Big Time fun

The last blog post of the year. Although I really didn't quite hit the circuit like I wanted or feel like I should have, let me end the year like this! At the One-2-One. With two amazing, Bad Ass bands. 

So let me refresh you. The One-2-One is on S. Lamar, Austin, Tx. Just 2 minutes from downtown. Free parking. Great sound. Why have you not gone after all these years of my writing about this place? Walk in the doors and you are greated by a very large stage directly opposite the door. The bar is to your right and extends half the length of the venue. It still has the best damn sound for a small venue in Austin!

A quick word, if that is possible for me to do, about 80H Project. These guys finished this night out with amazing music, laughs, family in the house, and friends onstage. 80H project is the brainchild of the one and ONLY Ady Hernandez. One of the most solid musicians, guitar players, vocalists, and harmonizing bands leaders in Austin... and we wish him well on his upcoming comedy career!  

Joining him onstage and making this project stellar, is an amazing line up of talent that are all spectacular on their own, but here... mind blown! 

80H Project is a fusion of Latin rock and music for the soul. About half way through the set 80 H was joined by one of the most multi talented, make you want to quit music, musicians Austin has the pleasure to call a son if the city, Kevin Flatt. Fresh off the road from Arlington, Kevin jumped up onstage to make the sound more than complete. 

Keep your eyes on the calendar and catch the 80 H Project for the few times they make appearances here or even in Nashville.

And now for the Big Time words, specifically Hector Ward and The Big Time. WTF! Although I have actually hung out with Hector on several occasions at a few different bars.... this was, shamefully, the first time I got the Big Time experience. What an experience it was! I sat and watched as Hector pretty much played the guitar without a pick. Just hand strumming the shit outta that guitar. Damn fine soun, and what a great voice. He was backed with a stellar horn section and spot on rhythm section. His rock/Latin fusion sound carried through your earholes, into your brain, and made your ass and feet move. 

It was great music, performed with smiles on stage and a vibe anyone could appreciate. This isn't a - back ground musical performance - from some band that is playing - while you have cocktails with friends, kind of band. Hector Ward and the Big Time demands your attention. The stories he tells in his music is worth every ounce of your attention. Best of all, just get up and dance. Dance like no one is watching, dance like you care about the music. But most of all, enjoy Hector Ward and the Big Times music. 

Happily I reported this to my wife when I got home. Explaining to her there was still tons of life and amazing music in the Austin music scene. And our new journeys, starting the new year, new decade should begin with Hector Ward and The Big Time.

I'll see you there! 

Laters 

The Real Sim

Well that is a little odd. I mean, if it was the fake sim then it would be a sim - ulator....just saying.

Lucky me. I have this music blog which allows me to share my musical journeys and opinions with the world. All with the hopes of someone reading about a band and then going to a show. I have also been running a livestream for a year (as of the writing of this blog). The show is called Three Beers and a Whiskey available on YouTube here https://www.youtube.com/threebeersandawhiskey , check it out. Besides the shameless self promotion, it has a point in this blog post about the music and performance of Sim Ross.

Our second episode of the show was with Sim Ross and his band The Laughing Heart. I was introduced to the man, band, and music by then guitarist and friend of mine, Sonny Bihl. Without ever seeing the band perform, and only on the recommendation of my friend and a downloaded copy of the album 'Mothers DayBlues', I enthusiastically had them sit with me and chat. Besides being great, down to earth, and very humble men, their acoustic rendition of several of their songs from the album were stunning. Here is 'Winding Rivers' ( https://youtu.be/ydBlbzBg0Kk ). It was not to long after that where I had the pleasure of catching them twice. Once at a venue that will remain nameless - because of the shitty sound production that evening - and the second time at one of my all time favorites, the One2One (http://www.one2onebar.com/).


Sim Ross (https://www.simrossmusic.net) is originally from Ohio. Lucky us here in Austin, he made the journey and cut his record, Mothers Day Blues, here. His Americana sound has just enough edge on it to be rock and roll, and enough soul in the music to be blues. Of course I think all great American music is based on the blues, I just think Sim Ross elevates it to another level, and makes it REAL personal. His voice has that great raspy sound. Between gargling with glass and drinking sandpaper, you might be able to imitate Sims unique voice and sound. It is amazing and perfect with the originals he does.



The One2One was really the perfect spot to check out Sim Ross and The Laughing Heart, an intimate setting with a great sound system. The band was fantastic. Kicking off with the first track from the disc, 'At the rate I'm going', it proved to be a nonstop tour of storytelling through music. As much at the title song is my favorite, the live rendition of the song 'Paradise' is killer.





It was a stunning set of music that was non stop, top to bottom. No question and doubt I will go to many more Sim Ross shows. You should too. Check out his website, look him up on FB. It is without question that is a great way to start a high energy evening. An even better way to top off the night. Do the live music scene and yourself a favor, go see Sim Ross and The Laughing Heart. Tell him I sent you, and have a water on me.



















Laters

Red-Green Blue-Yellow

It has a meaning. This means something to about 3 million people per year. It also means "Up and coming Kings of Austin Pop Punk scene!"

If you haven't had the opportunity to see the band Colorblind (https://www.facebook.com/Colorblindtx/), it is another must see band. Colorblind is comprised of brothers Tyler (drums) and Travis (vocals) and Nicholas and Justin on bass and guitar. Colorblind has this completely polished sound, with a pretty cool backing track, their shows are electric and very exciting. The vocals by Travis are stunning and perfect for their style of music. The fans they have are loyal and bring even more excitement to the performance. It may also be because of frontman Travis, as far as I could make out, from all the screaming girls.

I have seen the band a couple of times. Once at The Dirty Dog and then again at Come and Take It Live. Here is an interesting reflection of their performances.


The show at The Dirty Dog was a pretty packed house. Colorblind was towards the end of the bill that night, before the headliner. It was a great performance with tons of energy from the band and it was felt through the crowd. As I stood and enjoyed their set I was able to over hear some of the remarks around me....Yeah! It seems like the headliner that night was in awe of the performance by Colorblind.

















Move forward several months and Colorblind is on the opening side of a national tour show at Come and Take It Live. The first two or three bands up were cool. Not anything I would give blog time to. BUT Colorblind came on...I will tell you what, where there was almost no crowd all of a sudden swelled to a large crowd in front of the stage. It's just a truth for you to ponder on the band and the fans. Even better is when they launched into their hit song, 'Parting Words' (https://youtu.be/MaIC5L_h6x8) the crowd just went off.  BE WARNED - the video in no way evokes their live show performance...but it is simply a great song!

Follow the links to find the band for upcoming performances. Go see them and then meet them and say hi. Watch the video or go find the song on your favorite streaming service and put Colorblind in your rotation.



Laters

Hidden Empires

Well... don't know if I could make any kind of pun out of that or if you read the title and wonder what the fuvk I am hinting about.


So, I know this guy. He plays guitar. He lives in Austin. He's in a band. Stop me if you know this one...

Actually my wife and I have known David Smith for about 10 years. David has a mind like a steal trap and a memory like an elephant so I am pretty confident he could tell you the day, date, AND time he met me. It was at a large insurance companies call center her in Austin for sure though.
David found out I like to go out and check out bands and take pictures. He even told me he has some friends in a band...(we all live in Austin and I though we all had friends in bands). David proceeds to tell me about this awesome band his friends have and I should go see them. Move forward a year or so and I am at a show at The Dirty Dog at the behest of the great MC Overlord (R.I.H.). While checking out his show there is this cool local band opening - Fremen. As I am listening and watching them David comes out of the crowd yelling at me - it was loud - "DUDE! This is the band I was telling you about. These guys are great. I know them." It was true, he knew them, they were great and I wrote a pretty cool blog post about the Fremen. The will always be my favorite Sunday morning hangover music.

Enough of the back story. Move forward in time ~~~~~~~ I am at my second home and the best damn sounding small venue in Austin, The One 2 One. There is someone I know on stage - seems like this is a recurring theme, and as I am enjoying the band finishing up their set (a blog about the live performance of Sim Ross to come shortly) who comes up to me out of the crowd...yeah! David Smith. "Dude! Will! Good to see you. What are you doing here? Are you gonna stay and watch my band?" It happened just about as fast as you read that too. Of course I will stay and watch your band. I would be a shitty blogger and lover of the Austin music scene if I didn't.

So up onstage I witness Hidden Empires (https://www.facebook.com/HiddenEmpires/). Two lead guitars trading off rhythm licks, lead singer and bandleader doing keyboard duties, bass and drums. with what seems like the guitars and keyboards all trading off vocal duties, Hidden Empires is a hidden gem in Austin music. Time and again I have used the term "that Austin sound". It's true, it does exist. You can hear it squarely in every chord and note played and sung.

Hidden Empires was bodies grooving on the dance floor, people swaying to the music good rock, Americana good. I am sure you could come up with some more descriptors on them, but it is so much easier if you get to experience all that Hidden Empires has to offer live.

I will happily say that I was not only taken back by the surprising expertise my friend David had on the guitar, but the bands whole performance sound and vibe. With one performance I knew I had to invite them on to come sit down and do an interview with me on my video blog Three Beers and a Whiskey. About an hour after I requested them come sit with me I got the enthusiastic HELL YEAH from the band












I will leave you with this glowing endorsement of the band.

My wife trusted me to book a band on the video show for an interview after one performance. After they did our video blog she was so blown away and impressed my wife had us out the door from a downtown venue we were hanging at a month later and there we were, in front of Hidden Empires for her first experience seeing them live. It was even better than the performance on our show. Don't be foolish, put Hidden Empires on your list of good, fun Austin music to go see and experience.

Laters

It was Rigged

Right from the start I knew this was a Rigged event. I have been hearing about this guy for a year. "You gotta go! He puts on a great show. He even blew the power at the venue where I saw him last."

So on a warm spring night me and my buddy head out to The Old Coupland Inn & Dancehall. Let me tell you something...it is the OLD Coupland Dancehall for a reason. Not Kidding. Walking around the place with the creaking plywood floors and the dangling insulation from the ceiling it is old and rustic. The bartenders were great, no lines for the bathroom, and plenty of room to scoot around the dance floor. On this night, with this artist performing the dance floor was cut in about half with all the screaming girls down in front....It looked like an old video clip of the Beatles arriving in the U.S.

WHO IS THIS? You say out loud to the little screen in your hands as you read this. WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!

Sam Riggs (https://www.samriggsmusic.com). Yeah! it was a pretty spectacular performance. I will say between the enthusiasm of his fans...no joking it was pretty intense down in front... and his light show, Sam Riggs made it worth every dollar at the door. From his first song lighting up the stage with the whole band, to his last moment on stage with just him and his guitar, it was a great and fun performance.

If you know who Sam Riggs is and you haven't seen a performance you are doing yourself wrong.

If you don't know who Sam Riggs is, do your self a favor. Take a listen to 'When the lights go out'. My personal favorite. If you don't dig Country music, Outlaw Country music, or better yet, if you don't dig Texas Country music...just move on. But I dare you to take a listen.








It is great music performed well, with amazing enthusiasm, and a light show to make the stadiums jealous. Look up Sam Riggs and go enjoy Another Great Performance!

Laters

Where is your 'Secret Room'

Just ask Luke and the Lonely (https://lukeandthelonely.com). It should be easy if you find them playing around town. Though I normally do reviews of the bands live performance so you have a heads up on what to expect from the crowd or venue, I am gonna just put some words down about Luke and the Lonely's music.

I was sent a link for their song 'My Secret Room'.

So musically it was like this...
fun, pop, flirty, nice guitar work, great vocals between Luke and Sara, and a general head nodding feel good music.

So lyrically it was like this....WHOA! Oh!My. Dang! That's funny...and of course...WHHAAATTT!!!

Although I haven't gone out to see as much live music as I have in recent months - I do still get out there, I swear - and this is the sound you want when you want a fun lively evening. The song 'My Secret Room' is so far into the truth it is hilarious. Subject matter aside, Luke and the Lonely have nailed it when it comes to that fun, jazzy, pop sound and the his and her vocals.

Look them up on FB, go to their webpage, buy the CD, and better than all, let me know when you are going to one of their shows so I can join you for the fun, great sound that is Luke and The Lonely. I promise you will never look at your smiling significant other the same way again.