Beauty Bar, Friday, It's Going Down.

The only thing better than a party, is an anniversary party for a company that throws parties professionally. That's why you should head over to Beauty Bar Friday night for Learning Secrets 6th Anniversary party. It's also my homegirl Jen Leduc's birthday so she'll be hosting some bands in a different part of the bar. If you act fast, you can still RSVP for the Learning Secrets party giving you $5 entry, otherwise it's going to be $8 at the door. I expect the house will be full 'round midnight. Did I mention that, remixer's du jour, Classixx will be headlining a DJ set?!?!?


Phoenix - Lisztomania (Classixx Remix) video via YouTube


Needless to say with Classixx in the house, Beauty Bar is going to be a throbbing, sweaty, hipster dance-party. Throw your Lone Star's in the air, y'all!! Before Classixx we'll be seeing, Woolfy, who's signed to DFA Records. Maybe you've heard of it?


Woolfy - Odyssey video via YouTube

The doors for this gig open at 9pm Friday and the first 100 people will get drink ticket(s), which they will be purchasing with the price of admission. Take that alcohol enforcement (TABC)! Just kidding, TABC, we cool. Let's hang out more.


Classixx - Cold Act iLL video via YouTube

Oh, and for that one reader that's really upset that I would presume that you, my dear reader, already know about DFA Records, when you don't. ---> DFA Info.

As if I'm not going to include an LCD Soundsystem video, chuh, doubt it.


LCD Soundsystem - Disco Infiltrator video via YouTube

Thanks to DFA Records' distributors Capitol/EMI for not allowing people to embed your official videos from YouTube. That is why I have a video with dogs set to LCD Soundsystem.

I got so caught up in DFA Records, I forgot to give you info about 40 Rock, Jen Leduc's Birthday Bash. Entry to that event, on the same night at Beauty Bar is also $5 but does not require an RSVP. She's hosting four bands, with Stereo is a Lie headlining. Here's the full line-up with poster and more info courtesy of my sister-wives over at Do512.


Stereo is a Lie - What We Do video via YouTube

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Sleep Whale Videos

Hey, y'all! I don't know if you've realized this already but I got a Flipcam for Christmas, which means there's now a Bloggy YouTube channel. How cool is that? Obviously, lots have folks have found the videos I shot of Harlem but no one seems to know or care about the videos of Sleep Whale. Now, I'm going to warn you the sound on this video is sub-par I positioned myself directly in front of the speakers to shoot this, so you can hear the kick drum clipping like crazy but I'm a big fan of Sleep Whale and I feel like you should be too. They have purchase-able music available via, my favorite local label, Western Vinyl. You can also find their stuff on iTunes if that's more your style.


Sleep Whale - Skipping Stones video via YouTube

Free Mp3's courtesy of Western Vinyl, thanks.

Free Mp3 ---> Sleep Whale - Cotton Curls

Free Mp3 ---> Sleep Whale - Josh Likes Me


My impression seeing Sleep Whale live is that they need to tighten up their setup/soundchecking but that could be fixed by not seeing them as the second of four bands on a stage other than Emo's outside. Other than that, the music itself was melodic, textured and generally beautiful. I found myself drawn into the songs. I'm thinking the, new and improved, Parish room would be the ideal spot. Here's the other video I shot of Sleep Whale at Emo's, and again apologies for the clippy sound.


Sleep Whale - Make Another Picture video via YouTube

Also, if you're liking what you hear from Sleep Whale and you still haven't checked out, their label-mates, Balmorhea then you need to get on that shhhh. Balmorhea put out one of my favorite albums from an Austin artist in 2009, All Is Wild, All Is Silent, and seeing them perform live is even more gorgeous than the LP.

It looks like if you live in Austin your next shot to see Balmorhea will be at their record release party on Feb. 19th featuring Damien Jurado at Central Presbytyrian Church. That's right, a church! That's how bad-ass Austin is, that same church is a registered SXSW venue. Last year Grizzly Bear and St. Vincent both haunted the Central Presby. It appears as though tickets for the Balmorhea show are only available in person at End of an Ear or Waterloo Records. Front Gate Tickets does sell tickets for events at Central Presbityrian Church but they don't seem to have this particular event.

Free Mp3's courtesy of Western Vinyl, thanks.

Free Mp3 ---> Balmorhea - The Winter (Excerpt)

Free Mp3 ---> Balmorhea - Harm and Boon (Excerpt)

Free Mp3 ---> Balmorhea - Truth (Remixed by Helio)

Balmorhea video courtesy of our blood-soaked, bloggy-brethren over at Cannibal Cheerleader. They've been feasting on Balmorhea since their FIRST LP release party.


Balmorhea - San Solomon (Reprise) video via YouTube

Oh, and if you're one of those unfortunate souls living outside of Austin you too can see Balmorhea on tour!

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