This is fine.
As the weather unfortunately heats up, that means there’s also a music scene heating up. There’s tons of shows this weekend in particular, both local and traveling. I won’t bore you with details, but remind you to show up early to catch openers, especially the local ones like Sweet Talk playing at Mohawk tonight. Here you go: Read more
Wednesday night was a night I anticipated greatly. Most of you should be aware of my undying man-crush on Ted Leo, but through the weeks I’ve gone on to really appreciate the work he’s down with Aimee Mann as the Both. They came to the Mohawk to thrill us all with their songs and their banter, bringing along friends Lemuria to kick-start the night.
Brave fans braved potentially threatening weather; it smooth poured with tons of lightning out at my house in the hours before I left to head downtown, but The Hawk was spared such drama. Load in, soundcheck, my moles on the inside let me know all was well. Rain dotted the evening, never really coming down in quantity, just a smattering to humidify things to “moist” levels.
Roger Sellers brought along Matt Hines of ATH faves The Eastern Sea to go acoustic, Alec Ounsworth took advantage of a little extra time in the schedule to play some songs solo not often heard live and then piloted the whole band known as Clap Your Hands Say Yeah through a set of folk music disguised as indie dance party classics and new stuff that I actually enjoyed A LOT.
Read on for thoughts and plenty of pics…
| Date | TONIGHT! |
|---|---|
| Location | Mohawk |
| Doors | 6:30 PM |
| Tickets | $22 from Mohawk |
Begin a busy show week tonight, and yes, it will be hot, but suck it up. Satan says dance in the 100F courtyard of The Mohawk with Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. Roger Sellers is opening with an acoustic set, that should be interesting. Alec is in the middle slot with some solo work. We’ll see what that is all about, double duty on a hawt day.
Take a listen to a slice of the new epic stuff with this.
Update: COLD FRONT?
| Date | Wednesday, August 13th |
|---|---|
| Location | Mohawk |
| Doors | 6:30 PM |
| Tickets | $22 from Mohawk |
I’ll be the first to admit that I vastly overlooked the first release from The Both, the album of work from Aimee Mann and Ted Leo. The self-titled record took me by surprise, and perhaps I didn’t give Mann enough credit. It’s a spot-on album of great pop tunes, from two great songwriters, and I know that Ted will definitely be bringing his showmanship to the stage (I’ve yet to catch Aimee). I’m not even sure if the duo will continue writing together, so you’ve got to be there to catch them while you have the chance. And, opening the show will be Lemuria, who won us over with their album, The Distance is So Big. This is a night worth every dollar.
Wednesday night at Stubbs Jr. offered a bill of three gracious acts that seemed to be happy to be playing to the live music scene of Austin, let alone to a crowd that was quite amped up. While the crowd was ready for almost anything, the bill didn’t stray far from the indie and synth pop that Miniature Tigers put out, and each opening act did exactly their job as openers; tantalize the crowd with enough pop jams to get them warmed up for the headliner.
| Date | Wednesday, August 6th |
|---|---|
| Location | Stubbs Jr |
| Doors | 8:00 PM |
| Tickets | $12 from Stubbs |
After a really busy few weeks, the going of shows slows down a bit, but there’s a great pop rock show that should be on your radar…you know, if that’s your thing. Miniature Tigers blow into town, filled with catchy tunes from their most recent release, Cruel Runnings. Their tracks are all fun, all the time. But, be sure to pay special attention to openers, the Griswolds. The Australian band is set to release their album, Be Impressive, and the title does great to serve notice to new fans. Plus…it’s not every day bands from Australia get to make it over here…traveling gets expensive ya’ll. Another opener, Finish Ticket opens things up; I don’t know much about them other than they’re influenced by The Strokes and the Killers…so there’s that.
Download: Miniature Tigers – Gold Skulls [MP3]
Chew on this smooth piece of electro bliss.
I have no idea how I have lived with out knowing this existed. But I know now, so I will share it with you.
The Glass is Dominique Keegan and Glen Brady, the latter sports the aka DJ Wool. Both have stakes in different labels on different sides of the Atlantic, labels that after listening to the latest release I will have to follow, Plant Music and We Collect Enemies, respectively.
I am highlighting a slower song on the record At Swim Two Birds that can be streamed in it’s entirety on their Soundcloud.
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| Date | Thursday, July 31st |
|---|---|
| Location | Mohawk |
| Doors | 9:00 PM |
| Tickets | $7 |
So many great shows, so little time. And tonight you get to see three incredible Austin acts tearing up the Mohawk. It goes without saying that A Giant Dog, who are recording their 3rd LP, are one of Austin’s better live bands. But, even with that in mind, you need to get there early to catch the other two openers. Trustees kick off the night; they’re one of the most impressive bands in town at the moment, though we’ve yet to here recorded material, so you’re only chance to hear them is at Mohawk. And, Hundred Visions will also be rocking in the middle of the line-up; they never put on a bad show, at least in my opinion. So you’ve got three bands. Three killer bands. Plus, you’re likely to run into Norman Wanklord.
Download: A Giant Dog – To Put it Bluntly [MP3]
…with a brief visit to Cheer Up.
So we talk quite bit about supporting the locals. We also suggested making supporting the locals easier with folding in the artists in smart ways. Our friends at The Mohawk had a great idea; why not fill a night off with an inside/outside show for a cheap cover to help you see a ton of local talent? Make it so.
Perfect excuse to have fun with the nifty fifty and spend a night milling about The Mohawk and saying hi to friends with a soundtrack provided by Little Radar, Wiretree, Young Tongue, Supermoon, Black Books, Modern Medicine and a quick trip next door to catch up with Shivery Shakes at Cheer Up.
Click through for thoughts and plenty of pics!
