My New Year's Eve tradition

I'm blessed to live in Austin, Texas. I've been here since '95 and have no plans on leaving anytime soon. One of the many things I love about Austin is obviously the live music scene. More importantly to me, the Latin music scene we have here. Despite my love for the incredible and amazing Maneja Beto and David Garza, Grupo Fantasma has ruled the scene for ten years now. I have zero problem with that. No one smashes harder than Grupo.

For the past few years, it has become a tradition for Grupo Fantasma to play here on New Year's Eve. Last year they performed at Mohawk and the at The Parish the year before. This year, Grupo's show is even bigger as it is at La Zona Rosa and with Austin's hip happening soul band, Black Joe & The Honeybears. I have my tickets thank goodness, as it is probably sold out by now. I hope you got your tickets.

Even if you missed out on your chance to spend NYE with Grupo, you should be at one of the many other great live shows happening here in Austin. Cake is at The Austin Music Hall. The Sword, the world's best metal band not named Metallica, will be ripping faces off at Mohawk. Cheer Up Charlie's has a great local band showcase that gives you the most bang for your buck. Oh, and Lady Tron will be at Seaholm Power Plant. That's just to name a few. My friends at Do512 have a great list for you here if you still have no idea what to do tomorrow night.

Anyway...Happy New Year to all of you! It's time for me to party and enjoy my life before getting back to work on Monday.

Win Free Tickets to Pachanga Fest from Austin Vida

The big event is this Saturday at Fiesta Gardens. Pachanga is the it Latino event that happens in this Latin Music Month here in Austin. Pachanga is the only festival to feature Latino musicians of all music genres, where as in other cities they stick to one genre, typically just salsa, Tejano or Latin Alternative. With Pachanga Fest, you can hear great modern rock, punk, cumbia, Tejano, salsa and indie. It is a truly unique and memorable experience that everyone can enjoy.

That being said, my friends and I at Austin Vida are giving away tickets this week through our Austin Vida Facebook fan page. How dope would it be to go to one of the best music festivals in the country for free? It could happen. All you have to do is add or "like" Austin Vida on Facebook to get more details and be eligible to win. Add Austin Vida on Facebook here:

http://www.facebook.com/austinvida

Announcement: Austin Vida Showcase at Ruta Maya (April 1st)

I haven't been writing or posting as much due to a few reason. Obviously SXSW planning has been keeping me busy, but also planning life post SXSW. After all, once SXSW is over Austin is still Austin. Live music is everyday and everywhere you look. As the Editor in Chief of Austin Vida, maintaining a strong local Latin Music presence is very important to me to say the least. That is why the bands on the poster you see above and I have put together another great official Austin Vida showcase.