Beauty Bar, Friday, It's Going Down.

The only thing better than a party, is an anniversary party for a company that throws parties professionally. That's why you should head over to Beauty Bar Friday night for Learning Secrets 6th Anniversary party. It's also my homegirl Jen Leduc's birthday so she'll be hosting some bands in a different part of the bar. If you act fast, you can still RSVP for the Learning Secrets party giving you $5 entry, otherwise it's going to be $8 at the door. I expect the house will be full 'round midnight. Did I mention that, remixer's du jour, Classixx will be headlining a DJ set?!?!?


Phoenix - Lisztomania (Classixx Remix) video via YouTube


Needless to say with Classixx in the house, Beauty Bar is going to be a throbbing, sweaty, hipster dance-party. Throw your Lone Star's in the air, y'all!! Before Classixx we'll be seeing, Woolfy, who's signed to DFA Records. Maybe you've heard of it?


Woolfy - Odyssey video via YouTube

The doors for this gig open at 9pm Friday and the first 100 people will get drink ticket(s), which they will be purchasing with the price of admission. Take that alcohol enforcement (TABC)! Just kidding, TABC, we cool. Let's hang out more.


Classixx - Cold Act iLL video via YouTube

Oh, and for that one reader that's really upset that I would presume that you, my dear reader, already know about DFA Records, when you don't. ---> DFA Info.

As if I'm not going to include an LCD Soundsystem video, chuh, doubt it.


LCD Soundsystem - Disco Infiltrator video via YouTube

Thanks to DFA Records' distributors Capitol/EMI for not allowing people to embed your official videos from YouTube. That is why I have a video with dogs set to LCD Soundsystem.

I got so caught up in DFA Records, I forgot to give you info about 40 Rock, Jen Leduc's Birthday Bash. Entry to that event, on the same night at Beauty Bar is also $5 but does not require an RSVP. She's hosting four bands, with Stereo is a Lie headlining. Here's the full line-up with poster and more info courtesy of my sister-wives over at Do512.


Stereo is a Lie - What We Do video via YouTube

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Sleep Whale Videos

Hey, y'all! I don't know if you've realized this already but I got a Flipcam for Christmas, which means there's now a Bloggy YouTube channel. How cool is that? Obviously, lots have folks have found the videos I shot of Harlem but no one seems to know or care about the videos of Sleep Whale. Now, I'm going to warn you the sound on this video is sub-par I positioned myself directly in front of the speakers to shoot this, so you can hear the kick drum clipping like crazy but I'm a big fan of Sleep Whale and I feel like you should be too. They have purchase-able music available via, my favorite local label, Western Vinyl. You can also find their stuff on iTunes if that's more your style.


Sleep Whale - Skipping Stones video via YouTube

Free Mp3's courtesy of Western Vinyl, thanks.

Free Mp3 ---> Sleep Whale - Cotton Curls

Free Mp3 ---> Sleep Whale - Josh Likes Me


My impression seeing Sleep Whale live is that they need to tighten up their setup/soundchecking but that could be fixed by not seeing them as the second of four bands on a stage other than Emo's outside. Other than that, the music itself was melodic, textured and generally beautiful. I found myself drawn into the songs. I'm thinking the, new and improved, Parish room would be the ideal spot. Here's the other video I shot of Sleep Whale at Emo's, and again apologies for the clippy sound.


Sleep Whale - Make Another Picture video via YouTube

Also, if you're liking what you hear from Sleep Whale and you still haven't checked out, their label-mates, Balmorhea then you need to get on that shhhh. Balmorhea put out one of my favorite albums from an Austin artist in 2009, All Is Wild, All Is Silent, and seeing them perform live is even more gorgeous than the LP.

It looks like if you live in Austin your next shot to see Balmorhea will be at their record release party on Feb. 19th featuring Damien Jurado at Central Presbytyrian Church. That's right, a church! That's how bad-ass Austin is, that same church is a registered SXSW venue. Last year Grizzly Bear and St. Vincent both haunted the Central Presby. It appears as though tickets for the Balmorhea show are only available in person at End of an Ear or Waterloo Records. Front Gate Tickets does sell tickets for events at Central Presbityrian Church but they don't seem to have this particular event.

Free Mp3's courtesy of Western Vinyl, thanks.

Free Mp3 ---> Balmorhea - The Winter (Excerpt)

Free Mp3 ---> Balmorhea - Harm and Boon (Excerpt)

Free Mp3 ---> Balmorhea - Truth (Remixed by Helio)

Balmorhea video courtesy of our blood-soaked, bloggy-brethren over at Cannibal Cheerleader. They've been feasting on Balmorhea since their FIRST LP release party.


Balmorhea - San Solomon (Reprise) video via YouTube

Oh, and if you're one of those unfortunate souls living outside of Austin you too can see Balmorhea on tour!

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Possible Self-Destruction at Emo's Friday

I may have to leave my zip code for tomorrow night's show at Emo's outside stage. It's a collection of bands I've been planning to see perform live but I still haven't. I did get the latest Lymbic Systym CD at End of an Ear awhile back and I enjoy it, but I want to hear these songs interpreted live. They feel very alive on the album so I'm excited to see if and how they morph. This Will Destroy You is headlining and I've heard good things but haven't listened to their music yet. I can tell you that I really like their name, even though it is, somewhat, difficult to Google. Bands with names like Woods weren't really thinking about bloggers when they came up with their band name. Give me a GD name I can effing Google and I will be a happy Bloggy.


This Will Destroy You - Threads video via YouTube


I don't know about you, but I really liked that song by This Will Destroy You I may be off to End of an Ear after I'm finished writing this. Like I said Lymbyc Systym will play the set before TWDY and they are recommended if you like what you just heard and/or Transmography. Think anthemic, melodic, instrumental music in the same family as Explosions in the Sky but not quite as epic (no offense). Also, note how Systym is spelled oddly THAT is how you make your band more Google-able. Looking at you San Francisco band, Girls!


Lymbyc Systym - Ghost Clock video via YouTube

Friday night's outside stage at Emo's will also feature Sleep Whale, who is on my favorite local label, Western Vinyl. I think we can expect big things from Sleep Whale in 2010 so we should catch them while they're still playing second out of four bands. Me thinks that SXSW 2010 is going to be kind to ole' Sleep Whale but we'll let March decide that. By the way, some of you may have been more familiar with Sleep Whale when they were called, Mom. Try Googleing the band, Mom. The name change was a wise choice Sleep Whale, a very wise choice.


Sleep Whale - Icicles video via YouTube

Free Sleep Whale Mp3's courtesy of Western Vinyl, thanks.

Free Mp3 ---> Sleep Whale - Cotton Curls

Free Mp3 ---> Sleep Whale - Josh Likes Me


As if those three bands weren't enough for you, you greedy bastards can also see Loxsly assuming you're at the show around 9ish. Don't forget though, this is at Emo's outside stage and it's supposed to rain and be loud so dress appropriately and bring some earplugs. Seriously, no one is too cool to get hearing damage, not even you and you're pretty effing cool.


Loxsly - Lamprey Eels video via YouTube

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Riverboat Gamblers, Ume + More

Did y'all know that the Riverboat Gamblers are going to be playing the Van's Warped Tour this summer? Well, they are but you can catch them this weekend at Austin's own Red 7. In related news, looks like, the Gamblers will be making yet ANOTHER line-up change, with their current drummer parting ways with the band after their San Diego gig. This is not official news, but I happen to know the Gamblers drummer and I know that he is bowing out. Don't worry though, technically there is only one original member left in the band anyway, so I'm sure a line-up change won't have any adverse effects. However, this weekend will be your last chance to catch the band, in Austin, in its current formation. Tickets for Saturday night's show at Red 7 will set you back a cool $10.


Riverboat Gamblers - Victory Lap video via YouTube


I'm almost reluctant to post about Ume again, but I just love them so much and I want you to love them too. I had planned to film them performing last week during one, of their two, free-week gigs but alas I did not. So, that means not only am I writing about Ume again, but I'm posting a video I've posted before. If you're not impressed with them from hearing their songs or seeing these videos don't be put-off it's in their live performance where they really shine.


Ume - Pendulum (Demo) video via YouTube

If these two bad-ass, Austin bands leave you wanting more Austin music fear not for you can also catch Shapes Have Fangs at Red 7. They'll be going on before Ume but after the Altars, whom I know nothing about really.


Shapes Have Fangs - Rattle and Confuse Me video via YouTube

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I Missed Free Week

I'm bummed y'all, I went out ONE night of Free Week (last week) and ended up getting strep throat, putting me out of work, out of money and generally out of commission. I tried to keep up with what shows were getting what sorts of reactions from friends and Twitter but it's just not the same y'all. I did get to test out my new Flipcam on the night I did go downtown and it got me pretty excited. It has its limitations, for instance the lighting inside Red 7 was severely lacking, so my video of When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth is pretty much a shadow video. I was highly impressed that it captured the sound though. The Lil' Dinos aurally assault you with waves of feedback, distortion, reverb and whatever else they can think of. So, I'm pleased that you can hear the song even if you can't see it. The vids of Harlem at Emo's are easy to see and hear and everything. However, the biggest problem I see is finding a good spot to stand where people won't be annoyed that I'm taping and/or all up in my business bumping into me and shhh.

Here's a new song from Harlem, shot with my Flipcam:


Harlem - Scare You video via YouTube


In no particular order, bands I am really bummed to have missed, last week, include but are not limited to:

Brazos

Brazos - Tell video via YouTube

Transmography

Transmography - Heal Thy Fish video via YouTube

Ume

Ume - East of Hercules video via YouTube

L.A.X.

L.A.X. - Dancin' video via YouTube

Quiet Company

Quiet Company - On Modern Men video via YouTube

La Snacks

La Snacks - Roman Yell video via YouTube

Auto Body

Auto Body - Beauty Bar Snippet video via YouTube

Corto Maltese

Corto Maltese - Providence video via YouTube

Big Mess

Big Mess - Gates of Steel video via YouTube


Like, I said, I'm pretty bummed I missed free week. This list is only a fraction of what was going on downtown as I faded in and out of awareness of time and space. What were some of your favorites?

P.S.
Did you hear about Sony's new Bloggie Cam?!?! You spelled it wrong Sony, it's Bloggy and I'll take a free one, thank you very much.

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Free Week is Upon Us

It's one of my top 5 favorite times of year to live in Austin, Free Week is here, dear reader. What is free week, you may ask? Well boys and girls, it's pretty much what it sounds like, a plethora of free, local, rock 'n roll at your favorite Red River-regioned venues downtown. What was once an event exclusive to Emo's, has spread, like swine-flu, to venues all over downtown and this blogger has never been happier with an infestation. Not only is Emo's still on board, but Red 7, the Mohawk, Beauty Bar, the Parish room, and even Stubb's Jr. are all hosting free events this week. Lots of folks are now dubbing free week a, sort of, locals-only SXSW. I wouldn't consider it to be THAT grand yet, but it is grand enough that I'm highlighting THREE shows for you to check out tonight.


When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth - It's Not the Heat, It's the Humidity video via YouTube


I think that's my third time posting that same Birds on Fire video from When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth but it's such a clever video. Besides you try searching "When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth" and see how many useful results you get. In any case, they'll be headlining the inside stage at Red 7 tonight, you should bring yourself and your earplugs and check out the intensity that is their live performance. Get there early enough to catch out Off the Record "Band to Watch", Dikes of Holland.


Dikes of Holland - How to Lose Somebody video via YouTube

My second show pick of the night, is one you could probably guess if you read this site with any sort of frequency. I suggest you head over to, the Free-Week originators, at Emo's and check out Matador Records signees Harlem while they're still gigging locally. They're headlining so expect a late start time, let's say 12:45ish (A.M.(duh)).

Free Mp3 courtesty of Matador Records, thanks.

Free Mp3 ---> Harlem - Friendly Ghost


Harlem - Someday Soon video via YouTube

My third, and final choice for local band you should check out tonight, may come as a bit of a surprise to you. I'm suggesting you check out Lions over at the Mohawk. They've been playing around town for quite a while and I feel like they get little to no recognition from the music "press". These guys have a more classic-rock/metal style than indie style (read not jangly) but they can seriously riff and you will definitely enjoy the passionate performance of their tunes. Besides, y'all know I love the 'Hawk even if they do host mothaphuckin karaoke on my birthday...not cool Mohawk, not cool.


Lions - Metal Heavy Lady video via YouTube

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The Bloggy's '09

I'm always hesitant to do best of lists, both because they are subjective and because they are a pain in the ass to code. However, as a music fan I am also a fan of lists, so let me begin with some disclaimers. Firstly, I didn't listen to every album that came out this year, so it's tough to accurately rank them. Secondly, these aren't, necessarily, the "best" albums they're more like my favorites. Lastly, I'll probably end up forgetting something I loved, or you loved or we all love but that's the breaks once this goes up it's up and we'll all have to deal with the consequences thereafter. With that all said, I give you the Bloggy's for 2009:

20.

Kings of Convenience - Declaration of Dependance

19.

Pains of Being Pure at Heart - The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

18.

M. Ward - Hold Time

17.

Whitest Boy Alive - Rules

16.

Fever Ray - Fever Ray

15.

Jack Peñate - Everything is New

14.

Bad Veins - Bad Veins

13.

Neon Indian - Psychic Chasms

12.

Bat For Lashes - Two Suns

11.

the XX - XX

10.

Girls - Album

9.

the Very Best - Warm Heart of Africa

8.

Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavillion

7.

Harlem Shakes - Technicolor Health

6.

Surfer Blood - Astrocoast

5.

Passion Pit - Manners

4.

St. Vincent - Actor

3.

Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

2.

Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca

1.

Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest

Ok, now you've seen the Bloggy's for 2009!! You may have noticed that the Surfer Blood album isn't officially released until 01/19/10, HOWEVER I purchased the album from the band when they played Beerland in October, so it's totally on the list. Also, I was somewhat hesitant to put the Passion Pit album so high on the list, they did become MTV darlings and my street-cred may now be tarnished but that's a fine LP GD it! If you have any thoughts, comments, etc. You know where to reach me.


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Snafu Kitties Bid Us A Mew

If you haven't seen local, piano-indie popsters SNAFU Kitties before then you better head to Emo's inside stage Saturday night, 'cause it's your last chance. It's true dear reader, my information comes from a source very close to the band (the drummer) and he tells me the lead singer will be moving to Europe. I think he said Denmark but it might be the Netherlands or Germany I forget. So, in the interest of great journalism, I'm going with "singer moved to Europe" as reason for the bands...disbanding. Oddly enough, the final performance will also be a CD release party, so we can remember them as they were. Actually that's a great way of becoming a unicorn band that is more popular reunited than they were to begin with.

My friends over at 'Nites Blog are also a source close to the band. They've captured some really great SNAFU Kitties performances that you can find on their YouTube Channel as well as a slew of other great, and largely unrecognized, other, local, Austin bands. Here's a video they made for the Kittie's song Nerve:


SNAFU Kitties - Nerve video via YouTube


Here's all the pertinent information about the show and the CD direct from the band's release about the show:

---

SNAFU Kitties have officially been a band since our first show on May 22nd, 2007 at Beerland. Since that time, we've played steadily in and around Austin, and as far as Mexico City. We've had a good run. Sadly, all good things must eventually reach their end. Our wonderful singer, keyboardist, and songwriter, Jessie, will soon be off to Denmark to embark on an exciting new adventure with her husband, Mads, marking the unfortunate end of SNAFU Kitties. LET'S SEND HER OFF IN STYLE.

Your presence is sincerely requested at SNAFU Kitties' FINAL PERFORMANCE. It will be a wonderful opportunity to see the band you've "kept meaning to check out," or enjoy once more for the last time. Not only that, we will finally be releasing our long-awaited and laboriously produced self-titled album. This is a LIMITED RELEASE, y'all. Each one is hand-printed by our bass player, J.J., the Rural Rooster and will only be available at the show. Once they're gone, they're gone for good.

Mark your calendars, folks. Doors are at 9pm, and for a mere $6, you will enjoy a diverse lineup: We Aim To Try, Paper Shapes, Zorch, and SNAFU Kitties.

---

I don't really know about the other bands on Satuday night's bill but the line about "enjoy a diverse lineup" is a bit ominous. That could mean, "be prepared to see some crazy-ass shhh before we go on" but I'll enter Emo's with an open(ish) heart(ish).


SNAFU Kitties - Break Your Back video via YouTube

Thanks again to 'Nites Blog for the video embed. See you at the show?

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Phoenix Tonight - Sold-Out

I really debated whether or not to mention tonight's Phoenix show at La Zona Rosa considering it's sold-out and it starts in a few hours. However, I am so over-the-top excited to finally see them perform live that I felt like I had to mention it. Hopefully I'll have some exciting follow-up post about the show tomorrow. In case I slack on the follow-up, I'm betting my homeboys over at, the fabulous, Ultra8201 will be posting some fly video. If you're reading this Ultra may I request you film Armistice? Please and thank you. If you are really bummed about not getting tickets to this sold-out show, try checking Twitter Search after the show has started. You never know someone may have an extra ticket or some shhh.


Phoenix - Armistice (Live on KEXP) video via YouTube


The Phoenix show at La Zona Rosa tonight is sponsored by the repugnant, 101X, if you've ever read my site before you know that I have an extreme disdain for their music programming, but their concert programming seems to be pretty on point. I saw Bat For Lashes earlier in the year, at the Parish room and that was a 101X show as well. Unfortunately you rarely hear the artists who play the concerts on the radio station itself. They'd prefer to let you hear Pearl Jam's Jeremy than anything by Bat For Lashes. I have actually heard them play Phoenix on the station but only after they killed at ACL Fest. Speaking of bands I've never heard on 101X...


White Denim - I Start to Run video via YouTube

White Denim will be taking the opening slot tonight with Portland Oregonians, Hockey following. Hockey is probably a great band and everything but if you're going to call your band Hockey then you better be from Canada. When I discovered they were from Portland, OR it was pretty much over for me. I think the tweens will really get into the Hockey sound though and they'll probably become insanely popular in the near-future. This is not an endorsement, nor a shame statement just a thought/prediction.


Hockey - Song Away (Live on Jools Holland) video via YouTube

The buzz for White Denim has been bigger than the band itself. At this point they've been blogged to death, they keep running into problems distributing their music and more people have heard about them than have heard them. At the root of all that mess though, is what started the buzz to begin with, a raucous, passionate, killer, live performance. I feel like the Let's Talk About It Ep came the closest to capturing the frenetic energy of a live White Denim show. I haven't seen them perform lately, now that their sound has gotten a lot more prog-psychedelic ala King Crimson or Love so, I'm interested to see if they still have that coked-out party band vibe with the new tunes. You can actually buy the newest album from White Denim in U.S. stores now thanks to Downtown Music, which, incidentally, is the label that Sean "P. Diddy" Combs got his start in the record biz with.

Free Mp3 from the Let's Talk About It Ep courtesy of a hella-old link (64 Blog Years) that Spin probably forgot about, but Google didn't.

Free Mp3 ---> White Denim - Darksided Computer Mouth

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Blood, Girls, Randomness, Ya Know...

This is the time of year when all of us concert-going types, in Austin, get to collect our thoughts and breathe and mentally-prepare for SXSW 2010. That's right, the concert season is, relatively, slow this time of year. There aren't as many bands touring in the winter anyway, and the venues are all preparing for one of my favorite times of year, which is Free Week. Yay Free Week!! Woooo. Anyway, I mention all of this because I'm going to do something I don't, generally, do. I'm just going to hype this EP by the Middle East, I don't think it will make very many year-end "best of" lists since most of those focus on songs and LP's but I wouldn't be surprised if the song Blood from, The Recordings of the Middle East makes a lot of lists. I would rank it as a top 5 song of '09 for sure. I bought my copy of the EP from my friends over at End of an Ear for $3.99 so just glance around you'll see it somewhere.


the Middle East - Blood video via YouTube


Seriously, how gorgeous is that song by the Middle East?

I'm thinking this year instead of participating in the List-Culture with a best LP's of '09 list from Austin Bloggy Limits, I'll just compile some of my favorite lists. So, I suppose I'm still supporting List-Culture just in a more meta, pseudo-rebellious, hipstery kind of way. I do love lists, I think it is in the DNA of every music/film geek that you want your favorite things to be validated with a good number. We can't just love Radiohead's Kid A, we're not satisfied to just enjoy it as a beautiful piece of art. No, we need others to recognize and bow down to Kid A as one of the best records of the MF decade y'all! Seriously, people bow down, it's Radiohead. Anyway, I had a point here and it was about the band Girls their, appropriately-titled, Album has been popping up on a lot of year-end lists and I just want to throw my hat in the ring here. I proclaim Album by, San Fran band, Girls to be Bloggy-approved and worth your hard-earned ducats.

My San Francisco homies over at Rhino Knife Films shot some nice live videos of Girls this summer. The sound clips at a couple of points, but it's still a really nicely captured performance. It's also the first time this song was ever played in front of an audience. Check out the loud, drunken woman screaming at the beginning, it's kind of hard not to notice.


Girls - Solitude video via YouTube

If you haven't seen Girls perform here in Austin yet, you have another chance at the end of January. They'll be playing, one of my favorite venues, the Parish room. Tickets will set you back $12 before fees and the show is sponsored by, the loathsome, 101X. Have you EVER heard 101X play a song by Girls? I know I haven't, but I guess I don't listen very much anymore. I can only hear Hey Man Nice Shot so many times in my lifetime and 101X has already exceeded my limit on that song. Along, with the 12-16 other early 90's alt-stalwarts they refuse to relegate to classic-rock. But I digress.


Girls - Laura video via YouTube

I noticed, when I was looking at the calendar for the Parish that they'll be participating in free week this year! That's exciting, I love the Parish, it's wood floors and beautiful sound. Not to mention, I've never been to a show there where I thought to myself, "There are a dangerous number of people in here right now. If shh went pear-shaped we'd all be effed." (I don't even think swears I promise) Looking at you Emo's. What is the capacity of Emo's? 'Cause I think they sell like 50 more tickets than that and then the door guy has like 30 or so friends he lets in for free. I kid, I kid...don't beat me up Emo's I'm just s blogger.

I was trying to find a video that illustrates how bonkers and packed Emo's gets but most of the video I found are focused more on the stage than the crowd, who'd a thunk? Bands who play Emo's it is your mission to start filming the crowd so my out of town friends know what I'm talking about. I am finding some amazingly terrible videos from Emo's, seriously people leave the zoom alone! Don't effing touch it! Ok, I give up trying to find the perfect video to illustrate my point. Check this out out though, it's the Gossip playing Emo's in 2001. The sound sucks, I'm including it more for historical value.


the Gossip - Live at Emo's video via YouTube

Or how about this 13 seconds of Emo's nostalgia. Arcade Fire from January '01, mere months after Funeral came out...


Arcade Fire - Tunnels clip via YouTube

See I'm not totally hatin' on Emo's, I was just using them as an example of something typical, that you won't experience at the Parish Room (most likely). I've seen a lot of great shows at Emo's but that's another post or series of posts unto itself. I'll close this out with one most burst of randomness, I saw this band open for MGMT on Emo's inside stage the Tuesday night that Oracular Spectacular came out. I couldn't find footage from that night so I'm just going to include one of my favorite Yeasayer songs...ever.


Yeasayer - Tightrope video via YouTube

You can kind that Yeasayer song, on one of the greatest compilations in recent memory, Dark Was the Night. You should buy it, it's 2 discs, proceeds go to charity plus you'll get mad, indie-cred on the streets (2 Blogs years ago).

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