It’s the year to vote, and one band that we hold a certain fondness for, Against Me! have joined up with Rock the Vote for this little message:

Navdo Presents has put together a sweet little show of local bands for this Saturday, and we have a pair of tickets to give away. Come out and support some of Austin’s finest local indie-rock acts, compliments of Navdo and Sonic Itch Music.

The fine folks over @ VIMBY will be there capturing the moments of the night along with band interviews.

Email with Ringo Deathstarr in the subject line and we’ll randomly pick one winner to be notified late Friday. Sonic Itch Music

Even if you don’t get a pair of tickets $8 is a hell of deal for this show.

 Ringo Deathstarr Myspace

Ume Myspace

Hope Irish Myspace

Wye Oak is guitarist/vocalist Jenn Wasner and drummer/vocalist Andy Stack. The Baltimore-based, guitar pop/indie folk duo (formerly named Monarch) recently signed with Merge, who re-issued their debut album If Children in April of this year. Check them out if you are a fan of Beach House and Yo La Tengo. Plus it’s only $8.

Recent Thirll Jockey signees Pontiak open the show.

MP3> Wye Oak ‘Family Glue’

Benji Hughes

photo : valerie@fremin.net

Rilo Kiley made a stop at Stubb’s this past Monday, and as much as I’ve just been a casual fan of the band (Jenny Lewis is a cutie for one, and the latest recording Under the Blacklight is slightly infectious is 70′s pop disco way), I was there to check out what this guy Benji Hughes is all about. You may not know of this one calling himself Benji Hughes, but chances are you will soon enough.

Benji Hughes is a recent acquisition over @ New West Records, better known for acts like Steve Earle, The Drive-By Truckers, and Ben Lee, and is a welcomed expansion to the roster’s style, bringing a modern soul sound reminiscent of Eels, Beck, and even Elliot Smith at times. Several tracks on the A Little Extreme EP have lodged themselves in my head, stirring hopes of this short recording being only the precursor of what to expect from the soon to be released ambitious 25 track full length debut A Love Extreme, due July 22nd. Benji seems to have quite the affinity for the ladies, as evident on the EP and during the live show.

MP3> Benji Hughes ‘So Well’

Thao w/the Get Down Stay Down

photo : valerie@fremin.net

Rilo Kiley

photo : valerie@fremin.net

photo : valerie@fremin.net

photo : valerie@fremin.net

photo : valerie@fremin.net

photo : valerie@fremin.net

photo : valerie@fremin.net

Mates of State, the husband/wife team of Jason Hammel (drums) and Kori Gardner (keyboards), brought their signature upbeat indie pop to Emo’s Friday night. Opening with “Now,” off their recently released fifth album, Re-Arrange Us, the duo showed what they do best: make catchy pop songs. The song got the crowd pumped up and dancing, excited for the rest of the night. During “Like U Crazy” from their 2006 release Bring It Back, the pair traded cute glances with one another before being joined by two multi-instrumentalists to finish out the song. The two extra musicians stayed onstage throughout most of the set playing various instruments, from trombone to violin to cello, helping to fill out and strengthen the sound of the band’s newer songs like “You Are Free,” “Jigsaw” and “Blue and Gold Print,” which also featured Kori on piano instead of her typical organ. The audience was less familiar with these songs, most likely because Re-Arrange Us has only been out a few weeks, but was welcoming towards them none the less. Once Kori shifted back over to the organ however, they perked up and were ready to sing and dance to their hearts content.

photo : valerie@fremin.net

One of the highlights of the night was when the band played “These Days” a Nico cover song, which brought Jason out from behind the drum kit. He stood instrument-less infront of the adoring audience, singing soft, subdued lyrics, providing a nice change of pace to the otherwise upbeat show. The set was mostly comprised of songs off the band’s two most recent releases, but the pair did venture back into their back catalogue playing, “Proofs,” “Fluke,” and fan-favorite “Ha Ha”, during which the duo invited three girls from the audience onstage to sing-along, provided they knew all of the lyrics (which of course they did.) The band closed out the night playing “The Re-Arranger”, joined mid-way through by the two opening bands, The Headlights and Black Joe Lewis to finish out the song.

While there were a couple of short technical difficulties involving a malfunctioning keyboard, the show was tight and flowed well. Both Kori and Jason were talkative throughout the night, discussing with audience various topics like the ROT Biker Rally and the supremacy of Austin over Houston. Mates of State delivered an exceptional show that engaged and connected with the audience, causing all to bob their head’s all night long.

-Emily J

photo : valerie@fremin.net

Setlist:
Now
Fraud in the ’80s
Like U crazy
Get Better
Think Long
You Are Free
Jigsaw
These Days
Goods
Beautiful Dreamer
Blue and Gold Print
My Only Offer
Fluke
So Many Ways
For the Actor
-ENCORE-
Proofs
Ha Ha
The Re-Arranger

It’s Father’s Day and as the low rumble from this years Republic of Texas Rally slowly starts to fade, what is there to don on a Sunday night to finish off this weekend? How about an early show at the Mohawk with San Diego’s Grand Ole Party? If Mohawk holds true to their early show commitment that they began at the beginning of the month, you’ll be able to catch the show from the Grand Ole Party, while allowing plenty of opportunity to get home and get some sleep before you start the work week once again. Early shows might not be such a bad idea after all.

We caught some of Grand Ole Party’s performance @ this year’s Mess With Texas Festival and marked them down as a “should see again”, and we intend to hold true to that statement.

Locals, Ume (and you know we love them), and The Bubbles get things started @ 8 pm.

MP3> Grand Ole Party ‘Nasty Habits’

Mates of State make their return to town Friday night at Emo’s. The husband (Jason Hammel) and wife (Kori Gardner) duo create brilliant indie-pop using just two instruments and loads of irresistible harmonies. Their new release, Re-Arrange Us sees them leave behind the synthetic sound of their previous releases, and embrace a more organic sound with more traditional instruments, but the songs are just as quirky and lovable as ever. If you like to leave a show with a giant smile plastered across your face, this is the band for you.

Opening the show is indie-pop band Headlights. The five piece band out of Champaign, Illinois, recently released their second album Some Racing, Some Stopping. The album features retro-tinged pop songs, wavy keyboards, male-female vocals, and even hand claps. The songs should translate well live, so expect a solid set from this up and coming band.

-Emily J

MP3> Mates of State ‘My Only Offer’

MP3> Headlights ‘Market Girl’

Mates of State, Headlights, & Black Joe Lewis @ Emo’s 6.13.08

I’ve been hearing and reading quite a bit of positiveness being thrown in the direction of Seattle’s Fleet Foxes, but personally am not completely convinced. I checked out the band @ Emo’s during SXSW 2008 and my first impression screams early My Morning Jacket, even upon listening after that performance. Maybe I haven’t devoted enough time to the band, and plans are to do so, with a visit to their upcoming performance @ Mohawk on July 2nd.

Someone convince me please!

The self-titled release from the band on Sub-Pop is still fresh on the shelves, and you can purchase online here.

MP3> Fleet Foxes ‘He Doesn’t Know Why’

Missing the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival this weekend? That’s ok, the AT&T Blueroom has got you covered. Starting tomorrow (June 13th) at 3:30 CT, they will be broadcasting some acts live across the interenet. So far on the schedule are bands like Fiery Furnances, The Raconteurs, Metallica, Gogol Bordello, Iron & Wine, Against Me!, Cat Power, and more (Sunday’s Broadcast Schedule hasn’t even been released yet!). So click here for the live webcast and enjoy what Bonnaroo 2008 has to offer!

photo: sarah cass

Ra Ra Riot is the latest band to sign to Barsuk Records, joining the likes of Nada Surf, Mates of State, and Austin’s own What Made Milwaukee Famous on the label’s current roster. Their debut album (out August 19th), titled The Rhumb Line, features 4 songs from the band’s 2007 eponymous EP and was produced by Ryan Hadlock (The Gossip, The Strokes, Modest Mouse). The six-piece chamber pop/indie rock band has toured extensively in the past years with bands like Tokyo Police Club, Editors, and The Cribs. Having personally seen their energetic live show and loving their EP, I can’t wait for their debut.

-Emily Jansen

Tracklist for The Rhumb Line:
01 Ghost Under Rocks
02 Each Year
03 St. Peter’s Day Festival
04 Winter ’05
05 Dying Is Fine
06 Can You Tell
07 Too Too Too Fast
08 Oh, La
09 Suspended in Gaffa
10 Run My Mouth

MP3> Ra Ra Riot ‘Dying is Fine’

Photo: Spin.com

No Deliverance, the Toadies‘ first album in seven years, hits stores August 19. The title track is streaming over at Spin right now.

Tour Dates:
Jun 20 Sunset Station – San Antonio, Texas
Jun 21 Ridglea Theater – Fort Worth, Texas**SOLD OUT**
Jun 24 Masquerade – Atlanta, Georgia
Jun 25 Black Cat – Washington DC, Washington DC
Jun 26 Bowery Ballroom – New York, New York** SOLD OUT **
Jun 27 Middle East Underground – Cambridge, Massachusetts **SOLD OUT**
Jun 28 Trocadero – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jul 5 CPR Fest – Biloix, Mississippi
Jul 29 Cain’s Ballroom – Tulsa, Oklahoma
Jul 30 Pageant Theater – St. Louis, Missouri
Jul 31 Annex Nightclub – Madison, Wisconsin
Aug 2 Lollapalooza – Chicago, Illinois
Aug 23 Northgate Music Festival – College Station, Texas
Aug 29 Verizon Wireless Theater – Houston, Texas
Aug 30 The Pavilion at Concrete Street – Corpus Christi, Texas
Aug 31 Dia De Los Toadies @ Possum Kingdom Lake – Graham, Texas
Sep 3 Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheatre – Austin, Texas [tickets]

If you haven’t noticed, Shearwater is getting quite the attention with their latest release Rook fresh on the shelves of your local music store. If you missed the unique performance @ The Parish a little more than a week ago, you can catch the band performing in-store @ Waterloo Records tomorrow, Wednesday June 11th. And yes, there is free beer! What more could you ask for?
The band has canceled their June 28th show scheduled for the Mohawk, so you might want to catch them while you can.

MP3> Shearwater ‘Leviathan, Bound’

photo : valerie@fremin.net

The band that seems to be on the road constantly, Lucero, have just put up a list of tour dates that will have them on the road through August. The band will be making a stop @ Emo’s here in Austin, and this fan is hoping that they can redeem themselves after their alcohol soaked performance @ The Red Eye Fly during SXSW. It happens, I understand.

MP3> Lucero ‘Wasted’

Lucero – 2008 Tour Dates
Jun 14 – Jubilee Jam Jackson, Mississippi
Jul 10 – The Bottletree (18+) Birmingham, Alabama
Jul 11 – Cannery Ballroom (18+) Nashville, Tennessee
Jul 12 – Downtown Corinth Corinth, Mississippi
Jul 16 – Emos (Outside) (All Ages) Austin, Texas
Jul 17 – Bash Rip Rocks 2 (All Ages) Lubbock, Texas
Jul 18 – Launchpad (All Ages) Albuquerque, New Mexico
Jul 19 – The Clubhouse (All Ages) Tempe, Arizona
Jul 23 – Spaceland (21+) Los Angeles, California
Jul 24 – The Echo (All Ages) Los Angeles, California
Jul 26 – Bottom of the Hill (All Ages) San Francisco, California
Jul 27 – Bottom of the Hill (All Ages) San Francisco, California
Jul 30 – Black Sheep (All Ages) Colorado Springs, Colorado
Jul 31 – Fox Theatre (21+) Boulder, Colorado
Aug 8 – New Boston Boat (All Ages) Boston, Massachusetts
Aug 10 – Rocks Off Concert Cruise (18+) New York, New York
Aug 12 – North Star Bar (21+) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Aug 13 – Ottobar (All Ages) Baltimore, Maryland
Aug 14 – Local 506 (18+) Chapel Hill, North Carolina

credit: Daniel Sprague

Colour Revolt make their television debut tonight on Fuel TV’s “Daily Habit” show. The band will be performing “Naked and Red” and “Ageless Everytime” from their recent release Plunder Beg and Curse. The show airs 9p.m ET.

The band also continues to expand their tour with several festival dates added, including Bonnaroo, The Download Festival, Monolith, and Austin City Limits. I highly recommend taking in the live show if presented the opportunity.

MP3> Colour Revolt ‘Ageless Everytime’

Colour Revolt Tour

Jun 10 2008 Jack Rabbit’s @ Jacksonville, Florida
Jun 11 2008 40 Watt @ Athens, Georgia
Jun 12 2008 Vinyl @ Atlanta, Georgia
Jun 13 2008 Bonnaroo @ Manchester, Tennessee
Jul 14 2008 Hummingbird @ Macon, Georgia
Jul 15 2008 Music Farm @ Charleston, South Carolina
Jul 16 2008 New Brookland Tavern @ Columbia, South Carolina
Jul 17 2008 Milestone Club @ Charlotte, North Carolina
Jul 18 2008 Grimey’s (In-store)@ Nashville, Tennessee
Jul 18 2008 The End (w/ Javelins) @ Nashville, Tennessee
Jul 23 2008 House Cafe (w/ Javelins) @ DeKalb, Illinois
Jul 24 2008 The High Dive (w/ Javelins) @ Champaign, Illinois
Jul 25 2008 Mac’s Bar (w/ Javelins)@ Lansing, Michigan
Jul 26 2008 The Lounge @ London, Ontario
Jul 29 2008 Sala Rossa @ Montreal, Quebec
Aug 2 2008 Download Festival @ Susquehanna Bank Center-Camden, NJ
Sep 13 2008 Monolith Festival @ Red Rocks – Morrison, Colorado
Sep 28 2008 Austin City Limits Festival @ Austin, Texas

French Kicks

photo : valerie@fremin.net

Having been a fan of French Kicks for a few years, but having never seen them live, I was looking forward to last Thursday’s show at the Mohawk. The band played a well-rounded set, mixing their older material with their newer stuff off of their latest release Swimming. The members switched between instruments often, especially main vocalist Nick Stumpf whom rotated between guitar and piano, while also singing instrument-less on “Abandon” and others. I was unaware that guitarist Josh Wise sang lead vocals on some tracks specifically on “Carried Away” and “Said So What,” so that was a rather nice surprise. That said their set was ultimately forgettable. Sure the harmonies were catchy, the rhythms were infectious, and the songs sounded good live, but I just couldn’t connect to it. I know they are known for their laid back, post-punk feel, but I was under the impression that their show would be a little more energetic. I guess the rest of the audience enjoyed it more than me however, because the band was welcomed back up on stage for a two song encore.

French Kicks

photo : valerie@fremin.net

I did not leave the Mohawk feeling completely let down however. Frightened Rabbit, who opened the show, impressed the hell out of me. The foursome was energetic, tight, and played well off of one another. The songs were raw, loud, and much more powerful than on the record. Scott Hutchison’s unique, Scottish-accented voice took the show to another level. After about 7 or 8 songs, they left the stage one by one, leaving drummer Grant Hutchison alone onstage as he pounded away at his drum set until he slammed the sticks down, ending one of the best sets I’ve seen in a while. My only qualm was that they didn’t play “Heads Roll Off,” their most recent single, but that’s only because it was the song I was most familiar with. They did mention that they will be back in Austin on the 26th, which after a quick google search just happens to be a FREE show at the Mohawk. I would advise everyone to check them out live, but if you can’t, at least pick up their new album The Midnight Organ Fight, because you will not be disappointed.

-Emily Jansen

Frightened Rabbit

photo : valerie@fremin.net

French Kicks are touring through June 11th, but have no more shows scheduled past that date as of now. Frightened Rabbit are wrapping up as support act for French Kicks, and then they immediately head out on a tour across the nation, hitting up most major cities, with Oxford Collapse starting June 12th.

MP3> Frightened Rabbit ‘Good Arms Vs. Bad Arms’

Frightened Rabbit

photo : valerie@fremin.net