Don't Miss the Opener: Bad Veins

Tonight's Two Door Cinema Club show at Stubb's is sold-out. It seems like only yesterday that Two Door Cinema Club were opening a sold-out Stubb's show for Phoenix. Oh, how times have changed. Tonight, I want you to arrive early enough to see, listen, and not talk-through Bad Veins' set. The Cincinnati band is back in Austin with a brand-new album The Mess We've Made, which was released by Austin-label, Modern Outsider. It picks up where the band left off, with indie-power-pop songs full of heartache and triumph. You can listen to it now on Spotify or wait until tonight to hear the songs performed live!


Bad Veins - Dancing on TV video via YouTube

For those of you who go WAAAY back with Austin Bloggy Limits, you may recall that my first ever interview with a band was with Bad Veins when they were touring in support of their last record. Revel in the awkwardness, marvel at the sudden change in visual formatting and generally re-live the past in that, almost, three year old interview here.



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Free Press Summer Fest This Weekend

While Austin is buzzing with Chaos in Tejas Houston will be holding their annual Free Press Summer Festival at Eleanor Tinsley Park. The line-up is more mainstream than FunFunFun Fest and more indie than Austin City Limits Fest. Each year FSPF has booked an increasingly solid batch of artists and this year is no exception. If you can't find some music you like on any of the festival's NINE stages then there is, clearly, something wrong with you. Flaming Lips, Afrojack, Snoop Dogg and Erykah Badu headline Saturday night. Sunday night you'll have the chance to hear, Willie Nelson, Descendants, The Avett Brothers, Primus, and Pretty Lights. There are still passes available for one or both days. Oh, and don't worry, if these bold names don't make your heart race there are lots of other really great bands playing FPSF.


Erykah Badu - Window Seat video via YouTube
Here are my (non-headliner) recommendations for the rest of Free Press Summer Fest this weekend in Houston:

Saturday:

• Zlam Dunk on Stage 5 at 12:30pm
• East Cameron Folkcoreonm Stage 6 at 1:00pm
• Big Freedia on Stage 3 at 1:30pm
• Best Coast on Stage 3 at 2:40pm
• Morris Day and the Time on Stage 1 at 3:00pm
(Sorry Diplo (Stage 3 at 2:50pm) but it's Morris fucking Day!
• Phantogram on Stage 2 at 3:50pm
• Two Door Cinema Club on Stage 2 at 5:00pm
• Major Lazer on Stage 1 at 5:30pm
• Maps & Atlases on 5 at 6:40pm
• Bad Veins on Stage 6 at 7:00pm

Bad Veins - Dancing on TV video via YouTube

Sunday:

• Suite 709 on Stage 5 at 12:30pm
• Quiet Company on Stage 5 at 1:30pm
• Fitz and the Tantrums on Stage 2 at 2:10pm
• Young the Giant on Stage 1 at 3:00pm
• Portugal. The Man on Stage 2 at 3:50pm
• Danny Brown on Stage 3 at 5:40pm
• Ume on Stage 6 at 6:00pm
• What Made Milwaukee Famous on Stage 5 at 6:30pm
• Shabazz Palaces on Stage 3 at 6:50pm
• Electric Touch on Stage 5 at 7:50pm

Danny Brown - Radio Song video via YouTube

So, there you have it. Have fun out there kids and stay hydrated!

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Chaos in Tejas This Weekend

Alright, I'm not going to pretend to know alot about Chaos in Tejas other than the fact that it should be called Chaos en Tejas. If you've visited this site in the past you haven't seen too many posts highlighting metal bands, punk bands or all of the sub-genres within those headings. I don't mind if YOU listen to that stuff and I recognize the talent that lots of bands in those genres have, it just doesn't appeal to me. Just as fans of Norwegian metal probably don't understand my love for Robyn. With that all said, rather than launch into some diatribe highlighting the "important" bands playing Chaos in Tejas this year based on knowledge I culled from reading lots of Wikipedia entries, I'll highlight the fact that Best Coast are playing the festival!


Best Coast - The Only Place video via YouTube

I have no idea how Best Coast ended up a part of this line-up. Perhaps dating Wavves makes Best Coast eligible for Chaos in Tejas? Regardless, with the recent release of one of the most shimmering, surf-pop records of the summer Best Coast are sure to put on a great show Sunday night. You can buy individual tickets to any of the Chaos shows including the Best Coast show at Emo's Sunday night. Tickets for the full 4-day event have already sold-out but you can buy passes that get you into any event within specific venues and you can buy tickets to other individual shows from the event's schedule page.

The whole thing kicks off tonight, for my money I'd do some hardcore ass-shaking at the Big Freedia/Katey Red show at Club Deville tonight. It's going to be a New Orleans Sissy-Bounce showdown with the most pornographic ass-shaking you will ever see in real life.


Katey Red - Where the Melph At video via YouTube

My Friday highlight of the festival is No Age. They always put on a really great, high energy show. They'll be at Beauty Ballroom and you'll find individual tickets here. My Satuday highlight is also at Beauty Ballroom. Rubblebucket return to Austin Saturday night with a headlining set. They are sort of included in Chaos in Tejas and sort of not. Regardless, this post is sort of aimed at those of you who, like me, didn't buy a 4-day pass and aren't really into the angry aggressive music.

Rubblebucket was a band I highlighted before SXSW this year and I really love their record Omega La La. They remind me of a more fun version of Stereolab and their live show is like smiling rainbows. If you only get tickets to one event this weekend. I hope that it is Rubblebucket at Beauty Ballroom Saturday night.


Rubblebucket - Silly Fathers video via YouTube

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Review: tUnE-yArDs at Austin City Limits TV

Ladies and Gentlemen Merrill performed for Austin City Limits Television last night and she was NOT fucking around. This was my third time seeing a performance from tUnE-yArDs and it was incredibly impressive. One of the most exhilarating things about seeing a live performance from tUnE-yArDs is to witness the construction of the songs. When you listen to W H O K I L L it sounds great but what you might not realize is the majority of the record is vocals and percussion. Merrill starts most songs with a microphone that is attached to a looping pedal. She adds elements of the song that loop and become the canvas for the song. Some of these elements are vocal, some are percussive but most all of them are Merrill herself. She started her set with the song Party Can (Do You Want to Live), which is actually not on either one of her records but is a staple of her live set. It's truly a tone setter starting with just Merrill herself adding her layers and textures until she is throatily screaming, "Do you want to live?!?!" At most shows after this question is shouted to the crowd they respond with a resounding "YEAH!!" Last night this did not happen at first, which sort of frightened me because the audience interaction is one of the best things about seeing tUnE-yArDs live so I took it upon myself to get things going. I was sitting in the mezzanine, which made things slightly awkward but next time the chorus came around and Merrill shouted, "Do you want to live?!?" I shouted "YEAH!!!" with all my might. Luckily, this cued the crowd so the next time I wasn't the only one and then by the third time I think most of the audience was into it. From that moment on, the atmosphere was electric.


It was apparent that a majority of the audience had never even heard anything from tUnE-yArDs before, which is the best way to go into one of their shows. As the performance progressed I looked around to see people completely entranced and energized by Merrill's spirit. You could tell the gravity being booked for Austin City Limits was not lost on Merrill. She acknowledged how lucky she felt for the opportunity and was very aware of the idea that here musician parents would be watching this performance at some point in the near future. She thanked the show and thanked PBS for making her the person she is today mentioning the importance of Sesame Street, Reading Rainbow, and Mister Rogers.

I applaud the producers of Austin City Limits for making such a risky booking. I'm sure there are a lot of people who will be confused and even shocked by tUnE-yArDs performance when it airs but I'm incredibly impressed that the people behind ACLTV went to bat for one of the most exciting and innovative performers in indie-rock today. Even those of you who don't enjoy listening to tUnE-yArDs at home couldn't help but be impressed with her soulful, passionate performances. She is truly a trail-blazing artist whose influence will reach far beyond her time performing and I feel incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to be in attendance at last night's taping.

For those of you who purchased tickets to tonight's sold-out show at the Mohawk, may I suggest face paint?


tUnE-yArDs - My Country video via YouTube

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Father John Misty at the Mohawk

Photo Credit: Emma Garr

J. Tillman is already an accomplished musician having released a series of solo records under his own name and playing drums for Fleet Foxes for a number of years. Father John Misty is his latest musical project. Fear Fun is not easy to put into any single genre. Like most records released post-iPod it blends influences from classic country, folk, classic rock and traditional pop. Lyrically and thematically Fear Fun borrows from ancient myths and mysticisms with Tillman embracing the notion of Father John Misty as a character persona mask he can wear to express his emotional turmoil. Based on Tillman's very public and venomous reactions to blog reviews of Fear Fun I'd say it's a very personal record. If you want to watch him bare his soul at the Mohawk tomorrow night, you best get yourself a ticket whilst you still can.


Father John Misty - Nancy From Now On video via YouTube


Har Mar Superstar is touring with Father John Misty, which means he'll be back on his home-turf tomorrow night. No, he's not from or based in, Austin but he recorded his upcoming record with Spoon's Jim Eno here and he played every week for a month in April. So, for all intents and purposes the Mohawk's outside stage is like his second home. Expect some partly goofy, partly sexy songs performed with very little clothing from Har Mar's set.

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Ty Segall + White Fence at the Mohawk

Photo Credit: Ruthie Swanson

Ty Segall Band will be playing the Mohawk tomorrow in what promises to be one of the most talked-about shows of the month. As a solo artist, Ty Segall has been extraordinarily prolific releasing numerous albums but it wasn't until last year's Ty Rex album of T. Rex covers that people really started to pay attention. Since then there's been some revisionist history of his popularity but regardless of when people started to pay attention they are certainly paying attention now. Ty's set at FunFunFun Fest last year was one of the most lauded of the festival. He and his band are known for putting on a high energy set that melts both brains and faces. The upcoming release of, Slaughterhouse, will be Ty's first release to include his full touring band. I listened to it earlier this week and I can tell you it is some heavy shit y'all. His sound has always had one foot in psychedelic and one foot in classic rock. Slaughterhouse dives head first into a pool of the 13th Floor Elevator by way of Black Sabbath. Tomorrow night's show is sure to feature some of these sludgy psychedelic jams. It's also sure to sell-out. In fact it may be sold-out by the time you're reading this but you can click for tickets just cross your fingers when you do so.


Ty Segall - Where Your Head Goes video via YouTube



It should be noted that tomorrow night's show at the Mohawk is not simply the Ty Segall Band. It is Ty Segall Band WITH White Fence. Ty and White Fence released a collaborative record, Hair, which is much greater than the sum of its parts. Hair sounds like a collection of songs that were re-discovered after being left out of a Nuggets box set. It makes you want to wear paisley pants and quit your day-job to start smoking reefer full-time.


Ty Segall + White Fence - I Am Not a Game video via YouTube

This is an outdoor show with two opening acts. Memphis band, Useless Eaters should start around 9pm with local band, Rayon Beach taking the earliest support slot tomorrow. It is Friday night downtown so leave early because parking is going to be scarce and costly. See you there!

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Suckers with Young Man at Red 7

Photo Credit: Marley Kate

It was SXSW 2010 when I first fell in love with Suckers. I was at a free showcase at Malverde and Suckers was one of the bands who played early in the night. Their sound was rawkus and melodic with all of the band members singing at once throughout many of the songs. Their fashion was Goodwill cast-offs from a trailer park and I loved their energy. Well it's been over two years and now they're back and their touring in support of their recent release, Candy Salad. The record picks up right where the last one left off with manic vocals that hit high highs and low lows. There are the out-of-tune full band sing alongs and some of their best melodies yet. If you even casually enjoy some of the songs you've heard from Suckers in the past then I encourage you to check out their set at Red 7 tomorrow night. Tickets are a mere $10 if you buy them in advance and I all but guarantee a good time. Candy Salad has some of Suckers best songs yet and they are going to sound even better with the live energy of the band to back them up.


Suckers - Chinese Braille video via YouTube


Playing the support slot for Suckers tomorrow night will be fellow Frenchkiss Records band, Young Man. Their latest album, Vol. 1, was released this week and it has already earned them praise from all the cool kid critics. For my money Vol. 1 blends the perfect balance of pop and melancholy. There are elements of indie-jangle along with baroque sensibilities. Thematically the record explores loneliness, finding one's-self and all of those other post-collegiate indulgences. Think of it as an indie-pop meditation and/or the foundation of a good one-man-show. You can hear it in full on Rolling Stone.


Young Man - Fate video via YouTube


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Plants and Animals at Lambert's

Photo Credit: Caroline Desilets

Montreal-based band, Plants and Animals will play at Lambert's Friday night in support of their last LP, The End of That. The band describes their sound as "post-classic rock," which I find to be a very apt description. The songs have elements of Blues, and pure Rock with lots of anthemic choruses and sing-along moments. There are also very intimate acoustic guitar songs that remind me of Ryan Adams. The songwriting is superb, with personal lyrics and catchy melodies. Tickets are only $10 in advance or $12 on the day of the show and it will be a great opportunity to see a great band in a small space before their star significantly rises.


Plants and Animals - Light Show video via YouTube

Playing the support slot for Plants and Animals Friday night will be Papermoons. The band has been on hiatus for a couple of years but they are officially back with a new album coming out soon. Friday night's show will be their first in quite some time. You can hear a few of their most recent tracks over on Soundcloud.

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Yann Tiersen Tonight

Alright, I know a lot of you are reading this and thinking, "Yan Tiersen, I've never heard of him, why should I care?" Well, firstly you're reading a music blog, which means you are inherently adventurous with your musical tastes. For that reason alone you should consider seeing Yann Tiersen at Emo's tonight. Secondly, it's Friday night if you go downtown it's going to be a total clustercuss. The streets will be teaming with testosterone monkeys who wreak of Axe body spray and their orange spray-tanned hangers-on. Parking will be wretched and you'll have to hear over-loud dub-step throbbing out of every doorway. Also, you may not realize it but you probably already know and enjoy Yann Tiersen's music, he scored the film Amelie. This year he released a solo record called Skyline which is filled with beauty and melancholy. The album is largely instrumental with vocals that are more like instruments adding another texture to the soundscape. Obviously, the album sounds very cinematic and the live performance promises to be very moving. The long and short of it is, even if you don't know who Yann Tiersen is, you should go tonight because I think you'll like it. Also, if you act fast you can get tickets 2 for the price of 1 so you and a friend can go splitsies.


Yann Tiersen - Another Shore video via YouTube


The doors for tonight's show open at 9pm and support act Piano Chat should start by 10pm. Expect Yann Tiersen to take to the stage about 11pm.

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Spiritualized at Emo's Tonight

Back in 1997 when Radiohead were touring in support of OK Computer they chose Spiritualized to be their support act. Spiritualized had just released their, now classic album Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space. It was filled with songs that mixed elements of shoegaze with elements of American gospel. Even today, 15 years after that album's release the tracks still sound fresh, innovative and like nothing else that has even been released. So, now it's 2012 and Spiritualized have released their 7th record, Sweet Heart Sweet Light. In interviews, Spirtualized's Jason Pierce has said that the recording and production of the lastest record was largely influenced by the performances of Ladies and Gentlemen... in full at 2007's All Tomorrow's Parties Festival. In many ways the record is a return to form, with sounds that move more toward pop than anything the band has released in the past. Obviously, when a band's first single is over 8 minutes they still haven't full embraced the pop aesthetic so if you are a fan of the musical meditations of Spiritualized's previous releases don't worry.


Spiritualized - Hey Jane video via YouTube

Tonight, you have the rare opportunity to see Spiritualized perform live at Emo's. The band doesn't play U.S. shows very often so even if you just consider yourself a casual fan it's worth the cost of the ticket to head over to E. Riverside tonight. Also, for those of you who collect vinyl bring a little extra cash because chances are you'll be able to grab the latest LP at the merch booth a week before you can buy it in stores. From what I've seen online the packaging is beautiful and the album is pressed on white vinyl.



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