Well y'all, this blogger isn't in Austin tonight but I still wanted to let you know about two bad-ass shows that are going on. Firstly we've got super-fun Canadian rockers, Born Ruffians hitting Emo's. I saw them at Emo's during SXSW this year and they put on a great show with lots of great crowd-interaction. Not to mention the lead singer is pretty easy on the eyes. I'm not really sure how I would describe their sound because it kind of depends on what song they're singing. Lucky for you, I captured some video last time they were in town so you can get a taste.
Born Ruffians - Barnacle Goose video via YouTube
In theory you could actually head to Emo's AFTER you catch Caribou over at La Zona Rosa. Don't quote me on that, and if you want to be doubly sure you should send a message to the Emo's Twitter account to ask about set times. I know that LZR shows are done by midnight though.
Caribou's latest LP, Swim is a real sleeper and I feel like it hasn't received the attention it's due. If you don't have it already you should pick it up tonight at the show. You'll find lots of beautiful melodies and a lush, textured, almost psychedelic sound. Don't worry though it's not that annoying psychedelia ala Phish.
Caribou - Sun video via YouTube
So, that's what I'd be doing if I were in Austin tonight. How's about you?
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
More Lists Related to ACL Fest 2010
I know, I know ACL Fest 2010 is over and we don't want to talk about it anymore but I'm doing this one final wrap-up post and I'm going to make it quick and dirty. After this we can get back to our normal lives and focus on club shows again. As I mentioned in my last post, I love lists, you love lists so here we go.
Here are the sets that stood out to me the most at ACL Fest 2010:
1. Two Door Cinema Club
2. Local Natives
3. First Aid Kit
Local Native - World News video via YouTube
Here are the sets I missed that I really wish I hadn't missed:
1. the Morning Benders
2. White Rabbits
3. Gogol Bordello
the Morning Benders - Excuses video via YouTube
These are the artists who made me proud like they were my children, even though they're not and I really have no stake whatsoever in their success:
1. Matt and Kim
2. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
3. Band of Horses
Artists whom I wish I could have given their time-slot/booking to other artists.
1. the Eagles
2. M.I.A.
3. Norah Jones
Here are the sets that stood out to me the most at ACL Fest 2010:
1. Two Door Cinema Club
2. Local Natives
3. First Aid Kit
Local Native - World News video via YouTube
Here are the sets I missed that I really wish I hadn't missed:
1. the Morning Benders
2. White Rabbits
3. Gogol Bordello
the Morning Benders - Excuses video via YouTube
These are the artists who made me proud like they were my children, even though they're not and I really have no stake whatsoever in their success:
1. Matt and Kim
2. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
3. Band of Horses
Artists whom I wish I could have given their time-slot/booking to other artists.
1. the Eagles
2. M.I.A.
3. Norah Jones
Feelings Re:ACL Fest 2010 (TLDR)
This was my first year attending Austin City Limits Festival proper. In years previous I had always just attended lots of pre-shows and after-shows at the clubs around town. However, this year I was (somehow) granted media credentials to the festival giving me access for all 3 days at no charge. Of course, I was very excited about this and I truly appreciate the opportunity. With that being said, it made me realize I am not cut-out for the music festival scene. I realized music festivals are for fans of festivals not, necessarily, fans of music.
With that, I did learn a few things from my experience this year that will change the way I attend next year, assuming I'm invited back that is. The first thing I learned is an old cliche, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. In this case I'm referring to the chair people. I'm focusing more on my personal comfort than the show and I think I'll have a better time.
Next year I'm picking a side a day. I'm going to plant a chair between two stages and watch the bands on the screens and I'm gonna love it. I'm going to have a cooler with sandwiches and if I do any interviews the bands will have to find my ridiculous flag. We'll snack, we'll chat about their latest album and maybe play a round of Boggle.
This strategy will also help me to get downtown after the fest more often. This year I only went to one show downtown, during the fest. I saw Amanda Blank at the Scoot Inn thanks to my friends over at Knuckle Rumbler.
Amanda Blank - I'm a Lady video via YouTube
Also, I've got a list after the break.
While this post may get me blacklisted in the city of Austin, as C3 Presents pretty much runs this town, I feel like I have to be myself and share with you the 50 things that bothered me the most at the fest. Also, as a true music fan I effing love lists and if you're reading this blog, you too love lists.
I also want to say that this list isn't exclusive to ACL, not by a LOOOOONG shot, these complaints would be valid at Stubb's, Coachella, or any other mass gathering of people for that matter.
So those are my disclaimers, hopefully there were enough of them.
1. Bros.
2. Shirtless, sweaty bros.
3. Shirtless, sweaty bros with terrible tattoos.
4. Tiny, bitchy girls who <3 said bros.
5. Excessive cigarette smoking.
6. Excessive pot smoking.
7. People who don't really enjoy music.
8. People who won't STFU.
9. People who get bent out of shape if you step on or near their blanket.
10. Chair-icade zone maze at the edge of the crowd
11. Capmetro not running extra busses throughout the city.
12. People constantly bumping into me while I'm watching a performance.
13. Sound-bleeding.
14. People taking terrible cellphone videos/pictures.
15. My personal lack of power and influence at such a large event.
16. Standing in a field with thousands of people to stare at a performance on a screen.
17. The Eagles are a headlining act in 2010?
18. The lack of intimacy (I'm spoiled my club shows).
19. Expensive-ass food.
20. Security people not knowing festival info.
21. Dangerously drunk people.
22. Spotty to non-existent cell service.
23. Corporate stage names.
24. The cost of Budweiser next to the Budweiser stage.
25. Trekking from stage to stage.
26. Hoards of casual music listeners jockeying to see the most bands.
27. Andy Langer/Jason Dick <--This one's a tie.
28. Who invited VH1?
29. People who thought M.I.A.'s set was "awesome".
30. Making me choose between two good artists playing at the same time.
31. Port-a-Johns marinating in the sun.
32. Port-a-Johns w/out toilet paper.
33. Clever flags obstructing my view.
34. Shoeless people.
35. Bootleg T-shirt salesmen who won't stop shouting.
36. Why is your grandpa here?
37. People who bring their babies.
38. Toddlers w/out ear protection.
39. Inconsiderate people.
40. People who litter despite the excessive number of proper receptacles.
41. People who try to run through the crowd.
42. People who try to talk on their cell phone in a loud-ass field.
43. People who throw cigarette butts on the ground.
44. Traffic.
45. Lack of cabs.
46. Too many days. Two days is plenty. I'm tired
47. I'm too misanthropic to enjoy a festival.
48. I'm too much of a hipster to enjoy an event, which allows so many people to attend.
49. Drunken security bros drunk on power and alcohol.
50. This post ruined any chance I had of ever getting a media pass again.
With that, I did learn a few things from my experience this year that will change the way I attend next year, assuming I'm invited back that is. The first thing I learned is an old cliche, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. In this case I'm referring to the chair people. I'm focusing more on my personal comfort than the show and I think I'll have a better time.
Next year I'm picking a side a day. I'm going to plant a chair between two stages and watch the bands on the screens and I'm gonna love it. I'm going to have a cooler with sandwiches and if I do any interviews the bands will have to find my ridiculous flag. We'll snack, we'll chat about their latest album and maybe play a round of Boggle.
This strategy will also help me to get downtown after the fest more often. This year I only went to one show downtown, during the fest. I saw Amanda Blank at the Scoot Inn thanks to my friends over at Knuckle Rumbler.
Amanda Blank - I'm a Lady video via YouTube
Also, I've got a list after the break.
While this post may get me blacklisted in the city of Austin, as C3 Presents pretty much runs this town, I feel like I have to be myself and share with you the 50 things that bothered me the most at the fest. Also, as a true music fan I effing love lists and if you're reading this blog, you too love lists.
I also want to say that this list isn't exclusive to ACL, not by a LOOOOONG shot, these complaints would be valid at Stubb's, Coachella, or any other mass gathering of people for that matter.
So those are my disclaimers, hopefully there were enough of them.
1. Bros.
2. Shirtless, sweaty bros.
3. Shirtless, sweaty bros with terrible tattoos.
4. Tiny, bitchy girls who <3 said bros.
5. Excessive cigarette smoking.
6. Excessive pot smoking.
7. People who don't really enjoy music.
8. People who won't STFU.
9. People who get bent out of shape if you step on or near their blanket.
10. Chair-icade zone maze at the edge of the crowd
11. Capmetro not running extra busses throughout the city.
12. People constantly bumping into me while I'm watching a performance.
13. Sound-bleeding.
14. People taking terrible cellphone videos/pictures.
15. My personal lack of power and influence at such a large event.
16. Standing in a field with thousands of people to stare at a performance on a screen.
17. The Eagles are a headlining act in 2010?
18. The lack of intimacy (I'm spoiled my club shows).
19. Expensive-ass food.
20. Security people not knowing festival info.
21. Dangerously drunk people.
22. Spotty to non-existent cell service.
23. Corporate stage names.
24. The cost of Budweiser next to the Budweiser stage.
25. Trekking from stage to stage.
26. Hoards of casual music listeners jockeying to see the most bands.
27. Andy Langer/Jason Dick <--This one's a tie.
28. Who invited VH1?
29. People who thought M.I.A.'s set was "awesome".
30. Making me choose between two good artists playing at the same time.
31. Port-a-Johns marinating in the sun.
32. Port-a-Johns w/out toilet paper.
33. Clever flags obstructing my view.
34. Shoeless people.
35. Bootleg T-shirt salesmen who won't stop shouting.
36. Why is your grandpa here?
37. People who bring their babies.
38. Toddlers w/out ear protection.
39. Inconsiderate people.
40. People who litter despite the excessive number of proper receptacles.
41. People who try to run through the crowd.
42. People who try to talk on their cell phone in a loud-ass field.
43. People who throw cigarette butts on the ground.
44. Traffic.
45. Lack of cabs.
46. Too many days. Two days is plenty. I'm tired
47. I'm too misanthropic to enjoy a festival.
48. I'm too much of a hipster to enjoy an event, which allows so many people to attend.
49. Drunken security bros drunk on power and alcohol.
50. This post ruined any chance I had of ever getting a media pass again.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Planning the FINAL day of ACL 2010
If you're as exhausted as I am the prospect of going back to Zilker for another long day is somewhat daunting but we're all just going to have to suck it up y'all. It's only one more day then we can relax until the next big fest in Austin...next month.
In order to serve my own laziness this post will be very short on words. In fact I'm just going to list my picks followed by sample video. So, let's plan out the final day of the fest shall we?
TV Torso
TV Torso - Live at the Parish video via YouTube
Warpaint
Warpaint - Stars video via YouTube
White Rabbits
White Rabbits - the Plot video via YouTube
Foals
Foals - Balloons video via YouTube
Portugal the Man
Portugal the Man - People Say video via YouTube
Make sure you catch The Morning Benders!! I love these guys enough to write these sentences about them!
the Morning Benders - All Day Daylight video via YouTube
Yeasayer
Yeasayer - Madder Red video via YouTube
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros - 40 Day Dream video via YouTube
the Flaming Lips
the Flaming Lips - She Don't Use Jelly video via YouTube
the National
the National - Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks video via YouTube
In order to serve my own laziness this post will be very short on words. In fact I'm just going to list my picks followed by sample video. So, let's plan out the final day of the fest shall we?
TV Torso
TV Torso - Live at the Parish video via YouTube
Warpaint
Warpaint - Stars video via YouTube
White Rabbits
White Rabbits - the Plot video via YouTube
Foals
Foals - Balloons video via YouTube
Portugal the Man
Portugal the Man - People Say video via YouTube
Make sure you catch The Morning Benders!! I love these guys enough to write these sentences about them!
the Morning Benders - All Day Daylight video via YouTube
Yeasayer
Yeasayer - Madder Red video via YouTube
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros - 40 Day Dream video via YouTube
the Flaming Lips
the Flaming Lips - She Don't Use Jelly video via YouTube
the National
the National - Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks video via YouTube