Listen: "69 Gunz" by Rival Schools (Ad-Rock remix)

Rival Schools have enlisted Ad-Rock of the Beastie Boys to do a remix of their song “69 Guns.” What more do you need to know?

Watch: "Ode To The Bouncers" by Studio Killers

Studio Killers are an electronic music collective comprised of Cherry, Goldie Foxx and Dyna Mink - virtually based in East London. I recently googled them after I saw their cool new animated music video for "Ode To The Bouncer".

Moenia to play Houston and Dallas in April

The legendary and iconic Mexican rock stars, Moenia, will be playing two shows in Texas in April. While I am bummed that they don't have a show in Austin, I am willing to travel to see them. I have been a fan for about ten years and am super stoked at this opportunity to see them live.

Mini-cam Fun: Chico Mann live at Momo's

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.

Friday Night Concert Pick: Nortec Collective featuring Bostich & Fussible

 Tonight at Hogg Memorial on the U.T. campus is where it is at tonight. It wasn't easy making my concert selection as there are several great shows tonight. Del Castillo at Antone's is going to be great as always. You could experience some Red River history at The Red Eyed Fly and see the Riddlin' Kids and Rubberhead. I used to like seeing the Riddlin' Kids in my early twenties, but the rare opportunity to see Nortec Collective takes precedence over all. It is not everyday you hear music like Nortec's, much less get the opportunity to see them live here in Austin.

 

Nortec Collective featuring Bostich and Fussible

www.myspace.com/tijuanasoundmachine

Nortec Collective is a group of four DJs from Tijuana, Mexico. At Hogg Memorial tonight you'll get to see Bostich and Fussible. No stranger to Austin, this same duo was the headlining act at the first annual Pachanga Fest. Signed to Nacional Records, arguably the best Latin Music label in the world, Nortec has received nothing but praise and critical acclaim. Their fusion of electronica and Mexican Norteno music is truly original. They coined the sound. Their Tijuana Sessions albums are some of my favorite in my personal collection.

What is great about Nortec is not just their original sound, but their live show. They perform to a back drop filled with an array of multi-colored lights and images while their band backs up their DJing. Pictured in the show flyer, you'll see them holding this white board with squares. It is actually called a tenori and they use it in their music. It's pretty cool actually, and rather than describe it I figured I'd post a video clip for you to check it out. Go to the show and you'll see it live in person. If I had a tenori, I'd never leave the house.

BOSTICH PLAYS TENORI-ON NORTEC from ramon amezcua on Vimeo.

For more on Nortec Collective or ticket info, visit the following links:

Nortec Collective Myspace

Click here to purchase tickets

Show details and chance to win tickets on Do512

Mark Your Calendars for Built By Snow on July 15th

One of my local favorites, Built By Snow, will be playing next week at Emo's inside stage. I haven't seen these dudes play for a while an shame on me. They are one of those stand out bands in a crowded Austin, Texas that has bands playing in every corner of downtown. Their latest album, Mega, is still one of my top ten album releases of the year so far. You can purchase it from their store front on Double Stereo. For those of you unfamiliar with Built By Snow or have never seen them live, you're missing out on a good time. To give you an idea of what they sound like, or who they sound like, just think 8 Bit Nintendo meets Weezer. Check them out for yourself here on this Insite Night Video my good friend Ajay shot recently:

Built By Snow @ INsite Night [May 16, 2009] from INsite Magazine on Vimeo.

The Pinker Tones Not Coming to The Scoot Inn After All

The Pinker Tones are not coming to Austin, Texas ladies and gentleman. On June 6th, Professor Manso and Mister Furia were rumored to be at the Scoot Inn on 1308 E. 4th. The first time I saw them was during SXSW 2007. While this amazing DJ team hails from Barcelona, their music has a large universal appeal. Many of their popular hits are performed in English, such as "Sexy Robot" and "Happy Everywhere". Hipspanics everywhere (hipster+Hispanic) have been getting down with The Pinker Tones for a while now, and it is about time that you get down with them too. The opening act for for the Pinker Tones was supposed to be the talented DJ crew, The Peligrosa All Stars.

Check out these quick videos from The Pinker Tones and see what you think:

Working Bees from The Pinker Tones on Vimeo.

Happy Everywhere from The Pinker Tones on Vimeo.

Fugaz from The Pinker Tones on Vimeo.

Monareta's Picotero album review on cdFuse

The BMX DJ duo is no stranger to Austin. I caught them hanging around after SXSW last year at the Gogol Bordello concert on St Patrick’s Day. They were walking around with bicycle helmets with wheels spinning on top of them. That alone should have tipped me off that these guys were different. Monareta is returning to Austin for SXSW again this year. Be on the lookout for them, as their show is not one you want to miss. For those of you who are strangers to Monareta, read and learn why Monareta's Picotero is one of the coolest albums I own.

Click here for full review on cdFuse