Show Preview: The Joy Formidable @ Emo’s (4/30)

Date 4/30
Location Emo’s
Doors 7:00
Tickets $16.00


Since SxSW’s exit, we have already seen a few bands that played the conference come back through town. Tuesday’s show at Emo’s features two grads of 2013. The Joy Formidable put down a blistering set at the Nikon Warner Sound showcase, I mean nailed down. IO Echo showed the harder edge that comes from the live setting, but the quick-turn venues and makeshift staging never allowed for a real run at how they want to convey their songs. The big stage can give them the room to breathe.

If you like live music, and since you are reading this you do, join me won’t you? I’ll the guy up front taking pic, say hi. Here is a sample from IO Echo as you better be familiar with Ritzy and the boys…

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/46161969″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=false” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Show Preview: Foals @ Emo’s (4/27)

D700 Foals 176

Date 4/27/13
Location Emo’s East
Doors 9pm
Tickets SOLD OUT!

It’s Psych Fest weekend in Austin, but that doesn’t mean that other show options aren’t in abundance for those of you who missed the boat on festival tickets.  For this guy, the best “other” show in town would have to be Foals playing to a sold out crowd at Emo’s on Riverside.  On top of the great headliner, the undercard is also stacked with ATH favorite Surfer Blood in direct support with Blondfire opening for all.  See you there?

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Spanish-Sahara-1.mp3]

Download: Foals – Spanish Sahara [MP3]

SxSW 2013: Day Party Pics

No, I am not done yet. This one and a gallery of the showcases is all that is left. If I can muster it, I’ll do a best of post. Best-ofs are easier well removed from a festival because lasting memories help define what really got you going.

Anyway, this giant gallery of daytime show goodness includes some candids and portraits from around the conference during the unofficial events. Highlights include Wax Idols, Nobunny, The Soft Moon, Criminal Hygiene, Bleeding Rainbows, that band Thurston Moore is in, Delorean and so much more.

Click through. Play a game of “oh yeah, I was there.”

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Show Review: Toro Y Moi @ Emo’s (2/2)

Finally caught up on processing pics. This latest round is for Toro Y Moi playing Emo’s East with Dog Bite and Wild Belle opening.

I will summarize the review here, so this is goodbye.

I am pretty sure I first saw Toro Y Moi at SxSW three years ago during a day party inside at The Mohawk, delighted by the hazy electronic goodness. The next time was his opening shot for Caribou at Emo’s outside. That was a stellar show. Next go was outside at The Mohawk as a headliner, a show we were very meh about. This is it for me; the big house at Emo’s, weird vibes from a sold out crowd, cell phones galore (including in the photo pit), bros yelling song names.

Read on for dark pics and a few more thoughts…

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What’s aHappening Austin? Weekend Show Spotlight

austin-skyline-mark-weaverAs rock n’ roll season heads into full swing, it’s time we all take advantate of the many shows that are coming our way in the next few months before SXSW hits us hard.  Surely you know Ty Segall is playing at the Mohawk on Friday night with Ex-Cult and OBN IIIs, but what else is going on in town?  Well, in case Ty isn’t your taste, or you can’t make it, here’s some other show suggestions for a pretty solid weekend in Austin. Read more

Free Week Pics: Modern Outsider Takeover @ Emo’s (1/5)

Ume. There is the general feeling around these parts that they just need to blow up; power trio rock with the remarkably charismatic powerhouse lady putting down the jams should be a lock. I love photographing this band. I think every music photographer in Austin loves photographing this band thanks to Lauren’s hair.

But they weren’t my highlight. Modern Outsider is a friend of the program. They have several great acts on their roster and bedsides being really good people, they call Austin home. So naturally, they decided to host a pre-SxSW showcase as part of Free Week 2013.

Click through for plenty of pics of Soft Swells, My Jerusalem, The Black and White Years, The Calm Blue Sea and Ume.

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Show Pics: Icona Pop @ Emo’s (12/19)

Sometimes, I just feel like shooting.

I made some last minute requests with venue people and mgmt. to get access into the Marina & The Diamonds show last night at Emo’s, ended up getting to shoot Icona Pop. I caught a little of their set at Fun Fun Fun Fest. It was a party, a way too early in the day dance party. So what the hell, got done with a happy hour with photog friends and headed over to Emo’s for some synth jams and dance party anthem noise.

Look at the pretty lights. I had fun shooting…

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Let’s Talk Free Week

Date 1/2/13-1/12/13
Location All Over
Doors TBD
Tickets Free (duh)


The schedule is pending, but the list of artists signed on to do Free Week this year is long and impressive, much like my morning commute.

Created as a way to treat the locals to some locals while the kids were home for the holidays, Free Week continues to expand adding numbers to the venue list and performer count. This year will be pretty big, a Free Week and a half actually, occupying the Transmission locations of The Mohawk, Holy Mountain, Beerland and Red7. Peep the poster of artists for the festivities on Red River, chock full of Austin Town Hall Faves including Tiger Waves, Shivery Shakes, Fleshlights, TV Torso, Orthy and Grape St.

Stay tuned for schedules and be ready to hit the streets.

One event’s schedule I know for sure is Modern Outsider’s Free Week show on 1/4 at Emo’s East featuring Ume, The Calm Blue Sea, The Black and White Years and My Jerusalem. Get details and say you’re going here.

Show Preview: Mountain Goats @ Emos (12.5)

Date Wednesday, December 5th
Location Emos
Doors 9:00 PM
Tickets $18 from Emos


In search for your favorite hyper-literate performer? Well, you can find John Darnielle and his band, The Mountain Goats, at Emos on Wednesday night.  John and friends just released Transcendental Youth via his current label, Merge Records.  While the band can probably be considered to have sort of a cult following, I personally feel that Darnielle is an underrated lyricist (more to my liking than a certain Mr. Meloy).  Accompanying the group as openers will be Matthew E. White, which, according to the stuff I’ve listened to, should be quite an extravagant affair.  This is one of those shows that might have fallen off people’s radars, but if you miss out on it, you’re going to have to hear from your friends how incredible the evening was. 

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/03-The-Mountain-Goats-Transcendental-Youth-Cry-for-Judas.mp3]

Download:The Mountain Goats – Cry for Judas [MP3]

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