Final FunFunFun Fest Line-Up Leak 2013

The final line-up leak for FunFunFun Fest 2013 will happen this evening in a live event setting. It bears noting that the last PR e-mail I received for tonight's event specifically says, "...the Fest will announce a large portion of the 2013 lineup." So, don't be disappointed because the full line-up won't be reveled until tomorrow (Wednesday, July 10th at 10am Central) when tickets go on sale.

Tonight's event is centered around a documentary called Vannin'. Maybe it's real, maybe it's fake, maybe the trailer itself is the whole thing? All I know is that each year the creators of FunFunFun Fest up the ante in every way. One year the line-up was revealed during a live Turntable.fm session. Remember Turntable.fm? I also know that Shiner is sponsor tonight and they're encouraging people to RSVP, which usually means free beer. The whole thing

Vannin' - A Documentary Trailer from Little Cabin Films on Vimeo.

The Vannin' party at 1100 Warehouse goes from 8:00p - 10:30p, which is precisely when the after-party starts at Yellow Jacket Social Club. Given that this event will most likely have free beer, you should probably get in line at least an hour before doors. Also Kebabalicious is going to be there. So, yeah.



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Emeli Sandé for Austin City Limits TV

With hair like Roxette and a power suit straight out of Working Girl, Emeli Sandé commanded the Austin City Limits Television stage like a seasoned professional. Already a name overseas, tonight was the first time that Sandé had ever peformed in Austin and it's clear that she was waiting until she was ready for superstardom. I am lucky enough to attend many ACL TV tapings and I have seen many amazing performances by some legendary performers but it is rare that I see an up-and-comer that shows as much skill as Emeli Sandé did tonight. I don't know if she will ever become a household name in the U.S. but regardless of how popular she does or doesn't become that doesn't change the fact that she is a superstar.

Sandé's music is a style of pop that straddles many other pop sub-genres. It isn't hard to imagine Sandé murdering some 80's hair-metal power-ballads nor would I be surprised to hear her take us to church with a gospel number. Not to totally nerd out here but there were several points where the thought occured to me that she could write an excellent contemporary Broadway show. Her songs hit those visceral crescendos that pump the adrenaline through your blood and make you want to sing-a-long at the top of your lungs. These songs are arena-ready and so is this performer.


Emeli Sande - Heaven video via YouTube


For those of you who weren't at ACL-Live at the Moody Theater this evening and/or you weren't watching the live webstream on YouTube you'll get a chance to see part of Emeli's performance in the fall on your local PBS station. Her performance will be paired with Michael Kiwaniku, who is also from the British Isles and is also making pop music for grown-ups.

American radio doesn't seem to really know what to do with pop music for grown-ups anymore but with the success of artists like Adele and Mumford & Sons there is hope for artists like Sandé, Kiwaniku and Lianne La Havas. In other words, America has outsourced its Adult Contemporary Pop music to artists from the U.K. who seem to be doing American music better than us right now. Don't worry America, I know you're out there making great music too. I'm just focused abroad at the moment.

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Let's Go Out Tonight: Thursday June 27th

It's Thursday, I still have to work tomorrow but I am so over this week already. You know what that means? Cheap whiskey, cheap beer, rock 'n roll. First pick, as usual, is ye olde Mohawk. Mikal Cronin headlines in support of his brilliant new LP, MCII go to the show tonight, buy the vinyl at the merch table. Thank me later. I suggest you arrive to the Mohawk by 6pm tonight because Shannon of Shannon and the Clams will be bartending until 7pm followed by a set from the Clams on the outside stage.

Since you're already arriving early enough to get a drink from Shannon, you'll be able to catch Austin bad-asses, A Giant Dog. They'll be kicking things off tonight and you get it all for the price of a $12 ticket.


Mikal Cronin - Change video via YouTube

After all the amps are turned off over on Red River, let's head over to E. 6th to see Sleep Over at Cheer-Up Charlies. I'm not guaranteeing you'll see every moment of Sleep Over's set but your odds are quite good. In my experience the last band at CuC usually starts closer to Midnight. I have no idea what's going on with Sleep Over right now but I always enjoy finding out. The track below is from a year ago. Their latest stuff may be nothing like this you'll have to show up tonight to find out.

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Your Weekend Show Planner

Oh my god y'all, I am so psyched that it's Friday. I don't want to think about work until...ever. Let's go see some rock 'n roll, drink some cheap beer and make some bad decisions. There's some really great choices this weekend, including several noteworthy shows on Sunday night, which is both odd and rude.

Friday nights are tough when it comes to show-hopping so you're going to have to commit to a venue. For me, it's a tough choice between Baths with Houses and Eleanor Friedberger with Teen.

• Baths / Houses at the Mohawk
• Eleanor Friedberger / Teen at the Parish
• The Black and White Years / Tiger Waves at Stubb's
• Flesh Lights at the Hotel Vegas

Eleanor Friedberger - She's a Mirror video via YouTube

Saturday

There are a lot of factors involved in which show you choose to see Saturday night. All of them have their advantages and disadvantages and the choice you make will say a lot about you as a person. No pressure though.

• Del the Funky Homosapien at Flamingo Cantina
• Twin Shadow at the Emo's
• Hayes Carll / Bruce & Kelly / Warren Hood at ACL Live

Twin Shadow - Patient video via YouTube

Sunday

Leave it to Austin to have four solid shows on a Sunday night. That's right, our weekends never really end in Austin so you're going to have to call in sick Monday or show up with very little sleep because all of these Sunday night shows have a very magical quality.

• Ola Podrida at the Mohawk
• Christopher Owen at the Cactus Cafe
• Aesop Rock with Kimya Dawson at the Central Presbytyrian Church
• Robert Plant presents Sensational Space Shifters at ACL Live

Christopher Owens - Here We Go Baby video via YouTube


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Michael Kiwanuka for Austin City Limits Television

I have been writing about Michael Kiwanuka since he played SXSW 2012, which is almost a year after he became a star in the U.K. Kiwanuka is the perfect example of an artist who should be a big-name mainstream artist in the U.S. but is somehow still unknown by most. Lucky for those of us who were in attendance and those of you who will be watching Season 39 in the fall, the folks at Austin City Limits Television ARE familiar with Michael Kiwanuka and they were smart enough to book him. With only one full-length LP under his belt it's a pretty safe bet that this artist won't dwindle in obscurity for very long.

His songwriting is in the singer-songwriter tradition, simple easy to remember notes with familiar melodies. His lyrics are sensitive but masculine. I would say that if you're a fan of artists like Ray Lamontagne or Damien Rice you'll probably enjoy Michael Kiwanuka.


Michael Kiwanuka - Home Again video via YouTube


Last night's performance showcased Michael Kiwanuka's astounding voice. It's one thing to listen to the recordings and hear Randy Newman meets Van Morrison but it's even more impressive in person. Kiwanuka's speaking voice gives you no indication what his singing voice will sound like. It is also disarming to hear such a low, gravely, soulful voice coming from someone who is so short and young. I know his height has nothing to do with anything but I was still surprised to see that he is only about 5'6" or so in person.

The set lasted about 90 minutes and consisted of 14 songs, 2 of those were covers and 4 were performed without the full band. I must say, I would love to hear Kiwanuka perform with string and woodwind players but last night it was a basic touring band with bass, guitar and drums. The cover songs were smart choices that showed influences but weren't super obvious. One was a Jimi Hendrix song that's not on his greatest hits collections and the other was a Townes Van Zandt song. See the full set list below, courtesy of Shivvy.



Keep an eye on your local PBS affiliate in the fall to see Michael Kiwanuka's performance on Austin City Limits Television.

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Sunday Night Problems

Personally, I'm not a fan of Sundays. When I was a kid the only thing I liked about Sundays was Ghostwriter but I hated the feeling of knowing it was about to be Monday and I still hate that feeling. Not only do we have to deal with that weekly burdon this Sunday but we also have to deal with our feelings about The Postal Service in Cedar Park and our love for Generationals. These are complex emotions y'all.

On the one hand, we always wanted to see The Postal Service perform live but tickets are $50 and that doesn't include $15 to park your car. Not only that, you have to drive to and from Cedar fucking Park. However, it should be noted that both Jenny Lewis and Laura from The Mynabirds are in The Postal Service touring band along with Gibbles and Bits. Also, Ra Ra Riot is opening the Cedar Park show which softens the price of the ticket and the time it takes to get there and back.


The Postal Service - A Tattered Line of String video via YouTube

Meanwhile, right downtown in Austin's best-sounding small venue, Generationals will be performing their own indie-pop songs. It's Sunday night so parking meters are free and a ticket to see this show at The Parish will only set you back a round of Lone Stars (with tip) aka $10.


Generationals - Spinoza video via YouTube

When it comes down to it the decision is yours and either choice is a good choice if you ask me.

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Chaos in Tejas for Pussies Like Me

I've never been that person who listens to Metal music. A lot of my friends who might not listen to Metal right now had a period in their life in which they were metal. I did not. I was never even into pop-metal. So, I can't pretend to be a great resource for you when it comes to Chaos in Tejas. However, I can be a great resource for pussies like me when it comes to those Chaos in Tejas shows with cross-over indie-appeal.

Starting tomorrow night with DIIV and Deep Time at the Mohawk. It's a Chaos in Tejas show, so if you have a 4 Day Pass you already paid your way into this and many other shows. But you can also just buy a ticket to this Thursday evening show for $10 if you act fast.


DIIV - Wait video via YouTube

Friday night is a bit trickier for me. If we're on a budget and we're only buying our way into one space, it has to be Red 7 Outside and that's mostly because Parquet Courts is the truth. They go on at Midnight and they are certainly worth a $12 ticket and your time Friday night.


Parquet Courts - Borrowed Time video via YouTube

Incidentally, you can also catch Parquet Courts for free inside my favorite record shop, End of an Ear. They start at 2pm to be followed by Milk Music at 3pm.

Saturday night I'd either go with Andy Stott at Holy Mountain or head over to Cheer-Up Charlies for Merchandise with The Men. The Cheer-Up Charlies show is definitely more in the spirit of chaos but... Andy Stott.


Andy Stott - Numb video via YouTube

Sunday night you should really be going to be bed because you have things to do on Monday morning but let's get real. The Field is performing at The North Door for $10 with Orthy opening.


The Field - Over the Ice video via YouTube

So, there you have it Chaos in Tejas for pussies like me. If you're interested in seeing the full line-up, what's stoppin' ya tough guy?

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New Videos of Note

I don't usually write posts that are simply to let people know about music videos but there are at least three that I'm really excited about right now so I figured why the hell not?

The first video comes from one of my favorite up-and-coming bands, Caveman. If you've never seen me gushing about how much I love their music then you just haven't been paying attention. In The City is from Caveman's self-titled sophomore LP available for purchase right now. I can tell you right now it's going to be in my top 3 albums of 2013.


Caveman - In The City video via YouTube

Former Austin band, Brazos has a new record due out next Tuesday and this video for Charmer is a great representation of its pop-majesty. You can pre-order Saltwater today, you won't regret it later.


Brazos - Charmer video via YouTube

Speaking of pop-majesty, Generationals also released a video today. Spinoza is on Generationals' latest LP Heza. If you haven't purchased their new record yet, may I suggest you buy it from the band when they play the Parish on June 2nd?


Generationals - Spinoza video via YouTube

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Thursday Night Highlights

This week is the perfect example of why it's great to live in Austin if you're a lover of live music. Monday night Jim James, Phoenix, Of Montreal, and Mirror Travel all performed. We rep'd every tier of indie-rock so hard on a random Monday in May. Tuesday night saw Method Man & Redman at the Mohawk with Father John Misty performing at Emo's. Whether you were looking for slightly off-kilter/unhinged hip-hop or I'm not saying anything snarky about FJM because he might say some crazy-ass shit about me on Twitter. Tonight you can see a free performance from Ola Podrida at Waterloo Records, followed by dinner and then catch Austin's-own James McMurtry at the Continental Club.




Tomorrow night we really get down though. Titus Andronicus will be at the Mohawk with The So So Glos for the price of a $15 ticket.


The So So Glos - Son of an American video via YouTube

Bonobo will be at Emo's with El Ten Eleven, which is a $20-$22 ticket.


Bonobo ft. Grey Reverend - First Fires video via YouTube

You could even see DJ Shadow at The Belmont, which is where I'll be. Tickets for DJ Shadow are in the $15-$40 range. The high-end tickets give you access to a VIP entrance, a raised viewing platform with tables and chairs along with cocktail service.


DJ Shadow ft. Little Dragon - Scale it Back video via YouTube

If you're hardcore, you could pretty easily go to either DJ Shadow or Titus Andronicus and still see Bonobo. Both The Belmont and Mohawk are outside shows, with doors opening at 7pm. Emo's is an inside show with doors open at 9pm. You could also just stay home and drink a 6-er. That's your call.

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Phoenix for Austin City Limits Television

Last night's performance by Phoenix for Austin City Limits Television was one of the most memorable tapings I have ever had the pleasure of attending. I have been lucky enough to attend more than a dozen ACL tapings and I have seen different artists approach the format in different ways. Radiohead used the television time-capsule to capture the band in the midst of a tour to support King of Limbs. Those of us who already love Radiohead loved hearing the new songs showcased live but in television terms it captures a very specific moment. Jack White's taping perfectly captured the musical and visual aesthetic of his Love Interruption tour but he also performed re-workings of familiar songs. Hearing full band performances of White Stripes songs was a revelation.


Phoenix approached their taping as though it were a time-capsule for their whole career up to this point. It was an incredibly confident performance by skilled musicians with an arena-ready energy level. The band opened and closed their set with Entertainment, the first single from their latest album Bankrupt! but the set wasn't heavy on new songs. It was a perfect showcase setlist highlighting some of the peaks in their 18+ year music career. It's a setlist you design for an audience who doesn't know you as well as one that adores you. In other words, your most undeniably great songs. Personal highlights were numerous but hearing Thomas and Christian do a stripped-down version of Air's Playground Love from The Virgin Suicides soundtrack was a definite, I die, moment for me.

There were two stripped-down songs with just Christian and Thomas, which Thomas performed from the center of the crowd on the floor. During the last full song, before the Entertainment coda, Thomas walked the mic out into the crowd. This is something I have seen him do before and I have described it to people but there's something truly electric about it in person. Rather than walk with a cordless mic, which would be incredibly simple Thomas has a VERY long, bright red microphone cable that he winds through the crowd. He barely even used the microphone to sing, the band just drilled away at the song and Thomas walked off the stage, up to the top of the bleachers winding the cord through the crowd. There is something very exciting about it, it's exciting to have the performer break the fourth wall and there is something that just seems both dangerous and communal about the mic cord. We work together to keep it from getting caught on things or each other, it's held up by the crowd so that Thomas can get as far as possible. The presence of camera equipment made the whole thing that much more complicated. The cord had to wind through the crowd as well as all of the equipment needed to capture a musical performance for television. Thomas used a wall-mounted camera track to climb into the balcony and momentarily wrapped the cable around the robotic camera. On his way back to the stage for the final bow, he managed to ensnare the tripod of one of the crane-cameras on the floor. He threw the microphone's wind-screen into the audience at the end of the set then he threw the microphone under the drum-riser.

Last night's audience walked out of the theater feeling pumped. There was an electricity in the air and Phoenix was the source. They played like a band with something to prove and they proved it. They are one of the best touring bands in the world and if you don't believe me just watch them on your local PBS. The Phoenix episode will be part of the 39th season of Austin City Limits, which will begin airing in the fall of 2013.



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