12:00 PM
to 6:00 PM
Hello Music & Taylor Guitars Artist to Watch Showcase
40 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Unofficial Party
Speaker/Artist(s) Info
12:30 RTB2: http://tinyurl.com/48zehxn
1:00 Scott Bartenhagen: http://tinyurl.com/4gzw8jj
1:30 Thomas Wynn & The Believers: http://tinyurl.com/49a2s9m
2:00 Jamestown Revival: http://tinyurl.com/4bdkawq
2:30 Evaline: http://tinyurl.com/4vupr6p
3:00 Justyna Kelly: http://tinyurl.com/4h68hlb
3:30 Vanaprasta: http://tinyurl.com/4lu5xcc
4:00 The Smiles: http://tinyurl.com/yb89nop
4:30 The Material: http://tinyurl.com/4sd9jqh
5:00 yOya: http://tinyurl.com/4cxnq7c
event::about
Hello Music & Taylor Guitars are sponsoring a day party in Austin with ten artists, drinks, bbq, a guitar giveaway, and a free download of the show.
Website http://www.hellomusic.com
12:30 PM
to 1:00 PM
RTB2
4 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Unofficial Music
event::about
Hello Music & Taylor Guitars Artist to Watch Showcase
Hello Music & Taylor Guitars are sponsoring a day party in Austin with ten artists, drinks, bbq, a guitar giveaway, and a free download of the show.
Website http://www.hellomusic.com
1:00 PM
to 1:30 PM
Scott Bartenhagen:
Location Rusty Spurs
Location Rusty Spurs
eventtype Unofficial Music
event::about
Hello Music & Taylor Guitars Artist to Watch Showcase
Hello Music & Taylor Guitars are sponsoring a day party in Austin with ten artists, drinks, bbq, a guitar giveaway, and a free download of the show.
Website http://www.hellomusic.com
1:30 PM
to 2:00 PM
Thomas Wynn & The Believers
3 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Unofficial Music
event::about
Hello Music & Taylor Guitars Artist to Watch Showcase
Hello Music & Taylor Guitars are sponsoring a day party in Austin with ten artists, drinks, bbq, a guitar giveaway, and a free download of the show.
Website http://www.hellomusic.com
2:00 PM
to 2:30 PM
Jamestown Revival
Location Rusty Spurs
Location Rusty Spurs
eventtype Unofficial Music
event::about
Hello Music & Taylor Guitars Artist to Watch Showcase
Hello Music & Taylor Guitars are sponsoring a day party in Austin with ten artists, drinks, bbq, a guitar giveaway, and a free download of the show.
Website http://www.hellomusic.com
2:30 PM
to 3:00 PM
Evaline
4 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Unofficial Music
event::about
Hello Music & Taylor Guitars Artist to Watch Showcase
Hello Music & Taylor Guitars are sponsoring a day party in Austin with ten artists, drinks, bbq, a guitar giveaway, and a free download of the show.
Website http://www.hellomusic.com
3:00 PM
to 3:30 PM
Justyna Kelly
1 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Unofficial Music
event::about
Hello Music & Taylor Guitars Artist to Watch Showcase
Hello Music & Taylor Guitars are sponsoring a day party in Austin with ten artists, drinks, bbq, a guitar giveaway, and a free download of the show.
Website http://www.hellomusic.com
3:30 PM
to 4:00 PM
Vanaprasta
4 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Unofficial Music
event::about
Hello Music & Taylor Guitars Artist to Watch Showcase
Hello Music & Taylor Guitars are sponsoring a day party in Austin with ten artists, drinks, bbq, a guitar giveaway, and a free download of the show.
Website http://www.hellomusic.com
4:00 PM
to 4:30 PM
The Smiles
2 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Unofficial Music
event::about
Hello Music & Taylor Guitars Artist to Watch Showcase
Hello Music & Taylor Guitars are sponsoring a day party in Austin with ten artists, drinks, bbq, a guitar giveaway, and a free download of the show.
Website http://www.hellomusic.com
4:30 PM
to 5:00 PM
The Material
Location Rusty Spurs
Location Rusty Spurs
eventtype Unofficial Music
event::about
Hello Music & Taylor Guitars Artist to Watch Showcase
Hello Music & Taylor Guitars are sponsoring a day party in Austin with ten artists, drinks, bbq, a guitar giveaway, and a free download of the show.
Website http://www.hellomusic.com
5:00 PM
to 5:30 PM
yOya
3 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Unofficial Music
event::about
Hello Music & Taylor Guitars Artist to Watch Showcase
Hello Music & Taylor Guitars are sponsoring a day party in Austin with ten artists, drinks, bbq, a guitar giveaway, and a free download of the show.
Website http://www.hellomusic.com
8:00 PM
to 9:00 PM
The Tender Box
17 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Music
Artists The Tender Box
event::about The Tender Box "Every once in a while we discover a singer or a band that just makes us flip our shit. This is one of those times!" ' Perez Hilton Tremendous, incandescent British rock music is probably the last thing that comes to mind when you think of South Gate, LA. So it's a breathtaking revelation when you hear the chiming guitars and swooning vocals of The Tender Box who will release their second album and a new EP featuring the band's first ever Spanish language recordings this spring. The new EP will consist of four tracks including two Spanish songs "Fuego Lento," and "Techos". The collection will also include their hit "Mister Sister" from their debut album The Score and an Atlantic Connection remix of "Beautiful Sin" which original version appeared on their 2009 EP, EP 1. With a brand new album due for release in mid April, The Tender Box--Joey Medina (vocals, guitar), Raul Martinez (guitar), Steve Mungarro (bass, vocals) and Chuck Gil (drums)'just wrapped production at Swing House Studios with legendary producer, Jack Douglas (John Lennon, Aerosmith, Cheap Trick), as well as producers Warren Huart (The Fray, James Blunt) and Grammy nominated Jay Ruston (Jars of Clay, Steel Panther, The Donnas). Teaming up with Jack Douglas, whom they met in the hallways of Hollywood's Swing House Studios while he was taking an ear break from a new Yoko Ono session was a dream come true. Douglas brought out even more of their lush influence with grand string arrangements in the track "Velvet Flames" and classic production in "Crashing Down" that harkens back to the teen crush 80's alt sounds of the Psychedelic Furs while still fitting seamlessly in modern rock of 2011. "It's an album we're collectively excited to be putting out because not only does it welcome our newest band mate/guitarist, Raul Martinez, but along brings to light our combined talents, relentless drive and determination and how we've used those elements to deal and overcome the greatest of odds," states front man Joey Medina. "We're really proud of the new material and feel very fortunate to be working with such influential and talented producers! It's simply that dose of sonic energy delivered, right when you need it most!" Originally inspired by the post punk and synth pop groups of the 1980s, The Tender Box was formed by the four childhood friends in the predominantly Mexican American neighborhood of South Gate, known in music circles as the hometown for the groundbreaking Latin rap outfit Cypress Hill. Los Angeles had a small yet cultish scene of devout anglophile music fans and the boys were at the forefront of the new Indie scene becoming a hit in Hollywood. The lush and despairing decadence of Britpop appealed to their sensibilities and their own personal histories. Henceforth, The Tender Box would continue to immerse themselves in a veritable fusion of musical tastes and seemingly disparate cultures. They fine-tuned their recipe for success blending alternative rock, Latin grooves and electro dance beats seamlessly together. After getting the right batch of songs together, the guys hit the club circuit up and down the west coast. People undoubtedly noticed. They have headlined hipster hot spots Club Moscow, Hang The DJs, Club Underground & The Viper Room, been praised by L.A.'s legendary D.J. Rodney Bingenheimer on his "Rodney On The 'Roq" radio show, been frequently spun on Indie 103.1 and Sirius Radio and have even landed primo licensing spots on Chevrolet and Sharpie marker commercials with their song "Mister Sister." As the band continued to pound the pavement in L.A., Kobalt Music Publishing (home to One Republic, No Doubt and The Hives) came on board and the quartet released their 2007 debut album The Score and headed overseas to play their first string of British dates supporting The Goo Goo Dolls on a sold out U.K. tour where they hung out with the infamous Pete Doherty (Libertines, Baby Shambles) and Mani (Stone Roses, Primal Scream). Two Canadian tours followed and iTunes chose "Mister Sister" as the Download of the Week, resulting in over 120,000 downloads, more synch licenses from Budweiser, Sony Pictures and a performance slot on "Last Call With Carson Daly." From all this, The Tender Box caught the ear of Sony/Marvel who commissioned them to write the theme song to the cartoon series, "The Spectacular Spiderman." Two years followed of hard touring, love, loss, soul searching and revelation resulted in EP1, five songs produced by Warren Huart and Jay Ruston. Cuts like "Incomplete Design" and "Gravity" reach for grand, lush spaces melodically and lyrically while others, "Another Lover" and "Beautiful Sin" keep with the original feeling of British influenced dark and danceable songs. The band has recently shared stages with Echo & The Bunnymen, Lifehouse, Ida Maria and toured North America with She Wants Revenge & Kill Hannah. Now with the new music in hand the band will commence on a Spring tour of the west coast supporting Montreal's The Dears and make a number of appearances at SXSW in Austin. For Interviews and additional information please contact: Publicity: Dario Molina & Monica Escobar (Spanish & Bilingual) The 3 Collective 213.617.3640 dario@the3collective.com monica@the3collective.com www.the3collective.com Holly Gray (online) Filter Creative Group holly@filtermmm.com Marketing: Filter Creative Group Mike Bell- music mike@filtermmm.com Wes Martin- lifestyle/clubs wes@filtermmm.com www.FILTERCreativeGroup.com Management: Philip Jaurigui, Swing House phil@swinghouse.com, 323.816.4895 Synch Licensing/Publisher: Chris Lakey, Kobalt Music Chris.Lakey@kobaltmusic.com, 310-657-0133 Advertising Synchs: John Melillo john@melillo-music.com, 646.465.2445 | 917 720 3382
9:00 PM
to 10:00 PM
Vanaprasta
10 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Music
Artists Vanaprasta
event::about Since early 2009 Vanaprasta has been gaining quick acclaim across the LA scene for their fierce live shows combining loud guitar rock elements with Steven Wilkins soaring vox. Sounding like they were meant for an amphitheater since birth, catch Vanaprasta's high energy show at SXSW 2011.
10:00 PM
to 11:00 PM
11:00 PM
to 12:00 AM
Deep Dark Robot
8 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Music
Artists Deep Dark Robot
event::about DEEP DARK ROBOT Linda Perry and Tony Tornay are rad. If you want to keep reading the story of how their band DEEP DARK ROBOT came to be, that's cool, but we wanted to let you know up front, pretty much all of these words are gonna end up saying that they are rad. Linda and Tony met through a mutual friend who dragged Tony along to hang out at the show of an all-girl Journey tribute band. At their first meeting, Tony and Linda didn't exactly hit it off. Tony might have been, kind of, sort of, a jerk about it. But after a few months, they started hanging out. The two of them spent more and more time talking about music, eating popcorn, doing cool shit, eating more popcorn and talking about the future. Linda mentioned she might want to start another band. It had been 15 years since her previous band and it seemed like the right time to throw her proverbial hat back into the ring. As she started laying out some of her ideas she asked Tony if he was interested in a collaboration with her. Nine months later, the project was born and started to see the light of day. One night, Linda called Tony up to see if he wanted to swing by the studio and jam. Within a few minutes Linda realized "Wow, this already feels like a band." During that first night, they recorded three songs. Tony and Linda realized that what they were doing was made up of equal parts magic and awesome, so they kept moving forward and let everything sort itself out. Not only did they work really well together, but also they were able to work quickly. An entire song could be written, recorded and finished in half a day. With Linda's writing/producing schedule and Tony's full time job in wizardry and playing in the cult favorite, Fatso Jetson, they had to record when their schedules permitted, sometimes going weeks without playing music together. Though when they did, they recorded at an alarming rate and it became clear what this album was becoming. There was a story about a relationship -- a story about a girl -- that needed to be told. When they had recorded a song that was destined for the record, Tony and Linda just knew it. They could feel it in their bones. That's all the two of them ever really wanted to do. Enjoy their time spent together making music that they liked. And what materialized out of that first meeting is the band DEEP DARK ROBOT. Of the band’s title, Linda and Tony explain it’s an artificial agent trying to be human and, at the end of the day, we’re all just trying to be human. The more people become isolated by technology, the more that technology begins to feel. DEEP DARK ROBOT will release their debut album "8 Songs About A Girl" on March 22, 2011. Their US tour kicks off March 13 through April 22, 2011.
12:00 AM
to 1:00 AM
Cisco Adler and the Pigeons
7 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Music
Artists Cisco Adler and the Pigeons
1:00 AM
to 2:00 AM
Johnny Polygon
9 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Music
Artists Johnny Polygon
event::about When you inevitably start telling your friends about Johnny Polygon, what will you say? That he's a rapper/singer with an ill thrift store disposition that might just sing your girl out of her panties? You could say he's one of the few that can murder a freestyle AND write a hook. Maybe thathe's the dude giving you the church giggles when you're watching his YouTube videos instead of working. Perhaps you tell them something about how he is one tall, black, flannel covered drink of water. You could tell them all these things and you'd be right. But you'd also fall far short of explaining the man and musician that is Johnny Polygon. Born and raised in Tulsa as one of the original Oklahomies, Johnny has since become a rhyme spitting, street-ballad singing, force of nature within the music industry. While splitting his time between New York and Los Angeles, Johnny travels the country exposing like-minded youths to his unique flavor of musical eccentricity. Incorporating a healthy dose of his own highly refined musical sensibility, his compositions range from the love songs for the broken hearted, to club bangers meant to rattle skulls through headphones and blow out the windows of your '97 Ford Focus. Johnny made his first step onto the national stage after signing with DJ Green Lantern in 2008, and has been working with some of the most brilliant and highly respected artists in the game today. With DJ Green Lantern he helped create the song "Price On Your Head" which was featured on the Grand Theft Auto IV soundtrack. Soon after, he was singing the hook on Nas' Obama anthem, "Black President" which made its way on his controversial 'Untitled' album. After touring with Rock The Bells and a BET appearance with Nas, Johnny dropped his own EP in 2009. Entitled 'Group Hug', it featured one of his most popular recordings to date, "The Riot Song". "The Riot Song" has since been remixed with Kid CuDi, who has proclaimed Johnny Polygon as "One of the illest artists people NEED to know about." CuDi also posted on the front page of his official website directing everyone to "stop lunchin." "The Riot Song" was featured on HBO's 'How to Make it in America' mixtape, which was presented by CuDi and DJ Green Lantern. "The Riot Song" has made a notable splash overseas picking up daily radio spins across France on Radio Nova. Following it's critical success, Johnny released his first mixtape, Rebel Without Applause featuring appearances from Kid CuDi, Amanda Diva, and Gabriel Royal Met with rave reviews and numerous accolades, XXLmag.com stated that Rebel Without Applause was "one of the more stellar releases this year." Setting the bar high for visuals to come, Johnny came at 2010 like a knuckle tatted right cross to the jaw with his release of the music video for "The Riot Song". Based around an ambitious stop motion visual treatment and substantial narrative, the video premiered on MTV2, and saw spins on VH1 Soul, MTVU, and BET Centric. In early 2010, Johnny also collaborated with the insanely talented Dead Prez for a track entitled "NYDP" on their album, 'Pulse of the People', which was also heard on the soundtrack for the feature film 'Brooklyn's Finest'. Johnny has decidedly taken an independent stance for his next slated releases as his salute to the dying music business and the rebirth of a new one. Wrapped in the warmth and support of his sponsors, new and old loyal fans, and organically grown traction, he's releasing an onslaught of music starting with his Catch-Up mixtape presented by Orisue in November 2010. It will be a collection of music spanning his career from age 17 to present day. It features rare and unreleased tracks as well as features and collabs with Kid CuDi, Nas, Dead Prez, Adele, DJ Green Lantern, Amanda Diva, Picnic Tyme, Gabe Real and many more. He created a brief introduction to Catch-Up, in which he allows his fans a comical glimpse into his life with taping of a therapy session with actor/comedian TJ Miller. Quick on the heels of the Catch-Up mixtape, Johnny is set to release his 'Wolf In Cheap Clothing' EP presented by 2DopeBoyz and DJ Booth on Dec 15, 2010. All will be able to enjoy his latest notch in the world's bedpost while seeing his constant and ever progressive evolution as an artist. True to his indie sensibilities, it'll all be consumable for free ninety-nine. 2011 is full of promise starting with visuals to support Wolf In Cheap Clothing singles. But, the world at large can expect another free release before Johnny unveils his debut studio album in second quarter.
12:00 PM
to 6:00 PM
Texas Tornado
95 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Unofficial Party
Speaker/Artist(s) Info
INSIDE
12:30 - The Chapin Sisters
1:30 - Shayna Zaid & The Catch
2:30 - Robbers on High Street
3:30 - Headless Horseman
4:30 - Voxhaul Broadcast
5:00 - Augustana
OUTSIDE
1:00 - Madison Square Gardeners
2:00 - David Berkeley
3:00 - Brooke Fraser
4:00 - The Stone Foxes
5:00 - The New Mastersounds
event::about
.MUSIC presents TEXAS TORNADO at South by Southwest on Thursday, March 17th at Rusty Spurs from 12noon to 6pm. In association with Tijuana Gift Shop, Sideways Media and The Force Agency, Texas Tornado at SXSW will showcase buzz-drenched artists over two stages. The event is a benefit for Invisible Children, a movement seeking to end the confluct in Uganda and stop the abduction of children for use as child soldiers.
Texas Tornado at SXSW is open to all SXSW badge holders and the general public through RSVP.
event::tags free booze, swag
Website http://www.tijuanagiftshop.net
12:30 PM
to 1:30 PM
The Chapin Sisters
16 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Unofficial Music
event::about
Part of Texas Tornado
1:00 PM
to 2:00 PM
Madison Square Gardeners
22 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Unofficial Music
event::about
Part of Texas Tornado
1:30 PM
to 2:30 PM
Shayna Zaid & The Catch
4 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Unofficial Music
event::about
Part of Texas Tornado
2:00 PM
to 3:00 PM
David Berkeley
6 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Unofficial Music
event::about
Part of Texas Tornado
2:30 PM
to 3:30 PM
Robbers on High Street
33 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Unofficial Music
event::about
Part of Texas Tornado
3:00 PM
to 4:00 PM
Brooke Fraser
17 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Unofficial Music
event::about
Part of Texas Tornado
3:30 PM
to 4:30 PM
Headless Horseman
10 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Unofficial Music
event::about
Part of Texas Tornado
4:00 PM
to 5:00 PM
The Stone Foxes
24 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Unofficial Music
event::about
Part of Texas Tornado
4:30 PM
to 5:00 PM
Voxhaul Broadcast
33 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Unofficial Music
event::about
Part of Texas Tornado
5:00 PM
to 5:30 PM
Augustana
60 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Unofficial Music
event::about
Part of Texas Tornado
5:00 PM
to 6:00 PM
The New Mastersounds
22 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Unofficial Music
event::about
Part of Texas Tornado
8:00 PM
to 9:00 PM
Andy Grammer
8 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Music
Artists Andy Grammer
event::about ANDY GRAMMER You know the feeling. It's that familiar warmth that washes over you in the first 20 seconds of your favorite song. That little reminder in your ears letting you know today is going to be a good day. Once the hook of Andy Grammer's "Keep Your Head Up" hits, you're already halfway there. It's that kind of infectious groove that sets the tone for his groundbreaking debut, and the kind of talent that turns a regular tune into an honest feeling that stays with you all day. There's something wonderfully original about Andy Grammer. Beautifully blending classic and modern styles into a catchy cocktail of genuine pop, Andy's music is one part John Legend, one part Maroon 5 with a splash of Lauryn Hill. He carries a moving spark to his sound that's unique in every sense of the word, while wielding a confidence that is reminiscent of rock n' roll's glory days. His songs are a throwback to the greats that have come before, and a path that paves the way for what's to come next. Establishing himself as a Road Dog, Andy hasn't stopped stacking up the gigs. He's played over 100 colleges to date across the country, from Duke to UCLA, and opened for some of the industry's brightest stars, including Plain White T's and Josh Kelley. The demand continues to grow from his thousands of loyal followers coast to coast. Hard work comes naturally to the upstate New York native. After moving to Los Angeles at 20, he put in time tirelessly sculpting his signature sound and building a fan base on the legendary 3rd Street Promenade. A few short years later, Andy was hailed as one of the top-selling artists to come out of the scene, and now packs out LA's most historic music venues, like the Roxy, and House of Blues on a regular basis. That kind of journey is a testament to relentless perseverance, working hand in hand with natural talent. This life experience shines through in Andy's songs. "I want listeners to walk away feeling like they just heard something real," he says. While some of the songs that make up his debut bounce along like a sunny afternoon, Andy doesn't want his listeners to forget about the deeper side of life that gives way to the night. "In any song I write, the first thing I ask myself is if I'm being honest," he says. "Not every track is designed to make you feel better, but every track is honest." The hardest working artist in the City of Angels has shown that his songs have stood the test of time, and his fans are proof that the world is ready for something sincere.
9:00 PM
to 10:00 PM
Lenka
40 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Music
Artists Lenka
event::about Just before Lenka steps on stage to begin recording her video for her first single “The Show,” she makes a promise: “I want to write more songs about being in love. On album two you’ll hear more of those.” It was 2008, and at the time, her self-titled debut album had yet to drop and there was a lot yet to come for the petite Australian singer, including a move to America, live appearances on Conan O’Brien and other late-night talk shows, and the celebratory moment when her album hit No. 3 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart. Oh…and there was also an engagement to James Gulliver Hancock, a visual artist with whom she’s shared many creative collaborations. So, this year, she makes good on her word and returns with Two, an album full of love songs. But, as you’ll hear, not all of Two’s songs were all spun from lazy, romantic mornings. That’s because, thanks to the success of her debut, Lenka spent most of 2009 touring the world. She played intimate clubs and large festivals like Bumbershoot and Summer Sonic. And, while the stage wasn’t new territory for her – she’d previously fronted the indie band Decoder Ring and had acted professionally in her teenage years – traveling to 21 countries in ten months was eye-opening. “It was intense. Life is just so concentrated when you’re on the road. One day feels like a month.” She continues, “But, I’ve always been a little bit of a gypsy, so I do love it. I really wanted to get more out of it than just touring as a musician. I wanted to connect with people and almost pretend that I was just traveling, like backpacking or something to experience the different cultures.” She was impressed by many of the countries she was seeing for the first time on that tour, like Denmark, Japan, and Thailand, but it was her experience in Vietnam that really blew her away. “It’s rare for an artist to get the opportunity to perform in Vietnam, so I felt quite honored and lucky.” The incredible experiences just kept coming, and between them, Lenka had to find a way to process all of those new sights, sounds, and emotions. She turned to what had gotten her there in the first place. “I was writing as a way to process. That’s the wonderful thing about being a songwriter. You have some way to put out all of the emotions and reactions to what you’re seeing. I probably wrote 35 songs when working on this album.” Some of that processing included dealing with the toll of being away from almost everyone she knew and adjusting to the move from Sydney to Los Angeles and from Los Angeles to Brooklyn, and inspired tracks like the determined “Roll with the Punches” and the plucky “Sad Song.” Regarding the latter, she says, “I had been indulging in the depression, but I was just emerging out of it and I used that song to snap myself out of it. I think we just all fall and stumble constantly and usually when I write the song is when I’m getting up again.” But, not all of those growing pains were bad. “I think I grew up quite a lot last year. I learned so much about the world and myself as an artist and felt like I came into my own a little bit more as a woman as well. I’m less timid now and a bit more sassy, a bit more gutsy.” That inner strength guided her in the decision to travel to London to record a portion of Two with David Kosten (Bat for Lashes). She says, “I had spent so much of the year traveling, I wanted to give it a bit of an international sound and London is such a big music city.” And while she admits that the physical location doesn’t really matter once you’re inside a dark studio, recording in the The Kinks’ studio was unique. “There were all these vibes in there and tourists would come by. Some were shaking they were so excited to see it. But, for us, it was cool because all The Kinks’ original instruments were in there and I got to use their mellotron from the 1970s.” She also had the courage to take her album in a different direction than her last, one that is more distinctly electronic. That’s evident from the moment it opens with the bright, dance-friendly song “Two” that she co-wrote with British artist Eg White (he also worked on the more emotionally-intense “Here to Stay”), but even more so on songs like “Heart Skips a Beat.” For that song, which was inspired by a time she told a doctor that her heart occasionally skips a beat and he suggested maybe she was just in love, she turned to musician/producer Guy Sigsworth who had previously worked with Björk on some of her most well-known tracks. Lenka admits, “I never really liked electronic music when I was a teenager. Björk was the first artist that made me realize it wasn’t illegal to have a computer beat in a song and that it can still be beautiful and emotional.” One track quickly turned into three and she asked him to take the reins on two more love songs: “Shock Me into Love” and “You Will Be Mine.” But, no matter what the subject, the songs, be they about love or coming into her own, reveal a braver Lenka, even more ready to take on the world.
10:00 PM
to 11:00 PM
Fitz and the Tantrums
249 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Music
Artists Fitz and The Tantrums
event::about Pickin’ Up The Pieces Fitz – vocals Noelle Scaggs – back-up vocals/tamborine James King – saxophone Jeremy Ruzumna - keyboards John Wicks - drums Joseph Karnes - bass In just a year or so, soulsters Fitz & the Tantrums went from the living room to the main stage. The recipe for meteoric success? Six killer musicians, five dapper suits, irresistible songs, some serendipity and one vintage organ. Since their first show at Hollywood’s Hotel Café in December 2008, Fitz and co. have toured with Maroon 5, played to thousands at Colorado’s world famous Red Rocks Amphitheatre, shared the stage New Year’s Eve with Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, and performed on KCRW’s esteemed show, Morning Becomes Eclectic, all this on the strength of their stellar five-song EP, Songs for a Breakup, Vol. 1. For some bands, it takes a lifetime to build this success, but few performers deliver an unrestrained blast of soul-clapping, get-down-on-the-floor, moneymaker shakers like Fitz and the Tantrums. Now post-release of their debut full length, Pickin’ Up the Pieces, which has since earned them a 3 ½ star album review in ROLLING STONE, the troupe is poised to get down in dancehalls across the universe. It all began when… [cue flashback sounds] “I got a call from my ex-girlfriend,” Fitz explains, “And she said, ‘My neighbor is moving out in a hurry and has to sell everything. And, he has this organ…” Fitz, the Svengali frontman of the crew, describes the find like the discovery of a compass, or that treasure map in Goonies, which undoubtedly leads to adventure. Not one to say no, Fitz called some piano movers, cashed in some favors, and seven hours later, the organ went from the curb to his living room. That night, Fitz stationed himself in front of that vintage instrument and wrote a blue-eyed soul anthem, “Breaking the Chains of Love.” “Sometimes, the Music Gods just give it to you,” Fitz says. The overflow of inspiration startled Fitz. He’d spent years in L.A.’s music industry, writing music and working in a studio with Beck producer, Mickey Petralia. But at those 88 keys, just seven hours after that organ dropped into his life, Fitz had finally found his voice. “I’ve always been a singer,” Fitz says, “but with so much music, I felt that I was trying to push a square peg through a round hole. I was being not true to myself, and it never felt right until I wrote that song, and I sang like that. I thought, this feels so real, so natural.” Fitz shared his vision with long-time friend and saxophonist, James King, who immediately connected with the sound. While the electric guitar drives rock, the saxophone takes center stage in soul, and that’s the way Fitz likes it. “We wanted to find a new vocabulary for the genre, I wanted to make a record without any guitars. Could we make a huge sound with out any guitars?” A huge sound takes a huge studio--Motown had Studio A in Detroit, Philadelphia International had Sigma Studios, Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound was created in Hollywood’s legendary Gold Star Studios-- but when it came time to capture the feeling and the soul of soul, Fitz knew of the perfect studio: his home. There in the living room, he recorded Songs for a Breakup, Vol. 1, a burst of effervescent swingers and floor-stompers, infused with the energy of long forgotten songs. The infectious, rolling rhythms of “Breaking the Chains of Love,” immediately turns your head and actually get cemented in your brain, like a good pop song should. The sound is familiar, but distinct. That’s what grabbed the attention of Maroon 5’s Adam Levine. Levine was getting a tattoo in New York when the tattoo artist told him he had to hear this new band he had discovered. After that one encounter, Levine personally invited Fitz and the Tantrums to join their tour. Like the EP, Fitz recorded the full-length debut back at home, to bottle the lightning that struck in those first jam sessions. He now delves into more acerbic lyrical territory, going on the offensive against gold diggers on the exceptionally funky “MoneyGrabber,” and even gets political on the piano-banging, handclap-driven call to action, “Dear Mr. President.” "L.O.V." is a jaunt through pop music history embarking with a groovy organ intro, meandering through juicy big band breakdowns and Fitz's svelte croons, then carrying us away with flute outro. It's a funk-filled plea to give love a chance. These powerful songs take the band’s energy up a notch, but like their energized performances, they never loose control. Those blistering performances are now well-chronicled for adequate ubiquity, Last Call With Carson Daly nailing the money shot for “MoneyGrabber” at the band’s sold out show in November at LA’s El Rey Theatre featuring a sea of a thousand pogoing fans and a handful of F.A.T.T. gems rocked along with blue-eyed soul vet, Daryl Hall on the band’s spot on Live From Daryl’s House. Lest we forget, an omnipresent T-Mobile HTC ad that actually namechecks the band that, for the past several months, is impossible not to see if you’re watching even an hour’s worth of television. Oh, and there are the hot spots on Criminal Minds, Desperate Housewives and a great many more, not to mention a ton of success at radio for the aforementioned runaway “MoneyGrabber,” all with the promise of more to come. In their sound and on the stage, Fitz and the Tantrums are nothing but professionals, and never less than classy. Enter the Tantrums, Fitz’s airtight ensemble keeping it real like it’s 1969. Funky drummer John Wicks is a Motown B-side aficionado and prolific session player, Jeremy Ruzumna manned the keyboards and was musical director for Macy Gray. James King backed De La Soul and bassist Joseph Karnes is a well sought after session player. Then there’s Noelle Scaggs, the powerful voice behind Fitz’s croons. Make no mistake, Scaggs is not just there for “doo-wops” and handclaps. She shimmies and flirts, she stokes the crowd and simmers them down, and she has no qualms about keeping Fitz in check. “She is not just a backup singer,” Fitz says, “We have repartee. Onstage, we’re Ike and Tina.” There, on the stage, Fitz and the Tantrums are not just a band, they’re an explosion. Scaggs high steps it to the tight-as-hell rhythm section, while Fitz, cooler than cobalt, croons like the aforementioned Mr. Hall for a new generation. It’s obvious that this is no tryst for the band, this is a full-blown, head-over-heels love affair. Pickin’ Up The Pieces is available on the Dangerbird Records website: http://dangerbirdrecords.com/downloads/fitz-and-the-tantrums # # # FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Perry Serpa/Rob Lawi – Good Cop Public Relations (718) 846-0518 perry@goodcoppr.com rob@goodcoppr.com www.goodcoppr.com Cristina Parker – Noise NY 917 684-0452 cristina@noiseny.com FITZ & THE TANTRUMS: www.fitzandthetantrums.com DANGERBIRD RECORDS: www.dangerbirdrecords.com
11:00 PM
to 12:00 AM
Neon Trees
52 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Music
Artists Neon Trees
event::about Neon Trees Tyler Glenn: lead vocals/keyboards Chris Allen: guitars Branden Campbell: bass Elaine Bradley: drums/vocals “I wanna shake up your system/I wanna rattle your bones/I wanna take you to the stars/And then I’ll leave you alone.” “Farther Down” Like their name, Neon Trees are a combination of slick pop hooks and sturdy organic rock, both melodic and hard-hitting, their anthems of adolescent angst, longing, love lost and found, delivered with the kind of heart-on-the-sleeve passion that only comes from hard work and commitment. Their Mercury/Island Def Jam debut, Habits, produced by Tim Pagnotta, is a refreshing blast of timeless rock energy and spirit that wouldn’t sound out of place at any point from ‘60s garage-rock to 2010 dance rock, with the first single, “Animal,” taking off from a round of weaving, angular guitars into a song equally at home in the arena as on the dance floor, a paean to sexual longing in which singer/front man Tyler Glenn wails, “Take a bite out of my heart tonight.,” and you have no reason to doubt his sincerity. Take hook-happy new wave, add to it the classic-rock story-telling humanity and leaven with other-worldly charisma, and you begin to understand the palette Neon Trees are working from. “I have this weird, obsessive nature of wanting to be a superhero,” admits Glenn, who cites his two favorite performers as the Boss and the King of Pop. “I just want to help my friends and the people I love by saving them, only to realize they’re really saving me by listening to the music. The songs are all about forgiveness, love and passion, which basically sums up the whole vibe of what we’re about as a band, professionally and spiritually.” In the opening “Sins of my Youth,” Tyler reminisces about a childhood of trial, error and eventual self-discovery. “I’ve got these habits I cannot break… Call me crazy/I was born to make a mess.” “Your Surrender” takes Roy Orbison’s romantic plaint and sets it up against Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound, while “Girls and Boys in School” speaks for itself, with a playground chant over a dark yet sing-along synth-pop chorus. Chris Allen has a quirky, edgy Johnny Marrr-meets-The Edge guitar playing while drummer Elaine Bradley drums with the intensity of John Bonham adding a heartbeat to the sensuality of the songs. “We’re all about songs which relate the human experience,” says Las Vegas native, bassist Branden Campbell. “The emotion is very important to us. Our logo is a human heart with wings. We try to keep it real, but we’re not afraid to dream, either, work hard and admit we want success.” “We approach the songs from a classic perspective,” adds guitarist Chris Allen, who formed the initial group in Southern California with neighbor Tyler, who lived around the corner. “Even from the start, it was all about the music for us. We didn’t even talk, just practice.” “I’ve always tried to keep my feet on the ground with my songwriting,” adds Tyler, a self-taught musician who began composing when he was six. “I try to focus on getting out what I’m thinking and feeling. It’s a tool to help me cope with all the weird things that come into my mind. I’m just happy to have found that outlet.” When Allen moved to Provo, UT, to attend school, Glenn followed him, knowing he wanted to play music with Allen. “That was a real awkward trip,” laughs Chris. “We drove all the way out there and hardly said a word to each other. All we knew was we wanted to play music together.” Once there, they were soon joined by Campbell on bass and drummer Bradley, a Midwestern Led Zeppelin/Depeche Mode fan, a combination that clicked despite the fact the individual members eventually discovered they were all very different people. “We are all so fascinatingly different,” explains Bradley, who has been playing in bands since she was 14, first as a guitarist then as a drummer. “Tyler’s the quirky serious type who is really a goofball. Branden’s the musical history encyclopedia. Chris is the manual labor. Being in this band is like an arranged marriage where divorce is not an option, and I’m ok with that.” Being signed to a major label hasn’t changed Neon Trees one bit. “Our goal and how we play are still the same,” insists Tyler. “We’ve always tried to evoke a larger-than-life feel, even if we’re playing to 10 people in a garage. We’re just trying to keep our feet on the ground and remember why we started doing this in the first place.” “Music is a sacred act of communion for me, offering hope and love,” says Tyler. “That’s the heart of this band. Just like in life, though, you need to have fun, too, you have to laugh and dance and sing. The songs that last and get people to feel something are the ones they can sing along to and really identify with.” “There’s so much breath to what we do,” adds Elaine. “Every song represents a different aspect of our sound. We don’t stick to a single formula. And we have the goods to back it up live.” “Our favorite thing is playing live shows, traveling, seeing new places, meeting new people,” adds Chris. “We just want to share that feeling we got from the bands that inspired us, and then We want to pass the torch.” With their major label debut, Habits, Neon Trees light the fire.
12:00 AM
to 1:00 AM
Saint Motel
2 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Music
Artists Saint Motel
event::about The explosive, cinematic, indie-pop band Saint Motel is, to put it best, hard to resist, and damn fun. In the world of Saint Motel, nothing bows to convention: Stages become forests and living rooms, and shows become kaleidoscopic mind explosions in 3D. This theatrically creative world is due in large part to the fact that the gentlemen of Saint Motel share a distinct interest in cinema. The band's keen visual sensibility has yielded an array of stunningly original videos that accompany songs from their recently released debut EP ForPlay, released via the band's label On The Records, and the physical or digital version of ForPlay includes the free added bonus of the beautiful, ultra-conceptualized videos for each song. Having met at film school in the summer of 2007, Saint Motel is A/J Jackson (vocals, guitar), A Sharp (lead guitar), Greg Erwin (drums) and Dak (bass) – musicians who constantly experiment and push boundaries within the songwriting process to keep evolving their signature sound that features unique guitar tones and surprising sonic twists throughout. Dear Dictator is the EP's first single, which is enjoying spins and support from influential Los Angeles radio station KROQ. The song balances a hauntingly beautiful melody and a powerfully familiar-feeling riff. Butch has a Frankie Valli-meets-The Who vibe with its catchy melody, gentle vocals, and huge climax, while Eat Your Heart Out is reminiscent of a more intense Muse with its atmospheric fire. To My Enemies showcases Sharp's use of the slide guitar that he manipulates to produce a mesmerizing horn-sounding tone. Pity Party has a build reminiscent of an earlier era and takes you away with quick turns and a memorable breakdown that warns "And if the world would end tonight, I won't be by your side." ForPlay's final track, Do Everything Now, is a steady build that grabs you and punch you in the gut with its musical force, and sounds like the soundtrack to Jack Kerouac's On The Road. The raw energy apparent in Saint Motel's music is felt at a new level when experiencing them live. The band's live shows are marked by this effusive energy and the spectacle of exciting visual soundscapes that blend the sonic with the artful. Jackson explains, “People want to be entertained when they go out to see a show so we try to offer not only an energetic performance but also a memorable experience.” Metromix agrees, stating that “Saint Motel never fail to put on a show that’s a treat for the senses” and The Onion claims “Saint Motel has a...particular blend of wholesome indie rock brimming with raucous sexual energy,” while Flavorpill declares the band “Imploring, atonal, and irresistible garage glam.” Saint Motel was the only band to play main stages at both Sunset Junction and Sunset Strip Music Festival this summer, headlined to an over-capacity crowd of 1400 at the Hammer Museum as part of KCRW's “Also I Like To Rock” series, recently toured with British rockers Band Of Skulls, and are currently recording new material. With their track “Butch” being played consistently on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic, they attack the road with Nico Vega this fall starting on October 26th.
12:00 AM
to 1:00 AM
1:00 AM
to 2:00 AM
Wicker
3 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Music
Artists Wicker
event::about While the four personalities that compose Wicker would fit perfectly into a Hollywood "it" kid category, the music that they create is without definition. Composed of straight lyricism and huge choruses, all set to the backdrop of addictively dance oriented party music, Wicker is a larger than life blowout event that keeps the booze flowing and the bodies jumping. Found deep in the crevices of Hollywood nightlife, Wicker has shared the Sunset Strip with such mainstays as LMFAO and After Midnight Project. Pounding beats and intense performances are to be expected, however, Max, Troy, Tyler & Step ultimately eye their growth as musicians with long term aspirations, and would prefer to be fashioned as the musical offspring of RATM and the Black Eyed Peas versus just another L.A. party band. Guitars and heavy drum loops complement a sweat drenched performance at every Wicker show, so if you're looking for pretty faces moving to the sounds of a dance beat, on the surface you may find what you're looking for. Dig a little deeper and you will find substance and an artistic synergy unparalleled and waiting to explode.
12:00 PM
to 1:00 PM
D’Addario & Swing House Hollywood to Austin Party
76 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
event::about Featuring The Dears, The Mother Truckers, The Strip Miners (feat Brett from The Donnas & DJ Bonerbrake of X), The Tender Box, The Eulogies, The Fling, The Mastersons, AM, The Rocket Boys, Dynamite Walls, The Novacaines, Scattered Hamlet, Angie Mattson, Avian Sunshine, Ill Pastel, the New Regime & a guitar clinic from legend Alex Skolnick.
event::tags Party
8:00 PM
to 9:00 PM
AgesandAges
73 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Music
Artists AgesandAges
event::about AgesandAges is not a cult. Sure, the seven-piece Portland group exudes enough electric joy that it often feels like a big tent revival. And sure, one finds oneself using church words to describe the band’s sound: A powerful, life-affirming and exploratory blend of lessons learned from bands like the Kinks, XTC, and War—all set ablaze with a buoyant, unbridled optimism. And yeah, there are frequent lyrical references to voluntary seclusion, communal living and an existence “under the radar” littered throughout the band’s debut, Alright You Restless. In fact, all ten of the album’s tracks examine the idea of seceding from the oppressive daily grind. But there’s a key difference between this Portland seven-piece and cult bands like Father Yod’s Yahowa 13 or even the similarly joyous Polyphonic Spree: AgesandAges invites you into its ranks. In live performance, as gorgeous vocal harmonies rise victoriously to refuse the skepticism and irony that terrorize our daily lives, the venue becomes the commune, and the audience is given an opportunity to lower its guard. Everybody sings and everybody shares in the ecstatic energy that sets AgesandAges apart from most of its less vibrant Northwest contemporaries. See, the Northwest isn't known for its enthusiasm. For all the marketing ploys and misconceptions born in the grunge era, some stereotypes are correct: There really are a lot of frowning concertgoers who stand, unmoving with arms crossed, at the back of the room during their favorite band's shows. "Portland is sort of a shoulder-shrug vortex,” says AgesandAges frontman Tim Perry. “It’s a ‘whatever’ culture.” Perry’s old band, Pseudosix, was—despite a great deal of talent and a constant, low-level buzz—often greeted with that famous Northwest apathy. So, when the band closed shop, Perry took a logical next step: He started AgesandAges, a project that couldn’t be ignored. And while bolts of inspiration are a dime a dozen, AgesandAges has transformed Perry’s into a forest fire. What must have felt, at first, like a dare or a gimmick—forming a band so earnest and heart-on-sleeve that any jaded soul within its gravitational pull would be disarmed and physically moved—has become a full-on mission statement. This indomitable spirit (a “near-militant positivity,” as Portland Monthly put it), combined with the band’s considerable chops, have been enough to make the AgesandAges a hometown favorite poised for national success. Amazingly, the band found a way to translate its stomping, relentless live show seamlessly to disc, as well. Recorded in 8 days with producer Kevin Robinson (Viva Voce, Blue Giant) at Amore!phonics, Perry says AgesandAges’ secret was keeping things live. The band avoided overdubs as much as possible; performing its songs as a full unit and singing together into a shared microphone. The resulting record sounds alternately sharp (the explosive, riff-packed opener, “No Nostalgia”; the complex, twisting “These Elbows”) and warm (the exotic and haunting “The Peaks”; the slow-building “When I Was Idle”), with the band’s rich percussive elements weaving into the campfire pop strums of acoustic guitar and graceful flourishes of strings and piano. In AgesandAges quiet moments, Perry often leads the way—but there’s no mistaking that the group uses every member to his or her fullest: The most rewarding result being the layered vocal harmonies that comprise the backbone of AgesandAges’ timeless sound. It’s a sonic landscape that’s as big or as little as it needs to be, shifting effortlessly from intimate to elaborate. It only takes one listen to hear that Alright You Restless is one of the strongest debut albums to come out of the Northwest in quite some time. AgesandAges didn’t start as a cult, but there’s a pretty good chance it’ll grow into one.
9:00 PM
to 10:00 PM
Dolorean
133 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Music
Artists Dolorean
event::about For nearly a decade Al James' Dolorean has been writing and recording music in Portland, Oregon. In support of their three albums, (Not Exotic, Violence In The Snowy Fields, You Can't Win) Dolorean has toured throughout Europe, Scandinavia, The United Kingdom and The United States. Laboring in the studio, they've crafted beautiful, thought-provoking pop music that has amassed praise by album collectors, music critics, housewives, bloggers, filmmakers, writers and musicians around the globe. When their debut Not Exotic was released in November of 2003 The New York Times ran a review of the album on the front page of the Sunday Arts section. 'The songs gesture at folk and country, but they do it quietly and slowly, as if hesitant to disturb Mr. James's delicate parables. And yet, despite the stillness, this is a wild, passionate album.' National and international press agreed with the Times' first impression of Dolorean. In fact, critics celebrated all three albums for their subtlety, musicianship and lyrical sophistication. James' peers took notice too. Songwriters like Damien Jurado, Eric Bachmann, Richard Buckner and Willy Vlautin took the band on the road throughout the US and Europe. Packaged with a haunting album cover shot by filmmaker Gus Van Sant, 2007's underdog You Can't Win touched a nerve with many listeners. It's James' trudging tome on loss and resolve superbly supported by keyboard player Jay Clarke, drummer Ben Nugent, and bassist James Adair. This was their third, best, and last album for a mid-sized record label that seemed a mismatch from the start. Strangely enough, it wasn't a music writer that synthesized Dolorean's sound and what continues to makes their music so compelling. It was bass player James Adair's loner father-in-law from Big Sur, California who, in an email to the band, expressed concern about the direction that they were headed after the release of You Can't Win. At the end of his message, however, he made his point, 'The heart and soul of Dolorean is the chord changes from tension to resolution; from dark to light; and the singer's voice and lyrics create a mood of acceptance without despair or should I say disappointment without resignation.' In the Winter of 2011 Partisan Records, from Brooklyn, New York, will release The Unfazed, Dolorean's next album. Fargo Records in Paris will put out the album in Europe. Like their three previous albums, Dolorean worked closely with an artist to collaborate on another one-of-a-kind album cover. For the latest, Magnum photographer Alec Soth (Sleeping by the Mississippi) contributes three unpublished photos from his personal collection. As its title The Unfazed suggests, Al James and his band-mates continue down the path of greatest resistance. Unfazed and unwavering, Dolorean digs their heels even deeper into the same fertile soils that informs their previous discography-namely, undeniably authentic songs arranged, played, and recorded by this incredible team of musicians.
10:00 PM
to 11:00 PM
11:00 PM
to 12:00 AM
Tapes n Tapes
300 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Music
Artists Tapes n Tapes
event::about Tapes ‘n Tapes is a rock band from Minneapolis, MN, made up of Josh Grier on guitar and lead vocals, Matt Kretzmann on keys and horns, Erik Appelwick on bass guitar and backing vocals, and Jeremy Hanson on percussion. Grier said he formed the band in 2003, to “have fun with my friends. I always wanted to see if I could play music with others and for others.” Grier and his buddies amassed “tapes ‘n tapes” of noodling, experimental jams and declared themselves officially a band. In the winter of 2004, the band now known as Tapes ‘n Tapes bought some recording equipment and headed out to a rustic cabin in the woods of Wisconsin. They recorded their self-titled, now long out of print, seven song EP in three days. Songs like “Beach Girls” and “50’s Parking” from the EP are still in their live set today. Next up for the band was recording their critically acclaimed follow up, The Loon. Appelwick recorded, mixed and produced the eleven song record with the band in one week at a friend’s home studio. The Loon came out in November of 2005 on ibid records, and no one was ready for what came next. People started to notice the foursome’s jangly, melodic brand of rock and the band started touring – gaining more and more attention from music critics and fans all over the world. Even the Thin White Duke took notice. “’Insistor’ is the first single, and it's cracking. It was a slow grower, but once that chorus digs in there's really no escape,” said Mr. David Bowie. The prestigious XL Recordings re-released The Loon in July of 2006, the same month Tapes ‘n Tapes made their national television debut on the Late Show with David Letterman. The band then toured around the world for the next few years- playing shows with the likes of Franz Ferdinand, Spoon, Cold War Kids, The Black Keys, Echo & the Bunnymen, and The Wrens. In 2006 they were honored to play Reading/Leeds, and 2007 saw them rock out at Lollapalooza and Coachella. When starting to work out songs for their follow up, Walk It Off, the band was asked who their dream producer was. The obvious answer to them was Mr. Dave Fridmann (Flaming Lips, MGMT). With twelve songs in hand, the band made the jaunt to upstate New York to live and work with Fridmann for two amazing weeks- one week in September 2007 to record and one week in October 2007 to mix. However, years of touring, the political climate, and distance from friends and family had changed the band, and given them a different point of view- one that seemed to pervade their sound. Spin praised the record saying, “the tunes are tighter and performances far more dynamic and aggressive…..they can now pull off jittery punk and understated, graceful melancholy.” XL released Walk It Off in April of 2008, on the same day the band made their debut on Conan O’Brien. After touring and supporting Walk It Off for the following year, it was time for a little R & R- rest and relaxation. They purposefully took their time and tried to get back to a place where the band was fun, and not work. They also decided to go back to their roots and do everything on their own, with no label involvement. They cut ties with XL, and re-launched ibid records, their own label which initially released The Loon. The brothers tapes had saved their pennies over the years and set out to make the record they’ve always wanted to make – Outside. They wanted to record at home and self-produce, which they did over two weeks at The Terrarium in Minneapolis, MN in March of 2010. The next step was getting the talented Mr. Peter Katis (Interpol, The National) to lend his ears to the mix. Grier spent two more weeks in Bridgeport, CT, while Katis mixed the record to perfection. The result is twelve songs that are playful and melodic, while also capturing the essence and energy of their live show. Grier said, “We had a great time making Outside and we wanted our enjoyment of the process to be audible in the recording, and I think we succeeded.” One thing is for sure, Tapes ‘n Tapes feel like they are making music for the right reasons – fun and pure love for music. And as Grier always says, “Everything else is gravy.” Outside will be released on January 11, 2011.
11:50 PM
to 12:50 AM
12:50 AM
to 1:50 AM
Bear Hands
10 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Music
Artists Bear Hands
event::about "Burning Bush Supper Club is ….. one that sharpens the lush, hedonistic surrealism of reverb-laden psych-rock into tightly focused anthems that are just anarchic enough as to be unpredictable." - Pitchfork
12:50 AM
to 1:50 AM
The Raveonettes
295 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Music
Artists The Raveonettes
event::about When you've had a cult fan base for as long as The Raveonettes have, it's only a matter of time before some of your most-loyal of acolytes begin branching out and make their own kinds of beautiful noise. In recent times, the musical DNA of Sune Rose Wagner and Sharin Foo has been cropping up with such regularity that it prompted the British music press staple NME.com to declare the Danish duo to be responsible for sparking 'America's pop renaissance.' It was a long overdue tip of the hat which drew comparisons between the Raveonettes' melodic magic and such modern tunesmiths as The Drums, Best Coast, Vivian Girls, Dum Dum Girls and even British bands like The Vaccines and Glasvegas. But why take NME's words for it? The bands themselves are only too happy to give credit where it's due and explain why the Raveonettes have been such a prominent reference point. 'They taught me a thing or two about pop music,' admits Jonathan Pierce of New York indie-pop trio the Drums. 'I've always been drawn to bands who are driven by a strong concept and The Raveonettes have been doing it consistently, uncompromisingly and unashamedly since their very first EP 'Whip It On' (2002). I listened to that record religiously for two years after it came out and still find myself going back to it now. They're the modern king and queen of melody and mood.' It's a sentiment that's also echoed by Dee Dee of Sub Pop starlets The Dum Dum Girls who has also been loyally following our Danish heroes from day one. 'They are one of a few bands I took direct kindred inspiration from when I started writing and recording my own songs. They are a constant reminder to keep the teeth of sound intact while courting the pop hook- a recipe I follow in my own work.' But it is perhaps the testimony of one Mr James Allan that exemplifies the Raveonettes-effect most dramatically. Back in 2004, James was jobless and aimless as he sat in Glasgow's famous King Tut's Wah Wah Hut venue drowning his sorrows one Friday afternoon. By coincidence, The Raveonettes happened to be playing the venue that very night and, whimsically hoping that some music would cheer him up, James spent his last bit of cash on a ticket. His money didn't just buy him a quick pick-me-up, it bought him a new lease of life. 'They were touring their 'Chain Gang Of Love' (2003) album- a modern day dream-pop masterpiece in my opinion,' he remembers. 'I left the venue so inspired. I didn't give a fuck about getting a job after that. It just further reinstated my longing to be in a rock 'n' roll band.' That band turned out to be the all-conquering Glasvegas for whom James became the talismanic frontman. Needless to say, he doesn't spend too much time worrying about getting a job these days. If The Raveonettes decided to call it a day tomorrow, we would undoubtedly remember them with nothing but love. But it's partly down to the fact that they've spawned this new generation of talent that the band have strived to move themselves forward with their fifth album. After the best part of a decade honing their instantly recognizable sound and seeing it co-opted by so many other bands aspiring for a similar level of greatness, Sharin and Sune are blazing a newer, darker trail with the brilliant 'Raven In The Grave'. 'I think we have finally hit on something quite important and different for this album,' explains Sune. 'This is the first Raveonettes album we've done which doesn't feature the signature Raveonettes surf drumbeat. None of the tunes have any real sunshine to them. It's all very un-Rave.' 'It has a mood of ethereal defiance' Sharin adds. 'It's dark but not bleak, like the single minded determination caused by crisis that is not quite hope but just as powerful. It's the perfect winter soundtrack just in time for spring'. It doesn't take long to hear how the band have superseded their traditional sound. Of course, melody is still key to what the Raveonettes do, but the familiar bombastic beats and squalls of guitar-noise take a backseat during much of 'Raven In The Grave'. Instead, the album is awash with ghostly synths and chillingly beautiful riffs that leave you feeling simultaneously unsettled and enchanted. It's easily the most soulful music the band have created to date. But once you scratch that sombre surface and dig a little deeper, you'll find that 'Raven In The Grave' has an even darker lyrical heart. Inspired as ever by their own first hand experiences, many of the songs explore the disheartening finiteness of relationships and the devastating effects they can have when they do disintegrate. 'Yeah, there are a lot of those kind of themes,' admits Sune. ''With Recharge & Revolt' I was trying to write an epic love song of longing and restlessness, 'Summer Moon' is about the blossoming of something beautiful which turns sour and starts deteriorating right in front of you and 'My Time's Up' is about the perils of non-commitment to affection and the dangers of short-changing your life.' When you combine The Raveonettes expanded musical palette with this stream of nakedly honest emotions, the end result is an album so compelling and sincere that you could almost live (and potentially, die) inside it. The Raveonettes evolution won't stop with the new album either. As the band set off on tour to support their latest creation, their constantly changing live line-up will be bolstered by a two-drummer line up to help ensure that the depth of 'Raven In The Grave' is recreated on stage. It's just another example of how Sharin and Sune are not content to rest on any laurels. The ten years of inspiring music they've already clocked up has already produced an undeniable legacy, but 'Raven In The Grave' is proof that the Raveonettes are already soaring above all of their past achievements. Catch them if you can.
12:00 PM
to 6:00 PM
Smoke and Sand
84 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Unofficial Party
Speaker/Artist(s) Info
Announcing from February 2-15
event::about
Smoke and Sand Music Showcase is a collaboration of brands and music coming together to celebrate on Saturday March 19th from 12p-6pm at Rusty Spurs located at 405 E. 7th St. in downtown Austin, TX
event::tags free alcohol, swag
Website http://www.smokeandsand.com
2:00 PM
to 2:30 PM
Filligar
3 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Unofficial Music
event::about
RSL Blog/ASCAP Smoke and Sand Party
event::tags free, rsl, rusty spurs, free party, smoke and sand
Website http://www.smokeandsand.com
8:00 PM
to 9:00 PM
A Silent Film
42 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Music
Artists A Silent Film
event::about 'Gently weaving intricately constructed tales, this quartet from Oxford produce larger-than-life cinematic soundscapes, rolling from trance-like distortion to superbly focused piano and electric guitar hooks' Rock Sound A Silent Film are a four-piece band from Oxford, England. During the past year they have had a number one download single in Portugal (beating Coldplay, Leona Lewis and The Script to the top spot) with the album following suit. In the US their first single, 'You Will Leave a Mark,' was chosen to be the Itunes 'Discovery Download' and over 100,000 copies were downloaded in the first two weeks of June alone. It is still enjoying substantial radio success having topped the 'most requested chart' at KROQ and at Sirius Alt Nation, with many other stations now A-listing the track. Their debut album, 'The City That Sleeps', is due to be re-released in the UK on October 4th. The band were handpicked by BBC Introducing to play Glastonbury, and they have recently played at Optimus Alive (supporting Mettalica and The Prodigy) and Mares Vivas (supporting Placebo). In September 2010 they will play their first US shows supporting the Smashing Pumpkins in Kansas, Fritz and the Tantrums in Philadelphia and playing a headline show in Boston. 'The band has consistently shone in the live arena, its widescreen musical vision outgrowing the stage' The Fly 'A show of genre-fusing excellence' Tour Times
9:00 PM
to 10:00 PM
Sounds Under Radio
11 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Music
Artists Sounds Under Radio
event::about With their sophomore release, Where My Communist Heart Meets My Capitalist Mind, Sounds Under Radio continues to build upon the foundational musical truths that they established through their first full length release Cinematica (2008). These are the contrasts between light and dark, guarded and vulnerable, specific and vague that yield a stadium sized, anthemic musical demeanor juxtaposed with quiet, personal intimacy. Through their highly melodic Americanized Brit Rock flair (reminiscent of bands like Muse, Brand New, Dredge and Editors) this Austin TX rock quartet have forged an audience and a sound uniquely their own. Members Lang Freeman, Bradley Oliver, Sonny Sanchez and Doug Wilson, first began to collaborate in mid 2005. In 2008, following complicated label politics at Epic Records, the band regained their independence and self-released Cinematica which was followed by 2 years of heavy grassroots national touring in support of the album. Since 2007 the band has found a string of successes in film and TV with placements in Spider Man 3 (Sony Pictures), The Wolfman (Universal Pictures), War Games: The Dead Code (MGM Pictures) and most recently in the CW's 'The Vampire Diaries.' By every account Where My Communist Heart Meets My Capitalist Mind is a record about politics- though it has nothing to do with domestic or international affairs. It is a record about people and the internal governing of the self. This is a record about the HEAD versus the HEART and how we choose to cope with their agreements and their disagreements. It explores the outcomes of when they either align, or don't. This album is a living document of Sounds Under Radio as musicians, friends and people sifting through their our own broken pieces, reopening wounds of personal war and confronting their own deepest scars. Utilizing themes of propaganda and covert communication, the band's ever present morse code logo also plays an integral roll in both the art and concept of this record. This is an album that investigates a marriage of opposites and the collision of conflicting forces. Intimacy is merged with moments of grandeur and beautiful things are destroyed by the grotesque... all with the purpose of seeing what remains when the dust settles. The album is slated for release May 3rd, 2011 through The Musebox / EMI.
10:00 PM
to 11:00 PM
Living Things
31 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Music
Artists Living Things
event::about Habeas Corpus, the second album from Living Things, is a slingshot of modern Americana, arching from St. Louis through Chicago, New York City and London to pierce the international vagabond outpost of Berlin, as seen through the eyes of four political junkies high on the poet and the layman’s right to intellectual freedom. The themes they cover include life, love, money, religion and war in these turbulent times. “In some ways I’ve looked at this whole record as a celebration of the uncertain times ahead,” says lead vocalist/lyricist/guitarist Lillian Berlin. Anthemic, prophetic and bumping through Habeas Corpus, Living Things have taken their journey from St. Louis, the city where old-timers pick out the blues on their porches and giant signs proclaim “Guns Save Lives” and “Jesus Saves,” on to new cities and new horizons of the mind. Yet St. Louis and the contorting contradictions this city wears is never far from their minds. It’s still the homestead for which they sing their fiery hymns of revolution and revelation. With Habeas Corpus the scream of four angry young men evolved into a record that brands flesh by way of a more elegant, textured fury. Released Feb. 17, 2009, on Jive Records, it was birthed in the beating heart of Hansa Ton Studio in Berlin, an expansive ballroom used by the German military, at the height of its power, to entertain society with classical recitals. Today, through a line of wide, tall windows, a virgin dawn breaks over the dark city skyline, touching Potsdamer Platz, where the Berlin Wall once stood, and sweeps across a Gothic city blinking in the light of a new future. Inside, four rock ’n’ roll adventurers-in-residence attacked their guitars, taking their cue from the beating drums of Bosh Berlin, which, amid the wide acoustics of the ballroom, sounded like rolling peals of thunder, pumping bright blood through the dank air of this ancient, cavernous, six-story building. Drums, cables and percussive instruments were strewn across the floor. A Chamberlain box (etched with graffiti by previous Hansa tenants “David+Iggy”) kicked up freaked-out distortion and noise. To one side lay an old metal army suitcase heaving with notebooks full of lyrics, riffs and ideas scribbled by Lillian, some as old as 10 years and others as new as here and now. A 60’s telecaster and tape echoes absorbed Cory Becker. When Eve Berlin dropped his bass guitar to reach for one of the timbales, congas or shakers at his feet, a Star of David tattoo on his arm was revealed. “Berlin is like a scar that reminds us of how serious bombs, weapons and dictators are,” says Eve (who, of all four band members, soaked up the Dionysian delights of Berlin with the greatest relish). “For us, to be writing our own version of soul music inside Hansa, knowing that once upon a time the most evil powers gathered there …Yet there we were, looking out the windows and seeing that good prevails. It felt really powerful. Berlin is a great city now.” “The starkness, the gothicness, the melancholy of Hansa and the heathen, debauching atmosphere of Berlin seeped into our sound,” observed Lillian. “The visual reminder of a broken dictatorship was a theme that haunted me, along with writer Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment,” Mark Twain (whose house is in my home state of Missouri), Oscar Wilde, Anne Sexton, Charles Bukowski, George Orwell and Philip K. Dick. Musically it was Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Revolver era Beatles, John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band, David Bowie, Brian Eno and Bob Marley blaring in my subconscious.” The three brothers, Lillian, Eve and Bosh Berlin, have been in a band together since grade school. “We have a concrete basement at the bottom of our parents’ house; we’ve been rehearsing in it since we were kids and recorded half our first album there,” says Lillian. “It was totally our own world, where, at one point, everybody lost their virginity, tried drugs for the first time, wrote our first songs. It was the nucleus of our reality.” The three boys would disappear into the basement and play music late into the night. “There are also a lot of caves in St. Louis,” continues Lillian. “We’d go down to the caves after rehearsing, hold parties and the band would play. Two to three hundred people would fit into the caves, and the music would go on until either the power generators blew, the cops came or the sun came up. Then we’d all go skinny-dipping in the Missouri River.” With Lillian on vocals and guitar, Eve on bass and Bosh on drums, the boys migrated to Chicago, then New York, then across to L.A., up to Canada, over to Europe and back. Inspired by a ’60s poster that read “War is not healthy for children and other living things,” the band found its name. Joining them on both the journey and guitar was childhood friend Cory Becker. He came on board just as they finished recording their debut album, Ahead Of The Lions (released Oct. 4, 2005, on Jive Records), which included the singles “Bombs Below,” “I Owe” and “Bom Bom Bom” -- the latter featured in a Cingular television commercial. Big, brotherly bust-ups and arguments are par for the course with the Berlin boys – “Things don’t get going until one or all of us has thrown down their instruments and started yelling,” Eve attests – and Cory turned three into a balanced four. While relentlessly touring in support of the critically praised Ahead Of The Lions, Lillian was loved and hated for visceral actions like burning George Bush posters onstage. “This whole idea of speaking out against the wrongdoings of government was something that we were taught at a very young age by our mother, who protested in the ’60s and ’70s,” says Lillian. “When I first started writing songs it felt natural to sing about socially conscious ideas. Early on, as a young band, we were admonished not to talk about this or that. But an artist is in many ways a reflection of what is going on in their surroundings and they’re going to express what is affecting them. We write about what interests us.” This doesn’t always lead to a happy result. After one gig Lillian was jumped and beaten by angry Bush supporters, one of whom fired a gun, the bullet whizzing past Lillian’s ear. “We’ve been perceived in some corners as an anti-American band, but that’s the furthest away from what we are,” says Eve. “We love our country and that’s why we care to understand the reality of where it stands and how to make it better and to sing about it. What inspires us most is what’s going on in the world. Sometimes you need to step outside and look back in to have perspective on your own country, to see what’s really going on. We’re not content to wait 50 years for the history to be written.” Living Things haven’t changed their vision to fit anybody’s desire for politeness; instead, they’ve pursued their own musical story, coming back up for air with a new chapter. “Lillian came up with the name of the album and it sums up a lot of things,” says Eve. “Habeas corpus is supposed to safeguard our individual freedom against arbitrary State action. It’s supposed to protect us from unlawful imprisonment by a rogue government. So many people we meet don’t even know their rights have been eroded lately. But we need to be aware of these rights to protect them.” Lillian sums up his philosophy: “Society is divided into two antagonistic factions, those who issue the orders and those who obey the orders. The problem is that the ones who issue the orders have abused their authority and have seduced society into abdicating their rights. It’s time to learn to recite your rights like the ABC’s and 123’s so you are aware of what you’re giving up.” Adds Eve: “We really value our Constitutional right to express ourselves. When somebody says ‘rock ’n’ roll,’ to me it means freedom, being who you are, running wild and letting it all hang out.”
11:00 PM
to 12:00 AM
Complete
3 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Music
Artists Complete
event::about Complete has been around for over 20 years and we have played everywhere when we were in other bands. Around 3 years ago we found about how beloved we were World Wide thanks to Youtube!!! So we started up with Complete once again, the warm welcome in which we have gotten is what we always were trying to do with our band. The first time we played at SXSW we packed the place to the point to where people were having to set out side and hear our show, the next time we played SXSW we experienced close to the same thing again. Complete is a cross between so many different styles,all rolled up in to one, it is hard to pin point just one style of music we play.
12:00 AM
to 1:00 AM
The Rods
9 schedule::attendees
Location
Rusty Spurs
eventtype Music
Artists The Rods
event::about The Rods are an American heavy metal band formed by David "Rock" Feinstein (guitar and vocals), Garry Bordonaro (bass and vocals) and Carl Canedy (drums and vocals). Feinstein had first come to mainstream attention after playing in Elf, with his cousin Ronnie James Dio. The Rods sound differed considerably from Elf, adopting a more traditional heavy metal sound compared with the blues-rock sound that Elf preferred. Their first album was originally released independently as Rock Hard in 1980 and the following year the band was signed by Arista Records, who reordered the album tracks and released it simply titled The Rods. Their second album Wild Dogs followed in 1982 and was re-released in 2004. The Rods' third album, released 1983, was entitled In the Raw In 1984 Canedy and Bordonaro played on Jack Starr's album Out of the Darkness with Rhett Forrester of Riot and Gary Driscoll of Rainbow. Then in 1984 The Rods made their fourth studio album Let Them Eat Metal and recorded the album The Rods Live. Their album Heavier Than Thou was originally released in 1986. An album was also released that features all of the band's members, entitled Hollywood - Canedy, Feinstein, Bordonaro, & Caudle. Canedy is also a producer of heavy metal bands, and his credits include Anthrax's Armed and Dangerous and Spreading the Disease, Exciter's Violence & Force, Overkill's Feel the Fire and Possessed's Beyond the Gates David "Rock" Feinstein just released his solo CD on Niji called "Bitten By The Beast" and their is a new Rods Cd scheduled for a 2011 release!
12:05 AM
to 1:05 AM
1:00 AM
to 2:00 AM
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