Show Preview: Kevin Morby @ The Sidewinder (6.29)

kmorbzTomorrow night is the show opportunity of the week– aka a chance for you to celebrate getting through the majority of the work week with rad tunes at a ridiculously low price. If you have any sense at all, you’ll get yourself to the Sidewinder early to catch the killer double bill of Big Thief and Kevin Morby. You’ll wanna get there fairly soon after the doors open at 6:30 to catch Brooklyn’s folk rockers, Big Thief, as the vocals of Adrienne Lenker are a sound to behold. But the best part is that you get to catch Kevin Morby, of Woods and The Babies, touring in support of his excellent recent release,Singing Saw, which was all parts bluesy-folk and excellence. Oh, and did I mention that tickets are only 10 dollars? Go buy one and get yourself to the Sidewinder on Wednesday night!

 

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/243744658″ params=”color=00aabb&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

 

 

ATX Spotlight: Major Grizz Release EP

majorgrizzFriday night you should make plans in your schedule to go over to Sidewinder and celebrate the release of another up-and-coming Austin act, Major Grizz. The group are lined-up to release their new EP, brandishing great pop-rock in the vein of other local acts like A. Sinclair; it’s hook-laden, but with an appropriate amount of bite. In talking with the band, they’ve got some exciting merch prepared for attendees; they’ve screen printed each EP by hand, and numbered them as well, so you’re going to get your hands on a rarity…not to mention catching a great live show. They’ll be joined by Sik Mule and Ghostbunny.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/259797584″ params=”color=00aabb&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Sharks in the Deep End – Killin Machine (Album Premiere)

sharksinthedeependPop music has been around for so long, that you have to work really hard to come up with something unique, something vital for listeners. In the case of Austin’s Sharks in the Deep End, the band had to leave Austin to hole themselves up in Connecticut and just focus on the songwriting, leaving us with the dynamic Killin’ Machine. “Love in Reverse” is the album’s statement piece, the one that led to the recording session; the way the song builds slowly and opens up into the chorus is pretty magnificent. It all leads you to the record’s standout “Shadows in the Sunset,” which seems to up the ante on modern indie rock, both in energy and songwriting. Perhaps my favorite thing about the Killin’ Machine is it’s cohesiveness, whether the band is blasting forward or offering you a slower mood as in “Loveyoutoo.” Every little detail, every little synth note seems united throughout the entire LP. You want a pop record done right? Look no further than this here album.

The band is releasing it on April 22nd, celebrating by throwing a release party at Sidewinder with Ruby Jane and the Reckless and Flavor Raid.

Show Pics: Operators @ Sidewinder (4/13)

OperatorsDan Boeckner has been providing ATH with amazing songs for a long time. Wolf Parade, Handsome Furs, Divine Fits and, now, Operators. Teaming up with Sam from Divine Fits and a multi-instrumtalist in Devojka to create dance pop with an edge to it that allows for a broad audience share. Rager? Done. Dark wave? Done. RayRay and I were pretty jacked to see this project. Operators brought Bogan Via along with locals Boss Battle opening.

Click through for pics and notes…

Read more

Show Preview: Rob Crow @ the Sidewinder TONIGHT

rcMy first encounter with Rob Crow came in college when someone loaned me a Heavy Vegetable CD; it paved the way for what would be my huge fandom of Rob and Pinback. His voice has forever been an important one in my life, and ever distinctive for listeners. He’s bringing his new project, Rob Crow’s Gloomy Place, to Austin tonight at Sidewinder. I’ve always appreciated his live shows, having seen him at least a dozen times before; he’s entertaining, but the live performance is always executed as well as any band I’ve seen. it’s an early show too, so you can get in, enjoy yourself and then grab some rest. Doors are at 6:30, tickets are HERE, and Ini is opening the evening. Oh…the new album, You’re Doomed. Be Nice. is out this Friday via Temporary Residence.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/244101350″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Show Preview: Here We Go Magic @ the Sidewinder (11.17)

herewegomagicBefore the show season hits a halt and lets us settle into the Holiday season, we should all take advantage of the great traveling acts still coming to our fair city. One such act, who’ve always done well here, is Here We Go Magic; they come into town to play at The Sidewinder tomorrow night at 6:30 PM. The group comes into town supporting their latest release, Be Small, which has been well received far and wide. It focuses on the gentle building of pop structures within the confines of Luke Temple’s mind, always sounding elaborate and ornate simultaneously. Joining them will be Brooklyn’s Big Thief and local up-and-comers Cross Record; I promise you that Cross Record will be the band on everyone’s lips next year, if they aren’t already. Show is $12 HERE, with doors at 6:30 PM…so you can get home and get some sleep.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/224354305″ params=”color=ff9900&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

 

Show Review: Chad Valley @ Sidewinder (10/22)

The SidewinderChad Valley 18In my show preview, I noted that Chad Valley has become a must see for me. The last time through as a solo act, Hugo played Holy Mountain. Part of the sell of The Sidewinder was that it would be able to take Red7 bookings and have a space that was comparable to the dearly departed Holy Mountain. My back to back shows to start my time at The Sidewinder were outside and then inside so I have a decent feel for how the space works for both stages. Add to that a pleasant surprise in Stranger Cat and we have a great Thursday night show to kick off my F1 weekend.

Click through for a few more notes and plenty of pics.

Read more

Show Preview: Chad Valley @ The Sidewinder Tonight!

HugoAmong the festivities you could partake of this evening, my personal selection will be to take in Chad Valley at The Sidewinder. This is one of the shows that was scheduled a while back at Red7 so if you have tix, jsut go around the corner to where you were going to be and join us. If you don’t have tix, you can click here and get yourslef some digital passes or you can stroll up to the door and pay your twelve dollars.

Hugo is touring in support of Entirely New Blue. Chad Valley has become a can’t miss for the ATH IT Department. Stranger Cat opens.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/216572847″ params=”color=ff5500″ width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Show Pics: Small Black @ Sidewinder (10/16)

Small BlackThis was my first trip to The Sidewinder. For a “new” venue, things seemed pretty well sorted. We’ll have more on that in a bit.

Small Black headlined on release day for the new record, Best Blues. THeyh had a pretty strong showing last time through as part of SxSW, but I was really interested to hear the new songs as they are positioned as the break-through. New record, new tour, same nice people. ATH faves Painted Palms opened.

Click through for pics and a few notes…

Read more

1 2 3