I’ve have a history with music that goes back in years longer than I care to admit for fear of revealing my age, yet my affair with modern rock music has yielded years of experiences that I wouldn’t trade for anything. As I listen to much of what is being produced these days as modern rock, I can’t help to hear the various time periods of influences that shimmer and shine in the sounds of today’s music. Maybe a result of intention, unrecognized influence, or pure coincidence, it influences what I find interesting in today’s music scene. With all of these reminders of a past in this current, I find myself wanting to take time to look back and rediscover these sounds that existed in a time when there was more room for originality, more chances to surprise and leave a lifelong impression.

My first experience with the Cocteau Twins comes as some of my earliest experiences with music came about. I liked the album cover. When I was young, and had no resources available to inform my curiosity about music, I often took to an album because of the cover art, not knowing anything about what I was going to experience from the sound. The Cocteau Twins were probably one last band that I discovered through this simple, visual selection process as, by this point in my life there were more resources available for discovering music.  I was working at a music store at the time and doing everything in my power to utilize my discount to discover anything new and different. Remember now, I’m a music junkie, and always have been. I frequently rummaged through the sale bin, which was filled with the albums that just weren’t moving in the store. The music store in small town Texas. Something about this cover, from a band whose name I wasn’t even sure I could pronounce, intrigued me.

What I discovered on this piece of vinyl wasn’t anything too far removed from some of the other bands I had been discovering at the time, sounding a bit like early Cure or even Joy Division, but there was something strangely curious that kept my attention over the years. Eilizabeth Fraser’s unique singing style layered on top of Robin Gutherie’s shimmering guitars stabbed at my curiosity. I found myself investing time with subsequent releases that found the band discovering it’s own legs and growing into a group with it’s own unique and beautifully haunting sound.

As the years slide away, many bands that may have held my attention at some point, slide away as easily as the time seems to, but few remain a to remind me of discovery and brilliance. The Cocteau Twins remain one of those bands. The songs and sounds of the band lay down the backdrop for some of the most personal memories from some of the most trying and claimed times of my life, and the music still stands relevant. Blue Bell Knoll and Treasure are favorites amongst an 11 album history in 14 years. I listen to the music today and think as to how much impact the band were to have on the current scene if they were a band of now.

No band has better song titles than “Spooning Good Singing Gum”, “A Kissed Out Red Floatboat”, “The Itchy Glowbo Glow”, “Otterley”, or “Iceblink Luck”.

Cocteau Twins website

Cocteau Twins Wiki

MP3> Cocteau Twins ‘Pandora’

MP3> Cocteau Twins ‘For Phoebe Still a Baby’

MP3> Cocteau Twins ‘The Itchy Glowbo Blow’

We all love reading interviews with our favorite bands, and the interviews usually cover a lot of the same stuff, how the band got started, new album details, etc., etc., etc. Coming into contact with quite a few artists on a regular basis, I figured I could prepare a short set of short answer questions that I could deliver without having to go into a lengthy sit session of talking and editing. This is the third in what I hope to be a long series of “Get To Know In 7″ and any suggestions or recommendations on questions that you might want used in future editions, please, please, let me know.

I have to thank Manchester Orchestra’s Andy Hull for pointing me in the direction of the band Colour Revolt. I don’t often take to recommendations easily, but every time I saw Andy play he was sporting a Colour Revolt t-shirt, and just about every time we have spoken, the band’s name came up along with his outpouring of admiration for their work. It took me awhile, but once hooked, I can’t get enough of Colour Revolt’s recorded material as well as their live shows. It remains all of a mystery to me why this band hasn’t made more headway in the music scene, but what they have managed to accomplish should solidify the band’s existence long enough for me to get my fill.

After releasing their first EP, the Oxford, MS band found itself signing on to Fat Possum records for their full length recording Plunder, Beg, and Curse which found release earlier this year. The band balanced touring and the remainder of college until the members finished out their college years with graduation in May. The constant touring schedule since has found them taking festival stage @ both Monolith and ACL, along with a myriad of touring partners, some of which fail to compliment the bands style of music.

Colour Revolt’s sound is layered in guitars that swirl and attack in complex structures, while Coppenbarger works his way into lyrical wailing, questioning the life issues that every 20-something year old should question. Dark at times, delving into spirituality and some of the more unpleasant elements of the constant struggles of the human spirit. I highly recommend a listen if you aren’t familiar.

Plunder, Beg, and Curse landed the 35 spot on Paste Magazines top 50 for 2008.

I caught up with Jesse awhile back when the band was in town for a quick session of 7 questions.

1. What’s your favorite color? “It used to be baby blue, but then I think about it as, would I want baby blue instruments? And I don’t really think so, but I’ll stick with baby blue.”

2. Your favorite season and why? “The end of fall. It’s a good feeling. It’s nice in Mississippi because it’s not cold yet, it’s still t-shirt weather. And I’m a big Halloween fan.”

3. Name one must own album. “Medúlla by Bjork”

4. Favorite aspect of being in this band? “We can travel pretty light. We all grew up together, so we’re all pretty good friends. It’s pretty easy to be in this band, because we all share the weight.”

5. One person, dead or alive, that you would want to meet. “Abraham Lincoln. I just found this series of magazines that are dedicated to letters by presidents and they have one magazine that is completely dedicated to Abraham Lincoln. I starting reading it and that guy is totally awesome.”

6. Name one album or band you are really into right now. “Harvey Milk from Athens. It’s older dudes playing sludge metal. It’s not shred metal, it’s pretty listenable, and it’s good.”

7. Vinyl, CD, or MP3? “Vinyl”

I think it’s time to get rid of some of these questions.

Thanks to Jesse for bearing with me and answering my questions. It’s always to pleasure to run into Colour Revolt and watch the band perform live. Hopefully we’ll see them around these parts during SXSW 2009.

If you didn’t notice in the picture, Jesse is a big fan of the Puddle of MVD.

MP3> Colour Revolt ‘Swamp’

It’s been two weeks since the 2008 edition of Fun Fun Fun Fest, but it seems a lifetime away. Looking forward to what Transmission Entertainment has in-store for us next year, and until then a photo recap of our Fun Fest 2008.

Saturday

Sunday

Can’t see the flash player? Check out Sonic Itch Music @ Flickr.

Yes, it’s that time of year, and the lists have begun.

I picked up a copy the Dec/Jan issue of Paste Magazine, and they have their year end “best” of lists, including Album of The Year. I listen to a lot of music, but not nearly enough to argue too many lists that will come out, so no personal commentary on their number 1 pick. She & Him take the prize with Volume One.

As I begin to think about my list, I’d be curious as to what some of you folks out there might be thinking. That is, if anyone reads this blog anymore?

It’s that time already, believe it or not. Time to start thinking about SXSW 2009, and time to start making your plans. It’s such a huge event that it literally takes months to try to even plan out how you are going to fill the days.

SXSW Music is pleased to announce the following artists for the 2009 Festival. From ukuleles to violins and guitars to turntables, SXSW Music Festival has it covered. Expect to see showcase and speaker announcements regularly over the next few months.

Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele

St. Vincent

Beach House

Anni Rossi

Future of the Left

White Lies

Passion Pit

B.o.B

Sage Francis

I still find it a bit curious that a lot of people, when mentioning Fun Fun Fun Fest, are not aware of it’s existence. I guess that is still one of the reasons that it remains to be one of my favorite weekends of the year. While it still remains a bit of a secret, I would imagine the secret will be out soon enough. One of the more interesting blends of up and coming indie-rock, punk, comedy, dj/electronica along with some of the well established in the industry all wrapped up in an environment that is as welcoming as it is, as the name would suggest, fun.

Sunday promised to be full of all the previously mentioned, and it couldn’t have started off better than with two bands early on that are among my favorite to watch perform live.

Ume

Read more

Better late than never, someone once said. Is that really true though? I guess it depends on the situation.

The most anticipated festival of the year for me had finally arrived, and as the day presented to opportunity to see a few acts that I hadn’t been witness to as of yet, the main interest for me today lay in one of the last acts of the day, The National. More on that later. Read more

A week has passed and the dust, still austerely running ramped within my veins, has possibly settled and another Fun Fun Fun Fest has come and gone. The third installment of one of Transmission Entertainment’s biggest events of the year was a definite success, albeit the clouds of heavy shoes kicking up remnants of a grassless park.

With many of the acts unknown to me, I was perfectly happy to experience a breath of fresh air and attend the two-day event, even if that fresh air consisted of punk music and dirt (not a major punk fan myself, but I’m always open to anything good, which there was plenty of….but I’m not a fan of dirt).

Here is a recap of my personal festival experience.

Naturally, whenever you have a huge event in Austin, one must always begin those events with plenty of smaller pre-events. (And besides, weekends in Austin never start on Friday.) Thursday night I caught the end of Local Music is Sexy IV, with Brothers and Sisters, Foot Patrol, Lovely Sparrows, Leatherbag, Eastern Sea and more at Mohawk. But to be honest, I was being ebulliently entertained by some fellow Sonic-Itchers and guests, and didn’t really pay attention to the music on stage (honesty is such a great attribute in the bloggosphere). But the place was packed and I was glad to see so many supporters of local music, even if some, like myself weren’t listening.

Sunday was the first day I attended the event. (Due to the sorry excuse of physical protection I call my immune system, I popped in early Saturday and decided it would be wise for me not to stay.) It was an early Saturday night for me, so I met all the hung-over faces to the sounds of Ume opening up Sunday morning.

The thing I love about Ume is their ability to completely throw any preconceived notions about bands and how they’re supposed to sound right under the bus. Even in between songs, guitarist/vocalist Lauren Larson, bassist Eric Larson and drummer Jeff Barerra, maintain the most professional composure, keeping their talk to a minimum. However, music-goers attend concerts to hear musicians play, not talk, and Ume always gracefully exhibits that their music is what they came to do.

With Lauren’s honest vocals ranging from slight pleas to intense screams, and the band’s unfaltering weight carrying her through, Ume’s crowd began to grow once the trio took stage. Their gentle and complicated waves of highs and hard hitting slams of lows made me wish there were more bands out there paying homage to the underground sounds of an early 90’s Seattle scene.  And I can’t tell you how many times I heard people asking who they were, gladly accepting my position as an already established fan by replying, “This is Ume, they’re badass.”

Look out for their new release set to come out sometime next year and definitely check them out again as they open up for Marnie Stern at Mohawk on November 18^th along with local delicious, pop band, Sour Notes. You love guitar goddesses that can damage your hearing and remind you that you need to keep practicing your licks? Then don’t miss this show. Doors are at 9.

Considering my Sunday started off so well, I decided to keep it going, heading over to check out two of the freshest (as in new, aspiring and unbelievably talented) MC’s Austin has seen in a while.

photo: Sandy Carson

Local artists, Zeale and Phranchyze have been hitting the hip-hop scene well before they were able to legally drink, and to me, anytime someone has the power to entertain a crowd on stage at a bar with “X’s” on their hands says something about their focus. And now, at the ripe ages of 25 and 23, they’ve definitely both established themselves as some of the city’s top-rated MC’s (they represented Austin during last year’s World Rap Championship freestyle tournament, going all the way to the quarter-finals in New York).

Their set, which began with the early crowd straggling in, made a believer in me that hip-hop in Austin is still alive and convinced those stragglers, with the help of DJ Kid Slice to even wave their hands and nod their heads in the unseasonable afternoon. In a city where indie-rock and blues have easily become the staple sound, many local hip-hop fans will tell you that the scene is too small. But between Phranchyze’s eclectic rhymes and Zeale’s commanding flow, these two make it exciting to be apart of the hip-hop scene here. Their stage presence is impossible to ignore, their words are even harder to resist (even if they are rapping about customized shoes and robots) and their loops lay anywhere between Pink Floyd and what could only be described as an Alien’s regurgitated resonance. And by the end of their set, no one in the crowd was even thinking about the “Houston, Texas sound” and their slow attempts by the looks of how the crowd grew and moved. Austin has always been different, which is why so many people love it here. And Zeale and Phranchyze are helping Austin stay that way, packing the genuine hip-hoppers all the way to the back.

Check their myspaces for future album releases and definitely catch them opening up for the always-jazzy Digable Planets (you know you loved, “Cool Like Dat” back in the day) on November 19^th at Emo’s. Doors are at 9.

Unfortunately, that was all that my allergies could handle.

But to be honest, I was completely satisfied.

Next year, I say we all throw a fundraiser for grass at Waterloo.

At the end of their performance at Fun Fun Fun Fest 2007, The Riverboat Gamblers announced that they were going underground to record their next release, and we probably wouldn’t see them around much during that time. True to their word, the band has remained fairly quiet over the last year, until today’s announcement of the upcoming release Underneath The Owl, which will become available March 10th, 2009. Until that time, the single “A Choppy, Yet Sincere Apology” is available, and one would expect that there be more Gambler’s news in the new future.

MP3> The Riverboat Gamblers ‘A Choppy, Yet Sincere Apology’

Finger tapping guitar virtuoso, current Pitchfork darling, and cute blondeness from New York, Marnie Stern makes her way into Austin on Tuesday, playing the Mohawk inside stage. Unfortunately for some of us with cash in hand, a bit too late for that kiss.

Although, I have yet to make up my mind on how much I really dig the music, the show is definitely going to be worth the price. From what I’ve seen she blends a unique style of modern progressive indie-pop with guitar techniques that make Eddie VanHalen look like….some guy who can’t play the quitar very well (best I got, sorry). Get there early for locals Ume to get the guitar shreddin goin and The Sour Notes to bring the Pop.

Show starts @ 11 p.m.

MP3> Marnie Stern covers Journey’s ‘Don’t Stop Believing’

Here’s some tour news about one of my favorite upbeat indie-pop bands, Los Campesinos!

Their tour mates are the equally awesome shoegaze rockers Titus Andronicus.

Los Campesinos! will release their second full-length album, We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed, November 25^th in the US and Canada. Titus Andronicus also released their debut alum, The Airing of Grievances, this past April.

Keep an eye out for what promises to be a fun, energetic show next year on January 31^st, when the tour hits Austin at The Parish.

MP3> Los Campesinos ‘We Throw Parties, You Throw Knives’

January:

15^th – Baltimore, MD – Ottobar

16^th – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle

17^th – Atlanta, GA – The Earl

19^th – Jacksonville, FL – Jack Rabbits

21^st – Tallahassee, FL – Club Downunder

24^th – Nashville, TN – Exit-In

25^th – Memphis, TN – Hi Tone

27^th – New Orleans, LA – One Eyed Jack’s

29^th - Houston, TX – Walter’s On Washington

30^th – Austin, TX – The Parish

31^st – Dallas, TX – Club Dada

February:

03^rd – Lawrence, KS – The Bottleneck

04^th – St. Louis, MO – The Gargoyle

06^th – Madison, WI – Der Rathskeller

07^th – Chicago, IL – Logan Sq. Auditorium

10^th – Grand Rapids, MI – Calvin College Ladies Literary Club

11^th – Columbus, OH – Wexner Center for the Arts

12^th – Swarthmore, PA – Swarthmore College Olde Club

13^th – Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club

14^th – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom

15^th – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom

Nope, the band isn’t called the quick list of the rest.

It’s a bit last minute, but here is a quick rundown of the bands that we are going to be checking out this weekend, and suggest that you might do the same.

Saturday 11.8

…And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead @ 4:50 on Stage 1:

The Austin band shed is former label and is on the brink of releasing it’s first full length on their own label. The band made a splash in the music scene with it’s first couple of releases, but seems to be struggling to find that ground once again. Once known for out of control shows, with the destruction of instruments to be a nightly practice, this is the time to see why lies at the end of the Trail of Dead. More dead maybe?

MP3> …And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead ‘Will You Smile Again?’

Magnetic Morning @ 6:45 on Stage 2:

What do you get when you take Adam Franklin from the great, late Swervedriver and pair him up with Interpol drummer Sam Fogarino? I sure as hell don’t know right now, but I’m going to find out on Saturday.

MP3> Magnetic Morning ‘At A Crossroads, Passive’

Dan Deacon @ 7:00 on Stage 4:

Electronic freakout with Deacon, the master of blips, beeps, and warbeling is sure to have you caught up in the atmosphere of his music party. Only if you want to have a little lighthearted fun.

MP3> Dan Deacon ‘Wham City‘

Sunday 11.9

Ume @ 12:25 on Stage 1:

Originally from Houston, and now calling Austin home, Ume unleashes it’s melodic sonic dissonance early on Sunday, fleshing out new songs that will see release in EP form.

MP3> Ume ‘The Conductor’

St Vincent @ 6:30 on Stage 1:

Annie Clark aka “St. Vincent” took home the Female Artist of The Year @ the 2007 Plug Awards, for a reason. The former member of Polyphonic Spree and Sufjan Stevens touring band, steps to the front and delivers witty lyrical stories layered in left-field arrangements constructed with a myriad of instruments. She’ so damn cute as well!

It’s getting to be about that time. Time for the 3rd, and highly anticipated, installment of Transmission Entertainment’s Fun Fun Fun Fest, based here in Austin. All this week, you can find out which bands we are excited about seeing this coming weekend, and why we think you might want to fit them into your festival plans.

Two things about El Paso Hot Button you should know up front. First off, El Paso Hot Button hails from Oklahoma, not El Paso. What’s up with that, I’m not sure, but I’ll be sure to ask if given the opportunity. Two, El Paso Hot Button is the one man band creation of a guy named Mickey Reece. Reece plays the guitar, sings, and bangs out the beats on his custom foot operated drum kit.

I haven’t seen many a one-man band in my time, and I’m not sure exactly how Reece stacks up to the others that are out there, but I will say that the 2 times I have seen him are enough for me to get to the park early enough for his set. Always entertaining is the El Paso Hot Button and the music is infectious. It’s got a good beat man!

El Paso Hot Button Plays Stage 2 @ 2:20 on Saturday

MP3> El Paso Hot Button ‘Strobelight Honey’

MP3> El Paso Hot Button ‘James Ames Dame’

No comments

If you have plans for this weekend’s Fun Fun Fun Fest, there are a few details that you might want to take a look at before you do. Keep in mind that there is a UT Football game taking place on Saturday, so it’s going to be a zoo anywhere near the stadium and parking is going to be limited early in the day.

Transmission has a list of things you might want to know: Fun Fun Fun Fest: Important Info

Save yourself some trouble and check it out.

We’ll see you there.

It’s getting to be about that time. Time for the 3rd, and highly anticipated, installment of Transmission Entertainment’s Fun Fun Fun Fest, based here in Austin. All this week, you can find out which bands we are excited about seeing this coming weekend, and why we think you might want to fit them into your festival plans.

The Scottish outfit, Frightened Rabbit, consisting of brothers Scott and Grant Hutchison, have churned out what is one of my favorite recordings of this year 2008. Midnight Organ Fight is slathered up and down with catchy Scottish folk inspired rock songs, while lyrically wearing it’s heart on it’s sleeve. It’s a drunken night of failed relationships, sexual promiscuity, broken hearts, and the never ending party with your best friends.

i’m working on erasing you
just don’t have the proper tools
i get hammered, forget that you exist
there’s no way i’m forgetting this

i’m working hard on walking out
shoes keep sticking to the ground
my clothes won’t let me close the door
these trousers seem to love your floor

The live performance seems almost effortless and brings a more upbeat mood than the lyrics would suggest. Get to know Frightened Rabbit @ this year’s Fun Fun Fun Fest.

Frightened Rabbit take Stage 1 @ 2:45 p.m. on Sunday.

MP3> Frightened Rabbit ‘Fast Blood’