Texas Relays Hault Indie-Rock

It looks like with Texas Relays here in Austin this weekend there isn't a whole lot of indie rock going on. I did notice that Robyn Hitchcock is at Antone's tonight but to be honest I don't know a heck of a lot about Robyn.


Robyn Hitchcock & the Venus 3 - Adventure Rocketship video via YouTube

In glancing ahead though, I did notice that Crystal Castles will be playing La Zone Rosa in a few weeks. That should be pretty exciting right?

More video after the jump...


Crystal Castles - Crimewave video via YouTube

I feel like this version of Untrust Us is slower than the album version. Thoughts?


Crystal Castles - Untrust Us video via YouTube

This song is so Pet Shop Boys:


Crystal Castles - Vanished video via YouTube

Ok so maybe the Pet Shop Boys aren't as raw sounding but still:


Pet Shop Boys - New York City Boy video via YouTube

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Fiona Apple April Foolery

So, it's tough to blog on April Fool's day because everyone is being very clever with the jokes and such. However, joke or not I'm excited to report that Stereogum has hopped on board my attempt to bring back Fiona Apple. You may recall that I was starting some #rumors about a new song from Fiona Apple well maybe I was just having a premonition or maybe this is a Truman Show-esque turn of events. Either way here is a newly unearthed cover song from Fiona, originally by Cy Coleman:


Fiona Apple - Why Try To Change Me Now video via YouTube

Don't get me wrong I'm excited to hear something new from Fiona Apple but in my little fantasy she was working with a hot new producer that would help her make something totally new. My first thought was Mark Ronson he's sort of the hot producer of '07 but I really like the idea of a throwback Motown sort of Fiona. I don't want Fiona to sound-like or end up like Amy Winehouse, try to focus more on the production aesthetics. This is from Mark Ronson's album Versus, which is on an evil corporate label that doesn't allow embedding of their YouTube content. It should be easier to focus on the sound aesthetics watching this kid spaz out. Thanks evil corporations:


Mark Ronson ft. Amy Winehouse - Valerie (Originally by the Zutons) video via YouTube

Here's the Zutons' original Valerie, which is also owned by faceless corporate subsidiaries but who doesn't love Jools Holland?:


the Zutons - Valerie video via YouTube

I guess for Extraordinary Machine Fiona tried working with a hip-hop producer in Jon Brion. Maybe the stark, electronic, post-millenial, orchestrally-flourished, pastoral-rock of Nigel Godrich would be a better fit? I just made up a word or two back there. Here's a nice example of the Godrich 'signature sound'(Also owned by corp-d-bags):


Beck - Paper Tiger video via YouTube.

The rumor that seemed most believable to my Twitter maniacs was the lie that Fiona was joining an even newer Jack White band. Are we ready for a raw, country/blues-rock/bluegrassy Fiona?


Jack White & Loretta Lynn - Portland, OR video via YouTube

Perhaps, what we really need is a Fiona, Robert Plant and T-Bone Burnett collabo? Sorry A. Krauss you're out, we're putting in the Apple.


Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Gone, Gone, Gone video via YouTube

We're just happy to hear from you again Fiona.

<3, birkley3030 (AustinBloggyLimits)

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A N.A.S.A I Can Get Into

Am I crazy though, or does it sound like someone just woke Kanye up before he recorded his part for Gifted?


N.A.S.A. - Gifted (feat. Kanye West, Santogold & Lykke Li) video via YouTube

I feel like N.A.S.A. is one of those artists I've heard a lot of noise about but haven't actually heard their music. With a song that has THREE meme-able artists and isn't sponsered by Converse, I'm surprised it hadn't already caught my attention.

Free Mp3 courtesy of Anti- Records, thanks.

Free Mp3 ---> N.A.S.A. - Spacious Thought


N.A.S.A. - Money video via YouTube

Was that David Byrne singing on that last track? Damn, these guys are blog-able!

By the way the latest release from N.A.S.A. is called The Spirit of Apollo just in case you missed the other space/astronaut references.


N.A.S.A. - Waydown video via YouTube

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Shearwater and Neko Case at Stubb's Tonight

Well dear reader, as of this moment you can still get yourself some tickets to see Neko Case with local boys, Shearwater at Stubb's tonight.

On a totally unrelated note, did you know there's a Stubb's BBQ at Six Flags in San Antonio? Is it me or does that just seem weird/wrong somehow? Anyway, if you're not really familiar with Neko Case you should know she is a member of the New Pornographers, although she rarely tours with them. However, if, like me, you saw the New Pornographers at FunFunFun Fest a couple of years ago...then you have already seen Neko do her thing.

Mp3 courtesy of Matador Records, thanks. The other Mp3 is courtesty of Anti- Records, thanks.

Free Mp3 ---> Shearwater - The Snow Leopoard

Free Mp3 ---> Neko Case - People Got A Lotta Nerve

Find some video after the jump...


Holy Crap, I've heard this song on KGSR but I totally didn't even realize it was Neko Case.


Neko Case - People Got A Lotta Nerve video via YouTube

This tornado loves you?


Neko Case - Middle Cyclone promo video via YouTube


the New Pornographers - All the Old Show Stoppers video via YouTube


Shearwater - Rooks video via YouTube

The lead singer of Shearwater took me some getting used to. He reminds me of the minstrel from Monty Python's Holy Grail. I don't know why, he just does.


Monty Python - Brave Sir Robin video via YouTube

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