I can't think of a better way to spend my birthday: friends and live music. Another Wednesday at Quack's featured Neal Mehta, Paul Minor, and Maps of Asia...with a little help from some dancers.
World premiere of Paul's new song, Can't Get It Out Of My System!
Then on to Continental Club for some Jon Dee Graham.
In advance of his big CD Release Party at Momo's this Saturday (9:45pm), Brent Adair played on KLBJ this morning, got the chance to chat with some radio folks.
It was painful having to listen to the morning show banter leading up to Brent's performance. And, it's too bad those KLBJ music aficionados didn't know the difference between Ryan Adams and Jay Farrar. But, Brent sounded great! Give it a Listen.
And yes, Ryan Adams used to be in Whiskeytown.
The media blitz continues tomorrow with a performance on ME Television. Airing is scheduled for 6pm during Tex-Mix.
Trevor Hale, one of my students from this past semester's Web design course, played with his band Colour Wheel at Mohawk on Sunday night. That's his brother Sean singing lead. They are based in San Marcos, but are starting to play gigs in Austin.
You can't beat a free show at Stubbs. I've been hearing a lot about Hayes Carll lately, and this was just the opportunity to get a peak at him. Delightful. He's a great Americana, singer-songwriter, with a appropriate dose of Texas twang. But, the things that makes him stand out are his wit and intelligent lyrics.
Plus we got a free T-shirt! It was the KGSR Tee Party, where the new listener-designed T-shirt was unveiled.
A great double bill for a summer night. Summer Wardrobe featuring veteran Austin musician Jon Sanchez opened with a power set of pop and psychedelic sound. Then Fastball took the stage, trying out some new tunes that will be on a new, soon- to-be-released album. A few classics made the set, however: You're An Ocean, Fire Escape, and of course, The Way.
Another fun night at Quack's. Tony Velasco joined everyone on percussion. Brent showed off a new guitar. Neal and Mike sounded great. Tony's sister Claudia joined him for his set. Kids danced the night away. Definitely good times.
Superman
Sorry, it was a bit dark while Tony was performing, but he sounds great.
Then I headed over to Continental Club for Jon Dee Graham. He just got back from a solo tour with Matthew Ryan. Jon Dee's "Big Sweet Life" was given a whole new dimension by having tag team guitar solos. The rockers lined up to take the stage, one after another. In a city like Austin, something like this could go on all night. Featured were Landis Armstrong and Alan Durham, among others.
The Old 97's treated Austin to an intimate, in-store performance Friday evening at Waterloo Records. There was a capacity crowd, and Rhett and the boys played songs old and new. They just released a new CD, Blame it on Gravity, this week. Although they won't be playing a full show in Austin this weekend (they were just here for SXSW), Rhett said they would be back for the Austin City Limits Festival. But I don't remember seeing them on the lineup. Here's hoping that Rhett wasn't just toying with us!
Waterloo does an excellent job at these events, free beer and great shows. Thanks to John Kunz and his staff for the things they do to support Austin music.
Afterward the band lingered around to sign autographs, kiss babies, and chat with fans.
Dance With Me
My Two Feet
The One
Question
Time Bomb
Oh, and coincidentally, Brent Adair's CD Ostrich is on sale, right inside the door to the left, and right under the Old 97's. As the shelf marker says, AAAAAAAAAAAA. Get yours now!
So, I didn't make it to a full week of live music, it was more like 5 out of 7. I missed Tuesday and Thursday, just wasn't anything that compelling. But, I'll be going out to hear live music throughout the summer, so keep checking in.
Fun night at Quack's, very family-friendly. The kids outnumbered adults. I think the artists need to add Wheels on the Bus or Itsy Bitsy Spider to their sets.
Another amazing show. My favorite additions to the set were Box Full of Letters, California Stars (accompanied by members of opening band Retribution Gospel), and Monday.
Tweedy was less complimentary to the audience tonight, but only tongue-in-cheek. He started out by saying that the people who didn't come the night before were smarter than those who did, then he switched it around realizing he just pissed off his hardcore fans, then ended up by saying that everyone was dumb.
He also commented that they had stayed at the same hotel as Karl Rove. "I haven't been that close to evil in a while."
My Wilco withdrawal is beginning. But, my week of music continues. I must find something for tonight, Wed night will be local acts at Quacks, Neal Mehta, Brent Adair, and Sarah Sharp.
It was a beautiful night in Austin, as Wilco took the stage at Stubb's for the first of a two-night stand. The set list covered their entire career, bringing songs from A.M. through their recent Sky Blue Sky. My favorites included Jesus, Etc., Hate It Here, Heavy Metal Drummer, Outta Mind Outta Site, Misunderstood, Shot in the Arm, I'm the Man Who Loves You, and a rousing Kidsmoke to end the first encore. OK, I have a lot of favorites.
Tweedy had rare, yet choice, comments for the Austin crowd. He said that Austin audiences were the best, and they tell that to lots of audiences, but usually they lie. But, Austin is really the best. "Austin knows how to make a band feel special. Austin knows how to make a band feel pretty." Then later, after a perfectly executed hand-clap, Tweedy declared, "Austin, you are superior in every way." OK, we're suckers for those kinds of compliments, but we'll take them.
Looking forward to more of the same...yet different...tomorrow night.
As my summer break begins, I kick off what hopes to be a week of live music. Last night, I went to the Scoot Inn on 4th and Navasota to the CD release party for Lonesome Heroes. I had not seen them before, but had been planning to go to their Wed. night residency at Hole in the Wall after having read the Chronicle article about them. The article got my interest because 1) it just sounded like a good time; and 2) Jeff Johnston was pictured with them. Yes, Jeff Johnston is also in Lonesome Heroes, and I know that anything that Jeff associates with has to be good. The CD release was fun, but a steamy, humid night made for frizzy hair and sweaty bods. Lonesome Heroes have a great country sound, male and female lead vocals that reminded me a little of Mother Truckers, and some really interesting instrumentation with xylophone, accordion, violinist. Oh, and a nice touch, their limited edition CD cases are all hand-carved in wood.
Lil Capn Travis followed featuring, you guessed it, Jeff Johnston. The group has been playing sporadic gigs and side projects since Christian Braafladt left town. But, to the joy of LCT fans everywhere, it was announced that Christian would indeed be moving back to Austin, in time for a May 31st gig at the Continental Club.
Next up this week, two perfect nights with Wilco, Tuesday is open, Wed will include the Neal Mehtafest at Quacks on 38th featuring Brent Adair and Sarah Sharp. Thurs is also open and Friday will wrap things up with the Old 97s instore appearance at Waterloo Records.
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,
Then I headed over to Continental Club for Jon Dee Graham. He just got back from a solo tour with Matthew Ryan. Jon Dee's "Big Sweet Life" was given a whole new dimension by having tag team guitar solos. The rockers lined up to take the stage, one after another. In a city like Austin, something like this could go on all night. Featured were Landis Armstrong and Alan Durham, among others.
The Old 97's treated Austin to an intimate, in-store performance Friday evening at Waterloo Records. There was a capacity crowd, and Rhett and the boys played songs old and new. They just released a new CD, Blame it on Gravity, this week. Although they won't be playing a full show in Austin this weekend (they were just here for SXSW), Rhett said they would be back for the Austin City Limits Festival. But I don't remember seeing them on the lineup. Here's hoping that Rhett wasn't just toying with us!
