Austin Daze

Mandy Lauderdale

Former MTV VJ and “Temptation Island” survivor Mandy Lauderdale talks to Sandra Dada about her career.

Mandy Lauderdale from AMFM STUDIOS LLC on Vimeo.

Johnny Bertram & The Golden Bicycles at Stubbs

Johnny Bertram & The Golden Bicycles make their Stubbs debut this Sunday night. Check their video for “Private Land” shot on location in the Mississippi Delta.

Private Land Official Music Video from Robby Piantanida on Vimeo.

Shawn Pander

John Lennon Songwriting Contest Winner and Dr. Phil-endorsed Shawn Pander has got a new project, manager and producer and you get a sneak peak. Stay until the end…there’s a groovy impromptu jam at the Iguana on Lake Travis, the kind that makes you say….”gotta love living in Austin.”

McRiprock’s Lonestar Sixpack Project

No Justice—Second Avenue: Since 2005, No Justice has dominated the Oklahoma and Texas music scenes both on the stage and through the radio waves. The band’s previous album Live at Billy Bob’s Texas allowed them to wander across the U.S. playing more than 200 dates a year. The lead single from the new album, “Love Song” is described as a story of love lost written from a small-town perspective. Using their small-town roots as both inspiration and recording grounds they never stray far from the alt-country/rock-country sound that got them noticed in the first place. They’ve shared the stage with Willie Nelson, Dierks Bentley, Charlie Robison, Billy Joe Shaver, Pat Green, Jack Ingram and many more.

McRiprock’s Lonestar Six Pack Project

Mainly Lanes—Oomami: Opening track “Nails,” is grounded by the cello and drives unexpectedly into a rock rhythm with accompanying guitars. Toni Zaman’s vocals sting throughout the track pacing with a curious anthem. Mainly Lanes produces a sound that doesn’t fit neatly into a genre. Clearly it has a rock core, but utilizing strings throughout the tracks with Zaman’s vocal tenderness mellows the sound and melts the core nicely. Out of Northampton, MA the band incorporates lyrics that are simultaneously kind, but also dark in essence. It’s an album that finds focus in the complexity of its composition and keeps the listener afloat throughout.

Mixed Martial Artist LaTasha Marzolla at MMA Explosion 2010

Austin Daze in Las Vegas, baby! We catch up with LaTasha Marzolla at the Hard Rock Casino. A woman of amazing grace and power, She tells Tonja Monroe what it’s like to be both a fighter and a mother.

McRiprock’s Lonestar Six Pack

Northern Paradox-Self-Titled EP: Self-described as audio art with a progressive and energetic sound, this Austin quartet captures its audience with influences from ambient punk, folk, blues and dark, indie rock. Beginning in 2005, the band took full shape after moving to Austin and inhabiting its bassist. The new self-titled EP is one that they call a mini album with a release date later in the year. The three dynamic tracks set forth pulsing with odd time signatures, strange changes in rhythm and a vocal hallmark. Emotive sounds accompany lyrics that evoke political and poetic renderings that are often brooding. Pairing the guitar and piano with driving bass and drums rounds out the band’s sound quite nicely.

Brooklyn’s Finest

Holy shit folks! I dug this film. What happaned to this in theatres? I remember hearing about it, but then it disappeared.

Just the right mix of great characters, superb acting, great story and right on direction. This fim is dark as all hell. The three interweaving stories are depressing, shady and tragic. The acting is so well done. This director knows how to elicit great performances. He proved this true with Denzel in “TRAINING DAY.” Here he does it again with Don Cheadle, Ethan Hawke and Richard Gere. The fine line between right and wrong is relative. I can find only one problem, I wanted more of each story. If dark tone does not bother you, I implore you to go out and rent this today. I do not want to delve into the stories here. See it with a clean slate. Not knowing anything but it it is awesome is the way to go. RECOMMENDED!

Total Badass

An insanely funny and wickedly debaucherous new documentary about crime, sex, art, drugs, music and life in the Austin underground. This is a follow up to Russ’s original post which asks the question, Can Chad clean up his life? Hear the answer.

Black Gold Disco

Austin is pitching in to help the clean up efforts on the Gulf. Here is a benefit at the Beauty Bar this Saturday for the Endangered Species Coalition and their oilspill wildlife rescue operations.

Dog Daze of Summer by Rockslide

“You Can Blame the Meteor Showers!”

JUST PERFECT!

Those crisp cool nights back in November & December flood on in. The time passed through our dancing bodies, oh so fast. If you were one of the fortunate souls to be at The Continental Club you know the magic on this new cd by Alejandro Escovedo, called; Street Signs of Love. Last November AND In to December he played a stint of Tuesdaze nights after Toni Price. I was waiting for a ride to snag me so I stayed for the first one. I knew who Alejandro was, maybe had seen him a few times, but nothing really stuck with me. He started and I was sucked in. Needless to say, I did not miss a gig after that first one. Anyway, at these shows he would introduce two new tracks from the (yet to be recorded) new cd amidst his repertoire. Magic ensued. So, I knew for many months that this cd was going to be amazing.His backup band, the sensitive boys and sensitive girls are smokin. The Boss (Bruce Springsteen) sits in on a track. Yes it is that cool. It is also produced by Tony Visconti! This disc is gold. It ranks up there among the greats in my cd collection. Part of this disc includes the lyrics to each tune. You just don’t get that in cds anymore. I thought I knew the song but they become cooler when the real words are seen. Cooler and shattering at the same time. The riffs of “AFTER THE METEOR SHOWER” send me into a state of beauty and lost love. Really an awesome piece of work. Powerful. I am full of joy and tears when i listen to this cd. We plan to interview Alejandro when we can catch him………………… GET THIS DISC!

Maneja Beto

Untitled from AMFM STUDIOS LLC on Vimeo.

Say what? “Man ay ha bay toe.” Or just pronounce it “Indie Rock in Espanol.” Better catch these guys at the Mohawk July 31st if you want to get one of their new CDs. Limited edition CDs will be available at this show only until the wide release November 10th.

The Daze samples “The Shed”

The Shed has been around only a short time, but it’s quickly become a favorite eating spot. The Shed is located by Rabbit’s lounge at the intersection of Chicon and 6th street. The eatery, built by friends on a flat bed trailer, is a great example of American ingenuity and determined entrepreneurship.

One Monday Night at Momo’s by Rockslide

Austin City Limits Season 36 Marches Forward with Trombone Shorty

: Trombone Shorty ACL Taping

Taping for Austin City Limits 36th Season is underway and just wrapped up a great session with New Orleans’ Trombone Shorty. It’s no secret the Austin Daze likes both Austin City Limits and New Orleans music. When the two combine we can barely contain ourselves.

New Release By Flyjack “ON THE ONE”

SOME THINGS JUST SLIP THROUGH THE CRACKS.

It happens. Had this disc in plain site, wrapped for some time. People kept telling me about it. Shit just kept me from opening it, or getting it to HUX (cd reviewer). Today I got to it and gave it a spin. Actually, that was a few hours ago and it is still spinning. God damn yall, this is the funk! If you dig funk like I do, you gotta pick this up. My experience with this genre of music is that the live shows are always way better than the recorded material. I think it has something to do with the room left for improvisation at live shows and the energy and groove of live expression. Yes, yes I am a spoiled bastard to have the luxory of catching live shows on a nightly basis. That’s why I live in this town. I know many of you agree. That is why the heat doesn’t bother me that much. Do yall remember GNAPPY? I liked that outfit. Two guys from that band are behind FLYJACK, Brad and Buck. The players on this cd can be caught in many different jams on a nightly basis. The drummer here used to be the beats for JAMES BROWN. This cd is damn good. My only complaint is that it is too short. That issue is solved by putting the repeat/shuffle function on. This is a groovy disc. “Ain’t it funky now” is my favorite track. I wanna catch a live show. The Momo’s stage would be a nice fit. Maybe double billed with BROWNOUT!, Akina Aderly and the Vintage Playboys, Hector Ward & the big time or Bruce James Soultet. The choices are endless. I just hope FLYJACK plays more often.

McRiprock’s Lonestar Six Pack Project

The .44—In The Red (EP): Ricky Stein was well received as a solo act just over a year ago when he released his 2009 record “Crazy Days.” At the time he was a weekly resident at the legendary Hole in the Wall. During some of those sessions Stein’s high school friends would back the set with bass, keyboard, and drums. Shortly thereafter, the group hit the road for a 17-date East Coast tour for Stein’s promotional release tour. While on the road Stein wrote a few new songs that seemed to point the band in a different direction. Stein’s solo sound was incredibly Americana meets old-school blues, perhaps even with a little Motown twist. He was a blast to watch on stage because he truly embodied his music. He vibrated it just as much as it came straight out of him. On this EP, the twangy down home blues sound is muted to the point where it might be missed altogether (“Trouble All the Same” brings it as much to the forefront as they will put it). The songwriting is strikingly, lyrically strong, but it moves from a darker tone to a mellow vibe just inside the four-song EP. The instrumentation that is the .44 works well with this direction and is noticeable without being distracting. Somehow, even though there is a lot to absorb when listening to the intricacies of the EP it appears incredibly simple. Engineered at Baltimore House Studios, the EP released is apparently just a smattering of what the band is going to lay down on the local scene.

World Beat Cruise on Town Lake

Bemba Entertainment introduced me to one of my new favorite things; music on a boat on town lake. How long have I been here that I have not had that experience? Kinda strange. I have been invited to various boat music parties, something has alwaze come up and the idea is forgotten. NOT GONNA MISS ANOTHER ONE. I have been on a canoe on town lake and been on a music boat halloween thing ON LAKE AUSTIN with The Hairy Apes BMX. That was cool, but this is on town lake. I pass over it many times on normal day. To cruise up and back listening to live music, JESUS, that Is just awesome.

T (TONI PRICE) AND C (THE COVETERS) SHOT BY ROCKSLIDE

The Coveters – A Must See

HERE WE GO AGAIN. This is yet another train that I caught late. Chances are that you have seen them, maybe heard about them. Whatever the case may be, they are smoking right now. The show I caught on tuesdaze was magic. Everything jelled. These folks need to record this. I am all about the live capture. I know some folks disagree. But gathering these talents on a stage and having them play together and off of one another, well, thats just awesome and I think that this experience should be bottled and shared. Oh how I miss DAZE ALIVE RECORDS. Anyway, these folks need to record if they have not done so already. This is a musician band. The talent is just overflowing. I guess or I imagine that everyone came together at a party and hit it off so well that they just decided to make a magic band. However it happened. It did.
I knew of all the players but one and was impressed by her the most. Suzanna Choffel mixed in with great vocals and guitar licks that kept her on stage with the other guys. Her singing is a double edge sword it is smooth and draws you in but it also cuts in deep and you can’t help but to pay attention to her. Mesmerizing. She plays often in town, I will check her out. On fiddle there is Warren Hood, what can I say about this guy? He is a master musician for sure. I have been fortunate to call him a friend and to watch him grow into an unstoppable talent. If you are reading this, chances are you know of him and share the affinity for his craft. If not, you are lucky because he plays often when he is in town (on the road with The Waybacks often) and he will blow you away. Google Warren Hood and The Hoodlems. Jeff Botta on Drums and vocals. Over the years, I have seen the many faces of Jeff Botta in action. He is all over the music scene here in town. I have become friends with him over the years. He adds the back beats & vocals and a sense of humor to the players. Then there is Brad Houser on bass. This guy is everywhere and playing with everyone. From the Dead Kenny G’s to 7 Walkers, I am sure this guy plays multiple gigs almost every night. My friend calls him the “secret weapon” and for good reason. Lastly, there was Ed Jurdi on keys. He normally plays guitar in this outfit but he fills out the spot for Dan Dyer when he is awol (i could be wrong). Awesome. I was recently (very late) turned on to The Band Of Heathens, which he is a part of. I just went back and reread an interview we did with him. The sarcasm is still dripping. This band is chock full of humor. I bet practice is a riot. Ok, Dan Dyer was not there last week. He is regularly on keys. I asked my photographer, Rockslide, to tell me something cool about Dan Dyer in this band. Rockslide texted back that “Dan has a sexy beard.” Take that………… Dan Dyer has much god damn soul.

Read more on The Coveters – A Must See…

Get Thee to Momo’s

THE MUSIC IS ALIVE THERE. The vibe is good. IT IS A PLACE THAT SEEMS TO ME TO BE ALL ABOUT LIVE MUSIC. REAL & LOCAL LIVE MUSIC. On occasion, SOME NATIONAL ACTS PASS THROUGH THE STAGE. TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEEKLY LINE-UP AND YOU’LL SEE THAT THE BLOSSOMING LOCAL TALENT HAS A HOME THERE. GROUPS LIKE BAND OF HEATHENS, BELLEVILLE OUTFIT, WARREN HOOD & THE HOODLEMS, COVERTERS AND TOO MANY TO MENTION, ALL GOT THEIR START THERE. THIS IS A PLACE ABOUT LIVE MUSIC. Didn’t I just say that? It seems THEY ARE WILLING TO BE A TESTING GROUND FOR MUSIC. And in this business that is an admirable thing. Another positive sign is that local promoters flock to the venue with their shows. FunkyBatz and Bemba entertainment as well as others can be found producing stellar gigs there many times a month. I HAVE SOME ACCESS ISSUES WITH THE CLUB (not the club but the building that the club is in) AS I AM IN A WHEELCHAIR. BUT EVERYTIME I AM THERE I AM TREATED VERY WELL AND CARRIED (GRAND PUBAH STYLE) UP THE STEPS AND EVEN ON TOP THE PORCH, (WHICH IS A MUST HANG) TRUST ME. Watching the stars while taking in a show is a pretty cool experience, feels almost festival like. I dig and recommend it. I HOPE THE BUILDING OWNERS PUT A FEW RAMPS. So go to Momo’s. This is a place to support. One of the main reasons I live here is music, and it is good to have a venue that shares that interest.
The Continental Club and Gallery are still my favorite ( almost churchlike, for me) but Momo’s runs a close second ahead of the Saxon and Antones. Check out their site here http://www.momosclub.com/
See you there!

LA Guns Republic Of Texas Biker Rally pictures by Bill Baker

Chris Simmons – Bluesman and Lead Guitarist for Leon Russell

CHRIS SIMMONS from AMFM STUDIOS LLC on Vimeo.

Christine asks Chris Simmons for his opinion on the “state of the blues,” and what it’s like to play and compose with Leon Russell. For more info on Chris’s new CD “Old News To Me”, including the song “Hallelujah Man” he co-wrote with Leon, please go to www.getchrissimmons.com.

Get Him to the Greek

Not sure what happened. I wanted to love this film. Everything was set for gold: the director, the producer, the actors, the characters even the damn premise. LOOK AT THE POSTER, SOUNDS AWESOME RIGHT? Something happened with the execution of the storyline. Maybe there was no story. Ug…?>?

Bomba Estereo

Bomba Estereo from AMFM STUDIOS LLC on Vimeo.

Sandra interview Colombian sensations “Bomba Estereo.” The band explains their pathway since their formation in 2005.

Honey Island Swamp Band

Honey Island Swamp Band from AMFM STUDIOS LLC on Vimeo.

We catch up with Honey Island Swamp Band munching out at Ruby’s BBQ. Their infectious brand of swamp groove earned them “Best Emerging Artist 2009″ by New Orlean’s OffBeat Magazine. Their new CD “Good To You” is available on their website

Band of Heathens

Band of Heathens from AMFM STUDIOS LLC on Vimeo.

Sandra Dahdah interviews the band before their show at Antone’s. The band, who soared to number one on the Americana airplay charts, will be playing again May 28 in New Braunfels at the Whitewater Amphitheater. More information at their website

Bob Ray’s New Film Total Badass

Filmmaker Bob Ray shock bombs the screen with another tale of the Austin underground in his latest doc Total Badass. Ray will be in attendance at this week’s Alamo Ritz screening, along with Chad Holt, the star and subject of Total Badass. Holt is a modern day Texas punk rock version of a Kerouac character; speeding through life on whatever fuels him in a non-stop flurry of writing, drug dealing, singing, stage diving, love making, and guinea pig raising. Spend time with Chad and you’ll witness anything from admiration of wig shop models to philosophical thoughts on the distinct cultural aspects of grease. A hilarious yet complex character, Chad does really stupid things, yet is smart enough to know exactly how much he can get away with. Arrests and probation can’t slow Holt down, as he marches on proudly giving the finger to society. Total Badass takes a hard look at the casualties of partying and soldiering on despite them. Mired in a lifestyle most are too scared to live, Chad survives using his weapons of choice: utterly frank writing, loud music, and a high drug tolerance. A tolerance so high the cartilage between my nostrils disintegrated just from watching the film. Then there’s the sex. And the onscreen sex. Chad’s manhood makes several guest appearances as various Red River skankbags wrap their lips around it. (If reading this offends you, consider it fair warning that watching it will really offend you). Is Chad living the dream? Or is he just wasting his talents on inspired idiocy? This battle of the two Chads is reflected in the poster for Total Badass. Look at the poster one way and see Chad stage diving with adoring fans. Flip viewpoints and Chad is jumping in a trashcan, throwing his life away. New parenting responsibilities puts Chad at the crossroads between his old life and the future. What made life fun in his younger days isn’t working so well for Chad the Father. He knows he needs to change, but can he pull it off? Check out a screening of Total Badass and find out.

Carlos Sosa – Advocate for Musician’s Rights

Untitled from AMFM STUDIOS LLC on Vimeo.

Carlos Sosa, the steam engine behind the wildly successful Grooveline Horns, an in-demand horn section who play with top names such as Jason Mraz, Kelly Clarkson, Willie Nelson, Blues Traveler and many others, talks to Fabrizio of Austin Daze about behind the scenes work with the National Recording Academy and advocacy work for musicians on the local and national level. This is an eye-opening interview, and Austin Daze wants to be part of getting the word out to our state representatives and you too. Austin Daze loves our musicians, and the more people who know about this, the faster the resolution. Get educated. Go to Grammy.com for more information.

Winnebego Man Trailer

Summer’s new action hero!!?!

Saw this a few years back at SXSW I think. Glad it is getting a release.

Austin School of Music

Austin School of Music from AMFM STUDIOS LLC on Vimeo.

Richard Linklater has been a regular client of the Austin School of Music, now in it’s 15th year. Let’s see, Austin School of Music…School of Rock (directed by Linklater)…you make the connection. Owners Dave Sebree, a renowned guitarist and Chet Himes, studio engineer show Reno Perez around.

METV CEO Kevin Kettler Explains New Direction for Austin’s Music Channel

Kevin Kettler, CEO METV from AMFM STUDIOS LLC on Vimeo.

Kevin Kettler talks to Nuno Vasconcellos Jr, (manager of Nuno’s on 6th) about embracing more of the Austin creative community, including filmmakers. He also gives us a tour of the METV headquarters.

Grupo Fantasma’s El Existential…Maria Mesa Chimes in about this New Release

Grupo Fantasma El Existential

In case you lead a sheltered life, Grupo Fantasma is Austin’s premier Latin Orchestra – which puts them high in the running for best in America. Seeing them play live is a magical thing that will keep you moving and sweating and always wanting more. They have been getting lots of well deserved national attention, especially after the release of their last album, the Grammy-nominated Sonidos Gold.
What I like about this band is their amazing ability to blend funk, rock, techno and psychedilia with traditional old school salsa in a completely respectable way. The result is a progressive high-powered soulful sound that has been shaking clubs all over this great land for 10 years now. This is not an easy feat – most often when traditional music is blended with modern sounds the result is a cheapening of both. This does not happen in the masterful hands of Grupo Fantasma. (Tito Puente and Celia Cruz would be very proud…)
El Existential begins with a simple trap set beat playing a funky hip-hop rhythm, then a distorted power chord comes in, then it busts into full on Latin fury that tells you where their hearts really are. The horn section in this band grabs you and never lets go (There is something about the sound of a baritone sax, trumpet and trombone, and the crack of the timbales that lets you know who’s boss.) Guests include Curt Kirkwood of the Meat Puppets and salsa legend Larry Harlow.
Stand out tracks are: Realizando with its funked out intro, El Consejo’s fast tempo and blazing horns, Montañozo with its Spaghetti Western guitar, Calor’s psychedelic feel and once again, those amazing horns, and Araña Cuña’s lose, ambient intro blending into an Afrobeat monster complete with call and response lyrics. The sound is as big in the studio as it is on the stage.
In all honesty, this album may not be as strong as their past releases, not as focused and with a few more mellow interludes than I’m used to from them. But saying that is like saying “Here’s the keys to a Maserati. It only has 700 horsepower, instead of the 725 that you’re used to.” It’s still an amazing piece of work from one of the most powerful musical machines you will ever hear, which means you should buy this CD now.
Grupo Fantasma’s ability to modernize such a traditional style as salsa music makes them one of the few true innovators of the genre today. In a world filled with bland mechanical over-produced pop music, I hope there will be several more decades of Grupo (and their alter-ego “Brownout”) to come.

SuperLiteBike – debuts with “Away We Go”

SuperLiteBike from AMFM STUDIOS LLC on Vimeo.

SuperLiteBike debuted their new Cd “Away We Go” at the Parish to an enthusiastic crowd. When you see this band you might be thinking, whoa…that’s actually Pocketful of Deng, and a new guy. You’re right. It’s Pocketful of Deng with a new attitude and new sound, thanks to the addition of Chris Heckendorn. These guys have some very funny video “flyers” like this. More information on SuperLite Bike at their official website

A Chorus Line – Broadway comes to Bass Concert Hall

A Chorus Line Finale

“A Chorus Line,” the longest running show in Broadway history, has come to Bass Concert Hall on the UT Campus. If you can make it, you should. The cast is comprised of excellent dancers, singers and actors, and held us enthralled throughout the entire performance. There’s a reason this play has survived the years and it’s reprisal does not disapoint. The recipient of no less than 9 Tony Awards and Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the topics are as timely now for the “gypsies” that make up our theater world as they were in 1975, when the play was first introduced at the Schubert Theatre in New York.

The Human Centipede (The First Sequence)

The concept for gross-out indie horror film “The Human Centipede” started with a sick joke. Tom Six, The film’s writer, came up with the concept for the film because whenever he and his friends saw somebody evil on television, he would tell them that “they should stitch his mouth to the ass of a fat truck driver.”

Del Castillo talks about “Machete”

Sandra Dahdah caught up with Del Castillo on Cinco De Mayo and they told her a little bit about their involvement with the new Robert Rodriguez film “Machete.” Remember if this video loads slowly please click on the HD link in the upper right third of the box to make it SD…thanks.

Henry Butler and Art without Boundaries

New Orleanians and Austinites share more than a love for music and a tolerance for pothole ridden streets – both know how to mix having a good time with helping a good cause. Case in point is an Austin fundraiser gala with New Orleans piano professor Henry Butler this Tuesday May 11th at the Palm Door downtown.

Saturdaze Night at Grupo Fantasma’s CD Release Party “El Existential” – Photos by Kyle Woods

Really Awesome Pics Kyle!!!