After creating music with each other for a decade, Jaysin (of the Austin/San Marcos collective, The Word Association) and Anecha (known previously as Gargamel and as a peripheral member of The Word Association as well) have combined forces to release their debut album, Delta Blues. This Saturday, November 14, a release party for the album will be going down at Austin’s urban art gallery, The Fifth, from 7:oo PM to midnight, complete with free food and beer and other giveaways.

Having described their blend as an independent hip-hop, blues, and jazz kind of experience, Jaysin and Anecha have worked hard to ensure that, out of the variety of their previous and separate projects, this one will be the best to date. With Anecha producing all the beats, and Jaysin providing the lyrics, this time around the pair’s collaboration accurately reflects their individual love of music and the different pieces and styles that have inspired them throughout the years. Using Recycle and Reason to create tracks that sample various movies and artists, live field recordings, and other live instruments, Anecha handed over the work to Jaysin who took everything to Hideout Studios in Austin. After reworking all the tracks one piece at a time to give Delta Blues a more analog feel, Jaysin recorded and mixed the whole project, giving us what we now see as the completed and perfected Delta Blues album.

Not only will free CD’s be passed out among the crowd, but expect some great tunes all night that will be coming to you from San Marcos’ favorite DJ, Chief and the Doomsday Advice. Head over to the EVENT PAGE to RSVP for a completely FREE entry! Hope to see you there!

Over the weekend Austin was treated to the Dos Equis “Most Interesting Show in the World” tour at La Zona Rosa. Walking into the venue you knew this was going to be something out of the ordinary, as La Zona Rosa was decked out in special decorations and lighting complete with a huge projector screen and of course a large portrait of the most interesting man in the world. The bill promised to feature a menagerie of multinational performers, including acrobats, beatboxers, burlesque performers, contortionists, crossbow marksmen and daredevils.

Serving as host and MC for the event was Angelo Moore, a talented poet, spoken word performer, saxophonist and also founding member of the punk rock band Fishbone. During this one-of-a-kind show, I saw a guy put a live scorpion in his underwear while balancing a flaming bowling ball filled with knives on his head. I saw one The Human Beat-Box, Butterscotch get on stage and wow the crowd with an incredible performance that would make the Fat Boys blush. My personal highlight was the The Human Slinky –something that defies description. Check it out:

I saw The World’s Most Dangerous Comic, Mark Faje, knock a cigarette from a volunteer’s mouth with a whip from a distance of about ten feet. I also witnessed the sexy and world famous contortionist Mei Ling, a few crossbow stunts with burlesque performers, a blindfolded knife-thrower, and a rocking closing performance from Fishbone. As if all of that wasn’t enough to make it interesting, there was an overflow amount of free Dos Equis on hand to keep the party going.

The “Most Interesting Show in the World” will continue to delight audiences from coast to coast throughout November, and you can visit the Dos Equis website to follow the rest of the tour. These photos are courtesy of Jesse Knish. Please follow the link to see a full slideshow of the event!

As the economy knocked the stools out from under a good number of people across the nation, food pantries and charity stores, such as St. Vincent de Paul’s pantry and food store in Austin, also witnessed first hand the devastating effects of these trying times. Struggling just to stay open and to feed as many hungry mouths as possible, managers at the St. Vincent de Paul pantry (located at the St. Ignatius Catholic Church) were forced to turn people away empty-handed on Monday because of the current circumstances and lack of supplies. Not only has the number of people needing these services increased, having risen from about 1,500 per month to almost 6,000 in October, but also the economy has expanded the variety of people who seek out charity, growing to include the homeless, the working poor, those working two jobs, and those who just can’t make ends meet.

 

 

Starting this Friday, November 6th, Freebirds on South Congress will be hosting a food and clothing drive for St. Vincent de Paul’s food pantry and store in order to alleviate the pressures that the economy is placing on their charity services. As the holidays approach and the cold weather begins to set in, the drive (which will last throughout the ENTIRE weekend) is a perfect time to give and help out those who may hit even harder times this fall/winter season.

The “kick off” party starts at noon on Friday and lasts until 3 PM. With live performances by the alternative rock/country groups Shurman, The Mother Truckers, and Stonehoney, and delicious food from Freebirds, “BIG hearts” will be there to collect the much-needed donations. But don’t forget… the drive is ALL WEEKEND (and there’s also never a time limit on giving ) Specific items that are needed include:

FOOD: canned goods

CLOTHING: used pants/shirts and new socks/underwear for women men and children

Come eat yummy burritos, listen to some great music, and bring as much stuff as you can carry! For more information, head over to the event page! SEE YOU THERE!

A BIG thanks to all our sponsors, performers and everyone who came out for the Do512/Dos Equis Halloween at the Graveyard.  The party was a HUGE success…about 1200 crazy costume-clad characters came through the doors to indulge in plentiful Dos Equis and Sweet-o-Titos.   There were stilt walkers, fire dancers, 1 million volts of musical electricity, art installations, interactive animation, and hundreds of brilliant costumes. We’d like to give a special thanks to the folks who made this possible: Dos Equis, Sweet Leaf Tea, Titos Vodka, Rozone Productions, The Lemurs, Arc Attack!, Hipnautica, The Businessman DJs, Edge of Imagination Station, & Under Pressure.  Lets wait and see how we can top it next year!

Check out this super cool slo-mo video from our friends at Rusty Screw Productions:

With an extensive and impressive resume that includes occupations ranging from experimental musician and artist to author and international professor, DJ Spooky (also known as Paul D. Miller) will showcase his next large scale multimedia performance work, Terra Nova: Sinfonia Antarctica, in 2 weeks in Austin. This unique work is an acoustic portrait of a final frontier–the uninhabited continent of Antarctica–which has been rapidly changing (relatively unseen) for centuries. Transforming his intimate first person experience with the terrain into multimedia portraits, DJ Spooky brings the continent to contemporary imaginations by reconstructing it in an unprecedented way. Utilizing art as his medium, Miller essentially modernized the concept of exploration.

In Antarctica, DJ Spooky used a portable studio in field recordings, capturing the acoustic qualities of the land’s ice forms–”samples” of environmental sound–which reflect an evolving environment under duress. He portrays a “land made of complex ecological interactions” by recording the sounds of the continent and fusing them with historic, scientific, and geographical visual material. This 70-minute performance is a novel digital reconstruction that follows in the footsteps of environmentalists like Al Gore and films like March of the Penguins in bringing the  mysterious nature of Antarctica to the masses.

On the heels of his highly acclaimed performance work, Rebirth of a Nation, (which has been performed internationally), Sinfonia Antarctica captures a powerful moment centering around man’s relationship with nature and the exploration, through art and music, of a distant terrain.

With his trademark spinning, backed by live music and a visual performance, DJ Spooky brings his environmental message to Austin in 2 weeks, on Friday, November 20, in Hogg Memorial Auditorium on the UT campus. The show starts at 8 PM, and to find out how to get tickets (OR to WIN FREE TICKETS), head over to the event page.

As the cooler air swept into Austin last Halloween weekend, it brought with it the Australian rock, Grammy-winning powerhouse that is Wolfmother–the somewhat polarizing band who manages to split critics’ opinions with their psychedelic rock style, drawing stylistic comparisons to Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Steppenwolf and early Queens of the Stone Age. Regardless of what people compare them to, however, the 4-piece group rolled into Austin touring on their newest album, Cosmic Egg–a sophomore album (and first with the group’s new members) that showcases a gritty, classic guitar rock sound, greatly echoing that of their 2005 self-titled debut. Even with the internal riffs and band break-up that plagued and ultimately purged them during these past 4 years, the “new” Wolfmother managed to put on an extremely crowd-pleasing and original showcase at Stubb’s BBQ this past Friday.

Having been to my fair share of Stubb’s shows, I think it’s safe to say that in order for any act to have a successful night at this venue, they need to pack some solid confidence, wicked tunes, and be able to assemble the masses. Thankfully, Wolfmother delivered. As temperatures slipped into the high 40’s/low 50’s–which as we know, constitutes “freaking cold” in Texas–the massive throng of Wolfmother fans quickly became a rippling block of bodies, as hands and arms flailed in the air, pumping fists, keeping up with the rhythm in what little space they had. To move across the crowd was nearly impossible, as the masses gravitated toward the front, mesmerized by the thrilling throws of  guitar and the raspy yet soaring voice of lead singer Andrew Stockdale. It was everything I imagined a true rock-and-roll concert to be… loud, hard, raw, and highly entertaining. Although stage theatrics were virtually non-existent (save some throbbing colored strobes), the stunning electrical guitar riffs, heaving basslines, and crowd energy were optimal substitutes and ultimately gave the perfect chance for the rawness of the music to be successfully mirrored in the rawness of the performance.

With an enthralling stage presence (no doubt furthered by Stockdale’s signature afro locks and vibrant energy), Wolfmother rocked out on a mix of new and old songs, beginning with a debut album choice “Dimension”, closing out the first set with Cosmic Egg song “In the Castle”, and ending the encore set with fan favorite (and most renowned) “Joker & The Thief.” From the moment they stepped on the stage until (an impressive 18 songs later) the band left Stubb’s, Wolfmother put on one hell of a rock-and-roll show. Hopefully, they’ll be back soon!

[To check out set list and to hear some of the songs, click here!]

As we continue this week’s Hip-hop Wednesday trend, while Tech N9ne and crew play on their K.O.D. tour at Austin Music Hall, universally-acclaimed MC, Rakim, will be pleasing crowds across town at Emo’s alongside fellow rapper Rhymefest.

As one of the earliest trailblazers in the hip-hop genre, Rakim has earned himself titles such as “the greatest rapper of all time” and “the most studied rapper ever” because, as All Music Guide says, “his innovations [in hip-hop] were worshipfully absorbed and expanded upon by countless MCs who followed.” Completely revolutionizing hip-hop lyricism, the MC and rapper has adequately epitomized the cliche “it’s not necessarily what you say, but HOW you say it.” His complex flow, elaborate metaphors, and rapid delivery have been imitated for something around 2 decades, and while he carries it all off with an effortless cool that makes it sound as though he’s not even breaking a sweat, Rakim has successfully raised the bar for MC technique higher than it has ever been. His flow, while smooth and liquid, is packed with jazz rhythms, and he was among the first to demonstrate the possibilities of sitting down and writing intricately crafted lyrics as opposed to dueling out in improvisational battles. With this armory of imitated and intricate talents, Rakim’s work, from his early career through to his comeback material, is surprisingly fresh and ultimately legendary. Having received musical tributes from the likes of Tupac, 50 Cent, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Eminem, Jay-Z, Nas, and The Game, Rakim’s innovative and credible style continues to affect fans and artists alike.

Due out in mid-November, Rakim’s next album, The Seventh Seal, is being considered a somewhat “come-back” album after a 9 year hiatus between new releases. Two singles, Holy Are You and Walk These Streets, have already been released, and the album sees the talent of other noted hip-hop producers and artists such as Jake One, Maino, and Busta Rhymes.

Alongside Rakim at Emo’s will be Rhymefest, the Grammy award-winning American hip-hop artist who co-wrote Jesus Walks alongside Kanye West. Currently awaiting the release of his sophomore album, El Che, Rhymefest has acquired fame through his honest and witty lyrics which avoid over-glorifying the lives of drug-dealers and club-goers and instead focus on the struggles of an average working person. Currently performing on Mark Ronson’s Allido Records label, Rhymefest uses Ronson’s ability to fuse music from different genres together to his advantage, and will no doubt compliment the lyrical stylings of Rakim.

The show goes down at 9:45 at Emo’s (outdoors), and find out how you have a chance to win one of FIVE pairs of FREE TICKETS by heading over to the event page. DON’T MISS OUT!

Sadly, Halloween weekend is officially over. But just because you can’t have a legitimate reason to don an outrageous costume (which, you still totally can, I won’t judge), does not mean that you can’t see some amazing shows that are coming into town this week!

This Wednesday, Nov. 4, Rozone Productions is bringing underground hip-hop powerhouse Tech N9ne into our lovely city’s Music Hall on tour for his newest studio album, K.O.D. (King of Darkness). While making this album considerably more vivid and personal than previous albums, Tech N9ne continues to establish himself as one of underground rap’s most respected artists, boasting a career that has spanned 20 years and 10 studio albums alongside a record of over a million album sales to date. He has consistently proved to be one of the hardest workers in the game, excessively providing memorable tours and always staying true to himself and to his cult fan base. And with shows having a reputation for being bar-setting theatrical showcases, I have a feeling his performance will not disappoint.

Playing alongside Tech N9ne and bringing even more party and grit to the table will be Slaughterhouse, Stevie Stone, and Glasses Malone. All three performers are hitting us with recently dropped albums, and together they showcase a variety of regions and styles of hip-hop. From Stevie Stone repping the Midwest, and Glasses Malone, the West Coast, to Slaughterhouse, a group of 4 MC’s hailing from a variety of places scattered across the country, the K.O.D. tour stands to be a melting pot of different styles of hip hop, which will ultimately create a unique and diverse touring experience. Also performing from Tech N9ne’s Strange Music label will be Krizz Kaliko, Kutt Calhoun, and Big Scoob– even more hip-hop names whose talent will be perfectly showcased amidst this conglomeration of artists.

Get ready to spend your Wednesday getting down with some of hip-hop’s finest! The show starts at 7 PM at Austin Music Hall, and if you head over to the Do512 website, you can find out more information (and don’t forget to click “I Like It” for a chance to win FOUR pairs of FREE TICKETS!!!) See you there!

With the slew of class acts rolling into town next weekend (Nov 7 and 8 ) for Fun Fun Fun Fest, there are TONS of amazing shows going down on Friday (Nov 6), and this is definitely one of them! Next Friday at One2One Bar on 5th and Brazos–also known as “The Little Bar With The BIG Deck”, one of Austin’s top outdoor bars–David Ducharme-Jones will be pleasing crowds with his soulful vocals and esteemed guitar work. This Illinois native (who has been, for some time now, Austin-based) holds an extensive music background and talent to boast, along with a new album (Weeds), which continues to showcase the same smooth and sophisticated stylings that got the artist noted in prominent magazines such as Rolling Stone, Playboy, New Country, and Austin Music. After reviewing the album, Roger Allen from Austin station 107.1 KGSR noted that “in a town full of great guitar players, David Ducharme-Jones is carving out his place at the top of the heap. Sophisticated and fiery, he plays with emotion and style…You gotta hear this guy.” With an eclectic appreciation for rock, blues, jazz, funk and soul, successfully reflected in his live performances and new album, David Ducharme-Jones and his band are guaranteed to be the perfect start to a rockin’ weekend.

The show starts at 8:00 PM, and a good crowd is expected (so come early/stay late to hear fellow Austin band Mike Milligan & the Altar Boyz!) Head over to the website and click I LIKE IT to win one of three FREE TICKETS!!!

For your convenience, we’ve compiled a list of Halloween events you need to know about, to ensure you do Halloween right this year:

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28TH:

Flip Scene’s Halloween Bash 2009 presented by Cherrypeel.com@ The Mohawk

Lucky Lounge’s Halloween “Cheese Ball”@ Lucky Lounge

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29TH:

Midnight Society Presents: Halloween Spooktacular Too!@ Coldtowne Theater

PKWproductions Halloween-themed “Music and a Movie” Live Concert with Night of the Living Dead@ Alamo Drafthouse Lake Creek

The Blacklight Party – A Pre-Halloween event sponsored by Belvedere@ Malaia

SCARE for a CURE: Blood Ritual Haunted House@ Richard Garriott’s Legendary Britannia Manor

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30TH:

 POST Widespread Panic show@ The Parish

Boat Party on Lake Austin with Magnifico

Graham Wilkinson’s Halloween Bash with La Tampiquena, Drew Smiths Loney Choir, and The Trishas @ The Ghost Room

Third Annual Ghoulwill Ball@ The Driskill Hotel

Super Awesome pre-Halloween Extravaganza@ Ginger Man

Zombie Ball @ Sustainable Waves Studios

Lavaca Street Halloween Bash – Beers for Books@ Lavaca Street Bar

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31ST:

Dos Equis and Do512 Present: Halloween at the Graveyard!@ Do512 HQ–RSVP LIST IS CLOSED!!!

Saints and Sinners Exotic Halloween Ball @ Travis County Expo Center

Dismember the Alamo: Dead Snow @ Alamo Drafthouse Lake Creek

Halloween: Magnifico (Queen covers), Foot Patrol (80s/Prince covers), Mostly Dead, 20 Eyes@ Red 7

Monster Show 4 at Domy Books

South Austin Monster Mash@ Jovita’s

HalloWeeN Fish Fry and Karaoke Party at Club Deville

Zombie Ball @ Sustainable Waves Studios

The Belmonster Bash with DJ Logic@ The Belmont

Zombie Fuzz Club@ The Scoot Inn & Bier Garten

Bob Schneider Halloween Party! w/ Love at War@ Antone’s

ZOMBIE PROM at the HIGHBALL@ The Highball

Jon Dee Graham Halloween Release Party!!@ Continental Club

Halloween Party: DJ Gobot@ The Firehouse Lounge

Celebrate Halloween with Maria Maria!@ Maria Maria

Playmate Halloween Ball “My Bloody Vampire”@ The Phoenix

The Small Stars Halloween Bash and Buddy Llamas farewell party @ The Ghost Room

Scaraoke Halloween benefitting Breast Cancer Resource Centers of Texas@ Opal Divine’s Freehouse

14th Annual Halloween Party @ the Cave@ The Bat Cave 3600 McNeil Road

White Ghost Shivers Halloween Ball of Fantasy@ The Mohawk

Halloween Night with Sister 7 and Dertybird@ Momo’s

Halloween at The Independent@ The Independent at 501 Studios

Halloween at Mixx: Warpigs, Whole Lotta Led, and Sad Wings of Destiny@ Mixx

HALLOWEEN SHOW! w/ Pack Of Wolves, Curse the Heavens, Newlywed, Baron God @ Trophy’s

Lucy The Poodle Productions Halloween Party w/Maneja Beto, The Hi-Tones, Planet Rye Co.@ Beauty Bar

SuperTuff Halloween @ Barcelona

Lavaca Street Halloween Bash – All Hallows’ Eve @ Lavaca Street Bar

Elysium’s 8 year Anniversary Halloween Bash@ Elysium

DJ Chicken George’s Old School Halloween Bash@ Malverde

Halloween Metal!!@ Red Eyed Fly

Thrills, Chills, Haunts and Jolts: Jo’s South Congress Hosts Halloween Fun@ Jo’s Coffee South Congress

Sonny’s Halloween Ball! (Shapes Have Fangs, The Soul Proprietors, Shells, DoggyStyle)@ Sonny’s Vintage

Spoiled Royals – Hot Rod Halloween / Kreatures Vintage Car Club Show@ Mean Eyed Cat

Kreatures Car Club 3rd Annual Hotrod Halloween!@ Mean Eyed Cat