Billy Harvey at Alamo Drafthouse

Billy Harvey is an amazing musician, producer and actor. He screened his documentary Everywhere Now at Alamo Drafthouse (Village) and then did a short performance after a Q&A. Get more details about the doc and Billy's new film, Strings, at his web site billyharvey.com. I happened to grab a bit of his performance of "The World is on Fire" with my iPhone and Qik.

The Steps, Black and White Years, Pecan Street Festival, Sept. 26, 2009

The Pecan Street Festival always offers some of the best live music, and its a great way to try out some new acts. I arrived in time to see a favorite, The Steps, and a band I'd only seen once before, Black and White Years. Great outdoor show!

Paul Minor and Friends, Hole in the Wall, Sept. 22, 2009

It was HAAM benefit day, and I got out to support one act, my friend Paul Minor and his talented crew. HAAM is Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, and it's a great cause, providing much needed health care to our musician community.




Every Star Has a Shadow


Out of My System

Darin Murphy - Sessions at OTN #7, Sept. 15, 2009

Darin Murphy is a multi-talented local musician who has been performing in Austin for the better part of two decades. He's the drummer in the very popular cover band Skyrocket, in which he plays with some of Austin's best musicians, including his sister Trish, Johnny Goudie, Benjamin Hotchkiss, Paul English and more. He also provides the beats for one of my favorite groups, Future Clouds and Radar. And, he's a great guitarist and solo performer in his own right. Darin came by to chat about moving to Austin to work on his "vibe," his career as a musician and performing on Broadway in the musical "Lennon." Plus, he brought along his pretty Gibson acoustic and played three songs.

During the last two songs, my cat Kiley decides she wants some of the spotlight!

You can also catch more video of Darin I shot at Continental Club. He performs "I Saw Her Standing There" with the Small Stars here.


Part I


Part II





Boxing Day


Just a Habit


Wasting Our Time

Better Than Ezra, La Zona Rosa, Sept. 19, 2009

I caught a Better Than Ezra show when I was visiting NYC in June, and couldn't wait to see them again. As luck would have it, an Austin date quickly appeared on their tour schedule. Rockin' a very enthusiastic audience of fans that knew most every word to every song, BTE put on another amazing show... so full of energy. It's obvious that these guys love what they do. Great songwriting and fantastic lead vocals in the form of Kevin Griffin. He's the perfect frontman - charming, funny and adorable. The band is tight, delivering pop songs with big arrangements.

Now, when do I get to see them again?











A Lifetime


At the Stars


Jolene


Porcelain

Small Stars at Continental Club, Sept. 10, 2009

It was the 43rd birthday of Miles Zuniga...often of Fastball...but tonight starring as Guy Fantasy with the Small Stars. Miles' lovely wife Kelly brought cupcakes and called in some pros for a birthday surprise, and lots of friends were on hand to celebrate. Unfortunately, I got there late and missed Courtney from Dandy Warhols join them on stage. Seems like I always miss these celebrity moments :-( Need to work on that...




Paul Minor takes the lead on Let It Bleed


Darin Murphy rocks some Beatles


Birthday time


Don't Keep 'Em Waiting

Brent Adair at Clementine, Sept. 8, 2009

On my way home from school this evening, I decided to drop in and see my neighbor Brent, play a gig at Clementine. Since I was coming straight from San Marcos, I didn't have my normal camera. But, the coffee shop setting seemed just right for some live streaming via Qik on my phone. Here are the results. Not too shabby...

WOXY Party at Scoot Inn

In what is probably some of the best news to hit the Austin music scene this year, my favorite radio station of all time, WOXY has relocated here to the live music capital. I listened to WOXY during my days in Dayton, OH in the early '90s, and it was really the most redeeming thing that came out of those six lost years. Everything I know and love about music came from my exposure to what was then called 97X. Since then, they have moved to a completely online station, with both live and vintage streams. There is so much potential for them to do good things and integrate into our great music scene here in Austin. Pictured above are just a few of the fine folks that will be rockin' your butts off with the best in modern and indie music. Follow @WOXY on Twitter to keep up with news and announcements associated with their transition.

WOXY started things off with just the right pitch by having a Texas BBQ at one of the hippest venues in east Austin, the Scoot Inn. Below are some pics and video, definitely a taste of what's yet to come with this perfect marriage of WOXY and Austin!

TV Torso (includes members of the beloved, but now defunct Sound Team)

Austin's Paige Maguire, of Austinist and formerly KUT, now handling the marketing for WOXY. She put on a great party!

Black Before Red - features members of Okkervil River and Shearwater






TV Torso


Black Before Red

Flat Stanley, Drungo, Sept. 5, 2009

Football season is upon us and the most fun part of that is this concept of tailgate parties. UT really knows how to do it up, with professional tailgaters bringing in grills and smokers and having live music all around the stadium. This party was on the periphery of campus at the Drungo Ice House on 29th St. My good friends in Flat Stanley charmed the crowd with their fantastic covers, everything from Mellencamp and the Stones to Cracker. A good time was had by all ages (0-infinity). Check out the guest drummer in the clip below!



Football season is upon us and the most fun part of that is this concept of tailgate parties. UT really knows how to do it up, with professional tailgaters bringing in grills and smokers and having live music all around the stadium. This party was on the periphery of campus at the Drungo Ice House on 29th St. My good friends in Flat Stanley charmed the crowd with their fantastic covers, everything from Mellencamp and the Stones to Cracker. A good time was had by all ages (0-infinity).