Helio Sequence @ The Mohawk (6/4)

heliosequenceOne of Sub Pop’s great bands, Helio Sequence, will be making their way to the stage at The Mohawk this Thursday night, in what is sure to be another beautiful set from the band. Last year’s Keep Your Eyes Ahead was one of the more quiet albums that grew as the year wore into it’s final season.  They’ll be taking the stage with D*R*I* and Low Line Caller. Doors to the show open at 8 PM and you can purchase tickets by heading over to Transmission Entertainment.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/05-shed-your-love.mp3]

Download: Helio Sequence – Shed Your Love [MP3]

The Donkeys @ The Mohawk – 1/13

This Tuesday evening California’s The Donkeys will make their way into Austin. Something about this band begs to be noticed, and perhaps it’s the sunshine of bands like Beulah that make this a show we should all attend as winter dances in and out of our lives. The show goes down at The Mohawk, on the inside stage no less. Our friends over at Transmission Entertainment tell us the show kicks off at 10 PM.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/08-nice-train.mp3]

Download: The Donkeys – Nice Train [MP3}

White Denim – Exposion

Rating: ★★☆☆☆

Local Austin heroes, White Denim, have been garnering ridiculous amounts of press over the last few years, blasting off into the world of the inter-web with raving reviews and undying fan loyalty. Finally, the band have a full length album, Exposion, for all audiences to grab.

Their live shows are known for their riotous behavior and their vocal interchanges. Packed full of energy every step of the way, White Denim has easily found their way into the hearts of every Austinite, if not every person that considers themselves in the know.

One would figure that with the backing of local production company, Transmission Entertainment, that White Denim would be sure-set for a take off into the most fruitful of places. The question for most is would their daring stage show translate across formats and into speakers across the nation everywhere.

Unfortunately, the answer is no. This will greatly anger folks from the Lone Star State, but rest assured, a poor review is warranted here. They may still own the local stages with a tenacity uncommon to most witnesses, but their first real foray into the world of recorded music is not as fruitful as one would hope for these developing artists.

First, note the translucence in the vocals. They just don’t have the passion that they do when the band is standing in front of you, and most, even those who have never seen the band live, will feel as if the vocals are lacking in something. You could call it sincerity, or even passion, but they seem hollow, as if the band is stretching to maintain the effects felt by listeners in a live setting.

Upon further listening you will also find that the band seems more comfortable residing in the soundscapes of sloppy folk rock set in the sixties. The recording provides some similarities to the live audience meandering of the band, but without the visual, or the live experience the music fails to translate. Every ounce of fun is seemingly stripped from the songs; in fact, this just doesn’t seem like the same band winning hearts across America. It’s hard to find a song that makes you move your feet outside of “Shake Shake Shake,” which is always going to be a favorite.

The question, or perhaps the wall, in dealing with this album revolves around the fairness of treating an album the same way you would treat a live show. Is it acceptable to place judgement on a band because they fail to transcribe the raw power of the live show? More than likely, it’s not that fair, but that is what one has to deal with in this case. You have a phenomenal live band, one that everyone needs to see at least twice in their life, but one that just can’t give that magic out through the powers of modern technology. But, die-hard fans will surely be pleased to hear some of their favorites played through their bedroom speakers.

You can judge for yourself by picking up Exposion on the White Denim website.

Of Montreal @ Fiesta Gardens (11/13)

Of Montreal will be bringing their ridiculous live show through Austin this Thursday evening and we’re here to bring you the details. The band will be playing at the rarely utilized Fiesta Gardens on the east side with doors opening at 6pm. Tickets can be bought now from the Transmission Entertainment website. If you’re curious about the venue choice, my guess is that they need somewhere to park the horse trailer. To make the show even more enticing, Icy Demons out of Chicago will be opening for Of Montreal. Here’s a track from Icy Demons called “Miami Ice”.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/miamiice.mp3]

Download: Icy Demons – Miami Ice [MP3]

The Return Of Shearwater

After a brief tour with Coldplay, Shearwater will make their triumphant return to Austin this Thursday night at Mohawk (9/4).  Tickets for the show are only $8 with things starting off at 9pm.  Buy your tickets from the Transmission Entertainment website.  Instead of a song to preview the show, how about some live video of the band?  The Interface on Spinner AOL recently featured a short set by Shearwater on their website.  If anyone is interested in covering this show with pictures and/or a review, feel free to contact us (we get busy too).  We’ll hook you up with free stuff!

James Jackson @ Mohawk (8/19)

James Jackson Toth will be playing a set with one of our favorite new bands The Dutchess & The Duke (read our review of their recent album here) at Mohawk on Tuesday evening. Things are set to kick off at 9pm with tickets sold only at the door. Read more about the show on the Transmission Entertainment website. You can also listen to “Doreen” off James 2008 release Waiting in Vain below:

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/02-doreen.mp3]

Download: James Jackson – Doreen [MP3]

Titus Andronicus @ Mohawk (8/8)

Recently pitchfork hyped band Titus Andronicus will be playing Mohawk tomorrow evening with local Austin act The Midgetmen. The show is set to start at 8pm with tickets costing you only $6. Head over to the Transmission Entertainment website to buy yourself some tickets for the show. You can also preview the tracks “My Time Outside the Womb” from Titus Andronicus & “Trickle Down” From The Midgetmen below.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/02-my-time-outside-the-womb.mp3]

Download: Titus Andronicus – My Time Outside the Womb [MP3]

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/02-trickle-down.mp3]

Download: Midgetmen – Trickle Down [MP3]

Fleet Foxes @ Mohawk (7/2)

The most talked about up and coming band to watch Fleet Foxes will be stopping by The Mohawk Austin on Wednesday night with tour mates The Dutchess & The Duke. Tickets are on sale right now for only $8 on the Transmission Entertainment ticket site. The doors are said to be opening at 7pm with opening act Balmorhea set to start at 8pm. If I was a betting man, I would bet that puts Fleet Foxes going on some time after 10pm. As always, ATH will be on hand covering the event. If you’ve read our review of the band’s most recent self-titled album, you know we are pumped about this sure to be outstanding show. You can read more about the band & hear a few songs on the band’s myspace page. Don’t miss out!

F-Yeah Tour at Mohawk (6/27)

The F-Yeah tour will be bringing the traveling road show to Mohawk on Friday evening. The list of acts include Matt & Kim, Deathset, Brother Reade, Keith Morris, Team Robespierre & many more. Tickets for the show are only $8 and you can buy them ahora on the front gate tickets website. For more information about the show, check out the brand spankin’ new Transmission Entertainment website. You can also preview the show with a song by Matt & Kim entitled “Yea Yeah”. Get yo dancin’ shoes ready! Also, according to their myspace page, the Crystal Antlers will be doing an after party at the Lamar Bridge around 2 am after the show at Mohawk. I don’t know much about it, but I’m sure it will be a good time.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/matt-and-kim-yeayeah.mp3]

Download: yeayeah.mp3

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