Hot Sauce and Moonlight Social

Have I told you about MoMo's ( http://www.momosclub.com/ )? Yes I have. Go check out the club. Albeit, this is probably the shittiest time of the year to hang out on any deck outside (unless it is 10:00 at night), it is still a gorgeous deck that allows a decent view of the stage across most of the deck.

Moonlight Social ( http://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/#!__home ) mounted the stage at MoMo's opening for EPMB. What caught my attention was the apparent age of the band members and a female lead singer? Not a rarity here in Austin (cause we have our fare share of great female singers), but not generaly in this twenty something age group.

When the music started and I heard this voice, I thought it was the reincarnation of Natalie Merchant...and she's not even dead! It is that sweet, soulful, husky voice. You see the lead singer then you hear her voice and it definitely makes you do a double take and then stare. Musically it was cute and would make you want to hold you gf's hand. The uptempo stuff was, well, uptempo. There is definitely a chemistry onstage with the lead singer and the guitarist/ male lead vocals that makes it fun to watch. The band as a whole really seems to be having a good time. 

There is some polish that needs to be put on the live performance, but if these kids keep their heads on straight and keep that amazing voice front and center ...watch out. They may end up doing wonderful things.

Like winning contests and performing at the Hot Sauce Festival (http://www.austinchronicle.com/Market/HotSauce/)!

Keep it up, look forward to checking them out again and watch them grow up and hopefully blow up!

Laters

Buddy Quaid

I caught this set at Momo's ( http://www.momosclub.com/ ) recently. Tagged like many of the other local bands that have that same singer/songwriter sound by my daughter as "that 'Austin Sound'". It's that fun, friendly, heartfelt (I would hope so), acoustic guitar, electric guitar, kinda country, but definitely rock n roll sound.

The Buddy Quaid Band ( http://buddyquaid.com/ ) is one of those bands. It is really really good music. Not outstanding, earth shaking, make Bono show up and call you up from the minors to open for U2, but really good. It is that great music to sit back and relax, drink a beer and enjoy that warm Austin Sound. The set is completely original tunes. The plus to this is that it was some nice toe tapping music that you were able sing along with on the chorus. You felt like you knew the song and got the hook.

Performance wise this was not what I jump up and down about. They played the music and played it well, but didn't play the audience.

If you jump to his page via the link you will probably learn that you know this guy. For me what was even better is that he has a nice since of humor and proportion to his music against, say, Bob Schneider. Very good stuff.

Look around, look him up, and drink a beer.

Laters

Mo music at MoMo's

You really need to take an evening, choose the musical menu that suits your taste and then make your way up the side stairs to MoMo's ( http://www.momosclub.com/ ). You will have a great time. I still enjoy the deck with outside bar. The music carries well to the deck and the view is pretty damn good from just about any location out there.

Wheeler Brothers, Hudson Moore and Eagle Pritchard Murray Band (EPMB). Not really a country night, but a rockin evening for sure.

The Wheeler Brothers ( http://www.facebook.com/WheelerBros?v=info&sk=info#!/WheelerBros?sk=app_2405167945 ) have a definitive country/folk sound to their rockin set. All of the energy was felt by the crowd...and I am tellin you..that bass player had some serious energy. He played like he was onstage at the Grammy's. The bare feet were also quite a surprise and very much gave the audience the vibe of a care free good time. The opportunity to go check these guys out during the day, outside at a festival, would be a must for any Austin music fan or any music goer coming into town for a weekend event. The music was great and the crowd was totally and completely into it. My photographer had to really push through to get some decent pics. Actually for all the bands, the crowd was totally into the performances on this particular evening.

Hudson Moore ( http://www.hudsonmoore.net/ ) This was my second time to enjoy a Hudson Moore performance. From then 'til now, there was a decided polish to the music. Less of a country feel but more of a country sound, yeah I know that sounds weird...whatever! I was there for his premier/inaugural performance months ago and with a ton of people onstage it was crazy. Crazy good, but crazy. It seems that Mr Moore has cored down the band slightly and put a tad bit more experience under their collective belts. With this change comes a tighter, cleaner sound. The band has meshed together as a single unit, you know it and feel it in the audience. The songs are easy to dance to and humm or sing with. I have recently been downtown (did SoCo for a First Thursday and that was a shitload of fun, but I will tell you that later) and there I beheld fliers for a Hudson Moore show. So go out, support local Austin music have fun, and kick up your heels with Hudson Moore.

Eagle Pritchard Murray Band ( http://www.epmbmusic.com/ ) wrapped the nite. After spending and evening with them while they were shooting their video for "Favorite Misery" ( http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=202556233106124 ) a few weeks earlier, it was fantastic to hear their full catalog. Although they smile, laugh, and have a great time on stage they are very serious about the music and the performance. These guys entertain the crowd. It's energetic, it's soulful, and sometimes it's silly (if they dont play that Cee Lo Green song then forget you). Although I tried my damndest to get my darling Angel on the floor to dance with me, it was great fun to be there in the audience with EVERYONE singing, dancing, and just plain old acting like drunken fools to great music. No doubt the night would not be wasted if you make a plan to see EPMB.

A special thanks for Angel joining us to shoot the pictures (which you will see in a bit). To Kathryn the beer thief, you rock. Mijita, it is always wonderful with you hanging out and putting up with me.

Laters

But wait, that's a video shoot!?

 
let me start by saying "fuckin whatever dude!" SSOOOOO The Eagle Pritchard Murray Band ( http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/epmbmusic ) video shoot happened recently on a quiet little street in South Austin. With hundreds of feet of backyard, a very decent bonfire, a very impressive home made stage, complete with lights, stacks of Marshall's and a fog machine (hehehe), EPMB was well prepared for the video shoot of "My Favorite Misery."

It was a cold and wonderful evening, the crowd was fantastic, met new people, made new friends, drank lots of free beer and most important of all watched EPMB play this song for almost 3 hours. EHHHHH! I believe the directors name is Christine (from U.T. - hook'em baby) and this is her first foray into the full length music video. I could be wrong, but it really doesn't matter because it was fun fun fun as hell. Everyone had a great time and this was the precursor to my next blog for the Wheeler Brothers/Hudson Moore/EPMB show at MoMo's  (above Katz's that apparently klozes!)

Laters

Mo' music at MOMO's

So this is about a week or so behind the show date. BUT, I do not write this so you can relive the performance, I write this so that you can get a feel of what it was like to be in the audience and make you're decision on who you want to see any given night that you wanna hit the town!

What was supposed to be an early evening checking out Michael Dillard at his debut performance at MOMO's ( http://www.momosclub.com/ ) turned into a long evening of great music and new things. AS ALWAYS, I was pleasantly surprised at the turn of events and music for the night! Albeit, I was not prepared for a long night so my recollection of the bands is a tad off, but I am gonna try this anyway (and by recollection I DO NOT mean anything other than the bands names as I clearly remember the performances....DUH!!!!)!

Michael Dillard ( http://www.michaeldillardmusic.com/ ) was the early evening part of the menu with a start time of 6:30pm. I was happy to get off of work a little early and step downtown during the daylight hours (try it you'll like it!) and even more excited to chill at MOMO's for a nice set of music. As always (and yet getting better) Michael was having fun with the band and the audience. With some laughs in tow and a VERY nice size crowd for that early. Michael did an amazing job of filling the room with the rockin sounds of his debut EP, some covers, and other originals that will soon be on his upcoming LP (look for it DAMMIT!). With the ages in the crowd so varied it was especially nice to feel the positive response from everyone about the music and the performance itself.

Autmn and Austin Mayse, this duo had a very Americana feel to them. With taking turns on vocals, it was very cool, laid back, easy sound. No doubt something you could easily chill to in this lounge (or any other nice lounge for that matter) with a cocktail in hand.

Meggan Carney ( http://www.facebook.com/people/Meggan-Carney/600021280#!/profile.php?id=600021280 ) back again at MOMO's and this time it was just Meggan and a guitarist. All I think I am allowed to say without getting anyone in trouble is "OOoooo the things she makes you feel when you hear her music and voice from there onstage." Always another early evening, chillaxin kind of songstress and performance. Love it, enjoy it, and toast to it!

Now this next thing turned out to be a totally surprising musical performance. The band loads up and then I see this guitarist, I am like "damn that guy looks familiar." Couldn't place him, couldn't place him, couldn't place him. So this is 'The Coveters' ( http://www.facebook.com/coveters ) and the guitarist was none other than Wayne Sutton (look him up dammit, you're on the 'net reading this anyway, fool!) Now I will not take away from the other performers/artists in the band, but I was still surprised to see this and even happier to hear it.

This music was fresh, the band held a sense of humor and almost irreverence of themselves that made it great and easy to sit through and enjoy. Another band to chalk up on the board as one who knows how to perform for the audience. Again, I don't know how big their following is, but during their very first song the band breaks out into hand claps. Without any prompting from the band, the audience fell into suit and played right along. This is definitely fun and crowd control if there ever was.

Last, definitely not least, and with a fraternal organization or two in tow was Hudson Moore ( http://www.myspace.com/hudsonmooremusic ). This was a helluva sight, guitarists lined up onstage as far as the eye could see. keyboards, drums, damn near everything and everyone onstage (I swear I saw a kitchen sink.) Not knowing what to expect but expecting to like what I heard, I was right. With MOMO's busting at the seems with this crowd, the band kicked it off and showed a polished sound that I will say is pretty damn impressive with the mob onstage. Clean, tight, and completely irresistible to tap your foot too. This was the debut performance as I was told earlier in the night and will tell you that in know uncertain terms it really can only get better for these guys. Look them up, check them out as this is Moore or less (oh god I couldn't resist that one) an evening performance type band to swing away into the night with!

Laters

Knew there would be Nights Like This

A HOT Thursday night at Momo's ( http://www.momosclub.com/ ) was a really great musical evening in Austin. Would've been hotter to share it with someone, but I'll take this group on any weeknight for the fun and frivolity that they provide. Actually was able to catch 4 acts tonite (that's right, count'em FOUR bands, and 3 of them I haven't reviewed before...so there William Harris, LOL).

Patrick Davis -  ( http://patrickdavismusic.com/bio/ ) Singer and songwriter extrordinare! A man and his guitar (and apparently a huge fan of his right in front, because she sang every damn song as if it was her own, HA!). Patrick was very cool, nice country sound. As a performer he was top notch in talking to the audience and keeping us drawn into the music. As a songwriter he is top notch because he has several notable songs that have ended up on albums and/or radio play. Thanks Patrick for a nice start to a great night.

Meggan Carney - ( http://www.facebook.com/people/Meggan-Carney/600021280 )Well this petite young woman has a hella good voice, plays a great acoustic set, and can mesmerize with some very old, classic music and the two piece behind her. Seemed to be a crowd favorite and had some folks get up and swing to her charms. Her talent and fans have apparently done her well as she will be making regular appearances at Momo's every Thursday in July. Go grab an amazing sandwich Downstairs then go to the top and enjoy a nice evening with some good music and a great voice! Even in the hot July heat, this would be so cool!

Jungleset - ( http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jungleset/374368256409?v=info ) Hot Damn, this was completely different and amazing, very unexpected treat for the night. These guys (and girl - Meggan Carney pulling double duty and playing keyboard and doing vocals here after her set!) had so much energy it was crazy infectious. Just bad ass! You don't have to like my description, but I do this so you can picture it all in your head. So try this one on size for your noggin...
Remember the band No doubt (nope they don't sound like them)
Remember the song 'Don't Speak' (NO, they did not cover it)
Remember the video for that song (NO! they did not have it showing in the back ground), BUT in video it was a somewhat down tempo song (and a good one too, don't get me wrong). The video has several cut scenes where the band appears to be onstage live, rockin out, and thrashing around in slo-mo. THIS IS WHAT I WANT YOU TO PICTURE. Jungelset had that much energy and vigor on stage, regardless of the tempo of the song, they were having an absolute blast and you could feel it and see it.
Sadly they will be on hiatus for a couple of months as their drummer will be off doing his own thing. When they are back, check them out here, there, or anywhere.

Ryan Harkrider - ( http://www.ryanharkrider.com/ ) one of his last local gigs before he jumps off to a Nor'easter tour supporting "Days Like This" album (much luck and love to ya, brother). Oh! and what fun it was (Dianna, sorry you missed it due to the hour, so I owe you one)! Tonite these guys were so very loose and yet amazingly tight at the same time. Ryan was doing his best at being a VH1 storyteller, Johhny Branch was keeping them in their seats ("Where the hell ya'll going...Katz's never Kloses!"), and Mothra was apparently trying to eat the keyboardist. We all had fun, the band was hot, the music was right on the money...Oh and the Lakers won!
Take the time and enjoy when you get the chance.

Later