I know that Fun Fun Fun Fest 09 is still months away, and we’ve only been allowed a peak at to what’s instore for us this year, but if there is one reason to plunk down your hard earned cash this year for the festival, it’s Jesus Lizard. I cannot stress how excited this guy is about this show.

The reunited band, is currently on the road bringing the sweat, energy, rock, and glory it’s so well known for delivering on stage. Here’s a couple of videos from the Pitchfork Festival, in which the band performs “Nub” and is interviewed by Fucked Up’s Pink Eye. Enjoy.

Now, if only Transmission would manage a Jesus Lizard aftershow at Mohawk? That would rule.

We’ve got a rock show for you on Wednesday night @ The Parish. Atlanta’s Winston Audio, who were in town a few months ago in support of Manchester Orchestra, are back to headline their own show @ The Parish. If you are in the mood for some straight up, guitar driven rock, tinged with a little grunge, Winston Audio has it for you.

Doors @ 8:30 with $2 drink specials running from 8:30-9:30. Get there early for L.A. ‘s Eleni Mandell and for Austin’s own White White Lights. A little bit of something for everyone.

$7 @ the door

MP3> Winston Audio ‘Hey Ann’

MP3> Winston Audio ‘Smoke Signal’

Despite not having  the drummer (fired) for this show @ Stubbs, Jessica Lea Mayfield and band performed a  flawless set on Tuesday night. Jessica’s brother David filled in behind drums at times as well as did the guitarist.

Keeping with the Seattle band theme, I speak now about Tiny Vipers a.ka. Jesy Fortino, who just released her sophomore effort Life On Earth. The dark, spacious, dreamlike sounds that Fortino creates are beautiful and are worth the patient ear that it takes to absorb the songs. Local engineer and producer Anderew Hernandez (Balmorhea, The Sword) has his hands and talents on this most recent release from Fortino, which I need to run out and pick up as soon as I finish this. If the track ‘Dreamer’ is of any indication of how the rest of the recording is going to be, one is not to be disappointed.

MP3> Tiny Vipers ‘Dreamer’

Tiny Vipers are making two appearances here in Austin tomorrow, and I would highly recommend that you try to make at least one of them. Catch Fortino @ End of An Ear records @ 6 p.m. it’s free! And chances are there will be some beer involved. Later that evening, she’ll be performing @ Mohawk w/Castanets, Warmer Milks, and Lazarus. Get there early, as Tiny Vipers are set to play second out of 4 bands, and it’s inside.

Video of Fortino performing ‘Dreamer’ live in the KEXP studios.

photo : valerie@fremin.net

Seattle’s Cave Singers have been a fav of mine since the put out their debut release Invitation Songs a couple of years back. Invitation Songs was a wonderful, simple piece of folk inspired, indie rock songs, stripped down and wonderfully structured. An interesting shift in musical styles for the three members Pete Quirk (Hint Hint), Derek Fudesco (Murder City Devils, Pretty Girls Make Graves), and Marty Lund (Cobra High), that found them embracing and executing a style of music somewhat unfamiliar. Executing well, I might add.

With the band’s second release on Matador Records, Welcome Joy, eset for release 8/18, the trio finds itself in familiar territory, while expanding on their unique style of folk inspired rock. The songs still rely on the simple looping of riffs, building gently on that foundation, yet are subtly textured and have a more developed depth to them. In addition to this step forward in song structure and instrumentation is the addition of vocals provided by Amber Webber (Black Mountain, Lightning Dust) and Ashley Webber (Lightning Dust), adding a whole new feminine element. Welcome Joy is just that..welcomed and joy.

MP3> The Cave Singers ‘Beach House’

The Cave Singers hit the road and will see a stop here in Austin @ the Mohawk, on Sept 26th. I would like to add these guys to my wish list for Fun Fun Fun Fest ’09.

7/24 SPOKANE, WA EMPYREAN COFFEE HOUSE w/Kaylee Cole
7/25 SLOCAN, BC LITTLEFEST
9/05 Vancouver, BC The Biltmore Cabaret
9/07 Seattle, WA Bumbershoot (Festival)
9/12 Chicago, IL Schubas w/Lightning Dust
9/13 Detroit, MI Magic Stick w/Lightning Dust
9/14 Toronto, ON Horseshoe Tavern w/Lightning Dust
9/17 Cambridge, MA T.T. the Bear’s w/Lightning Dust
9/19 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom w/Lightning Dust
9/20 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s w/Lightning Dust
9/21 Washington, DC Black Cat w/Lightning Dust
9/23 Memphis, TN Hi-Tone Cafe w/Lightning Dust
9/24 Birmingham, AL Bottletree w/Lightning Dust
9/26 Austin, TX The Mohawk w/Lightning Dust
9/29 Phoenix, AZ Modified w/Lightning Dust
9/30 Las Vegas, NV Beauty Bar (Las Vegas) w/Lightning Dust
10/01 Los Angeles, CA The Echo w/Lightning Dust
10/02 San Diego, CA Casbah w/Lightning Dust
10/06 San Francisco, CA The Independent w/Lightning Dust
10/16 PORTLAND, OR Mississippi Studios
10/17 Seattle, WA Neumos

The challenge for singer-songwriters to stand out amongst the many others, armed solely with their voice, their lyrics, and the acoustic guitar, isn’t an easy one for sure. Jessica Lea Mayfield has managed to stand out enough to catch the attention of Dan Auerbach (Black Keys) who recorded and produced her most recent release With Blasphemy So Heartfelt at his Akron based home studio. Aside from appreciating the dark moody songs, lyrically based in the affairs of the heart with the human and the celestial, an  better understanding of the person who wrote the songs, only increases the value.

Mayfield was born into a musical family and became involved the music scene, playing at the age of 8 in her families bluegrass band One Way Rider. By the age of 15 she had written and recorded her first album White Lies, which caught the attention of Auerbach. Mayfield and Auerbach spent two years working on the follow up With Blasphemy So Heartfelt, which was released in 2008. An album that some of which was written before she was old enough to vote, possibly even before she could legally drive. An album based in the sounds of folk, rock, country, with melodies and ambiance that seems to draw lyrically from a lifetime of experience, while still remaining youthful.

MP3> Jessica Lea Mayfield ‘Kiss Me Again’

Jessica has lent her voice to albums by both The Black Keys, and Dan Auerbach. She has toured with The Black Keys, Avett Brothers, Cake, Lucero, and recently performed at Bonnaroo 2009.

Jessica Lea Mayfield and her band, which consists of her brother David, play Stubbs inside on Tuesday July 21st with doors opening @ 8.

Locals Sad Accordions and Alex Dupree and the Trapdoor Band share opening duties.

Dirty Projectors seem to be everywhere these days. Gracing the pages of many a music magazine, and on the lips of tastemaking bloggers around the internet. Last night’s (surprisingly) sold out show here in Austin @ Red 7 indicates that the fans are on board as well, if not just extremely curious. A buzz that rings akin to Feist and Grizzly Bear.

Personally, I’m still digesting the aray of sounds found on the band’s most recent release Bitte Orca, hoping to discover why some are quietly suggesting “album of the year”. I do like this song.

You know it was only a matter of time, before this was going to happen.

Tipped off by hypebot.com, the full story can be found over @ Wired.com. Showdown Productions in Dayton, OH put this together for BJSR’s track “Play”.

Last time Scottish band Frightened Rabbit were in Austin was Fun Fun Fun Fest “08, and for this lad, it’s been way too long. The live show is always great and the folk inspired tales of life, love, and the naked truth involved, wrapped in catchy rock tunes demand regular listens from myself.  And hopefully you as well.

The Rabbit is teaming up with fellow Scots Twilight Sad for an American tour, with a stop at this year’s Pitchfork Festival.

9/24 @ the oh so popular Mohawk is where you’ll find me soaking in the sounds of Frightened Rabbit.

MP3> Frightened Rabbit ‘Old Old Fashioned’

Tour:

Not being one for the traditional, a performance on the same stage by two of the more successful musical exports from Austin, yielded a more preferred option for the 4th of July. Sans lyrics, both the Octopus Project and Explosions In The Sky still manage to hold my attention with their performances, and with a sold out show this night, one would assume that many others feel the same way.

The past few years of constant touring and festival appearances show well as the Octopus Project beat and bleep their way through a sweaty set that proved as much a fan favorite as the headlining act. It’s hard not to find yourself bobbing along as the band shows their skill on the collection of electronic equipment that rivals some of the biggest electronic bands in existence, while still incorporating the traditional guitars and drums. Don’t forget about the always impressive theremin handling by the lovely Yvonne.

Celebrating 10 years in existence as a band, Explosions In The Sky took the stage to a slow intro and balls dropping into the crowd, launching into a set the flowed seamless and brought wave upon wave of sweeping guitars. All eyes of the sweat drenched crowd fixated on the band that dances with their instruments as they move in unison with the sounds they create. Here’s to 10 more years for both bands.