Johnny Goudie, Sessions at OTN #8, Oct. 15, 2009

I recently read an article about the Madonna photographer Maripol, whose work "celebrates her talented friends." In a phrase, that's what I hope I am accomplishing with this blog. One artist that truly deserves celebration is Johnny Goudie. Johnny is a veteran of the Austin music scene. He's active in every aspect of the community, by fronting his own bands, most recently Johnny Goudie and the Little Champions, but is also one of the talented performers in the popular cover band Skyrocket. His band Goudie released Peep Show on Lars Ullrich's (Metallica) The Music Company label in the early 2000s. He's also performed with Endochine (with which he was awarded the Austin Chronicle's award for Best Keyboard Player in 2004 - pretty good for a singer/guitarist), as well as the Ian Moore Band and Kathy Valentine (of the Go-Go's). And, he's a producer, having worked with Canvas on their Painting the Roses CD, among others. He's a charming and talented guy, and I was delighted when Johnny invited me over to his studio to chat about his life in Austin and his career.

Part I - Johnny talks about his early years and playing in Skyrocket


Part II - Johnny talks about moving to Austin and working for a major label


Part III - Johnny talks about working as a producer and his influences over the past 10 years


Johnny performs Leave

Lone Star Indie Bash at the Brewery

Lone Star and Texas Music magazine teamed up for a fantastic day of homegrown music at the old Lone Star Brewery in San Antonio. The site is soon to be developed with lofts, but this Saturday, it hosted a cadre of musicians. It was a beautiful day of beautiful music!

Buttercup, from San Antonio

He's a legend, Dale Watson

Spain Colored Orange, from Houston

Austin's Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears

Micky and the Motorcars

The legends just keep coming, with Texas Tornados. That's Flaco Jimenez on accordion

Ben Kweller

Charlie Robison

Buttercup


Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears


Dale Watson


Ben Kweller


Ben Kweller

Travis Acoustic Show, Central Presbyterian, Oct. 15, 2009

This was one of the most delightful shows I have ever attended. Fran Healy and Andy Dunlop of Travis performed at the Central Presbyterian Church in Austin. Fran was on acoustic, Andy accompanying at various times on guitar and piano. It was a beautiful and unusual setting, with the crowd seated in church pews. Fran was a charming host. The premise of the evening was that he would play the first song he'd ever written, end with what he was working on now, and in between pepper with stories of notable songwriting moments. He even had a slideshow, and his stories were charming and delightful. I don't think it even phased him that he used the f-word multiple times in church and sang a song that had an evolution theme ("We Are Monkeys").

Take note of this model. This definitely caters to the fans and presents the artists in an intimate light.

On top of that, they sold their own merch!





Pretty powerful imagery with the cross towering over the Star of David as Healy told a story about a visit to Israel.

I was very excited when he described one song as being influenced on the one hand by Oasis' Wonderwall, but also by The Connell's, a band I loved in the '80s that was from Chapel Hill.



Turn


Why Does It Always Rain on Me


Sing

Rhett Miller, Antone's, Oct. 9, 2009

I don't think I could be any happier than I am now, after the last 48 hours. Two of my favorite touring acts visit my city. It's as if Rhett and Mr. Tweedy got together and said "Let's make this work, just for Cindy." ;-) At Antone's last night, it was Rhett Miller, lead singer of the Old 97s, now on tour with his solo band. The same 97s energy was there, but his current band mates added a power-pop feel. They played things from Rhett's solo CDs, including his most recent self-titled, as well as some things from the Old 97s catalog that don't get played often, like Nineteen and a punk-infused Barrier Reef. The brilliant dude who produced Rhett's recent CD as well as the Old 97s last, Blame It On Gravity, Salim Nourallah, was the opening act. He's great!

It's going to take me a while to come down off of this one...
















I Need to Know Where I Stand


If It's Not Love


Nineteen


Singular Girl


Salim Nourallah - Be Here Now


Stranger in My Own Skin

Wilco, Cedar Park Center, Oct. 8, 2009

Some weeks are average, and then some are simply magical. If having a giant music festival in your town isn't enough (check out my ACL Fest coverage in posts below...), how about having your two favorite musical acts show up before week's end. If you know me, you know I love some Wilco and some Rhett Miller. So, this Oct. 8-9 time period is my idea of perfection. Wilco started my dream 48 hours playing at the Cedar Park Center, a new hockey arena, just north of Austin. People were tentative about having to trek that far for a show, but the Austinites that made the trip were not disappointed. Wilco rocked the house, played all my favorites including Monday, Theologians, Shot in the Arm, Outta Site Outta Mind, Heavy Metal Drummer, Hate It Here, Walken, Via Chicago, I'm the Man Who Loves You, I Am Trying to Break Your Heart... the crowd singing the entire Jesus, Etc. was lovely. Yes, Mr. Tweedy, I'd rather you played two nights at Stubbs, too, but this was really, really nice. Liam Finn, son of Crowded House's Neil Finn, opened the show. Check out his funny song about people of Austin in Cedar Park below.













One By One


I Am Trying to Break Your Heart




Theologians


Liam Finn