This is fine.
The Black Kids and Mates of State co-headlining tour stopped through Austin on Tuesday night and we were fortunate enough to catch the show. The night brought a lot of dance hall hits along with some pop jams from both bands. It was quite an evening. Follow the jump to read a brief review of the show and see some fancy photos.
Great Nostalgic is a band we’ve been following closely since we first discovered them so we were of course excited to hear about their CD release party at Hole in the Wall on Friday. Joining in the party fun will be fellow locals Sunset and The Sour Notes. The show should be a unique and new twist on your usual Great Nostalgic set because the band has invited the horn section from Hard Proof Afrobeat to play on a few songs. Show starts at 10pm with door charge being $3. The band will also be selling copies of their debut LP for $8 which includes a bonus disc of remixes done by local DJs. Here’s one of those new remixes available exclusively on ATH done by local DJ Business Man.
Not sure why I’ve had Blink-182 on the mind lately, but can you deny the catchy pop/punk tunes this band used to create? I highly doubt it. I remember when Enema of the State came out and I listen to it now just as much as I did back in ’99. This album also marks the band’s jump from a buzz band to a band that packed arenas across the country. I’ll admit that Dude Ranch provided a lot of success and mainstream popularity, but Enema took them to new levels. Hell let’s just celebrate that this album is about to turn 10 years old and you still love it! And let’s not forget that the band is getting back together! I chose one of my favorite gems from the album “Aliens Exist” which features a slick drum intro from then new member Travis Barker.
Download: Blink-182 – Aliens Exist [MP3]
Everyone’s favorite indie kids Death Cab for Cutie are playing a sold out show at Austin Music Hall on Friday. The show should be made more enticing to you music fans as ATH favorite Ra Ra Riot will be joining the band on the stage. Matt Costa will also be playing right before the headliners. Music starts at 8pm. Check out craigs list for some tickets buying options.
Download: Death Cab for Cutie – Little Bribes [MP3]
So if your Saturday plans are looking bleak, take a little trip down I-35 to San Marcos for the KTSW sponsored Mr. Fest this weekend. The event is going to be a big one and we won’t even attempt to list all the goings on in this tiny little space so we’ll hit the key points. For starters, this event will start at 11am, run all day long and end around 1am. All sorts of local bands will be playing at the festival including a headlining night show by one of our favorites Black Joe Lewis. Even better news, our friends Whitman & Built by Snow will be playing hour long sets right before Black Joe on the Bar 141 stage. All of downtown is included with 5 venues setting up stages for live music. Not just a music event, food, drink and games will also be part of the fun. Best of all, this thing is totally free! For more information, head to the KTSW website, see show info on Do512 or check out that fancy flier. This should be one festival you won’t want to miss.
Download: Black Joe Lewis – Sugarfoot [MP3]
We interviewed Pretty & Nice last week to preview this show, but we thought we’d shoot you a reminder about it in case you forgot. The band’s show is going down at Emo’s on Thursday night with Oh No Oh My, The Low Lows and LA Snacks joining in for support. Show starts at 10pm. Tickets are sold only at the door. Check out some music from Pretty & Nice on their myspace page or read our old review of their 2008 album Get Young.
Austin’s International Waters have been surfing around my list of bands to check out for quite some time, and it’s time we open your eyes to the band as well. Suffice it say, their list of influences such as Comet Gain, Felt and Beat Happening are enough to win me over, but the band has the songs to back it up as well. Sure, they’re steeped in that sound of ancient 80s dance suave, but you can’t help but get drawn into their songs. They currently are giving away three songs for free on their Myspace page, and they’re rumored to have a 7″ on its way. Also, you can catch them this Thursday at Elysium for Brit Pop Dance Night.
Download: International Waters – Salt and Sea [MP3]
Some people just want to listen to dance music. Today, I am playing a song for those in the world of dance music. Soviet is a band from NYC who won me over years back at SXSW, and they are just now releasing the follow-up to to their debut; the new album is titled Spies in the House of Love. Apparently it was recorded long ago, but is just now seeing the light of day. Take a listen and move those feet.
Download: Soviet – Photographs [MP3]
Sweden’s The Sounds are definitely one of my guilty pleasures, and I am not going to shy away from their catchy new-wave influenced pop-rock. Not to mention the fact that singer Maja is one hell of a front-woman. Now, the band have a new album coming out in June, and here is the first single off said album.
Download: The Sounds – No One Sleeps When I’m Awake [MP3]
If you’re looking for a quiet evening of music on Wednesday night, Damien Jurado should provide an intimate and memorable set at Cactus Cafe. The show starts at 8:30pm with tickets on sale now for $12.50. Here’s that live track from Daytrotter we posted a few months ago.
Download: Damien Jurado – Ohio(live) [MP3]
