Tomorrow night is a big night for local-band Markov. It's a big night because they are playing a support slot for a band they love, The Bronx but it's also a big night because they are celebrating the release of their new EP, The Flatlands. The Flatlands is six songs of melodious, driving, post-hardcore music that seems to go by in a flash. It's the perfect stop-gap between records and definitely shows growth from the band's previous release, This Quiet, which was already one of the best local releases of 2010. If you're looking for something to do Friday night, Markov at Red 7 is the thing to do. Tickets are only $12 if you buy them today but they'll be $14 tomorrow and don't underestimate fans of The Bronx, it's quite possible this show will be sold-out tomorrow.
Markov - Red Ocean video via YouTube
If you're trying to plan out your Friday night, I'd try to get to Red 7 by 9:30 for Markov's set. Also, it's an outside show so plan accordingly.
I had a discussion with some co-workers the other day about the re-birth of Red 7. Not only is the remodel logical and beautiful with much better sound but their booking is much more diverse than it was in the past and I am totally on board. This week, they have shows worth attending almost every night of the week and no two shows are alike. Tonight they have Wild Nothing, tomorrow they have Tanlines and Friday night they'll have The Bronx with Markov. Since I already wrote about tonight's Wild Nothing show, I want to focus on tomorrow night's show featuring Tanlines. For those of you who attend Tuezgayz, you've been aboard the Tanlines train for a year or more. For the rest of you a ticket to tomorrow night's show is a preview of FunFunFun Fest.
Tanlines is a duo from Brooklyn who play dance-able, experimental pop tunes. Their music uses lots of Caribbean percussion and is the perfect soundtrack to a summer dance party.
If you missed out on your chance to buy tickets to tomorrow night's sold-out Tanlines show at Red 7 don't worry single and multi-day tickets for FunFunFun Fest are still available. Also, the support acts Love Inks, Learning Secrets) are both local and play Austin quite frequently. Sure, it's cool to see a band play an intimate space but for dance acts it can be more fun to see them play with a huge crowd of fellow dancers. Oh, I almost forgot Tanlines are also scheduled to DJ a FunFunFun Fest Nites event so you can still have your intimate moment, even if you can't get in to Red 7 tomorrow.
First of all may I say that I find it "intriguing" that ACL Festival has rebranded their aftershows as Late Night Shows. I'm not going to explain that further, either you see what I'm getting at or you don't. Regardless, the pre-sale tickets went on sale to those of you who are on the e-mail list as of yesterday and some of those pre-sales already sold-out. You can find the full line-up of Late Night Showshere but I'm going to highlight the best according to Bloggy after the break.
The Weeknd - The Party & The After Party video via YouTube
As I mentioned above if you want the full line-up click the link above these are just my personal highlights. If you're interested in going to any of these shows click the name of the artist and do it fast because tickets are flying out the proverbial door.
So there you have it, of the 27 Late Night Shows these are the ones that I approve of. Get your tickets now, they should all be on sale this moment. Afghan Whigs is probably already sold-out by the time you finish this sentence even though they went on sale at 10am. Good luck!
Generally, I like to preview a show just a few days before it happens because I feel like you have a short attention span and it helps to have a gentle reminder. In this case, I'm giving you a full week because I think the show will sell-out and if it doesn't then it should. Next Wednesday you have the chance to catch one of the buzziest acts of 2012 at Red 7 in the form of Wild Nothing. The new record from Wild Nothin comes out next Tuesday and based solely on the singles, it's going to be a monster. It's part Real Estate, part DIIV and part Cut//Copy. In other words, it's fucking brilliant and I can already tell you right now that it's going to make my top 10 list for best albums of 2012. Don't take my word for it though, stream the whole record via Soundcloud now. You'll find it embedded after the jump. While you're listening, you'll want to grab yourself some $10 tickets to next Wednesday night's show, you can thank me later.
Wild Nothing - Paradise video via YouTube
As I mentioned Nocturne will be released via Captured Tracks next Tuesday. I pre-ordered the limited edition pressing on light blue vinyl and if it looks half as nice as the 7" for Shadow then you might want to consider doing the same.
This Sunday, August 19th at Fiesta Gardens, the second annual FunFunFun FestAqua Olympics will take the city by storm. This is just one of the many ways in which Fx3 sets itself apart from other Austin festivals. It isn't just a one weekend event where you stand in a field and watch some bros jam out on their guitars, it's a community happening. Not only that but the Aqua Olympics is a chance for people to win tickets to the festivals, PIP passes and to experience the wonders of the taco cannon, which is also my favorite, new euphemism for a penis. As in, "Hey baby, check out this taco cannon..."
If you're interested in taking part in this year's Aqua Olympics you can pre-register on the Fx3site or you can show-up to Fiesta Gardens at 4pm on Sunday and register in real life. Here's the schedule of events:
4pm: Opening Ceremonies & Registration
5pm - 8pm: Water Events
8pm: MORE FUN
FunFunFun Fest - 2012 Water Olympics video via YouTube
Here's what you can expect if you choose to attend Sunday's festivities:
Competitions:
Tug-o-War Across The Lake
*A commemorative Tug-O-War will start at 6:30pm. Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell will be anchoring the South side while City Councilman Mike Martinez anchors the North side.
Seeing Fang Island at the old Emo's inside was one of my favorite concert experiences of 2010. I was going through a rough patch in my personal life and their brand of anthemic, smiling guitar sounds matched with the crowd's exuberance was exactly what I needed in that moment. Someone, either in the band or in the crowd brought a Unicorn piñata, which has nothing to do with anything but it always stands out in my memory of that show.
Well, this Friday you have the opportunity to make your own Fang Island-related memories. They'll be playing the Mohawk's inside stage and tickets are only $12. Fang Island won't take the stage until around midnight so plan accordingly, take a disco-nap in the afternoon and too get too drunk to stay awake. Their latest record Major was released a week or two ago and it picks up right where they left off. I would say the biggest distinction between this album and their last is the vocals. There is a lot more singing on Major, which I think will only increase the community atmosphere of the live experience. There are still lots of hooky, overdriven guitar parts, keyboards, thumping bass and driving drums with melodies to spare. I don't know this for a fact but I would surmise that the album's title refers to "Major Key," which I believe is the secret to their uplifting sound.
Fang Island - Sisterly video via YouTube
Can't make it to Friday night's show? Don't worry you have a second chance to form Fang Island-related memories. Saturday, they're gonna be on a mother effin boat! Tickets for the boat party are $25 but there will be kegs of Dos XX and burgers on board. I went to one of these last year and I have some words of advice. Firstly, you should know it costs money to park your car, so car pool, secondly, it's going to be REALLY hot so wear a swimsuit. This is Texas, even the fat and ugly need to get in the water sometimes so people aren't going to get all judgey if you don't look like a model. Besides, if people want to get all judgey they won't have the balls to do it to your face so who cares, we're not in High School people. They will probably have burgers and hot dogs but the people making them to the people eating them ratio is highly imbalanced so eat before you leave or bring a snack. Also, make sure to bring some $1's for tipping. Lastly, don't forget your sunscreen, hat, sunglasses and all that sort of stuff you're going to be floating in the water, which means 360 degree sun all up in your business.
If you didn't think Drive was one of the best films of 2011, then you should just stop talking about films with other human beings. Also, you should say film instead of movie. Drive was visually arresting with powerful performances and it featured one of the coolest soundtracks in recent memory. It was mood music, self-conscious synth-driven meditations on love, loss and Lord knows what else. Even someone who tries to be in the know musically, such as myself, was scouring the internet for information about the songs featured in Drive. Well, in an effort to capitalize on this new found recognition several of the baby-bands featured prominently in the film have set out on tour together and that tour hits Red 7 tomorrow night. Tickets are still available and will only set you back around $15.
College & Electric Youth - A Real Hero video via YouTube
The Drive tour will feature performances from College, Anoraak, and Electric Youth. You may not immediately recognize those names but they performed some of the most iconic songs from the film. Granted, the band Desire should also be on this bill as well as Kavinsky but let's not fucking quibble ok?
Those fine purveyors of all things indie over at Transmission Entertainment have added a second date with Twin Shadow at the Mohawk. I know the show isn't until September so this post may SEEM like I'm jumping the gun but the second date was just announced today and the first show already sold-out. So consider this post a "Planning Ahead" post and get your shit together before tickets are all gone. The newly added show takes place on Saturday, September 15th so unless you work weekends, you really have no excuse not to be there. I have had the opportunity to catch several live sets from Twin Shadow and they always put on a great show. They perform with lots of energy and the musicianship is totally on par with their recorded material. Their latest record Confess is out now and will most assuredly be near the top of many critics year-end lists. What more do I need to say to convince you that this show is worthwhile?
Twin Shadow - Patient video via YouTube
In what might be one of the most perfect tour pairings of 2012, make sure to arrive earlier enough to catch etherial, synth-pop, Swedes Niki & the Dove. I had the chance to catch them at the Driskill during SXSW and it was one of my favorite sets of the festival. Picture Stevie Nicks fronting a mildly-gothic, 80's New-Wave band and you're getting close to the Niki & the Dove aesthetic. Their latest record is called Instince and you can stream it on Spotify if you want to check them out. However, if you like Twin Shadow you're going to like Niki & the Dove so don't miss the opener!
I don't know if you're a go out every night kind of person or if you like to pick and choose what you will leave the house for but I wanted to be sure you are aware of an event worth leaving the couch for. Tomorrow night those party geniuses over at The Fader have teamed up with Vitamin Water to host their uncapped event at the Millenium Entertainment Center. I can't let you in on all of the details but I can strongly urge you to RSVP and clear your calendar. The idea behind these uncapped events is to match up artists who might seem unlikely to share a bill. Previous shows have featured artists like The-Dream, Zola Jesus, Rick Ross, Omarion, French Montana, Santigold, Wale, Melanie Fiona, Passion Pit,2chainz, Kendrick Lamar and Best Coast. Those last two even performed a song together in Portland Oregon.
Kendrick Lamar featuring Bethany Cosentino - No Make-Up (Her Vice) video via YouTube
Now, the fact that you have to RSVP and you have to be 21+ indicated that their MIGHT be gratis booze but that is mere conjecture. If I were you I'd bring one's to tip the bartenders just in case. Also, even though the event doesn't start until 8pm, expect it to be a ridiculous madhouse to get in. Arrive no later than 6pm, wear good shoes to stand in line, make sure your cell phone is charged and make a plan for parking. Also, you should probably car pool and designate a sober driver. Keep in mind this is FREE event so act appreciative and be patient and polite. Don't be a total cunt to the people working the door, or your fellow partrons and don't bitch about the line-up being "disappointing" it's a free fucking show, don't be a self-entitled ass-hat, it's very unbecoming.
I'm sure there are lots of people who hate the new Emo's. After living in Austin for 6 years I've learned that everything that used to be is better than everything that is, people from L.A. are ruining Austin and Dallas is the most wretched place on earth...other than L.A.. Well, one of the (many) benefits of Emo's new location is how spacious it is. When Dirty Projectors played at the old Emo's location the show sold-out in a couple of days. Well, here we are only a day before they perform in the new space and there are still tickets available. This is a huge bonus, also after you buy tickets you'll be able to just drive and park AT THE VENUE! Imagine that? Just driving TO the place where you want to see the show and parking there?!?! It's like some sort of wet-dream fantasy!
In case you haven't been paying attention, Dirty Projectors released one of the best albums of the year a couple of weeks ago and tomorrow night's show is Austin's first chance to hear these songs performed live. Swing Lo Magellan picks up right where Bitte Orca left off, with African-rhythms, disconcerting boy-girl harmonies, soulful vocal performances and lyrics that make you go hmmmm. It is not as arresting as Bitte Orca was, simply because it further explores the same themes rather than blowing the doors open on a brand-new sound.
Dirty Projectors - Gun Has No Trigger video via YouTube
This is a bit of a side-bar but what do you think it says about me and/or the internet age that I just spent several minutes searching for a video newer than the Gun Has No Trigger video, which was only uploaded to YouTube a month ago? That's right, something a month old doesn't seem relevant enough to include in a blog post, even though the record that video promotes is only a couple of weeks old and that band is playing tomorrow. Le sigh.
No offense to Wye Oak who will be playing a support set at the Dirty Projectors show tomorrow night but I'm pretty disappointed that Purity Ring are not the support act. They have been on tour with Dirty Projectors on earlier dates this summer and I love them immensely. Wye Oak will certainly put on a solid set but it won't be the mind-blowing amazingness that is a live set from Purity Ring.
