Over the Rainbow

Yes, the title has nothing to do with the fact this is a year end review...it just came to mind while I was writing.

It was another fun year for Live Music In Austin. As I look back I once again surprised myself at what I saw and where I went. Made new friends, listened to new music, and enjoyed some favorites.

I saw 47 bands from January to December. 32 brand new bands I have never seen before! That was a surprise. Of the 15 venues I lurked around, 6 were brand new places to me... Meh! I have worked harder and been to more new places before. But the question remains...How many new places did YOU go to last year where you had never set foot in before, to enjoy some live music?

I only saw two bands multiple times last year.

Apparently the One2One   (http://www.one2onebar.com/) remains at the top of my list as most frequented, with The Rattle Inn (http://rattleinnaustin.com/) coming a very close second - and it was new to me!

As I look back, I realize this is the first year where I have not done any photo or review of a national touring act. There were definitely some touring bands I saw, but SXSW always brings new faces.







It was a great year for a variety of music again. From some metal sounds at The Dirty Dog (https://www.dirtydogbar.com/) of Silvertongue Devil  (https://www.facebook.com/silvertonguedevil666/) and Fear Control (http://www.fearcontrol.net/) to the country sounds of the Zach Willard Band (http://zachwillardband.com/) at Wagners Backyard   (http://www.wagnersbackyard.com/) and The Cody Bryan Band  (http://www.codybryanmusic.com/) at The Rattle Inn. There was the Pop/punk music from   Forever Starts Today (https://www.facebook.com/FSTofficial/) at The Lucky Lounge (http://www.theluckylounge.com/) and the scandalous sounds of The Dead Love Club  (http://deadloveclub.com/) at The Mohawk (https://mohawkaustin.com/). A lot of American type sounds with The Warplanes (http://www.thewarplanes.net/) at the One 2 One to wild hip hop of Boombox ATX at the same place.






















So to sum it up, I averaged experiencing just a hair over 2 new bands every 3 weeks, 1 new venue every 2 months. I averaged listening to live music every 10 days and I was at a venue supporting the live music scene better than every 2 weeks as well...and you know what, I did pay to see some of these bands. If I got in for free, I spent my money at the bar, bought a CD or a hat. Better than that most of the shows were FREE.

 

I will tell you this, if you are gonna spend money at the door to see a band, the One2One remains my hands down pick for supporting live and local with the best sound system, and 100% of the door goes to the band(s)!

It was a Midnight Drive

Lucky Lounge (http://www.theluckylounge.com/) on a Thursday night in Austin, Texas. Like I have said and will continue to preach...there is always something to do, music to experience, and fun to be had in Austin ANY day of the week. Tourist or local, come join the fun in our great city.

Located on 5th St just off of Congress, the Lucky Lounge is just that...a lounge. A long shotgun style venue. You walk in the front door with a small seating area in the front and then a long hallway that leads to the main body of the club. As you walk down the hallway the bathrooms are on the right and a area for merch on the left. When you enter the main room it is a little over double the width of the hallway with a long bar on the right, a raised VIP seating area up, behind the bar on the far right. To the left are some small two seat, hi-top tables lining the left wall to the stage, which is at the very end of the long room. Right in front of the stage is a small area to stand/dance for a show, with a sofa and some more seating to the left. It is a lounge.

As I walked in I was hearing a very sweet voice and an acoustic guitar. Kayla Way

 (https://www.facebook.com/KaylaWay/) was onstage doing her thing. Kayla had a few folks in the crowd for an early Thursday evening, even a local guitar celebrity was taking in and enjoying her sound. Kayla's sound is ALMOST what you would expect from that singer/songwriter sound, BUT there was something a little different about her. A wonderful smile, a good stage presence and the interaction with the crowd. Kayla Way's originals are perfect and fun for an early evening and when she did a cover, she owned it she did'nt karaoke it! The crowd grew towards the end of her set and this is where her sound changed ever so slightly...more edgy. It seemed like she was ready to drop the current sound and timid girl demeanor for a just rock out moment on us with one of her newer songs. 

I did speak with her briefly after her set and am happy to say she has an EP coming out very soon (possible beginning of the new year). Kayla proudly told me that everyone can expect this to be a little more rock and roll then her previous venture. I look forward to it and you should look forward to seeing Kayla Way around town.

Next up was Todd Pate 

(https://soundcloud.com/todd-pate-1). Nothing like traveling with your own fan club. There were definitely a few more people here than with the prior performer and they were all cheering on Todd and his pretty cool guitar skills. This was another singer/songwriter performance. It was not that Todd was unique with his voice, his songs were original and his singing voice was strong. The crowd loved what he was doing. The previously mentioned local guitar hero and I where really stunned at what Todd did with his guitar. Not just playing acoustic, but using a whole damn peddle board for effcts. It sounded great, but different enough to garner our collective attention. I cant's say if this is just big balls doing this, or just genius, but it was impressive enough. Although I am not sure if Todd is local, look him up anyway.

Leather Leaf (http://www.leatherleafrockband.com/) was the dramatic turn for the evening. Jumping from acoustic singer/songwriter to a metal band was pretty harsh. It was also pretty damn fun. Leather Leaf does the rock/metal thing with a female lead, Melissa Madnezz (https://www.facebook.com/melissaklopf). This woman barks out the songs like a champ, commanding every single song brilliantly. It's as if Ozzy and Grace Slick had a love child and lucky for us, she is the singer of Leather Leaf! Leather Leaf's performance was half and half covers and originals. Doing their originals like they were platinum hits and doing the covers like they were their own, it was definitely a pleasure to be in the crowd for this performance. Even more so watching some of the younger folks in the crowd taking it in, singing the choruses, and moving to the beats. It was definitely smile inducing.

The Midnight Drive  (https://www.facebook.com/themidnightdrive/) was up for the headline spot of the evening. This is where my invitation came from for this night of new music.

I have always told folks about the great thing about Austin music. The bands go out to see and support each other. You never know who you will see on stage, and you NEVER know who you are going to be sitting with and talking to in the crowd. More than once I have experienced and heard the story of others hanging out in a venue, talking with someone, and then they interrupt the conversation by saying "Hey! It was nice talking to you, but I have to go. My band is up next." Leaving me/you/the unsuspecting tourist to think "WTF!!! Who was I just sitting with and talking to?" Yes, I knew I was sitting with the absolutely beautiful, smiling, and newly married wife of The Midnight Drive's drummer, BUT I had NO idea who the dark, beautiful, mysteriously silent and shy young lady was that kept coming to our table. It was moments before show time when the drummer brought her to the table and introduced her as the lead singer of The Midnight Drive....palm to the forehead moment for me. 

The Midnight Drive is a band that does some amazingly fun music. Danceable, catchy songs, great melodic drifts with some interesting guitar work going on underneath it all. The crowd was totally on their feet for the entire performance. Having a good time and cheering along, even if they didn't know the words, like myself. Although I stay away from comparisons as a personal decision. I would rather you go and catch it and make up your own mind, but I am happy to give you a genre for a band. The Midnight Drive has done an amazing job of creating something all their own...PopPunk goes Surfer! 

The Midnight Drive does their sound well, the crowd is in on the secret, you should be too.

Laters  

PostApocolypticAngryPopPunk

I received a call to check out several bands down at The Lucky Lounge (http://www.theluckylounge.com/) on 5th St in Austin, Tx.

The Lucky Lounge is a shotgun type of set up. When you enter the club street side you are in a very small lounge. Tonight it was the pre staging area for band equipment due to the number of bands performing. Once you step in from the entry way you are looking down a long hallway and see the stage at the opposite end of the club. As you walk down the hallway the bathrooms are to the right and the stairs to go up to the VIP are on your left.




Once you walked down the hallway the club itself opens into a slightly wider version of the hallway. Hi-top tables along the wall to your left the bar on the right and a raised viewing area above the bar, against the right wall.

This particular event was an all ages show and the venue had a very decent crowd. The crowd was definitively mixed from the under age to the older parents of those, and all ages in between. Everyone was smiling talking and enjoying the music. Down in front of the stage though, that is where the fun was.

Although I was running a little late I still caught the last 3 songs of the first band up, Gold Steps  (https://www.facebook.com/Goldstepsatx/). Fronted by female vocals, this band unquestionable had that Pop-Punk sound. It was fun, energetic and the crowd was enjoying it. Although there was no stage diving or mosh pit happening, Gold Steps had the attention of everyone, including myself. Gold Steps hails from Austin, Tx and most definitely is a good band to check out if you get a chance. With that comfortable sound that seems familiar, Gold Steps will have no problem with pulling a crowd soon enough.

Next up was Forever Starts Today (http://www.foreverstartstoday.net/). I love their name and if you are familiar with lots of the Scream-O, Pop-Punk bands you can appreciate this name as being pretty kick ass. The nice thing is that FST has the talent and sound to back up the name. FST is fronted be female vocals. This young woman was very energetic and had the crowd wound up by the second song. The crowd was jumping along and following the lead singers every breath and word. FST was some pretty powerful stuff. With a brief, emotional moment from the lead singer dedicating the show to a recently passed fan, it seemed very evident this young front woman can control a crowd.

This next band is/was the reason I love going out to check out live music in Austin. Something new and exciting. A band or a performance that provides you that "Holy Shit!" moment. Chernobyl, The Secret (http://chernobylthesecret.bigcartel.com/). The whole performance, from start to finish was just pure bad ass. The lead singer was just energy. Living the music, being the music, performing the music, energy. The audience new it and felt it. That pent up rage just exploding throughout the crowd. Chernobyl the Secret was just adrenaline fueled mayhem and everyone was in on it. The photos here and what the band have are just lucky shots between me getting pummeled and trying to save my camera. Didn't matter though, I loved Chernobyl the Secret  just as much as the crowd did.

Drown The Coward (https://www.facebook.com/DrownTheCoward/) mounted the stage next and just kept the crowd going. Their sound wasn't as dark as the previous band, but Drown the Coward was just as hard hitting. Drown the Coward had another front man who was a beast with the vocals. The performance was just the perfect amount of creative rage and energy to keep the crowd pulsing around and forming another circle pit in the small space.

From Temple, Texas came Isonomist (https://www.facebook.com/isonomist/). Supporting their recently released CD, these guys were just a little different sound of crazy then the previous two bands. Isonomist was very technical and had what seemed to be a tuned down sound. The front man towered over the crowd with command and the band roared through their set. Realizing how good this set was made me wonder how much more the crowd could take. Isonomist just plowed through their set and with the vocals and guitars, and just pounded the shit out of the crowd... it was accepted with sweaty, smiling faces.

And then there was the king, Call Me King (http://wearecmk.com/). The final band of the evening. Hailing all the was from Austin. They proudly announced to the crowd this was the last home show as they were about to hit the road on tour. Well, if I thought everyone was wore out, Call Me King fueled the crowd with their announcement and then lit the match. Everybody was jumping on command of the lead singer.

With the most surprising vocal harmonies of the evening, I hope this part of this Call Me King's performance didn't escape the notice of the young crowd. Call Me King was the most electric performance of the evening. It was the fill between fun and energetic, and fast and crazy. Call Me King was in the right spot to end the evening.


Laters

SXSW Local at the Lucky Lounge

Like I said in my video post, 'there is music here all the time!' SXSW just brings the musical spotlight and the world to our doorstep. It is our duty to make it fun, worthwhile, and exciting while you are here. With the preponderance of musical venues and an outstanding live music entertainment district, that is usually not difficult. So, here I am with this blog and the impossible quantity of music to write about compacted into one short/long weekend.

"Local at the Lucky Lounge" was simply the pre -SXSW kick off party featuring a few of the best local acts that Lordship Ent (http://www.lordshipentertainment.com) has to offer.

The Moonshiners (http://www.moonshinermusic.com/) kicked things off with a set of bluesy type rock. The singer has a very distinctive, big voice that pushes through you as you listen. Wonderful and passionate story telling interwoven with a lead guitar that seems almost sublime until it is time to solo, then you had better pay close attention because the lead guitarist is 'Wow!.'

I had an opportunity to speak with the lead guitarist for a moment in between sets and learned he is self taught. He seemed genuinely surprised when I told him his sounds and styling were reminiscent of Eric Clapton. The keyboardist and guitarist are the two mainstays in the group. With rotating bass and drums keeping it fresh, you need to check them out when you get a chance. Smooth, mellow, soulful,and rocking (when they want), The Moonshiners are a good bet any night of they week you can catch them in Austin, Texas.

Jess and The Echoes (http://www.jechomusic.com/) are getting some heavy stage time here in Austin, and it is well spent. This young lady has a huge voice. Her vocals grab you by the ears and turn your head towards her. The band is wonderfully level across the stage, no overpowering ensemble here. This unit is designed to support the fabulous singer that Jess Kellner is. Jess and The Echoes has a certain something that can be felt, but is most difficult to describe. The crowd loved there stage time and pushed forward while they had the stage. I kept hearing statements of "They are great", "She is amazing!", and "I really love this band." throughout the crowd as I pushed through here and there to take some photos.

Word on the street is that starting March 25th, 2013, we may all want to watch the new season of The Voice (http://www.nbc.com/the-voice). Sounds special to me!

Michael Dillard (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michael-Dillard) is a little more difficult to catch here in Austin, but if you are lucky you can see one of his performances. Here is an artist whom I have seen and tracked for a few years now. He is another person with the most distinctive vocals you may ever come across. I hate to make comparisons because what I hear and you hear are not going to be the same. Let's just say that he puts so much passion into his singing you would swear his head is going to explode. This young man gives it all when he sings and that is, every bit, worth going out to catch him when a show comes up. The steady in this group is the amazing guitarist Ty Read. Here, again, is another six string talent in Austin that is subtle in the group, but his performance soars when he solos.

Like most bands in Austin, there is a rotating field of musicians that passes through the groups door, but for Michael Dillard and Ty Read, they are the core that makes this performance a pop/rock/hip hop extravaganza! What I have said about live music in Austin and will repeat again here! It is not about going to see a band live, it is about going and experiencing a performance. You never know what will happen and you will always be glad to say you were there. Tonite was no exception with a brilliant cover of Peter Gabriels 'Sledgehammer', just be happy I caught it on video for you to see here (http://youtu.be/6eJogPp1P2Q)

 

MC Overlord (http://www.overlordmusic.com/) is he a myth or a legend. Maybe you should check out this Austin music icon for yourself. He seems to be an intimidating hulk of a man, but behind the exterior of the building that he is, lies the genius of hip/hop. MC Overlord has cool , catchy rhymes, an unbelievable live hip/hop presentation that just can not be beat, and the impressive ability to lay out the rhymes. His music is, for the most part clean and positive, but he keeps the party vibe intact with tunes like 'Bartender Keep 'em Coming' and 'I'm in here'.

As iconic as MC Overlord is, as storied as his career is, and as vast as his catalog is, I think it would be amazing to have him perform a fan scripted show. ARE YOU THERE OVEY>>>YOU READING THIS? That's right, do a contest where the fans vote on what songs they would like to hear from the long catalog that is you career. Put on that show, leave the core songs of the show in and play some fan favorites.

For those outside of Austin reading this, for those in Austin who haven't gone, an MC Overlord performance is as much a must see as the Capitol building, Lady Bird Lake, or Mt Bonnell!

here is the photo album from this show https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.517035628347965.1073741825.239625756088955&type=3

Laters

What's new for 2013

DANG!

If your band has a video or an album release that you will be promoting and want some additional traffic then let me know and I will repost it across all of my sites

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Live-Music-In-Austin/239625756088955
Email
livemusicinaustin@gmail.com
                         @hotmail.com
                         @yahoo.com
Twitter
@livemusicATX
Tumblr
http://livemusicinaustin.tumblr.com/
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/user/soundfiend001

New and upcoming for 2013:

January - Drastik IV (http://drastikmusic.com/) 01/18/2013
                                    CD release "Wrath of the Underdog" and video release @ The Dirty Dog

February - Voting for Austin Chronicle music awards ends 02/01/2013
                   (http://www.austinchronicle.com/feedback/musicpoll/12/)

March - The Roosevelts (https://www.facebook.com/theroosevelts)
                                         CD release for their Debut album

               SXSW

April - Super Water Sympathy (http://superwatersympathy.com/)
                                                   CD release for their sophmore LP "Hydrogen Child"  

as for shows...don't be stupid. Go out see some live local music. Support the live local music scene. check out Austin360.com (http://www.austin360.com/s/music/), Do512 (http://do512.com/events/austin-music) , and AustinAfterDark (http://www.atxafterdark.com/)  




Laters

Dharma drama

Lucky Lounge ( http://www.theluckylounge.com/index.html ) really is a great, late night, kick it, spot. The nice thing is that they do have somewhat of a regular schedule for some bands and DJ's. Find something or someone you like here and you can probably depend on them being back again at that time next week.

Vinyl Dharma ( http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vinyl-Dharma ) is one of those bands. My introduction to them was from one of my friends, "You gotta go see these guys!" Isn't that how it always starts? As I have said before, sometimes just going into a bar or club on any given night will yield something fun, new and exciting. So here I went and here I go.

First of all, YOU, as a band member, musician, performer should ALWAYS,  A L W A Y S play for the audience. Enjoy what you do, have a good time, and think that there is someone in the audience who gives a shit about what they are hearing and be happy that they are not at home watching Jersey Shore! You never know if there is a producer, manager, promoter, guitarist, keyboardist, web designer, or music blog writer sitting there listening. On this night ALL OF THE ABOVE were in the audience.

Really, after a good solid 10 minutes of arpeggios warm up scales we were sorely aggravated. C'mon guys, The Music Lab is for fucking practice and rehearsals, not the bar when the doors are open and there are patrons in there! Our unnamed guitarist friend took it upon himself to go politely talk shit. With much distress from the big man in the group "Why did y'all let him go up there?", our boy came back, the band addressed the issue and began to play. WELL much to our surprise, these guys were good! They busted out with a cover song , played another song and off went our guitarist friend...mumbling to himself on his way back to the stage "these guys are good, now I have to go apologize."

HA! Vinyl Dharma is actually very good, nice to listen too, their demo CD was good, my daughter really liked it (ahhh the opinions of a 15 yr old!). Hopefully the lesson was learned and taken to heart, cause if I stop by on some Thursday night to for a drink and a listen, I will talk bigger shit!

Laters

Doc Deuce/MC Overlord...made in Hip Hop heaven

When I heard about the pairing of these two great live hip hop talents, I was doubly excited as I was confused as to why it took so long. No worries! It finally happened and it was better than good, it was powerful!

"Sometimes you just have to say what the fuck!" Really, don't be scared and save the bullshit excuses about working on Friday for someone or something else. It seems like some of the greatest and most entertaining things happen in Austin during the week. Thursday night at the Lucky Lounge ( http://www.theluckylounge.com/ ) was absolutely the right place to be.

Doc Deuce ( http://www.myspace.com/docdeuce ) did it first and did it like the night was on fire! With some new and different musicians in tow, Doc Deuce hit us with the rhythm and didn't let the audience breathe. It was loud and powerful and great. It seemed as if the spontaneous opening for the Dirty Wormz a week or so earlier was a prelude to something huge on the horizon. The performance was like a 5 alarm fire! The band, the music, and Doc were burning it up, and the audience to did not want this performance extinguished! Once again Doc Deuce pulled the crown into the stage and had them feeling the intensity of his rhymes and the beat of the music. At one point Doc went from the hip hop lyrical stylings to a little singing and I swear he was channeling some Bob Marley...he was there, I felt it!

MC Overlord ( http://www.overlordmusic.com/ ) the return of the Godfather of live Austin Hip Hop made his triumphant return to the stage as a headliner. With this performance it still proves this is where he should be..at the top of the food chain! I don't know how long it's been since Overlord has actually been onstage as the man of the hour and can't say it's been too long, BUT it's nice when he comes back like this. With all of the power, the excitement, and the moves you know this is why he is Overlord. Tons of musicians in the house for the performance and even some special guests up onstage, THIS is why they come. Tray God stepped up to the mic and Overlords former partner from another brother stunned us with a verbal montage that kicked ass. Speaking of kicking ass, drummer extraordinaire Les Fisher did kick it behind the kit for the final song of the evening. This is the man Overlord credits with all of the corruption and joy of Austin music nightlife that is in his blood.

So stop making excuse, hit the Austin music scene, enjoy the nightlife DURING the week! Who knows what special thing you will find yourself a part of!

Laters

So high up, she's out of this world

Yup, I am a little behind, piss off! I can't even say I have been busy, just seems like I have been...editing the crap out of my daughters Rome n Juliet performance from Wimberly's EmilyAnne Theatre. This music blog is a week behind the performance, but again as all of you know...if you weren't at the show then this is to educate you and send you packing to check out something new or different around town...and on that note of being different...here we go!

A Wednesday at The Lucky Lounge ( http://www.theluckylounge.com/About.htm ), man I love this place, is very cool. And do I mean it! The A.C. is pumping, the staff is serving'em up, and it's chill to hang out. Tonight was very interesting indeed as I had an invite to check out Darwin Prophet. Now my intentions were good to just check out this performance and go home early, HA! It was all good tonight.

Darwin Prophet ( http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000203380399 ) is what my blog is all about. The performance, the audience involvement within the performance, and the story that the artist weaves for you with their music. Darwin's performance is so out of this world you won't believe. This is one that when I say you have to see it to believe it, I mean it! Darwin even had her viola accompaniment beamed in to assist her and entertain us as well, with amazing backing vocals and haunting melodies on the viola, she fit the bill wonderfully. Check the Chronicle or Darwins FB page and when you get an opportunity to see something completely different and fun, go!

Like I said in the foreword, I had all intentions of leaving at this point but this next band hoped up onstage and really caught my eye. With three guitars, I really wanted to see this. Second Chance ( http://www.facebook.com/secondchancerockband?ref=search ) was the name of the band and they were an amalgam um of two bands put together. The performance was so interesting it ALMOST defies description, but I will do it anyway. The fun of two rhythm guitars and a lead was a sight,  then the swapping vocals from female to male put another dynamic on that was unexpected as well. A little switching from male to female, somebody jumping on the keyboards...there was enough action here to keep the audience entertained and the music mixed to make everyone happy. As I learned after the performance, this was only there second live performance together, hopefully they will have more and you will get a second chance to enjoy.

Mont Lyons came up after this and was best described by a friend as a very modern Simon and Garfunkel. Very mellow but well written and with the electric piano on the stage, decidedly nice as well. I can definitely see these guys doing some early afternoon/early evening shows that would be nice to chill at and start your night right.


Laters

got Lucky at the Lounge

So I had all good intentions of getting to The Lucky Lounge early enough to see Micheal Dillard, but alas I suck [sigh] (Sorry Mike, but you know I'll catch you again REAL soon)!

Anyway I walked in just as Aimless Gun started their acoustic performance here at Lucky Lounge. I spotted Overlord on the upper deck and gave my props, took up a spot by the stage and proceeded to listen and enjoy.

So I thought these kids were good at The Saxon Pub (yes I wanted to hear more of the vocals), but WOW! Acoustically these guys are even more powerful. Vocal harmonization was wonderful, the accompaniment was spot on (thanks Shea for pegging it all in the red). This shit was just fucking great 'unplugged'. I think they are so much more captivating in this manner and mood because everything...no, every piece of the music, stood out so well you could taste it. Man that's fucking kinda weird to say. What I mean is, you could hear the vocals and understand them beautifully, the lead guitar was just crystalline (really, Zach totally destroyed it on the six string acoustic guitar), loved the stand up bass, and the drums brought in the fill without overpowering anything, it was just a great mix. I know I am kind of gushing, but damn it really was a better, fuller, cleaner and brighter sound than what I heard before.

Y'all really need to take advantage and see these kids here in Austin where it's cheap (and sometimes free), plugged or 'unplugged' (now my preference)...do it! Don't wait until they pull a Los Lonely boys, then you're fucked, cause your not a friend of the band when that happens...you're just another fan (HA!)

Later