I often listen to Balmorhea to relax or while I'm working at desk. Beautiful music. It's like an indie band orchestra done right. You have to be in the mood for them, but they are amazing live. They play Wednesday night at Mohawk with Mother Falcon.
Here's a cool free event for you out there looking to live it up on Red River on the cheap. The Rumble at Beeerland is always a great showcase to check out obscure, unsigned and maybe even cool new bands. Even if the bands are terrible, you didn't waste money so there's no need to complain. The Rumble is also one of the few times I go to Beerland.
This show also caught my attention because it is one of the rare chances to see Sleep ∞ Over. Their music is this sort of haunting, obscure indie with hints dark electronic elements to it. I'd be curious to see how that translates live. I can only usually listen to that stuff at my desk late at night. The other bands on the bill are Austin based Pure Ecstacy and Soft Healer. Here's a look and listen to Soft Healer.
Doors are at 9:00 pm, first band starts around 10:00 pm. The Rumble at Beerland is brought to you by the Austin Rumble family of Future Sounds, The Onion AV Club, Waterloo Records, Covert Curiosity, The Austinist, Austin Town Hall and Beerland.
The best time and place to get it is at Waterloo Records before Wednesday, July 7th, at noon. Why? Alejandro Escovedo will be performing at Waterloo for FREE at noon. Be sure to also catch Escovedo on Wednesday night at 7:30pm at Zilker Park for Blues On The Green. That's also free. Given both events are free, the least you could do is buy the record.
This Wednesday marks the last of Adi Anand's residency at Mohawk this year, at least in the current format. Tomorrow also marks the birthday edition of Adi's series, so Happy Birthday to you brother Adi. For Adi's biirthday edition, there will be food provided by Cedar Door, drinks provided by Waialua Soda Works and cup cakes from Peaches Maggee. There will also be an art show by Deep In The Art of Texas.
While that's all cool, you know I'm about the music. Remember this is an early show for working folks and cool kids who just don't want to be out that late but still get the real Red River experience. Doors are at 6:00pm, the show starts at 7:00pm with Shallows AD. I've never seen them before so I'm looking forward to the new experience.Tow The Line go on at 8:00pm, which feature members of the groups Visitors and Recover.
Once again the headliner is none other than The Frontier Brothers. I saw these guys the last time Adi had them at Mohawk, on June 9th, and they were so good live. I loved their sound, their energy and the dapper prep school suits. If you enjoy good indie, then you should check these guys out. Here's their latest music video for their single "You Should Start a Band". I don't know what's up with the furry party, but it's a cool song. The Frontier Brothers take the stage at 9:00pm.
Adi Anand is doing his thing again on Wednesday at Mohawk, this time with The Frontier Brothers headlining. They will headline again on June 23rd. This is an early show for folks who either don't want to be out all night or work early on Thursday. There's an art show element to the show and a chance to win some Austin Aztex soccer tickets.
Doors open at 6:00pm. Both Seaholm Electric and Invisible Inks are on the bill as openers. I've never seen either or heard either so it will be cool to hear something different Wednesday. I suggest you do the same. If you've never heard The Frontier Brothers, check out their music video for their single "You Should Start A Band". Notice the token indie usage of bears. Yes, the rule of thumb in the indie band world is animals like bears, rabbits and deer are "indie" animals.
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.
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.
I'm stoked to see some good old fashion hardcore screamo, metalcore, whatever-core come back to Austin so early in the year. The Mosh Lives II Tour comes to Emo's Wednesday night and is headlined by none other than Emmure. Goodby To The Gallows makes the rotation in my iPod regularly when plugged into the car stereo.
That being said, I am looking forward to finally seeing Miss May I after missing them twice last year. I dug their Apologies Are For The Weak album and their video that made it to the Saw VI Soundtrack. A lot of these kind of screamo or metalcore bands tend to sound samesy, but I like Miss May I. If you like this genre, then you read Revolver Magazine and hate half the bands at Warped Tour. If that describes you, I'll probably see you tomorrow.
This Wednesday at Red 7 brings "The Economy Sucks Tour" featuring Trash Talk, Aiden, Cancer Bats and Anti-Flag. That's a pretty good bill and should make for a killer Wednesday night. I'd be lying to you if I said I was absolutely crazy about any of these bands, but they are worth seeing live.
I'm stoked more than anything about Cancer Bats actually, as I saw them briefly one SXSW and have always wanted to catch a full set from them at some point. Aiden is decent and I am not into Trash Talk, but only because I've never gave their music an honest listen.
The show's headliner, Anti-Flag, is a band I've liked for a few years now. Their a Warped Tour band, and anyone that knows me can tell you I don't mind being the old dude at Warped every summer. In fact, this past summer I was at Warped in San Antonio and got to meet Chris 2 of Anti-Flag. I didn't have an interview scheduled or anything, but we did get to chat and we liked a lot of the same punk bands. I missed their set at Warped because I was in the media tent pretty much all day, so I'm glad to get the chance to see them Wednesday.
Here's an old video from Anti-Flag for a song called "This Is The End (For You My Friend)". Most of my non-punk rock loving friends know this song because it was featured on Madden (video game) back in the day. I still like it. Give it a listen.
Oh dear God, this kind of metal scares me. Still, I can't not listen. It's intense like a horror or thriller movie. There must be something about Poland that makes Behemoth do death metal better than most. They've been around a long time despite line up changes and over wear and tear touring puts on your body after a certain age. Still, Behemoth has not lost a step or slowed down one bit. Touring to support their latest album, Evangelion, the Polish metal monsters take the stage Wednesday at Emo's for the Evangelina Amerika Tour.
You should get there early as door are at 8:oopm and the show starts at 9:00pm with local old school thrashers, Pack of Wolves. Septicflesh and Lightning Swords of Death round out the bill under Behemoth. It is going to be cold and dark Wednesday night, just like death! Muahahahaha! Okay...that was cheesy. I couldn't resist.
Oh, remember that part about this kind of metal being scary? Check out this video from Behemoth for their song "Ov Fire and the Void" off of Evangelion. Don't watch around small children or while at work, unless of course you don't care one way or the other. Don't say I didn't warn you. This video is sick.
I give full credit to my good friend and partner in crime, Ajay Miranda, for this one. Stereo Is A Lie is pretty good band that grows on me the more I hear them. Playing along side New Roman Times, She Sir and The Strange Attractors is a great way to get selected as my Wednesday Free Week pick amongst everything else great going on. This band kind of came out of IV Thieves, whom I saw a few years ago at a Roller Derby match of all places. Glynn Wedgewood fronts this semi-new band at Beauty Bar Wednesday night, so fans of IV Thieves who want some more Wedgewood can get their fix for FREE. Check them out here on this 'Nites video where I first saw Stereo Is A Lie:
New Roman Times and The Strange Attractors are also really good bands worth seeing on their own, much less together for Free.For indie lovers and Austin bloggers, this is your ideal showcase. Even I have to tip my hat to whomever booked this as it is the best overall bill of the night. Oh, and Beauty Bar is a good spot despite the uber hipstery clientele. It's only supposed to be around 56 degrees so don't be afraid to leave the house and take advantage of Free Week. Here's some more quick video goodness for you of New Roman Times from their in-store at Waterloo Records.
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.
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:
This Wednesday I am heading over to one of my favorite Austin venues, Red 7. While Red 7 is mostly known for hardcore punk and metal acts, they also go a good job with booking the occasional Latin and indie bands. Wednesday night. I'm going to personally going to check out a semi-new band to the scene, In Situ Sound.
I got wind of these guys from my good friend and Austin Vida staff photographer, Chantel Clopine. According to Chantel, three of the members are from Weslaco, Texas. For those of you outside of Texas, that's in South Texas or the Rio Grande Valley area. Natives refer to it as "The Valley" or "El Valle". The Valley seems to be producing some good indie these days, with bands like Dignan leading the way.
Their sound is ambient/experimental indie and they just released a new EP. Again, they seem new but I"ll find out and share more info at a later date. From what I heard on the band's MySpace, they have a good sound. It'll be interesting to see what they sound like live. I thought about going to see jay Retard, but after posting that video where he peed on the audience I'm kind of turned off to him. I'll just play his mp3s and stick with that. For anyone who is willing to hear something new and local, see you at Red 7.Doors are at 9:00pm and the address is 611 E. 7th.
When I woke up Wednesday morning, I had no idea I'd get to see Fanfarlo, one of the UK's greatest indie bands, right here in Austin. To be honest, I had no idea they were in town. It was really weird how it all happened. It was almost movie-esque when you think about it.
I heard them perform a live set on KUT Wednesday afternoon and learned that they were playing The Independent that night. I really hadn't planned on going out, but was so impressed by what I heard that I was starting to mull it over. I was thinking about it so much that I "tweeted" it when I sat back down at my desk to do some work. As it turns out, a friend of mine saw my tweet and offered me her tickets. How could I say no?
I hadn't been to The Independent yet, so if for no other reason, I wanted to check out the venue. As I arrived Wednesday night, the New York based Free Lance Whales were playing. They were alright. Not bad, not great. They were a good opener and I'd be inclined to check them out again some time. I'm sure they'll be back around again soon.
Shortly there after Free Lance Whales finished, Fanfarlo took the stage. Lead singer Simon Balthazar and Cathy Lucas (who plays every instrument except drums it seems) got things going with "Drowning Men" off their current album, Reservoir. The rest of the band joined them for "I'm a Pilot" and stayed on throughout their set. I loved watching them switch instruments and put together this great variety of sounds. Their music is brilliant and their live show is worth seeing. If you've never heard Fanfarlo, check out this video for their single "The Walls are Coming Down":
Here is their set list from Wednesday night's show at The Independent:
Born To Lose is one of my all time favorite punk bands. It is still hard to believe as good as they are that I still get to see them at Red 7 on Wednesday. Their sound is so gutter, raw but yet polished, and worthy of a mid to high level Warped Tour stage. I have been to many a Warped Tours and three fourths of the bands there don't hold a candle to Born To Lose. I even saw Born To Lose play Warped a few years ago in front of a small but satisfied crowd. Seeing them live is like reliving my early twenties all over again.
They have been a Red River staple for years now. The reason you only see their name in show listings every so often if that much of their time is spent kicking ass and taking names in Europe, a much better place for punk bands from what I hear. Everyone who loves punk that I have shared their music with has always become a big fan. When they played at Emo's this summer with Gallows, the crowd loved them. People saw me singing along to the words during the whole show, which prompted them to approach me after and ask questions about them. "Who are these guys again?" "Are they local?" "Can you send me some MP3s?"
Their current album, Saints Gone Wrong, is in regular rotation in my truck's CD player. People new to Born To Lose need to pick that up first as it is their best. If you really want to get into Born To Lose, pick up Blessed Days. The recording and sound quality isn't as good as on Saints Gone Wrong, but the songs are phenomenal. In fact my favorite Born To Lose song is on Blesses Days, a song called "Borrowed Time".
Tonight Born To Lose takes the stage with any great local punk band called Capital Scam. I have seen these guys around, I believe most recently at The Broken Neck skate park. Tonight's show is also serving as Capital Scam's tour kick off show. Expect nothing but their A-game as always. I suggest arriving at Red 7 around 9:00. Red 7 is located on 611 E. 7th, right off I-35 and adjacent to the uber hipster Beauty Bar. I couldn't find anything that mentioned the cover charge, but it can't be more than ten dollars.
For some punk rock goodness or to check out Born To Lose for the first time, take a look and listen to this video for "Saints Gone Wrong".
For more info about tonight's show and the bands, visit the following links:
She spins! That's right...DJ Ladysuit is Austinist editor Paige Maguire.Tonight for only $2, you can catch DJ Ladysuit and four bands at The Chain Drive. According to an email I received, Ladysuit will be spinning new wave and post punk. This you have to see (or hear).
What's interesting to me about this show is the venue or location. The Chain Drive is the Texas Chainsaw Massacre-esque shack at the bottom of the hill on 504 Willow. I picture it something like the '70s classic back drop where Leatherface goes on a killing spree. Ok that's a little weird...sorry. Basically The Chain Drive is off Red River, one block south of Cesar Chavez on a dead end street. It kind of looks like a pole barn with a parking lot.
Bands start playing at 9pm. Click on the flier above to get a better look at the details as far as the bands. It will be a cool party before the madness that is ACL ensues.
Tonight at Emo's Stem & Leaf are putting together the "it" indie event of September. Coming through Austin will be a new personal favorite of mine, Dignan. The pride of McAllen (in the Rio Grande Valley or South Texas near the border) Dignan has received local buzz of sorts after SXSW in March and Pachanga Fest in May.
I saw Dignan live for the first time at Pachanga Fest this year. They caught me totally off guard by how great they were. They are very shy indie kids who play very ambient indie with a hint of post rock sensibilities. I dig the indie crooner stylings of their lead singer and the fact that they have an accordion. They are definitely for the Paste Magazine or Under The Radar audience. That day at Pachanga they played an early afternoon set in which not too many people were there to see. Those that did catch Dignan all seemed to enjoy themselves. I blame the Austin heat in May more than anything. Dignan were great. I am so glad they are coming back around to Austin tonight, as I have now had a chance to absorb their new album, Cheaters &Thieves. I highly suggest picking it up on at the show tomorrow.
Cheaters &Thieves Album Cover
Speaking of the show....
Dignan is the headliner, but only the tip of the ice berg. There are four worthy acts in front of them. Here is the rest of the line up with their set times and web links for you to check out. I also provided a ticket link for you which you will need as I anticipate a sell out.
If you are in search of something to do tonight, then let me suggest you head down to Momo's to catch one of my absolute favorite artists. That artist is none other than Austin's own Suzanna Choffel. You may have seen her on M.E. Televison if you are here in Austin and have cable. Otherwise, I doubt you've heard of her unless you're live music junkie like myself.
Often compared to Nelly Furtado, Choffel is an RnB songstress posing as a singer songwriter. Perhaps it is because she's white that she shocks so many when she starts to sing. Ask anyone that was at the Solange Knowles concert at Antone's last spring, they'll tell you. Her music is amazing and she truly crosses boundaries within different audiences when given a chance.
Choffel has shared the stage with some of Austin's best, including the incredible David Garza. She is a often taken for granted I think, as she is a staple at Momo's. She seems to play regularly and is always around. The same can be said for September, as she has three shows at Momo's this month. After September, you will have to wait a bit to see her as she doesn't have anything in the books for Austin in October or November. Check your calendars and go see her perform. Take my word, you can thank me later.
She is scheduled to go on tonight at 8:30, but get there early and stay late as there are some other good bands on the bill with her. Momo's is right above Katz's on 618 W. 6th. For more info, check out the links I posted below. First, watch this live performance from M.E. Live of my favorite Suzanna Choffel track, "Hey Mister".
For more on Suzanna Choffel, visit the following links:
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.
This Wednesday at Red 7 brings "The Economy Sucks Tour" featuring Trash Talk, Aiden, Cancer Bats and Anti-Flag. That's a pretty good bill and should make for a killer Wednesday night. I'd be lying to you if I said I was absolutely crazy about any of these bands, but they are worth seeing live.
Oh dear God, this kind of metal scares me. Still, I can't not listen. It's intense like a horror or thriller movie. There must be something about Poland that makes Behemoth do death metal better than most. They've been around a long time despite line up changes and over wear and tear touring puts on your body after a certain age. Still, Behemoth has not lost a step or slowed down one bit. Touring to support their latest album, Evangelion, the Polish metal monsters take the stage Wednesday at Emo's for the Evangelina Amerika Tour.
I give full credit to my good friend and partner in crime, Ajay Miranda, for this one. Stereo Is A Lie is pretty good band that grows on me the more I hear them. Playing along side New Roman Times, She Sir and The Strange Attractors is a great way to get selected as my Wednesday Free Week pick amongst everything else great going on. This band kind of came out of IV Thieves, whom I saw a few years ago at a Roller Derby match of all places. Glynn Wedgewood fronts this semi-new band at Beauty Bar Wednesday night, so fans of IV Thieves who want some more Wedgewood can get their fix for FREE. Check them out here on this 'Nites video where I first saw Stereo Is A Lie:
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.
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 got wind of these guys from my good friend and Austin Vida staff photographer, Chantel Clopine. According to Chantel, three of the members are from Weslaco, Texas. For those of you outside of Texas, that's in South Texas or the Rio Grande Valley area. Natives refer to it as "The Valley" or "El Valle". The Valley seems to be producing some good indie these days, with bands like Dignan leading the way. 
If you are in search of something to do tonight, then let me suggest you head down to Momo's to catch one of my absolute favorite artists. That artist is none other than Austin's own Suzanna Choffel. You may have seen her on M.E. Televison if you are here in Austin and have cable. Otherwise, I doubt you've heard of her unless you're live music junkie like myself.
