With lots of big national touring acts coming through Austin all the time, it is easy to overlook good local talent. It isn't right, but it happens. With so much going tonight and tomorrow for Halloween, I just wanted to shed some light on an affordable show with a good local band. Tonight after new rock Gods, Wolfmother, there's an after show inside Stubb's. After all the "Cosmic Egg" craziness is over, chill out and relax to the dub-reggae sounds of Subrosa Union.
I have seen Subrosa Union several times by default, meaning they opened or played a show I was at for someone else. Shame on me, I know. An Austin staple, by way of El Paso, Subrosa Union single handedly holds it down for the dub-reggae genre here locally. Not since The Long beach All Stars can I say I have really enjoyed a new dub-reggae band. In the mainstream, I think that genre fell off after Sublime wasn't around anymore. I even remember seeing some cool bands like them in the '90s on The Warped Tour. My how times change I guess, but good for Subrosa Union for keeping it alive and doing it well.
Check out this video by Austin Vida from earlier this year and give them a listen for yourself.
Tonight after ACL is over, or if you don't have tickets but want to catch a great show, Mohawk is the place. In case you didn't get enough Dan Auerbach or didn't get to see him this weekend, then Hacienda is your show. Hailing from Boerne, Texas, these four young dudes could be the first Latino Beatles or Beach Boys even. Their old '60s rock and roll spirit was on display at February's Fashion Freakout, dazzled Alejandro Escovedo's audience and wowed the crowd at the legendary Gruene Hall this year. It's all happening for these guys.
The show tonight at Mohawk starts at 10:00. Mohawk, one of my favorite venues in town, is located 912 Red River (and corner of 9th). Also taking the stage before Hacienda is Imaad Wasif. Don't miss out on one of your last chances to checkout Hacienda before they embark on a long tour that keeps them out of Texas until at least December.
Not familiar with Hacienda? Check out this video we filmed for Austin Vida this summer at Antones. It is for a new song not yet on an album, but will be soon. It's called "Younger Days".
For more on tonight's show, click the following links:
Tonight at Antone's, one of my favorite artists is performing an Official ACL Aftershow. Dan Auerbach as you probably know already is the front man for the Akron, Ohio duo, The Black Keys. Auerbach recently put out his solo record earlier this year called Keep It Hid. It immediately became one of my favorite albums not only of the year, but favorite albums period. It is the best indie-blues record I have heard and I listen to it when I want to relax late at night. It will be great to finally see him live.
Backing up Auerbach is one of my favorite local bands who may not be local at all very much longer, Hacienda. A group of four Mexican-American musicians from Boerne, Texas, the guys from Hacienda have been backing him for a while now. Auerbach was a producer for their own record, Loud Is The Night. They recently joined with musician Patrick Hallahan to form "The Fast Five". So now, it's Dan Auerbach and The Fast Five. Whatever right? It's good music either way you spin it and it's still Dan Auerbach.
Make sure that if you were not sure which show to go to tonight, to head to Antone's. He won't be in Texas playing again anytime soon, as he hits the road until December 9th according to his Myspace page. For those of you who have yet to hear Auerbach or know who Hacienda are, check out the following video of Dan Auerbach and The Fast Five performing "Mean Monsoon" off Keep It Hid.
Also taking to the stage tonight will be Rodriguez and White Dress. Get there at 9:30 or as soon as you can come over from Zilker park. For more on tonight's show, visit the following links:
ACL officially begins today at Zilker Park. The grass is greener, less dustier and maybe even a little damp due to some rain here in Austin. If you have a three day pass or a Friday Day Pass, you will get to see Nacional Records recording artists, Los Amigos Invisibles. They are touring to support their latest album, Commercial.
Los Amigos Invisibles are set to play the Wildflower Stage from 7:15 to 8:15. Let me tell you something people, Los Amigos at night is quite the experience. Often compared to Thievery Corporation, this Latin funk collective in my opinion is the quintessential festival band. People will be dancing. Not everyone will understand the lyrics as they are all in Spanish, but that won't matter. They will still get down.
For those of you not planning on being at Zilker Park today, you have your chance to see Los Amigos Invisibles with Devotchka at La Zona Rosa. Los Amigos Invisibles are part of this Official ACL Aftershow. They are set to play from 10:00 to around 11:00. Both bands are amazing live and together they make for one hell of a bill. It is the best ACL Aftershow of the night without question. You'll need to purchase tickets online and get there around 9:00 PM.
On another quick note, Los Amigos Invisibles will be on KUT's program, Horizontes with Michael Crockett today at 2:00. Be sure to tune into to 90.5 here in Austin or listen online at www.kut.org.
Here's a quick look and listen to one of my favorite's from Los Amigos Invisbles. It is for an older song called "Yo No Se". Enjoy.
Tonight begins the first round of ACL Aftershows. Most of the time you'll see only the headliners in the fliers and media listings around town. That's too bad really, because some of the openers will be some of the best bands you may ever see. Take for instance tonight at Emo's where headliner The Walkman and even co-headliner Blitzen Trapper are listed all over the place in huge lettering or pictured. The real gem for me on tonight's show is Baltimore indie group, Wye Oak. They open for The Walkman tonight as part of an official ACL Aftershow. Indie-folk lovers, hipsters, wannabes and music bloggers will all love Wye Oak.
Wye Oak is comprised of childhood besties, Andy jack and Jenn Wasner. Wye Oak are on Merge Records, home to heavy hitters M. Ward and Lou Barlow. The first album I picked up on from them was 2008's If Children. I remember hearing a song or two from that album on one of the KUT or NPR programs I listen to regularly. I loved their music instantly as I have an affinity for spacey guitar notes, ambient indie and female indie vocalists.
Early reviews of If Children brought many comparisons to the group, Ya Lo Tengo. I'd have to agree, only Wye oak has female vocals. Not all the songs on If Children were to my liking, but I kept "Please Concrete" and "Family Glue". This year, Wye Oak released The Knot on Merge Records. A much better albumin comparison to If Children, The Knot It is everything that was wrong or dull about the rest of If Children done right. There's more feedback, violin, great vocals, pedal steel and a hint of psychedelic. The Knot has also received great reviews and is sure to be another taste maker favorite.
As I mentioned before, Wye Oak opens for Blitzen Trapper and The Walkmen tonight at Emo's. For you out of towners, Emo's is on 603 Red River, where it meets or intersects with 6th Street. There are two entrances to Emo's, an outside stage entrance and an inside stage entrance. Wye Oak play the outside stage. Get there at 9:00. Tickets are $22 advance plus any fees. If you're looking to head out tomorrow night but are not sure where to go with all the great shows happening all over town, head to Emo's outside stage.
Here is the video for the first song I ever heard from Wye Oak off their If Children album. It's called "Please Concrete". Be sure to check out the links below for event info and Wye Oak 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.
