An evening at the Inn (pt 2)

Ok, part to and now it is starting to drift off into the late afternoon. Up to go we have Aimless Gun, a small dinner break (damn good brisket by the way), then Michael Dillard, Fremen, and MC Overlord. But you know what, it was still hot as hell!

With a short break to set up, we now have Aimless Gun ( http://www.aimlessgun.com/main.php ) onstage. Billy had the raw pleasure of seeing and hearing Aimless Gun perform an acoustic set some days back. Now it was his turn to hear them in their full glory, plugged in and all.  I really like the energy that Aimless gun is starting to show onstage. Musically these guys are there. Lyrically you can start dedicating songs to girlfriends and creating ringtones. They really just have some good sounds that are so easy to just sing along with (very important for bringing in the audience, and making that gold record). The catalog of what Aimless does onstage is so very impressive and I have seen it and experienced it first hand, when are you going to? With the up tempo tunes and the sing-alongs, there isn't much that the audience just simply doesn't dig here and it is somehow breathtaking.

At this point in the evening there was a little dinner break. After a while Billy came back from the lake and to this day he wont stop talking about "swimming with The FreeFlow, diving off the dock with Aimless Gun, and kayaking with Michael Dillard!" Like I have said, Austin musicians are more than songwriters and performers, they are people and they are inspirations for this city!

Michael Dillard ( http://michaeldillardmusic.com/ ) now had his turn to hop up onstage and melt away like everyone else. As the evening hours were creeping on and the sun was setting, Michael was still enjoying the heat. With the crowd actually growing larger, it was yet another set that had the crowd just being able to chill, enjoy some cold refreshments, and drift away with the music. Being joined onstage by William Harris of Fremen, MC Overlord and friend (Billy Tompkins), it was a perfect way to close to this set. I don't think there was really anything else that could have made the setting sun on the lake any more enjoyable than this set (besides some beautiful company I guess - mijita).

Fremen ( http://www.facebook.com/FremenATX?v=wall ) now had a very interesting spot in this day of music, they performed directly ahead of Overlord. What a great spot! Fresh from the studio with Ter'ell Shahid (Overlords amazing and soulful vocalist) these cats have some inspiration behind them to make this night kick off very tight and very right!. With the custom stage lights in place, thanks to Billy and Miles for the tree work, it was gonna be a hot set. The crowd really did swell at this point and it was right on the mark for all that we heard and experienced. To those who have missed out, don't worry, there will be more sightings of the Fremen and for those who haven't heard, the CD wont drop soon enough so go check this set out!

...and then there was one. Not just one, THE one. MC Overlord ( http://www.overlordmusic.com/ ) with all of his imposing stature and presence, completely launched the night into a whole new level. Under the stars and all fired up, this was truly a great way to be a part of that Overlord music. For a day that started out with gunshots (sure ask anyone that was there!) it definitely ended with an explosion. Michael Dillard joined the performance in the end and MC Overlord even had Billy back onstage again. I will tell you when this next album drops the future may not be able to contain him, so go be a part of it now!



Laters

Blue Boy Inn

It was a very nice day at the lake. The Blue Boy Inn is a very cute, quaint cabin in Spicewood. Lovely accommodations, beautiful access to the lake, and a gorgeous yard and deck to enjoy a cool fall weekend in Texas (unfortunately, it is only in the mid to upper 80's during the fall with about 90% humidity on the lake). In the yard and by the dock it was very nice, but watching the bands on stage with no air circulating around them, they were melting. Nice thing was that the music was just as hot, so it was all good!

The list of bands was so hot and bad ass, I couldn't believe it. This next time this happens, I hope for more press and promotion, and for more folks and bands. It was great. To know what Austin musicians can do this is very inspiring. Wouldn't give credit to any other city in the world to have a musical community with such a powerful, smart, and moving presence than Austin.


The FreeFlow, Ryan Harkrider (acoustic), Derrick Davis (acoustic), Aimless Gun, *dinner break*, Michael Dillard, The Fremen, and MC Overlord.

Now what makes ALL of these performances very special was that my son, Billy, was with me to enjoy. I have only caught one performance of The FreeFlow previously, so this is good.  The acoustic performance by Ryan Harkrider is something that I have never seen before. Derrick Davis is some new sounds that I will relay to you. Aimless Gun, as you know, is a favorite, much like Michael Dillard. The Fremen have new life, as they have finally (with the production of Mr Ter'ell Shahid), put the tracks down for a much anticipated CD. MC Overlord, well this is the man who helped inspire me to start putting the music in print, so he will ALWAYS be my primo.

The social aspect of this day was very importan,t as you get these guys together to make a day out of it, the next thing you know, it's a full on 2 day benefit for whatever you could imagine. The FreeFlow ( http://www.reverbnation.com/thefreeflow#?kick=830335 ) started about 2:30. I really, REALLY love these guys. I think this is just good beer drinking (or maybe even a drink with an umbrella in it would be more appropriate) kind of music. You get to just kick back and listen. Without question they do the BEST Marley mix I have ever heard. To listen and look around at the audience, see and hear everybody singing along, it is nice to know these kids have the audience hooked. In my own humble opinion, I would love to hear that Marley tribute be just a little bit longer. NO! don't change up the songs, but ahhh it is so good to hear the way they lay it down and even better to feel it in the crowd. There is more to come from them and you should keep up via their Reverbnation page. GO! check them out, order something fun to drink and sing along, don't worry, everybody else will be too!

Ryan Harkrider ( http://www.ryanharkrider.com/ ) strolled up onstage with just him and his guitar. Very excited to hear and see this new twist for Ryan. It was great. Ryan has absolutely learned the way to capture the crowd. The music and sound is catchy, fun, and poetic, but to be able to make the audience laugh and laugh at yourself all while bringing an amazing stable of tunes to the table, WOW! Ryan really does have a great rapport with the audience and it makes it so fun to be at one of his performances. As I am sitting there listening, my friend comments on how Ryan, Derrick, and Michael (and even Cody from Aimless Gun) have the potential to be the new, modern day Outlaws. Musically if you don't know what I am talking about that would be Willie, Waylon, Hank Jr, and D.A.C. Look them up! The ability to get up onstage, any of these three or four guys, on any night, in any line up order, as an acoustic set and completely stun the house. That is a good ticket! My smart ass remark to follow was simply this "You know what makes these acoustic performances so fun and special? It's when one of the other artists just jumps up onstage, and fills in a little guitar or vocals...just for the hell of it!" C'mon , if all these guys are good friends, it's never hard feelings or an ego when someone else jumps up onstage with you, it's just good fuckin fun for everyone!

Well lo and behold, with a whisper from Will Harris, Derrick Davis was all of a sudden onstage with Ryan. The chemistry was kick-ass. EVERYONE loved it, it was just really fun. Derrick dropped in for a couple of songs (check out the video from the second song here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzIqAX7TKow ). Ryan finished off the set be leaving the stage and streaking for the lake. OH! did I say streaking, YES! Off with the shirt, down the steps to the dock, off with the shorts, then it was in the air to the water and I do believe that the moon was out that afternoon!!!!

As Derrick Davis ( http://www.reverbnation.com/derrickdavis ) mounted the stage next his comment before beginning his set was "How do I top that?" "Just do you set naked onstage!" LOL! not today thank god! Just another stellar performance, god music and good fun. I loved sitting in my lounge chair, drinking a margarita, and chilling to Derricks jams. NOW what got me up outta my seat and got my blood pumping and had me singing along (rather loudly and probably quite obnoxiously) was his final tune and very nice rendition of "I Wanna Be Like You" from the children's favorite and Disney classic "Jungle Book"! What a GREAT way to end the set. Nope! no nudity or running for the lake, but special in its own way.

This has to be a two-parter. So be prepared!


Laters

Mike Dill showed up, WTF!?!

Now I know I won't hear any shit from Will Harris about posting yet ANOTHER blog about bands I have previously seen before. I mean c'mon, REALLY! the way Austin music changes, you gotta keep it fresh and real...even if it is a band you have seen before. Just 'cause I have seen Doc Deuce, Fremen (been awhile Will) and Michael Dillard, doesn't mean that something amazing won't happen,. so here I am to tell you stupid heads about it, even those who got too stoned sitting in front of the computer (and forgot how to drive downtown)!

A Friday night and now I am starting to feel the pinch of enjoying to write up shows...missed out on a show at Club Encore, but feel that it was well represented by my friend Dave TeeVee ( http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#%21/DaveTeeVee ) check out the videos and stills, and you will wish you were there too!

I, instead, opted to hit One2One ( http://www.one2onebar.com/ ) and was very happy that I did. Now here is a bit of a side step, as I generally don't talk about the venue 'cause the blog is about the music, RIGHT? NONE THE LESS, this is such a great little bar, with a dog friendly rooftop deck (great for acoustic performances too, Greg) and a great bar staff inside. Totally makes the evening worthwhile to check out local talent and out of towners stopping by to put their talents on display.

Doc Deuce ( http://www.myspace.com/docdeuce ) hit it up first, and as I have said previously, this is well beyond intelligent and mind blowing music that you have to hear to believe. Doc is multi directional with the fun of his music and lyrics. A busy man, as he supports several powerful initiatives here in Austin that are very important to both the LIVE music community as well as the art of Hip Hop itself. Take a moment outta your life and during the week (yes! you can catch him doing many things during the week) or on the weekend, take in a performance of Doc Deuce, listen and learn!

Fremen ( http://www.facebook.com/FremenATX ) - Last show/performance MY ASS! I am here to tell all of you, I haven't seen these guys on stage for quite a while and it was better than great when they tore it up at the One2One this night! The rhymes and music were tight as hell and, better than anything, I can say was the crowd down in front. Hands up in the air and just a sea of bodies moving and pulsing up and down to the music. Good job guys, this is the way to kick this shit on a hot ass night in the ATX! No doubt in my mind, with the packed house that it was, we got a hellfied performance outta the Fremen. The way it should always be! If you read this and havent seen them before, keep an eye out and an ear open, if and when they perform again, HIT it and enjoy it!

Ahhhh, Michael Dillard ( http://michaeldillardmusic.com/). I couldn't move through the F**KIN bar to get from the back to the front. I am trying to do my part in passing out copies of the CD and write the blog to get yer asses out to a show, apparently Michael doesn't need my help cause he packs'em in like sardines everytime! But damn if I dont like going to his perfomances and watching the crowd react, it's different everytime and his energy is continuing to climb with each performance (not saying he is not energetic, but you gotta make a point of doing this so you can say you were there)! No doubt that there is a fan base here and the crowd just loves his performance and music. Singing along and dancing like there is no tomorrow (proof by the chick in the microscopic blue dress that was burning up the club in front of the stage...OWWWW!) Got video of Dillard doing a cover of 'Crazy' that I believe is to die for.

So! for the question about the title of the of the blog and this Mike Dill person. Haven't seen him on stage performing either as a guest or in any other fashion since MAYBE SXSW (and I may be wrong at that). Michael Dillards last song of the night had Will Harris from Fremen, Doc Deuce, and the one and only MC Overlord take part, BUT then Overlord started poking and poking and poking to have Mike Dill wrap up the night with some rhymes. BAM!!!! There he was and how sweet it was too! Can't tell y'all enough to get out and support the live local music scene, maybe the one night you decide to and you will have an amazing night like this, if you are lucky!

Laters

The Doc is IN and Dillard is OUTta sight

Beso Cantina ( http://www.besocantina.com/ ), 07/15, Michael Dillard Cd release party...and yes it was a party! The stars came out tonite for one of the newest, hottest kids to make his mark on the Austin music scene and reach for the world. Reppin all sorts of talent and music genres was Smackola from the Dirty Wormz, Ryan Harkrider, MC Overlord, guys from EPMB, some of the Aimless Gun boys, Will Harris from the Fremen, G Clef, Bobby Bookout, and damn if you were there and I didn't give you props...it's your own damn fault for not letting me know you were in the house HA!

Doc Deuce ( http://www.myspace.com/docdeuce ), well shit this guy is a Brain Ninja. He has crazy, deep, intelligent rhymes like you wouldn't believe or conceive. You can't see Hip Hop/Rap like this anywhere else...the only similarity that I will draw is that Twista used a violin for some of his music. The sound and the uniqueness is pure ATX love! The crowd (and I will say that I was Hella impressed with the size of the crowd this early on a Thurs nite) was totally moving and being moved by the music out of the gate. I mean REALLY, a violin in a LIVE hip hop performance. NO turntables here just pure, unadulterated, rhythmic ecstasy. Everyone was smiling and you will be too! Now we really know who Runs This Town, you gotta see this and be part of it. Doc Deuce went from a quiet start to a roaring finish, so please go out and catch what the Doc is giving...you will be enlightened and have fun!

 and now for the man of the hour Michael Dillard ( http://michaeldillardmusic.com/ ) and this CD release party was definitely a fun time for ALL! Why haven't you seen him perform yet? Okay, there will be a few more chances between now and when the big record labels show up, but dammit you better hurry. The crowd at Beso was just hyped for this performance, you felt it as soon as Michael strummed his guitar the first time. The crowd pushed forward to the stage and sardined in like you wouldn't believe. No Chance of moving so you had to stay there and enjoy, and no doubt everyone did. Still say it's the panty droppin voice, but I really say that it is obvious Dillard has what the crowd wants and gives it freely. Yup, I have seen a few Dillard performances now and he has more fun each time and it translates out into the audience every time. So for those of you who didn't make it (Miguel the cops love ya, sorry you were detained on the way to the show) the end of this performance was a rare and spontaneous treat as Dillard had MC Overlord (whose appearance on stage was awe inspiring), Doc Deuce, and Will Harris to finish out the show. UNBELIEVABLE! I Don't think there will be a next time for that, but you better make it next time to be a part of the ride up.

Laters