This is fine.
Wilco just recorded a cover of Woody Guthrie song “Jolly Banker” and they are giving the song away for free on their website. The only catch is that the band is asking that you make a donation of at least two dollars to the Woody Guthrie foundation. This song reminds me of the old days when Wilco had more twang to their sound and weren’t a jam band yet. Wilco also recently put out a live DVD called “Ashes of American Flags” which you can buy here.
Our local blogmeister Ultra8201 is putting on a pretty slick little party this Saturday at La Zona Rosa. The lineup is being kept totally local with hot Austin band Ume headlining along with fellow locals True Widow and The White White Lights providing your opening entertainment. Tickets are going for $8, but if you RSVP at Do512 now, it’ll only cost ya $5. Like you’ve got anything better to do on a Saturday night…
Download: Ume – The Conductor [MP3]
Malcolm Middleton was the man behind the pen for Scotland’s Arab Strap, and now that the band have gone their own way, Malcolm is back to his old tricks. This new single is the perfect Middleton tune, full of melancholy and wit. His new album Waxing Gibbous comes your way on June 1st.
Download: Malcolm Middleton – Carry Me [MP3]
Our friends The Midget Men are planning quite the party at Mohawk on Friday. The event is in celebration of the band’s 7 year anniversary and will sport a nice lineup of local and buzzworthy bands. The inside stage features Bankrupt & The Borrowers, The Frontier Brothers, Calm Blue Sea, and Mice & Rifles. Outside stage will showcase Deaf Ears, The Pons, and the obvious set by The Midget Men. Music kicks off at 9pm on the outside stage. Freeloaders take note, free PBR will be provided! Sounds like a tasty deal eh?
Download: The Midget Men – Trickle Down [MP3]
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.
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]
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]
