Top 10 Movies of 2014

Movies

With the Oscars just around the corner, it seems like a perfect time to provide our own take on the best movies of 2014.  Now I’m not really one to base my film tastes on the Oscars, so though I’m posting this around Oscar season, it’s really coming so late into 2015 because I haven’t had the time to write it and I needed to get caught up.  After spending a big part of my Winter holiday sitting through hours upon hours of film, I think I’m finally ready to get this thing out there.  Before we get started it’s worth noting that I am typically partial to unique horror/thriller films and shy away from the “made for the Oscars” films.  Don’t even get me started on The Lego Movie snub…. Haters gonna hate.  Let’s go after the jump.

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What To Eat At FFF9

Formula 1Soon. You will be hungry. Festing is hard work. You burn the calories with those 16oz curls. You will shimmy your way to slim if you don’t grab a snack or two. Thanks to the concept of mobile food vendors laser-focused on doing one thing really well, music festivals went from horrible concession stand gut bombs to delightfully crafted dishes, or at least a gourmet version of the gut-bomb.

So let’s review a few killer options to gnaw on at Fun Fun Fun Fest…

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Show Preview: Centro-matic @ Frank (6/7)

Centro-Matic

Date 6/7/13
Location Frank
Doors 9pm
Tickets $12 @ Ticketfly

My apologies first off for the late notice on this show, but we deem it necessary to keep you informed on great shows despite our lack of timeliness.  Now that we have that out of the way, let’s discuss our highly anticipated show by veterans and always underrated Texans Centro-matic.  These guys have been doing their thing for a long time and it’s hard to believe the amount of music they now have to choose from in the live setting.  Opening support is provided by locals Kingdom of Suicide Lovers.  Don’t miss out.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/centromatic_flashes_and_cables.mp3]

Download: Centro-matic – Flashed and Cables [MP3]

Show Preview: Eleanor Friedberger @ Frank (4/28)

Date Saturday, April 28th
Location Frank
Doors 930 pm
Tickets $12 from Ticketfly

 This Saturday night with all the deserved hub-bub over Psych Fest, there’s a quieter show on the other side of the highway that people are going to miss out on.  Eleanor Friedberger of Fiery Furnaces fame will be playing a solo set over at Frank.  Her songs are clever, her name’s already established and she’s quite the looker.  But, the bonus band of the night is Hospitality, one of our favorite acts.  They’re out on the road supporting Eleanor and their self-titled album from earlier this year.  And I’d like to note that the sound at Frank is suprisingly incredible, so don’t skip it if you’re worried about sound.  Here’s a jam from Hospitality that will never leave my play list.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Hospitality-Friends-Of-Friends.mp3]

Download: Hospitality – Friends Of Friends [MP3]

Show Preview: Tiger Waves @ Frank (1/19)

Date Thursday, Jan 19th
Location Frank
Doors 930 pm
Tickets $6 @ the Door

There are clearly some great bands playing at Frank on Thursday night, such as Gentleman Rogues and Milk Thistle, but the band I’m most excited to see is Tiger Waves.  I’ve raved about them here for the past couple of months, and they’ve been generous enough to share some of their tunes with us; however, I’ve yet to actually catch them in the live setting.  They’ve got this old fashioined pop sound, seemingly crafted with great care, and if they can capture every bit of their recorded sound live, then I’ll probably return to rave about them again on Friday.  I know there are other shows about town, but this seems like the best place to be Thursday.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Tiger-Waves-New-Album-Preview-03-From-The-Start.mp3]

Download: Tiger Waves – From The Start [MP3]

Even More Great Pop from Tiger Waves

I know, I know, I’ve been harping on Tiger Waves quite a bit, but it’s deserved love I’m throwing at these up-and-comers.  The more tracks they let me have, the more I can’t wait to sink in my chair and absorb the whole album.  As we get closer to the release of Don’t Be Yourself, more tracks are coming your way, and they’re nothing short of incredible.  Just listen to the rising pop beauty in this new song, accompanied by sunny coastline vocals.  The track below will be featured on the band’s single as the A Side, and soon enough we’ll have the whole record! Oh, and if you want to catch the band live, they’ll be playing next Thursday at Frank, but don’t worry, I’ll be sure to remind you about that one!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/02-A-Smirk-And-A-Smile.mp3]

Download: Tiger Waves – A Smirk And A Smile [MP3]

Show Preview: Craig Finn @ Frank (12/10)

Date 12/10/11
Location Frank
Doors 900p
Tickets $12 @ Ticketfly

Legendary Hold Steady front man Craig Finn is pulling into town at Frank on Saturday night.  Fellow veteran songwriter Will Johnson will be performing with Finn and I would anticipate at least one or two duets before the night is over.  I doubt you’ll find a better songwriter showcase on any bill in town.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/01-Stuck-Between-Stations-1.mp3]

Download: The Hold Steady – Stuck Between Stations [MP3]

World Cup Watch Party @ The ND (7/11)

Date 7/11/10
Location The ND
Doors 10:30am
Tickets Free!!

We here at ATH had such a knock out time at our USA World Cup watch party, we decided to team up once again with our friends Knuckle Rumbler for a World Cup Finals watching party.  The event will yet again be going down at The ND with doors opening at 10:30am and game coverage beginning at 12:30(actual game is at 1:30pm).  We’ve got our usual 30ft HD projection screen as well as halftime music provided by DJ Orion and Hot Dogs provided by Frank.  You can also expect some crazy surprises from our fellow sponsors Ultra8201, Recspec, Luminaria Media, and From the Mind of Adi.  ¡Vamos españa!