The music world returns to austin

In March the music world returns to Austin. Everyones attempted shot at "making it big" and getting the "record deal of a lifetime". Local bands, national bands, and even bands from around the world, throw the caution to the wind to via for that golden ring. Whether you believe the shot at glory and the record deal is worth it or all that is cracked up to be, the music world will descend on us.

The glory of this, being a music lover and fan of the live music scene here in Austin, is you get to experience so many different types of music and performances from all over. I thrill at this event as you should too. You don't need badges or wristbands to experience all the spring break glory of music in Austin during the second and third weeks in Austin. Downtown, East side, Southside you simply have to take the time and stroll around. Discover something new. This is the point of this post... ways to just go do it.
You can look up events at The Austin Chronicle and Do512. This is how I will primarily find my adventures and journeys. You can also follow some of your favorite local bands, go to their shows and you will invariably find and discover someone new.

Here are a few recommendations for out of town bands. These are bands I have seen in the past that should be making a return to Austin during this illustrious time of year. Bands worthy of your time and attention.

Sarah Shook and The Disarmers (http://www.disarmers.com/) - The female re incarnation of Johnny Cash. All of the attitude, a great voice and an amazing band backing her up. A sound and style that refuses a label. It's not rock, it's not country, it is just simply great. I saw Sarah Shook and the Disarmers at a Rachael Ray event last year, 2017. It was a spectacular performance. I looked them up and coincidentally they will be in Houston during that special time here, so I expect and hope Austin will get the pleasure of there re appearance again this year.

The Revenge Wedding (https://www.facebook.com/therevengewedding/). I will proudly say this was my "Holy Shit" moment of the whole week 2017. This band plays the type of music that would scare the shit outta your grandma. It's not your daddy's type of rock and roll either. For The Revenge Wedding it's not just about the music it is all about the performance also. At the show I experienced, some knucklehead in the crowd thought it would be funny to heckle the band...stupid idea. The lead guitarist wasn't shy and verbally laid into this guy, it was great! Oh, and don't try to defend your idiot friend wearing deck shoes without socks either, just as dumb. I am really happy to say they will be back here in Austin for the week of music 2018. Look them up, figure out where they will be at and go. I will see you there for damn sure.

Funk Shui Planet (https://www.funkshuiplanet.com/) If the previous review was about my Holy shit moment, this was definitely the "What the Fuck!" moment. I was at another event, and took a break to stroll around downtown Austin to see what else I could find, and there they were. Funk Shui Planet just chilling in a parking lot. I do believe they were supporting a skateboard company, Jelly. With their brand of funk and laid back rock, it is just an awesome style of groove and chill type music. This performance is the epitome of what you can find and discover during music week in Austin, Texas. No badges, just a good pair of shoes and the willingness to explore. All the great stuff has always been free.

Last, and certainly not least, was October Roar (https://www.facebook.com/OctoberRoar/). This is a Texas band I experienced on my Birthday right in the middle of it all! A metal band with all the attitude and a sense of humor about themselves to have you raising your beer, shaking your fist, and cheering at the top of your lungs. October Roar was great fun, and because it wasn't an official showcase it was so easy to enjoy their performance and still say 'Hi" after they were done. I suspect they will be here this year so look them up and enjoy.

There were so many more bands I got to see and enjoy. I hope you take the time out to make the most our of this special week yourself. Plenty of local talent to be seen and enjoy, but these are my picks I look forward to returning back to Austin.

If you have some of your favorite discoveries and are expecting them to return this year. Email me and let me know. I would love to start building my itinerary now.

Laters 

When the Tour stops here

The spotlight shines!

Krizz Kaliko, from StrangeMusic, stopped here in Austin supporting his recent release. The show was at the Flamingo Cantina. I was stunned at the tour stop location as I had seen Krizz not that long ago with a label mate at a much bigger venue. Well, I am glad I was stunned, as this worked out perfect for this tour stop.

On the local side of the ticket was local bad ass hustlers SSB - SuperSmash Bros, performance genius Vondoom, and the man with the hands Ndeo - The Blindsider. This first part of the night hit like a heavyweight boxer...3 straight to the head.

All 3 of these local acts have very different music and rhyme styles, which is excellent for the entertainment value of your ticket. Outside of this fact, the rhymes are all strikingly similar, with their deep stories and well thought out ideas. The back and forth of SSB, the single man onstage with the deep connection to the streets in Ndeo, and the man who had the MC of the tour exclaiming over and over "That was not just rap. That was fucking ART!" in Vondoom.

All 3 of these acts can be seen on a pretty regular basis in Austin. Doing local shows with other  local performers or warming up the stage for a touring act, SSB, NDEO, and VONDOOM. Take advantage OR take a moment and go check out one of these 3 groups, OR any other number of local performers and help keep our local music scene alive and vibrant in Austin, Texas.

As for the touring acts on this night here we go.  

Neema was the MC, host, and a performer of the tour. His set was shared with some other performers making it interesting and fast paced set. He earned  much respect from me for doing it all. He was even kind enough to shake hands  me and my son after the show and gave my son a CD. It was his birthday present from me to take him to see Krizz Kaliko, and that happened. It was a very cool moment.

Izzy Dunfore was another touring performer. You know him, he's 'the rapper with his microphone that looks like a gun.' Although his set and the premise behind his performance seemed a little hokey, but you know what, that shit stuck in my head. I remember him, his style, and his expressions. It was actually a pretty smart set! The dude is a genius.

















TZK was the next part of the touring set. I loved this guys style of rhyme as it very much reminded my of the Juggalo family. Along with Slo Pain, these two sets were pure Whoop Whoop! If you know, then you know.

Krizz Kaliko, now that man put on a show! The music was old stuff, new stuff, and even some of the shared stuff he wrote for his label mates at Strangemusic. Krizz Kaliko can sing his ass off and was a dancing machine as well. Leaving this evening with my son brought me a new appreciation for the Strangemusic family, and made a fan out of me for Krizz Kaliko!

This whole evening was some good shit as an overall performance for the evening, and of course, kicked ass with the local performers turning up the heat to start it off.



Laters

Twas not sad at all

Emo Nite seemed more like a giant High School graduation party for ages 21 and up! 

Held at Come and Take It Live, Emo Nite was no doubt a roaring success! The venue was packed! 

Come and Take it Live is probably the hottest "New" venue in Austin. Although it has had many incarnations prior to this one... think Dr. Who type transformations, it appears to have found it's home and niche with owners and long time friends Ben D. and Anthony S. There is no stopping a venue this big and bold. Located on Riverside Dr. just a few blocks East of IH 35, with the big, red and white neon sign on the front corner, just daring you to 'Come and Take It'. Come and Take It Live can play host to every kind of music genre. From Metal and Hip Hop live acts to a DJ set of Emo music, it is certainly equipped.

From the interesting and almost museum like entry rail - paying tribute to Texas' colorful history, you turn right into a large oval shaped bar. From there the options are traveling up to a second and possibly third level (if open - but not on this night only - it was VIP photographers only) to your left or the main stage to the far back corner. 

So, because there was no live band it will be a short review of the general vibe on this particular night. It was crazy exciting and electric. With the crowd primarily in the younger and mid-twenties there was not a shortage of wide eyed energy in the place. The music at first was just your typical crappy radio rap music, but then just before 10pm the first first song dropped. It was chaos. Everyone started screaming and yelling, and all at once the entire place erupted in a giant sing along. It stayed like that until I left at about 1am.

I was drawn to this event because I know the owners and I received a FB invite from a local band - Forever Starts Today, the beautiful and amazing lead singer Christina Murphy was going to be doing a guest DJ set. She did. I got photos. And the event as a whole seemed to be a tremendous success as proof from the photos. 

With no shame I can say I can't wait for this to happen again so I can get my 21 yr old daughter to go - This is right up her alley!

Laters

2017 Year in review

Another year, as I look back, which has surprised me. Although I may not have made as many posts as I would have liked to do, there were still a lot of shows I attended and new places discovered. So let me summarize and then give a little more insight.

Shows attended - 52
New Venues (places I stepped into the very first time for a show) - 20 
New local bands (bands I experienced for the first time) - 43 bands

Total number of bands seen - 105 (this does not include some of the locals I saw more than once).

Speaking of locals more than once Cody Bryan Band and the Michael Dillard Band take the honors for the bands I have spent the most time with. Click on their names to go to their respective pages. Check them out, go to a show, buy their music.

From 3Ten@ACL to Zilker Hillside Theater, there were definitely some fun, great new places I went to and experienced. In the heart of Austin's Entertainment District there was the Bat Bar, Hotel Vegas, and The Liberty. I really love the vibe and set of of The Liberty. Inside has the bar to the right of the main entrance. Keep to the left and there is the stage side, which has a really weird set up - you walk right in front of the stage (which is on a lower lever) and then up to the seating area. Outback is an amazing little seating area with a food trailer and some good grub!

Attending The Austin Hip Hop Awards was a highlight and an amazing way to start 2017. In addition I was lucky enough to go to CD release and listening parties for Super Smash Brothers (SSB), Vondoom, Big Don, Black Heart Saints, MC Overlord, XII, and Cody Bryan Band. Click on any of the names to go to their page to order some music.

Once again I attended shows for Rap, Texas Country, Rock, Metal, Blues, and a little Funk Shui Planet (one of my favorites from SXSW 2017 - in a parking lot completely Funking up the place. They were great, but they are from California so you will have to look them up.

Overall, it was another great year for the live music scene in Austin and a good year for Live Music in Austin. Thanks for peeking in on me.

2018 is shaping up to be a blast again as it is just the 18th of January and I am 3 shows in with a national touring show under my belt.

Laters