Hacienda live at Pachanga Fest (photo by Mari Hernandez)
My boys from Boerne, Texas (right outside of San Antonio) came through Austin to perform at this year's Pachanga Festival on May 22nd. I sat down with them again to talk about their new life, new album and San Antonio. Their new album, Big Red & Barbacoa, is the bees knees. It is actually stamped on red vinyl for those of you who are also vinyl junkies. Check out the interview on Austin Vida here:
I can't believe I am having to blog about this, but I have been finding too many people either don't know about this album or haven't heard of Blakroc. I find this to be both absurd and disheartening. This was the best album of 2009, although many may have missed it initially because it was released late in the year. Still, I had a hard time finding a physical copy in town until I went to Waterloo. I even scored the vinyl. God bless Waterloo.
So all that being said, let me briefly enlighten those in the dark. This is yet another brilliant Black Keys project, the same Black Keys out of Ohio fronted by Dan Auerbach. Known for their mix of '70s style rock and blues, The Black Keys were a favorite of so many subgroups, from hipsters to bikers and everyone in between. Auerbach had an impressive solo album, Keep It Hid, which was more mellow but still with the bluesy Black Keys vibe.
Now imagine that with some of hip hop's most lyrical MCs like Mos Def and Jim Jones. I know what you're thinking..it's rap-rock. Well it is indeed rap-rock, but no that cheesy stuff form the late '90s or the early 2000s. Think rap-rock that was of Rage Against The Machine like quality. Unlike my beloved RATM, this Blakroc album is more bluesy than metal. It's also more hip hop than blues given the talent of the MCs involved. This is the one album to bring together musical fans from all walks of life. In fact, it saved hip hop for me in 2009.
With all the God awful, samesy radio rap minus maybe Kanye, only Mos Def's latest album did anything for me. It's sad to admit too because I grew up listening to a lot of hip hop, but to me it went down in quality after 2000. Not since Enter the 36 Chambers have I been this passionate and excited about a hip hop album. There is even a hint of R&B to it with the ressurection of Nicole Wray. Remember her one hit, "Make It Hot"?
Alright I'm done ranting now. I could go on all day on all sorts of tangents. Seriously though, Blakroc is the Bees Knees. Instant classic. Give this video for "Ain't Nothing Like You" a look and listen.
Tonight after ACL is over, or if you don't have tickets but want to catch a great show, Mohawk is the place. In case you didn't get enough Dan Auerbach or didn't get to see him this weekend, then Hacienda is your show. Hailing from Boerne, Texas, these four young dudes could be the first Latino Beatles or Beach Boys even. Their old '60s rock and roll spirit was on display at February's Fashion Freakout, dazzled Alejandro Escovedo's audience and wowed the crowd at the legendary Gruene Hall this year. It's all happening for these guys.
The show tonight at Mohawk starts at 10:00. Mohawk, one of my favorite venues in town, is located 912 Red River (and corner of 9th). Also taking the stage before Hacienda is Imaad Wasif. Don't miss out on one of your last chances to checkout Hacienda before they embark on a long tour that keeps them out of Texas until at least December.
Not familiar with Hacienda? Check out this video we filmed for Austin Vida this summer at Antones. It is for a new song not yet on an album, but will be soon. It's called "Younger Days".
For more on tonight's show, click the following links:
Tonight at Antone's, one of my favorite artists is performing an Official ACL Aftershow. Dan Auerbach as you probably know already is the front man for the Akron, Ohio duo, The Black Keys. Auerbach recently put out his solo record earlier this year called Keep It Hid. It immediately became one of my favorite albums not only of the year, but favorite albums period. It is the best indie-blues record I have heard and I listen to it when I want to relax late at night. It will be great to finally see him live.
Backing up Auerbach is one of my favorite local bands who may not be local at all very much longer, Hacienda. A group of four Mexican-American musicians from Boerne, Texas, the guys from Hacienda have been backing him for a while now. Auerbach was a producer for their own record, Loud Is The Night. They recently joined with musician Patrick Hallahan to form "The Fast Five". So now, it's Dan Auerbach and The Fast Five. Whatever right? It's good music either way you spin it and it's still Dan Auerbach.
Make sure that if you were not sure which show to go to tonight, to head to Antone's. He won't be in Texas playing again anytime soon, as he hits the road until December 9th according to his Myspace page. For those of you who have yet to hear Auerbach or know who Hacienda are, check out the following video of Dan Auerbach and The Fast Five performing "Mean Monsoon" off Keep It Hid.
Also taking to the stage tonight will be Rodriguez and White Dress. Get there at 9:30 or as soon as you can come over from Zilker park. For more on tonight's show, visit the following links:
Hacienda is an indie-rock quartet from Boerne, Texas, located on the outskirts of San Antonio. As kids, they spent their money at local antique shops in Boerne, buying old Beatles and Beach Boys records instead of the typical '90s alternative and nu-metal of their peers. It is no wonder, then, that Hacienda is now the reincarnation of both iconic '60s bands.
Boerne, Texas's own Hacienda will be appearing tonight on Late Night with Conan O'Brien as Dan Auerbach's (The Black Keys) backing band. You can catch Late Night on Austin's NBC affiliate, KXAN at 11:30 central time. Do check it out if you're staying in tonight. For all you attending SXSW this year, it will be a preview of what you can see in March if you are one of the fortunate ones who can get in to that show.
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.
I can't believe I am having to blog about this, but I have been finding too many people either don't know about this album or haven't heard of Blakroc. I find this to be both absurd and disheartening. This was the best album of 2009, although many may have missed it initially because it was released late in the year. Still, I had a hard time finding a physical copy in town until I went to Waterloo. I even scored the vinyl. God bless Waterloo. 
Hacienda is an indie-rock quartet from Boerne, Texas, located on the outskirts of San Antonio. As kids, they spent their money at local antique shops in Boerne, buying old Beatles and Beach Boys records instead of the typical '90s alternative and nu-metal of their peers. It is no wonder, then, that Hacienda is now the reincarnation of both iconic '60s bands.
Boerne, Texas's own Hacienda will be appearing tonight on Late Night with Conan O'Brien as Dan Auerbach's (The Black Keys) backing band. You can catch Late Night on Austin's NBC affiliate, KXAN at 11:30 central time. Do check it out if you're staying in tonight. For all you attending SXSW this year, it will be a preview of what you can see in March if you are one of the fortunate ones who can get in to that show.
