Barenaked Ladies, Sherlock's Pub, San Antonio, Dec. 15, 2009

You may not know this about me, but I'm a huge Barenaked Ladies fan. Been a fan since way before I moved to Austin, way before I became the avid music fan I have since become. I saw them first back in 1992, when the Oxford, OH indie station WOXY or what was then known as 97X had their 10th anniversary party (it was a great thing when WOXY decided to relocate to Austin back in Sept.!). BNL played the show along with Too Much Joy and Royal Crescent Mob. Ah, good times. After that, I saw BNL any time they came around, eventually getting to meet and befriend the band, having many wonderful experiences with them over the years. I think I saw them 65 times in 3 years. Wow! But, after the turn of the millenium, I was in grad school, and my touring ways ended. I still see them when they are local, which is infrequent. And, this past year presented a lot of turmoil and change for the band, culminating in lead singer Steven Page leaving the group. That was a sad day for me and many BNL fans. But, the rest are forging on as BNL and Steve will go solo. I had been dying to see them just to register my support and confidence. So, I was delighted when a San Antonio gig popped up on their schedule. It was really like old times to see them in a smaller venue. Granted, it was weird seeing them for the first time without Steve. There was definitely magic in the combination of Steve's amazing vocals, Ed's rootsy voice and acoustic guitar and the amazing musicianship of the rest of the band. The humor was still there, they are all hysterical Canadian boys. But I will miss the unique chemistry between Steve and Ed as they riffed on the day or came up with spontaneous ditties. But, things change, and we must accept. I'm happy for the new beginnings! And, I'm also happy for old friends, because another of the early BNL fans, Jenn Wade, who I have managed to keep in touch with over the years, met me at the show. It was fun reminiscing with her!

In addition, it was also delightful to know that Kevin Griffin of Better Than Ezra was on the bill. I love him. Great voice, and as a solo artist, one can really appreciate his craft. Excellent delivery, stage presence, and he is an excellent guitarist. I couldn't have asked for a better Christmas present than this show.

Ingrid Michaelson and Ed Roland of Collective Soul rounded out the great night of music.

Ingrid Michaelson

The amazing Kevin Griffin. Please check him out sometime. So great.



The drummer is some guy from the crowd, named Roman. He completely owned it!


Ed Roland of Collective Soul continued the musician recruiting getting musicians from the crowd. He recruited an entire band. And, even though it took a while to get underway, it actually wasn't all that bad.

Here's the BNL setlist.

They closed with a scaled down version of the rap and dance they used to perform at every show. It was a nice, nostalgic touch!

Buttercup, Sessions at OTN #11, Dec. 5, 2009

If you haven't already heard about them, Buttercup is a great band from San Antonio that blends pop, poetry and performance in some of the most creative music around. It was so much fun to have Erik (Sanden), Joe (Reyes) and Odie (just Odie) over for a nice chat, passing through Austin on their way back from a gig in Dallas. Their recent LP, The Weather Here, was produced by Salim Nourallah (who I also recently interviewed), showcases both fun and melancholy sides. Definitely check them out when they come to town.

Part I - Buttercup discusses their origin and their unique approach to performance


Part II - They talk about people who influence their performance style and how they each got involved with music


Part III - on working with Salim Nourallah on their CD, the music scene in San Antonio and their future



Buttercup performs The Blues or Die


Destiny


Josephine St.

Buttercup, Lamberts, Nov. 19, 2009

It was lovely to see Buttercup play at Lambert's a couple weeks ago. Sorry it has taken so long to get things posted. Enjoy the pics and video of this great band. The third video (Underground) is an epic of crowd participation and storytelling. Darling New Neighbors played before, and unfortunately I didn't get there early enough to get some photos or videos of Tiny Adventurers, another band I love.













Underground

Salim Nourallah, Sessions at OTN #10, Nov. 15, 2009

Salim Nourallah is a multi-talented musician-producer. Most recently he's worked with Old 97's, Rhett Miller and Buttercup, some of my favorite acts. And, his latest solo effort Constellation, which is a gem, was produced by Austin's Billy Harvey, another of my favorites. I was delighted when Salim invited me to his Pleasantry Lane Studios in Dallas last weekend, when I was in town for the Cystic Fibrosis Concert Series that he played along with Rhett Miller and The O's at the Granada Theater. Salim's a most gracious individual, and I loved learning more about his background and his craft.


Part I - Salim talks about designing his studio and his childhood in El Paso


Part II - Being in an early band with Bob Schneider and the Dallas music scene


Part III - Making videos and working with the Old 97's


Salim performs "Pictures Collected"

Cory Glaeser, Sessions at OTN #9, Nov. 12, 2009

It's a goal of mine to introduce people to some of the unsung heroes of Austin music. The bass player is often overlooked on stage, but he (or she) is a critical element, providing the backbone to the songs. Cory Glaeser is one of the best bass players in town, and that's why he's so busy, playing in SKYROCKET!, Fastball and his own band, Sheboygan. And, if you're thinking about taking guitar lessons, he can teach you!

Part I


Part II


Cory performs a new song "Minutes Last Forever"

CF Benefit in Dallas, Nov. 14, 2009 - Rhett Miller, Salim Nourallah and more...

This is the 3rd year for the Cystic Fibrosis Concert Series at the Granada Theater. Raising money and awareness were Rhett Miller, Salim Nourallah and the O's. A special VIP performance with Shibboleth and then Rhett started the evening. Rhett had just returned from a month in Europe touring with Steve Earle, and it was great to see him stateside again, making time for an important cause. A spectacular event in a lovely venue. This might become an annual tradition for me.



Local media personality and event emcee Gordon Keith joined Rhett for a delightful version of the theme song from WKRP in Cincinnati













Rollerskate Skinny


I Need to Know Where I Stand




The O's are a talented, multi-instrumental Dallas duo. It definitely sounds like there are more than two of them.









Salim Nourallah, Dallas super-producer and musician was the first to perform the regular show. Salim produced Rhett's recent solo CD as well as the Old 97's last, Blame It on Gravity. Coming soon: my interview with Salim at his Pleasantry Lane Studio.



Western Hills


Be Here Now








Rhett during the VIP segment of the evening.


Singular Girl


Bel Air

Shibboleth warms up the VIP crowd.

The Steps and Los Lonely Boys at Threadgills' - Nov. 6, 2009

Los Lonely Boys have a new record of cover songs called 1969, and they performed a lovely intimate show at Threadgills on Nov. 6. It was a beautiful night. The Steps opened and got some exposure to a broader audience.











The Steps - Miss High Heels


The Steps - Loose Mind












Los Lonely Boys channel a little Stevie Ray