Dirty Projectors at Emo's

I'm sure there are lots of people who hate the new Emo's. After living in Austin for 6 years I've learned that everything that used to be is better than everything that is, people from L.A. are ruining Austin and Dallas is the most wretched place on earth...other than L.A.. Well, one of the (many) benefits of Emo's new location is how spacious it is. When Dirty Projectors played at the old Emo's location the show sold-out in a couple of days. Well, here we are only a day before they perform in the new space and there are still tickets available. This is a huge bonus, also after you buy tickets you'll be able to just drive and park AT THE VENUE! Imagine that? Just driving TO the place where you want to see the show and parking there?!?! It's like some sort of wet-dream fantasy!

In case you haven't been paying attention, Dirty Projectors released one of the best albums of the year a couple of weeks ago and tomorrow night's show is Austin's first chance to hear these songs performed live. Swing Lo Magellan picks up right where Bitte Orca left off, with African-rhythms, disconcerting boy-girl harmonies, soulful vocal performances and lyrics that make you go hmmmm. It is not as arresting as Bitte Orca was, simply because it further explores the same themes rather than blowing the doors open on a brand-new sound.


Dirty Projectors - Gun Has No Trigger video via YouTube

This is a bit of a side-bar but what do you think it says about me and/or the internet age that I just spent several minutes searching for a video newer than the Gun Has No Trigger video, which was only uploaded to YouTube a month ago? That's right, something a month old doesn't seem relevant enough to include in a blog post, even though the record that video promotes is only a couple of weeks old and that band is playing tomorrow. Le sigh.

No offense to Wye Oak who will be playing a support set at the Dirty Projectors show tomorrow night but I'm pretty disappointed that Purity Ring are not the support act. They have been on tour with Dirty Projectors on earlier dates this summer and I love them immensely. Wye Oak will certainly put on a solid set but it won't be the mind-blowing amazingness that is a live set from Purity Ring.

Jaill in Austin

Photo Credit: Tom Grimm

Wisconsin-band, Jaill, return to Austin this week touring in support of their latest Subpop Record release, Traps. You can catch them at Red 7's 6th anniversary party tomorrow night. Tickets are only $8 today but they'll be $10 if you wait until tomorrow. Jaill will also be performing at Trailer Space Records this afternoon, which is a free show although donations are accepted (when are they not?) today's show is also BYOB.

For those of you not familiar, Jaill play off-kilter, psychedelically-influenced indie-pop. Their songs sound perfectly pleasant until you start paying attention to the lyrics and then you realize what sick bastards they truly are. They've been making music together for a decade and their latest album is a work of experience. These tunes are road-tested, interesting but not completely out there. It manages to be accessible without being dumb just like the last person you made love to.


Jaill - Perfect Ten video via YouTube

Jaill are on tour with The Coathangers, who are the actual headliners for tomorrow night's show at Red 7. I enjoy them as well but I wanted to highlight Jaill, which is why they received top billing on this post. The Coathangers are an all-female punk band based in Atlanta, their latest album Larceny & Old Lace is a heavy dose of fast, fuzzy guitars with sing-along choruses. They are known for putting on high-energy, infectious live shows that will leave you sweaty and horny, just like the last person you made love to.


The Coathangers - Hurricane video via YouTube

Ava Luna Return to the Mohawk

Ava Luna return to the Mohawk's inside stage tonight in support of their latest album, Ice Level. If you are unfamiliar with Ava Luna, I would call them a more accessible Dirty Projectors. Their music is R&B-influenced avante-pop with thick bass grooves and male-female harmonies. Tonight, they will cram 7 people onto the Mohawk's tiny inside stage and they will pump out some of the slickest, sexiest grooves you've heard from an indie-rock band in years. Tickets are only $10 and you can expect Ava Luna to take to the stage around midnight.


Ava Luna - Wrenning Day video via YouTube

Arrive early tonight to catch Wild Moccasins and Lean Hounds. The doors open at 9pm and Lean Hounds go on at 10pm. Also don't forget, it's a Tuesday night, which means the parking meters are free and it's Tuezgays. So, drink cheap and dance your ass off at Barbarella before and after Ava Luna's set. It's just up the road and you're already downtown. Make a night of it.