You can’t say that you didn’t expect this ugly dog to awaken from it’s slumber, and rekindle the flame that brings the much heated, frequently addressed debate between the residents of our neighborhoods and the businesses that work to support the city’s self appointed title of “Live Music Capitol Of The World”. It reared it’s ugly head on Red River years ago, and on South 1st at Freddie’s Place, and not too long ago struck down one of the giants KGSR’s Unplugged At The Grove. Follow the ever changing trends in hot spots in town, and you are sure to find this debate lingering in the shadows waiting for the perfect moment to resurrect itself. The increasingly popular, newly developed Rainey Street area which houses Lustre Pearl, Clive Bar, Bar 96, and a handful of popular rolling eateries, with more projects in the wings, is the battle ground currently. Heating up the debate is the lingering SXSW festival which would find the Rainey Street area a prime destination for all things SXSW and non-SXSW related IF they can continue on with their pursuit of providing live music.

Personally, I tend to favor the live music scene (obviously), but I find myself thinking that I should have a better understanding of the ordinances and zoning issues involved in this process, which admittedly I don’t. If you find yourself in the same boat, there’s an opportunity for you to learn a bit more by attending the City Council meeting this Thur 1.13 @ 4 p.m. to hear the owners of Clive Bar, Lustre Pearl, and Bar 96 plead their case. The following is a letter that has been released by the owners of these venues.

January 9, 2011

Dear Rainey Street Patrons,

This letter is a request for action and support from you, the patrons who gather on Rainey Street. Please
come to the City Council meeting and voice your support on Thursday, January 13, 2011 at 4:00PM.

It has been a pleasure taking care of your food, drink and entertainment service. The growth we’ve
experienced over the past year and a half is due largely to high-quality customers like you who faithfully
support and promote our business.

I immediately saw the potential on Rainey Street when I drove through your neighborhood in December of
2008. This historic neighborhood looked like it had fallen on hard times and needed some fresh investment
to help in its regrowth. The neighborhood was already Commercial Business District (CBD) zoned. I brought
my vision and confidence to the neighborhood and opened Lustre Pearl in April of 2009, a time when other
investors were hesitant to bring business into your neighborhood to boost an economic revitalization. Since
then we have grown, and the old Rainey Street has a fresh vibrancy. While growing Rainey Street, we have
always followed the rules, complied with the city, and tried very hard to be a good neighbor.

We have earned and kept our clientele by paying attention to detail, demanding excellence, and providing
the quality service that you have come to expect from Lustre Pearl, Clive Bar, and Bar 96. As a small
entrepreneur, I incorporated Austin’s fun and intriguing character into the design and upkeep of our bars.

Our quality business in your neighborhood is at risk due to the concern of other neighbors about the
Outdoor Music Venue (OMV) permit Lustre Pearl applied for and received. I want to keep in mind the
interests of the people within the 650 foot radius noted in the guidelines for this permit while also increasing
my investment in your neighborhood. While some are concerned that by offering live music, we will attract
too many guests, but the size of the crowd at Lustre Pearl will not change, as the Austin Fire Marshall has
already established capacity limits for this business.

We are more than happy to work with the DANA association and other neighborhood associations to do
what we can to come up with a fair and amicable solution.

I would like to ask for you again to give us your support by coming to the City Council at 4:00pm, Thursday,
January 13, 2011 meeting and speaking out in favor of the Rainey Street revitalization.

We appreciate your continued trust and business, and we’ll keep working hard to give you the outstanding
service you have come to expect of us.

Thanks again for your business and your support. Please feel free to contact myself at
bridget.dunlap@gmail.com or Scranton Twohey at Scranton.Twohey@gmail.com.
Sincerely,

Bridget Dunlap
Owner of Lustre Pearl, Clive Bar and Bar 96

Just as I was starting to gently slip into the digitized pool of electronic dance rock and chill wave, while waving a handful of daisies at 60′s influenced, lo-fi, California hug me sounds, Austin’s Bridge Farmers punch me right in the f****** mouth. And I like it.

Rewind back to the 90′s, past the mid 90′s when the grunge fallout spurned a slew of wannabe hard rockers that dominated the terrestrial airwaves and encouraged suburban kids to wear flannel and doc martins, back to when bands like Mudhoney and Screaming Trees were slugging it out on the same stages as Pearl Jam and Soundgarden. Back before the spoils of success ruined what was great, even if it seemed to last for just a minute in the history of rock and roll. That’s where Bridge Farmers take me, if not intentional, it really doesn’t matter.

Bridge Farmers came together when our heroes where first drawn to a distant light in the desert. They followed this light for days and then it stopped and hung in the air over a abandoned spaceship. Not knowing what to do, they looked up towards the light and then it lit up the sky and knocked our heroes into a state of slumber. When they awoke they began to play rock-n-roll and spread their love of music throughout the land…….and they hope to see you along this journey. .. -Bridge Farmers Myspace

Austin’s Bridge Farmers have little on the web to give you any insite to their world, their existence, their reasoning, but sometimes a little mystery makes it even that much more intriguing. The band does have a 6 song EP titled Din Of Celestial Birds available for stream and download on their Bandcamp page, and an upcoming show @ Red 7 on Jan 22nd. You can bet that you’ll be hearing more about this band in 2011.

MP3> Bridge Farmers ‘Dancing Bones’

I posted a track from this Philadelphia based duo that calls themselves Work Drugs a little more than a week ago, just for the simple fact that the track grabbed my attention as it came through my inbox. Upon further inspection, the band which consists of Benjamin Louisiana and Thomas Crystal seem to be taking a pretty simple approach to getting their music out, by releasing a track with a video randomly, feeling out the response before planning their next move. An approach that seems to be working to a certain extent. No plans for touring, or even putting out a record, just setting loose their music, which they appropriately describe as sedative -wave / smooth fi.

I awoke this morning to find this track “Dog Daze” awaiting me, appropriately setting the tone for this cold rainy day in Austin, Tx. I suspect that we’ll be hearing more from these guys soon enough.

MP3> Work Drugs ‘Dog Daze’

Smith Western’s are barely legal enough to by a drink in bar, but the band is prepping to release it’s sophomore LP Dye It Blonde this upcoming Jan 18th on Fat Possum Records. The video for the band’s single “Weekend” surfaced recently along with a stream for the the second single “All Die Young”. A quick listen suggests that these Chicago based kids spent a little time in their basements, spinning tunes from the ’70′s Glam-rock era, ala Bowie and Bolen.

Check out the video, click to stream “All Die Young’ and peruse the tour dates for your city and a visit from Smith Westerns.

Stream “All Die Young”

Smith Westerns – Weekend from Fat Possum Records on Vimeo.

01/18 Brooklyn NY Glasslands #
01/27 Lexington, KY Al’s Bar*

01/28 Nashville TN The End*
01/29 Knoxville TN Pilot Light*
01/30 Chapel Hill NC Local 506*
01/31 Athens GA 40 Watt Club*
02/01 Atlanta GA Drunken Unicorn*
02/03 Orlando FL Backbooth*
02/04 Tallahassee FL Club Downunder

02/05 Baton Rouge, LA Spanish Moon*
02/06 Houston TX Fitzgeralds*
02/07 Austin TX Emos *
02/08 Dallas TX The Loft*
02/10 Phoenix AZ Rhythm Room*
02/11 Los Angeles CA Echo*
02/12 Costa Mesa CA Detroit Bar*
02/13 San Francisco CA Bottom of the Hill*
02-15 Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge
02-16 Vancouver, British Columbia – Biltmore Cabaret
02-17 Seattle, WA – Crocodile Cafe
02-18 Boise, ID – Neurolux
02-19 Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court
02-21 Denver, CO – Larimer Lounge
02-22 Kansas City, MO – The Record Bar
02-23 Omaha, NE – Waiting Room
02-24 Minneapolis, MN – Triple Rock Social Club
02-25 Madison, WI – The Frequency
02-26 Chicago, IL – Empty Bottle
02-28 Toronto, Ontario – Legendary Horseshoe Tavern
03-01 Montreal, Quebec – La Sala Rossa
03-02 Boston, MA – Great Scott
03-04 Washington, DC – Rock and Roll Hotel

03-16 – 03-19 Austin, TX – SXSW

The little band that landed the big deal with very minimal amount of effort, hits the road with a stop here in ATX for SXSW, although unconfirmed as official SXSW talent. But, how could SXSW not have the band that has accomplished the almost impossible in today’s music environment? Cults will undoubtedly go down in indie rock history as the band that landed a recording deal with Columbia records while only having a few songs posted on their Bandcamp page and little less than a year of touring. I have to admit that the band’s performance at Fun Fun Fun Fest 2010 was a standout next to indie darlings Best Coast and Wavves, but what’s the real deal with this deal? Soon to find out as the band hits the road, with one of the most grueling tests of a band’s stamina happening in March. SXSW.

Hopefully this schedule means that Small Black has it’s sites set on SXSW as well.

MP3> Cults ‘Most Wanted’

I find myself dipping into the electronic pool occasionally these days just to see how the newer generation is fairing in this genre, generally coming away not all that impressed. Leave it to one of my favorite smaller labels Old Flame Records, which has put out some great recordings by Dead Confederate, Twin Tigers, and Cloud Nothings, amongst a few others, to put out an electronic record that inspires the dance in me.

Millionyoung might be just a whisper in the scene right now, but me thinks this will change with the release of the band’s upcoming full-length titled Replicants, which becomes digitally legal on Jan 11th with physical following Feb 15th. Not much known about this band other than it is the work of Mike Diaz who claims Florida as his base. Early shows featured Diaz weaving his sound from a laptop, but have evolved into an act that features a number of musicians on stage. Keep an eye out for Millionyoung at this year’s SXSW, where the Floridian will be making a splash in the Live Music Capital of The World.

Check out “Replicants” which found it’s way to the web today and the previously released “Perfect Eyes”

MP3> Millionyoung ‘Replicants’
MP3> Millionyoung ‘Perfect Eyes’

As you visit the Western Vinyl website, you’ll notice that under their logo, the statement “Thanks for listening” resides. My thought is, thanks for putting out so much great music. The label has churned out recordings by Dirty Projectors, Balmorhea, J. Tillman, Ola Podrida, Here We Go Magic, Sleep Whale..just to name a few. All the matter of a few years. A pretty impressive roster for the Austin based label.

On the near horizon, and I’m not sure of a date, is the upcoming release from Callers Life Of Love and the second track to be released (first was a cover of Wire’s “Heartbeat”) is the title track “Life Of Love”.

MP3> Callers ‘Life Of Love’

Tour dates as well, and one would believe the band is warming up to hit ATX for SXSW. Let’s hope so anyway. Read more

Many enjoyed the low-fi, sunny fuzz sounds of L.A.’s Best Coast this year via their 2010 release Crazy For You, to the extent that the album made frequent appearances on many “best of” lists for last year. Watch the Bethany Consentino fronted trio play the single from the release, “Boyfriend” on Jimmy Fallon. Unfortunately, you have to make your way through the entire show to get to the performance.

Best Coast will be hitting the road, with a date here in Austin at Emos on 1/25 along with the boyfriend fronted Wavves. Don’t miss the few remaining opportunities to experience your favorite bands on the Emo’s outside stage, as the end is near…it’s truly sad.

Best Coast tour: Read more

Every now and then, I’ll get something in my inbox that grabs my attention. Doesn’t happen very often, but in this case, and I’m not sure why, the track “Third Wave” from the band Work Drugs has done exactly that. The band, based out of Philadelphia, PA describes itself as sedative-wave/smooth-fi, which fits pretty well. Don’t know if they have an album out or any additional material, as this track is the only music found on their website. They do seem to have an attraction to boats/water though, while living on an abandoned pier.

MP3> Work Drugs ‘Third Wave‘

Today is the last day of the year 2010 and I could, quite possibly be one of the last to post my 2010 list(s). While the trend seems to be listing top albums for the year, sometimes with a numerical order, granting one lucky winner the spot of Album of The Year, I opt to list the albums that I spent the most time with that were released over the past 12 months. By no means is this my claim that these albums were the best of the crop, as I probably don’t listen to as many recordings as some of my peers. I try to scan recordings from time to time, that seem to be grabbing the popular buzz, but it seems mostly I exist in my own opinionated, personally jaded world when it comes to music.  I gravitate towards artists and albums for whatever reason and with my addictive personality cling to them, sometimes over consuming and over analyzing the content. That’s me. That’s what I do. And this is what I listened to the most of 2010 releases….

I had to update, as I left this recording off the list initially. It was in my head, just somehow got left out…

-Spoon Transference

Rarely does Spoon put out an album that I’m not into that much, but the predecessor to the band’s 2010 release, felt void of that raw, edgy sound that made the early records stand out from anything in the popular indie format. Returning to that element that has found this band continually growing into the established creative unit that has outlived many of it’s peers, Britt Daniel incorporated years of recording and production experience with a familiar approach to songwriting and produces one of the band’s best records. At least in my opinion. What’s next for the band? I’m not sure that Daniel has a plan at this point, but there’s a good chance it’ll leave critics and fans alike, satisfied.

-Twin Tigers Gray Waves

My love affair with bands from Athen’s, GA has become quite obviously obsessive, and Twin Tigers fueled that obsession early in 2010 with their debut full-length. It’s a sonic invitation into a world that balances the beauty and reality of personal relationships, musically and lyrically. Matthew Rain’s vocals distant in production, but weighing heavily on the songs.

Lyric: “If I am such a creep, why stay within my reach” -Feathers

-The National High Violet

No surprise that this album has ended up on many year end lists, because it’s so f****** great! I’ve been a fan of these guys for awhile, and while one might think that working within their unique sound might have found a dead end early, they have managed to work and refine their sound to a perfection. Matt Berninger’s lyrical content and delivery define the band as much as the music itself, while you find him at his darkest on this record, you find him at his most brilliant. It would be hard for me to try and find a lyrical moment that shines most for me, as I honestly believe that Berninger is one of the strongest, most talented lyrical writers in today’s music scene. He defines emotions and experiences in a manner that brings life to your own personal realizations.

-Deer Tick Black Dirt Sessions

Break out the whiskey, the sorrow, and embrace the experiences in life that aren’t the most welcomed or pleasant. This latest recording from the band finds founder/frontman John McCauley painting a dark portrait of life lyrically supported by a somewhat stripped down musical foundation. Acoustic guitar holds down the base of most of the album with McCauley’s life strained vocals frame the songs, while occasional songs find an electric pulse. Like many of the blues greats of the past, McCauley makes the down side of life sound so good.

MP3> Deer Tick ‘Piece By Piece, Frame By Frame’

-Retribution Gospel Choir 2

No matter what Alan Sparhawk does within his musical career either with Low or Retribution Gospel Choir, he will never receive the accolades that he deserves, but that just might be a good thing. I’m completely obsessed with the body of work that Sparhawk continues to churn out, and this latest effort being the 2nd release from his newest project finds him at complete odds with his birth child band Low, loud, guitar driven, boisterous, and inspiring. If there is one artist that young artist or aspiring artists should look to for inspiration in regards to work ethic..this guy is the real deal.

-Beach House Teen Dream

What a beautiful dreamy, sexy romp through minimal low-fi music. Minimal by today’s standards, but that standard just changed with this album. What a difference an album makes. Usually I’m driven by lyrics, but this is one of those recordings that established itself musically with the lyrics playing a less influential role in my appreciation.

-Blonde Redhead Penny Sparkle

I am quite surprised that this recording didn’t make more lists..Sure it wasn’t the pace of 23 but it was well orchestrated shift in tempo and mood that delivered quite well. It’s dark, it’s sexy, it invokes wonderful imagery and emotions suited for film noir.

-Land Of Talk Cloak and Cipher

Elizabeth Powell established herself as a young woman in emotional transition, and a youthful axe to grind, with her guitar and lyrics on the band’s debut EP  Applause Cheer Boo Hiss. Two full-length recordings later and we find Powell still working the axe, but within a full blown dimension of production and richly constructed songwriting. Production compliments of Jace Lasek (Besnard Lakes, Sunset Rubdown, Wolf Parade) bring a new depth and space to Powell’s songs which have developed as nicely over the years.

Lyric: “How deep is this soul I feel I’m in? Seen a lot of light and done a lot with it. How deep is this hole I feel I’m in?”

-Phosphorescent Here’s To Taking It Easy

I had probably heard two songs from this recording prior to catching the band’s live performance, and my initial reaction was it felt like a modern day version of The Band. The live show was one of the most enjoyable shows of the year for me. The vibe was warm. The energy shared by everyone in attendance. And the band played on for hours, never dulling the experience throughout the entire set. Here’s To Taking It Easy defines the recording well, complimented with tracks like “Mermaid Parade”, “We’ll Be Here Soon”, and “Los Angeles”, the album drifts as softly as the wind shining bright and beautiful like the sun.

-The Black Angels Phosphene Dream

Hometown psych rock heroes put aside their egos and enlist a producer for their third full-length and the end result fines the band honing their drone and roll sound to near perfection. The band’s signature sound still in tact, but the lengthy expansive tracks replaced with tightly wound, pop stuctured songs that draw from psych pioneers from an early day. The band still challenges to shake your dark psyche to the core, but inspires a desire to dance along while doing so.

-Deerhunter Halcyon Digest

Deerhunter have finally captured my full attention with this album, after two albums of tempting me into their camp. Shifting between ghostly minimalist tracks that drift along for minutes and modern day pop rockers, Halycon Digest feels like the beginning of a band quietly and quickly on the rise and refining their talent. The band, in my mind have finally gone from Bradford Cox and company to…Deerhunter.

-Colour Revolt The Cradle

Jesse Coppenbarger defines the history of Colour Revolt right out of the gate with the lead track “8 years”. A band that crumbled to the point of almost non-existence with the departure of 3 out of 5 members, found Coppenbarger and co-founding member Sean Kirkpatrick calling it quits for short period. Just long enough for the two to realize that they still had a desire to make music together, and this album is a culmination of that desire. A different sounding album than previous, slightly more subdued sonically, but as dense and complex lyrically and musically as ever. It’s an album that needs a patient ear to realize it’s full potential, and even after many listens, it continues to reveal itself to you like a slow strip tease.

MP3> Colour Revolt ‘Our Names’

-Dead Confederate Sugar

While Dead Confederate lightened up the mood and at times set aside the epic sonic rides found on the previous album, they produced some of their heaviest work as well. Shifting between the acoustic fronted “Run From The Gun” to the terrifying, gut punch heavy “Quiet Kid”, the band displays their ability to expand the scope of their songwriting, if it only is the beginning of what we might see from the band in the future. An album almost completely developed in the studio, from a skeleton of ideas, one begs to wonder what is capable from this band with more prep work. I for one, can’t wait to hear.

-Futurebirds Hampton’s Lullaby

Athen’s again? Yep. This low-fi, country tinged rock recording, hinting at early My Morning Jacket days with an energy that once witnessed live brings a whole new perspective to these songs. Sipping whiskey, foot stomping, good time.

-The Besnard Lakes The Besnard Lakes Are The Roaring Night

The title and cover art pretty much say it all. Epic rock songs that conjure up images that would cost millions to produce cinematically, mixed in with more conventional rock pieces that maintain the rich layered sound that this Canadian outfit is quickly becoming recognized for producing.

-Minus The Bear Omni

It’s Minus The Bear. They showed up on the scene with their unique quick tempo guitar noodling prog rock years ago with Menos El Oso and continue their trek of making cool rock records that inspire the air guitar player in myself. The band has rarely produced anything that I can’t get my head into, and Omni finds them at the top of their game.

I’m a bit late getting to this band Suckers and their release from this year Wild Smile. While the recording is slowly growing on me, and this song being kinda decent, the video isn’t going to win any awards. What’s up with the nudie suit person covered in that purple sparkly stuff?

The album probably won’t make it as one my most listened to for the year, but it definitely puts the band on my radar for the future.

SUCKERS – It Gets Your Body Movin´ from Amberley Productions on Vimeo.

For those of you paying attention, Austin’s Monahans have bee slowly revealing their 2010 Release album one track at a time since March of this year and making them available for download on their site. The final track revealed this year turns out to be a special one, featuring the one and only Sinead O’Connor contributing additional vocals,  and this is a bit about how it all came about:

“About the song…
Drummer Roberto Sanchez and his family took a trip to Ireland earlier this year, and he was inspired by the landscape enough to write a beautiful sketch of what was to become “Seabirds”.  Upon returning to Austin, the band layered upon Rob’s sketch in the studio and then added lyrics.  It became clear that the one thing missing was a voice.  Sinead O’Connor’s voice to be exact.  One thing lead to another, and the song found it’s way back to Ireland, where Sinead graciously contributed her vocals to the song, and the vision of the original sketch was complete.  We hope you enjoy listening to this track, described by the band as a “hopeful song for a broken world”, as its beauty gives us chills every time we listen to it.”

Congrats to the guys in Monahans who have had a great year, and thanks for the tunes.

MP3> Monahans ‘Seabirds’

Slowcore outfit Low are set to release their next full-length recording C’mon early 2011, but to hold the fans over until, they have released a free live EP recorded at St. Catherina Church in the Netherlands city on January 22, 2009. You can get the download a bit further down this post. It’s a definite recommend for Low fans.

The band has a few dates listed to close out this year, while we patiently await the new release, which will feature Wilco guitarist Nels Cline and Trampled by Turtles banjo player, Dave Carroll. Best news I’ve heard today so far.

Live at Eindhoven EP:

01 Monkey
02 Silver Rider
03 July
04 Laser Beam

The folks over at Austin Psych Fest are working hard on series #4 of their unique festival that honors the pioneers of the genre while incorporating some of the modern artist that dip from the past while keeping it current. Taking place April 29th-May 1st @ The East Side Drive In, the festival has just released this pretty impressive list of confirmed acts. More to be announced as well.

January 13th will see more artists revealed with early bird tickets and more Austin Psych Fest details.

And don’t forget that the Austin Psych Fest 3 DVD is available for stuffing the stockings of your psych rock loving friends..hint, hint..

Preview the vid and then follow the jump for list of confirmed artists..Atlas Sound.nice!

AUSTIN PSYCH FEST 3 TRAILER from oswald james on Vimeo.

Read more

I know..another video, but it’s the Clash for crying out loud. Who doesn’t love the Clash? Quite honestly the preview is kinda lame, but here’s to hoping that the actual documentary which airs Dec 12th on BBC America is packed full of unseen, awesome Clash stuff. And if you want to check out the preview clip for the documentary, you’ll have to hop over to Spin.com as those wiley bastards seem to have exclusive access to the clip. Check your local cable listings and Rock the Casbah.

I’ve included the video for “Rock the Casbah” just for the simple fact that it was filmed here in Austin. If I’m not mistaken the pool scene took place in what is now the Radisson pool by Town Lake/Lady Bird Johnson Lake.