Always known for their artistic and visual music videos, the Austin indie heavyweights known as The Black and White Years released their latest music video on Vimeo about a month ago. The video is for their single "Two Reservoirs" off their Nursery Myths EP, which is actually pretty good for such a quick listen. For some reason I forgot to post it, but I'm sure every other Austin blog has already posted it since they all talk about the same indie bands all the time. In case you haven't seen it yet, here it is for you.
The Black And White Years are arguably the biggest Red River all star in terms of indie rock. Their single “Power To Change” is always on the local alternative rock radio station. They took home a bag of Austin Music awards this year. All I can say is that is about time they put out some new recordings on CD, even if just an EP. Nursery Myths, due out September 19th, is your first taste of will be a must own album due in 2010.
The Black And White Years will take to the road to support the release of the EP including their first-ever appearances in Los Angeles in September before returning to Austin for an EP Release Show at Mohawk on September 19th. East coast dates are planned for October and November. The band has performed at Austin City Limits Music Festival, Wireless Music Festival in London, MIDEM in Cannes, CMJ Music Marathon, and the past three South By Southwest Music Festivals.
For more on The Black And White Years, check out the following links:
Here's a little video taste of The Black And White Years. I like this video, although they do have better songs. It's their official video for "Zeroes and Ones".
Monday night was the first night of SXSW 2009. I was at The Austin Chronicle Film Bash at La Zona Rosa to finally check out The Black and White Years. Being that they are from Austin, I sort of took it for granted by not catching a show from them yet. After learning that they are the opening act for the big SXSW show with Devo, I figured I’d better check them out before they stopped being “local”.
The Black and White Years played two sets that night and were the only feature band. This was my first SXSW film anything as I am a music guy. I could care less about most film fest films with the exception of foreign films. I also expected free cigarettes (not that I smoke) because American Spirit was a sponsor. I was planning to give those to a couple of friends. Oh well, no big deal. Like I said, I was there for the music.
As I arrived at La Zona Rosa, The Black and White Years had just started their set with their song called A Wetter Sea. I wasn’t into it. They have better songs and I honestly thought they should have opened with a more up tempo track. It wasn’t until about 4 or five songs later when they played Dragons and then a really cool Tejas song that I started enjoying myself. It was then that I noticed that they are better live than on CD. Their live energy was great Monday, probably more so than usual due to it being their first SXSW 2009 show.
Not long after their first set, they came back with Life Debt. Their second set was better than their first, as the second set included their radio hit Power to Change and my personal favorite from them, Zeroes and Ones. After the second set, I started hearing from the crowd “Devo Jr” references and the words “new wave” being tossed around. That’s about right, just throw in the word “indie” in there and that’s The Black and White Years.
Austin Magazine called them one of the nine Austin bands to “watch for”. I think it is because of the buzz and press they are getting, because there are better bands of many genres here. However, they are ready certainly ready for national hipster stardom and will win over the Paste Magazine crowd.
If you're in Austin, it is very unlikely that you haven't heard of The Black and White Years. They are a popular indie rock, new wave style band. You may have seen them on the cover of local music grab and go magazines, or heard them on local alternative rock radio station. I have not been too crazy about their music, although I clearly see why people like them. They have a cool style and I heard they are good live. One thing I do like, is their new video for their song, "Zeroes and Ones".
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.
Always known for their artistic and visual music videos, the Austin indie heavyweights known as The Black and White Years released their latest music video on Vimeo about a month ago. The video is for their single "Two Reservoirs" off their Nursery Myths EP, which is actually pretty good for such a quick listen. For some reason I forgot to post it, but I'm sure every other Austin blog has already posted it since they all talk about the same indie bands all the time. In case you haven't seen it yet, here it is for you.
