Matthew Sweet, Rams Head On Stage, Annapolis, Oct. 27, 2011

Ah, serendipity. karma. I love it when I travel for one thing and then another fabulous thing can be attached. I actually get disappointed if I can't find a great show in a town I am visiting. Well, nothing could have been more exciting than when I found out that Matthew Sweet was playing in Maryland at the same time I was attending the Journalism Interactive Conference in College Park. Sweet is performing his classic album Girlfriend, front to back, to celebrate the 20th anniversary. It is definitely up there in my top 5 albums, infectious pop that stands the test of time. Matthew's voice is still angelic, surrounded by psychedelic licks and distortion. I was very happy to be there.

But I forgot my regular camera. So photos are blurry and video is sort of acceptable. Girlfriend is top loaded, with Divine Intervention, I've Been Waiting and Girlfriend right off the bat, so I was still in initial euphoria before I realized those tunes were over. Luckily, my friend Stephanie Sylvester also picked up a few songs from her better vantage point. The venue, Rams Head On Stage in Annapolis, sounded great, although it's not a typical rock club. People were seated at tables, and I wanted to get up and rock. But it was an amazing time. So glad I was able to go. The conference was great, too, so all in all a fantastic weekend.

Please Matthew. Bring Girlfriend to Austin!






Girlfriend


Sick of Myself
From 100% Fun, but after he ran out of Girlfriend tunes, he added a few other classics. I love this song!


And these vids by Stephanie Sylvester, much better location in the room!


I've Been Waiting


Evangeline

Rhett Miller, Antone's, Oct. 13, 2011

Rhett Miller made another swing through Austin, this time without his Old 97's bandmates. If you haven't seen him solo acoustic, you're missing out. He's a master at this. Pure talent and so much fun. The stripped down delivery highlights the storytelling of the songs. But don't think this is some singer-songwriter sleeper. He's still got the same 97's energy, coupled with easy, fun banter. Check him out when you can.









Help Me, Suzanne


Like Love


Picture This


I Need to Know Where I Stand

Quiet Company, Acoustic VIP Party, Sept. 29, 2011

The new Quiet Company CD We Are All Where We Belong is out (and it is stellar, check my review when the Oct Texas Music comes out), and they celebrated with not one, but two, parties. The first, which I was able to attend, was a grand evening of acoustic performances by Austin's best musicians at the ND Austin venue. It was a great night of fun and friends. I sadly had to miss the big formal CD release the next night, also at ND, but I heard it was a rager! Check them out this week at theHAAM Benefit at Whole Foods on Tuesday, or any other time you get the chance.















Joe Reyes, featuring Eric Sanden


Ram Vela


Nakia


Wealthy West


Quiet Company