Thursday, May 31, 2007
I am the queen of the secondhand "great idea"—I always come across simple, fantastic ideas that I can't believe I didn't think of first. The "Austin Unsigned: Austin's Best Kept Secrets" cd series is a great example of those forehead-slapping moments.
The series' first disc harbors ten varied tracks from local musicians like Blake and Fallon, Topher Williams and Dave Madden. One of my favorite local groups that I've mentioned on this blog before, Meridianwest, also graces the album. (And not only that, they were also chosen as one of the seven bands to watch in 2007 by Austin Monthly magazine AND they've been asked to open for Dave Matthews Band this summer.)
The plight of Austin Complications and this disc specifically is pretty obvious—to get talented Austin musicians some much-deserved attention and help pave the way toward a record label contract. And as icing on the proverbial cake, participating artists do receive earnings from the sale of these discs.
Listen to snippets of Austin's most promising artists here before picking up your copy of Volume I.
Angry times call for aggressive rock in the form of bands like Queens of the Stone Age, Nine Inch Nails and White Zombie. It really doesn't matter what they might actually be referring to in the lyrics, it's all about the power behind the music.
QOTSA have a new album on the horizon, one called "Era Vulgaris," due out June 12. A couple of tracks can be found online, one being "Turning on the Screw," a methodical, drum-heavy rock tune that's already creating quite a buzz. If it accurately represents the remainder of the new work, fans should be sufficiently satisfied.
The group is spending the first half of the summer touring Europe before coming back to the States just in time to headline the Austin City Limits Festival.
Extra: Here's an insider look at the making of "Era Vulgaris."
Mp3: "Turning on the Screw"
Posted by
Tara on 05/31 at 06:51 PM
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Perry Farrell, best known as the frontman for iconic alt-rock act Jane's Addiction, has spent the past three years putting together "Ultra Payloaded," the debut album from his new musical project, Satellite Party.
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Jon on 05/31 at 03:46 PM
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Thursday, May 31, 2007
I've been eagerly anticipating the arrival of Teddy Thompson's new album which I just found out is titled "Upfront & Down Low." I've spun his early 2006 release, "Separate Ways," constantly, largely because it holds some of my favorite tunes, including "Shine So Bright" and "I Should Get Up." His usually downtrodden lyrics mesh perfectly with a slightly raspy but melodic voice that often gets stuck in my head.
Continue reading "Teddy Thompson’s back"
I don't even know how I came to know of this mellow Dublin band—I'm pretty sure it was in my usual way of picking up an album based on the cover art and giving it a listen. That's a pretty decent way of finding new music I've found.
In late February, the prolific rock group released "The Cost," their eighth studio album of their 17-year career.
Continue reading "The Frames: The Cost & Once"
Posted by
Tara on 05/31 at 03:49 PM
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Being from the center of the bible belt, the apex of tornado alley, the part of the country deemed the "Heartland," I think it's probably expected of me to enjoy state fairs. It's in native Oklahomans' blood. But my giddy affinity for carnival food, bizarre sights and totally unsafe rides might be over the top to some.
In any case, you can only imagine the grin that developed immediately when I heard that the Counting Crows, only my very favorite rock band to inundate the airwaves with cryptic, poppy numbers in the 1990s, are embarking on a Ballpark/State Fair tour.
Continue reading "Counting Crows on Tour"
Posted by
Tara on 05/31 at 02:36 PM
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Venus Hum is one of the few experimental/electro/indie rock groups I really like to listen to. My discovery of their quirky music is exactly what makes SXSW important—I somehow wandered into their 2000 show and have kept up with them ever since.
Continue reading "Venus Hum EP : Surgery in the Sky"
Posted by
Tara on 05/31 at 12:55 PM
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Ruthie Foster
More free outdoor music for Austin fans—this one's known as Blues on the Green, smack dab in the center of Zilker Park at Rock Island. Sponsored by locals' favorite radio station KGSR, these summer shows occur every other Wednesday evening from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. This series, unlike the earlier mentioned Unplugged at the Grove, runs for only a couple months, from mid-June to the end of August. This year's schedule includes some of Austin's elite, including soul songstress Ruthie Foster (6/13,) the bluesy Storyville (7/11) and rock stars Ian McLagan and the Bump Band (6/27.)
Continue reading "Blues on the Green"
Posted by
Tara on 05/31 at 08:07 AM
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Wednesday, May 30, 2007
His voice is deep, stern and strong, reminiscent of some of country's founding fathers. He sings of tough times, truckin' and heartache. Dale Watson just released a new album, "From the Cradle to the Grave," on Hyena Records. The first single, "Justice for All," is already a hit on CMT with the ominous black and white video topping the charts as well. Several who've heard the entire album rave that it's his best yet, and considering his extensive discography, that's saying a lot.
Continue reading "Dale Watson"
Posted by
Dodge on 05/30 at 11:22 AM
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Dodge on 05/30 at 07:40 AM
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Dodge on 05/30 at 07:35 AM
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Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Guy Forsyth is a musical force to be reckoned with. His artistic bloodline runs deep here in Austin - he's not only the leader of his own band, but was also an integral part of the Asylum Street Spankers. And when he's not headlining, he's usually sitting in with other local musicians. He's a blues prodigy and an amazing contributor to Americana, folk and good old fashion rock & roll.
Continue reading "Austin’s Guy Forsyth"
