There’s not much more that I can say about this that isn’t stated in post that I grabbed from the always informative site Hypebot.com. It’s hilarious and incredibly sad. I highly recommend that you watch this video.

Video: Twitter and The Death of Rock Criticism

Taken from the Hypebot site:

THIS IS A MUST WATCH: At the 140 Characters Conference, Rolling Stone and Idolator critic Christopher R. Weingarten shared a witty and all too true overview of how music blogs, album leaks and Twitter are changing the role of the music critic. “Crowdsourcing killed indie rock…because people have awful taste…”. Watch it, chuckle and weep,  then check out his fabulous Twitter min-album review project 100TimesYes.

St. Vincent captured my attention with the debut release Marry Me, and has been quickly catching the attention of many with the follow up Actor. The sophomore release doesn’t stray far from it’s predecessor, but only builds on the intriguing sounds of St. Vincent a.ka. Annie Clark, with delicate sounds interwoven with Clark’s guitar prowess.

One of the more talked about tours this summer, Annie Clark and company, will bring her devilish charm wrapped in sheep’s clothing to the Mohawk on Friday night. Anyone who reads this blog understands that I might be just a little bit excited about this show.

Pattern Is Movement open for St Vincent and I suggest you stick around for Sad Accordions and Soldier Thread inside after Clark does her thing.

Tickets still available, and I would suggest that you purchase in advance if planning on attending.

MP3> St. Vincent ‘The Party’

MP3> Sad Accordions ‘The Boy Who Wanted to Build A Bridge (But Got A Wall Instead)’

MP3> Soldier Thread ‘Run Run’

Video of St. Vincent acoustic version of “The Strangers” on the Lake Fever Sessions

St. Vincent “The Strangers” from Lake Fever Sessions on Vimeo.

Lollapalooza 2009 is a mere 1 1/2 months away, and if you have plans on heading to Chicago for this year’s event, the lineup is now live for you to start planning your 3 days. Depeche Mode vs Kings of Leon, Beastie Boys vs Tool, Janes Addiction vs Killers (wtf?). Time to start making those decisions and building your schedule with the new Facebook interface that was added this year.

Check it HERE.

I’m sure that it was a good show, even a great show, but unfortunately I didn’t get to find out. I would’ve love to have checked out the show that I previewed a few days ago, a show that undoubtedly was the hot ticket of the summer, possibly even the year. But, it wasn’t to be. Sure, I would’ve bought tickets, and had done so if I wasn’t with the understanding that I was being granted access to the show per a certain PR company months before the actual event. Turns out the day before the show, I am informed by the PR company that I had been cut from the list. Fingers are pointed of course, and I’m not exactly sure who I am to hold responsible for this move, but something took course that changed my plans for the evening. Something that I would like to hear a more concrete answer about, because I’m slightly pissed.

I should probably take this time to explain a few things.

First off, I understand that I’m very fortunate to be granted access to many an event such as this. I’m grateful. It was never expected, and I’m always appreciative of the fact that bands/managers/PR companies are so willing to extend the graces that they do. Of course it doesn’t come completely free. In return, I preview shows, write about tours, cover shows with commentary and photography. Crappy job huh? Actually, it’s a pretty good gig. The endless emails can be tiring at times, especially when the folks emailing me, haven’t spent the time to get to know what I really do, who I might be interested in, or actually respond when I do email back, but there are the few that actually do what they do, well.

Secondly, my life doesn’t revolve around the blog. The blog doesn’t pay my bills. I love writing about music, and if I could make a living at it, I would be tickled pink. But, the reality is, that most of us in the blog scene here in Austin, do it because we love music. We have jobs that pay the bills. Jobs that maybe we have to work around the shows that we would love to attend, promote, cover, etc. Some of us are teachers, some of us are freelance writers, some of are 9 to 5′ers, some of us work in different areas of the service industry, etc, etc. I’m sure that I’m not alone in saying that, if at all possible, many of us would jump at the opportunity to write about and support music as a living, but we are all very aware of the condition of the industry these days. Blogging is a side job, a passion, something that has to be secondary to making a living. Not always the case, but for most I know in this town, it is.

You might wonder where I’m going with this? Really nowhere. I could rant and rave, call out people, complain about the situation even more, while trying to make myself feel better, but why? I write mostly because of how I feel about something. Usually music. And that has provided me with many a luxury that I previously wasn’t privy to, and I’m thankful for that. But then again, this is a blog, my blog, and If I feel like venting about something that pisses me off, then I’ll do so, as it usually makes me feel better. If I upset someone, or create a dialog, then all the better. I don’t claim to always be right, but I do have the right to my opinion, like it or not. And my opinion is… somebody f***** me on this deal! I could’ve been at the beach. See..I already feel better. Much better actually. Maybe it just wasn’t meant to be…

Hope you enjoyed the show.

So, this is for you..the fans:

Stream the live performances from the Parish (decent quality)

MP3> Grizzly Bear @ The Parish 6.16

MP3> Here We Go Magic @ The Parish 6.16

Sonic Youth’s latest offering The Eternal sees the band returning to the form that crowned them post-punk icons. Raw, dirty, scrappy, and rockin, whilst maintaining their unique and personal sonic sound.

“Sacred Trickster” leads us into The Eternal and the video is a visual homage to some punk-rock history.

Who am I excited about seeing @ ACL Festival??

There’s no better day than Monday to get out and shake the work week doldrums from the rafters with a bite of upbeat, indie-rock, pop and shine from Glasgow’s Camera Obscura. 13 years deep into their career the band just recently released their 4th full length on the 4AD label, titled My Maudlin Career. Just being recently turned on to the band, I have to say that pretty much everything I’ve heard so far is of some substantail quality, and I’m looking forward to seeing the live version attached to the sounds.

Camera Obscura play Antones on Monday 6.15

The band will also be stopping by Waterloo Records @ 1 p.m. Monday for an instore performance.

MP3> Camera Obscura ‘The Sweetest Thing’

One of the hottest tickets of this concert year, could belong to the darlings of the blogs, Grizzly Bear who are plodding along in full stride, fresh on the heels of their sophomore release Veckatimest. The album that has been ringing “Album of The Year” all across the interweb as well as on the lips of music hipsters and music geeks months before it’s official release.  This show at The Parish this coming Tuesday has followed suit, selling out months before as well.

For those with tickets in hand, eagerly awaiting what could be the most talked about show of this year and fixated on the Grizzly Bear, there’s a good reason to get there early. Here We Go Magic will be performing opening duties for Grizzly Bear @ The Parish on this Tuesday night, as they have been for quite a few dates on this tour. Here We Go Magic’s debut release is the work of Luke Temple, who shed his singer songwriter identity established with his two previous recordings, to record this shaping of sound and melodies. Recorded mostly on his own, Luke Temple’s moniker has now become a complete band, to bring the recording to life in the live setting. Quick on the tongue of some of the most recognized music press, Here We Go Magic’s debut is determined to establish Temple as a future darling of the indie-rock world.

Both band’s recordings have been occupying plenty of my time lately with combinations of delicate beauty and crafted songwriting stimulating the idea of how the live performance is to take place @ The Parish. One of the most suited settings for a show of this virtual magnitude and tender workmanship. If you are seeking those desired tickets, I would suggest that you reserve your efforts to engaging both bands at this years ACL Festival. Unless you know the door guy pretty well..or really well.

It will be the night to evaluate the true value of what many of us perpetuate to be the…thing. The current thing.

Watch yourself a little Here We Go Magic “Fangela”

I would be a bit more excited about this news if we hadn’t already been notified of the band’s scheduled performance @ Fun Fun Fun Fest ‘09, but it should get the blood going for many of those in the cities listed on this tour. The return of The Jesus Lizard to the stage is sure to be one of the highlights of the year for myself. It’s gonna be mean, nasty, and a hell of a lot of fun. Hopefully David Yow is still got it in him, to pull off the crazed madman performances that he is so well known for delivering.

The band will also reissue their first four albums Head, Goat, Liar, and Down September 22nd on CD and vinyl via Touch and Go.

MP3> The Jesus Lizard ‘Puss’ off of Liar

And now, the Tour Read more

As if we needed any more reasons to love St. Vincent (aka Annie Clark) this piece on ABC’s Amplified piles on the adorableness. Have I mentioned….I heart St. Vincent?

The St. Vincent show @ the Mohawk is rapidly approaching, and I have a feeling this one just might sell out. Just a feeling. Oh yeah..June 19th.

Unfortunately, we cannot post the video, but you can watch it here on YouTube.

photos by : Joel Sumner

Since being made painfully aware that I had been missing out on one of the greatest rock bands around currently, I’ve dedicated myself to the idea that, albeit a rare event, I was not to miss The Constantines live show if it came anywhere near Austin. It’s true, the band doesn’t make the trip from Canada down to these parts often, but when they do, you can bet that there will be a throng of true Constantines fans there to savor every moment. True to that statement, was the show on Saturday night @ Emo’s inside.

In the current musical climate of reinvented folk rock testing your patience or tripped out mind-f*** pseudo psychedelic dribble, The Constantines play pure and simple rock-n-roll. You know, the stuff that got us to where we are today, lest we forget our history. Just 5 guys, with guitars and drums, belting out the real life events, emotions, and feelings of characters that we all know too well.

The size of the crowd, being a bit smaller than what I was expecting, made up for their lacking in mass, with their raw enthusiasm and obvious appreciation for the band. As the band tore through their mass collection of material, bringing to life the obvious highlights of their catalog, “Shine A Light”, “Nightime/Anytime (It’s Alright), and “Young Lions”, you could feel the intensity of the crowd increase with each passing song. It was one of those rare and fleeting moments where you can find yourself unified by music, with the people surrounding you, reinforcing the reality that you are alive, and life is nothing short of great, if only for that evening. Compliments of The Constantines.

MP3> The Constantines ‘I Will Not Sing A Hateful Song’

Brooklyn’s School of Seven Bells captured my attention @ SXSW 2009, and although Black Moth Super Rainbow were the main event for Tuesday’s show, the dreamy lush synth-rock sounds of SOSB secured future fans on this night, without a doubt. Bathed in deep red light, the Deheza twins backed by Benjamin Curtis, delivered a sexy, sultry set of songs, including personal favs “Connjur” and “My Cabal” that washed over the venue and the captivated audience.

So, they don’t have a drummer, big deal. Have you seen the twins sisters that front this band? Totally makes up for not having a drummer.

The Mohawk was testing out a possible new PA for the venue, and it sounded absolutely amazing. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it becomes a permant fixture for future shows.

For the Manchester Orchestra fans, and I know that there are many of you out there as I’ve seen you at the shows, a visual video trip through the band’s latest release Mean Everything to Nothing is complete.

Directed by Destroy Rock Music Inc you can see it all HERE.

And taste it here:

04 - Manchester Orchestra “PRIDE” from DestroyRockMusic Inc. on Vimeo.

Pretty much bores the shit out of me. Have fun at the show. Should be pretty.

The Constantines are not new to the scene, nor should they really need much introduction. Why more people aren’t paying attention to this band is a bit beyond. Maybe we’ve found ourselves too caught up in the herd mentality of the current digital online music media machine, which has managed to ignore or put aside many of the real “rock” bands that are standing fast and hard in their art these days. Maybe it’s best that too many people not know of the divine pleasures that some of these bands deliver, in fear that our sacred ground be stomped on by the herd.

The Constantines are guitars, drums, more guitars, and real life lyrical stories being told on stage through the art of rock ‘n’ roll. No fancy bells or whistles, just…rock, detailing the everyday experiences of the human mind and soul.

Hailing from Canada, the band makes it down to our area on few occassions. Even more reason to pencil in this show for your Saturday night.

I plead my case:

MP3> The Constantines ‘Shine A Light’

MP3> The Constantines ‘I Will Not Sing A Hateful Song’

I think that this might just be real, real, real…f***ing good!

The Constantines @ Emos with Crystal Antlers and I Was A King 6.6 Tickets