It’s getting to be that time of year again, time for one of Austin’s premier music festival that continues to sell out rapidly and draw folks from all over the globe. As we do every year, we be posting a list of band’s, probably lesser known by many, that we have on our list to check out. Some old favorites and some that are sparking current curiosity.

Gotye..are you fucking kidding me? ACL, get your head out of your ass. The only two reasons to show up on Saturday are Steve Earle and Neil Young and Crazy Horse. Jack White is back again and probably will be in some mystical form the next year and the next and the next and the next…yawn. Hopefully Neil Young and Crazy Horse spend some time on the classics and don’t get too caught up in pressing the new material…

Neil Young and Crazy Horse headline Saturday..sure you can figure it out.

It’s getting to be that time of year again, time for one of Austin’s premier music festival that continues to sell out rapidly and draw folks from all over the globe. As we do every year, we be posting a list of band’s, probably lesser known by many, that we have on our list to check out. Some old favorites and some that are sparking current curiosity.

M83 might not be familiar to most of you out there just on name alone, but there’s an argument that you have probably heard the band on several occasions. An electronic dream orchestration by French composer Anthony Gonzales, M83 have quietly worked their way into mainstream media with minimal nod from mainstream music consumers. The band’s 2011 release Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming has stood strong and present for the last year and their climb into the music listeners conscious may only be seeing the first few rungs of the ladder. Take a moment to breathe in the air, the sky, feel the grass, and enjoy M83

Friday 12th 7:30 Barton Springs Stage

It’s getting to be that time of year again, time for one of Austin’s premier music festival that continues to sell out rapidly and draw folks from all over the globe. As we do every year, we be posting a list of band’s, probably lesser known by many, that we have on our list to check out. Some old favorites and some that are sparking current curiosity.

Now, I’m not claiming to be that familiar with the Black Lips music, but their onstage antics and history are enough to warrant a few minutes of your time at ACL Fest this year. Nudity, vomiting, urination, chickens, fireworks, flaming guitars just to name a few should be worth a peak. Not to mention that the band had to secretly escape India while on tour in 2009..because of previously mentioned antics. It promises to be an entertaining show at the least.

Friday 12th 6:15 Austin Ventures Stage

It’s getting to be that time of year again, time for one of Austin’s premier music festival that continues to sell out rapidly and draw folks from all over the globe. As we do every year, we be posting a list of band’s, probably lesser known by many, that we have on our list to check out. Some old favorites and some that are sparking current curiosity.

The first band on our list, and this one was an easy one as they have been a personal favorite for years, specifically for the reason they released one of may favorite albums Gentlemen. The Afghan Whigs made their skid mark on the music scene in the early 90′s after forming in the late 80′s. Transcending the grunge movement the band established itself more as a post-punk garage outfit with lyrics fitting lengthy sessions with a therapist. A recent reunion of the band promises to relive the good ‘ol days of Jagermeister shots and unforgettable gentlemanly lyrics.

Friday 12th 4:15 on AMD Stage.

What’s not to like about a band that consists of members from Deer Tick, Los Lobos, Black Lips, Dead Confederate, and more..? Diamond Rugs is the name of the band, and you can catch them here in Austin for Fun Fun Fun Fest…this is their video for “Blue Mountains”..

The Replacements, a band that many might say was one of the greatest lesser known bands in the world, will be featured in a documentary DVD being released Nov 20th titled Color Me Obsessed.  A Gorman Bechard directed film will document the impact of the band on the scene with interviews including journalists, fans, and musicians. Hopefully some rare footage of the band will be included in there as well.

If you aren’t familiar with The Replacements, my immediate reaction might be shame on you, but instead I almost feel sorry for you, for not knowing the glorious mess of a band. The glorious mess of band whose greatness fell short of the industry’s measurement of a band’s success, but left a lasting impact on many who find success measured in different terms.

I’ve grown quite fond of James Murphy as of late. Although I purchased the band’s debut self-titled release back in 2005, I didn’t really keep up with the band, and probably missed many an opportunity to see them live. Sometimes it’s better late than never I suppose.

So, moving on from LCD Soundsystem, Murphy has been selected by Ron Howard to direct a short film, and he needs your photos for inspiration. Check out the video for complete info, and dust of the shutterbug inside yourself. I’m a Nikon guy personally, but I don’t think that matters..

Local Austin rock/punk outfit Riverboat Gamblers have a new video for the track “Comedians” off of their May release The Wolf You Feed. I don’t know if it’s just me, but this track feels like a gentler kinder Riverboat Gamblers, and I like it….

Catch Riverboat Gamblers on the road:

It’s hard to believe that in this day and age that a music based television show has managed to stay around for 38 years without changing their format much to accommodate the masses. The show has definitely made some changes, incorporating music formats that you might not have found in early years, and it’s working.

The 38th season of Austin City Limits kicks off with one of the biggest modern rock bands in the world, Radiohead, on Oct 6th. A rare hour long episode will feature this band that is sometimes as elusive as the success is that they have achieved over the years. Other artists to grace the screen this season are The Shins, Bon Iver, Mavis Staples, Dr. Dog, and more.

Austin City Limits airs on your local PBS station.

Radiohead on Austin City Limits “Morning Mr Magpie” from Austin City Limits on Vimeo.

Anything that Wayne Coyne does these days is at the least worth a few minutes of investigation, as the guy is a non-stop creative storm of insanity and at times beauty. This collaboration between The Flaming Lips and Lightning Bolt seems an odd fit, and the video only proves it to be true, but interesting nonetheless. The thought of Wayne Coyne working at NASA wreaks of fear and infinite possibilities. Working at NASA on acid..with Lighting Bolt…we would have probably inhabited Mars by now.

Check out the video and check out Lightning Bolt here in Austin at Emos Wed 8.29. I accidentally caught them once, and was completely caught by surprise and couldn’t look away…don’t know the music, but the show was mesmerizing.

Austin’s Fun Fun Fun Fest, everyone’s favorite fest of the year, has released another quirky video set to conjure a chuckle or two while revealing more of this year’s lineup. I used to watch the heck out of some Love Boat when I was a wee one.

PIP package information below as well, with links to purchase.

P-I-P

It’s only three more bands leaked in this latest of comedic videos produced by the fine folks over at Fun Fun Fun Fest..but it only leads you to believe that there’s much more on the horizon..stay tuned

LCD Soundsystem walked away from the spotlight when the band was at the height of it’s career a little more than a year ago with a final show at Madison Square Garden on April 2nd 2011. For those of us not fortunate enough to witness this piece of modern music history in person, there is filmed documentary of this event and the hours that surrounded, following band founder James Murphy as he prepares for the next chapter in his life. Shut Up And Play The Hits is the emotional recording of these last days of a band that established a reputation and a fan base that many bands only dream to accomplish.

Shut Up And Play The Hits is scheduled to play in theaters one night and one night only across the country on July 18th, with tickets going on sale at participating theaters this Friday June 8th. For us in Austin, Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar will be one of those theaters.

Check out the trailer for the film and theater locations following

The Brooklyn based noise rock trio A Place To Bury Strangers have album number 3 in the wings ready for release June 26th on the Dead Oceans label and titled Worship. The band just released the video for the track “You Are The One” and for anyone that is familiar with the band’s previous work, the video is a dark, appropriate reflection of what they do..sexy, violent, dangerous, and dark. What’s not to love?

You can catch the band here in Austin on June 3rd at 29th Street Ballroom.

Nova Scotia’s Wintersleep have a new album out on June 12 of this year, titled Hello Hum. Along with this video for the track “In Came The Flood”, the band has released upcoming tour dates. As it goes with a lot of Canadian bands, Texas dates are lacking, but one can only speculate that they will make the long trek down here soon enough.

Wintersleep Tour Dates
5/29: Los Angeles, CA @ Echo
5/30: San Francisco, CA @ Bottom Of The Hill
5/31: Portland, OR @ Doug Fir
6/1: Seattle, WA @ Columbia City Theater
6/2: Victoria, BC @ Phillips Brewery
6/4: Vancouver, BC @ The Biltmore Caberet
6/5: Calgary, AB @ Hifi Club
6/6: Edmonton, AB @ The Pawn Shop
6/7: Saskatoon, SK @ Amigos
6/8: Winnipeg, MB @ Pyramid Cabaret
6/9: Minneapolis, MN @ 400 Bar
6/11: Chicago, IL @ Schubas Tavern
6/12: Toronto, ON @ Lee’s Palace
6/14: Cincinnati, OH @ MOTR Pub
6/18: Allston, MA @ Great Scott
6/19: Brooklyn. NY @ Knitting Factory
6/20: Philadelphia, PA @ North Star Bar
8/3: Montreal, QC @ Osheaga
8/25: Squamish, BC @ Live In Squamish