The Rosebuds or The Calm Blue Sea

Damn you Austin! Why do you do this to me? I was all prepared to focus on The Rosebuds show at The Parish tomorrow night. I love their latest LP, Loud Planes Fly Low and they always put on a fantastic live set. Also, I haven't been to the Parish in sooooo long because their bookings have been pretty shite lately. I like it when C3 Presents and/or Transmission Entertainment book shows at The Parish because the sound and lights are fantastic but I feel like whoever manages that joint must be hard to deal with because the good bookings have been more and more infrequent. Remember when Grizzly Bear played there? Or Bat For Lashes?


The Rosebuds - Woods video via YouTube

In any case, tomorrow night with The Rosebuds, you really can't miss. Not to mention, one of my favorite up-and-coming artists, Other Lives are sharing the bill. I had the pleasure to see these troupe of Oklahomians(?) Oklahomies(?) Oklahomites(?)...Okies, open for The Decemberists at Stubb's this spring and I fell in love. Their latest album is called, Tamer Animals and it's out now on TBD Records, which you might know as the label that puts out all of Radiohead's latest LP's. Tickets for tomorrow night's show at The Parish are STILL available and will only put you back $12.


Other Lives - For 12 video via YouTube


So, I started to say above the break, I was focused on The Rosebuds show at The Parish, when I noticed one of my favorite local bands The Calm Blue Sea is playing the Mohawk's outside stage tomorrow night. This show as originally scheduled to be at ND, which is a lovely venue but now that it's at the Mohawk it's become more irresistible. I love the band, I love the venue. The only thing that MIGHT save me, is if the show at The Parish has a later start time than the show at the Mohawk but I don't really believe that to be true. So I may have to rip the baby in half via Solomon. The info I have shows The Calm Blue Sea playing the Mohawk at 11pm tomorrow night. The doors for The Parish show open at 7pm but I just really don't think that show will be over by 11pm. Just 'cause the doors are open doesn't really mean the show is starting within the hour...necessarily. Keep an eye on my Twitter feed and I'll let you know what I know when I know it.


The Calm Blue Sea - VLT (Very Large Telescope) video via YouTube

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Electric Touch at the Mohawk

Our friends are throwing a party at the Mohawk tonight with bands and stuff. Given that tonight is the solstice, chances are, the sun will still be up when the doors open at 8pm. How crazy is that? So, move your pagan rituals to the outside area at the Mohawk and enjoy some local, live music while you sacrifice that virgin. Then, when you're through you can grab an ice-cold Lone Star.


Tonight's party is presented by our brethren of the blog over at Ultra 8201 and the great purveyors of party over at From_The_Mind_of_Adi. In my experience these people don't know how to have an unsuccessful event so if you don't have specific solstice plans in mind you should shell out $5 and enjoy.


Electric Touch - Magnetic video via YouTube

As noted on the poster above tonight's music will be provided by Electric Touch, The Boxing Lesson and Michelle Armstrong. If you're not a fan of one of these artists fear not, some asshole will be talking through the entire performance so you can just listen to that instead. OR, maybe YOU could be that asshole? Perhaps you recently saw a movie that you'd like to discuss while the bands are performing? Or maybe you saw these bands in the past and you want to discuss that while they are performing? Of course, I am kidding. The staff of Austin Bloggy Limits impolitely requests that you SHUT THE FUCK UP while any and all bands are performing at any and all events. We reserve the right to throw a drink on you if you persist in your inane chatter while we're trying to enjoy a musical performance. Thank you.


The Boxing Lesson - Dark Side of the Moog video via YouTube

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Explosions in the Sky w/Ola Podrida

Now, I know the show isn't until Friday but I wanted to post this preview about the Explosions in the Sky show at ACL Live because as of this moment, you can still get tickets. Had I waited until later in the week or even later in the day that might no longer be true. In other words, you should get tickets to see Explosions in the Sky now because this show WILL sell out. If you haven't been to ACL Live yet, the sound is impeccable and the drinks are outrageously expensive. One of these things I'm a fan of, one of them I am not. For a band like Explosions, seeing them perform at a venue that knows how to mix sound and keep things balanced is going to be key. Their new album, like all of the previous works, is all about textures, layers and lyrical guitar work and all of these elements will be on full display this Friday night. Furthermore, it's a Friday night show that won't get you anywhere near the 6th street/Red River weekend madness, so if you're as crotchety as I am then this is heaven.


Explosions in the Sky - Trembling Hands video via YouTube

Taking the opening slot for Explosions in the Sky Friday will be Ola Podrida. Like Explosions, Ola Podrida is local and their music also has a very visual element to it. By which I mean, all of their tunes sound like the soundtrack to a movie that hasn't been made yet. For Ola Podrida, visual music is quite appropos considering their lead-singer is also a film composer. They are signed to, my favorite local label, Western Vinyl. There aren't any artists on Western Vinyl whom I am NOT a fan of, the label has such a great aesthetic and talent for finding gifted musicians with a knack for gorgeous, layered production and subtle songwriting choices.


Ola Podrida - This Old World video via YouTube

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Matt & Kim + Archers of Loaf

As you may or may not know, this weekend is the Republic of Texas Biker Rally, which of course means anything you do downtown is going to take more time than usual. Just like with Relays weekend, Halloween or New Years Eve there will be an influx of folks crowding the streets. However, that shouldn't keep you from enjoying some bad-ass music at Emo's and Stubb's, respectively. That's right, just like this Wednesday past, there are TWO awesome shows that are quite different from each other happening the same night at different venues. Luckily, you should be able to catch the headlining sets at BOTH venues. Saturday night's don't have to end as early at Stubb's but you can still plan for Matt & Kim to be done by 12:30am. The unfortunate thing is that tickets are sold-out. If you really want to go, make sure you don't give the scalpers in the streets more than $25. My strategy is to wait until you can hear Matt & Kim from the outside then offer a scalper $20, if they balk just tell 'em, "You can keep that ticket but that noise you hear is Matt & Kim." 9 times out of 10 they'll fork over the goods. As you know, I HATE supporting the scalper economy BUT I also hate missing Matt & Kim.


Matt & Kim - Bloggy Interview video via YouTube

Meanwhile, just down the street, at the legendary Emo's you can catch, the legendary, Archers of Loaf. I expect their set to begin at around 12:30a, so if you want to catch both headliners you SHOULD be all good. If I were you though, I'd buy MOST of my drinks at Emo's. Both venues carry the same beer/liquor but ONE of them charges a butt-load of money...just sayin'. Archers of Loaf are legends of 90's college-rock, they were only around about 8 years but they released 4 albums in that time and earned quite a reputation for their clever songwriting and non-stop touring. Remember back when "college-rock" was a term with substance. I feel like commercial-alternative radio and blogs kind of ate up the whole concept of "college-rock". Even if you have never heard of Archers of Loaf this show would be a great blind-ticket purchase, as this is a reunion tour and chances are they won't be back through Austin ever again. Also, unlike the Matt & Kim show, tickets ARE currently available, hence the link.


Archers of Loaf - Harnessed in Slums video via YouTube

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Givers review + Interview

If you weren't at Givers' sold-out show at Antone's last night, you dun fucked up son. It felt like when I saw Local Natives at Antone's after their successful SXSW 2010 run. The crowd was energetic, appreciative and involved. When Givers jumped up and down on stage, the crowd jumped up and down. From the opening notes of the opening song the crowd was cheering and clapping in time. The band seemed humbled by the crowds visceral reaction to their every move. They took time at several points to look out at the mass of people and genuinely thank them.

In my preview of last night's show I wrote that the next time you see Givers in Austin it will be a sold-out show in a large venue and/or a festival and/or a sold-out festival and after the blazing performance last night, I stand by those words. Before all of that though, I chatted with members of Givers, briefly, about what there lives were like and might be like without the music.


Givers - Interview video via YouTube


I don't like to, specifically, endorse any record retailer online or otherwise but Mr. S. pointed out to me that you can order Givers LP, In Light on vinyl for $10.99 via Amazon. I'm not sure if the price will be that low at your local record shop but chances are it will be inexpensive there as well. In Light came out earlier this week and I can already tell you it's going to be quite the summer album. So, you should pick it up digitally, physically, or both.

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Raphael Saadiq Review In Words

Last night I had to pleasure of seeing Raphael Saadiq perform at Stubb's. Mr. Saadiq came out like a pro, grabbing a guitar and jamming with his 7-piece band dressed like a dapper R&B star of yore. He started out in a full on suit with high-wasted pants, shirt and jacket but the jacket disappeared pretty quickly due to our lovely Austin heat. He was wearing his trademark Buddy Holly-style spectacles as well. Basically, Raphael Saadiq's look AND sound harken to the days of clasic R&B music when there was as much emphasis on the Blues as the Rhythm. The band was punchy, on point, in the pocket and ready to riff on all the classic Blues chord progressions. As far as the vocals go, they were smooth as butter. The set was mostly comprised of songs from Stone Rollin' remixed and jammed out to maximum capacity but my favorite moment was when the Lucy Pearl jam, Dance Tonight was played. I had almost completely forgotten about that Lucy Pearl album and how much I loved it.


Lucy Pearl - Dance Tonight video via YouTube


As far as the crowd goes, I'm not gonna lie to you dear reader, it was sparse. Generally, when I see a show at Stubb's is sold-out and packed to the gills, this was not the case last night and I have a few theories as to why. First of all, last night was packed with music all over the city (as usual). There was the free Blues on the Green series at Zilker Park, as well as a performance by Beirut at ACL Live.

I feel like the factors that truly prevented Stubb's from being packed last night are two fold. Firstly, the tickets were about $37.50 with fees, which isn't a lot to pay especially considering there were 8 paid performers on stage but for Austin, that's a pretty steep ticket price. The other factor has to do with marketing and crowd appeal. Personally, I LOVE Raphael Saadiq and I feel like you should too but it's so hard to pin-down his target demographic. He plays R&B but it's nothing like modern-day R&B, he's not a crooner, he's bluesier. He doesn't use drum machines, he actual plays guitar and has a full band. So, he doesn't really fit on Urban radio stations. He could be featured on an adult-urban radio format but, for now, Austin radio doesn't carry that format. So, basically, if you want to hear new music from Raphael Saadiq on the radio you have to tune into KGSR and let's face it, no one wants to do that. Also, even on a AAA radio format like KGSR Raphael Saadiq's music isn't a perfect fit. Should his tunes really be bumpered up next to Bob Schneider or a "classic" Steve Miller Band song? Me thinks not.

The long and short of it is this. Even though there weren't a lot of people at the show, those who were there had lots of energy and had lots of fun. The band was outstanding, with superb musicianship and Raphael himself is as handsome as he is talented, which is to say very.

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Two Great Shows Tomorrow

As is often the case in Austin, there are TWO really great shows I want to see tomorrow night. This happens a lot but it's generally on the weekends not on a Wednesday night. The thing that sets my mind at ease a bit about tomorrow night's dual shows are the venues in which they are happening. The first show is Raphael Saadiq at Stubb's. As of this moment tickets are still available and, like with most shows at Stubb's, they're going to set you back about $30. My saving grace is that shows at Stubb's on a Wednesday night have a hard curfew of 10:30pm and generally the set times are scheduled so the music is actually done by 10:00 or 10:15. I'll explain why this is a good thing after the break...


Raphael Saadiq - Stone Rollin' video via YouTube

So, since Raphael Saadiq will be done between 10:00 and 10:30, that will give me a chance to rush over to Antone's in time for Givers' headlining set. See, since Antone's is an inside venue they usually don't have the headliners on until between 10:00 and 10:30, this means I might miss a song or two from both artists tomorrow night but it's quite possible I'll catch complete sets from BOTH! How cool is that? I WILL miss the Givers support acts and that does make me sad but I also like the idea of Raphael Saadiq opening for Givers in my own custom concert.


Givers - Saw You First video via YouTube

I'm really surprised with the show being a little more than 24 hours away and tickets costing about $15 that they are still available. There is a lot of, deserved, buzz around Givers and I expected this show to be sold-out. Don't sleep on this show Austin, I would compare this to when Local Natives played Antone's after their SXSW whirlwind. Trust me, when I tell you the next time you have the chance to see Givers in Austin the venue will be less intimate, the show will sell-out fast and/or it will be at a festival AND/OR it will be at a sold-out, festival.

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New Albums For the Summer

As you know, I don't generally do album reviews and this post is no exception. This is just a quick little note because there are FOUR albums that hit stores today that really excited me. I think all of them are really fantastic summer music. Also, all of these artists either recently played Austin or will be playing Austin within the next few days.

The first album I want to mention is one I've been looking forward to since SXSW, it's the full-length LP from Cults. Talk about summery and fun, this album is it. It's run-time is just over 30 minutes and when it reaches that final groove in the record you're going to think wish there was another side. I was going to link you to a place where you can buy the debut but I don't want to specifically endorse a vendor. I'd rather encourage you to go to your nearest, locally-owned record shop and ask the clerk. By the way, the Cults' album is self-titled.


Cults - Abducted video via YouTube


Like the Cults LP, the debut from Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. is an indie-sounding record that is actual released by a major label. I kind of wonder why bands still do this, I don't know a whole hell of a lot about record contracts but I do know that you usually have to give back all of the money the label spends on you upfront. In otherwords, if people don't buy the debut from Cults they'll be paying for that very expensive-looking video above the break for a very long time. Personally, I hope people buy all of the music I'm mentioning in this post but I'm not diluted enough to believe that to be true. In any case, I resisted Dale Jr Jr because there was so much buzz around them and I really hate their name. However, when I noticed a band I really love, Generationals was touring with them I checked out their album and went to the show and I highly approve. The live experience has a lot of gimmicks, most of which I found unnecessary but I also realize that's a great way to get an audience to pay attention and/or remember you. Their LP, out today, is called, It's a Corporate World, which I'm sure they are learning through their deal with Warner Brothers music. It looks like iTunes had the album on June 3rd but today is the first, official, day you can buy it at your local shop.


Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. - Nothing But Our Love video via YouTube

While you're out at the record shop, be sure to pick-up In Light from, Louisiana-based band, Givers. Their afro-beat, indie sound is so shiny, warm and fun you'll have it on loop in the car all summer or at least the month of June. They were one of my favorite discoveries of SXSW this year, I actually saw them perform twice and I look forward to their show tomorrow night (look for my next post). Unlike the previous two artists I've mentioned, Givers are on an actual indie-label, Glassnote, which might explain why they haven't made an uber-pricey video for any of their songs yet. There are lots of live videos on YouTube but I'm going to post this one so you can get a sense of their studio sound.


Givers - Up, Up, Up video via YouTube

The last, but not least, new release I want to mention comes from The Rosebuds. They'll be in town next week and their LP is probably the least shimmery and fun of all of the releases I've mentioned so far but it is incredibly lush, beautiful and personal. You have to have something to listen to in the car at night too right? The story behind the making of this album involves a married couple becoming divorced and continuing to be bandmates. Kind of like Fleetwood Mac's Rumours with WAAAYY less cocaine and infidelity. The Rosebuds newest album is called Loud Planes Fly Low, and I really think you should pick it up today.


The Rosebuds - Go Ahead video via YouTube

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The Antlers Play Emo's

I know it's a Tuesday night, and you probably have to work Wednesday morning but, if you can, you should pick-up some tickets to see The Antlers tomorrow night. They play Emo's outside stage tomorrow in support of their, fantastic, newest release Burst Apart. They premiered the LP live at The Parish for NPR during SXSW and I expect to see it on lots of best of lists this year. It's only, officially, been out a month but I can assure you it's definitely a step forward for the band, the songwriting, which was already tight, is even tighter. The metaphors are more delicious and the guitar work is more focused than ever. The guys from The Antlers have been touring with, Austin-band, Explosions in the Sky so you can bet their chops are finely-honed for this visit to Emo's tomorrow night. I couldn't manage to hunt down any official videos from Burst Apart so here's a fake one so you can get a sense for the album's sound:


The Antlers - I Don't Want Love video via YouTube


The beautiful, layered, haunting Little Scream will be starting things off at Emo's tomorrow night. Little Scream is actually a solo artist signed to Secretly Canadian but she, generally, has a band backing her up. Her songs are layered, emotional and will leave you wanting more. I'm not, precisely, sure on set times for tomorrow night but I would guess that Little Scream will start at 10, possibly 9:30 and The Antlers will begin around 11pm. That's what I'm hoping anyway because I'll be working until at least 9pm and I really want to see both artists.


Little Scream - Red Hunting Jacket video via YouTube

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Love Parade AND Big Freedia

Well folks, as you know it can be tough to decide when there are several events you want to attend happening in the same night. Tomorrow night, is one of those nights when decisions must be made. On the one hand, you've got Big Freedia, bringing her New Orleans sissy-bounce extravaganza to Red 7's inside stage. This is guaranteed to be a sweaty, wild uber-fun time. If you haven't seen Big Freedia on any of her previous trips to Austin then you are really missing out. I'm almost envious of you first timers because there is nothing I could tell you that could prepare you for the shear, pornographic, and pervasive ass shaking that will go down on and around Red 7's tiny inside stage tomorrow night. Tickets are still available if you want to catch Big Freedia and her set begins at 1am.


Big Freedia - Y'all Get Back Now video via YouTube

Thank Oprah, Big Freedia's set doesn't start until 1am because I definitely want to hit Elysium for ATX Hipsters' Love Parade party. The dance floor is going to be drenched in sweat as Austin's greatest queer DJ's each take turns playing some jams for the crowd. The cover charge is only $3 and the music starts after the Queerbomb parade ends. Don't celebrate gay pride at a corporately-sponsored street party on 4th. Join the hip-queers like me as we get our dance on with DJ sets by:

• theGlitoris, of Barbarella's TuezGayz 9pm-10:30pm


• DJ Magma, of LesbianClits 10:30pm-11:30pm


• Shivvy, formerly of Woxy.com 11:30-12:30am


• The Ivan Party, of Mouthfeel ATX 12:30am-1:30am


• DJ Divorcée, of Mouthfeel ATX 1:30am-2:30am

Also, I mentioned the $3 cover charge HOWEVER I forgot some highly important, other, details:

Eccentric Attire encouraged!
NO COVER for boys in heels
NO COVER for girls in fake moustaches or beards (or real moustaches or real beards)

21+

Doors open at 9 PM

So, the deal is, I'm going to get my party on at Elysium and then sneak out for a few minutes to catch Big Freedia over at Red 7, then it's back to Elysium till the wee hours of the morning. I'm so excited!

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