Dec 15 2011

My Year In Live Music – 2011

Compared to my first year as an Austin resident, I took it pretty easy this year. I suppose the combination of budgeting, starting grad school, and just generally growing old has slowed me down a bit, but I still saw some cool shows. And with M83, Radiohead, Drake, and Born Gold all coming in the first half of 2012, looks like I’ll be getting a head start on this list for next year. In the meantime, here are some highlights, at least ones I could remember, from 2011.

Hooray For Earth @ Emo’s Inside – 10/1

I believe this was the last show I saw at Emo’s Inside (I remember seeing Twin Shadow around ACL time on the outside stage just before they shut it down), and I’ve yet to see a show at the new locale on East Riverside. I had been dying to witness Hooray For Earth for many many months, and finally seeing them rock out was rewarding, as was a nice conversation with the lead singer afterwards.

Deftones @ Austin Music Hall – 6/4

Call it making up for lost time; I’m not a huge fan of AMH – actually, I hate it quite a bit, but I’m never missing a Deftones show. I finally saw them for the first time last year, and as long as these guys make it to Austin, I’ll be going. The crowd was awful, as was the case last time, but Deftones more than make up for all the teenage rudeness.

Bill Maher @ ACL Live – 3/26

Not a music show, but man was it hilarious. My second show in the ACL Live venue, and Bill proved he loves Austin. The crowd was mostly receptive, but I did get some looks for applauding loudly at the atheist jokes. Do people know who they came to see?

Robyn @ ACL Live – 2/17

Robyn is incredible, see her live the first chance you get. High energy, tons of dancing, great acoustics, great venue. The crowd up front was crazy annoying, especially during Diamond Rings, but what are ya gonna do?

Sleigh Bells @ The Glass House – Pomona, CA – 4/13

The Glass House is a weird little venue; I honestly had no idea how far Pomona was from West Hollywood, but we drove a long way to see this awesome awesome show. It was all ages, no alcohol. Not that I had a lot of cash anyway. Sleigh Bells killed, as is the routine.

The Go! Team @ Echoplex – Los Angeles, CA – 4/19

The Echoplex was closer, but it felt like a shady neighborhood. The venue, however, is pretty damn awesome, and the Go! Team were just as fun as I could have imagined. Hopefully these guys make a new album, because I’m betting they’ll make a stop here in Austin if they do.

Primus @ Stubb’s – 5/24

It’s so great to have these guys back and playing new stuff. Have I said that lately? Great show in one of the best venues in town, and we met Les (again!) and got a pic with him afterwards. Swell fella!

Dwight Yoakam @ ACL Live – 7/21

Another strong showing from the hillbilly king, this time at a venue within walking distance. Now if he would just get back in the studio!

Austin Psych Fest @ Seaholm Power Plant – 4/30-5/1

I really had no idea what to expect, but this ended up being a pleasant surprise. I got sufficiently drunk and listened to some crazy great psych music from all around the world, in the most appropriately creepy place to see a show in Austin, the echo-riffic Seaholm. Capping off the fest with Roky Erikson providing the soundtrack to the news of bin Laden’s death is a memory I will never forget.

Fun Fun Fun Fest @ Auditorium Shores – 11/4-6

I was a bit concerned for the future of my beloved FFF when they announced they were moving to the Shores, but in hindsight I feel ashamed for not having faith in the Transmission crew. Not only was this the best lineup I’ve ever seen in the fest’s six-year history, but the change of venue actually improved the overall experience. Great vendors, great music, not too crowded….best music experience of 2011, hands down.

SXSW 2011 – Spring Break and Beyond

The best week of the year did not disappoint, though this year I focused a lot of energy on getting into shows I didn’t think I would be able to get into. There’s certainly an extra feeling of reward when you’re granted access to an exclusive party with A-list bands and free food and booze. My personal highlights were the Zynga party (flyer above) and catching Queens of the Stone Age at La Zona Rosa. Another great free party showing as well this past year, especially Mess With Texas, which never disappoints. Saw the Strokes at the Shores, too, which was great. While 2010 might be remembered as the year of mini-riots and ridiculous overcrowding, for me it was just a regular old SXSW, fun, booze, catching up with old friends, and seeing some great music.


Mar 19 2011

Culture Greyhound Podcast 3/19/11 – SXSW Edition Part 2

This week the second of a two-part series dedicated to SXSW 2011

Playlist:

Dominique Young Unique – What About Me?
Tennis – Marathon
Baths – Maximalist
Sharon Van Etten – Don’t Do It
DOM – Living In America
Thrift Store Cowboys – Silence Depends On the Dose


Mar 14 2011

SXSW 2011 Picks – Multi-Day Parties

This is the third and final post for my picks for SXSW 2011. Today I’m looking over the parties that span many days and feature a slew of bands and musicians.

Other Music Lawn Party – Thurs-Fri

Paste Austin Party – Wed-Thurs (RSVP)

SXSW Texas Style Death Match – Wed-Sat

Fader Fort by Fiat – Wed-Sat (RSVP)

Austin Imposition II – Wed-Sat (RSVP)

Continue reading


Mar 12 2011

Culture Greyhound Podcast 3/12/11 – SXSW Edition Part 1

This week the first of a two-part series dedicated to SXSW 2011.

Playlist:

The Diamond Center – Dos Fridas
Hooray For Earth – True Loves
Cloud Nothings – Morgan
Twin Shadow – I Can’t Wait
Yuck – Shook Down


Mar 11 2011

SXSW 2011 Picks – Music Portion

Ok, this is when it gets crazy. Today I’m going through the Music portion of SXSW 2011, which happens Wednesday, March 16 – Saturday, March 19.  Keep in mind there’s always gonna be pop-up shows and last-minute party announcements like every year, so follow me on Twitter and I’ll try to keep everyone abreast of anything awesome.  Also: on Monday I will post my picks for multi-day parties, like Fader Fort, Waterloo Parking Lot Shows, etc. so look forward to that. Today’s list only includes my picks for single-day parties.

Wednesday, March 16

Eat Your Own Ears/Austinist/Windish Day Party @ Mohawk – Free

By far the best lineup of the day – Cloud Nothings, Twin Shadow, Givers, Royal Bangs. Awesome.

Honorable Mentions

Altered Zones @ SXSW

Bella Union x Yours Truly @ SXSW

Brooklyn Vs. the Bay – RSVP

eMusic @ SXSW

Terrorbird Media/Force Field PR Day Party at Red 7

Amanda Shires @ G & S Lounge (Outdoors) 2420 S 1st St. – 2 pm

Queens of the Stone Age @ Rolling Stone Showcase at LZR – If you don’t have a badge, it’s likely you’re not getting in.  But best of luck to ya!

Continue reading


Mar 10 2011

SXSW 2011 Picks – Interactive Portion

Today is Part 1 of my picks for shows/parties at SXSW 2011.  Today, I’m covering my picks happening during the Interactive portion of this year, from Saturday, March 12 to Tuesday, March 15.  I couldn’t find anything crazy awesome for Friday, March 11 that wasn’t “badgeholders only” or “sold out,” so if you know of something, get at me! Much obliged! Let the party begin!

Saturday – March 12

Okay, first up is the Mogwee Party, which you need to RSVP to here, which is happening at the world-famous Mohawk.  Not the best lineup, IMO, but it’s something to get me into the SXSW groove, and I wouldn’t mind seeing Washed Out and Black Joe Lewis again.

Rest of the dates through Tuesday after the jump.

Continue reading


Mar 7 2011

Recommended Reading – SXSW

SXSW Pro-Tips – Last-Minute Considerations (AV Club Austin)

20 Tips For Surviving and Thriving SXSWi (Wired)

Anticipating SXSW 2011 (The Horn)

10 SXSW Tip Posts Worth Reading (and a funny video worth watching) (CenterNetworks)


Mar 3 2011

21 Bands To See @ SXSW 2011

Spring break is upon us, and with it the finest week of the year, SXSW.  As is customary, my friends and I are gonna RAGE and make like Andrew W.K. and PARTY HARD and all that good stuff.  New parties and showcases are being announced every day, and next week I hope to have a list of my picks for ones to check out.  In the meantime, however, after the jump is a list of bands I am hoping to see this year while meandering around downtown Austin, and you should try your damndest to see them as well.

Continue reading


Feb 10 2011

Currently Digging: The Strokes – Under Cover of Darkness

This leaked yesterday, and I’ve been blaring it nonstop. It sounds like old Strokes, so nothing revolutionary, but since when is sounding like old Strokes a bad thing? Angles drops March 22 here in the States on RCA, and it’s all but been confirmed they could stop in Austin for SXSW. Get psyched!

Graab the mp3 here.


Dec 15 2010

My Year In Live Music – 2010

This year I made the big move from Lubbock to Austin, and the transformation has done wonders for my live music fix.  I should have been writing down all the awesome bands I saw this year (and the years before, for that matter) but alas, hindsight, she is 20/20 once again.  I think this post covers the highlights more or less, however.  There’s plenty of great live music I saw this year that I’m leaving out, but after the jump, in no particular order, are twelve of the best shows I witnessed in 2010, eleven of them right here in the Live Music Capital of the World.

And for the record, I wanted to put the Sleigh Bells show on here, as fun as it was once they finally started playing, but everyone who attended knows Beauty Bar is at fault for that show’s omission.  What a disaster.

Continue reading