Les RAV - "Darkest" Live @ The Parish, 09.01.12

Some footage of a new local favorite Les RAV. This comes from their show I caught last week (September 1, 2012) at The Parish. If Les RAV catches your ear, then keep your eyes open for a kickstarter campaign to fund their recording project that should be launching at some point in the near future. 

Portrait: Lauren Bruno

Lauren Bruno

August 9, 2012

Portrait: Arum Rae

Arum Rae

July 6, 2012

Follow That Bird Kickstart Their Full Lenth Album

I've been waiting for a full-length record from Follow That Bird for a bit now, and it looks like it is finally on the way.

The band that continues to be labeled "Austin's Next Big Thing" has begun a Kickstarter page to raise funds towards the recording of their long awaited first full-legth album. As explained on their page...

The album will be engineered by our good friend Gory Smelley at his Marfa Recording Company studios (Y△CHT, Grouper) located in the Chihuahuan Desert desert town of Marfa, TX. We were introduced to Gory as we ended our West Coast tour in Marfa at a benefit for Marfa Public Radio. We toured Gory's studio the following afternoon and fell in love. We appreciated the thought that had gone into the studio, his selection of equipment, and collection of vintage instruments.

I personally am handing over some money for this project. As I've stated previously on here, and many-a-times on my twitter, Follow That Bird ranks among the top of my favorite Austin bands. It actually will make me feel good to contribute to their recording! And you should too! Click Here.

Arum Rae of White Dress Performs "I Got Visions" in a Van

It seems like the only time I ever post on this blog anymore is to share some news about White Dress. It does take much to get me motivated enough to conjure up new material for the Blog From Mars. But Arum Rae's band has a special power to make me post. So here is a great clip of Arum Rae taking it solo for Jam In the Van with a new tune "I Got Visions". Great song, and as always her voice is magic.  She rocks my socks.

Shearwater Kick Off Their SXSW at Waterloo Records

Shearwater took to Waterloo Records this afternoon [03.11.12] for the first of their nine shows during SXSW.  They performed a handful of songs off their recently release album Animal Joy from Sub Pop Records. Check out videos below of "Animal Life" and "Dread Sovereign," as well as the band's schedule for the next week.


 


Sunday 3/11:
5pm @ Waterloo Records, 600 N. Lamar Blvd.

Monday 3/12:
1pm @ French Legation, 802 San Marcos St.

Wednesday 3/14:
2pm @ Hypemachine Hype Hotel, 504 Trinity (JM and Lucas duo set)
5pm @ Parish, 214 East 6th St.

Thursday, March 15, 2012
7:30pm @ Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop, 400 Nueces St.
1am @ PureVolume House, 504 Trinity Street (technically Friday early morning)

Friday, March 16, 2012
12:25pm @ Radio Day Stage – Austin Convention Center, 500 East Cesar Chavez
3:50pm @ Roky Erikson Ice Cream Social, Threadgills, 301 West Riverside
11pm @ Red 7 Patio, 611 E 7th St (Sub Pop Showcase)

White Dress - "Five Feet of Road" @ Beauty Ballroom 02.22.12

Here's some footage of White Dress from their show at the new Beauty Ballroom a couple weeks ago. As always, they rocked. And thankfully I've been named an official groupie by the band. They're my favs!

Listen to Solo Tunes from Follow That Bird's Lauren Green

Here's something very exciting I stumbled upon. It seems that Lauren Green, the super gorgeous vocalist/guitarist for one of my absolute favorite Austin bands Follow That Bird, has recorded some solo material. It's currently streaming on her bandcamp page. The three tracks are completely hypnotic and feature Green in a more subdued, soft-wave mode. 

I'm already massively obsessed with these songs. According to Green's Wild Tan page, these recordings are for a future release through the label. So here's to hoping this EP gets some sort of physical release at some point.

Take a listen below, and also check out Follow That Bird's SXSW schedule as it stands now.



Follow That Bird @ SXSW 2012

3/13 | 5:15pm Cheer Up Charlie's -- All Tamara's Parties
3/13 | 10pm at Headhunters -- (official showcase)
3/15 | 12(noon) at Swan Dive -- Riot Act Media showcase

White Dress Offer Free EP Download

Austin is currently in the grips of its growing annual new year's tradition Free Week.  Among all the free madness, my favorite Austin band White Dress is offering their self-titled EP as a free download. This release gets my highest recommendation. Imagine if Amy Whinehouse fronted a White Stripes-esque garage band. Snarling guitars, bluesy/soulful harmonies; that's pretty much what comes to my mind when I hear the sound they have on here. Seriously, check this out. It's FREE, so you have no excuse not to.

GET IT!!!

Okkervil River gives away Golden Opportunities 2 EP

It's the time of year for giving, and it looks as though at least indie-rock Santa is looking out for us. The nugget of gold stuck in your stocking is in the form of a new offering from Austin heavy hitters Okkervil River.  It is a five song EP of covers titled Golden Opportunities 2, which obviously is the follow-up to their "mixtape" of covers from 2007. The original was a free downloadable gift to their fans, so keeping with the tradition the new EP is up on their website right now. The songs were recorded live to two-track here in the ole live music capital of the world and are filled with Okkervil goodness. Don't miss this chance to grab some new tunes from one the most consistently great indie bands of the last couple years.

Golden Opportunities 2 comes to us on the heals of Okkervil River's sensational full-length I Am Very Far released earlier this year. From that album the band has released two different videos for the track "Your Past Life As A Blast." Below are both.

White Dress on Daytrotter

Always a great place for anyone to discover new music, Daytrotter is giving one of my most favorite Austin bands some much deserved exposure. Garage-blues duo White Dress is the latest local act to be featured on the site. Their four song session recorded at the "Big Orange Studio"is up for grabs right now and features several songs from their self-released, self-titled EP.

The stripped sound of White Dress is a bit gritty, yet haunting as well. This for the most part is the result of the mesmerizing Arum Rae whose vocals command with a grrrl punk sneer edged with Amy Winehouse-like soulfulness. They are one of those bands that instantly grip upon first hearing them. At least that's what happened to me. And now it can happen to you, thanks to Daytrotter.

So jump over to there now to get a taste of this awesome band. If you aren't a member, you can easily sign up for a trial membership to scoop up the session.

White Dress is also about to embark on a east coast swing for the next couple weeks. Tour dates are below, which includes a date in my native Philadelphia. So if any east coast folk are are reading, jump on this show. You will thank me for it later.

12/8 The Atheneaum / Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association Alexandria VA 7pm
12/9 Night Cat Easton MD 8pm
12/10 Tin Angel Philadelphia 10:30pm
12/12 TT the Bears Cambridge MA 8:00 pm (opening for Gary Clark JR.)
12/13 Mercury Lounge NYC 9:00 pm (opening for Gary Clark JR.)
12/14 Rockwood Music Hall NYC 11:00 pm
12/15 Brooklyn TBA
12/16 The 8 x 10 Baltimore MD 8:00 pm (opening for Gary CLark JR)
12/17 Red Palace D.C. 8:00 pm (opening for Gary Clark JR)
12/18 The Box Charlottesville VA 10pm

Balmorhea on Daytrotter

The latest Daytrotter Session from Austin's indie-classical/chamber music majesties Balmorhea is now available for you all to consume and love. This recording features renditions of the two tracks from their recent 7" vinyl release, "Candor" and "Clamor," along with a new untitled song. I'm convinced that there is no possible way that something recorded at the Daytrotter studios can sound anything less than amazing. This is no exception. Hop over and download it right away.

In other Balmorhea news, their previously limited album Live at Sint​-​Elisabethkerk is now officially available digitally on iTunes and through Bandcamp. A physical repressing from Western Vinyl is coming soon as well. I picked up a copy during their last swing of touring, so I definitely recommend this. The added arrangements to the the live performances breathe new life into these songs. It's like hearing them for the first time all over again.

 Live at Sint​-​Elisabethkerk does contain a performance of what could be my favorite song from them, "Steerage & the Lamp." The keys on here are astonishing. Take a listen below.

The Moog Gets Darker On The Boxing Lesson's Muerta EP

I remember being a fresh faced Austinite back in 2008; new to the city and trying to explore the famed local music scene. Having picked up the blogging gig, I ventured out to find Austin bands. One of the first that I stumbled upon was The Boxing Lesson. I still remember being blown away the first time I heard "Dark Side of the Moog." With it's grandiose guitars and synths, it sounded like a trip to outer space put on wax.

Now on their latest offering the Muerta EP, Paul and Jaylinn are revisiting that monster of a song with "Darker Side of the Moog." The reconstructed tune is a stripped down and sexed-up version of the original. Where the first was an extraterrestrial excursion, this is more of a psychological seduction. The duo's vocals are captivating. And while overall feeling of the song is different from its counterpart, the new track grips me the same way the original did.

The four songs that make up the Muerta EP chronicle a transition for The Boxing Lesson over several years of recording in Austin. This makes it an interesting follow-up to the band's last release Fur State, which consisted of their very first instrumental recordings in the ATX. The new EP with "Darker Side of the Moog" is currently available for streaming and download on bandcamp. Take a listen below.

The Boxing Lesson and Frenchie Smith Records will celebrate the vinyl release of the Muerta EP on Saturday, June 11 at ND at 501 Studios. As part of 101X's Homegrown Live series, the band will share the stage with Smoke and Feathers, Black Bone Child, and Scorpion Child. This show is pretty much a no brainer: You Should Be There! Right now you can RSVP on Do512 for discounted admission.

If I wasn't out of town that week, I would definitely be in attendance. I guess I have to wait until the next show. For now I'll just revel in the digital download of the EP.

Single Cuts Brings Artistic Collaboration To Austin

To start, I support this idea fully. I am glad to see that the folks involved with the Single Cuts venture are instilling the spirit of artistic collaboration into the local Austin scene. So what is it? Taken from the press release: Each issue will showcase a group of musicians pulled together from Austin's music scene in order to write, record, and mix a song in one day! The goal is to foster community, and cross-promotion among Austin's vibrant group of artists.

The first session features folkstress Dana Falconberry, members of The Lemurs, Royal Forest, and the Trinity Stardust approved The Great Nostalgic, among others. The result is the track "Jackie," a pleasing summer pop song. It can be heard over on the Single Cuts site now.

I look forward to hearing/seeing more from this project. Collaboration is an essential part to any artistic movement, including local music scenes. Single Cuts plan on creating a new product every four or five months. You can also become involved yourself. So head over to their site to get details, and check out "Jackie."
www.singlecutsmusic.com
www.twitter.com/singlecuts
www.facebook.com/pages/Single-Cuts

Okkervil River Plays Secret Show, and Debuts New Album I Am Very Far

This past Monday night [04.25.11] a relatively small crowd at the Scoot Inn was treated to a secret show by hometown heros Okkervil River, in which they played their forthcoming album I Am Very Far in its entirety. According to lead man Will Sheff this was the first time that 70% of the album was played live in any capacity. While he did make jokes about being nervous for fear of messing up during the songs, the show was captivating. The new material is amazing and even though the music was new to the crowd, they hung on every word and note. The band also threw in some old favorites ("For Real," "Black," and "Lost Coastlines"), but the highlight was being the first to hear the new songs as they made their live debut.

Obviously many missed out on this sneak peek at I Am Very Far, so Okkervil is giving the masses a chance to see the full album performed during a NPR webcast on April 27th.  More info after the break and a couple photos from the show.

Cats: The Sequel Comes To Austin In The Boxing Lesson "Three" Video

I bet you thought that the Boxing Lesson couldn't get any stranger after the alien sexed up video "Four." To those assumptions I have two words: Cat Masks!!

The Austin space-rock duo have been pushing their mini instrumental album Fur State for the last couple months and delivering some pretty spaced out videos in the process. The latest of which is for "Three,"as in the third track on the album. The clip features the band in the guise of cats romping through the streets of the city, along with some performance footage from Mohawk and the Astoria. It's a fun vid.



For those who haven't discovered the psychedelic nugget Fur State, pop over to bandcamp. The band recently reveled through twitter that they have a good amount of new material recorded and are exploring the releasing possibilities. I'm sure I'm not the only one eagerly awaiting a follow-up.

The Great Nostalgic Returning To The Stage This Sunday @ Red 7, and Provide Us "Hustlers And Junkies"

The Great Nostalgic are set to make their return to the stage after a nearly five month absence this Sunday [03.13.11] at Red 7. Of course they spent that time recording their second album Hope We Live Like We Promised, which is set for the street date of April 5th. Leading up to its release the band has been giving us a new video every month since the new year. The month of March brings us the clip for "Hustlers and Junkies." The masquerade type theme makes me think of one of those secret rich people orgies, but that is only because I recently watched Eyes Wide Shut. This video on the other hand features no sex, just some serious rocking out. And because it is a good song, that is acceptable. See below.

It also looks like we get several chances to catch them during SXSW. Their upcoming dates are here, which includes the official vinyl release at Emo's next month. Hope We Live Like We Promised can be ordered now. For those who need to get up to speed on one of Austin's best locals, their self-titled debut can be downloaded for free from their site.

• Sun. March 13th - 8pm@ Red7 (free SXSW event)
• Tue. March 15th - 12am@ Ghost Room (free SXSW event)
• Fri. March 18th - 1pm@ 604 E. 6th st. 2nd floor (free SXSW event)
• Sat. April 2nd - 10pm@ Emos (Vinyl Release Party!)

Loungin' with Do512

Do512.com is very easily the best online source to navigate the Austin scene in planning your intake of the live music capital. Without that site I’d be a bumbling idiot randomly going into different venues along Red River trying to remember where Black Joe Lewis was performing. Actually, I’m probably still a bumbling idiot and it has nothing to do with forgetting where to catch a show. Anyways… Now the folks at Do512 have teamed up with Shiner to also have an awesome spot to throw private parties and have Austin’s best artists provide the entertainment. The Do512 Lounge is kind of like if you set up your living room with a performance stage and red velvet curtains. But it’s much cooler than your living room because you don’t have a performance stage with red velvet curtains. The shows are private affairs in which you need to be a mega-hipster or have a rich uncle who invented Toaster Strudel or something to get an invite. Obviously that was a joke because I got invited, and there ain’t nothing special about me. All you need to do is follow Do512 on Facebook and Twitter for the chance to get a spot on the guestlist.

This past Saturday [03.05.11] the Lounge was host to an awesome lineup of high quality hometown acts: Auroravore, The Black and White Years, Zeale, and one of my personal favorites Ume. Check out some snap shots below along with videos of Ume and Zeale. An additional video of Ume performing "The Conductor" can be seen here. For proper quality video keep an eye on Austin Music Weekly, the designated documenters for these performances.

My hat goes off to the staff at Do512 for creating one of the most unique experiences for Austin music.

Auroravore 

The Black and White Years 

Ume

Zeale

p.s. In hindsight I noticed there were slight moments of emo self loathing in this post. For that, I apologize. 

♪♫♪♫♪♪♪♫♫♪♫♪♫♫♪♫♪♪♫

Balmorhea @ Mohawk, 02.25.11

Let me start by saying that my recent trend of naming blog posts with the artist's lyrics really won't work when the band doesn't have words in their music.

Austin band Balmorhea is directly responsible for the revelation of how much I like modern classical. Or is it called chamber music? Either way, their are some really great artists composing masterful symphonies these days— Brooklyn Rider, Clogs, Sarah Kirkland Snider— but Balmorhea is the most prolific. Lead by the duo of Michael Muller and Rob Lowe, the band has a massively impressive catalog including last year's album Constellations and their most recent release the "Candor / Clamor" 7-inch. Each project is pure awe inspiring beauty.

Mohawk was the scene of Balmorhea's first hometown show since September. Here are some photos from that night and a video of them performing the Constellations standout "Bowsprit."

I also uploaded video of "Night Squall" and "Candor" on youtube. Balmorhea is swinging around the west coast for a couple of weeks. They will be back in town for SXSW as they are part of the Western Vinyl Showcase at Lamberts on the Saturday the 19th. 

I Am Free, I Will Begin Again

Swans @ Mohawk, 02.18.11

I can’t say that I’m a long time Swans fan. Prior to last year they were just one of those names I heard in passing, a band you hear about when your favorites list their influences, an New York underground band that was said to pave the way for many more. The brainchild of Michael Gira, Swans were major players during the “no wave” scene with a barrage of post-punk, industrial, and noise rock. Then for the most part they were considered a done deal after the flow of new material stopped in 1996. In 2010 Gira resurrected the Swans with members old and new. Included in the latest lineup is Austin’s very own Thor Harris, best known for his work as part of Shearwater. The result of the revived band is My Father Will Guide Me Up A Rope To The Sky, which to say the least is a monstrous album. From the opening wall of mammoth bells and guitars to the closing acappella verse, the album is as dark as it is spiritual and elegant as much as it is chaotic. I instantly understood why Gira is considered a modern day legend.

Swans took the stage at Mohawk this past Friday to bring that wall of sound to life. They didn’t disappoint, as each song was a massive assault of sound. At many points it was as if the band were literally beating the fuck out of their instruments. Images of the Incredible Hulk danced through my head seeing Harris’s bare-chested pummeling of a gong during the closing “Eden Prison.” As @TransmitAustin mentioned through twitter, “Swans. EPICITY”

Here is video of the previously mentioned “Eden Prison.” I apologize for the sound quality. Standing in front of the speaker during Swans is pretty much like standing next to a jet engine as it fires up.





I put an even longer video of the set opener “No Words, No Thoughts” over on youtube.