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

Always fun at One2One

Located on S Lamar just minutes from down town, sits a small strip center in a rapidly developing corner of Austin. Housed right smack in the middle this area is the One2One (http://www.one2onebar.com/). This hot little place houses one of the best small stages in Austin. The sound in the room is amazing, the stage lighting is fantastic, and the bar staff is on point. The room is a rectangle shape room, as you walk in the bar runs about halfway down the right wall with the stage at the end of the room opposite the door. The bathrooms are on either side of the stage...and yes...the men and women restrooms are on OPPOSITE sides of the stage.

Another night at the One2One brought several different sounds from 3 different acts.

Joe George (http://www.joegeorgemusic.net/) from Chicago was a solo acoustic set. Spinning his tales between him, his guitar, and the crowd. Joe George entertained us and kept the mood warm in the room. I don't have a problem admitting a whole lot of attention was not provided by myself to his set. It was enough and smile inducing enough to give you this description. Joe George did however, provide a surprise just a little later in the evening that wowed us all.

The Reverent Few   (https://thereverentfew.com/) was a smashing combo. The glorious lead singer showered us with her powerful voice from her small frame. The lead guitarist regaled us with his fine work on the fret board as well as his vocals. I was mesmerized by the bassist.  To my surprise, soloist Joe George,  joined them on stage to bring it all to glorious peak -what a musician and entertainer! As a whole ensemble, The Reverent Few surprised the damned many that stood before them this evening. It really was grande performance with vocals in quite a fashion. Hearing one of my peers and long time fixtures in the Austin music scene exclaim 'My God! How are these kids from Austin and I am just now hearing about this!?' Just like the music of The Reverent Few and their performance...just damn fine!

Jelly Ellington (http://www.jellyellington.com/) was whom I came to enjoy. Although the other performances before Jelly were crowd pleasing, it was this man's night and he was fresh from touring for his new release "All In". It takes the causal person in the crowd no time at all to realize it is not just the album title, but his approach to music and performing. With a great line up of musicians behind him, Jonathan Ellington, known to all as 'Jelly' not only can he play guitar at a level that makes you want to burn your guitar (even if you don't own one or play) but can sing with a smooth powerful voice. It is definitely a performance with catching anywhere, anytime, day show, evening show, or late night. During the week or on a weekend you should go "All In!"

I do want to take another moment to talk about the new CD - so let me enlighten you:

"All In" is an amazing piece of work. The opening hand claps of 'Set Me Free' proves to be a roof raising rocking anthem which promises to drive everyone into a frenzy of good times. The strumming guitar work and keys with the vocals and rhythm just makes you keep turning it up - and wait until you hear it live. You are able to drift away with track two 'Sunset'. But then the slow fade in of the keys and that haunting sound on the guitar roll in on track three's 'Let Go'. This is a track that uttelry mesmerizes you as it continues to build. Track four 'Crosstown' comes right back with that funky groove and Jelly's voice that is passion laden and smoldering - vaguely giving you that feel of Jimi taking over. Oh..and then 'Hard Times Coming Down', wraps you up in its warmth. The organ sounds and the keys back fills this track to make the story Jelly tells so much more interesting.

Showing his skill at song writing and musical genius, Jelly give us the track 'Getaway'. A back seat riding song with the windows down, and having that cool country feel, it is whiskey sipping track. We finally roll into a point where it feels as if Jelly is just sitting on the stool singing to you. Just him and the beautiful sound of his guitar playing. As you you wrap yourself in this track you realize and feel the warmth of the strings filling in. All of this culminates in the explosion horns with the funk filled end tack 'New Day'.

An album well worth having, enjoying, and spreading the work about. Grab this from his website here - http://smarturl.it/jellyellington_allin - turn it up load, and find a show to see an album performed better than it sounds!


I am out.



Laters

another SundayFunday

I hold firm to the belief music soothes the soul. If you are feeling down or just not yourself, bummed out and depressed, or just simply tired. The difficult thing about dealing with these things is just the simple fact to get up and do something.

Not feeling a 100% didn't stop me. My beautiful wife caught me just sitting on the sofa late on a Sunday morning. All I heard was simply "...and The Nightowls?" I looked up at her as she was smiling. "Oh! They are on the road." I responded.

"No. They are at Icenhauers today. You wanna do a Sunday Funday?"

...And off we went.






















The parking downtown, near the lake and Rainey St. is pretty ridiculous. Especially at 3 in the afternoon. We circled twice and then snuck into a spot that was open. Took a stroll down Rainey St. It was a nice afternoon. Not to hot. The sun wasn't out cooking us, it was simply nice.  Strolling up to the line in front of Icenhauers (http://www.icenhauers.com/) was not really a surprise. The Sunday Funday here has been epic for about as long as they have been open. I can think of four different bands that have set crowds dancing shoes on fire since their beginning.

From Eagle Pritchard Murray Band, The GoodNites, The Jack Burton Trio, and now...                                                 The Nightowls (http://wearethenightowls.com/). Icenhauers on a Sunday afternoon is pretty much the definition of SundayFunday. I believe if you look it up in the Urban dictionary there is a picture of this place. OH! It is crowded. Ridiculous! Jam packed - body to body - bumping - jumping - hands up in the air - don't go anywhere because you cant move - kind of crowded. It is great! The music from The Nightowls are out of this world, Motown reincarnated in Austin, Texas good!

With all the great music, with the energy of the crowd, and the fresh air. It was simply the best way to feel good (and the Allisons didn't hurt either). Even for the short length of time we were out, it was all good. Another Sunday Funday in the books. Maybe you should try it too.


Laters

The Greatest land of all...BEERLAND!

On one of my many trips through downtown Austin I have never stopped in to check out Beerland (http://www.beerlandtexas.com/), this time i did.  Although there have been plenty of shows there and I have seen many friends attend events there, I simply had not stopped in.

Beerland is located in the entertainment district of down town Austin, TX. On the corner of Red River and 7th St, surrounded by a tiny little, black, wrought iron fence, Beerland is very unassuming outside. A small patio area for smokers and those wanting to step out of the club in between bands. You enter the door and immediately head down to what feels and looks like a basement level club. The bar is to your left as you enter and to the back left corner are the bathrooms. Dead ahead of you is the small stage with the giant BEERLAND logo on the back wall. This is the epitome of that garage/basement style club. That dark, low slung ceilinged club adds to the vibe and style of music.

Pulling up a quick seat at the bar My wife, her friend, and myself take in the scene. Apparently this evenings entry got you into Beerland and the club next door for two stages of fun and constant music. 

While the ladies started on some adult beverages I hopped next door to quickly catch Lions and Tigers (https://www.facebook.com/LionsTigersTX/) onstage. What a great band and surprise. Lions and Tigers are from Austin, TX so you will be able to catch them around town after reading this post. It was a very good set of music. Currently promoting their new EP, Lions and Tigers had an energy filled set with great vocals and guitar work. I believe this evening included a loan in guitarist doing lead while the lead singer did rhythm and some solo work. Although it was an energy filled set it was not an overly energetic type of sound that made the crowd go nuts. Easy enough to move around and see all of the upturned faces watching the band and absorbing their vibe and brand of pop/punk music. Lions and Tigers are definitely on my list to share with you again and hopefully run into again around town to get a bigger, better feel for what they can do.

Back to Beerland, although this was not the band I was there to see and shoot, Forever Starts Today (https://www.foreverstartstoday.net/home) was taking the stage. My shock, thrill, and excitement just couldn't be contained. I saw this group a year or so ago at another venue and here is a shining example of my love for the Austin music scene. I was thoroughly impressed when I saw them the first time realizing they were packed full of potential. With the lead vocals and charisma of Christina Murphy, to the amazing guitar work and enthusiastic bass player, Forever Starts Today is positioning themselves, in Austin, to make that leap into the national spotlight. This performance didn't let down either. Having to throw some elbows to keep my spot down in front of the stage and snapping photos, was only intensified with leaving the font of the stage, stepping back and taking in their performance with the rest of the crowd screaming and singing along.  Enjoying it to the extent of making sure I got a CD prior to the bands departure at the urging of my wife. (now to just get a signed tour poster for the wall at Tom-Cruz Studios would be very cool!) Leaving that performance with my wife exclaiming how much she loved Forever Starts Today and enjoyed Christina's voice, pretty much sealed the deal to take my wife to another performance next chance we get. You should too!

If that wasn't enough for the couple of performances I just took in, then how about Thieves (http://thievestx.com/) coming in to steal the rest of the night - SORRY, I had to do it!



At the urging (and ultimately the arrangement) to take in this evenings performance, a neighbor to Tom-Cruz Studios bragged about this band as his cousin was the bass player. Well... he didn't need to brag. The performance of Thieves stood on its own. Had I been lucky enough to purposefully see my friends in the previous band and hang out to see Thieves would have been an epic coup. Instead it was wonderful coincidence to catch my friends opening for Thieves.  The performance was polished and searing. With their VERY familiar brand of Pop/punk alternative rock, Thieves is on par with, and better than, many you hear on the radio today. As for the performance, getting to the stage and stealing the few shots I got from Thieves before being pummeled by an enthusiastic crowd is one thing. The proof of how much these guys are loved was in their performance and was enjoyed more when I couldn't even make it to my seat. The crowd was jumping and screaming through the entire set.



Meeting the bass player after the show was nice. Telling him how much I enjoyed the show and like their sound was great. Even better was to tell him my daughter will be thrilled to see them the next time Thieves does another show here in Austin. He grinned, and as I took a disc he told me "You should give that to your daughter!" uhhm...NO! Daddy's keeping this one for himself. She can get her own when I take her to see Thieves live for herself. See you there!






 Laters

Goodbye Nick

I am pretty sure this is my top place to sneak up to and see local music. One of 3 places in Austin you could catch me at whenever.


One 2 One (http://www.one2onebar.com/) remains my top pick for small venue in Austin. For the sound, stage, and bar service.

Quick rundown of the bar...you walk in to the large rectangle shaped room. Bar to your right running half the length of the club. Stage directly in front of you and impressively large and gorgeous for the small venue. Bathrooms are to the left and right of the stage for men and women....and let me tell you, it is ALWAYS a hoot to watch women constantly trying to go to the mens room cause the cant find the women's room!

This performance review is gonna be really off as it was pretty much a one time performance. Although I hope not, and would expect and believe from the packed house and reaction of the crowd, Jonathan Ellington (http://www.jellyellington.com/) would make this happen again. It was a Led Zeppelin tribute show! And what a tribute it was.

The place was sold out. The players onstage, could not have been any better if Plant and Paige had walked in themselves. The core group was J. Ellington on guitar - paying much respect to Jimmy Paige, by being flawless. Vocals was Josh Ross (https://www.facebook.com/JoshRossLeBlanc)- Robert plant had to be turning over in his grave - and I know the dude ain't dead. Aric Garcia (https://www.facebook.com/TheWarplanes/) just blistered on the drums all night. My friend Nick Casillo was epic with his bass lines and smile all night long.

With special guest Cole Gramling on on the keys to bring in that full Zeppelin sound was superb. Guest vocalist Michael Dillard (https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDillardMusic/) and Curtis Lee (https://www.facebook.com/CurtisLeeMusiq/) both respectively shocked the audience with the renditions of the songs they performed. Michael Dillard being expectedly bad ass for his song and performance and Curtis Lee choking up some in the crowd with his performance. Let me stop and take a moment to say that even though Curtis Lee knew of Led Zeppelin, this is not his bag. TO be on stage at a rock show, outside of his normal, soulful, R&B self and do the job he did, damn!

In all, With everyones participation, it was an event I am super excited to have gone to and proud to have these guys here in Austin and part of the music scene. Please, look ALL of them up. Go see them on any of their respective projects as they are all amazing performers, entertainers, and have great band.

EXCEPT FOR NICK!!!

Goodbye Nick. Congratulations on the Family. I love you sir, will miss your smiling face onstage, your handshakes and the respect you have always given me as a fan of the Austin music scene!

Laters

The Rebellion lives

Dozen Street (https://www.facebook.com/DozenStreet/) is located on...Well...12th St. On the corner of 12th and Chicon in Austin, Texas. As a tourist I don't believe you would wander in here unless it was purposeful.

Dozen Street Bar is located in a row between a couple of other businesses and is a Shotgun style bar. As you walk into the narrow room, heading towards the back, you pass a couple pool tables and the restrooms on the right. The wall on your left is an interesting collection of 12x12 tiles of all different sorts which have to see in person to appreciate it. As you progress farther into the club, the bar is also on your right past the bathrooms and the stage is to your left in the back corner with a seating /lounge area directly in front of it next to the bar. The is also an out door area for smoking or relaxing away from the music of you so choose.

This night's musical selection was a two piece out of New York, SIRSY (http://www.sirsy.com/). Comprised of Melanie on Drums and vocals, as well as backing herself up on bass and flute... Yes! You read that correctly. The band is rounded out with guitarist Rich Libotti, who does bass as well. They tour constantly and traverse the U.S. like champs.

The first thing I noticed about SIRSY is Melanie's beautiful smile! It is absolutely infectious and fantastic. Smiling and laughing throughout the entire performance. She just makes you happy you are there.

SIRSY's music is pop/rock based. Libboti's grooves and guitar work is uncompromising! Mixing his pedal work with his rhythm and lead solos are solid. The frightening thing is how great Libboti's work is and it takes back seat to Melanie and her performance work. By the way, the title of this blog is a nod to Libboti's guitar itself - go see them perform and you might get the back story! 

Although it was a small intimate crowd, SIRSY'S performance was even more stellar than the first time I saw them on a short set and large crowd. Every single person in the house tonight laughed with the band, cheered, clapped, and danced in their seats or across the small space in front of the stage. Although they did play a cover or two, the crowds enjoyment came directly in response to their amazing originals. It was an exciting performance to behold and for just two people to pour their hearts, souls and sweat out for this crowd like they did, I can't imagine you having a better time than a SIRSY performance!

Oh my God... And that smile!

Laters