YouTube
Free Mp3 courtesy of SXSW.com, thanks.
Free Mp3 ---> Dirty Projectors - Rise Above
Did y'all even know Dirty Projectors were playing here next month? I just found out last night, it's not even on the band's MySpace yet. I almost didn't want to tell y'all yet, but I just bought my ticket before I started writing this, so it's safe to divulge to the public.
Dirty Projectors - Remade Horizon video via YouTube
I'm thinking the whole Red 7 thing is mainly because Transmission had already booked, the legendary, Tortoise at the Mohawk so when they booked Dirty Projectors they just stuck 'em in their next best venue. Actually they're calling the DP show a "Tortoise after-show", which is somewhat insulting.
I don't know why I'm freaking out about this. The first time I saw DP was at Emo's inside and I think anyone can attest to the shittiness of that sound system. Do you see how Austin City Limits TV has turned me into such a sound snob?!? But seriously I can't be the only one in this city who is sick of bad sound mixing. I want to hear the bass lines as seperate notes, is that too much to ask? I want to understand the lyrics/be able to hear the vocals in the mix. Who has to get an HJ for these things to happen?
Dirty Projectors - Rise Above video via YouTube
Alright, alright Sunday rant is officially over. Did y'all have a good weekend? Did you see St. Vincent, Sunset Rubdown, Harlem, the Meat Puppets? All of the above? Or did you chill out with Netflix/your DVR and smoke herb instead of leaving the house?
Oh, and for the record, it's REALLY hard to find videos for Dirty Projectors they don't seem to have any "official" music videos. I smell a fan video project in the works...hopefully.
Read more!
Basically, instead of hearing intricate harmonies matched up with African bass lines we'll hear a muddy soup of low-end sounds with some faint whispering. Maybe I'm just being fatalistic but I hope this message reached transmission and they consider either making sure the sound at Red 7 is tweeked to suite a band that isn't pure noise or maybe have them play a different venue. Like, gee, I don't know how about the damn Radio Room? I really love Transmission I'm just more of a bitch on Sundays you know?
Dirty Projectors - Stillness Is the Move video via YouTube
Free Mp3 courtesy of SXSW.com, thanks.
Free Mp3 ---> Dirty Projectors - Rise Above
Did y'all even know Dirty Projectors were playing here next month? I just found out last night, it's not even on the band's MySpace yet. I almost didn't want to tell y'all yet, but I just bought my ticket before I started writing this, so it's safe to divulge to the public.
Dirty Projectors - Remade Horizon video via YouTube
I'm thinking the whole Red 7 thing is mainly because Transmission had already booked, the legendary, Tortoise at the Mohawk so when they booked Dirty Projectors they just stuck 'em in their next best venue. Actually they're calling the DP show a "Tortoise after-show", which is somewhat insulting.
I don't know why I'm freaking out about this. The first time I saw DP was at Emo's inside and I think anyone can attest to the shittiness of that sound system. Do you see how Austin City Limits TV has turned me into such a sound snob?!? But seriously I can't be the only one in this city who is sick of bad sound mixing. I want to hear the bass lines as seperate notes, is that too much to ask? I want to understand the lyrics/be able to hear the vocals in the mix. Who has to get an HJ for these things to happen?
Dirty Projectors - Rise Above video via YouTube
Alright, alright Sunday rant is officially over. Did y'all have a good weekend? Did you see St. Vincent, Sunset Rubdown, Harlem, the Meat Puppets? All of the above? Or did you chill out with Netflix/your DVR and smoke herb instead of leaving the house?
Oh, and for the record, it's REALLY hard to find videos for Dirty Projectors they don't seem to have any "official" music videos. I smell a fan video project in the works...hopefully.
Read more!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
St. Vincent Weekend in Austin
So, as you probably already know by now. St. Vincent is in town right now. She played an in-store at Waterloo Records yesterday afternoon with a headlining set at the Mohawk's outside stage. I didn't attend the Waterloo performance but I was at the VERY sold-out Mohawk last night.
St. Vincent - Actor Out of Work video via YouTube
Read all about my show experience after the jump y'all...
All day yesterday I was excited about seeing St. Vincent then dinner time rolls around and I got all caught up in domestic-type duties. Next thing you know it's 9:30p and I'm effing with the dishwasher, my boyfriend ask, "Aren't you going to that show tonight?"
At this point panic sets in because I realized Pattern Is Movement would be on stage in 15 minutes and I live 20 minutes from downtown. Also, it's always a pain to find a parking space after 9p on a Friday night. So I rush down to the show pay for parking (boo) and head over to the venue. I still had the extra ticket though, so I decided I would stash the ticket and give clues via Twitter so someone would find it. Long story short no one found the dang ticket, I put a picture and specified, where it was and everything but it was too close to show time for that happy business.
St. Vincent - Now, Now video via YouTube
The 'Hawk was so crowded there was virtually no place to comfortably stand and see the show simultaneously and that's coming from a 6'2" tall dude. All those women who are 5'5"-5'7" I always wonder if they have ever really seen a concert before or if they just sort of hear it and catch glimpses through people's heads/bodies?
So, anyway the whole time leading up to St. V taking the stage I was watching my ticket stash spot and no one really seemed to notice. I few people actually walked within millimeters or it without noticing the reflective stripe. After awhile St. Vincent came out and I sort of forgot all about the ticket until she played Save Me, From What I want. For whatever reason that song reminded me so I walked over to the balcony and yelled down to people on the sidewalk. I told them where the ONE ticket was sitting, they seemed confused more than excited. This is the best part though, after all that waiting for someone to find it and it ends up that a group of 5 heard me yell and all went for the ticket. No one rushed or was rude or anything it was very mature, they just sort of strolled over to it, picked up the lone ticket and began a great debate. I watched the debate for awhile but then grew board with it. I wonder, which, of the five people ended up inside the packed house?
St. Vincent - Save Me, From What I Want video via YouTube
Word from a former employee, who was at the Mohawk earlier in the day said that St. V's sound tech took two hours doing the sound-check. They also made the Happy Hour DJ turn off their music so they could get absolute concentration. This may seem silly/bitchy/unnecessary but the sound was really good last night. The only downside to the sound was the sound bleeding over from Club Deville. I was standing at the side-stage/middle deck area for awhile last night but the sound from next door was ruining the experience, especially considering I couldn't see anything as it was.
The crowd was definitely a "hometown" crowd, this wasn't a show where the artist was trying to win an audience over. This was a triumphant, victory lap show, in other words she was pretty much preaching to the choir last night and the choir gave an, "Amen!" I'd say the 13 song setlist was fairly evenly split betweeen her two LPs, she opened with the title track from Marry Me, which I just read was a reference to the show Arrested Development. Remember when Maeby was a movie exec and she would respond, "Marry Me!" whenever flustered/backed in a corner? I guess that inspired St. Vincent to use the phrase.
Speaking of Marry Me I looked out over the see of people last night as she played Now, Now and I saw countless love-struck faces. It was sort of hilarious staring out into this see of adoring puppy-dog eyes. I think each person there was thinking, "If only she would talk to me she'd now how perfect we could be together. *sigh*" This isn't limited to any specific gender or sexual orientation. I think even some of us gay men were a bit enamored with this beautiful woman, with the voice of an angel who plays the devil's guitar.
St. Vincent - The Strangers video via YouTube
The performance was riveting overall, the 4-6 instrumentalists on stage did an excellent job of re-creating all of the textures from the albums. The only down sides to the experience are atmospheric. There was the already-mentioned sound bleeding, and the lack of good places to see the stage from but by far the WORST thing about MOST shows I attend in Austin is the lack of reverence. Yes you are at a bar, yes you're friends are here, yes this is a good-times/party atmosphere HOWEVER it is also an artistic performance. So if people could try to impress their dates with their witty banter BETWEEN sets I'd appreciate it, thanks. This was mostly a problem on the Mohawk's upper-patio the pit/floor area was too crowded for chattiness/living.
All in all the whole thing just made me ridiculously excited to see the perfection that is St. Vincent within the perfection that is the Austin City Limits television sound-stage tonight. I just read that the capacity of ACL TV is roughly 325 and I know for a fact that you can see from everywhere in there, there won't be ANY sound-bleeding, or chatting. YAY!! Oh yeah and the temperature will be perfectly air-conditioned. Seeing ACL TV in person has totally spoiled me now, but I'm Ok with that.
So did anybody see St. V twice yesterday? Anyone seeing her three times while she's here in Austin?
Sorry this is rambly...again but I just wanted to tell you a really funny overheard @ the Mohawk moment. This convo took place between 2 dude-bras:
DB1: "She's SOO hot!!"
DB2: "I can't see her!"
DB1: "You've seen pictures."
DB2: "Oh yeah, she's hot."
Read more!
St. Vincent - Actor Out of Work video via YouTube
Read all about my show experience after the jump y'all...
All day yesterday I was excited about seeing St. Vincent then dinner time rolls around and I got all caught up in domestic-type duties. Next thing you know it's 9:30p and I'm effing with the dishwasher, my boyfriend ask, "Aren't you going to that show tonight?"
At this point panic sets in because I realized Pattern Is Movement would be on stage in 15 minutes and I live 20 minutes from downtown. Also, it's always a pain to find a parking space after 9p on a Friday night. So I rush down to the show pay for parking (boo) and head over to the venue. I still had the extra ticket though, so I decided I would stash the ticket and give clues via Twitter so someone would find it. Long story short no one found the dang ticket, I put a picture and specified, where it was and everything but it was too close to show time for that happy business.
St. Vincent - Now, Now video via YouTube
The 'Hawk was so crowded there was virtually no place to comfortably stand and see the show simultaneously and that's coming from a 6'2" tall dude. All those women who are 5'5"-5'7" I always wonder if they have ever really seen a concert before or if they just sort of hear it and catch glimpses through people's heads/bodies?
So, anyway the whole time leading up to St. V taking the stage I was watching my ticket stash spot and no one really seemed to notice. I few people actually walked within millimeters or it without noticing the reflective stripe. After awhile St. Vincent came out and I sort of forgot all about the ticket until she played Save Me, From What I want. For whatever reason that song reminded me so I walked over to the balcony and yelled down to people on the sidewalk. I told them where the ONE ticket was sitting, they seemed confused more than excited. This is the best part though, after all that waiting for someone to find it and it ends up that a group of 5 heard me yell and all went for the ticket. No one rushed or was rude or anything it was very mature, they just sort of strolled over to it, picked up the lone ticket and began a great debate. I watched the debate for awhile but then grew board with it. I wonder, which, of the five people ended up inside the packed house?
St. Vincent - Save Me, From What I Want video via YouTube
Word from a former employee, who was at the Mohawk earlier in the day said that St. V's sound tech took two hours doing the sound-check. They also made the Happy Hour DJ turn off their music so they could get absolute concentration. This may seem silly/bitchy/unnecessary but the sound was really good last night. The only downside to the sound was the sound bleeding over from Club Deville. I was standing at the side-stage/middle deck area for awhile last night but the sound from next door was ruining the experience, especially considering I couldn't see anything as it was.
The crowd was definitely a "hometown" crowd, this wasn't a show where the artist was trying to win an audience over. This was a triumphant, victory lap show, in other words she was pretty much preaching to the choir last night and the choir gave an, "Amen!" I'd say the 13 song setlist was fairly evenly split betweeen her two LPs, she opened with the title track from Marry Me, which I just read was a reference to the show Arrested Development. Remember when Maeby was a movie exec and she would respond, "Marry Me!" whenever flustered/backed in a corner? I guess that inspired St. Vincent to use the phrase.
Speaking of Marry Me I looked out over the see of people last night as she played Now, Now and I saw countless love-struck faces. It was sort of hilarious staring out into this see of adoring puppy-dog eyes. I think each person there was thinking, "If only she would talk to me she'd now how perfect we could be together. *sigh*" This isn't limited to any specific gender or sexual orientation. I think even some of us gay men were a bit enamored with this beautiful woman, with the voice of an angel who plays the devil's guitar.
St. Vincent - The Strangers video via YouTube
The performance was riveting overall, the 4-6 instrumentalists on stage did an excellent job of re-creating all of the textures from the albums. The only down sides to the experience are atmospheric. There was the already-mentioned sound bleeding, and the lack of good places to see the stage from but by far the WORST thing about MOST shows I attend in Austin is the lack of reverence. Yes you are at a bar, yes you're friends are here, yes this is a good-times/party atmosphere HOWEVER it is also an artistic performance. So if people could try to impress their dates with their witty banter BETWEEN sets I'd appreciate it, thanks. This was mostly a problem on the Mohawk's upper-patio the pit/floor area was too crowded for chattiness/living.
All in all the whole thing just made me ridiculously excited to see the perfection that is St. Vincent within the perfection that is the Austin City Limits television sound-stage tonight. I just read that the capacity of ACL TV is roughly 325 and I know for a fact that you can see from everywhere in there, there won't be ANY sound-bleeding, or chatting. YAY!! Oh yeah and the temperature will be perfectly air-conditioned. Seeing ACL TV in person has totally spoiled me now, but I'm Ok with that.
So did anybody see St. V twice yesterday? Anyone seeing her three times while she's here in Austin?
Sorry this is rambly...again but I just wanted to tell you a really funny overheard @ the Mohawk moment. This convo took place between 2 dude-bras:
DB1: "She's SOO hot!!"
DB2: "I can't see her!"
DB1: "You've seen pictures."
DB2: "Oh yeah, she's hot."
Read more!
Friday, June 19, 2009
ABL's Rambling Re-Launch-ish
You may, or may not have noticed that AustinBloggyLimits has been short on updates the last two weeks. Well there are several reasons for that. First and foremost being hey it looks different now. I thought the old look was a bit dark so I went with this weird banana pudding look. You like?
Man, I have so many things to tell y'all so this isn't going to be a typical AustinBloggyLimits post. I'm going to be a bit scatter-brained trying to relay two weeks worth of somewhat interesting stories.
I'm going to start by saying congratulations to one of AustinBloggyLimits' favorite local bands, Harlem as they were signed to an international record deal with Matador Records. That's a pretty big deal if you ask me. Hopefully it means there will be more free, promotional Harlem material from now on. *fingers crossed*
Harlem - Witchgreens video via YouTube
Part of me wants to split these stories across a few posts but instead I'm just going to quickly vomit out some highlights of my music life in the past two weeks.
Ok, I'm going to start with the sold-out Animal Collective show at Stubb's. I really wanted to go but didn't have tickets and refused to pay the outrageous scalper prices. At the last minute my Twitter tweeps hooked it up. Austin Kleon offered me a set of tickets "Radiohead Model" pay what you want. I ended up taking 1 ticket for $20 and giving Austin a ride to the show, but for the record he would have flat-out given me 2 tickets so, take that scalper d-bags!
As far as the show itself? I was entertained and inspired/intrigued by Animal Collective. They are doing something completely different with music. The show was more like performance art than a straight-up concert. Was it totally entertaining/engaging the whole time? No. Was it worth the $20? Hell yes! My personal highlight was hearing Lion in a Coma I like that song so much more now. I think Summertime Clothes got the biggest response from the crowd though.
Animal Collective - Summertime Clothes video via YouTube
The week after AC was somewhat uneventful other than dealing with day to day non-music bull and trying to straighten out/gay-up my site. Then THIS week I saw Grizzly Bear crossing the street in front of my car, later that night I saw them perform at the Parish Room. Here We Go Magic was the opening band and they did an excellent job.
Grizzly Bear - Fine For Now "video" via YouTube
For me the job of an opening band is to play a 30-45 minute set, in which time you should remind us the name of your band and latest album at least twice. This may seem awkward but a lot of people are showing up throughout the opening slot so.. self-promote opening bands! The other key factor for a "good opener" is that their music is similar or complimentary to the headlining band. Here We Go Magic covered all of these bases. They also saved their most-well-known songs for the end of the set. There is nothing worse than an opener that starts with their hit and then makes you listen to 40 more minutes of songs you don't know.
Here We Go Magic - Tunnelvision video via YouTube
Grizzly Bear was outstanding/beautiful/powerful. When I listen to the albums it's easy to get caught up in the most obvious elements, the singing/songwriting. In person though I was totally engrossed in the rhythm parts. Grizzly Bear has some amazingly thoughtful, soulful, powerful drum parts in their songs. It's like Sigur Ros where it's less about precision and more about mood, tone, feeling. Personal highlight for that show was hearing the, "Chin up, cheer up" crescendo/explosion from the song Lullaby, that was a transcendental moment for me. Oh yeah, and the sound at the Parish can only be out done by the sound at the next venue I went to.
Grizzly Bear - Lullaby video via YouTube
Last night I had the pleasure of attending my first live taping of Austin City Limits the TV show. Before I moved to Austin ACL was pretty much all any of my friends/family knew about Austin so it was quite moving to be on the set in real life. It is a lot smaller than I imagined it to be, and they give out free beer. Not enough to get drunk but enough to taste beer you didn't pay for. Austin locals Okkervil River performed in the KLRU studios and they played a career-spanning set. Touching upon songs from all of their albums from the last 8ish years. The crowd was very reverent, hanging on every note and leaving a space of silence before erupting into applause after each song.
Will Sheff & AC Newman - Lost Coastlines video via YouTube
In the above video AC Newman is singing Will Sheff's part. Okkervil played this twice for the ACL taping. Oh the magic of television. The sound on the Austin City Limits stage is impeccable. I promise you I have never attended a live performance with better sound in my life! I was worried because I forgot my earplugs but they were not needed. I could understand every word that was sung, I heard every bass note clearly and every pluck of every stringed instrument was full and rich. I was so used to muddy bass tones and washed out vocals I sort of forgot what a live performance SHOULD sound like. You hear that downtown?!?! Louder doesn't mean better, and when the bass is so loud it effs up my breathing I'm not entertained. The other super-pleasant thing about the ACL taping was the air conditioning. I haven't been to a concert that was so temperate since I lived in New England.
Okkervil River - Lost Coastlines video via YouTube
Get it? They played Lost Coastlines twice so I posted it twice. The truly crazy thing about the ACL taping is I have tried to get into that show for three years and somehow this week I'm going twice. Like that old expression says, "When it rains, it pours." Oh, and for those who don't know, that other guy singing on Lost Coastlines is the lead singer of Shearwater and he used to be in Okkervil River but now he is just a "guest" and he performed at the taping too.
Shearwater - the Snow Leopard video via YouTube
So, that's what I've been up to. I wonder if anyone will read this I haven't updated in so long y'all probably gave up on me. I'm back though, so come and see me and tell your friend(s) too.
Before I sign off I forgot to mention, I had a spare ticket to see Grizzly Bear and ended up selling it to, Toto, the drummer from the Octopus Project. How Austin is that?
the Octopus Project - Truck video via YouTube
Oh and when I was at the Animal Collective show I was standing amongst members of Harlem and Electric Touch. It was such a "scene" environment complete with dude-bras and uber-hipsters who just show up to chat and make fun of people/places/things/nouns.
Electric Touch - Love in Our Hearts video via YouTube
Speaking of chatting, if you happen to have the chance to see Grizzly Bear in concert do you think you could shut the eff up while they're performing? That was so annoying I wanted to collectively slap people. I don't get spending money to try and talk OVER a band? There's like 1.3billion bars in Austin pick one without an amazing band if you feel like getting your chat on. Oh, and could the dude-bras lay off the Axe body spray PULEASE!?!?
Read more!
Man, I have so many things to tell y'all so this isn't going to be a typical AustinBloggyLimits post. I'm going to be a bit scatter-brained trying to relay two weeks worth of somewhat interesting stories.
I'm going to start by saying congratulations to one of AustinBloggyLimits' favorite local bands, Harlem as they were signed to an international record deal with Matador Records. That's a pretty big deal if you ask me. Hopefully it means there will be more free, promotional Harlem material from now on. *fingers crossed*
Harlem - Witchgreens video via YouTube
Part of me wants to split these stories across a few posts but instead I'm just going to quickly vomit out some highlights of my music life in the past two weeks.
Ok, I'm going to start with the sold-out Animal Collective show at Stubb's. I really wanted to go but didn't have tickets and refused to pay the outrageous scalper prices. At the last minute my Twitter tweeps hooked it up. Austin Kleon offered me a set of tickets "Radiohead Model" pay what you want. I ended up taking 1 ticket for $20 and giving Austin a ride to the show, but for the record he would have flat-out given me 2 tickets so, take that scalper d-bags!
As far as the show itself? I was entertained and inspired/intrigued by Animal Collective. They are doing something completely different with music. The show was more like performance art than a straight-up concert. Was it totally entertaining/engaging the whole time? No. Was it worth the $20? Hell yes! My personal highlight was hearing Lion in a Coma I like that song so much more now. I think Summertime Clothes got the biggest response from the crowd though.
Animal Collective - Summertime Clothes video via YouTube
The week after AC was somewhat uneventful other than dealing with day to day non-music bull and trying to straighten out/gay-up my site. Then THIS week I saw Grizzly Bear crossing the street in front of my car, later that night I saw them perform at the Parish Room. Here We Go Magic was the opening band and they did an excellent job.
Grizzly Bear - Fine For Now "video" via YouTube
For me the job of an opening band is to play a 30-45 minute set, in which time you should remind us the name of your band and latest album at least twice. This may seem awkward but a lot of people are showing up throughout the opening slot so.. self-promote opening bands! The other key factor for a "good opener" is that their music is similar or complimentary to the headlining band. Here We Go Magic covered all of these bases. They also saved their most-well-known songs for the end of the set. There is nothing worse than an opener that starts with their hit and then makes you listen to 40 more minutes of songs you don't know.
Here We Go Magic - Tunnelvision video via YouTube
Grizzly Bear was outstanding/beautiful/powerful. When I listen to the albums it's easy to get caught up in the most obvious elements, the singing/songwriting. In person though I was totally engrossed in the rhythm parts. Grizzly Bear has some amazingly thoughtful, soulful, powerful drum parts in their songs. It's like Sigur Ros where it's less about precision and more about mood, tone, feeling. Personal highlight for that show was hearing the, "Chin up, cheer up" crescendo/explosion from the song Lullaby, that was a transcendental moment for me. Oh yeah, and the sound at the Parish can only be out done by the sound at the next venue I went to.
Grizzly Bear - Lullaby video via YouTube
Last night I had the pleasure of attending my first live taping of Austin City Limits the TV show. Before I moved to Austin ACL was pretty much all any of my friends/family knew about Austin so it was quite moving to be on the set in real life. It is a lot smaller than I imagined it to be, and they give out free beer. Not enough to get drunk but enough to taste beer you didn't pay for. Austin locals Okkervil River performed in the KLRU studios and they played a career-spanning set. Touching upon songs from all of their albums from the last 8ish years. The crowd was very reverent, hanging on every note and leaving a space of silence before erupting into applause after each song.
Will Sheff & AC Newman - Lost Coastlines video via YouTube
In the above video AC Newman is singing Will Sheff's part. Okkervil played this twice for the ACL taping. Oh the magic of television. The sound on the Austin City Limits stage is impeccable. I promise you I have never attended a live performance with better sound in my life! I was worried because I forgot my earplugs but they were not needed. I could understand every word that was sung, I heard every bass note clearly and every pluck of every stringed instrument was full and rich. I was so used to muddy bass tones and washed out vocals I sort of forgot what a live performance SHOULD sound like. You hear that downtown?!?! Louder doesn't mean better, and when the bass is so loud it effs up my breathing I'm not entertained. The other super-pleasant thing about the ACL taping was the air conditioning. I haven't been to a concert that was so temperate since I lived in New England.
Okkervil River - Lost Coastlines video via YouTube
Get it? They played Lost Coastlines twice so I posted it twice. The truly crazy thing about the ACL taping is I have tried to get into that show for three years and somehow this week I'm going twice. Like that old expression says, "When it rains, it pours." Oh, and for those who don't know, that other guy singing on Lost Coastlines is the lead singer of Shearwater and he used to be in Okkervil River but now he is just a "guest" and he performed at the taping too.
Shearwater - the Snow Leopard video via YouTube
So, that's what I've been up to. I wonder if anyone will read this I haven't updated in so long y'all probably gave up on me. I'm back though, so come and see me and tell your friend(s) too.
Before I sign off I forgot to mention, I had a spare ticket to see Grizzly Bear and ended up selling it to, Toto, the drummer from the Octopus Project. How Austin is that?
the Octopus Project - Truck video via YouTube
Oh and when I was at the Animal Collective show I was standing amongst members of Harlem and Electric Touch. It was such a "scene" environment complete with dude-bras and uber-hipsters who just show up to chat and make fun of people/places/things/nouns.
Electric Touch - Love in Our Hearts video via YouTube
Speaking of chatting, if you happen to have the chance to see Grizzly Bear in concert do you think you could shut the eff up while they're performing? That was so annoying I wanted to collectively slap people. I don't get spending money to try and talk OVER a band? There's like 1.3billion bars in Austin pick one without an amazing band if you feel like getting your chat on. Oh, and could the dude-bras lay off the Axe body spray PULEASE!?!?
Read more!
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