Talib is one of my favorite MCs. I don't talk about too much hip hop these days, but Kweli is always worth talking about and checking out live in concert. Tonight he will be at The Scoot Inn over on the Eastside. I hope he does his old Black Star verses. It is one of my all time favorite albums, any genre. Check out Kweli with Mos Def from back in the day.
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.
Sunday night shows are best when they are calm, low key and not too rambunctious. That's what Fridays and Saturdays are for. After sleeping in, watching football and having dinner you should make it a point to go out on Sunday night. My show pick tonight is something different than what I've suggested previously, but something near and dear to my heart. My show pick tonight is Leticia Rodriguez and Azul at Kenny Dorham's Backyard, presented by Bemba Beat.
Being close to Dies y Sies, or Mexican Independence Day, Sunday's show is a great way to get in the spirit. Both Azul and Leticia Rodriguez bring traditional folk sounds of Mexico, a music that has connected the hearts of my family and I. Having danced with the Round Rock Ballet Folklorico for four years in high school, I have an affinity for anything tradicional Mexicano at a young age.
Azul began her professional singing career at the age of 15. Her initial musical influences began with the traditional Mexican folk music passed down to her through her parents. Her career eventually took her to San Antonio where she sang for Son del Sur which focused on traditional Mexican folk, and Jemaya, which mixed a message of racial unity with musical influences from Spain, The Caribbean, United States and Mexico. In 2003 Azul began focusing her career as a solo artist primarily on the conservation and development of Mexican folk roots with influences form a broad range of cultures. Through her soul, guitar and voice, Azul gives life and meaning to the narratives of Mexican history.
Leticia Rodriguez began her singing career as a backup singer for award winning singer/songwriters and brothers, David Rodriguez and Philip Rodriguez. In 2007 Mrs. Rodriguez began a band to revive the classical bolero compositions and musica tropical from the 1920's -1950's. With band members; guitarist and arranger Eric Calistri, Percussionists Ric Furley and Gerard Villanueva, and Mario Gonzalez for Bass. This popular local band will have you dancing to their traditional Mexican folk tunes.
Bemba Beat encourages you to bring a blanket and your friends. Kenny Dorham's Backyard is located on 1106 East 11th Street, Austin, Texas 78702. For more info on Bemba Entertainment, visit them online at www.bembaentertainment.com.
It looks like I may be at the Hipster hangout known as The Scoot Inn this Friday. Ireland's We Should Be Dead come back for another Austin appearance for Dart International . Also on the bill are Austin garage punk rockers, Black Panda. The shows benefits my friend Dave Dart's organization dedicated to bring all of us music lovers international bands to play for us.
I got to meet and interview We Should Be Dead this past march at South By Southwest. I was hoping they'd be back soon. I caught them at the Dart showcase at Roux and really dug their indie pop sound. Go check them out if you're not doing anything and judge for yourself. I think you'll have a good time.
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.
