AustinBloggyLimits - An Austin Music Blog

Friday, October 14, 2011

Gringo Star Play the ND Tonight

Atlanta band, Gringo Star will release their 2nd LP in 11 days but you can hear the songs performed live tonight at the ND. Their upcoming LP is called, Count Yer Lucky Stars and it's filled with throwback, guitar-pop. Think a contemporary take on The Zombies and you're in the right ballpark. The melodies are infectious, there are singalong choruses and oooooos and ahhhhhhhhs for days. Expect a lot of instrument switching at tonight's show at the ND, as most of the band members are multi-instrumentalists. In other words, if you don't fuck bass players, hold the phone, that bro might also play piano. Now whatchu gonna do?

Gringo Star - Shadow video via YouTube

The buzz for tonight's show hasn't been huge but that doesn't mean it's not a good show. I expect that tonight will be one of those shows that you reference each time Gringo Star comes back to Austin with increased popularity. If you get tickets to see them at the ND tonight you can rub it in everyone's faces when the band is the belle of SXSW 2012.

A band called, The Trees is opening of for Gringo Star tonight but I am so over trying to do research about bands with generic names. It's 2011, when will musicians realize their musical project has to be internet searchable or people like me can't help promote you. Perhaps, The Trees don't want publicity? If that's the case they've chosen an excellent name.

Here's a video from Gringo Star's debut LP, All Y'all:

Gringo Star - Come On Now video via YouTube

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Wednesday, October 12, 2011

FunFunFun Fest Preview: Keep Shelly in Athens

There is so much mystery surrounding Grecian, electronic act, Keep Shelly in Athens. Will their country's debt bankrupt the Euro, triggering the U.S. economy into a double-dip recession? Also, who the hell is Keep Shelly in Athens? Well, I can tell you what I know, which is they have released a cassette on a Japanese label, they have released a couple of 7" LPs and a 12" EP via Gorilla Vs. Bear's Forest Family Records. Their sound has been compared to Air and/or Air France, which means it's beautiful chilled-out electronic. The kind of music you listen to while reading a book as opposed to the kind you listen to after doing all kinds of Molly at the rave. All I have heard from them is what can be heard on their Soundcloud page and I love every moment of it. You can buy their EP, Our Own Dream via Amazon Mp3 but the highly limited pressing of the physical 12" LPs have completely sold-out. If you want in on the ground-floor of all of the hype for Keep Shelly in Athens then you better get yourself some FunFunFun Fest tickets now! Tickets will sell-out and the longer you wait to buy them the longer you wait in the will-call line. All tickets will be shipped out on Oct. 20th, so if you order them now, they'll be in your mailbox before the festival. Otherwise, you're either missing out or standing in line like a sucker.

Keep Shelly in Athens - Running Out of You video via YouTube

I'm very excited because whilst writing this post I sent a tweet to Forest Family Records asking if they sent any copies of the sold-out EP to, my favorite neighborhood record shop, End of an Ear and they responded saying they "might" have a few copies to send to the "release city." Oh, did I mention that FunFunFun Fest is the album-release show for Keep Shelly in Athens? That's right! Oh, and you're favorite hipster-blogger (me) just got us some out of print EPs to celebrate. Holla!!!

Keep Shelly in Athens - video via YouTube

I've got to get down to End of an Ear to make sure this thing's a go. You should listen to this other tune from Keep Shelly in Athens and for the love of all that is holy in this universe get your FunFunFun Fest tickets now!

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Utopiafest

There are so many festivals in Austin that it can be hard to keep track of them. Well, I didn't want you to miss out on your chance to get out of the city for a music fest that's, relatively, new to the scene. Utopiafest takes place this weekend on a lovely patch of land in the, appropriately named, town of Utopia, Texas. There will be camping, food, and of course loads of great music. The vibe is mostly folky, pastoral rock but the festival is not pigeon-holed into a specific genre. Some of the most recognizable artists scheduled to perform this weekend include Blitzen Trapper and Dawes but that's only a very small taste of the full line-up.

Blitzen Trapper - Love The Way You Walk Away video via YouTube

In an effort to avoid the trappings of the large-scale music festival experience there are only 1500 tickets available for Utopiafest. In other words, if you are interested in being a part of the festivities out in Utopia you should grab yourself some tickets while they're still available. As I mentioned, you can camp on-site and they will even have hot showers available. Take that Bonnarroo! A couple of other things that set Utopiafest apart from other festivals, the beauty of the hill-country venue, free yoga in the morning and even a disc golf course. Bring your tent, bring your disc golfing discs and bring your love for music because it all goes down starting at noon on Friday.

Avi Buffalo - What's In It For? video via YouTube

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The Rapture is Nigh

A few weeks ago, I was waiting tables and I noticed a couple at one of my tables looking at an ad for a Ghostland Observatory show. They seemed pretty excited that GLO had an upcoming appearance at ACL Live. When, I noticed them staring at the ad and becoming excited I declared, excitedly, "The rapture is coming!" They looked at me as if I had three heads and then I realizes how maniacal that sentence was out of context. I clarified, "The band called, The Rapture, they're playing a show at La Zona Rosa soon." Then I sheepishly walked away and thought about how I must have appeared talking about the rapture with complete strangers. Well kids, like many lunatics before me, I predict The Rapture will be here tonight! Instead of stalking up your bomb shelter, you should get some tickets because it's not very often that The Rapture is upon is and you don't want to say you missed it. They'll be playing La Zona Rosa tonight, in support of their latest album, In The Grace of Your Love. The lead single from the new album has a moment that reminds me of The Thong Song but I'm ok with that. It's still one of the best singles of 2011.

The Rapture - How Deep is Your Love? video via YouTube

The new album is great, but let's be honest, all of us who will be at tonight's La Zona Rosa show are hoping to hear tunes from Echoes as well. The Rapture certainly aren't the first band to create live dance-music with a punk aesthetic but they were definitely the ones who captures my attention with it at the turn of the century. I'm really hoping they still play tunes from their early EPs that were released before Echoes but I'm not really counting on it.

The Rapture - Out of the Races and Onto the Track video via YouTube

I don't know too much about support act, Poolside but from what I've gathered it's a collective from Los Angeles. They are producers and DJs and they'll be playing an official after-party hosted by our dear friends over at Learning Secrets. The after-party will be at 29th St. Ballroom and admission will be $5.

Poolside - Do You Believe? video via YouTube

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Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Win Star Slinger Tickets

U.K. electronic music producer/DJ, Star Slinger is touring the U.S. and will be at Beauty Bar Wednesday night. You probably know Star Slinger from his high-profile remixes, which includes work with Broken Social Scene and Washed Out among others. He has recently released his own compositions, including a single out now via Green Label Sound, which you can listen to below the break. Tomorrow night's show at Beauty Bar is guaranteed to be a hot, sweaty, dancing mass of enthusiasm and if you want in on the action you should grab yourself some tickets now. As I mentioned, Star Slinger is based in the U.K. so you won't get too many chances to see him perform live.

Speaking of chances, I've got a pair of tickets up for grabs and winning them is pretty simple. I can get you on the guest list with a +1 and all you have to do is email contest@austinbloggylimits.com put Star Slinger as the subject and put your real name in the body. The winner will be notified between 3p and 4p on Wednesday. If you don't receive an email by 4:05p Wednesday, assume you have not won and just buy some tickets.

Star Slinger - Mornin' video via YouTube

You can listen to Star Slinger's Green Label Sound single here:

Also, feel free to tell all of your friends about the contest. Just remember it ends between 3p and 4p tomorrow.

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Friday, October 7, 2011

So Many Choices Tonight

Hopefully, you've all taken advantage of my hardcore ticket round-up post so, most of this is old news for you. However, I recognize that some of you are assholes and didn't read that post. Or you're busy or whatever your kid spit-up on your blouse or something to that effect. It is for you, the busy asshole, that I bring you a few choice selections from our fair city this eve. Of course, I have to mention the Michael Ian Black show, for which you may still purchase tickets. MIB takes to the Mohawk's outside stage at 10pm tonight. After his set, I encourage you to step inside the 'Hawk, get your picture taken with the stuffed bear, marvel at how that hot beardless woman got a job tending bar and then stick around for the nouveau-French sounds of Chateau Marmont and Revolver as they bring the Voulez Vous tour to Austin. These two bands have very different sounds. One is folky, one is electronic both are effing awesome. There are separate tickets for that inside experience at the Mohawk tonight but it's a rare opportunity that you'll want to take advantage of.

Chateau Marmont - One Hundred Realities video via YouTube

Revolver - Balulalow video via YouTube

Just a brisk walk from the Mohawk on the much revered, or much dreaded, east-side you can catch Bloggy-favs, The Calm Blue Sea as they play a headlining set over, the newly re-launched, ND. You've seen my words on The Calm Blue Sea in the past so, I'm not going to bore you, I'll just say...awesome. They'll be joined on the bill by a few other, noteworthy, Austin artists, Frank Smith, A House a Home and The Boxing Lesson. I'd just like to note that all of these bands are hard to Google, so you're welcome for including the links to their pages. This locals-only show will only set you back $7 and you can feel free to RSVP thus spreading the show love to all of your F*c*book frienemies.

Calm Blue Sea - Literal video via YouTube

Maybe you're feeling like some serious head-nodding music? You're in luck, legendary hip-hop performer Tech N9ne will be doin' what he do over at Emo's fancy, east Riverside location. That place is pretty big so tickets are still available.

Tech N9ne - Mama Nem video via YouTube

I feel like I should, also, mention the Dolly Parton show out in Cedar Park but I want you to know that, as much as I love Dolly, Ticketmaster can eat a dick. I'm really sad that there is a Live Nation/Ticketmaster venue on the edge of Austin pulling artists out to the suburbs to suckle at the corporate teat. Austin is one of the last places in the U.S. that doesn't bow down to the Live Nation/Ticketmaster machine and I really don't want that to change. People may complain about service fees from Front Gate Tickets but you really have no idea how bad things can be. Generally, I'd advise if you're going to the Dolly show to at least buy some merch to support her directly BUT Ticketmaster even takes a cut of the merchandise sales at the venue!!! Live Nation/Ticketmaster manages artists, they book the shows, they own the promotions companies, the ticketing agency, the venues themselves, then they take a cut of the artist's merchandise sales on-site. Seems fair, right? Oh, and did I mention that parking at the Cedar Park Events Center is NOT free and take CASH ONLY.

Dolly Parton - 9 to 5 video via YouTube

What will I be doing tonight? Oh, my boyfriend and I are bringing our mothers to see Fleet Foxes do their Austin City Limits TV taping. No big deal. Oh, wait. Actually, it might be the most adorable thing to happen to a blog since kittens pouncing. That's right, I said it. By the way, if this taping is news to you, then you should probably be following me on Twitter since I tweeted a link that would have entered you in a drawing to be able to attend the taping as well. Just sayin'.

Fleet Foxes - English House video via YouTube

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Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Michael Ian Black is White Tour

Nothing says you're an alt-comic quite like performing at a rock club. Generally, if you're a traditional comic you tour all of these awful comedy clubs with awful comedy club names, like Chuckles. Well, Michael Ian Black is not your typical comic. In fact, I don't even think of him as a stand-up, he's a theater geek who became an improve player in a comic troupe. He's a writer and director and has been involved with lots of projects that very few people felt very passionately about. You probably know him best from The State or maybe those I Love the ______'s shows on VH1. I'm not judging but I would like to emotionally block the VH1 series and focus on The State, Viva Variety, Wet Hot American Summer and his other, cooler projects. Speaking of MIB's cooler projects, the most prominent reason he is in Austin is to promote his album, Very Famous. You can listen to Very Famous now on Spotify but if you're going to the show you might want to wait to listen so the jokes aren't spoiled for you. Tickets for Friday night's show are still available and will only set you back about $17.

Michael Ian Black - I Hate Flying video via YouTube

You could WIN a pair of tickets from AustinBloggyLimits, find out how below the break

If you want to see, the legendary, Michael Ian Black at the Mohawk Friday night for free, all you have to do is post a comment on THIS POST. This is where things get tricky though, you'll have to have your username info filled out so that I can email the winner. Otherwise, I'm not really sure how to make this whole thing work without exposing your email address to the world (by world I mean the 5 other people who read this site.) I'm not going to get too specific about your comment but try to make it something creative. Don't post anything rude and I swear to Oprah if you just put "First", we're done. So, happy commenting and good luck!

Johnny Blue Jeans - Ms. Pac-Man video via YouTube

Don't forget if you don't want to risk the chance of not winning and let's face it, most of you won't win the tickets, you can still buy some.

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Tuesday, October 4, 2011

FunFunFun Fest Nites

As you know, the city of Austin has a strict 10:00pm curfew in all of its parks, regardless of what is taking place in said park. This means that after the final notes are played down at Auditorium Shores for FunFunFun Fest there are still about four hours until last call. Well, now you don't have to wonder what to do after the fest because today the Fun Fest aftershows have been revealed! This year, they are doing things a bit differently. You can't buy tickets to the individual aftershows but if you went to Fun Fest then you already paid admission to the nites events. How cool is that? Furthermore, since the Fest is at Auditorium Shore this year, all you have to do is hop on the number 10 bus headed North and it will take you within block of the Mohawk. No need to worry about parking or drinking and driving or any of that jazz. However, it should be noted that, in typical CapMetro fashion the bus runs on a much different, much less convenient schedule on Sunday so plan accordingly.

Right. So, if you want tickets to the FunFunFun Fest Nites shows, the easiest thing to do, is simply get tickets to the actualy festival. Otherwise, I've got more details below the break.

M83 - Midnight City (Trentemøller Remix video via YouTube

I was kind of thinking we might get a schedule of aftershows today BUT I'm fine with the info we did get. If I were you, I'd keep an eye on the Transmission Entertainment site for ticketing and/or the Fun Fest ticket store just in case individual show tickets end up going on sale. However, what I gather is that the aftershows will definitely be free for FunFunFun Fest attendees and (possibly) cheap for those of you not attending the festival. In the meantime, here's a list of the bands participating in aftershows, which I directly lifted from the official press release:

FUN FUN FUN FEST NITES ARTISTS INCLUDE: The Felice Brothers, Glass Candy, Dead Confederate, Kool Keith, The Thermals, Ty Segall, Dom, Royal Bangs, Grimes, Syd The Kyd DJing (OFWGKTA), Andre Williams, Earth Crisis, Sleepercar, Jesse Malin, Underground Railroad to Candyland, Toxic Holocaust, Coathangers, Babies (2/3 of Vivian Girls), Widowspeak, Cobra Skulls, Nothington, Memoryhouse, Passion Pit DJ set, Inepsy, Hull, The Fucking Wrath, Canon Blue, Old Man Markley, Delicate Steve, ANR, Yellow Ostrich, Pat Jordache, Deafheaven, Tera Melos, Generationals, Front Buttons, Cowboy and Indian, Future Rock, DJ Thiabault, Bearhands, Pujol, Barreracudas, Ch. 24, Neon Indian DJ set, Check Yo Ponytail party, Learning Secrets, Powertrip, Mammoth Grinder, Ghost Knife, Ancient VVisdom, Gill Landry (Old Crowe Medicine Show), David Liebe Hart Band (of Tim and Eric Awesome Show), Ume, The Young, Boris, Ceremony, Russian Circles, Cold Cave, Doomriders, Mates Of State, Thee Oh Sees, Zero Boys, Purity Ring, Total Control, Keep Shelly In Athens, Lemuria, Touche Amore, Big Freedia, Budos Band, Austra DJ set, Trash Talk, Deathgrips and many more to be announced soon!

SOOOO excited that Chapter 24 are doing an aftershow! You may recall, I featured them for SXSW 2011.

Chapter 24 - You Said video via YouTube

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Braids and Nurses Tonight

As you saw from my, extensive, ticket-link post yesterday, October is a beast when it comes to quality shows and tonight is no exception. I know, I know it's Tuesday you worked today, you work tomorrow but guess what? These bands are working tonight and they need your eyes and ears. Also, tonight's shows are bands whom you may not have heard of today but in several months the buzz will have grown into a loud din and you can be that guy that saw Braids and Pepper Rabbit perform on the Mohawk's inside stage. I saw Vampire Weekend on Mohawk's inside stage and that gets me laid. Think about that for a second and then click this ticket link.

Pepper Rabbit - Harvest Moon video via YouTube

Braids - Plaith Heart video via YouTube

Meanwhile, over on 2nd street, in another intimate performance space you can catch Nurses. This Portland, Oregon band's latest LP, Dracula is a burst of psychedlic-pop and I expect it to make a couple year-end lists. It's unique without venturing off into unrecognized territories. They'll be playing upstairs at Lambert's tonight with Dominant Legs and Boyfrndz sharing the bill. Tickets are still available and you can park underneath City Hall for a mere $5.

- Fever Dreams video via YouTube

Dominant Legs - Hoop of Love video via YouTube

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Monday, October 3, 2011

Planning Ahead: Get Your Tickets Now

Well kiddos, it's a new month and I can tell you now, October is going to be a very busy month for shows. So, I present to you another, in a series of planning ahead posts, that you will find very handy. That's right, it's ticket-link-apolooza time!!! Part of me wishes I had never started doing these posts since they always make me cross-eyed but I get so much positive feedback about how handy it is so I can't resist. In the spirit of giving the people what they want, the first ticket link I present to you is for FunFunFun Fest. As you know, it happens the first weekend in November, it will be sold-out within the next couple of weeks, so get yourself some tickets NOW!

Speaking of sold-out tickets, the whole point of me doing these posts is so you can get tickets to upcoming shows BEFORE they sell-out. Unfortunately, I have included three show links below the break that already sold-out. By the time I realized there were no tickets left I had already done all of the research and formatting so I just left it there to make you feel bad. Sorry, but as the great poet Kurtis Blow once said, "These are the breaks..." Click the name of the artist below the break to get to the ticket page, if you click the name of the venue it brings you to the venue's site. There are a couple of shows that aren't pre-selling tickets (yet) so I just linked to the event page. Happy clicking, and please share this post with everyone you do and don't know, it takes me forever so it might as well be enjoyed by as many people as possible.

Kurtis Blow - The Breaks video via YouTube