Double Show Review: Sharon Van Etten/ Allo Darlin’ @ The Mohawk 10/18

The MohawkSaturday night was a busy night at The Mohawk for tunes, but one that worked out quite nicely for those interested in both main acts. Outside featured the emotional force of Sharon Van Etten, riding high off the release of her latest stunning album Are We There, which came out earlier this year. Inside had Allo Darlin’ doing the same—their new record, We Come From The Same Place, just released last week. The combination of these acts provided a nice balance of heavy and light to the night, both groups giving out their own take on catharsis.

Read more about how the night unfolded and see some stunning pictures from B.Gray after the jump.

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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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Show Pics: Letting Up Despite Great Fauls/She Sir @ Holy Mountain (11/29)

After the dance party last Wednesday night, Nathan and I decided to go local and take a stab at the new venue living in Beauty Bar’s space on 7th, Holy Mountain. The bands on the bill were certainly worth two nights in a row of missing a few hours of sleep. Letting Up Despite Great Faults has one of our favorite local records of the year and She Sir played our SxSW showcase a few years back, even lending gear to use for the night, and have recently busted out a few new tracks.

Click through for a few thoughts and some pics…

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ACL 2012: Friday In Pictures

ACL 2012 coverage continues with a giant photo post for Friday. Here is the list of artists: Los Campesinos, Patrick Watson, Delta Spirit, Afghan Whigs, Alabama Shakes, Florence and the Machine and M83.

We’ll have more on which bands did what, for sure. This I will tell you, Florence has pipes. Very impressive, as I recall early in her career being a bit of mess live. Alabama Shakes deserve their popularity. Patrick Watson (Wilson according to the lineup, awww) and his band may have been the best group of musicians. Delta Spirit is an all-growns-up festival band. Likewise for M83. But seeing the Afghan Whigs? That was pretty bad ass.

Click through for overload.

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Show Review: Dinosaur Jr. @ The Mohawk (10/5)

It was a packed house, about as jammed up as The Mohawk has ever been. J Mascis ambles on stage. He slowly takes off his glasses, checks the stacks, sets the mic just so and commences to blast the crowd with a wall of guitar sound. This is how a Dinosaur Jr. show starts.

Locals Shearwater pulled homecoming duty to open and thoroughly impressed the crowd.

Read on for a few more thoughts and plenty of pics…

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Show Review: Lord Huron @ Stubb’s (10/3)

Ryan and Nathan gave Lord Huron an atta-boy during SxSW 2011. Tough choice for the photo-guy, Menomena or Lord Huron? Well, I hadn’t seen Lord Huron yet, so I jumped at that show to enjoy a relaxing evening at Stubb’s Jr (that’d be the inside stage).

This was the second night of their tour after an opening night in Denton supporting the pending release Lonesome Dreams, due next week. Night Moves will be opening for this stretch on the road, a nice add for a solid bill with just enough contrast in styles to make sure you had a little something for everyone.

Read on for a few more show notes and plenty of pics.

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Show Pics: Suckers @ Red7 (5/25)

And so we run feature/show pic stories back to back, what? No big deal.

After the Lost In Austin session, Suckers decided they might as well play a set at Red7. We all decided to entertain Ryan and Nathan’s bromance by attending and I took some pics, naturally. I am still trying to warm up to the inside stage at Red7, my biggest gripe now being the lights. I missed Boyfrndz, caught the last bit of Young Man and was surrounded by friends for Suckers. Last Friday night was a great night.

Anyway, hit the read more for a few thoughts and pics…

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Psych Fest Day One: Photos and Thoughts

Day One at Psych Fest was pretty laid back, and I’m sort of grateful that the crowds haven’t completely caught on to this unique festival; you have to go though because the people watching alone is worth the price!  This was my first time to both venues, and I was rather impressed with both the sound and the set-up, so that bodes well for both venues as Austin’s musical landscape moves into the future.

Past the break, Brian and I will share some insight into bands that played and plenty of images from Day One…

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Show Pics: Chairlift @ The Mohawk (4/17)

The show preview nailed it. It was Ladies Night at The Mohawk. Magnetic, charming, engaging and technical, playing solo or as the front person – the women on stage controlled the night.

Chairlift was in town for SxSW and played a heavy schedule. Would there be local fatigue? Would their set create a better, more unique experience for the fans? The set up bands, Bell and Nite Jewel, certainly gave good reason to get out and about early and leave some money at the door.

Carry through for more show notes and plenty of pics.

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Show Pics: School of Seven Bells @ Mohawk (4/13)

Finally through this last round of shows. It was Friday the 13th, so I wore a hockey mask. Nah, not really.

School of Seven Bells played the Mohawk. A newly refined two-piece, Benjamin Curtis and Alejandra Deheza brought along an extra keyboard player and drummer to fill out their live line up. They also brought along Exitmusic as the opener.

Head past the break and you will get show notes and plenty of pics.

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