(6/22) Preview: Suzanna Choffel at Blues On The Green

One of my absolute favorite Austin artists is Suzanna Choffel. Sorry to say this folks, but she is way too good to be local. Count your blessings that she is and that it doesn't cost an arm and a leg to see her live. She often gets compared to Nelly Furtado because she does sound like her, but Choffel is more bluesy and soulful.

(6/30) Rage Against The Machine tribute at Red 7

All my friends know that Rage Against The Machine (RATM) is my all-time favorite band. They have been since I was a teenager.They were group responsible for me taking a real interest in politics. RATM was also the first band to blend hip hop and metal together and get it right. I could go on a fan boy love fest all day, but you get the point. RATM rule.

Ke$ha coming to Cedar Park Center in August

Here's something for the 2nd-4th Street crowd to get excited about. All you mainstream pop listening, Bobby Bones loving, Domain shoppers of the city rejoice! Practice your sweet dance moves in the mirror and perfect the fist pump by August 3 as the Get Sleezy Tour hits The Cedar Park Center. LMAFO and Spank Rock join headliner Ke$ha. Tickets go on sale Friday, April 8 via Ticket Master.

Watch Ke$ha's music video for her single "Blow" below:

Angel Ferrer tonight at Momo's

Tonight Angel Ferrer, formerly of Ill Camino and currently with the Chris Perez project, will be performing with his Daylight Sessions soul band tonight at Momo's. He's a good musician, songwriter and singer. Tonight is a rare opportunity to see him doing his soul thing. He performs at the 12:30am spot after Wendy Colonna and Dave Madden. Yeah it is a little bit late, but his soul music is perfect for ending the night. Take your lady for a night cap and then go home and make babies. Check out this live video clip of Ferrer performing at Lucky Lounge in 2009.



Momo's is located at 618 W. 6th Street above Katz's Deli. Tickets are $10. More details here.

(12/12) Epica at Emo's

Epica hits Austin on Sunday, Dec. 12. This is a rare opportunity to see this orchestral hair metal band from The Netherlands. The video I posted above is for their single "Unleashed" off of their 2009 release, Design Your Universe. It will be cool to get out to Emo's and hear something out of the ordinary. Get there at 7:00pm to catch openers Blackguard and Symmetry. General admission tickets and even VIP Meet & Greet tickets can be purchased here.

(11/12) Grupo Fantasma Anniversary Show at Antone's

Austin's biggest and baddest Latin band is celebrating ten years of awesomeness. Seeing Grupo Fantasma on New Year's Eve is a tradition for many and one I look forward to this year when they do it again at La Zona Rosa with Black Joe Lewis. The anniversary show will be at Antone's on Friday night, Nov. 12, and is sure to sell out quickly so be sure and get your tickets here.

(10/9) School Of Seven Bells at Mohawk

Brooklyn "etherealists" School Of Seven Bells are in town for a headlining show at Mohawk. This is one of the indie bands I actually listen to and like. Their style of indie is very mellow without being folky or weird. They have a unique sound with a lot of sound effects and melodies going on all at once, but they totally make it work. I do have to be in the mood to listen to them, but their music is relaxing. I bet they are good live. you should o check them out tonight if you are looking for something to do because you didn't get tickets to any of the ACL after-shows. Take a look and listen to this music video for their song "Half Asleep."



If you like what you heard, learn more about School Of Seven Bells from my interview with Alejandra Deheza on Red River Noise 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.

(9/15) Balmorhea this Wednesday at Mohawk

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.

Preview: The Maine at Emo's

One of Alt Press Magazine's bands to watch in 2010 is coming to Emo's this Wednesday for their own headlining tour.When I saw The Maine at Warped Tour last year, I wasn't impressed one way the other. This year, after a label deal and some haircuts, they are like a whole new band. Now they are much less "scene kid" band and more rock radio. That's a good move. Check out their new video for their single, "Inside of You."



If you like what you hear or are a big fan of The Maine, we are giving away tickets on Red River Noise. Learn how you can win them here.

Gram Rabbit Ticket + CD Giveaway

I don't know whether to be excited, weirded out or frightened by this one.The one and only Gram Rabbit will be performing at Emo's on Sunday, August 14. Talk about an interesting Sunday after church huh? This doesn't appear to be your typical indie-pop or dancy-electro band. From what I've read, they have a very loyal following called "The Royal Order of Rabbits." Interesting to say the least. Take a look at this music video for their song "Shiny Monster."



To learn how to win FREE tickets to the show at Emo's Sunday and a copy of the new CD, visit the Red River Noise here.

Friday Night Concert Pick: White Denim and My Education at Antone's

This is a no brainer for me. White Denim is epic. I've seen them live plenty of times and I can't get enough. I saw them the last time they were at Antone's and they packed the place. Get there early. Doors are at 9:00pm and the show is at 10:00pm. It will sell out!

If you get there early, you may be pleasantly surprised by how amazing opener My Education is. They aren't the adrenaline ride that White Denim is, but they are brilliant musically. The Golden Boys are also on the bill. I've never seen them so I'm looking forward to listening to someone new, new to me anyway. It should be a good time.

In the event you heard of White Denim or heard their music, time to get familiar. Check out their music video for their popular single,"I Start To Run" here:


White Denim - "I Start To Run" from Downtown Music on Vimeo.

You can purchase advance will call tickets to the show from Front Gate Tickets HERE.

(7/8/10) Ola Podrida at Mohawk

One of my favorite "getting late and close to bed time" listens is the Belly Of The Lion album by Ola Podrida. I was at their first live show last year at Mohawk with Balmorhea. It was quite the experience and also some of the most beautiful music I have ever heard. Frontman Dave Wingo is a talented dude, playing both guitar and banjo to go along with that soothing singing voice. If you have not heard Ola Podrida (Spanish for "bad or rotten" wave) then you should definitely give it an honest listen. Check out the video for Ola Podrida's single, "This Old World":


This Old World - OLA PODRIDA from Zellner Bros. on Vimeo.

Here is the link to the review I wrote last year for Double Stereo:

Ola Podrida at Mohawk

Tickets for this Thursday's show will be sold at the door. Tickets are only $7 dollars for 21+, $9 for minors as it is listed as an all ages show. Dana Falconberry and Bosque Brown are also on the bill. Arrive by 10:00pm to see the whole show. Don't be that guy (or woman) that only shows up for headliners.

Red River Noise presents: Tornahdo, The Paper Shapes & They Mean Us at Beauty Bar

My crew and I at Red River Noise are big fans of the Red River music scene. We all have our own individual favorites. We disagree on who is good locally and who sucks. One thing we all agree on is that the local scene must be supported either way. I know that not all bands here are "there" yet, but some are and aren't being talked about enough or at all. I know because I am out and about and see first hand for myself. Plus I do have all the "buzz" blogs in my reader and do listen to who is being talked about, eventually that is.

So one way to help promote good Austin based bands on our site which is nationally focused is we have a "Made In Austin" feature we are expanding on currently, so I'll keep you posted for that.  In this case, we are helping local promoters with good shows get the word out. After all, we kicked off our site's (delayed) launch with a bad ass showcase during the week of South by Southwest at The Parlor. We want to continue to do so, and are open minded about genres unlike other indie leaning blogs around town.

Tomorrow we are presenting a cool show at Beauty Bar which features three good bands with a different enough sound to be entertaining but not boring. I say boring because I personally don't like shows where are the bands on the bill sound like the same band. You know what I mean right? Tonight though, this isn't the case. Now I will be the first to admit these bands are the most popular or the big local buzz bands, but all are of top quality in their respected realms and worth checking out.

First there is They Mean Us from McAllen, Texas. They are an instrumental indie band that sound decent on MySpace, but that is honestly all I can tell you as I have never seen them live. I look forward to it though and am very interested in checking them out. I have a thing for instrumental indie and post-rock music for some weird reason. Bands like Mono and even Calm Blue Sea locally are the bees-knees. This is a video for They Mean us I found on their MySpace that kind of gives you an idea of what they sound like, but keep in mind it is a tour blog and not a professional video so please mind that when you hear it.


Untitled from THEYMEANUS on Vimeo.

The locally known favorite on this bill are The Paper Shapes. I've seen them live once, but it was only for a short bit. My friends and Red River Noise peeps Ajay Miranda and Sarah Vasquez talk about them. They basically told me I need to check them out so I'll do that tonight. I just downloaded a free mp3 of their song "Bed Bugs"they were giving away on their website. Check it out:



The other band on the bill is a semi-new band on the scene and one that came highly recommended to me by one of the guys I know in The Sword, my favorite band not named Rage Against The Machine by the way. I'll show you my tattoo one day when it's done. Anyway, so I got word of Tornahdo when I interviewed Bryan Ritchie of The Sword last fall at Fun Fun Fun Fest. That's all I needed to hear. He said "They are totally worthy of some praise" and "they have this little Zach Hill on drums". It's totally different from what else I've seen or heard locally lately. Check out this clip of them performing on the steps of the Capital.



So there you have it. Three bands, all different but good. This show is 21+ and only $5 cover. Come out and have a good time doing something different. Keep checking in with me here on occasion as I keep you up to date with more happenings with both Austin Vida and Red River Noise. Thanks as always for reading. Feel free to RSVP for the event on Facebook since you're other tab is on Facebook anyway:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=134552089891397&ref=mf

Friday Night Show Pick: Krum Bums at Emo's

The craziest show Friday night in Austin is easily the Krum Bums at Emo's. They are one of the best live punk rock shows ever to hit the Red River scene. They've been a band for over decade and haven't lost s step. This year during Free Week, they had a crazy show at Red 7 that our Red River Noise crew captured here in this video. It shows what a Krum Bums show is like and why you need to go to Emo's Friday night. Check it out.


RRN-TV: Krum Bums live at Red 7 from Red River Noise on Vimeo.

 To learn more about the Krum Bums, my good friend Alysha Hernandez from Austin Vida interviewed the guys last year. Read the article here:

http://tinyurl.com/yacbkt3

Also on the bill Friday night at are Hot Rails To Hell, Women In Prison and World Burns To Death. Emo's is located at 603 Red River. Doors at 9:00pm. Get there early and make it crazy night out. If you're an Austinite, it is a right of passage to see the Krum Bums at least once.

(4/29) Violent Soho at Emo's

Thursday night when all you faux hipsters will be wearing your best Urban Outfitters to Stubb's for the Phoenix concert, I'll be at Emo's watching one of my favorite new bands, Violent Soho. These Aussies are out to prove grunge and anything Sonic Youth(ish) still kicks ass. Speaking of Sonic Youth, they are even on Thurston Moore's label, Ecstatic Peace! Records. They are touring to support their self titled album before making their way to Lalapalooza this summer. Violent Soho will be playing with Austin's own, The Boxing Lesson and Red Falcon. Now watch this video, turn it up and get your face rocked off!

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).

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

1/29/10 Friday night show pick: Brownout at The High Ball

Friday nights in Austin are full of great shows to check out. This Friday is no exception. With that being said, I think avoiding the downtown riff-raf is the way to go Friday night. Austin Latin funksters, Brownout, perform at The High Ball on 1120 South Lamar. You will be hearing a lot about this place as it seems to have some cool things happening this year.

Joining Brownout, as if they aren't reason enough to go, are DJ Manny and Bigface. You may know them from DJ Dojo, the record store that they have DJ lessons at. They've spun all over town for years now. I last saw them at Beauty Bar before the Afrika Bambaataa set in 2008. It's been too long, I know.

Manny is known for his crazy DJ bicycle. If you've never seen it, it is quite impressive. Even more impressive is the crew from B-Boy City who are going to be doing some breakin'.

Check out this video to get an idea of what this whole crew is about in terms of vibe, sound, etc. There is nothing else like it in town that I know of, so treat yourself to some dope beats and funky rhythms.


Starlynx-House Rockers BIGFACE / TIGRE LIU / DJ MANNY from DJ BIGFACE on Vimeo.

More info here on Do512.

12/29 Tuesday Show Pick: Red Jumpsuit Apparatus at Emo's

Red Jumpsuit Apparatus (http://www.myspace.com/redjumpsuit)

Jacksonville, Florida's own Red Jumpsuit Apparatus will be here at Emo's for what is the last good (touring) rock show this year. Touring to support their latest album, Lonely Road. Released in the early part of the year, Lonely Road hasn't received the critical praise that previous records have. After setting the standard high for themselves with Don't You Fake It, they have been consistent in terms of quality but never as good as that first album. Still, they are a force to be reckoned with and are totally relevant in terms of today's "scene", pun intended.

I've never had the chance to see them live so I'm looking forward to seeing them Tuesday with Fit For Rivals, another Jacksonville, Florida band I've had on my radar. Check out the video I posted below to give them a look and listen. The lead singer looks like the offspring of Joan Jett.

Opening will be local rock outfit, Go Action Team, who go on at 8pm. Tickets are $15 in advance and Emo's is located at 603 Red River for those of you coming in from out of town for this one. Be sure to purchase advance tickets here: TicketWeb


Fit For Rivals - "Damage" from Fit For Rivals on Vimeo.