Another year is over, and I love taking this look back at the shows I saw. Even though I didn't go to as many shows as I would have liked, I still saw some of my all-time favorites, including Wilco, Spoon, Lemonheads, Radiohead, Noel Gallagher, and of course, many Old 97's performances. I do need to try harder to see more local bands this year and not take for granted that I live in this wonderful Austin.
I went back and watched the video overviews I had done since 2008, and it's a great way to reminisce in just a few minutes. If you have a little free time, take a look at this brief tour through my year in music. I hope you had a great 2012, and here's to an even better, more fun, more prosperous 2013!
As most of you know, the Old 97's are readying a new album, which is now planned to come out in not one, but two volumes. The first is scheduled for October 12. The 97's have been out on the road, touring behind their great covers CD Mimeograph, but have been playing some of the new songs. Through the magic of the Internet and widely available video technology, I thought I'd put together a round up of videos of the new songs.
And, if you haven't already watched, check out my interview with Rhett. He tells stories behind the songs and plays a few previews. It's fun to watch as these songs develop before the CDs are released.
If you know of any other videos of news songs that I haven't listed here, let me know and I'll add!
Let the Whiskey Take the Reins
The Dance Class
Every Night Is Friday Night Without You
The Magician
State of Texas (first time played in Texas by band)
Champaign, IL
Rhett plays Grand Theatre solo
Rhett plays State of Texas (for real the first time in TX, just solo)
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!
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.
I shot video at most of the shows I went to in 2008, so I thought I'd make a compilation of some highlights. There are three things that I realized by looking at the videos:
I have gotten pretty good at finagling decent positioning at most shows
Bald guys tend to stand in front of me
I LOVE living in Austin. I am so inspired by the talented and creative people that I have seen over the past year, and I am honored that many of them are my friends.
The video is 16 minutes, so if you've got a little time to kill, I'd love it if you'd take a look. Features Wilco, Son Volt, Old 97's, Ben Folds, Fastball, Spoon, Okkervil River, Kanye West, Nick Lowe, Jon Dee Graham, Paul Minor, Mario Matteoli, Andrew Duplantis, Lil Capn Travis, Vampire Weekend, Swell Season, M. Ward, Foo Fighters, Brent Adair, Neal Mehta, Phil Dutra, Carrie Rodriguez, Summer Wardrobe, the Steps, the Mother Truckers, Future Clouds and Radar, Hayes Carll... and more!
Have a Happy New Year!
BTW, the new Texas Music magazine is on sale now with writers' picks for top TX CDs of the year. Here are my picks, all of whom are represented in the video:
Old 97's - Blame It On Gravity Brent Adair - Ostrich Hayes Carrl - Trouble in Mind Okkervil River - The Stand Ins The Steps - The Steps
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.
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,
