New video from A Twilight Sad: 'Seven Years of Letters'

I just recently posted a "Music I Listen To" column about these guys. The Twilight Sad must have read it and got inspired to release their latest video for their single "Seven Years of Letters". It just went live on YouTube today. If you like the song, it is available on their current album, Forget the Night Ahead. Visit Fat Cat Records for more information.

Fat Cat Records official website

Just Announced: Norah Jones to perform at Stubb's in 2010

photo by Danny Clinch

I just got the details for the upcoming Norah Jones tour happening next year. Having just released her new album, The Fall, I was expecting a tour at some point. Her Austin stop will be May 1st at Stubb's outdoor. Her 36 city tour kicks off March 5th in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Tickets for her Austin concert go on sale Saturday, January 23rd. You will be able purchase tickets at www.frontgatetickets.com.

For those of you outside Austin, here are the tour dates and venues:

NORAH JONES – 2010 U.S. TOUR DATES

March 5           Tulsa, OK                     Brady Theater
March 6           Kansas City, MO         The Midland
March 7           Omaha, NE                  Orpheum
March 9           Des Moines, IA            Civic Center
March 11         Akron, OH                    E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall
March 12         Louisville, KY               Whitney Hall
March 13         Indianapolis, IN           Murat Theatre
March 15         Madison, WI                Overture Hall
March 17         St. Paul, MN                The O'Shaughnessy
March 19         Milwaukee, WI            Riverside Theatre
March 20         Chicago, IL                  Chicago Theatre
March 25         Boston, MA                 Wang Theatre
March 26         Mashantucket, CT       MGM Foxwoods
March 27         New York, NY              WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden
March 30         Baltimore, MD             Lyric Opera House
April 1              Charlottesville, VA      The Paramount Theater
April 2              Washington, DC          Warner Theatre
April 3              Philadelphia, PA          Tower Theatre
April 18            Seattle, WA                 Paramount Theatre
April 19            Portland, OR                Arlene Schnitzer Hall
April 21            San Francisco, CA        The Fillmore
April 23            Los Angeles, CA          Orpheum Theater
April 24            San Diego, CA             Spreckels Theatre
April 25            Phoenix, AZ                 Dodge Theater
April 28            Albuquerque, NM        Kiva Auditorium
April 29            El Paso, TX                  Plaza Theatre
May 1              Austin, TX                    Stubb’s Bar-B-Q
May 4              Dallas, TX                    Majestic Theatre
May 5              Houston, TX                 Verizon Wireless Theater
May 6              Mobile, AL                   Saenger Theatre
May 8              Memphis, TN               Orpheum Theatre
May 9              Birmingham, AL           Alabama Theatre
May 11            Asheville, NC               Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
May 12            Charlotte, NC              Ovens Auditorium
May 14            Nashville, TN               Ryman Auditorium
May 15            Atlanta, GA                  Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre

Concert Review: Cursive live at Mohawk

Cursive live from Mohawk (photo by Mary Rehak)

I remember getting Rolling Stone Magazine in the early part of the decade, which is where I first heard of the Omaha, Nebraska indie band, Cursive. I remember that same day I found a used copy of The Ugly Organ at the now defunct neighborhood CD Warehouse. With used copies, they used to let you listen to it in one of their store stereos with headphones on before you bought it. I know I’m dating myself here, but I miss that experience. The instant after “Some Red Handed Slight of Hand” came on through my headphones, my music collection had a new permanent addition. Saturday night at Mohawk, Cursive finally took to the stage in front of me after all these years of waiting. I remember that feeling I got years ago when I first heard The Ugly Organ in CD Warehouse. That’s the feeling I got from Cursive Saturday night at Mohawk.

As I arrived at Mohawk I caught the set of Cursive’s current touring mate and fellow Omaha brethren, Capgun coup. I thought it was an interesting paring to say the least. I think the hundreds of Cursive fans at Mohawk felt differently. While Austin indie crowds always clap politely, very few people in attendance were feeling these guys. It was evident from the band member’s faces that it was the vibe they got as well.

I think they really lost the crowd when they introduced their song, “Wish I was a fag”. The word “fag” regardless of meaning or connotation is not something that will go over with the open minded, liberal hipster audiences in Austin, Texas. If you listen to the song, it’s not meant to be used with a homophobic connotation, but it was just not a good idea to perform it when that audience was on the fence about you to begin with. I didn’t think they were all that terrible. I enjoyed their last song, not because it was their last song but because it was entertaining. It was called “Bad Bands”. The lead singer even introduced the song by saying “this is about bands like us” and got a laugh out of the audience. It was very basement party rock and the only song I’d actually download from them.

After what felt like a short set from Capgun Coup, the band we all came to see was setting up. It was a trip because it was only 10:50pm and the headliner was almost ready to go on. Gone are the days of late outdoor shows on Red River. I keep forgetting about that stupid noise ordinance, or I keep trying to anyway. Still, with perfect weather on a Saturday, Cursive going on earlier than I expected was just fine with me.

After they started off the set with “The Martyr”, a rush really took over me as started to perform “I Couldn’t Love You”, my favorite song off their current album Mama I’m Swollen. Lead singer Tim Kasher almost sounded like the CD itself, except he brought the high notes a little higher and threw in some more angst. The trumpet/organ player was great in that his trumpet playing didn’t overpower Kasher’s vocals. Again, it was all very close to CD like quality.

Shortly after, Cursive broke into The Ugly Organ album with “Gentleman Caller” and later “Butcher The Song” much to the diehard crowd’s appreciation. My favorite song from The Ugly Organ didn’t come until toward the set’s end with the ever-so angsty “Sierra”. It was nice to be around other people who scream “Sierra” out loud. I thought I was the only person who did that while alone in my room at two in the morning.

The most enjoyable part of the set for me was everything from Mama I’m Swollen, Cursive’s latest album. I think it because that is the Cursive album that reminded me how much I enjoy their music, because it had been since The Ugly Organ that I really liked something from them. Also, it is the album I have been listening to all year since I reviewed it. Being that it was all fresh in my head, I was more than ready to hear those songs live. I thought they were going to end the night with “From The Hips” as it would have been my choice for a closer. Instead they went with “Big Bang” from their Domestica album. Hearing how good “Big Bang” sounded live actually got me thinking about revisiting that album. What more can be said really? What an experience.

Cursive live from Mohawk (photo by Mary Rehak)

After their set lead singer Tim Kasher made sure everyone in attendance knew that their friends and Saddle Creek Records label mates, The Old Canes, were playing at Emo’s. Being that it was only around midnight, off we all went.

Cursive's set list from Saturday's concert:
The Martyr
I Couldn't Love You
Gentleman Caller
Dorothy at 40
Mama I'm Swollen
Butcher The Song
A Red So Deep
Retreat!
The Recluse
Mama I'm Satan
Mothership Mothership Do You Read Me
Sierra
What Have I Done
Art is Hard
The Casualty
From The Hips
Big Bang

(Review written for and published on www.doublestereo.com)

Concert Review: J Tillman at Mohawk

 

photo by Mary Rehak

Friday night was yet another perfect night in Austin, Texas. The weather was cool, but not cold. With almost a full moon to light up the night sky and a few visible stars, the setting for a J. Tillman concert outdoors couldn’t have been any better if it were scripted in a Hollywood indie film. The drummer from Fleet Foxes was at the mic singing while playing guitar in front of a bunch of bearded hipsters wearing flannels and indie couples sitting down on the cold pavement floor of Mohawk.

In all my years of coming to see shows at Mohawk, I have never seen a show where most of the audience was sitting down in front of the outdoor stage. It was a nice change and appropriate for the type of live show Tillman and his backing band perform.  It isn’t like anyone is going to be starting a pit or crowd surfing at this show. My only qualm with sitting on the pavement to watch the show was getting stuck in front of the only drunk idiot trio of wannabe hipsters who couldn’t shut up there for a while. Still, not even they could have ruined a great performance by Tillman.

photo by Mary Rehak

That being said, even I was taken by surprise at how much I enjoyed Tillman’s set. He played a good mix of his singer song-writer, coffee house folk I came to expect along with some pretty angsty sounding, ambient indie rock. You should have seen Tillman’s wild Rick Rubin-esque beard blowing in the wind and waving around as he aggressively strummed his electric guitar. Simply put, Tillman and company put a lot of the young post rockers I’ve seen to shame. Again, I thought he was all coffee shop and had no idea he rocked like that.

The other surprise of the night was how funny Tillman could be. It wasn’t like stand up funny, but more like nerdy music guy funny. He shared his story about his Waterloo Records music purchase with the crowd, as he played an in store earlier in the day there. Apparently, Waterloo’s owner gives performers a discount on purchases while there at Waterloo. According to Tillman, the owner wanted to see what he had purchased with his discount. Tillman assumed it was probably in hopes of seeing what great album or obscure vinyl he may have picked out, but Tillman only had a Battlestar Galactica DVD in hand. He stopped the story there, but that’s all that needed to be said really.

Tillman also made reference to Robbie Williams of all people, when thanking the audience for cheering a minute before a song was over. He wasn’t being snarky, but rather trying to communicate how awesome he felt to have people cheering while he was playing music and singing the way people do when they see someone like Robbie Williams. It just took us all by surprise to hear the name “Robbie Williams” come out of this awesomely bearded rock star’s mouth. Did I mention his beard was awesome?

photo by Mary Rehak

Overall, the best part of the show was the music. Having performed songs mostly from his latest album, Year in the Kingdom, Tillman reminded me how much more I like his music in comparison to Fleet Foxes. If I wasn’t so close to the stage to clearly see and hear Tillman, I would have sworn I was listening to the CD itself. He was that spot on vocally Friday night, only with a much fuller sound given he had his whole band backing him. Too bad no one was recording this for a live video. This would have been the show to do it. The sound…the setting…everything was perfect.

Set List from Friday Night's concert:

All You See
When I Light Your Darkened Door
No Occasion
Firstborn
Vacilando Territory
Vessels
Howling Light
Crosswinds
Though I Have Wronged You
Barter Blues
Master's House
There Is No Good In Me
New Imperial Grand Blues

(Review written and published on www.DoubleStereo.com)

Two Great Latino Singer-Songwriters: Vicci Martinez & Arthur Yoria

This week on AustinVida my good friends Sarah Vasquez and Alysha Hernandez featured two great singer-songwriters, both Latino. I just wanted to share a little about these artists with you all and link you to the interviews. I do it to also show the wide variety of genres covered on Austin Vida, something I don't think anyone else really does in terms of Latino media based out of Austin.

The first interview is with Seattle based Vicci Martinez. She came through here last month sometime and performed at Momo's, a great venue for this type of genre. I got wind of her when I was reading something online one day and saw her name. Truth be told, I thought it was a friend of mine by the same name that I hadn't seen in years. I "Googled" her and came across a musician's MySpace page. Coincidentally, singer-songwriter Vicci had an Austin date on her tour schedule and the rest is history. She has a great voice, especially from someone who is so little. This girl has something. Give her a listen and check out Sarah's interview with Vicci Martinez.



Read the full interview here: Austin Vida interview with Vicci Martinez

Also on the singer-songwriter front this month on Austin Vida is Arthur Yoria. I have known about this dude for a while, but he hasn't blown up the spot like I think he's capable of. He is of Colombian descent but born and raised here in the U.S. He is a creative dude to say the least, but not in that weird sense where general audiences would be turned off. Some of my crew and I saw him at Momo's recently, at midnight on a Tuesday. It was the best Tuesday at midnight show I remember seeing. Yoria was like the Carrot Top of singer-songwriters, pulling out different instruments left and right.

Yoria uses some sort of music recorder mechanism that records sounds and loops that sound it records. He then creates another sound, records it and adds it to the loop. It makes him a one man band, literally. It is not something I haven't seen before, but it's been so long and the last time I saw someone do it live it didn't impress me like Yoria did. Watch this video all the way through to get the idea.



Click the link below to read the Arthur Yoria interview by Alysha Hernandez on Austin Vida:

Arhtur Yoria on Austin Vida

If you like what you hear, please check out the links on Austin Vida. While Vicci Martinez doesn't have anything on the books for Austin anytime soon, Yoria will be here again in December. See the article for details.

It's a Mohawk Weekend: J. Tillman and Cursive

Fleet Foxes drummer, J. Tillman, is coming through Austin Friday night to do his solo thing at The Mohawk. The interest in Tillman is obviously The Fleet Foxes connection, but he has actually had solo stuff before joining Fleet Foxes. He music is more along the lines of indie singer-songwriter with a bluesy touch. It's definitely not something I could listen to while in traffic, but definitely when relaxing at home. His Year in the Kingdom album is a must have for not only Fleet Foxes fans, but anyone who loves good indie-folk stuff. Other than maybe A.A. Bondy, it is my favorite indie-folk album released this year.

Saturday at Mohawk marks the return one of my favorite bands of all time, Cursive, back to Austin. They haven't been here since SXSW in March. I wasn't sure they would make it back around this way, but they're coming Saturday. Their latest record, Mama I'm Swollen, is their best since The Ugly Organ. I reviewed it earlier in the year for Double Stereo, and don't have anything negative to say about it. That review turned several of my friend into Cursive fans, and they were people who I wouldn't have guessed would be into it. It just goes to show good music is good music, and that is all that matters sometimes.

Opening for Cursive is their touring mate, Capgun Coup. I know little of the band, but look forward to checking them out after listening to some of their music. It's like indie meets surf rock or garage. Speaking of listening to music, check out the latest video from Cursive. It's for their song "Let Me Up" off their current album, Mama I'm Swollen.


Let Me Up from Cursive on Vimeo.

For ticket info or to purchase advance tickets, click the following link:

Mohawk Austin website

Thanksgiving Pick: T-Bird & The Breaks at Momo's

With all your relatives in town, or if you're visiting from out of town, you are going to want to get out of the house. You'll either want to A) get the hell away from the them until it is time for them to leave back to the crap city that they came from or B) go out and show the family you love a good time in Austin, Texas. Even on holidays such as Thanksgiving, there are plenty of good live shows to choose from. How do you choose from so many? I'll make it easy on you.

My Thanksgiving pick is for one of my favorite local groups, T Bird and The Breaks. I first saw these guys at the 2008 Sound & The Jury contest at Antone's. In fact, they were who I would have chosen as the winner even though I wasn't there to see them that night. This ten piece soul group is a throwback to time when music was good. They are a throwback to the blue eyed soul your parents grew up listening to on vinyl. With a brass section, three female back up singers and one funky ass white boy singing lead, they can do no wrong. They kind of remind me of this group from one of my favorite '90s movies, The Commitments. Anyone else remember that one? With the those cool Irish dudes?

After stuffing your big ass with turkey all day and watching the Cowboys barely beat the Raiders, you will need to work off everything you ate. There is no better way to do that then heading down to Momo's Thursday night on 618 W. 6th St. You'll see it right by Katz's Deli for those of you who may need a land mark to reference. Also playing at Momo's Thursday will be Brett Randell at 8:00pm and Blues Mafia at 10:00pm. T Bird and The Breaks go on at midnight. By then you should be tipsy or stupid drunk, so T Bird will sound even better than they all ready do. I'm telling you, they are a great party band even your momma will like. Check out their latest single here and listen for yourself:



For more on T Bird and The Breaks, visit the following links:

T Bird and The Breaks official website

T Bird and The Breaks on MySpace

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Interview: Kinky for 10 minutes on Austin Vida

Me with Ulises Lozano (keyboards) from Kinky

 Over the past decade, the Latin alternative genre has grown by leaps and bounds. The music is more diverse and more modern in comparison to its rock en español roots of the '80s and early '90s. The Monterrey, Mexico, music scene is responsible for a large part of that growth and evolvement. Monterrey's own Latin alternative headliners (all-stars, maybe), Kinky, are a large part of that growth and the genre's success. Having conquered the Monterrey club scene early on, the quintet's worldwide fan base has only grown. Having released what may be their best album in spring of 2009, Barracuda, their stock will only continue to rise.

Unfortunately, Kinky was not able to play a show here in Austin this year. In order to see one of the greatest Latin alternative acts on the scene, Austin Vida had to travel up Interstate-35 to catch them at the House of Blues in Dallas. Before their set, we got to speak with Ulises Lozano (keyboards) for 10 minutes to chat about Barracuda, soccer, video games and what's coming up in 2010 for the Monterrey rockers.

Pictures from the show in Dallas by Austin Vida photo editor, Mari Hernandez:

Click here to read the interview with Ulises Lozano and check out our exclusive live video from the show:

Kinky for 10 Minutes

We're finally doing it! Our first Austin Vida Showcase!

That's right! After a year of working our asses off to make Austin Vida what is today, we're throwing a party to celebrate. We hooked up with local Latin music experts, Conexion Rockera, to bring you some of the best from Austin's Latin music scene. I couldn't be happier with the line up we were able to put together for this one. Everyone of these artists will have people dancing and partying all night long. You're all invited if you're over 21. We don't do this often, but when we do, we plan on doing it big and doing it right. Here's some info about the performing artists.

Maneja Beto:

Maneja Beto is one of my personal favorites. Why these dudes never got picked up by a major label is beyond me. No one sounds like them. I can't really compare them to anyone you'd know other than maybe telling you they are sort of this unique hybrid or fusion band along the same lines as Cafe Tacvba or Aterciopelados. The genre they kind of go by and I use also is indie en Espanol. They fuse Brit-pop, indie, jazz, traditional Latin percussion, cumbias and  lately some funk even. They recently released their latest single, "Ofrendas", and plan on releasing one single per month. I'll make sure to keep you posted. I'm stoked they agreed to headline our showcase, as they represent the standard in Latin Alternative coming from Austin.

El Tule:


El Tule has been playing in Austin for around six years or so now, and now is the time to see them live. I don't think I wold have said that two years ago. I am not saying that to BS anyone, but they've gotten so much better live this past year. I am not sure what it is attributed to, but I think it is because they picked up the tempo and ditched the whole Latin reggae thing. When I saw them at Xemumba Fest in October, I was shocked and impressed. Their new album, Volumen II, was just released last week.

Did I mention that these dudes are mostly white dudes? Including the lead singer? You'd have a hard time finding someone more Mexicano that John Dell. His border Spanish is better than your high school Spanish II level education. He gets down too, trust me. He can have my brown card anytime. Like Asher Roth, Eminem or even Channing Tatum, he too proves being white is no longer an excuse not to get down. If only there were more people like you John Dell...

Este Vato:



Este Vato, translated "this dude', is one of the best new up and comers in the Austin music scene. I swear they came out of no where. I didn't even knew they existed last year. I first saw them at Trophy's in February. I remember my friends and Austin Vida crew members, Angela and Mari, went with me that night. We were all surprised that Este Vato were as good as they were. We expected worse to be honest. Is that fair to say? Probably not, but I'm just being honest with you here.

When Chano came took the mic and started rapping, I was like "aawwww shit!". He sure did. They play with a live DJ, drawing comparisons to Ozomatli or being called a young Ozomatli. I wouldn't go that far yet, but the potential is certainly there if these young vatos keep at it. I dig their cumbia stylings and overall swag.With their debut album in the works, expect big things for Este Vato in 2010.  More importantly, I expect to
 be getting down with Este Vato on December 19th at The Beauty Bar.

DJ Chorizo Funk:



The showcase starts at 9:00pm with DJ Chorizo Funk (love that name!) spinning to get the party started. With a name like that, you know he's a bad ass. He has to be. I have to also give "kudos" to The Beauty Bar for letting us put on an all Latino showcase. Usually bands like Este Vato and Maneja Beto have to play with non-Latin bands in order to play a show there. Maybe it is because that is how the individual promoter has been booking shows with those artists, I don't know. Either way, it has been a long time since I remember seeing  an all local Latino band showcase there. I hope to see you all there. All are welcome. It's only $5 to get in if you're 21 or older. Feel free to send me an email with any questions. Thanks for all your support, for reading my blog, Double Stereo and Austin Vida.

Album Review: 'Coconut Rock' by Ocote Soul Sounds

Ocote Soul Sounds is the combined musical genius of Adrian Quesada and Martin Perna. Both come from big bands, as in bands with lots of members and popularity, while coming from different worlds. Many of you may have seen them live recently with their friends, Thievery Corporation. They’ve played with some of the biggest names and most talented of musicians known and less known. With Coconut Rock, Ocote’s third release, they may have created something unique that holds its own that will make people forget about all of that.

Click here to read the full review on Double Stereo