photo : valerie@fremin.net

A ton of information can be learned from a live music show. An audience member can finally see how the sounds are made or if their favorite performer is really as strange on stage as they hear. But luckily for this contributer, I learned last Thursday the only way to get all those cynical hipsters moving is to throw a show with Holy Fuck and M.I.A.

Here is a set of guidelines to throwing a vital dance party:

1. Have the show where there is plenty of space. I’ve learned my lesson on this one, choosing to stay in the very back at a very popular venue because it never fails that moshing SOMEHOW gets started by the stage. But I’ve realized it wasn’t the 90’s coming back, it was just frustration coming out from the audience members being crushed together.

2. Decorate. I know this one is a stretch, but the M.I.A. banners were so amazing, hanging around, that audience members were able to take parts of it home as souvenirs. And who wouldn’t want an amazing, free souvenir with M.I.A.’s face printed on it in black to hang around their place?

2. Have the opening band begin the vibe. If you’re throwing a show and you want people interested, keep them from smoking outside due to boredom by having the opener properly introduce the show. They should have energy and should be sweating and they should have instruments where they pull film from to make weird sounds. And good basslines rarely make people bored.

3. Make them anticipate, but not for too long. But it is always exciting to be in the line of the bathroom and hear the crowd cheering louder due to the performer taking the stage. I’ve never gone to the restroom that fast before, it was so exciting.

4. Have some visual stimulation. This can vary between background screen images or stage-diving. Whatever the case, the more you give your audience to see, the more they’ll look.

photo : valerie@fremin.net

5. Ask the audience how they’re doing. I know, I know it can seem trite but I’ve never heard an audience NOT respond to, “AUSTIN TEXAS, HOW YOU DOIN?!”

6. References to the smell of the room also keeps us entertained. I even love it when performers ask for an audience member to “pass it.”

7. Invite people on stage. I know this might be difficult for some, considering the expensive equipment that may be up there, but you can be prepared and clear your stage before hand. Or, you can be selective, like Pharrell and just bring up some nice ladies to do gentle, lady-dances. They’ll rarely hurt your expensive equipment.

8. And for goodness sake, can someone other than hip hop/dance artists throw down some intense beats? Although, I can see that this is picking up, with bands having two/multiple drummers now.

9. And lastly, end all that energy with an encore that everyone will know. To me, this just makes sense. After the music stops, I promise you people will still be dancing.

photo : valerie@fremin.net

I understand that this won’t apply to ALL aspects of live shows, but there are still some valuable ideas here. Despite what my father says about live shows, whether they ruin my hearing or keep me amidst “the crazies,” I still love going to them. I’ll know afterwards that I’ve learned something else that maybe school or an ear doctor couldn’t teach me which is to listen to good music and have an amazing time.

-Sonya

photo : valerie@fremin.net

Check out M.I.A.’s albums/singles on Amazon and iTunes.

I’d also like to thank Nardo, from Navdo Productions for his “special abilities” and allowing me to write this lovely post. GO SEE HIS SHOWS!!!

Scion has decided that sustaining any type of creativity in a capitalistic society can mend idealism and reality. The youth-oriented car company, amidst one of its many creative avenues, decided it was best to hit their target audience through one of the only ways it can reach them; through music. And now, it’s Ghostface Killah and “Charlie Brown.”

The latest release from Scion Audio/Visual (their in-house record label and yes, the car company) which contain four remixes from France’s DJ Mehdi, Orgasmic and Yuksek, as well as from L.A.’s Guns N Bombs, took the stylistic sounds of Ghostface’s “Charlie Brown” from his recent Fishscale recording sessions and turned them into a solid ground for that ideal reality.

With those four mixes on one release, it was only natural to listen to them like four boys trying to capture my heart (allow me to introduce my idealism seeping through).

Leading off the album was DJ Mehdi who displayed his talents to a base-driven level, defining himself as the groovy mixer of the bunch. Although the slowest of the tracks, he completely understood the need to move by channeling the perfect tempo of funk.

Yuksek’s mix, which took the track a tad faster, knew what we wanted to hear during these moments of J.U.S.T.I.C.E. and dance music, and it’s a ton of dirty synths and hard-hitting beats.

DJ Orgasmic, also known as Orgaga, took the track in a different direction, incorporating an undeniable breakbeat and adding his own twist with a 90’s-sounding loop.

Lastly, duo Guns N Bombs added their electro flair with intelligent cuts and rising tempos, taking the track into the future and making sure we dance until we get there.

To be honest, they each stole my dance-rhythm heart.

With four remixes like this, Scion definitely has their ear tuned to the right artists. And they’re heading in the right direction because beats this hard remixing a rapper this good could only mean that the reality you hear is definitely ideal.

Check out the 12” that will be released in early May.

-Sonya

MP3> ‘Charlie Brown Remix’ Orgasmic

Scion A/V website

photo : valerie@fremin.net

Missed The Shackeltons @ The Beauty Bar last Monday? You probably missed out on one of the more entertaining shows of the week. In fact, you did miss out on a great show, that no one in town is talking about right now, but those who did witness are doing so. I can’t completely blame you for missing the show, as I almost missed it myself. Why did I almost miss it? The promotion of the show was almost non-existent and I can blame myself for being partially responsible for being neglectful in this effort. Aside from the lack of fanfare, The Shackeltons quietly made their way into Austin for an in-store appearance @ End of An Ear on Saturday, making acquaintances with the locals and gaining fans from the get go.

photo : valerie@fremin.net

The show hinged on the possibility of not happening at all, but as all things that should happen, it did, and it was glorious. For those that happened across this performance by chance and those who chose to attend, there was a great reward. I have to admit that my first experience of the live show from the band, wasn’t what I had anticipated. I wasn’t allowed the time to indulge the experience, which is what the band is best at producing. Vocalist Mark Redding is a study in passion, poetry, and drama. He pours his heart, soul, and body into each live song while the band creates the musical landscape for Redding’s love adventure.

photo : valerie@fremin.net

It’s rock-n-roll. It’s about love, separation, sleepless nights, being alone, pouring your heart out, reaching out, and giving it your all, with sympathetic guitars, and a 17 year old drummer keeping the beat. It’s The Shackeltons. They kinda rock.

The band is currently winding down their first tour of the states with a few more dates in May and June.

photo : valerie@fremin.net

MP3> The Shackeltons ‘The Breaks’

Why not? You like rock right? You like loud guitars and thundering drums that dance melodic? Oh yeah, there’s bass as well. Three pieces that work well together.

Go see Ume with La Snacks, Transmography, and Moses and The Burning Bush @ Club De Ville this Friday.

MP3> Ume Spring Demo 2008 ‘Pendulum’

photo : valerie@fremin.net

photo : valerie@fremin.net

photo : valerie@fremin.net

photo : valerie@fremin.net

I did it. I got past my fear of smearing my loving memories of Pavement, and checked out Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks when they came to Austin last Sunday. It all felt extremely familiar in the venue, feeling a lot like it did back when I used to see Pavement @ Liberty Lunch. The crowd felt familiar, and many of the faces looked familiar, although some a bit more aged since last I saw. Amongst the crowd were many Austin indie-rock band members, out in numbers to watch the man that was indie-rock before indie-rock was a household name.

All fears were laid to rest right from the get-go as the band hit their first note, guitars sounding great, and there stood Stephen Malkmus, a familiar face with a history in a scene that thrives today. It was like seeing an old friend.

photo : valerie@fremin.net

As expected the band focused on material from the most recent release, Real Emotional Trash, avoiding any hint that they might stretch into any Pavement sounds. The band seemed loose and comfortable on stage, engaging in between song banter that at times was very comical. At one point Malkmus, after likening several things to a cockfight, asked “What’s not like a cockfight?”. Bassist Joanna Bolme replied “A vagina fight.”

photo : valerie@fremin.net

While most of the new material sounded great live, especially “Real Emotional Trash” and “Out of Reaches”, the set became a bit monotonous at times and the crowd started to thin out half way through the set. The diehard fans lasted to the end, and put on one of the more lengthy demands for an encore than you’ll find at most shows, and despite the occasional moments of monotony, it was sad to see the band exit the stage for good.

Being my first Stephen Malkmus show, I enjoyed it, but have since heard from Malkmus fans who were in attendance, that he and the Jicks are capable of putting on a better show. Would I recommend the show? Absolutely. I had a great time watching the artist responsible for some of my fondest musical memories, and wouldn’t hesitate to do so again.

photo : valerie@fremin.net

photo : valerie@fremin.net

photo : valerie@fremin.net

photo : valerie@fremin.net

photo : valerie@fremin.net

Dead Confederate hit the road for a string of summer tour dates which have them opening for The Drive By Truckers for 7 of those dates. I’m not too sure about the pairing of the two bands, although I like both, but I don’t get paid to make those decisions, do I?

Dead Confederate recorded their first full length with Mike McCarthy (Spoon, Trail of Dead) earlier this year here in Austin, and I’m hoping to start hearing some results of that meeting by end of summer. Fingers are crossed.

Since their performance here in Austin, I have often been asked when they are coming back this way, and looking at the current dates posted, it may be awhile. Nothing in Texas this time around.

MP3> Dead Confederate ‘The Rat’

Dead Confederate Tour

5/23 Seattle, WA KEXP Live with Cheryl Waters

5/24 Quincy, WA Sasquatch! Festival

5/28 Washington D.C. DC9

5/29 New York, NY Piano’s

5/30 Asbury Park, NJ The Saint

5/31 Philadelphia, PA The Khyber

6/1 Boston, MA TT the Bears

6/4 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506

6/5 Asheville, NC The Rocket Club

6/6 Knoxville, TN Barley’s

6/7 Atlanta, GA The Earl

6/14 Manchester, TN Bonnaroo

6/17 Santa Fe, NM Santa Fe Brewing Company*

6/18 Flagstaff, AZ Orpheum Theatre Flagstaff*

6/19 Tucson, AZ Rialto Theatre*

6/20 Solana Beach, CA Belly Up Tavern*

6/24 Sacramento, CA Empire Room*

6/25 Bend, OR Midtown Ballroom*

6/26 Spokane, WA Big Easy - Spokane*

7/5 Rothbury, MI Rothbury Festival

* with Drive by Truckers

Our friends over at Blog Fresh Radio invited me once again to be a part of the show and talk about one of the bands currently making time on my pages. With the release of Directions to See A Ghost looming (in a good way) in the near future, I of course picked Austin drone rockers The Black Angels. Also featured on this week’s show are representatives from blog sites Chromewaves, Music Like Dirt, Cable & Tweed, and Mr. Mammoth.  Check out Blog Fresh Radio and hear about what bands the bloggers are currently digging and why.

I recently expressed some personal thoughts on the future of music magazines, as news of the publications Harp and No Depression shutting down operations, caught me a bit by surprise and starting me thinking. I left my thoughts on the subject hoping that my suspicion of a this news being an indication of what is to come of many print magazines, was unbound in any concrete evidence. The blog spot Hypebot has revealed concrete evidence seemingly supports my suspicion, much to my dismay.

From the Hypebot blogspot:

Music Magazine Ad Revenue Drops 28%

ARE MUSIC MAGAZINES DOOMED?

As the fans move online, ad revenue at the top three music magazines slid 28% in the first quarter of 2008.

• Blender $11 million (down 9% from first quarter 2007); 110 pages (down 20%)
• Rolling Stone $31 million (down 27%); 195 (down 33%)
• Spin $8 million (up 27% from 2007); 146 (up 22%)
• Vibe $18 million down 19% from 2007); 185 (down 22%)

Publishers Information Bureau via Crains.

Fortunately for me, I don’t subscribe to either of these publications. That’s the only upside to this that I can muster right now.

photo : valerie@fremin.net

I don’t know how I almost missed this, but better late than never I guess.

The Shackeltons are currently on the road for their first tour of the good ‘ol US and they make a stop here in Austin, playing at the Beauty Bar tonight with She, Sir. I caught the band at SXSW this year, and based on that experience, I highly recommend that if you are looking for something to do tonight, and want to be thoroughly entertained, the Beauty Bar might just be the place to be. What better way to shake off those Monday doldrums?

MP3> The Shackeltons ‘Your Movement’

photo : valerie@fremin.net

My Morning Jacket previewed some of the new material off of Evil Urges, including this track “Evil Urges”, while in Austin during SXSW 2008. I wasn’t expecting tracks to get leaked this early, but I cannot say I’m not a bit overjoyed that they are making their way onto the internet. According to blog site So Much Silence, he received the track from the bands record label.

The new material is definitely different. Jim James is exploring some newer vocal territory, the music is a bit more beat funky, and the presence of deep growling backing vocals is a new twist. Evil Urges might be a challenge to some My Morning Jacket fans. Listen for yourself, and let me know what you think.

Thanks to So Much Silence for the tip on this one.

MP3> My Morning Jacket ‘Evil Urges’

Cat Power (Chan Marshall) has been forced to cancel a string of dates on her current tour as a result of putting a strain on her vocal chords. Doctor’s orders are to take a break from the singing activity for couple of weeks. Plans are said to be in place to reschedule the canceled dates for later in the year.

I wish a speedy recovering to Chan despite my opinion of the performance @ Fun Fun Fun Fest ‘07. I would suggest that putting down the Camels might be helpful.

Postponed Dates:

04-19 Dallas, TX - Palladium Ballroom
04-20 Austin, TX - Stubb’s Bar-B-Q
04-22 Houston, TX - Warehouse
04-23 Mexico City, Mexico - Lunario
04-25 Bogotá, Colombia - Teatro ECCI
04-30 Vienna, Austria - TBA

Local promoter Navdo is up to his usual production of putting together 2 nights full of great Austin bands, all in one great place. The Parish, is probably the best venue to catch shows of this size, and you can guarantee that Navdo is going to do everything he can to make it “a show”. $10 is the cost for both nights or $7 for an individual evening, and you get 4 bands each night.

MP3> Ringo Deathstar ‘Swirly’

Probably one of the more entertaining shows that I have seen this year was Dan Deacon @ Emo’s. And this year @ SXSW, it seemed every time I turned around, there was Dan, big round glasses and torn sweat pants walking around downtown Austin. I found this video for “Okie Dokie”while poking around on the Pitchfork.tv site.

Local band Shearwater are following up the critically acclaimed Palo Santo release with the upcoming recording Rook, set to become legal June 3rd on Matador. The band has scheduled a string of dates in May, with two of the dates scheduled to feature the band performing Rook in it’s entirety accompanied by a string quartet. The two “special” shows will take place in both New York and Austin. Aside from the NY and Austin shows many of the other dates have the band in support of Clinic.

You can pre-order Rook thru Matador

MP3> Shearwater ‘Rooks’

Shearwater tour:

MAY

Monday 5 New York, NY Florence Gould Hall/ French Institute with 8-piece orchestra/ Michael Gira opens*

Wednesday 7 Northampton, MA Iron Horse Music Hall w/Jennifer O’Connor

Friday 9 Boston, MA Paradise Rock Club w/Clinic

Saturday 10 Montreal, QC La Sala Rosa w/Clinic

Sunday 11 Toronto, ON Lee’s w/Clinic

Monday 12 Chicago, IL Empty Bottle w/Clinic

Tuesday 13 Minneapolis, MN 7th St. Entry w/Clinic

Friday 16 Seattle, WA Neumo’s

Saturday 17 Vancouver, BV Richards on Richards w/Clinic

Monday 19 San Francisco, CA The Independent w/Clinic

Tuesday 20 West Hollywood, CA Troubadour w/Clinic

Thursday 29 Austin TX The Parish with 8-piece orchestra*