This is fine.
It’s that time of year again, with the Austin City Limits Festival just around the corner. As one of our favorite festivals, and one of the many musical outlets in the city, we thought it was our job to keep you updated on the acts that are vital to a successful weekend out at Zilker Park. Our first act to take a look at is Philadelphia’s The War on Drugs. Read more
What? You don’t have your own copy of Funky Was the State of Affairs yet? What are you waiting for? It’s one of the most interesting listens of the year, and the band makes their way into Austin at Beerland on Friday night, ready to share their talents with us all. We caught up with the band trying to get the story on their life and their latest release.
ATH: On Funky Was the State of Affairs you seemingly steer clear of the folk art rock spectrum you were lumped into on the first release. Was the progression natural or did you actively seek to distance yourself from your past?
F&G: Interesting, because I also saw the folk rock comparison being drawn. I don’t get it. But to answer your question, it’s both. This band started as friends making music pretty randomly; without too much thought given to cohesion or style. Our first output was really just a collection of songs that didn’t fit with our bands at the time. Both of us are fairly prolific songwriters. When it came time to do the first Lp we had the opportunity to define the bands identity a bit. We were already tired of being lumped into the indie/garage/lo-fi labels that were popular at the time. Music is so much more fun when you stop trying to please others and just do what you’re gonna do. Fergus & Geronimo is a good outlet for me to be a bit more daring than I am in my other bands.
ATH: Thematically speaking, what’s the most important aspect of the new record you hope people take away after listening? Do you feel that message is being well received by the regular earthlings such as myself, or have we missed the point?
F&G: I don’t really want to make any suggestions about what the audience should take away from the record. Let them glean what they will, because at this point I’m not sure if I even intended any narrative for it. I definitely don’t think its a record for everybody. I mean, there is a reason that this band isn’t headlining festivals, we can only survive in the very small margins of independent rock music that we do. Music is not a universal language, thank god.
ATH: I think I unjustly lumped you in with bands like White Denim when you first burst onto the Texas scene. Who do you guys see as your musical contemporaries, be them past or present?
F&G: I identify with bands that are fiercely individualistic. Funkadelic, Sparks, Devo, Quintron, Beck. I’ve never heard White Denim.
ATH: When bands create a piece of work like Funky…. I always wonder whether or not the group is taking a jab at listeners. Do you guys feel like there’s any relevance to that comment, or did you set out just to create a record where you could have the most fun in the studio?
F&G: Yeah I think by nature we Are slightly confrontational. But, most of the art I enjoy is cut with a healthy dose of aggression. I can feel how somebody might feel alienated by this record and deem it as being tedious. But, that happens all the time, people ask that artists understand them rather than seeking to understand their art.
ATH: Do you guys feel like you’re appreciated in Texas, or do you have a bigger response from audiences outside of your home state? I always feel like Texans have a tendency to look the other way until their bands make a bigger name for themselves.
F&G: As much there as anywhere else I suppose, I haven’t noticed any place that has more F&G fans than others really. I would say our biggest fans are our close friends, many of which are in Texas.
ATH: If there’s a statement song on Funky Was the State of Affairs, one where you establish the mood/theme/etc for the whole record, which track do you think that is?
F&G: I think it would be the titular track.
ATH: You guys are obviously in the midst of a good long tour. What’s the one thing you miss the most about being in the comfort of your own home?
F&G: Well it’s only day three so I haven’t really started missing anything yet. I’m sure the answer for me is alone time.
ATH: What advice do you have for all the young upstart bands in Texas? What should their goals be?
F&G: Just do your thing And have fun. Freak life is a beautiful thing, embrace it.
If you like what you hear, you can catch Fergus and Geronimo rocking things out Friday night at Beerland. Thanks to J. Baxter for help setting up the interview! Pick up Funky Was the State of Affairs now at Hardly Art.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Fergus+Geronimo_RomanTick.mp3]Download:Fergus & Geronimo – RomanTick [MP3]
In honor of their show, which we just posted about a bit ago, we wanted to share with you an interview we just did with Deep Time. We talk about their recent record, Jennifer’s voice, and Austin bands you need to check out. Be sure to make it in time to check out one of Austin’s most deserving bands. I’m guessing they’ll go on around 11. Read more
Well, everyone else is doing it, so why don’t we? We’re going to toss out our top five albums of the year, except we’ll be doing it with our four main contributors, so hopefully that’ll mix things up a bit. Obviously, we’re only half-way through the year, so things are subject to change, and by things I mean our minds.
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Nathan and I were just discussing the other day when it was that we really got into Brooklyn based experimental pop group Suckers. We think it was way back in 2009 when we sent out an email interview to the band for ACL fest and then left very impressed with an amazing live show from the upstart band. From that point, Suckers has landed on year end lists for music, appeared on award’s lists for performances during SXSW, and eventually played our SXSW show this year. All this culminated in a love affair with the band that has turned into a major bro-mance. All that being said, we of course had to ask these guys to take part in our lost in Austin takeaways while they were in town at Red 7 last Friday. The resulting video is a beautiful take on their new song “Chinese Brail” from the just released Candy Salad. Follow the jump for video and more info.
UPDATE: Apparently Marrissa had to cancel due to illness, but we’ll leave this up because we love the band. We’re just a few short days away from Chaos in Tejas, but we still have a few bands we think should be on your radar. Screaming Females is one such act, and one that you surely have to be aquainted with by this point…but if not, here’s the good word.
The New Jersey trio have been working tirelessly since o5/06, with five full lengths to their name–including this year’s excellent, Ugly LP. There’s all kinds of ways you can label the band, from punk to garage to perhaps metal (if you consider their recent tour with Tragedy), but the band has one key element that makes them something entirely unique, something you might consider a spectacle; they have Marissa Paternoster.
Marissa is probably one of the most unassuming women in rock n’ roll, that is until you catch the band live. She stands about 5 foot tall, average fashion sense, almost shy in appearance. But, when she steps onto the stage, something transforms her into one of the most powerful women in rock n’ roll. She slings her guitar around as she furiously strums, and that voice, dear lord that voice. I remember the first time I caught the group as they were opening for Ted Leo a few years back (and you all know I love Ted) and she almost blew Ted off the stage. This by no means indicates that Jarrett and Mike (the other two) don’t own their instruments as well, but if you’re looking for a live performance that will change the way you look at music, then you don’t need to go any further than by watching Screaming Females. I promise you, if you want to catch one band, it’s this one.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Screaming-Females-Expire.mp3]Download: Screaming Females – Expire [MP3]
We continue our Chaos in Tejas coverage with one of the bands that I’m most excited to see, New Zealand’s The Clean!
Anytime you listen to some jangling garage pop track, or off-beat power pop, the odds are, that band was influenced by the Clean, who’ve been releasing songs since 1981; their first single is the track we’re featuring below.
They didn’t actually release a full-length album until almost a decade into their career, instead compiling tons of singles to release as compilations on the legendary Flying Nun label in their home country. But, disbanding and focusing on different groups, often incestuous groups with other NZ acts like the Chills, saw them sort of sputter out, barely making the radar outside of their island home. Hopefully, that all changed when Merge released their album, Mister Pop, a few years back, bringing the band some new fans.
For me, I say start with the Anthology, as that was my first introduction to the band many years ago; it’s got tons of great singles waiting to be your favorite track. Within those songs you’ll see the energy and wit that defined the group’s sound, leading them to be one of the most revered, yet underappreciated acts, of all time. I’ve never seen them though, and I know it won’t be the same as watching them back in the day, but just to hear some of these songs live will further complete my life as a music fan. They’ll definitely be worth your time.
They play at 11 PM at Club Deville on Saturday, June 2nd.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/03-Tally-Ho.mp3]Download:The Clean – Tally Ho [MP3]
Chaos in Tejas is one of the rising Austin festivals; it’s four days of rock n’ roll, and we here at ATH are down to highlight our favorite acts of the festival. Our first must see act is Australia’s Royal Headache.
While they’ve been garnering a huge following in their home country, they’re just now making huge waves in the US, having recently released their excellent self-titled debut on What’s Your Rupture?. Personally, I couldn’t stop playing it for three weeks straight; it’s one of the most exuberant records I’ve gotten my hands on.
What does it sound like? Well, you can’t really lump them into any specific genre box, but one of the reasons they’re popularity grows is their combination of garage musical tactics with Shogun’s classic soul-style singing approach. It’s an odd juxtaposition, but one that leads to the question of why more people haven’t tried this out. When executed perfectly, there’s not much better out there. According to our sources, their live show is something you don’t want to miss; it’s just as frenetic as the record…and that’s going to melt some faces. Combat that with recent visa issues the band has, and I expect them to unleash the fury on Austin when they arrive.
[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/royal-headache-down-the-lane.mp3]Download: Royal Headache – Down the Lane [MP3]
It’s been a good couple of years for the majority of indie labels, with vinyl making a comeback and people appreciating good music. And while there are some great stalwart indie labels such as Merge, Matador, Slumberland or Secretly Canadian, there’s a whole other tier of labels that have begun to blossom beneath the radar. I wanted to take the time to shine a spotlight on these smaller labels, knowing myself that brand loyalty to record labels is huge in the music industry.
As a young kid, my love for Green Day (the early years) made me a devout fan of Lookout!, which later led to my man crush with Ted Leo. Or, we can talk about how my awkward emo years gave way to undying devotion for anything being put out by Vagrant. Yeah, I even bought that shitty Reggie and the Full Effect record. You see, some people will follow you as long as you’ve got their trust in what you’re putting out, so I wanted to highlight some of my favorite labels in the world. As we start our own label here at ATH, it’s important to look around and see what makes a great label great. So here it is, my top five heavy-hitters in the smaller indie record label arena.
Runnnig a music web site takes a lot of work, and while I do lots of the writing here, there’s other people behind the scenes that make the site what it is, the rock show photographers. They spend their time in the pit trying to grab the perfect shot that epitomizes the energy and spirit of every band coming to town. That being said, there’s an awful lot of people about town thinking they’re the best photographer in town…and I’m here to show you who I think are the best photographers in Austin. I reached out to my Top Five and asked them a few short questions, so you can have an introduction to their work, if you haven’t seen it already. Also, it’s a reminder that these folks work their asses off to bring the scene to life, so be respectful and appreciative; I know that I am, and our community should be.
Brian GrayB. Gray as he is more commonly known is the ATH photographer. Not only is he one of the most dependable in town, but he’s got a work ethic like no other.
Why do you like rock show photography?: It keeps me young and stupid. Sure, I joke about my aching ass, but the honest truth is that all of this, the blog, the shows, the photos help me keep a promise that I won’t be “one of those people”. I refuse stop moving forward. I have the day job, a good one at a good company, but this is what I do. I have loved music all my life and this allows me to keep on the edge of music. Live music – the discoveries, the affirmations, the legends – like seeing Erasure’s Andy still hitting the high notes, seeing Radiohead with Thom espousing the virtues of pushing on, seeing Toro Y Moi just after Blessa hit the internets, seeing bands like Literature and Young Girls get better and own a stage – nothing like it. …And it is far safer than a motorcycle or climbing mountains.
Dislikes: I would love all the fans to appreciate our role, many do, some don’t. We help them to get closer to bands; the Polaroids, portraits and show shots contribute to their awareness that a band even exists. Maybe then the guy that just stands arms-folded as I try to get the one angle that in my head is life or death would welcome me in to the fray. The comments about how my camera takes nice pictures wouldn’t happen. I miss out on sleep, but I can go to bed early the next day. I frustrate the wife, but then she tells me she loves a shot I was on the fence about. She is my biggest fan, after all… (Better be, I put a ring on it.)
Likes: There is a rush that we get. It doesn’t happen every show, but we chase it. The buzz from capturing a moment. You all have felt that buzz when you feel like you are witnessing something special. We get to go home and do it again when we work the hours after the show to process and then share the photos. It feels a little thankless sometimes, but anyone that is passionate about something can relate. The hours in, not matter how many, are worth it.
Favorite Photo: Too many favorites, but the photo I picked is one I took on my first “assignment” for ATH, Film School at the Parish that at the time didn’t make the show review. It is now my favorite from that night.
Pooneh GhanaPooneh is the young gun of the bunch, but that doesn’t mean she’s not one of the most accomplished in town; she’s had her work in Rolling Stone, Prefix Magazine, and various other heavy hitters. She’ spretty friendly too.
Likes : Every band, venue, stage lighting, crowd, etc is different at every show, and I like the challenge of that. Going to a show with that element of surprise keeps concert photography an exciting field to work in. It’s also pretty crazy how your photographic eye continuously changes. Just looking back at some photos I took even a year ago, I go “What the fuck is this?! What was I thinking?!” I enjoy the constant progression. Makes me anticipate where my work will be a year or two from now.
Obviously the best part about it are the opportunities to shoot some of my favorite bands, bands I used to camp out for 6 hours just to get front row to see. That never gets old to me. It’s also a great way to make friends in the same or related fields, get advice from other photographers, and get that moral support to keep you from jumping off a cliff after a bad night shooting. Also, the endless supply of free Kind bars and Red Bull we get at ACL is pretty dope.
Dislikes: I don’t have much to complain about, but there are a few things that can get annoying when dealing with over and over again. A big one is having to chase invoices (a lot of times having to wait months and months to receive a paycheck). That goes with any photography field though, really. Also, concert photographers with big egos – the “entitled” ones that basically carry conversations with themselves – can get a bit tiring. It also sucks witnessing photographers who aren’t courteous of people around them (i.e. camera lifters, serial strobe flashers, etc). I know I can get really self conscious at times, being so tall. No matter where I stand at a show, I’m blocking someone’s view, which I hate doing.
Tim GriffinTim Griffin is the man behind Brooklyn Vegan Austin. You’ll notice Tim out there in his BV shirt and his jorts, working hard to get the best angle possible.
Why do you like music photography? : It’s an outlet that provides me creative balance, and music saves my life every day. I also enjoy carrying heavy, expensive, and awkwardly shaped gear through crowds and tight spaces (bonus points if it’s dark, and everyone’s been drinking).
Likes: Music, Flexing creative muscles, Getting out of the house
Dislikes: Waiting 4 hours to get to shoot for 9 minutes, Blue and Red lighting, Mic stands on stage
Randy CremeanRandy works and helps run Soundcheck Magazine. His work is so popular in town that he often is one of the few cameras allowed to shoot over at ACL.
What’s your favorite part of shooting concerts?: I love shooting bands on the cusp of achieving national/international success. In many ways, Austin is a litmus test because we have so many music fans who are early adopters. When bands come here, they often have the largest, most enthusiastic crowds of their young careers. As a photographer, I am right there, feet away from the musicians, and I get to see the looks on their faces when they realize the crowd knows all the words and, yes, this whole music thing might work out after all. Being a fly on the wall during those moments means as much to me as nailing a difficult shot.
Dislikes: I don’t like cigarette smoke, bad lighting, or people who talk during concerts. I especially dislike photographers who don’t understand the pit is a workplace. Don’t dance. Don’t stand there gawping at Jack White. Don’t lift your camera in front of other photographers. Don’t fumble with your borrowed camera because you’ve never used it before. Just take photos and respect the people working around you.
Likes: I like walking away from a show with a better collection of photos than anyone else who is shooting that night. That’s my goal for every gig. I’m too competitive in that regard, but if I wasn’t constantly pushing myself, I’d get bored or, worse, complacent. I don’t do this for the money, so I might as well do it to be the best.
The attached photo is Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails at the Frank Erwin Center. I love this photo because I’ve not seen another like it of Trent. I’d researched the show by watching YouTube footage, so I knew he sometimes jumped at the beginning of a certain song. I made sure I was in the right place with a shutter speed fast enough to capture the moment if it happened. Trent didn’t disappoint. Not only did he jump, but he propelled himself further off the ground by using his mic stand; all while letting go a mighty yawp.
iPhone/iPad PhotographerThis is the uber-annoying guy right in front of you holding up his camera to block out your vision during your favorite part of the song. He also is really into posting shoddy photos on Instagram and Facebook to see how many likes or dislikes he gets from his friends, then he deletes it because who keeps shitty rock show photos anyways?
Likes: Really cheap beer. Dancing and screaming. Blocking the vision of those around you. Holding up phone as high as possible so as to get the “best shot.” Posting to Instagram. Alternative radio. Using flash. Backstage passes from your friend of a friend of a friend who works at Transmission. Talking during the headliners set. Letting my friends know I was there, and they weren’t!
Dislikes: Enjoying the show sans camera. Real photographers. ACL Tapings where you can’t use your phone. People that tell me to stop texting or posting my sweet photos. Seeing photos from my friends who got tickets and I didn’t.
ATH Summation: I’d like to encourage everyone to finally put the camera on your phone down. Odds are, you didn’t get a good angle, the light wasn’t right, and it’s blurry. Remember back in the 90s when we all had pagers? Yeah, we could all actually watch the show and enjoy rock n’ roll’s natural energy, rather than trying to capture that one moment to share with/impress our friends who weren’t there.
…and these aren’t the only good photographers in town, just my favorites. There’s From the Photo Pit, The Rubberneck Magazine Crew and J. Alex shooting. Let these guys do the work; they’ll gladly share their prints with you if you ask.
