Watch: "Help Is On The Way" by Rise Against

Rise Against released a new video for their single "Help Is On The Way" last week. I'm drinking any flavor of Kool Aid they serve.What a great song and video! See you at Stubb's on April 19.

A mini-cam clip of The Young Maths at Austin Vida Free Week 2011 showcase

This was captured by a local blogger I know very well. It's not bad quality for a mini-cam. The set by The Young Maths was killer as was the rest of the Austin Vida showcase. Of course I'm supposed to say that but the numbers and quality of talent don't lie. More footage and pics to come your way soon.  

Social D! I'm there!

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!

(10/2) Kina Grannis at Stubb's

Remember her from the Super Bowl commercials during 2007? I didn't until I saw her video on YouTube again for "Message From Your Heart" the other day. She is Kina Grannis and she will be performing at Stubb's tonight. Hear this fellas...

Grannis's poppy, singer-songwriter style is perfect for taking out your non-Red River girlfriends who shop at The Domain and like Hallmark Valentine's Day cards. It is not exactly a dude friendly genre or sound, but take the time out from being a bro or hipster douche and go with her to see something she will actually like.

Ladies hear this...

Your date, boyfriend, husband, etc will sit through this concert with you. Kina is gorgeous and can actually sing, despite the Hallmark card style content of the lyrics. She is what guys refer to as "attainably hot." I know that isn't even a word, but we use it to describe an above average girl next door type who we mistakingly believe would go out with us. Chances are, guys won't like her music but won't mind the show. Take advantage.

So, here is the video for her most recent single "Valentine" and link to ticket info:



Doors are at 9:00pm. This is an all ages show. Ticket and cost info HERE.

(9/30) Go awol with Awolnation at Stubb's

This is what the kids are calling "blitz-pop." I don't what genre I'd put it under, but it's not too bad. Awolnation's new album Back From Earth is growing on me. I like the groovier tracks like "Guilty Filthy Soul." That's what I almost named this blog coincidentally. True story. Anyway, take a look and listen to Awolnation here:



Awolnation is headling a show this Thursday at Stubb's with two of my favorite local bands, Quiet Company and Bright Light Social Hour. Buy tickets at the door for only $3.For those of you who aren't so indie or are a little older, join me at Red Eyed Fly for Sponge.

New music video from Holy Ghost!

With all this talk of Chromeo coming to Stubb's next month, Holy Ghost! seems to be getting lost on the shuffle. Holy Ghost! is nothing to sneeze at. They premiered their new music video last week for their single "I Know, I Hear" on Stereogum and now YouTube. If you dig what you hear, you should pick up their new EP, Static On The Wire.

Tickets are still available for the show with Chromeo at Stubb's on August 24th, but I I wouldn't count on that being the case for long. Purchase advance tickets HERE. It should be quite the epic dance party.

New music video from The Henry Clay People: "Your Famous Friends"

The Henry Clay People debuted their new music video for their single "Your Famous Friends" today on freakin' Spinner. In true Spinner fashion, they got the song title wrong by calling it "All Your Famous Friends". I double checked it on their MySpace page and on the album. Way to go Spinner! Once again Spinner, you prove that you have no editing process. Someone even let them know the correct title in the comments section and then minutes later they fixed it. You have to get the song titles right people. That's the basic info.What more can I say? Every good writer is only as good as his or her editor. I don't know why I rant about this though. Spinner is part of a soul less corporate beast that is built for numbers, not quality. Any way, please don't hold it against The Henry Clay People. Check out the video here:



For those of you in Austin, don't forget to check out The Henry Clay People with The Silversun Pickups at Stubb's on July 19th. They are also on the bill for this year's ACL Fest in October.

Hip Hop Legends Cypress Hill tonight at Stubb's

Armada Latina (feat. Pitbull and Marc Anthony)

Cypress Hill | MySpace Music Videos

My favorite hip hop group of all time, Cypress Hill, swings by Austin Thursday night for a big concert at Stubb's. Nothing, other than a At The Drive In or Rage Against The Machine reunion, can make me happier. They are touring to support their new album, Rise Up, which includes the summer anthem "Armada Latina". This is their best radio single in years, maybe ever. When you get Pitbull and Marc Anthony on the same track with you, backed by Eric Bobo's percussion and such, you have a smash single. I have already heard a bunch kids with "Armada Latina" as their ring tone.

Tickets are still available through Front Gate Tickets here: http://tinyurl.com/dahillatstubbs.


The show starts at 7:00pm. Hyro da Hero opens up.

(5/24) Ximena Sariñana at Stubb's

My dear Ximena Sariñana, Mexico's best pop star and talented actress, is finally coming to Austin. I was super excited when I got the news this week. She will be performing at Stubb's indoor on May 24th. Latino or not, you need to get familiar with Ximena Sariñana. Trust me.

Bassekou Kouoyate & Ngoni Ba come to Stubb's on April 17th

photo by Thomas Dorn

Bassekou Kouyate is Malian musician who has jammed with the likes of Bonnie Rait and Bono. Of course Bono, right? Since 2005, Bassekou has led Ngoni Ba, the first-ever group built around four  ngonis, a string instrument made of wood or calabash with dried animal (often goat) skin stretched over it like a drum. They are all played by his family members. Bassekou Kouoyate & Ngoni Ba will be in Austin for a show on April 17th at Stubb's (indoor).

Clips from last night at Stubb's: Vinyl Dharma & Sexy Marvin

Vinyl Dharma has got what we industry types refer to as "it". They sounded so tight and together last night. No disrespect to Vinyl Dharma, but I don't remember them sounding so good. I have high expectations for these Rio Grande Valley transplants. Team Dharma!



Our headliner last night was none other than Sexy Marvin from Monterrey, Mexico.They have some Coldplay and Interpol elements to them. I am so glad my crew and I were able to bring them (thanks Vivo Alternativo & GoHispano) because otherwise, I'm not sure anyone else would have. After last night, I plan on getting these guys back in the future and bring Austin more great music from Mexico and Latin America. There are some real gems that Austin needs to hear. I can't share my iPod with everyone after all.

Sexy Marvin, Vinyl Dharma & Rubik at Stubb's

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.

Circa Survive tour video

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:

Front Gate tickets

I Want To See Foxy Shazam in Concert !

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. 

Monterrey's Sexy Marvin comes to Austin

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.

2/24 Kill Switch Engage at Stubb's: KSE with different lead singer!

 

Kill Switch Engage

Metal heavy hitters, Kill Switch Engage (KSE), are set to play Stubb's Wednesday with The Devil Wears Prada. I got word of some interesting news today.  KSE vocalist Howard Jones had to unexpectedly leave the band’s current headlining tour, leading to a flurry of rumors and questions about the status of the tour and the band. The band has further issued the following statement addressing the matter, saying: “It became overwhelmingly obvious to all of us around Howard that he is in no condition to be on tour right now and that he needed to get off the road and get himself better. It’s a personal matter and while we understand everyone’s curiosity and concern for Howard and the band, we appreciate everyone respecting Howard’s privacy at this time.”

New interview with Mike Hranica of The Devil Wears Prada

 

Me with Mike Hranica of The Devil Wears Prada

 In lieu of one of my favorite new bands coming to town this month, I just published my interview with Mike Hranica of The Devil Wears Prada on Double Stereo. Shortly after my interview, Alternative Press announced them as their "Band of the Year" for 2009. Check out the sweet cover.

 The guys from The Devil Wears Prada will be back in Austin again to play at Stubb's with Kill Switch Engage on February 24th. You can purchase advance tickets HERE. Their live show is sick I tell you! Sick!

Read my interview to learn about what's coming up and to hear why Mike thinks his early records are "dumbed down". I also posted some great live video from Roxwell in the interview. Check it out:

Double Stereo Interview/TDWP  Link

Win free tickets to see Morakestra from Austin Vida

My Austin Vida crew and I are giving away two tickets to this show. If you haven't checked out Morakestra and are an indie lover, it's time to get with the program. Details HERE.

12/23 Wednesday Show Pick: New Roman Times at Stubb's

Wednesday at Stubb's indoor, I'll be going to check out a band I've been meaning to see for while but keep missing for some reason. New Roman Times is playing with indie-post punk outfit, Distance Runner. Everything I have heard on New Roman Time's MySpace sounds really good. It's sort of new wave indie stuff, but no so Devo-ish. There's nothing else better going on except for maybe Del Castillo, but I've seen them several times and have never seen New Roman Times. This is one of the many things I love about Austin, the fact that I can catch good local talent on a Wednesday night.

I'm not going to do anything as far as interview or show review on this one. It is too close to Christmas and I've spent the past two years doing that stuff, so I'm just going to hang out and relax for this one. Who knows though, if I like them I may connect with them later.

Here is a YouTube video from their MySpace that kind of gives you an idea of what they seem like, but I encourage you to listen to their songs on MySpace. Let them play and see if you don't start nodding your head or tapping your feet.



For more info on this show, visit the show post on Do512 here.

12/16 Wednesday Show Pick: Subrosa Union and Driver F

Wednesday night at Stubb's indoor is a great local show, sort of the best of the best if you will. Two great young Austin bands with two distinctly different styles, Subrosa Union and Driver F, will play together on on bill. When I saw this listed online it was another no brainer for me for my Wednesday night pick. It is also affordable too as advance tickets are only $8.

I've talked about Subrosa Union on my blog here before, but briefly they are a dub-reggae ska band somthing to the likes of Sublime. They are a three piece originally from El Paso but have called Austin home for a few years now. They play all over town, from Stubb's to bars like the Chuggin' Monkey. They are real road warriors also, having gone as far as the Middle East to perform for our troops overseas. Lead Singer Michael Anaya has a great voice, especially for this genre. For more on Subrosa Union, read their interview on Austin Vida here.

Driver F, Wednesday's other feature artist, is another good young Austin band. They fall more into the pop-punk category, but not in the sense where you'd see too many bad tattoos or uber tight jeans. Their music is catchy and very easy for fans to sing along with, but has a few more adult elements a lot of pop-punk bands don't have like horns and grown up lyrics. Just as I write that, I'm staring at the back of their latest album Chase The White Whale and looking at the ridiculous song titles that have nothing to do with the songs what-so-ever.

Driver F

That album by the way, could have easily been the best local release in 2008 on many people's lists if they weren't so weird about selections. You ever hear the expression "blogger band"? Driver F couldn't be one because they don't qualify for Paste Magazine or Under The Radar. It could be for several reasons, but mostly because they aren't ultra indie. I'm not knocking those publications or indie music, as I love them all, but mainly pointing out that the group and album deserved more local buzz than it got.

Currently Driver F is still working on their next album, which is one album I'm dying to get my hands on once it comes out. They either haven't decided on a title or aren't leaking it yet, but I'll keep you posted. I just hope they have normal song titles and stick pretty close to the formula that's worked over the years for them. If you go to Stubb's Wednesday, you will get a hear some new songs I'm sure. If you're new to Driver F, check out their video here for "Temple of Doom", an Indiana Jones reference no doubt that has nothing to do with the lyrics int he song, but enjoy anyway.



For advance tickets or more info on the bands, visit the following links:

Purchase advance tickets

Driver F on MySpace