Who’s the best singer-songwriter from the early 70s? You know the genre: one man, his guitar, and songs with a focus on thoughtful lyrics. In this town full of acoustic guitar slingers, lots will chime in and say Townes Van Zandt or Guy Clark. No one can argue Townes or Guy shouldn’t be mentioned, but lots will overlook Bill Withers. You may ask, Bill Withers the soul guy was a singer-songwriter? Heck yeah he was! The man got his start writing songs on his acoustic guitar. When he played live, it was just Bill sitting still, singing and strumming guitar. Listen to “Ain’t No Sunshine”, it starts with acoustic string picking and tapping foot. His songs are great character stories, it can be the story of his “Grandma’s Hands”, or a neighborhood like “Harlem”. Want a folky anti-war song? Listen to “I Can’t Write Left Handed”. Granted, by his second album, Bill was touring with one of the most energetic backing bands in the business, complete with funky bass and clavinet, and making hits with danceable music like “Use Me”. Underneath all that production and instrumentation still lies a well written song.
New Orleans royalty George Porter Jr. brings his Runnin Pardners to Momo’s tonight. Expect two sets of funk n’ soul that wear a hole in your dancin shoes. Porter laid down bass lines in memorable sessions for Dr John (“Right Place, Wrong Time”), Robert Palmer (“Sneakin Sally Thru the Alley”) and dozens of hits for Lee Dorsey. Porter’s work in the Meters defined the funk genre, creating a standard that still inspires new musicians today. Typical Runnin Pardner sets include Meters songs, cover songs from George’s session work, and Runnin Pardner orignals. The Runnin Pardner band includes Brint Anderson on guitar, a former Austinite and leader of Austin band Coupe De Ville, known for their gigs with Stevie Ray and Dr. John back in the day.
Check the supreme funkiness of George and the Meters on this 1974 TV special. That’s George on the left in a solid white cape suit looking like a kung fu action hero. On percussion is south Austin resident Cyril Neville. Yeah you right!
Food tells a lot about a local culture. When making gumbo, don’t “ask what goes in it?” Ask “what do you have?”, cause anything and everything goes in gumbo. Gumbo explains New Orleans, it’s a mix of different influences and traditions, everything truly goes in New Orleans. Ya-Ka-May, also called Ya Ka Mein, is a similar multi-ethnic dish. A noodle soup invented in the cultural stew of New Orleans, Ya-Ka-May has unclear origins. Possibly brought back to New Orleans by black veterans of the Korean War, it’s been jokingly called Seoul Food. Ya-Ka-May is a fitting title for Galactic’s new album – it’s a musical mix of influences. Ya-Ka-May is Galactic with guests from a wide range of New Orleans styles: a brass band, a soul queen, a Mardi Gras Indian, a funky piano professor, a tailgate trombonist, a fiesty Creole singer, a traditional jazz band, a bluesy Wolfman guitarist, hip-hop booty bouncers, sleep deprived garage rockers, and a trumpet player with the word “Trombone” in his nickname. Yet the album has a cohesive sound, each song sounds distinctly like a Ya-Ka-May song. This is Galactic’s drums and brass album, everything not a beat or a horn is down in the mix or used minimally to great effect.
Hello Darlings….
Fun Fun Fun Fest 2009 is off to an absolutely fantastic, funtastic start.
With seemingly more people than ever this year, this growing festival is still a great experience, still with plenty of room and without people fighting for their turf up front.
After catching early shows from Sugar and Gold and the mega-funky Foot Patrol (music for those with a foot fetish), I caught Shonen Knife’s set. This all female trio from Osaka, Japan showed us what women can do with guitars and choreographed stage moves. They wowed an exuberant crowd with their poppy songs and eye-popping fluorescent dresses.
I next heard Vega, a disco rock dance that put on an exciting performance with their combination of synthesizer, bass and drums. Keep your ears out for this outfit in the future.
Then came the highlight of the day for many, including me – The Sword. Playing with purpose and enthusiasm, they blew away the audience with their combination of killer tone and incredible riffs. It got me to thinking that great riffs are one of the things that are sadly lacking from rock n roll today. Thanks to The Sword for bringing them back!
Athens, Georgia’s Dead Confederate rocked me with their reverb and delay drenched sounds. Their dynamic music was both atmospheric and driving, and the members were completely absorbed in their performance, drawing you in along with them.
The much anticipated group Death started their set as night began fall, and were mightily impressive. They were nearly unheard of before their recently discovered 1974 demo was found in an attic and released by Drag City records. Proving themselves way, way, way ahead of their time, this Detroit trio played garage rock that would have sounded progressive even if it had been written ten years later.
Day 2 of Fun Fun Fun Fest promises to deliver many more thrills. Be sure to stop by Waterloo Park and catch it if you can. My picks for the day include Street Dogs, Lucero and Mission of Burma. Look out for me at those stages Darlings, and keep an eye on the Daze website for photos, interviews and more reviews.
It was still hot as hell at 9:30 when Tortoise started at Mohawk and it was close to capacity so it took a second to find a good place to stand. A couple songs in and I found a place
and was able to get into the hypnotic grooves. Indie, jazz, dub , prog, synthetic, organic – there isn’t a word for Tortoise because they have created such a unique sound and stuck to it for over 15 years. It’s a sound that sucks you in and puts you in a trance, the tight arrangements and jagged turns keep you engaged. Minimalist videos projected behind the band add so much flavor, are so integral to the show, there is a sense that the creator is member of the band, his projector an instrument.
Their unique stage set up was a bit small for the Mohawk stage. They have two drum sets facing each other in the very front and two vibes facing inward on the sides, these were pretty much
blocked from view by the huge speakers and guitar bass and keys in the back.
It’s great watching them switch around to different instruments somehow they manage to do it without it seeming like a schtick.
Occasionally they flirt with the cheese but always jump out just in time and hit you over the head with some dissonance. The crowd was enthralled – obviously all hard core fans. I left during the second encore to go catch the tale end of Roky Erickson at Antone’s.
BettySoo is a singer/songwriter with a large voice and an even larger musical spirit. Austin Daze got the chance to speak with the Texas girl about her upcoming album, family ties, and what she could have ended up doing if she wasn’t hypnotizing us with her songs.
AUSTIN DAZE: I’ve read that people are usually surprised that someone with a Korean heritage is creating the songs that you do. How do you feel about that and do you have a Korean fan base? Read the rest of this entry »
Nite Jewel is touted as one of SXSW 2009’s Top Ten Acts to Watch. Austin Daze got to have a little chat with the star that’s making recording on an eight-track cassette recorder cool.
Interview by Rosie Gomez.
AUSTIN DAZE: What made you pursue this particular sound?
NITE JEWEL: As a result of being isolated and broke.
AUSTIN DAZE: How has the economy affected your business?
JODY DENBERG: It’s just brutal. We’ve lost people. People that have worked here for a long time and it has just broken my heart. Advertising is down. People are cutting back on what they are advertising, then they all want ads for much cheaper, than you have to try to run enough ads to cover your budget-from that point of view it’s been brutal. And really, regardless of whether you are a number 1 rated station or a number 12 rated station, it’s just difficult all the way around. Read the rest of this entry »
Fwd: Petition to Obama to Appoint a Secretary of the Arts
“Quincy Jones has started a petition to ask President-Elect Obama to appoint a Secretary of the Arts. While many other countries have Ministers of Art or Culture for centuries, The United States has never created such a position. We in the arts need this and the country needs the arts–now more than ever. Please take a moment to sign this important petition and then pass it on to your friends and colleagues.”
Then I received it again. And again after that. By week’s end it appeared in my inbox 7 times. I felt the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. The internet was flexing its virile muscle in a way that could not be ignored: community people calling to action a community movement.
Obama, are you listening?
I tracked down the man (there are two, actually) behind this thing and a couple of emails later, the Daze had an interview with Peter Weitzner, a professional musician in New York City. Below is the story of the little petition that could.
It’s that time again. Awards season. And while we have absolutely no say in how those little gold statues get handed out it won’t stop us from putting our two cents in mostly because we love to read ourselves write, are never short on opinions, and well, can. Incidentally, you can too. Feel free to add your thoughts on films/television/even music you loved this year. We would love to hear from you.
The 60s were a great time, and Will Taylor from Strings Attached converses with guest singer Suzanna Choffel and Strings regular Steve Zirkel about the significance of the era and it’s effect upon today’s music, unbeknownst to our youth.
THE WALK, STRIDE OR STROLL ( TAKE YOUR PICK) OUT OF A PRESS SCREENING IS CHAT CITY. EVERYONE USUALLY WANTS YOU TO KNOW THEIR EDUCATED THOUGHTS AND TO GET A GRASP OF YOURS. I LOVE IT AND I HATE IT. I AM AKIN TO PONTIFICATE AND AM DRAWN TO SUCH THINGS, BUT MOST TIMES AFTER JUST SEEING A FILM, I NEED TO LET IT SINK IN BEFORE I KNOW HOW I FEEL. I USUALLY KEEP SILENT AND HIDE BEHIND MY PARTNER IN CRIME AS SHE TELLS THE PRESS SCREENER GUY SOMETHING WITTY. LAST WEEK AFTER THE MILK SCREENING NO-ONE SAID A WORD. WE ALL (IT WAS A FULL HOUSE) EXITED IN SILENCE. HOPE AND OUTRAGE WERE RINGING IN MY EARS.
A GREAT FILM. A SHOE-IN FOR MANY OSCARS. GUS VAN SANT AND SEAN PENN ARE DESERVING OF RECOGNITION. Read the rest of this entry »
Daisy: Last time I saw Street Dogs, you were opening for Tiger Army.
Mike McColgan: At Emo’s.
DR: I think it was here at Red 7.
MM: Was it Red? We’ve been on a lot of tours, so forgive me. It becomes like a blur sometimes. That was an excellent tour. And truth be told, when we play in Texas, Austin always goes off whether we’re playing Red 7 or Emo’s. It’s always been good to us, whether we’re doing tour support or headlining. Read the rest of this entry »
It’s Thursday and I’m just getting around to wrapping up my ACL experience (the NY Times only put theirs out yesterday so I’m thinking I’m not the only one that needed some time to recover). “Wrap up” means “highlights” which means whipping out the trusty old “category sections” (it’s all particularly effective for a writer whose brain is still functioning at half-mast). Here we go:
Well, yesterday was fraught with all kinds of technical difficulties for me, so I was unable to post anything, including video. Today is looking up (I’m actually online!!), so I will be doing all I can to get some video up. I know that some of you are looking for the Air Sex video…I know you….
Day 2:
It was good to see the festival starting to gain full strength yesterday. Folks finally able to get out for the weekend to kick back and really submerge themselves in some good, old fashioned fantasy, surrealism, gore, violence.
Earlier in the day, many people had some specific films they were looking forward to seeing: The Substitute, Repo! The Genetic Opera, Surveillance and The Wreck. And from the follow-up that I got from those folks, they were all they could have ever wanted and more. Didn’t get a chance to see them, but luckily I will have a second chance during the second half of the festival. Read the rest of this entry »
Chazz Palminteri came to Austin to tell the tale first captured in the 1993 film of the same name. A Bronx Tale also starred Robert De Niro, and remains on many “best films of all time”. To compare it fairly to a stage version in which Chazz Palminteri plays every role would be futile. That doesn’t mean your brain won’t try. In order to appreciate this night of theater, I would urge you to try not to. On its own, A Bronx Tale the play is a strong theatrical accomplishment for the actor whose life it is based on. An opportunity to showcase his acting chops with no less than 15 characters and overall, he pulls it off. His strongest character is Sonny, who he played in the film, and he inhabits him like a second skin. It helps, no doubt, that Sonny has the most colorful and complex profile and the best lines-both comic and profound. Read the rest of this entry »
Kara Grainger’s new CD release “Grand and Green River” flows with soulful melodies and energetic arrangements. Her songwriting skills and musicianship are apparent throughout reminding me of Bonnie Raitt She is playing the Saxon Pub as her CD release party in Austin. Show is 11pm, Friday August 22nd, $10.
Jet wrote:
Press Release – I like Pot, I like it a Lot! Heard throughout South Austin last night – Jet Baker Stoner Love Songs CD Release Party / Benefit for NORML – Announcing a DVD will be created to benefit NORML
Ruta Maya International Headquarters was apparently the place to be if you were anywhere near Austin Texas on August 4th 2008. Cars, trucks, scooters and bikes owned Jet Baker fans and NORML supporters filled the parking lots and side streets around Penn Field. The residents of the new “fancy like” condos adjacent to Ruta Maya were welcomed with the sounds of “Who Who Who, Who got the Marijuana” as Jet Baker launched into his 1 hour and 10 minute set.
After everyone danced their butts off to the set by Burro Magic and The Blood Diamond, Jet Baker welcomed Josh Shimberg, President of Texas NORML to the stage. Josh updated the crowd on how NORML is influencing changes in marijuana laws right here in our community. He know how to get a crow fired up. Josh was interrupted often by ‘hell yeahs’, “right ons”, and spontaneous Texas style hootin n hollerin in support of NORML. After a few more Jet Baker songs including Britney for President, Jet introduced Matt Finkel, Pro Cannabis Libertarian Candidate for the 10th Congressional District in Texas (right here in Austin). Matt introduced himself and spoke on his candidacy and his pro-marijuana position. Read the rest of this entry »
Who’s the best singer-songwriter from the early 70s? You know the genre: one man, his guitar, and songs with a focus on thoughtful lyrics. In this town full of acoustic guitar slingers, lots will chime in and say Townes Van Zandt or Guy Clark. No one can argue Townes or Guy shouldn’t be mentioned, but lots will overlook Bill Withers. You may ask, Bill Withers the soul guy was a singer-songwriter? Heck yeah he was! The man got his start writing songs on his acoustic guitar. When he played live, it was just Bill sitting still, singing and strumming guitar. Listen to “Ain’t No Sunshine”, it starts with acoustic string picking and tapping foot. His songs are great character stories, it can be the story of his “Grandma’s Hands”, or a neighborhood like “Harlem”. Want a folky anti-war song? Listen to “I Can’t Write Left Handed”. Granted, by his second album, Bill was touring with one of the most energetic backing bands in the business, complete with funky bass and clavinet, and making hits with danceable music like “Use Me”. Underneath all that production and instrumentation still lies a well written song.
BettySoo is a singer/songwriter with a large voice and an even larger musical spirit. Austin Daze got the chance to speak with the Texas girl about her upcoming album, family ties, and what she could have ended up doing if she wasn’t hypnotizing us with her songs. 
USTIN DAZE: How has the economy affected your business?
THE WALK, STRIDE OR STROLL ( TAKE YOUR PICK) OUT OF A PRESS SCREENING IS CHAT CITY. EVERYONE USUALLY WANTS YOU TO KNOW THEIR EDUCATED THOUGHTS AND TO GET A GRASP OF YOURS. I LOVE IT AND I HATE IT. I AM AKIN TO PONTIFICATE AND AM DRAWN TO SUCH THINGS, BUT MOST TIMES AFTER JUST SEEING A FILM, I NEED TO LET IT SINK IN BEFORE I KNOW HOW I FEEL. I USUALLY KEEP SILENT AND HIDE BEHIND MY PARTNER IN CRIME AS SHE TELLS THE PRESS SCREENER GUY SOMETHING WITTY. LAST WEEK AFTER THE MILK SCREENING NO-ONE SAID A WORD. WE ALL (IT WAS A FULL HOUSE) EXITED IN SILENCE. HOPE AND OUTRAGE WERE RINGING IN MY EARS.
Chazz Palminteri came to Austin to tell the tale first captured in the 1993 film of the same name. A Bronx Tale also starred Robert De Niro, and remains on many “best films of all time”. To compare it fairly to a stage version in which Chazz Palminteri plays every role would be futile. That doesn’t mean your brain won’t try. In order to appreciate this night of theater, I would urge you to try not to. On its own, A Bronx Tale the play is a strong theatrical accomplishment for the actor whose life it is based on. An opportunity to showcase his acting chops with no less than 15 characters and overall, he pulls it off. His strongest character is Sonny, who he played in the film, and he inhabits him like a second skin. It helps, no doubt, that Sonny has the most colorful and complex profile and the best lines-both comic and profound. 
Kara Grainger’s new CD release “Grand and Green River” flows with soulful melodies and energetic arrangements. Her songwriting skills and musicianship are apparent throughout reminding me of Bonnie Raitt She is playing the Saxon Pub as her CD release party in Austin. Show is 11pm, Friday August 22nd, $10.
