Show Pics: Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr @ Emos’ (2/22)

Dale Earnhardt Jr JrI have a confession to make. I asked to go to this show to shoot Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. I was really more excited to see Chad Valley. That said, I ended up being quite impressed with the Dale Jr. Jr. on the eve of their big Daytona 500 win. How did they get there in time? Jr.

There was a rabid crowd that showed up early to reserve a spot to dance in the more personal small venue version of Emo’s, thankfully now divided by a proper curtain bisecting the room at the soundboard to tighten up the sound a bit versus the camouflage net previously used.

Read on for a few more notes and plenty of pics.

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Show Preview: Modest Mouse @ Stubbs (11/8 & 11/9)

Date 11/8/11  & 11/9/11
Location Stubbs
Doors 7pm
Tickets SOLD OUT!

I hope most of you were paying attention to sites that think more in the future and saw the recent announcement about the Modest Mouse shows at Stubbs in Austin.  I say this because both the initial show and secondary show are sold out so you’ll have to try craigslist or scalpers for this one.  Both nights will have stellar opening support provided by Portland based group Talkdemonic.  Don’t forget that Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. will also be doing aftershows on the inside stage for both nights.  Get your hands on some tickets kids.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/modestmouse-satelliteskin.mp3]

Download: Modest Mouse – Satellite Skin [MP3]

Show Preview: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. @ Emos (5.28)

Date Saturday, May 28th
Location Emos
Doors 900p
Tickets $12 from Ticketweb

One of the hottest tickets in town this weekend has to be this excellent show over at Emos on Saturday night.  Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. is a hihgly respected act, winning accolades for music both recorded and live.  Then, you have the killer punch in my personal opinion, as Generationals are opening up.  These guys are probably one of my favorite indie pop bands, period. Their songs are catchy, and they always kill it live. Oh, and if that wasn’t good enough, the always excellent Austin band, Sleep Good, will be opening the whole evening.  You have no reason not to make it out to Emos on Saturday.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/09_Greenleaf.mp3]

Download: Generationals – Greenleaf [MP3]

Friday Top 5: 2010 Album Covers

It’s time again to turn the music down and put on your art-critic monocles and top hats. Yes, today is the day we judge 2010 releases strictly on their visual packaging aesthetics as opposed to their auditory aptitude. It’s also a way to highlight the ‘other’ artists who have created the artwork and often don’t get the credit besides a sub-par blurb in the liner notes. 2010 was filed with beautiful artwork and it has been a struggle to dwindle them down to 5, but alas, my favorites are to be found below. Just like last year, I’m looking at the entire package; composition, balance, tone, meaning and originality. Use of text is not necessary as we saw last year, but when it is used, it must compliment the piece as a whole. I don’t claim to be an expert, but when looking back through this year’s album artwork, here are the ones that caught my eye.

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