I just saw these guys live last night at Beauty Bar for our first Austin Vida showcase. Despite the cold, we had a great turnout and people couldn't get enough Maneja Beto. If you're like me and still need more Maneja, fear not. They just released their new music video on Friday for their latest single, "Ofrendas". The video was directed by Johnny Ramirez and features David Garza as a janitor. For those of you in Austin, you may recognize the bar to be Rabbit's on East 6th. Here's the video:
For more on Maneja Beto, check out this interview with Austin Vida HERE.
This Thursday through Saturday is all about Austin's own David Garza. These show picks were a clear no brainer for me, as I am a long time David (pronounced like Dah-Veed) Garza fan. This week offers something different even for me. I'll get to that in a second, but let me begin by talking about Thursday's show.
In what is a make up date from last Tuesday, Garza will be performing at The Continental Club located at 1315 South Congress. He was supposed to co-headline with Alejandro Escovedo last week but Garza had to cancel due to him fighting a cold. While I pretty was bummed I certainly understood with this ugly weather we're having in Austin right now. Thursday he'll be performing with Strange Darling and Chrysta Bell. Arrive around 10:00pm to catch the whole show. The Continental always has good acts booked from different walks of life. It's one of those venues that's a right of passage for people living or even visiting Austin. It's intimate and there's not really a bad spot in the house. Sometimes it just gets too crowded for such a small place.
For those who are unfamiliar with David Garza or haven't seen hm live, you need to get with the program already. Seriously, where have you been? Now I was fortunate enough to have seen Garza many a times, my first time being when I was in high school at the now defunct Steamboat (RIP) on 6th. I may or may not have been old enough to get in, but I'm glad I did. It was around the time his This Euphoria album was out, which is still my favorite of his to date. He is a complete talent with the ability to croon with his singer-songwriter skills but also rock when he wants to. Believe me when I tell you he thinks and sees things differently than the rest of us.
I admit, I always thought he was going to "make it" and reach a higher level than he has. Sure he has received tons of critical acclaim, and deservedly so, but something just never came together. I expected to see him on national magazine covers and MTV appearances. Again, remember this was the era when MTV played videos. I also remember around that same time This Euphoria came out, Best Buy had this music commercial campaign called "The Next Big Thing". One of those commercials featured David Garza and had a sound bite of his song "Kinder". After seeing that, I thought I'd never see him at the small clubs again. It's a shame he never got to that level and more people didn't get to hear David Garza, but perhaps he didn't want that for himself. I'd love to chat about that with him one day.
Twang Twang Shock-A-Boom (love the '90s haircuts!)
Here is the different part I referred to in my intro paragraph above. Way back when, Garza had an acoustic band that consisted of himself, Jeff Hayley and Chris Searles. From what I have read online, they started playing around UT and eventually played their way in gigs at The Cactus Cafe. They had an album called Me So Twangy, which is still available for download online today. Check the links at the bottom of this post.
Well for two dates this weekend, Friday and Saturday, Twang Twang Shock-A-Boom will be reuniting at The Cactus Cafe for two shows. Apparently Jeff Hayley isn't joining them, but Garza and Searles will be twangin' away. The music is very acoustic jam band, but not in the annoying hippie sense. The lyrics are humorous and Garza's voice is of course amazing. Those who get to witness Twang Twang Shock-A-Boom will be witnessing Austin history.
For more details about everything I mentioned, check out the following links:
Tickets for this year's 2nd Annual Pachanga Fest at Fiesta Gardens are on sale now. For today only, Cinco De Mayo, you can purchase five tickets for fifty dollars. Not a bad deal at all considering you will get to see headliners Mexican Institute of Sound, Michael Salgado, and local favorites David Garza, Brownout and more. Pachanga also marks the return of Maneja Beto to the stage after almost a year hiatus. Take advantage folks. Thanks for supporting Latin Music in Austin.
Those of us who have been in Austin a while remember The Steamboat. It is now in the Austin history books between the Liberty Lunch chapter and The South Park Meadows chapter. The Steamboat triggers my memories of growing up in Austin in the 90s when I followed bands like Push Monkey and when I saw my first David Garza show. Vallejo and The Scabs were also Steamboat regulars.
Recently the old Steamboat manager, Danny Crooks, was handling Pangaea Live. After a short stint doing that, Crooks is putting together a benefit show with some of his old Steamboat friends as you can see from the flyer. The Alice Rose also features Crook's son as a member. For only $10 advance or $15 at the door, you contribute to a good cause and see a great show.
For those of you who are new to Austin or live elsewhere ( I feel for you if that's the case), here is a great article written by Andy Langer about the Steamboat's closing:
After listening to Dream Delay all the way through a few times I thought to myself, “finally”. Not since This Euphoria has there been a David Garza album I could listen to and enjoy all the way through. Dream Delay, like This Euphoria, showcases the diversity Garza posses as an artist. There really isn’t anything he can’t do. No, I mean it. He writes, produces, sings, and he probably do stuff we don't know about yet. That's David Garza.
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.
