Buju Banton at the Flamingo

I know I don't really write about Flamingo Cantina very often but it's not because I don't enjoy the place it's because I'm not very well-verse in writing about Reggae. However, I am aware of Buju Banton and if you're not then let's get familiar, shall we?

This is the part where I was going to get all biographical explaining to you everything I just learned from this AWESOME Wikipedia article I read. Wouldn't you have been impressed with all that stuff I "knew" about him? Instead, I'll just get down to business with some video embedding and hopefully some mp3 linking *fingers crossed*. Oh, and of course the most relevent info, the best way to get advanced tickets to tonight's show is to head on over to, my favorite little record shop, End Of An Ear and shell out $30. Otherwise you're going to be paying $35 at the door, which opens at 8:30.


Buju Banton - Magic City video via YouTube


For those of you who have never had the pleasure of experiencing a Flamingo Cantina show let me paint you a hazy picture. First of all when you walk in, you realize the front is basically a facade, the venue is a rectangular alley way with some aluminum roofing material here and there. My first time there the bartender was smoking a reggae cigarette, it was awesome...let's keep that on the low though, I don't want things to change. So there's some bleacher type seating on one side between the bar and the stage and you can go to a small upper deck type area behind the stage. Sometimes there's a unicorn that appears but you have to hang out for a really long time and smoke a lot of reggae cigarettes. Did I mention they also have Red Stripe in 16oz bottles there? Hooray Beer!


Buju Banton - Driver A video via YouTube

As a gay, male blogger I do have to mention that Buju Banton has come under fire for being homophobic and having hateful lyrics and the like. Obviously, that ain't cool yo! Why should I vote for you with my pink dollar mo fo? Well, to that I say...oh THAT'S what he was saying in that song! All I heard was biddy biddy bam ba, oh wait, no that was Selena. Anywho, dude's an artist, he has a point of view, I don't agree with it, but I may not agree with a lot of other artist's politics either. I just want to listen to some music y'all. Who knows maybe Daft Punk hate kittens and I love kittens but try NOT shaking your ass to that, I DARE you!


Daft Punk - Around the World (Clip) video via YouTube

Oh, also, I searched around for some officially embeddable mp3's with my fingers crossed on one hand only, cause two is bad luck, but I came up empty handed. Then I thought about an illegal link since he's homophobic but then I thought maybe he's afraid the gays will take all of his music and put it on the internet for free. You know, for our homosexual reggae sex-a-thons and the like, so I figured I won't give him the satisfaction. Unless he wants me to give him the satisfaction, which is probably the case right? With these homophobic types? They just need a good __________ in the ______ with a ________ or two.

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Rodrigo y Gabriela Slay Stubb's Soon

How can you argue with two Mexicans who live in Ireland and tour the planet playing bad-ass, flamenco-influenced, guitar instrumentals? You can't. That's why you should just get your ass over to Stubb's tomorrow night and watch these future-legends blow your damn minds y'all! Tickets for Rodrigo y Gabriela will set you back $33 but that price gets you both Rodrigo AND Gabriela, so that's cool. Being a Stubb's show be prepared for $4.50 Lone Stars and lots of D-Bags who are there specifically to talk to each other and people on the phone. That's right, they shelled out money to talk through the WHOLE show. So, if you walk into the venue with that expectation you won't get SUPER pissed off when everyone around won't STFU!!


Rodrigo Y Gabriela - Diablo Rojo video via YouTube

Do you see what I mean? That was just them playing on the Late Show, which is usually pretty meh *shrug*. They killed that though, have you ever heard an audience clap along and cheer mid-song on the Late Show? You have? Whatever, it was awesome. Anyway, the latest releast from RyG is called 11:11 the title refers to 11 musicians who helped Rodrigo y Gabriela on their respective musical journeys to the present day. There are also 11 tracks, so that's fitting.

I do have to mention that I'm somewhat miffed that RyG have a deal with a Universal Music Group subsidiary in Australia. What does this have to do with me? Here? In Austin? Well, it means that I can't embed any official videos for promotional purposes so that's why you get these, somewhat, janky unofficials. Don't worry thought I don't feel venomous enough to post really bad YouTube cover versions. Although I am tempted to search now.


Rodrigo y Gabriela - Hanuman video via YouTube

Oh snap, I found the band's own YouTube channel so I don't really need the "official" embed-able videos anyway. Here's another performance from TV but this one features a song from 11:11 the song above is also from their latest LP.


Rodrigo y Gabriela - Buster Voodoo video via YouTube

Oh, and don't forget shows at Stubb's start/end pretty early so if you show up at 9ish it might be too late-ish. Plan accordingly...ish.

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Japandroids, Neon Indian + Randomness!

How do y'all feel about Japandroids? I feel like they're one of those bands that I really want to like simply because their name is so clever but I'm not completely sold on them yet. Sure, it's jangly and it's a little Strokes-ish but I haven't found a hook that gets stuck in my head yet. Perhaps it will take a live viewing to fully appreciate Japandroids. I find it's often best to wait until you can see a band perform their material before making a final judgement call. For those of you who aren't digging on the Dirty Projectors catch 'em live and THEN listen to the record again. Sorry, that came out of nowhere. If you want to see Japandroids they'll be playing at Emo's Thursday night and the tickets'll set you back a cool $8.


Japandroids - I Quit Girls video via YouTube

Free Mp3 courtesy of Polyvinyl Records, thanks.

Free Mp3 ---> Japandroids - Young Hearts Spark Fire

Oh, and since I referenced the Dirty Projectors above just wanted to remind you that they are coming back to Austin AGAIN later this month. So, if you missed them at SXSW, or at Red 7, or at ACL fest then you can still catch them at Antone's on the 26th. As of the writing of this post tickets are still available.

In a completely unrelated note, local artist Alan Palomo's, Neon Indian LP, Psychic Chasms is finally out today. He'll be performing with/as his Neon Indian project as well as his Vega project at FunFunFunFest! I don't know about you but I'm definitely going to get my dance on at F3Fest this year.

Free Mp3's courtesy of Lefse Records, thanks.

Free Mp3 ---> Neon Indian - Deadbeat Summer

Free Mp3 ---> Neon Indian - Terminally Chill

It feels like this Neon Indian jam has been out for awhile now but maybe you haven't heard it yet? I don't know.


Neon Indian - Deadbeat Summer video via YouTube

I don't know about you, but I've been itching to hear the Psychic Chasms LP. See you at End of an Ear?

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BLK JKS Tomorrow

I feel like I have probably mentioned this show once or twice already but I wanted to remind y'all that tomorrow night BLK JKS will be back in Austin for the first time since their LP was released. I had a chance to catch this S. African band at SXSW '07 and they blew me away. Their music is instantly classic yet completely fresh at the same time. Given that a ticket will only set you back about $10 you should probably check them out. I suspect that the next time they swing through town they will be exponentially more famous then they are today. For some reason I truly expect them to be playing Coachella, Lollapalooza and all that business next summer. So catch 'em now while no one has heard of them yet.


BLK JKS - Molalatladi video via YouTube


Speaking of exciting, up-and-coming, African artists, I picked up Warm Heart of Africa by the Very Best yesterday. I had the mixtape from last year and I have been playing it quite a bit lately. But it's that title track, Warm Heart of Africa that has really made a home in my brain. BLK JKS actually spent some time in the studio with the Very Best contributing some instrumentation and vocals to their LP. I don't expect to see the Very Best here in Austin until SXSW but I did notice they will be doing some showcases in NYC for CMJ Fest later this month. If you're going to be in the city be sure to check them out.


the Very Best - Warm Heart of Africa video via YouTube

Oh, and yes that was Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend fame. That guy has been popping up all over the place lately. First he was on that track Carby by VW/Ra Ra Riot side-project, Discovery now this, the Very Best track. Up next is a new Vampire Weekend LP, the first track of which, can already be downloaded from their official site.


Discovery - Carby video via YouTube

The Emo's site doesn't say whether BLK JKS is an inside or outside show but I would venture to guess that's it's going to be an indoor event. If you get there early enough you can check out local artists, Wine and Revolution as well as TV Torso.


TV Torso - Live @ the Scoot Inn video via YouTube

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Bassnectar Last Night

Wow, so, I was at the Bassnectar show at La Zona Rosa last night. May I say, holy effing shhh that guy is not messing around. For those of you who don't know, or couldn't guess from the name, Bassnectar is a DJ who spins glitchy, bass-HEAVY jams. He has the reputation as being Mr. San Francisco DJ and he's also known to play several sets throughout, pretty much, every Burning Man Festival. I had the chance to catch Bass at SXSW this year, but that was a small, very exclusive, private event, which is not the ideal setting for Bassnectar. Ideally the best place to listen to Bassnectar would probably be in an underground, post-apocalyptic, cave-rave ala the Matrix (Reloaded?). However a packed to the gills, sweat dripping down the walls La Zona Rosa was definitely a good substitution in lieu of said post-apocalyptic rave scenario last night.


Bassnectar - Art of Revolution Tour Snippet video via YouTube

Free Mp3 from Bassnectar's latest LP, Cozza Frenzy available courtesy of Bassnectar.net, thanks.

Free Mp3 ---> Bassnectar - Cozza Frenzy

Read the rest of the review after the break...


I've been to a lot of shows at La Zona in the past, including some ACL after-shows last year but I have never seen the place packed in and totally sold-out like it was last night. For those of you have have never been, La Zona is basically a big warehouse, about the size of a small airplane hanger. From every edge of the place all you could see was sweaty people drinking and dancing. All along the edges of the crowd were the people who need a 3-6ft radius to really get their groove on and they were in top form.


German Dude Cosby Sweater - Example of the 3-6ft Dance Radius video via YouTube

One of the most striking things about the show, to me, was the number of people outside the venue scrambling to try and get last minute tickets and/or sneaky admission. There were at least 2 dozen people skulking around the block looking increasingly panicked about their ever slimming chances of getting inside. Only about a dozen ended up hanging around outside to try and listen. Lucky for me I planned ahead and I'm people who know people who are friends with people who hang out with people who played last night.

I did panic a bit on my way to the venue though. I was on the bus almost to the venue I did a last minute pocket check and realized I had forgotten my ear protection. I figured I'd just get some at Waterloo Records along my journey but ACL Festival caused a ridiculous human jam between my apartment and the record shop and, consequently, Waterloo was closed by the time I got there. So, I had resigned my Sunday to ringing-ear-syndrome but alas what did I find at the merch booth? FREE EARPLUGS! Take note artists and promoters, those of us who are serious about this shhh want to be able to hear it for a long time so if you're not giving away ear protection, at least sell it. Also, we want to be able to live to see another show, which is why we took the bus rather than driving. This blog post has a lesson in it.

Most people at the show last night were not utilizing the earplugs, which I find a bit appalling. Bassnectar was one of the most intensely loud experiences of my entire life. When you paid for your beer, you could feel your dollar vibrating in your hand. The hat I was wearing felt like a massage cap and the wooden platform floor I was standing on was buzzing and bouncing to the beat. In all honesty it's that physical sensation of feeling the beat that makes the show such an amazingly intense experience. However, it's not like I couldn't effing hear it with earplugs in. Is that what people think? Like they're not going to hear the billion decibel song cause they have pieces of foam in their ears? C'mon!


Bassnectar - Lightning In a Bottle video via YouTube

When he came out, Bass told the crowd he had two hours and he was gonna take us deep. He lived up to his promises and spun until the very last possible moment. He closed with his brand new remix of, Bloggy-approved artist, Fever Ray's When I Grow Up. That was the first time he had played that song for an audience and it's one that I was hoping to hear. It should be noted, that the crowd stayed and danced until the very last note too. Generally, you have lame-o's (like me) who leave a show a few minutes early to beat traffic/foot traffic/catch the bus but even after a long, wet 2nd day of ACL Festival the crowd couldn't walk away from Bassnectar. I, myself, had even planned to take the 1:40am bus but decided to stay at the show until 2, even though that meant I had to sit at the bus stop for 40minutes. It was so worth it, besides I have Harry Potter in audiobook form on my iPod, makes the time magically fly away. Expecto Patronum y'all.

All in all, the long and short of it, to summarize, in conclusion, if Bassnectar is coming to YOUR town just get an effing ticket already. Don't assume you're like the only kid in town who knows what's up. Unless you live in a rural community in which case you probably are the only kid in town who knows what's up, which is cool in its own right. Hang in there rural indie you'll get to the city someday soon.


the Jam - In The City video via YouTube

"Are you ready for the city? Is the city ready for you? Don't you know you have to choose?"


the Futureheads - The City is Here For You To Use video via YouTube

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Mos/Def K'Naan, ACLTV, Last Night

Well I've been trying to figure out how I'm gonna play this, given that it is ACL Festival weekend. One route to take would be to let you know who to see when and where but I just feel like there is a glut of that sort of information as it is. So I'll tell you about the Austin City Limits Television taping I saw last night. Let's talk about the past because the future is scary and Back to the Future 2 filled us all with unrealistic hopes/desires/expectations.

Last night, Austin City Limits Television studio was recognized by the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame as a landmark venue, integral to the narrative of Rock. There was a ceremony outside a plaque was unveiled, it was all very beautiful and moving. Well, not really but it was pretty cool in a ceremonial sort of way. That was followed by ACL TV's first, ever, foray into hip-hop. It was a split taping, which I'd never been to before, with Somalian-native K'Naan taking the first set and, the legendary, Mos Def taking the second set.


K'Naan - Somalia video via YouTube

The rest of the review is after the jump...


I had heard a lot of good buzz about K'Naan, he played a powerhouse SXSW showcase for NPR in March, but I still hadn't actually heard his music. After last night, I must say he stole the show. I was WAY more excited to see Mos Def before the taping and after the taping I was only thinking about K'Naan. His energy was so humble and his songs were uplifting and interesting. I would say it's somewhat like Manu Chao crossed with the Roots. There was some sampling used in the songs but it was mostly live instrumentation, including a really beautiful, acoustic/spoken word version of the track posted above.

Between sets was a drawn out process but my side of the crowd was really cool. We had someone who spontaneously organized the wave in our section. There was also a dance-off of sorts, which resulted in a couple's dance-off, which resulted in the whole crowd applauding and cheering. Did I mention there was free beer as well? Also, at one point I def smelled Mary Jane, I didn't SEE anyone smoking but i could smell it. That's a pretty risky/stupid maneuver IMHO but this is America...wait a minute that's illegal isn't it?

When Mos Def did come out, he was much shorter than I expected, he was also wearing a baseball cap, which obscured his face. He didn't really look at or speak to the crowd but, rather, walked directly to a drum kit and started playing standing up. In lieu of a full band, Mos came with 2 DJ's and the drum kit. After the first number the drums weren't really used much. He mostly did songs from his latest album, with a couple of brand new songs thrown in as well. He did loosen up a lot and did a Michael Jackson tribute, he took off the cap and jacket. He was sporting, too-short vintage tux pants, with argyle socks and some killer loafers. Not to mention some vintage-looking, asymmetrica, ivory suspenders. Accessories gentlemen, invest.

I'm, generally, pretty critical of live hip-hop as I find the sound-mixing has to be, pretty much, perfect if you want the crowd to hear/understand the emcee. In person, the best hip-hop acts I've seen, not-necessarily in order, are Jurassic 5, the Roots, and Nas. I have also seen Mos Def AND Talib Kweli as well as many others but they do not make my list, which is amazing to me because I would rank Mos & Talib's Black Star albums as ONE OF my favorite albums from any genre. Last night, at ACLTV, Mos's energy was flat. The sound-mixing is always superb at ACL but he still sounded lost in the mix as some points, which MIGHT have something to do with the DJ's each having their own mixers. Also, Mos's crowd-interaction, while not totally absent, still left a bit to be desired. It should also be mentioned that following K'Naan almost any artist might seem indifferent to their audience. K was telling stories and joking with the crowd, he got everyone to sing along to a song that I'm guessing most of us had never heard and it didn't feel disingenuous to me. That's saying a lot.


I still <3 Mos Def - Freestyling video via YouTube

People ask me how I get into ACLTV tapings and it's easier than you might think. I'll go through it for you though so we can hang out in line and talk about Twitter while we have indie-rock pissing contests. (It's funny 'cause it's true. BTW I totally saw that band before you did.)

So the first thing to do is troll the ACLTV Blog, here's the RSS, it's way easier for dorks like me. They'll post links for "Space Available Ticket" Giveaways. So, you just drop your name and e-mail address into the mysterious and magical interwebworks. Then bottle up all of your ACLTV hopes and dreams and put them under your pillow.

If you've done everything correctly in the bottling process and placed the bottle at an angle towards the western point of Orion's belt then you'll recieve an E-Mail from April Buchannan (Or possibly someone else, who know?) YAY!! She'll give you the low down on the who, when, where and, possibly, why. The where is diagonally across the street from Hole in the Wall but parking is less-than adequate, shall we say?

Now I'd advice you stand in line for at least 90 minutes before they pass out tickets. The cool part though, is you get two numbers and two tickets based on where you are in line. Then you can go do whatever for a couple of hours until the show, at which point you have your number in line. It's a smart system that should be adopted everywhere, including the deli at my local groceryplexmart.

Finally you are inside without any recording devices, your cell phone off and free beer(s) in hand(s). Now, try not to get kicked out and if you MUST get booted, for the love God, make a scene.

By the way, if you've made it this far in the post then thank you and congratulations you have a long attention span (At least for 2009). I just wanted to mention if you WERE looking here for the glut of Where2 and What2, may I suggest you check my fellow Austin Blogoratti on the side panel right? ---->

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Rock Out in the Morning

So the Austin blogosphere is a buzz with ACL Fest after-parties but what about the pre-parties y'all? KGSR is hosting a series of live-performances for their morning show all weekend long, which of course starts on Thursday morning. If you want to see it live, hit Threadgill's World Headquarters in S. Austin it costs $5 to get in but all of that money goes to charity. So, you'll have that going for you already, which is nice. You can catch the full line-up of artists and times, keeping in mind that it's all "tentative". Don't worry about that though, KGSR are the kings/queens/benevolent-dictators of Adult-Alternative so even if they sub some artists out they won't give you anyone that is ridiculously awful. After all, this is being broadcast on the radio and interwebs for anyone to hear, for free!

David Garza will be kicking things off at 7:30am tomorrow.


Twang Twang Shock-A-Boom ft. David Garza - Let Me video via YouTube

You can find some of the artists to be showcased after the break. You won't believe the first one after the break...seriously for $5?!?! At 8am? What?!?! Wait a second, did that say 8am?


Not to sound like a hippie or anything, you can see how clean my feet are if you ever meet me in person, but Medeski, Martin & Wood?!?! For $5?!?! Srsly KGSR I <3 you so much right now. Let's hang out, call me. Oh, and if you are a hippie or just a person with dirty feet, nothing personal, we're still cool. Right?


Medeski, Martin & Wood - Uninvisible video via YouTube

Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears are back in town and they'll be playing Threadgill's at 8am. Make sure you at least listen to that one on the radio if you can't get down there. Nothing says good morning like some punchy throw-back soul, and just to help you picture it, the horns you hear are not shiny and they look a little beat up. It's almost like you're there isn't it?


Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears - Sugarfoot video via YouTube

That other cool band from Providence, The Low Anthem, ended up with the earliest time slot. They'll be playing at 7am Friday, which is, coincidentally, the time you may begin serving alcohol. Hmmm. Whadayaknow? I mean to imply nothing about the band's imbibing habits by that comment. They are stunning.


The Low Anthem - To The Ghosts Who Write History Books video via YouTube

I feel like I mentioned them yesterday but the Walkmen will also be playing Threadgills at 8:30am Friday morning.


the Walkmen - In the New Year video via YouTube

Have I told you there's going to be free food at this event too? Also, you might get to meet Andy Langer. Or, maybe, see him from afar and tell people you met him and he asked you to hang out at the fest for free but you didn't want to ditch your buds so you went to Taco Cabana and just chilled instead. Or not, that's your call, I'm just throwing out ideas here.


D-Bags - Chillin' at the Taco Cabana video via YouTube

By the way I was going to put a video for David Garza's biggest hit, Butterflies above the break but the ones with good sound have copyrighted images that put the song in a weird context. So, instead I've buried it way down here.

Shhhh.


David Garza - Butterflies video via YouTube




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Pre ACL Foder

I'm calling out Wednesday as the first unofficial day of Austin City Limits Fest. Why is that? Because I effing say so that's why! No, but seriously, I'm saying Wednesday simply because Them Crooked Vultures will be taping their Austin City Limits Television appearance on Wed. night. If you didn't already sign up for the space available ticket lotto then you're probably not going. But that's ok, dear reader, you can still catch Them Crooked Vultures at Stubb's on Thursday night. The ticket's gonna set you back half a Benjamin but is there really a price on the value of that particular concert experience? Turns out there is and it's about $50. Cough it up!


Them Crooked Vultures - Nobody Love Me and Neither Do I (Teaser) video via YouTube

I'm also calling at Wed. as Day 1 of ACL Fest 'cause that's the first day that you'll really start to notice the first wave of tourists. Traffic will be a bit denser on Wed. The people in front of you will be looking around and pointing a lot. It's all very exciting.

I wanted to post "official" Them Crooked Vultures videos, because something tells me the ole' Websheriff is going to be all over this band. The unfortunate part about that is all of the official promotional things are snippets for those of us who have short attention sp


Them Crooked Vultures - Elephants (teaser) video via YouTube

In reality, Thursday night is the TRUE unofficial first night of ACL. It's the first night of official and unofficial pre-parties action. There are so many bands and so much to feature on Thursday night that it's a bit overwhelming even for someone as Bloggy as I. But, fear not, we can talk about all of that in a more involved post soon. For now he's just ONE alternative if you can't swing a $50 Them Crooked Vultures ticket...


The Walkmen - Four Provinces video via YouTube

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Bands That Require Blogging

I feel like it might be almost passé to continue telling people about shows involving Harlem and White Denim. However, they are playing together tomorrow night at Antone's, it's a $15 ticket, just sayin'. I also wanted to mention, firstly, I've only been to Antone's once. I had a great experience, I saw Hot Chip, I liked the venue etc. but I did not notice an "upstairs" when I was there before. Apparently, there is an upstairs, and it's "VIP". But, the only thing you need to make you "important" is $50 because they sell tickets for up there at a separate price tier. I'm not judging, I'm simply intrigued and pointing out facts. If that area has it's own bar and bathroom then it might be worth it, or you know, if you want to achieve "baller-status" in the eyes of some _____ you wanna _______ and forget about.


White Denim - I Start to Run video via YouTube

I heard from one of the dudes at End of an Ear that one of the dudes from White Denim wasn't very happy with the mixing of their latest realease on FullTime Hobby Records, Fits. I'm not happy that I still can't buy Fits at End of an Ear. However, I must admit the sound on that YouTube video was outrageously flat/vacuous. That could be YouTube's fault too, or mine? Maybe my ears hear flat/vacuous? In any case, White Denim is all about leaving it all on stage and just being ridiculously tight and energetic. I like how they've gone from garage-punk/surf/pop into a more Captain Beefheart/Love/Psychedelic-Prog-70's thing. Oh, and for the record, the official U.S. release date for Fits is now October 20th. So, that's when I expect to find it at EofanE.


White Denim - Fits Album Teaser video via YouTube

You may also have noticed that White Denim is playing Antones and the Parish these days as opposed to the Mohawk. Probably has something to do with their former deal with Transmission Entertainment. Like, the fact that the deal is former. They are also, somewhat conspicuously, absent from the FunFunFun Fest line-up. Has Austin turned on White Denim? Bum bum bum... Oh snap! They're playing the Mohawk on Oct. 24th. Maybe there is not bad blood. But maybe there is! Bum bum bum...

The last time I saw Harlem was actually on the cover of Busted in Austin magazine at my local convenience store. Well, it wasn't the whole band, just 33.33% of it. It was for a drunk and disorderly, which if you've ever seen the band perform live, should come as no surprise. I always wondered if their drunk thing was a schtick or legitimate now I'm convinced it's performance art. Obviously.


Harlem - Someday Soon video via YouTube

You know who won't be, somewhat conspicuously, absent from FFFFest? Vega. You know who likes Vega? Bloggy.


Vega - Kyoto Gardens video via YouTube

You be may thinking, "Hey, that Vega song has similarities to a song I have heard by an artist by the name of Neon Indian". How very astute of you, dear reader, both names refer to projects by, Texas native, Alan Palomo. Wouldn't you know it, BOTH acts with be playing FFF. But will Mr. Palomo be getting two rider contracts? Maybe Transmission doesn't know it's the same guy? Don't worry A. Palomo if they ask I'll just point out all of the other factual inaccuracies in my blogging and say I was lying. Shhhhh.


Neon Indian - Deadbeat Summer video via YouTube

Now, if you're thinking, "Vega and Neon Indian share sonic qualities with songs I've heard from Ghost Hustler." Well, then you're probably just being a smarmy know-it-all and no one's interested. We're all full up here. Thanks.


Ghosthustler - Parking Lot Nights video via YouTube

Not to be confused with Ghostland Observatory.


Ghostland Observatory - Silver City video via YouTube

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Yay Friday! Whatcha Doin' Austin?

Wow, so we haven't talked all week! What's been going on, dear reader? Have you had a great week in indie-rock? There's definitely some good shows for you to check out this weekend. Tonight you could kick it classic-alt-styley with Living Colour at Emo's. You could also party down with the dude-bras and hipsters at the Mohawk for a little Best Fwends-hosted, possibly-awkward dance-party. For my money though, I'd hit La Zona Rosa for a great local bill featuring The Soldier Thread, Wideawake, and Alpha Rev. The Soldier Thread go on first so get there between 9 & 10 if you want to see them...and you do, want to see them.


The Soldier Thread - Run, Run video via YouTube

I was surprised and confused when I first learned that Alpha Rev was local to Austin, I was also surprised they played so often. Then I realized, that I was thinking of fellow indie-rockers Mercury Rev but there is no connection.


Alpha Rev - Stars of Wonder video via YouTube

Alpha Rev has been doing there thing for over a decade, last fall they signed with, Disney-owned, Hollywood Records. I'm not going to judge them based on their label, but it is a bit jarring to visit their label page and see the other artists on Hollywood. It also, pretty much, explains why I kept hearing Alpha Rev during commercial breaks on my fav Disney-owned answer to the CW, ABC Family.


Alpha Rev - Phoenix Burn video via YouTube

Oh and just to tie this whole thing together, that band Wideawake has actually had their music featured on the CW itself. Their tunes have been used on One Tree Hill, and even...wait for it...Dawson's MF Creek y'all. That's old-school, that's nostalgia-worthy, that's pre-CW that's when it was the WB. You know you still have a dancing frog doll kicking around somewhere.


Wideawake - Maybe Tonight, Maybe Tomorrow video via YouTube

If nothing I've mentioned so far piques your interest, you can always catch local-legend, Alejandro Escovedo at the Continental Club. The dude played with MF Springsteen y'all so expect lots of soccer-moms in attendance and/or creepy old guys w/young girlfriends. *shudder* He's playing the Continental tomorrow night too if tonight just doesn't work for you. BTW, did you know Sonic Youth released an official bootleg of their April '86 performance at the legendary Continental Club? Thanks Wiki, you have so much useless info that I need.

Here's another Soldier Thread performance, this one is a Radiohead cover.


The Soldier Thread - Videotape video via YouTube

Don't get me wrong, I love them BUT the snarky comment re:Best Fwends ie. the whole Awkward thing; check this out:


Best Fwends - Todd P. Comes to Austin Promo video via YouTube

That's all I'm sayin'.

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