Monday, July 13, 2009

Pete Yorn, Tonight!

Damn my early work schedule, I will have to miss Pete Yorn at La Zona Rosa tonight, but that doesn't mean you have to. At this point, the show still isn't sold-out so I'm guessing it probably won't. You can buy tickets for will-call or you should be able to just pay at the door I would think. Opening up for Pete will be Zee Avi. A ticket to this show will set you back about $30, which is probably why it's not sold-out. Thirty bucks Pete? Really?


Pete Yorn - Shotgun video via YouTube

AND you won't let me embed official videos Pete?!?! Really?!?! You can PURCHASE some bad-ass Pete Yorn music videos from the iTunes store though!

More UNOFFICIAL videos after the jump...


Zee Avi is signed to Jack Johnson's record label so that should give you an idea of what to expect.


Zee Avi - Bitter Heart video via YouTube

Here's the song that "catapulted" Pete Yorn into "fame", it's the one you're mostly likely to recognize if you're not familiar with his music. Part of me wants to put a lame-ass cover of this song since I can't embed the official video. Instead I'll put this shitty-crowd sing along version.


Pete Yorn - Life on a Chain (Shitty-Crowd singing along version) video via YouTube

I must say, if that last video had been filmed in Austin, instead of a sing-along you would have heard people carrying on conversation, loudly as if there weren't a performer on stage.

I think I posted something from this Bruce Springsteen covers series back when he was in town. But since this is official, and not shitty I'll let you hear Pete doing Bruce...I think Pete Doing Bruce is actually trucker-porn.


Pete Yorn - Your Own Worst Enemy video via YouTube

I feel like I enjoy Pete Yorn less, after writing this post, than I did before writing this post. But, I'm a MUCH bigger fan of Zee Avi now, so that's good right?


Zee Avi - Honey Bee video via YouTube

And for some reason all that Pete Yorn just put me in the mood to hear Josh Rouse. Hmm?


Josh Rouse - Direction video via YouTube

And what do you know? I was able to embed Mr. Rouse's biggest single, no problem. Hmm?

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Thursday, July 9, 2009

Shhhhh B4L in August

Let's keep this on the low people, Bat For Lashes is playing the Parish Room in August and if you want to go, you better get your ticket now. Ironically, the show is sponsored by local "modern-rock" station 101X the irony being that 101X rarely, if ever, plays Bat for Lashes. Mainly because these days "modern rock" radio consists of mostly Candlebox, Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots and other 15-20 year old tracks mixed in there with some mall-punk for the tweens. I feel sad for radio these days, but they don't seem to be trying very hard to stay relevant. Do you ever listen to your local radio stations anymore?


Bat for Lashes - Pearl's Dream video via YouTube


I predict lots of googly-eyed indie-rockers at this show. The recent St. Vincent show at the Mohawk was full of love-stricken youngsters in American Apparel. There's something about Natasha Khan (B4L) that's so mesmerizing, I'm sure she will put everyone at the Parish into some sort of Stevie Nicks voodoo-trance. I'm excited about the trance.


Bat For Lashes - Daniel video via YouTube

Hopefully, you've already heard Daniel before, that's sort of the U.S. "breakout" "hit". However, the first Bat for Lashes album, Fur and Gold earned the performer a Mercury Prize nomination for best album.


Bat for Lashes - Horse and I video via YouTube

I have to link you to this last video because it's anti-embedding but I love it. It's sort of an homage, shall we say, to Donnie Darko.



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Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Spoon v. Deer Tick v. Balmorhea +

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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...



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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.

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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.

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