Fun Fun Fun Fest Moves to Auditorium Shores

Fun Fun Fun Fest is moving from its Waterloo Park locale to Auditorium Shores in order to accommodate a larger crowd. Expect a sweaty, tighty-whitey clad Monotonix member to perform piggyback style atop the SRV statue.

The fest is scheduled for November 5th and 6th with tickets going on sale in late May.
Check the FFFF site for more inffffo: funfunfunfest.com

Austin Psych Fest Week!

As most should know by now Austin Psych Fest will be kicking off this weekend. This year is the festivals most ambitious outing yet with it now taking place at the Seaholm Power Plant and boasting one of the best line ups (of any festival) we have seen all year. Also, if having this group of musicians play an old power plant isn't fitting, I don't know what is. To get you more familiar with some of our favorite artists on the bill we will be spotlighting them throughout the week. Till then we have the full line up with set times and TICKET info to get you started.

Friday April 29th

Omar Rodriquez-Lopez (12:30am), A Place to Bury Strangers (11:30pm), Crystal Stilts (10:30pm), Atlas Sound (9:30pm), Night Beats (8:30pm), Beach Fossils (7:30pm), ZaZa (6:30pm)

This Will Destroy You (2am), Tobacco (1am), No Joy (12am, Shapes Have Fangs (11pm), Radio Moscow (10pm), Quarter After (9pm), Blue Angel Lounge (8pm), Zechs Marquise (7pm), Sky Drops (6pm), Christian Bland (5:30pm)

Saturday April 30th

Spectrum (12:30pm), Black Moth Super Rainbow (11:30pm), Prefuse 73 (10:30pm), Crocodiles (9:30pm), Fresh and Onlys (8:30pm), Sleepy Sun (7:30pm), Black Ryder (6:30pm), Beaches (5:30pm), Shine Brothers (4:30pm), Woodsman (3:30pm), Ghost Box Orchestra (2:30pm)

The Meek (2am), Bass Drum of Death (1am), Lower Heaven (12am), Soft Moon (11pm), Indian Jewelry (10pm), Young Prisms (9pm), Lumerians (8pm), White Hills (7pm), Pontiak (6:00pm), Cloudland Canyon (5:00pm), Vacant Lots (4:00pm), Weird Owl (3:00pm), Holy Wave (2:00pm)

Sunday May 1st

The Black Angels (10:45pm), Roky Erickson (9:30pm), The Growlers (8:30pm), Pete International Airport (7:30pm), Dirty Beaches (6:30pm), Black Hollies (5:30pm), Fungi Girls (4:30pm), Diamond Center (3:30pm)

Sound Mass (12am), Cold Sun (9pm), Wall of Death (8pm), The Cult of Dom Keller (7pm), Daughters of the Sun (6pm), ST 37 (5pm), Tjutuna (4:00pm), Chris Catalena (3:30am), Hellfire Social (3pm)

Last Night: Foals/Freelance Whales/ The Naked And Famous at La Zona Rosa :: (w/ Setlist)

The Naked And Famous:

Freelance Whales:

"Generator ^ First Floor"

Foals:

"Spanish Sahara"

Last Night: Interpol at Austin Music Hall

The Critics Unilaterally Concur: Chuck Klosterman is a Man Who Writes

I read the press release for Delicate Steve's new album, Wondervisions, before learning of its backstory from NPR. It only took a few sentences before I started chuckling. "It's like My Bloody Valentine minus the guitars." As Jon Stewart would say, "MMMM, that's good satire."

Apparently, the record label hired a writer to make up a fake bio and press release for the band despite the author having never met the band or listened to their music. The result is a witty, highly entertaining piece whose pop-cultural references read like the lyrics to LCD Soundsystem's "Losing My Edge." To wit: "The indescribable 12-track instrumental debut that reconstructs influences as diverse as Yes, Vampire Weekend, The Fall, Ravi Shankur, 10 cc, The Orbital, Jann Hammer, the first half of OK Computer, the second act of The Wizard of Oz, and the final pages of Jonathan Franzen's Freedom."

So it came to no surprise to learn that the man behind the curtain was none other than Chuck Klosterman. He claims it wasn't a hoax, but rather a statement about public relations versus music journalism. The press release and NPR article are definitely worth a read:

Everything You Know About This Band is Wrong

Ultra8201 and Do512 present the MoTel Aviv "Post Modern Nation" Album Release Party at Beauty Bar | Friday May 6th

[RSVP]

Join us on Friday May 6th at Beauty Bar as Motel Aviv celebrates the release of their eagerly awaited debut "Post Modern Nation". The band has been exciting audiences over the last year and a half while producing the album and now the release is ready for the public and we want you to get a copy in the best way. An RSVP with Do512 gets BOTH you a copy of the album and entry for a reduced $5 cover charge. Your RSVP also enters you for a chance to get free entry (winners will be chosen the week of). In addition Beauty Bar will provide $1 Wells from 9-10pm with drink specials throughout the evening and Sphynx will offer support. "Post Modern Nation" will be available on iTunes, Amazon and more on April 26th for those that either can't make it or just cant wait.

[MoTel Aviv on Facebook]

Motel Aviv Album Release Party
Friday May 6th at Beauty Bar
Doors at 9pm | w/ Sphynx at 10pm
[RSVP] at Do512 gets you copy of the album and reduced $5 cover

White Denim Announce Tour Dates, Ready Release of New Album "D"

This is Austin so I don't need to give you background on White Denim. What you should know is that they are releasing their latest album "D" on May 24th. That they just announced tour dates in support of said album and they also just premiered the video for the track "Drugs" which you can view below. If you aren't from Austin you should find the day they are in your town and check them out. You won't be disappointed. Oh and hey Austin, there's four of them now.....

WHITE DENIM TOUR DATES:

5/23 - Tempe, AZ at Sail Inn
5/24 - San Diego, CA at Casbah
5/25 - Los Angeles, CA at The Echo
5/26 - San Francisco, CA at Bottom of the Hill
5/27 - Visalia, CA at Cellar Door
5/29 - Portland, OR at Bunk Bar
5/30 - Quincy, WA at Sasquatch Festival
6/01 - Salt Lake City, UT at Urban Lounge
6/02 - Denver, CO at Larimer Lounge
6/03 - Lawrence, KS at Jackpot Music Hall
6/16 - Memphis, TN at Hi Tone
6/17 - Atlanta, GA at Drunken Unicorn
6/18 - Nashville, TN at The Basement
6/19 - Louisville, KY at Uncle Slayton's
6/21 - Washington D.C. at Rock N Roll Hotel
6/22 - Philadelphia, PA at Johnny Brendas
6/23 - Northampton, MA at Pearl ST
6/24 - Boston, MA at Brighton Music Hall
6/25 - New York, NY at Bowery Ballroom
6/27 - Montreal, QC at Il Motore
6/28 - Toronto, ON at El Mocambo
6/29 - Indianapolis, IN at Rock Lobster
6/30 - Chicago, IL at Schubas
7/1 - Columbia, MO at Mojo's
7/2 - Norman, OK at Opolis

Video: Yours Truly and MTV Hive present Twin Shadow at SXSW

Last Night: The Raveonettes @EmosAustin

Echotone Austin Premiere | April 24th - April 27th at Alamo Drafthouse Downtown

After having the opportunity to screen the film during the Austin Film Festival last year we are happy to announce that the film will have it's official Austin premiere at The Alamo Ritz on April 24th through April 27th and we are ridiculously proud to be sponsors of this event. The film is a perfect snapshot of a very special time in the Austin music scene and we highly recommend catching a screening. The trailer, more info on the film and links to perfect tickets are all below.

Reversal Films is proud to announce the opening of the new music documentary Echotone at the Alamo Ritz on Sunday, April 24th. The film is set in Austin, Texas, and immerses itself in the city’s rapidly evolving music environment and the growing pains that surround it. The film focuses on the city’s plentiful and potent creative class, examining their struggle to hold on and forge ahead in a city on the rise.

The film follows Austin musicians like Black Joe Lewis, Cari Palazolo and Bill Baird along their daily routines and features performances by Ghostland Observatory, The Octopus Project, the Black Angels and more. Along with live musical footage and visceral aerial views of the city in development, Echotone also includes passionate debates with artists and city music leaders on issues like urban planning, sustainability, artistic integrity and rabid independence.

One of the central themes of Echotone, how musicians and creatives try to find their place in a developing city, is an issue that extends well beyond Texas and should be familiar to anyone actively involved in music scenes on the rise around the country.

Echotone will be available nationwide on September 6, 2011.

April 24 at 9:45pm [Tickets]
April 25 at 7pm [Tickets]
April 26 at 7pm [Tickets]
April 27 at 9:30pm [Tickets]

Bravestation | "White Wolves" Video

It's been nearly seven months since we wrote about Bravestation. We love the EP (which you can download for FREE I might add) they released last year and were really hoping they'd be making a journey here to Austin, at least in time for SXSW last month. Nevertheless we're hoping for a visit sometime later in the year (ACL?, Fun Fun Fun Fest?). Currently, the band starts a UK tour (dates down below) next month and have also released a video for their fantastic song, "White Wolves".

Omar Rodriguez-Lopez releases Anthology in time for Record Store Day | Plays Austin Psych Fest (4/29)

From PR:

Telesterion, the extensive anthology of solo recordings by immensely prolific Grammy Award winning recording artist Omar Rodriguez Lopez (The Mars Volta, At The Drive-In) is available this weekend on Record Store Day, April 16th. And, today Omar Rodriguez Lopez Group plays the Coachella Festival in Indio, CA amid their lengthy North American tour with support from sibling band, Zechs Marquise. Please see current remaining dates below.

The extensive double CD, quadruple LP compilation Telesterion features 37 songs (38 on the vinyl version) showcasing the variety and breadth of explorative artistry spread across his 25 (and counting) solo albums harvested for this release.

For those unsure where to begin discovering Omar's vast catalog, this is a fitting introduction. Telesterion includes a 20-page booklet of artwork and text outlining the scope of his work, with liner notes by longtime friend and Rodriguez Lopez Productions art director Sonny Kay. See Sonny's recollection of their first meeting through to their current collaborations HERE.
For more information on Omar Rodriguez Lopez's multitude of endeavors, please CLICK HERE.

Telesterion will be available on CD & LP at participating retailers on Record Store Day, April 16th, 2011 and digital download on April 26th via Rodriguez Lopez Productions / Sargent House.

Omar Rodriguez Lopez Group Live:
4/15 Indio, CA @ Coachella Festival
4/28 Dallas, TX @ Southside Music Hall **
4/29 Austin, TX @ Austin Psychfest ** [TICKETS]
4/30 El Paso, TX @ Neon Desert Festival ** [TICKETS]

** with Zechs Marquise

Bleach Issue: 'Waves' Launch Party | April 20th

Join us Wednesday, April 20th @ the 29th Street Ballroom (2906 Fruth Street) to celebrate the launch of the latest issue of Bleach, 'Waves'.

RSVP @ do512 : http://do512.com/event/2011/04/20/bleach-issue-waves-launch-party

Doors @ 10pm NO COVER
COWABUNGA BABEZ will play @ midnight
Top of the Pops w/
DJs Tweedy, Jason McNeely & Guests

Free mini cupcakes courtesy of Sugar Mama's Bakeshop while supplies last
Special thanks to our sponsors, Bird's Barbershop, Sugar Mama's Bakeshop, City On Fire & Ultra8201
Check out our previous issues HERE: http://www.bleachonline.com/

Show Spotlight + Giveaway: The Love Language at Stubbs Tonight (4/12)

[Tickets]

The Love Language, initiated by Stuart McLamb, is a fortunate by-product of the North Carolina native's rudderless mid-20s, where a tempest of breakup, inebriation, and incarceration found the abandoned songwriter embarking on a storage-space recording project to slow his seeming disintegration. The growing body of emotional fight songs, committed to MP3 with a high-school era multitrack recorder, became postcards from exile, a way to let his friends and former flames know he was getting along, battered but not beaten.

We will be giving away a pair of tickets for the show tonight via Twitter go follow us now to enter (@ultra8201)!

The Love Language & The Secret Handshake Tonight (4/12)

Stubb's (Indoors) | Doors at 9pm

[Purchase Tickets]

Last Night: Twin Shadow @EmosAustin

[Official]

[Twitter]

Raekwon of Wu-Tang Announces Tour (w/ Austin Date)

Only Built 4 Cuban Linx is easily one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time. I still listen to it frequently and even used to have the purple cassette tape back in the day! After a lull period for most of the members of the Wu in the early 00's Raekwon finally returned with the stellar Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II in 2009 and has enjoyed a resurgence since then releasing Wu-Massacre with Method Man and Ghostface Killah and his latest Shaolin vs Wu-Tang. Now he is taking those latest tracks (and hopefully a lot of old ones) on the road kicking off the tour here in Austin on April 26th at Red 7. [Tickets]

Raekwon Tour Dates

04-26 Austin, TX - Red 7 [Tickets]
04-27 El Paso, TX - Buchanon Events Center
04-28 Tempe, AZ - Club Red
04-29 Modesto, CA - Fat Cat
04-30 Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theatre
05-01 Sacramento, CA - Ace of Spades
05-03 Costa Mesa, CA - Detroit Bar
05-05 San Francisco, CA - Messanine
05-06 Eugene, OR - WOW Hall
05-08 Seattle, WA - Nectar Lounge
05-10 Salt Lake City, UT - Club Elevate
05-11 Denver, CO - Cervantes
05-12 New York, NY - Best Buy Theater
05-16 St. Louis, MO - Firebird
05-17 Minneapolis, MN - Cabooze
05-19 Chicago, IL - The Mid
05-20 Cincinnati, OH - Mad Hatter
05-21 Pontiac, MI - Eagle Theatre
05-22 Grand Rapids, MI - Pyramid Scheme
05-26 Orlando, FL - Beacham Theatre
05-27 Miami, FL - Eve
06-02 Nashville, TN - Exit/In
06-03 Birmingham, AL - Zydeco
06-04 Charlotte, NC - Amos' Southend
06-05 Virginia Beach, VA - Hangar 09

Video: The Black and White Years | Cold + Tour Dates

I have been meaning to get this up for a the last week or so and here it finally is! The animated music video for The Black and White Years song 'Cold' off their latest album Patterns and was Animated/Directed by Eric Power. You can download the track via the bands BandCamp page and check them out live on one or all of the dates below.

The Black and White Years Tour Dates

Thur, Apr 28
HAAM Benefit @ Antone's | Austin, TX

Fri, Apr 29
Clusterfest w/ Matt & Kim/Givers/Octopus Project/Del the Funky Homosapien/TBLSH | Georgetown, TX

Sat, Apr 30
Neon Desert Fest w/ MSTRKRFT/CSS/Omar Rodriguez Lopez | El Paso, TX

Fri, May 13
Arthouse's Five X Seven Fundraiser | Austin, TX

Show Spotlight: Papercuts at Emo's Tonight (3/5)

San Francisco's Jason Quever's indie pop band, Papercuts, is playing tonight at Emo's Jr. with Banjo or Freakout. The recently released Papercuts album, Fading Parade, is not to be missed and neither is this performance. Doors open at 9:00 pm.

Pachanga Latino Festival Announces 2011 Line Up

Last year was my first experience at the Pachanga Latino Music Festival and it was such a great one I have been waiting patiently for some kind of an announcement on this years plans. Luckily that announcement came in today and with this initial line up I can say that they have out done themselves. For those not familiar with Pachanga it is a Latin themed music festival but what makes it so progressive is that it hosts various genres of Latin artists ranging from rock to mariachi to hip hop. The initial line up is below. The festival will be held on Saturday May 21st at Fiesta Gardens and tickets are on sale at pachangafest.com, Waterloo Records and all Front Gate Tickets outlets, including frontgatetickets.com. A portion of all proceeds will benefit the FuturoFund Austin.

Early Bird pricing will be in place until April 19 with advance single GA tickets available for $15.00 ($25.00 after April 19) and Saturday VIP tickets for $45 ($60.00 after April 19). VIP tickets include complimentary non-alcoholic drinks, two (2) drink tickets, light snacks from the best chefs in Texas, air conditioned lounge and indoor restrooms. Children under 12 are free when accompanied by a ticketed adult.

2011 INITIAL PACHANGA LINEUP:

[Purchase Tickets]

Ozomatli
The Echocentrics
Chingo Bling
Chico Mann
Los Skarnales
Maneja Beto
Chicanoson
Master Blaster Sound System
Mexicans with Guns
Este Vato
La Guerilla
Gina Chavez
Son de Rey
Peligrosa All-Stars
Ozokids