Is the buzz bigger than the band?

It’s a question that comes up from time to time, and the buzz surrounding the “experimental rock” band from L.A. called Warpaint has steadily and rapidly become ever so present. Some might attribute some of that to the band’s attractive looks and playful attitude. Thursday Feb 24ht was a chance to address that question. The band took the stage in Austin @ the Parish opening up for The Akron family, to a crowd eagerly awaiting the arrival of the female outfit in what would be their first performance in Austin since turning heads at CMJ 2009 and landing a recording deal shortly there after with the Rough Trade label.

With a 6 song EP the only recorded material released by the band at this point, the band had plenty of room to spread it’s wings and showcase material that the band might have marked for their full-length debut, reportedly due out sometime in the first half of 2010.

I was definitely curious as to what the band had planned for filling the drummer position, which has been the one spot that has remained fairly fluid with several taking turns on the beats for the constant trio fronting the band. Reports of experimenting with a drum machine, concerned me, but the appearance and performance of Stella Mozgawa served the lineup well. Starting out the set with an all instrumental jam, the band members worked into establishing their talents and instrumental roles on stage. Bassist Jenny Lee Lindberg bouncing up and down while laying down the thick infectious and at times a bit funky, bass lines driving the songs in the appropriate places along with the experience of Mozgawa on drums. Emily Kokal and Theresa Wayman sharing the spotlight graciously taking turns adding effectively placing their guitar styles and talents adding to the dynamic of each track. The instrumental lead rolled into the single “Stars” which showcases the band’s talent for image evoking lyrics wrapped in lucid guitar sounds. While the band readily shares vocal responsibilities throughout the set, it becomes clear that guitarist and vocalist Emily Kokal is an undeniable force in the democratic unit. Comfortable with her guitar, which at times sounds influenced by the moody tense style of Disintegration era Cura ala Robert Smith, and vocally resembling another 80’s icon Siouxsie Sioux, Kokal blends sounds and textures within the alternating rhythms that warrant attention.

The band demonstrated it’s versatility with a 4 part vocal harmony on “Billie Holiday” while leading into a live version of “Beetles” that resounded more ominous and darker than it’s recorded version, showcasing Kokal’s influence on the band’s result. The set also featured a new track that hadn’t even be graced a title, along with a lengthy instrumental jam to close out their stage time, featuring members of Akron Family joining on stage for the “jam”.  Warpaint spread their wings for sure, and showed the audience that there is more to the quartet than looks and a few catchy songs. They showed us that there is definitely more in store for both the band members and the rapidly growing fan base.

And the answer to the question is…No

No secret here, our love for some Twin Tigers. The band just released the video for the track off of the Grey Waves release, titled “Red Fox Run”. And it’s here..

And you might find Twin Tigers during SXSW playing a little party @ The Independent being put on by some really, really, really good friends..Rawr!

Twin Tigers @ SXSW
3/17 Wednesday
10am WOXY.Com Radio Session

3/18 Thursday
Sonic Itch Music Day Party @ the Independent

3/19 Friday
12:35pm Twin Tigers @ Sneak Attack Day Party @ Clive Bar w/Jukebox the Ghost, Letting Up Despite Great Faults, Speak, The Spring Standards, Danny Ross
9pm Official SXSW Showcase @ Emos Annex WOXY.Com Showcase w/Bear in Heaven, Cymbals Eat Guitars, Crystal Antlers, French Miami, TV Torso

3/20 Saturday
1:30pm Old Flame/Obscure Magpie Day Party w/Born Ruffians, Black & White Years, Dead Confederate, Many More
5pm 40 Watt Party with Futurebirds, Dead Confederate, James Husband, Gift Horse, American Cheeseburger, more

I’m sure that most of you are looking forward to SXSW 2010, and have been keeping a close eye on the list of parties that has been slowly revealing itself over the past few weeks. Time to start getting those RSVP’s in, and planning your schedule.

For complete and thorough listings, check out:

*The Austinist’s list of Day Shows, Afterparties, and More

*Do512’s Special SXSW list

And stayed tuned for a special announcement of a party that myself and some other fine folks are putting together…..Rawr!!

Here’s a short list of notable events that always are on my list of visits..

Filter has their hands in a couple of events that you should consider.. Read more

The headlining act for Wednesday night’s bill may be Akron Family, but my curiosity is fixated on the mostly female band that is opening the show, Warpaint. I can’t really remember where I first heard the band, but my interest in them has been borderline obsessive at times, and I figured out why recently. Shortly after releasing their debut EP Esquisite Corpse the California based band signed to Rough Trade, which is part of the Beggars Group. I have a relationship with music that is a bit more lengthy than some, and there was a time period that a majority of my music consumption was fueled by the innovative sounds by many of the bands were on the 4AD label which is part of the Beggars Group.  Back then Cocteau Twins, Wolfgang Press, Pixies, Throwing Muses, Bauhaus, and many other great artists were a part of this label, and I loved it all. It’s taken me a bit to put 2 and 2 together, but Warpaint takes me back to this time, while still remaining fresh and functional in the current scene.

History provided, and now we have Wednesday night at the Parish which is the near future. A near future you should engage in, if possible. The members of Warpaint cautiously spin a seductive style of music that dances with psychedelic lush arrangements, and lyrical temptations. Stick around for Akron Family as well.

Warpaint @ The Parish 2.24 BUY TICKETS

The band will be back in March for SXSW, so stay tuned….

MP3> Warpaint ‘Beetles’

The reunion story of the year (technically last year), if you haven’t caught wind of it yet, is Pavement. The 90’s art-rock, indie/alternative band that influenced many a band you have spinning on your iPod these days are doing what all the “cool” kids do these days. A year full of tour dates including some essential festival stops will be accompanied by the release of  the best of Pavement album titled Quarantine The Past. Now, I’m not usually one that recommends “best of” albums, but the band has a pretty lengthy catalog of material, and being the creative edgy art rockers that they were, it would take a bit of work to sort through some of the material that at some times can test the listener. The band’s label Matador has compiled a pretty comprehensive collection of tracks from the band, that really does capture the “best of” Pavement.

Quarantine The Past sees release on March 9th, and is well worth the time it takes to make your way through the 23 tracks on the album. Have I mentioned yet, that Pavement is one of my favorite bands of all time? Yepper, I dig these kids.

The remastered “Gold Soundz”

MP3> Pavement ‘Gold Soundz’

Tour dates as of now: Read more

What’s Better Than The Van? Winning a van full of music gear.

The good folks over @ Better Than The Van, who have been helping touring musicians find a better place to spend the night than in their van have a HUGE giveaway planned for this year’s SXSW Festival. A van full of music gear, to be given away on Saturday March 20th. Guitars, drums, pedals, straps, cymbals, strings, and much more from the likes of Epiphone, Ernie Ball, Zildjian, and Pro-Mark, just to name a few. And you get the van!

Go to Better Than The Van to register to win..

BTTV VAN GIVEAWAY! from Better Than The Van on Vimeo.

What do us Americans need most in times when the economy and employment are in the crapper? French pop music of course via Phoenix! Alternative (Pop) Music according to the Grammys. Alternative to what?

They wowed us @ ACL 2009, and recently @ LaZona Rosa, and are coming back for more Austin love.

April 29th @ Stubbs

It’s a short tour with some festival dates. Read more

It’s was cold and wet, and in Austin and for most of us who live a glutenous life of live music opportunities on a 7 day diet, it might be an easy excuse to not go out on a Thursday night. For the few, and what I would imagine to be committed fans, that did venture to Stubb’s last night, a performance that many of us scour the dirty venues in the dark of night 365 days a year, took place.  Alan Sparhawk has made his reputation crafting music that challenges the listener with a tempo and simple structure that works against what most find listenable. He’s most know for his project Low. What Sparhawk has achieved with his newest formation Retribution Gospel Choir is quite the contradiction.  Rich lyrically and pushing the sonic envelope with his guitar skills, Sparhawk along with Steve Garrington on bass and Eric Pollard on drums delivered what was one of the most impressive live performances that I have seen in years. For an artist that has a catalog that runs so deep, Sparhawk seems fueled and possessed by his lyrics, living every note and every line as passionately as the minute that you would think that each came to him.

And to top it off, after the blistering performance that Sparhawk delivered, he directly went into business mode, selling merch from the side of the stage. You wanna make a living playing music? Take a lesson from this man…..

And catch this band on tour…… Read more

Thanks to our good friends over @ Austin Sound for finding this.

Being a fan of The Jesus Lizard, trying to get into David Yow’s head isn’t exactly all that easy, as he’s not always that forthright with exposing the tick tick tick going on in his head. That’s not the case with this short documentary put together by the French site The Drone, as you’ll find Yum (Yow) revealing quite a bit about himself in 12 minutes. Cooking show idea, acting aspirations, and the expected delve into his musical past.

Oddly enough, I believe that I was in attendance of both of the Emo’s shows mentioned in the video. Definitely the one where his parents were there. I remember that for sure.

With the sophomore release appropriately titled 2, the Alan Sparhawk (Low) fronted Retribution Gospel Choir channel their inner sonic guitar child and let loose a series of songs that you feel Sparhawk has been itching to set free. From the 43 sec guitar thrash of  ‘68 Comeback”, to the anthemic “Working Hard”, and the closing prayer “Bless Us All”, 2 covers a lot of solid ground in a mere 33.8 minutes.

Retribution Gospel Choir return to Stubb’s on Thur night 2.11 with the new songs in tow, and a show that is surely to only breathe more life and meaning into them. Bless us all.

Buy Tickets HERE. 8 bucks early or 10 for procrastinators

MP3> Retribution Gospel Choir ‘Poor Man’s Daughter’

Have Spoon made one of the most important records of their career? Transference is a deliberate shift in direction in regards to sound, and for many of us a welcomed shift. Sorry guys, but Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga in all of its slick, commercial ready glory was lost on this guy.

A simple video for “Written In Reverse”

Man, I’ve gotten lazy with writing lately…..

The Black Angels and Reverberation Appreciation Society have announced the location and dates for the 3rd installment of Austin Psych Fest.

Lineup is still pending announcement, but you can mark your calender for April 23rd, 24th, and 25th and set your sites on The Mohawk.

The Austin Psych Fest 2 DVD was recently released, featuring performances by A Place To Bury Strangers, Dead Meadow, Golden Animals, Wooden Shjips, and more. You can purchase HERE.

There must be something in the water in Athen’s, because the music that is coming out of that city continues to impress along with it’s rich history, and Twin Tigers have quickly become my latest Athen’s crush (sorry DC). The bands debut album Gray Waves, which had a digital release on Jan 19th, will see physical on March 2nd. Picking a single to release from this album surely has to be a challenge as this thing is solid from front to back. Amazon has it available for $5 now, if you haven’t gotten you paws on it yet.

I stress, and I mean STRESS..this album is the tits!

And…Twin Tigers are preparing their schedule for SXSW 2010 as well, and I’ll definitely keep you updated on these gigs.

MP3> Twin Tigers ‘Passive Idol’

There’s no shortage of love for the Scots in Frightened Rabbit here, and the anticipation of a new album and some live dates in ATX during SXSW is full blown swollen. The Winter of Mixed Drinks drops legal on March 1st, and this is the video for the second single off that roundy.

I’ll have SXSW dates for you as soon as possible.