Field Music in Austin at Emo's 9/29/2010

There are a lot of touring shows coming to Austin this fall. One of those shows I'm looking forward to is Field Music. They're playing at Emo's on Wed, Sept 29th. I first heard of them in 2006 and became an instant fan. The core of Field Music are songwriters and brothers, David and Peter Brewis. They've been touring this year in support of their 2010 release, Measure. I've only seen Field Music once before and I could barely see and hear them through a sea of people under a tent during SXSW 2007. David and Peter Brewis were also at SXSW in 2009 with one of their side projects, The Week That Was. I'm a fan because I'm completely charmed by their brotherly harmonies and their ability to transform their influences into something fresh and original yet familiar. The tracks "Them That Do Nothing" and "Let's Write A Book" are 2 of the highlights (and videos) from the Measure album. If you're charmed as I am by the Brewis brothers, I highly recommend seeing them at Emo's for a rare appearance in Austin.

Friday Night Alright : Superpop! and Bleu French Laundry Presents

On Fri Sept 24th, I'm presenting a showcase of Austin bands (and one band from Houston) under my blog name (Superpop !) along with Jennifer Marchand of Bleu French Laundry Productions. Earlier this summer, she approached me about inviting some of my favorite local bands to play at Ruta Maya Coffeehouse. It sounded like a fun challenge. It was a bit stressful trying to find bands that were available on that date but I'm looking forward to hearing how it all turns out at the new back bar at Ruta Maya.
My taste leans more towards melodic and pop sounds and Jennifer Marchand's taste is more brazenly rock (or should I say ROCK !). I've recently became a fan of She Sir and I admit I'm such a sucker for dreamy vocals and jangly, yet fuzzy guitar sounds. They're not just for bedroom listening ; their live sound packs more of a punch that you might anticipate. Ideal Soul Mart are proof that you don't need a lot of fuss to create memorable pop songs. They're only a two-piece band, switching off instruments, and often playing multiple instruments at the same time. The result is a surprisingly big, full sound. I've heard of Tiger Thrust through my friend, Misti Watkins, who is also the drummer. She formed the band with her friend, Ben Fleming. But I haven't had a chance to see them yet so I'm looking forward to hearing their new project.
The lineup is completed with the addition of The Vitamins and Sex Dragon who are bringing the ROCK so don't forget your earplugs.


The Vitamins (w/ Erik & Jamey of Tia Carrera) : http://www.myspace.com/thevitaminsatx
She Sir : http://www.myspace.com/shesir
Tiger Thrust : http://www.myspace.com/tigerthrustrocks
Sex Dragon : http://www.myspace.com/sexdragonrocks
Ideal Soul Mart : http://www.myspace.com/idealsoulmart

$6, $5 if you bring 2 friends

8pm doors
9:15pm TIGER THRUST (30 min)
10pm SHE SIR (45 min)
11pm THE VITAMINS (45 min)
12midnight SEX DRAGON (45 min)
1am IDEAL SOUL MART (45 min)

Rabbits and Pirates

One of the things I enjoyed watching and listening to this week is a live set in San Francisco from Scottish band, Frightened Rabbit. They've developed a steady, growing following for their passionate, emotional performances over the past 2 years in the U.S. It's not all sadness and melancholy as this relaxed set highlights the band's sense of humor especially from frontman, Scott Hutchison. The band will be returning to the states for some tour dates this fall. I'm already excited for their set at Stubb's Amphitheater in Austin on October 20th. It may seem trite or dorky but Frightened Rabbit is also a band I've enjoyed meeting ; they're a really nice and funny bunch of guys.

You can watch Frightened Rabbit's performance here : http://revision3.com/frightenedrabbit



Another thing I've enjoyed listening to this week is a set of demos from my current favorite British band, Pete and the Pirates. I'm not sure how to articulate why I like them without going into embarrassing gushing fangirl mode. All of the members are songwriters with different musical tastes which results in a cohesive yet diverse sound without being too over the place. In the "Precious Tones" EP, you have the punk flavored, Selina, followed by harmony laden, Blood From A Stone, soothing melodies in My Sun Hat, and ending with the melodic, multilayered plea of Where Did You Go.

http://petethepirates.bandcamp.com/album/precious-tones-demos

International Waters/TV Torso/STUNTS at Emo's 8/18/2010

This is a weeknight local lineup worth checking out because International Waters and TV Torso will be celebrating their new vinyl releases. International Waters have a new 10" for the tracks Olympia/Cycle of the Chain. TV Torso have a new 12" titled Status Quo Vadis. Opening the show is new shoegaze pop band, STUNTS. If the sound of jangly, sparkling and often fuzzy guitars makes you swoon, then this is the local bill for you.

http://do512.com/event/2010/08/18/tv-torso-with-international-waters

International Waters : http://www.internationalwaters.net/

TV Torso : http://tvtorso.bandcamp.com/album/status-quo-vadis

STUNTS : http://stunts.bandcamp.com/

Girls and Boys In The Garage

I haven't heard Agent Ribbons entire album, Chateau Crone, yet but their tune "I'm Alright" has me hooked. The guitar riff has the gritty jangle reminiscent of 60s garage rock combined with girl group harmonies. A pretty sweet combination indeed.

http://six-by-nine.org/muruch/agentribbons-imalright.mp3

You can check them out in Austin TX on Fri, July 30th at the Continental Club as part of Lucy The Poodle's Summer Dance Party. Additional 1960's girl group sounds will be supplied by The Carrots. They're one of those local bands I've heard about for a few years but I've always missed the opportunities to see them.

The boys will also get their turn to show their stuff courtesy of the R & B/soul infused rock of The Hi-Tones and the British Invasion swagger of English Teeth.

4 bands for $8 on a Friday night at the legendary Continental Club sounds like a great way to kick off a summer weekend and support your local music scene.

http://do512.com/event/2010/07/30/lucy-the-poodle-presents-a-summer-dance-party-celebrating-the-hi-tones-ep-release-w-the-carrots-agent-ribbons-and-more

The Real Heroes

I was excited to say the least to see that The Real Heroes are playing this week. They don't play very often due to other commitments so to see them is a real treat. They are a seriously fun rock band -- it's pop, punk, glam, and rock all rolled in one complete package. They know how to perform and you know that they're having just as much fun onstage as you are watching (and hopefully dancing to) them.
They're playing this Wed, July 14th at 10 pm, at Antone's as part of Antone's 35th Anniversary celebrations. Other bands on this bill include Johnny Goudie with Spencer Gibb (8 pm), Shane Bartell (9 pm) who is returning to performing after 2 years), and Cover Girl (11 pm). You never know when there will be another Real Heroes gig so catch them this week if you can.

You can RSVP for this show at do512.com for $5 cover and the chance to win free tickets :

Quick update

This blog is a work in progress. I'm still trying to figure out what content to include, how it should look, etc. A bit of challenge considering I'm not very tech-savvy and my home computer is 7 years old. But in the meantime, I've added a link to my Flickr page where you can view my growing collection of gig/concert photos. I've also added a banner which was created by my friend, Matt Parmenter, who does graphic design through his business, Ice Cream Factory Studio (http://www.icecreamfactorystudio.com http://www.facebook.com/icecreamfactorystudio).