My ACL Experience in a Nutshell...

It was a confusing, muddy year at the Austin City Limits Festival in Austin. Can't say I didn't enjoy myself though.

Charlotte Gainsbourg w/ Beck - Heaven Can Wait

Best Video of the Year...

Florence and the Machine remixed by The xx

Can't stop listening to this one...

BLAKROC

Original Video - More videos at TinyPic

The Black Keys w/ Mos Def, RZA, Pharoah Monch, Jim Jones, Raekwon, etc. I heard two tracks with Mos Def a couple of months ago and they were HOT. Can't wait for this to drop.

New Music 9/2

The XX
The Big Pink
The Temper Trap
Washed Out

Wilco 10/8 @ Cedar Park Center (Austin)

Wilco is coming back to Austin on Thursday, October 8th at the brand new Cedar Park Center just north of Austin. This tour is in support of their latest record, Wilco (The Album). It's a few days after ACL so I'll have my big boy pants ready by then. These guys are one of my favorite bands, hands down. I'm not sure if I could ever put my finger on exact reasons why, but I could listen to Jeff Tweedy read the dictionary...it soothes and his voice is by no means exceptional. His supporting cast is incredibly solid as well, making them one of our finest exports of American rock n' roll. Go see this show if you've never seen them live as it will more than likely change your perception of the Chicago outfit. And if you're an avid fan, you don't need any bait - you've already bought your tix.

Wilco will love you, baby.

Get your tickets here.

New Music

Check these bands out, I think you'll like:
Florence and The Machine
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
The Smith Westerns
GIRLS
Local Natives
Blind Pilot
Gringo Star
WOODS
Ganglians
The Bitters
The Rural Alberta Advantage
Amazing Baby
Tigercity

Heartless Bastards

I was lucky enough to get access to the Heartless Bastards' Austin City Limits taping a couple weeks ago. We were able to shoot some of the taping as well as some backstage stuff. I interviewed 3 of the 4 members in the 'smoking section' of the ACL studios, which I didn't know existed till we spoke. It's a fun interview, the group tells some good stories. Did I mention they handout free beer at these tapings? Well they do...

Yim Yames aka Jim James covering George Harrison

Passion Pit

Jeff Apruzzese and Ian Hultquist of Passion Pit were nice enough to chat prior to their show at Emo's. This band has only been around for a hot minute so it was interesting to see their take on the new lives they've acquired. We casually talk about vomit, the heat, and what they're currently listening to. I call a LP an EP and say 'south by' much more than normal. The show was good and packed, you need to see them this summer if they're near.

Awkward interview location: 10 points

I'm Broke - Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears

Black Joe Lewis "I'm Broke" from C3 Presents Video on Vimeo.

Red Cortez

I met Red Cortez some two years ago at SXSW through their manager Laurence. At that time they were called The Weather Underground, but that's neither here nor there. This band is comprised of a great bunch of dudes and I mean that in the most honest way possible. Often times, you'll enjoy a band's music but upon meeting them you realize there a bunch of jerkoffs which forever sours the taste in your mouth. These gents are the real deal...I caught up with them before their show with Jason Isbell at Antone's in Austin. They synopsized their touring since the last time I saw them, tell highlights of playing for Morrissey, new music they're listening to in the van and recordings they have 'planned' down the road...




Two of Red Cortez's recommendations both from Dr. Dog's Park The Van Records:
Generationals
The Peekers

Dr. Dog

Before sound check at Dr. Dog's recent Austin show at The Parish, I spoke with Scott McMicken. They were fresh from a highly praised Coachella set, and glad to be back in the comfort of a small venue. We discussed the chaos of a festival setting, the band's influences, and how they became a band. I did very little talking, except for inserting my nervous prose "right" and "gotcha" ever so often. These guys are a great band, and I really enjoyed hearing their back story...God bless My Morning Jacket.

SXSW Revisited 3

Here's some great footage of Jane's Addiction at our late night party sponsored by Playboy. I didn't run into any bunnies that night, but I can promise you that Mr. Navarro did. Great closeup shots of both Dave and Perry on this real, check it.

SXSW Revisited 2

I saw tons of great music over the past week and will shortly let you know all about it, but I got to see Metallica. Those guys ruled the majority of my middle and high school days. So at one point Jesse, who I work with, asked if I wanted to head to the 'pit' and I obliged. Who knew that someone would have caught it on video??




My god the show rocked and the shaved head made me fit right in...

SXSW Revisited

So I shaved my head the Tuesday of SXSW...I raised some money and just did it. Why not??

SXSW musts

There's a huge spattering of bands that come to our fair city of Austin each March. Many of them with pockets full of buzz and accolades from blogs/CMJ/or your best friend. I view SXSW as the ultimate litmus test to determine the future of an act. You better be good LIVE and you better have the tenacity to play a lot of shows; if you aren't up to snuff in both areas you have little chance for survival. Hell, you may not even make it out of Texas let alone have a music career once it's over. Word spreads like crazy over this small town over the 4 days of mayhem, it's music evolution at it's best - Darwin would be proud.

Bands I'm looking forward to:
Red Cortez- will be fresh off tour with Morissey, these boys from LA will not disappoint.
The Henry Clay People- will be coming off tour with Airborne Toxic Event and Alberta Cross. Playing sold out shows for 3 weeks will have these guys ready to destroy Austin with their Pavement/Replacements like sound.
BLK JKS- could these guys sound as good as I imagine?
Wavves - I need to see him live, been hearing so much...
Here We Go Magic - Luke Temple and company please my folkie/indie sensibilities, happy to see they're supporting Grizzly Bear on their June dates...
Akron/Family - not sure where to begin here either, makes me smile and want to dance.

Cut Copy

First interview of 2009! I've been wanting to talk to Cut Copy since I last met them in September 2008 on my birthday. That show was there first headlining show in Austin and it was great. Their show this past Friday at Stubb's was just as impressive. I caught up with Tim, the lead guitar player, right after soundcheck at Stubb's.

Stimulus Package @ SXSW 3/18

Hosted by HearYa.com, QuinnStorm.com and Tom Schraeder.

FREE BEER | FREE BEER NUTS | FREE HEADBANDS | FREE SAUCONY SHOE GIVEAWAYS | FREE WATER | FREE TACOS PROVIDED BY TACOTOWN.ORG


11-11:40am
Danny Malone

12-12:40pm
Ferraby Lionheart

1-1:40pm
The Henry Clay People

2-2:40pm
Deep Dark Woods

3-3:40pm
Joe Pug

4-4:40pm
Tom Schraeder & His Ego

5-5:40pm
Justin Townes Earle

6-6:40pm
Motel Motel

7-7:40pm
Gringo Star

8-8:40pm
Tigercity

9-2am Special Guests

Lots of great stuff here folks and it's free to get in, no need to RSVP. Tell your friends. Site

2009 Thoughts

Bands of the Year: Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear, Wilco, and Phish.

Breakouts of the Year: Dan Deacon, Empire of the Sun, Harlem, White Lies, Soft Pack, Wavves, The Strange Boys, Bachelorette, Alberta Cross, The Henry Clay People and Passion Pit.

Wishful Thinking: more rock and dance flavors than beards and harmonies.

Red Cortez

Great New Video from a Great New Band...

And by new band, I mean formely The Weather Underground from LA. These guys are solid and their new stuff sounds great, peep the video below.

2008 Thoughts

I'm late to the game here, in terms of reflecting on 2008 - but I had a good year and I hope you did too. Some thoughts...

Most played artists according to my iTunes:
Alberta Cross - recording an album in Austin in early 2009.
TV on the Radio
Ryan Adams
My Morning Jacket
The Whigs
Jamie Lidell
The Black Keys
Blitzen Trapper
Yeasayer
Mark Ronson
Dr. Dog
Pela
Band of Horses
The Cool Kids
Delta Spirit
Mugison
Rilo Kiley
Rogue Wave
Stephen Malkmus
Spoon
The Felice Brothers
The Moondoggies
Pavement
Radiohead
Soundteam
Parts and Labor

Pretty interesting if you ask me. I'd like to see what my iPod had as most played and if my car could tell me how many times a given CD rotated in it's player. What was your favorite of 2009?

Bands of the Year:
My Morning Jacket, Jamie Lidell, Radiohead, MGMT

Shows of the Year - that I witnessed and can remember:
MMJ w/ Black Keys @ Red Rocks
Radiohead @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Ryan Adams @ The Fillmore SF
Spoon @ The Parish
Conor Oberst in Marfa, TX
Tom Waits @ The Palladium Dallas
Wilco (2 nights) @ Stubb's
Jamie Lidell @ The Parish
MMJ @ MSG for NYE - still not over it.