Eat your heart out Lady Gaga. As much as I secretly go "GaGa" about "Bad Romance", I love Lissie's version posted above. It is not a happy pop song when you sit and listen to the actual lyrics. I don't think the bottle service club goers of the world care when they hear it at the velvet rope clubs, but it does have a darkness to it. Lissie absolutely knocked it out of the park with this one. Here I thought "Wedding Bells" was her best cover.
This is it folks...our first Austin Vida showcase at Stubb's. That's a big deal for us as a Latino publication. We solicited the promotional efforts of my friends from Gohispano.com and the production help of Vivo Alternativo. We are bringing indie lovers Latino bands from both sides of the border who sing their songs in English coincidentally. The quality of this show is second to none if I do say so myself.
The latest album from Maldita Vecindad, Circular Colectivo, comes out tomorrow from Nacional Records. It is their first studio release that they have put out in almost 13 years. I got to see Maldita Vecindad for the first time during this year's SXSW. They headlined a big Latino showcase at Antone's and I was able to capture some of it on my mini-cam. Check out Maldita performing their song "Fut Callejero" from the new album:
If you want to see more videos from this show, check out my YouTube Channel. For detail on the listening party presented by Austin Vida, visit the Austin Vida blog. We'll be giving away tickets to Pachanga Fest, Los Amigos Invisibles and Sexy Marvin. You should definitely come.
Yes, the above photo is real. I have been told it looks fake, but I assure you it's real. It was taken by Ajay Miranda in the green room at Emo's. I got to interview the guys from Anvil when they came through Austin recently. I saw the movie, own This Is Thirteen on vinyl now and I am still looking for the Japanese Anvil t-shirt Lips was wearing the day of the show/interview. I even captured a video of Lips rocking the guitar with a dildo and put it on YouTube. It was quite the experience to say the least. This was definitely one of the best times I've had during this ride.
A lot of people have been asking me this week what I caught either at SXSW last week or what parties I went to. Understand that SXSW week is work, not so much play, for an editor. With the launch of a new publication and keeping Austin Vida running smooth, I was hard up for free time to say the least.
However, I did make it out to some cool stuff. I loved the Mess With Texas party that took place on March 19th and 20th. I caught Jeff The Brotherhood, Lissie and Frightened Rabbit. I dug them all, but Frightened Rabbit were amazing. You probably knew that already though. I also caught a little bit of Mariachi El Bronx and Yacht as well.
Well in case you didn't know that indie folk darling, Lissie, is pretty good. Her music is nothing epic or over the top, and I admit I have to be in the mood to enjoy it. Still, she's one of the best in the genre. Lissie's voice is that of an angel. She's also very down to earth and a good guitar player. I enjoy her Hank Williams cover of "Wedding Bells". Hopefully you've clicked on the video above and are listening to it now. I have more Lissie videos on my YouTube channel if you want to check them out.
Circa Survive just released a new tour video to hype up fans about their new Blue Sky Noise album that's due out April 20th. I look forward to hearing what the album sounds like. Circa Survive is actually coming to Austin to play at Stubb's on April 28th with Coheed and Cambria. You can purchase tickets here:
Here is the new cover art for the upcoming Gaslight Anthem album, American Slang, due out on June 15th. I know that's a ways away, but anything I can get from Gaslight Anthem is gold. I absolutely love this band. They posted a the new title track on their MySpace page.
Big news this morning folks. WOXY,the popular internet indie radio station that just moved to Austin from Cincinnati, shut down today. I was caught by total surprise. I was just in the M.E. TV building the other day it seems and there they were. Their owners, Future Sounds, have pulled the plug.
I first saw a post about it on Twitter that linked me to this post on Paige Maguire's blog, Flux-Rad. Then a friend of mine emailed me this post from the Austinist. It is true. WOXY was a good thing to happen to Austin. That's the economic reality for music media unfortunately. Music media is going the way of being in a band. It is something you will do after your soul sucking 9 to 5 gig until you "make it big".
Want to go check out Gilberto Gil for free at Hogg Memorial this week? We are giving away a pair of tickets away on the Austin Vida Facebook page later today. If you don't see this time to win the tickets but still want to go to the concert, and you totally should, purchase advance tickets at the following link:
I saw a lot of cool music this past week. I was out and about and managed to capture some of it on my mini-cam. Here you see Chico Mann live at Momo's on March 16th at the Bemba Soul Tribe showcase. I knew of Chico Mann previously as I had the album reviewed by our electronic dance music beat writer, Christina Garcia, for Austin Vida. I love his music, specifically his Analog Drift album.
In the video above, you hear the song "Ya Yo Se", meaning "I already know". I was curious about how his live show was. I was thinking maybe he was just going to do a DJ type set off a laptop and turntables. Much to my pleasant surprise, he brought a full band with Chico getting down on his keyboards. You also see this dude painting in the video. He started that painting at the beginning of the set and he totally finished it at by the end of the set. I wonder what he did with the canvas after the show.
The last show for me this week...Sunday Bloody Sunday at Mi Casa Tamales & Cantina on 6th street. This is another good international showcase put on by my good friends at Dart International. I don't honestly know about most of the bands on the bill, but that's part of the fun for me is the potential to discover something cool or different that I wouldn't see everyday here in Austin. I do know I want to see The Minutes and Butterfly Explosion from Ireland. Details are on the poster and on this LINK. See you there.
Tomorrow when all the big music fest stuff starts, make sure to get up The Parlor North Loop for the best day party of your life! Some of my most talented writer and photographer friends are starting a new blog called "Red River Noise" and we're kicking it off with some a bang. Like a mixtape that never slows down, this line up is high energy. Form local heavy weights like Zlam Dunk and Bright Light Social Hour, to San Antonio sensation Hydra Melody and crazy touring acts, there is something for everyone cool.
Fans of the Latin rock legends, Maldita Vecindad y los Hijos del Quinto Patio, have reason to rejoice on March 30th when Maldita releases their first studio album in 13 years. The new album, Circular Colectivo, will be released on Nacional Records. As we have with every Nacional Records release this year, my crew and I at Austin Vida will be hosting the Austin listening party at Mi Casa Tamales & Cantina on 503 East 6th street.
So I saw this video on YouTube today and played the whole thing through at a high volume. Cincinnati based Foxy Shazam is coming to Austin for SXSW and I want to see them. Their self titled album comes out April 13th, so I have to see them live to get my Foxy fix.
On March 19th they will be performing at Stubb's for the Spin part with a full gospel choir. They are set to go on at 12:40pm. That same day they play the Crush MGMT showcase at Dirty Dog Bar. There they go on at 12:00am.
I love free shows. I love free shows on Fridays. I love Mi Casa Tamales & Cantina on 6th. So should you. This Friday night, my good friends at Dart International are getting the whole festival week thing started early with a cool free show. Given that I am saving for next week, FREE is very much appreciated right now.
Dart International is bringing in a ton of international bands for SXSW next week, as they do every year. Friday night gives us an early taste of some of that international flavor the festival brings. A couple of Austin bands will join these international acts on stage Friday, including The Lemurs.
Before all the festival madness starts, let's not forget that this is Austin, Texas and we have awesome live shows happening everyday. I mean, we have a plethora of local talent and killer touring acts coming through everyday of the year it seems. This week, even before the storm that is SXSW next week, comes one of the best shows of the year thus far. On Sunday, March 14th, Emo's is the place to be.
This Wednesday, March 10th, Adrian Quesada and Martin Perna of Ocote Soul Sounds will be spinning at Malverde. It will be interesting to see them behind the turntables instead of their instruments, but it should be a good time none the less. There is no cover so there is no reason to stay home. Wednesday is the new Friday for the cool kids of the world. Marlverde is located at 400-B West 2nd St. Austin, TX. 78701 (above La Condessa and across from Lambert's). The guys from Ocote spin from 8pm to 12am. Get your Coconut Rock groove on!
Oh-Em-Gee! My dear sweet Zooey! Pitchfork debuted this today and I had to watch it twice. It's the video for the new She & Him single "In The Sun". I could watch Zoe hula hoop all day. She's so cute. And in case you're wondering, the new She & Him album comes out on March 23rd from Merge Records. Be sure to look for Zooey while you are out and about during SXSW next week. I hope they stamp a vinyl.
So this past weekend was all about getting down with Portugal The Man at The Parish. I knew they were going to be awesome because well, they are Portugal The Man. The biggest surprise of the night for my friends and I was the opening band, The Dig. I was caught by complete surprise. These dudes are ssssooooooo good live. Their album Electric Toys is definitely worth picking up. Here they are on stage joined by their tour mates, Port O'Brien. I'm not done talking about The Dig. I love this band, but I'll leave it at this short quick post for now.
This is big. This is like, "BIG-BIG". One of Mexico's biggest indie stars, Sexy Marvin, is coming to play in Austin on March 31st at Stubb's. Sexy Marvin is an indie band from Monterrey, Mexico who made their name after opening shows for Muse, The Killers and Coldplay. They are heavily influenced by Brit-pop and bands like Depeche Mode, Interpol and of course, Morrissey. Mexicans love Moz more than anyone. You'll love them too.
I haven't been writing or posting as much due to a few reason. Obviously SXSW planning has been keeping me busy, but also planning life post SXSW. After all, once SXSW is over Austin is still Austin. Live music is everyday and everywhere you look. As the Editor in Chief of Austin Vida, maintaining a strong local Latin Music presence is very important to me to say the least. That is why the bands on the poster you see above and I have put together another great official Austin Vida showcase.
The Double Stereo Day party line up and details were announced this week and I couldn't be happier about what my Double Stereo compadres over there were able to pull off. This is going to be one sick party!
So I spent all day yesterday out and about, mainly with The Texas Tornados. There was a press confernece and a Waterloo Records in-store in celebration of their latest release, Esta Bueno!. Having grown up listening to them, thanks to my parents, it was surreal to see them live and in person for the first time. Unfortunately two members have passed, but meeting Augie Meyers and Flaco Jimenez was like checking off something on my bucket list. Unreal I tell you.
The best part was getting to share the experience with my good friends and Austin Vida crew. Be sure to look out for a cool piece on the Texas Tornados coming soon. We may even give something away on Austin Vida, so be sure to check back for that also. If you like the video I posted above, I have more on my YouTube channel from their Waterloo in-store. Thanks Waterloo Records and long live The Texas Tornados.
Austin’s new blogger buzz band, The White White Lights (TWWL), have just released their new EP, Medium Head Boy. The EP is a six song gem that gives fans that have seen them live in Austin for the past year or so something they can finally put in their iPod or car stereo. Medium Head Boy is serves also as their gift to new listeners who are tired of the endless stream of samesy indie bands talked about on every popular music blog. The new EP is a clear sign that The White White Lights are indeed this year’s new “it” band to come out of The Live Music Capital.
Ian is a graduate of Round Rock High School and attended St Edward’s University in Austin, Texas. In 2008 he joined the team at Double Stereo (formerly CD Fuse) as their Blog editor where he reviewed concerts, albums, and did interviews for the popular music site.In January 2009, he became the Editor in Chief for Austin Vida. In 2010, with the help of some of his most talented friends, he launched Red River Noise. "Ian's Music Blog" is also one of the few blogs selected to be a Do512 All-Star.
On any given night of the week he can be found in downtown Austin on 6th Street and the Red River live music district.
