Check out the new Pinker Tonesvideo for their single "Tokyo." I love these dudes, although I didn't love their last album as much as their earlier stuff. Still, these Spanish DJ extraordinaires need to be in your iPod.
Hip hop is supposed to be urban poetry put to music. When I was growing up hip hop was hungry, raw and had something real to say. Somewhere along the line it lost its edge. Changing styles, trends coming and going, the internet, ringtone sales, etc have all changed the game. I hate to admit it, but I stopped listening to most hip hop that came out after the year 2000.
One thing I noticed is how the West Coast presence diminished in main stream radio hip hop and magazines. The only West Coast artists getting love were the mega stars like Snoop, Cypress Hill, The Game and a few select others. It is not a long list.
Well the other day I was checking out my reader and scanning through the various music blogs and websites I follow when I came across a music video from West Coast rapper, Jay Rock. The music video is for his single "Diary Of A Broke Nigga" which also featuresKendrick Lamar and Giddy. I just wanted to share it with you all because it is one of the few hip hop songs I've been excited about this year.
The video was directed by AplusFilmz. Watch their videos if you get a chance. These dudes should be winning some awards.
Looking for something cool to check out this weekend? Let me suggest checking out Cincinnati indie rockers, Pomegranates, at Mohawk. Given that Cincinnati was the city I lived in before moving to here in '95, I have a special place in my heart for their bands, the Reds and of course Skyline Chili. While it is no secret indie isn't my genre of choice, I do find myself liking a small handful of bands from time to time, especially after going through the over abundance of press releases I get on a daily basis. These guys caught my hear some how and I think indie lovers will dig them.
Don't let the cool weather keep you inside this weekend as this will be at Mohawk's indoor stage according to their official website. Playing before Pomegranates will be Oh No Oh My and A Tiger Named Lovesick. Get there by 9:00pm to catch the entire show.
At least Mike Ness will be there at Stubb's tonight, the one original member of Social Distortion needed really. I thought my opportunity to see them live had long passed. I guess now I can check this off my bucket list later tonight. Too bad I have to go in to work tomorrow morning. Oh well, Social D is well worth it. See you at Stubb's folks!
I'm excited and super disappointed at the same time right now.When Austin based metal group, The Sword, announced that original drummer Trevitt Wingo was leaving the band, it was heart breaking. After catching them at ACL, their final show with Wingo, they announced he was leaving. Shortly thereafter, they found a replacement drummer.
Kevin Fender, best known for his work with the Texas hardcore outfit Employer, Employee, will be their drummer now. While I'm glad they will continue on, their new tour dates do not include any Austin gigs. Oh well, they will be back at some point. Here are the new U.S. tour dates:
Reschedule US Tour Dates:
11/27: Baton Rouge, LA @ Spanish Moon
11/28: Birmingham, AL @ WorkPlay Theatre
11/29: Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
11/30: Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel
12/01: Roanoke, VA @ Martin's Downtown
12/02: Lancaster, PA @ Chameleon Club
12/03: Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of the Living Arts
12/04: New York, NY @ Webster Hall
12/05: Boston, MA @ Royale Boston
12/06: Washington, DC @ The 9:30 Club
12/07: Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr. Small's Theatre
12/08: Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
12/09: Huntington, WV @ V Club
12/10: Covington, KY @ The Mad Hatter
12/11: Detroit, MI @ The Shelter
12/12: Chicago, IL @ Metro
12/13: St. Louis, MO @ The Firebird
12/14: Iowa City, IA @ Blue Moose Tap House
12/15: Kansas City, MO @ The Record Bar
12/16: Little Rock, AR @ Juanita's
Austin's biggest and baddest Latin band is celebrating ten years of awesomeness. Seeing Grupo Fantasma on New Year's Eve is a tradition for many and one I look forward to this year when they do it again at La Zona Rosa with Black Joe Lewis. The anniversary show will be at Antone's on Friday night, Nov. 12, and is sure to sell out quickly so be sure and get your tickets here.
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.
