What a pleasure it was to be able to speak to two of Austin's up and coming artists during Mass Comm Week. TX State student, Valin Zamarron, better known as Zeale, did a performance and then talked about using social media to promote his career. (The performance was great, but the recording of it was not, so I sadly was unable to include it here). Zeale's got a bright career ahead, so check him out as soon as you can.
After Zeale, Austin musician Nakia joined us. Nakia was a finalist on the summer hit NBC's The Voice. Nakia has done some great things using social media to promote his career and to help him on the show. He even got discovered for the show because of a video on YouTube. He had some really fascinating things to share about his experiences.
We were lucky that these two talented artists could join us in San Marcos.
Sorry that it has been so long since I've done an interview. Where does the time go? But I finally got motivated when I ran into Craig Marshall at some shows a few weeks ago. Craig is an Austin singer-songwriter who has worked on several projects, including the jazz combo Lucky Strikes and his own solo pop music. He's known as a prolific songwriter and you'll often see him out at shows supporting other Austin artists. Enjoy learning more about his background and inspirations.
Easy Way Down
I Want to Tell You a Secret - a new song that Craig is working on with Robert Harrison of Future Clouds and Radar
I love when I get the opportunity to take Sessions on the road, and when I heard that Salim Nourallah was returning to Texas Treefort Studio to work on his own album, I jumped at the chance to visit this special place again. I had been out there in June to interview Rhett Miller about the forthcoming Old 97's CD The Grand Theatre (out on Oct. 12) and had an amazing time exploring this remote, vintage studio. This time out, Salim had assembled a superstar team, including Joe Reyes (Buttercup), John Dufilho (Apples in Stereo, Deathray Davies, I Love Math), Jason Garner (every band you like, including I Love Math and Buttercup) and Richard Martin, and Rip Rowan, all handily assisted by studio engineer Jim Vollentine. Learn more about the CD and how it was funded by fans through Pledge Music on the video.
The interesting thing as I talked to everyone was the theme of the bond across a community of musicians, the ways they work together, share and create are truly inspirational. And the results are stellar. The day I was there, they were working on a song called "The Quitter," which you can hear in the background. The opening and closing song is called "Unstoppable" and that's a finished track, and there's a snippet of "38 Rue de Sevigne" as Salim wrote it in Paris, as it was being filmed by his then 6-year-old son Gavin. Look for a release of what is tentatively titled Hit Parade late this year or early next.
One of my favorite local bands is Quiet Company. Their fun, pop songs combined with a high energy live performance are an irresistible combination. And, they're really nice guys. Lead singer and songwriter Taylor Muse dropped by to talk about the band, their new EP (their song "How Do You Do It" is currently being played on KGSR), his changing relationship with Christianity and the future. Then the insanity began. Check out the "craft project" below.
In Part I Taylor talks about the band's history and current line-up.
In Part II, Taylor addresses the issue of his changing spirituality and the role that plays in his music.
In Part III, Taylor talks about the EP, hearing his song on the radio and the upcoming tour. My co-host Kiley joins him on the couch.
Taylor proposes a "craft project," a first for OTN. It's insane. You have to watch.
Quiet Company at the Ghost Room, doing their trademark energetic performance of "On Modern Men."
And finally, just wanted to share this with you, a great video that Taylor produced for their song "Its Better To Spend Money Like There's No Tomorrow Than Spend Tonight Like There's No Money"
I can't think of a better way to spend an afternoon than listening to Old 97's music while enjoying the breathtaking views of the Austin Hill Country. So, when I had the chance to visit with Rhett Miller and producer Salim Nourallah while they were mixing the forthcoming 8th studio album by the Dallas quartet, well... you can imagine what a perfect day that was for me.
Part I - Rhett talks about the studio, his mindset while he wrote this collection and previews a few tunes, complete with personal stories behind the songs. It's a rare look at the thought and insight that goes into the songwriting and recording processes.
Part II - Rhett previews a couple more songs and makes comparisons to Blame It On Gravity.
Part III - some words about Old 97's fans and the future!
Thanks so much to Rhett, Salim and Jack Rock for being such gracious hosts during my visit to Texas Treefort Studio. And thanks to everyone for watching!
You may remember a post I made a few weeks ago about the closure of one of my all-time favorite radio stations, WOXY. I was thrilled when they decided to move to Austin late last year and then subsequently crushed by the news of its demise. WOXY leaves behind countless fans and a longer than 3 decade legacy. Matt Shiv (or Shivvy), former Music Director and DJ on the station, dropped by to pay tribute to the station's history and format. Over the years, there has been nothing that has influenced and inspired me more, in terms of my musical taste and enjoyment, than WOXY, and I am happy to have this opportunity to capture the spirit of this rare and wonderful entity.
Shivvy is a walking wealth of information, and few radio personalities have his passion and enthusiasm for music. I hope this interview will provide some perspective on what WOXY was and exactly what's been lost.
If you have a chance, take a look around the WOXY website while it is still functional. There's a plethora of music resources, and although you can no longer listen to the Modern Rock 500 broadcasts, you can review the playlist of incredible music for which the station became known.
Shiv talks about the history and background of WOXY.
The WOXY format, and later, its ultimate demise.
Shiv talks about favorite bands and the future of the music industry.
I hadn't really planned to do any interviews during SXSW, and typically focus on local artists. But when I got the chance to interview Cosmo Jarvis, I jumped at it. Cosmo is a UK musician and filmmaker, whose short film "The Alleyway" was screened during the Film Festival. He's got a new album, with two discrete vibes - both playful and serious - in Humasyouhitch/Sonofabitch. This young guy has quite a future ahead, and it was a real pleasure to spend few minutes chatting with him at the SWAGG Cafe in the wine cellar of Moonshine.
Cosmo talks about writing songs and making films, a true creative.
Here it is, my long overdue, first interview of 2010. Jason Garcia of Household Names was kind enough to drop in to talk about his music career and the band's new CD Stories, No Names. They're a great band that I've been following since I moved to Austin. And, just as we were about to tape the performance, his bandmate Chris Peters (who just happens to live on my street) stopped by with a few toys. It was lots of fun!
Part I
Jason talks about learning to play music and music licensing Part II
More on licensing and the new CD Stories, No Names
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
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
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
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
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.
Austin artist Aimee Bobruk, joined by Jon Notarthomas, stopped by to chat with me about her coast-to-coast tour. Her CD The Safety Match Journal has pretty songs set to beautiful arrangements with lots of texture. Check out our interview below and the live performances, and see her when she comes to your town.
When I first had the idea to start a Web talk show at my house, I had plans to focus on local musicians that I thought were special and amazing. I wanted to do my part in helping them gain exposure and extend their reach on the Internet. I had some dreams about big names that might someday come over and do an episode, but really considered that to be in the very far future, if at all. One of the biggest of those names was Rhett Miller, the talented and charismatic lead singer of the Old 97's and a solo artist in his own right. I was thrilled when Rhett agreed to an interview back in April when he was coming to Austin for his Unplugged at the Grove gig. But alas, that was not meant to be. His connecting flight in Detroit was canceled the night before, which shifted his schedule, and understandably, I was bumped. Rhett promised to reschedule, and as luck would have it, we were to be in NYC at the same time, Rhett with his Old 97's bandmates for a four-night stand at Maxwell's in Hoboken, and me going to Manhattan to do some research at The New York Times. So, I took the show on the road. Rhett took time out from his busy schedule (he did press at CNN on the morning of my interview, and had played three of the four Hoboken shows as well as a Philly show that week) to have a delightful chat with me. And, he played two songs from his brand new, self-titled, solo CD, demonstrating his incredible talent and energy in an intimate, stripped-down, unamped, unmic'd setting. Please enjoy the three-part interview and performances below. I know I did!
If you have a chance to see Rhett or the Old 97's, or, better yet, both at the same time on this current tour, grab it. They have an impressive body of work and really know how to deliver a fun performance. See pics and video from the two shows I saw in Hoboken here and here.
Part I - Rhett talks about his new CD and the Hoboken four-show residency An Evening with the Old 97's.
Part II - Rhett talks about the Old 97's forthcoming covers EP, being on the season finale of 30 Rock and using Twitter.
Part III - More on Twitter, fleeing NYC after 9/11 and his favorite things to do in Manhattan.
Hi and welcome to Sessions at On That Note. Today, my guest is Phil Dutra. He's a friend that I met while he was playing a weekly showcase at Quack's last summer. A fantastic singer-songwriter, Phil has been in Austin for only a couple of years. Take a listen and go out and see him soon. His next gig is May 1 at Thunderbird.
Phil Dutra Interview
Phil sings "Hey Jane"
As always, your comments are appreciated. Hope to see you at a show!
We talked to so many people on Thursday, that I needed to split in to two posts. Thanks to all the musicians who dropped by to chat and perform. They were all fun to talk to and soooo talented.
Hi and welcome to Sessions at On That Note. Today, my guest is Brent Adair. He's my neighbor and a fabulous singer-songwriter. You've probably seen some photos and videos of him throughout this site. In this episode, we focus on songwriting. Check out his stuff online on his site or MySpace, see one of his shows and pick up his newest CD Ostrich.
Brent Adair Interview, Part I
Brent Adair Interview, Part II
Brent performs "Elbow Pads"
Enjoy, and as always, your feedback is appreciated. Hope to see you at a show soon.
Perhaps you have stumbled upon this ole blog. New content can be found at the new site onthatnote.com. Please visit to find out more about the shows I see in and around Austin,
