Show Spotlight: Red River Noise presents The Soldier Thread, Pop Pistol & Rebecca Butler | March 31st at Frank

One of the best bands I saw during this years FREE WEEK was a band called Pop Pistol. They played our co-sponsored show with Austin Vida and everyone was blown away by them and what was funny is that they weren't even from Austin but rather San Antonio. I have been a huge fan ever since and we even had them booked for our initial (and ill fated) SXSW event. This week I was excited to see that they were named "Best Indie Rock" band by the San Antonio Current (pictured above) and lucky for us in Austin they will be back in town Saturday night at Frank. Even better news is that they will be preforming with an equally stellar band The Soldier Thread. Don't miss out on this great show.

Here are the details.

12:00 AM - The Soldier Thread
11:15 PM - Pop Pistol
10:30 PM - Rebecca Butler & The Richards
9:30 PM - DOORS

Do512: http://do512.com/event/2012/03/31/red-river-noise-presents-the-soldier-thread-pop-pistol-rebecca-butler-the-richards

Saturday March 31st
Show presented by Red River Noise. All ages are welcome. $7 cover.
Frank is located on 4th and Colorado (but you should know that by now because it's awesome)
www.austinvida.com
www.satxmusic.com

SXSW 2011 Film Spotlight: Taken By Storm

Head to your record collection and grab a handful of albums at random. Chances are you'll be holding at least one piece of iconic imagery from English graphic designer, Storm Thorgerson.

Taken By Storm: The Art of Storm Thorgerson and Hipgnosis documents the life and work of the man responsible for so many of rock's visual masterpieces. His album cover resume includes Led Zeppelin, Yes, The Mars Volta, Muse and several others. But it his work with Pink Floyd where he is at his best. It is a nearly impossible feat to listen to any Floyd album and not conjure up images of factories, light breaking through prisms, or industry "suits" on fire.

Taken By Storm premiers tonight at 9pm at the Alamo Ritz with additional screening throughout the week.

ACL 2010 | Spotlight: The Morning Benders

ACL Discovery Series: The Morning Benders

The Morning Benders are one of the most exciting bands that we have had the pleasure to come across this year. Listen to the track "Excuses" and I dare you not to fall in love with this band. Since their explosive run at this years SXSW (including a stop at our SXSW show) the band released one of the best albums out this year "Big Echo", done the festival circuit and toured with Broken Bells and Black Keys. "Big Echo" is filled with so much sunny pop that you can't help but make Brian Wilson comparisons. To really get a feel of the band check out this video of them performing "Excuses" on Yourstru.ly.

Now the band makes their way back to Austin for a 3:00pm slot on Sunday performing on the Lady Bird Lake Stage. We expect great things from this band so we highly suggest catching them early on so when the are headlining in a few years you can brag to your friends. Don't believe us? We said the same thing about Arcade Fire....

The Morning Benders at Austin City Limits
Sunday October 10th
3:00pm | Lady Bird Lake Stage
[Website]

Show Spotlight: Here We Go Magic at Emo's Tomorrow Night (8/4)

Here We Go Magic will be making their first of two stops in Austin tomorrow night. The band will also be in town supporting Dr.Dog on Nov. 12 but this is the headlining show and the one you shouldn't miss. The band has been on our radar for a while now and we even had them at our SXSW show in March. Since then they have played shows around the world along side White Rabbits and New Pornographers.

Again, the show takes place at Emo's and the band will joined by Beach Fossils and Oh No Oh My. You can buy tickets at the link below or take your chance at winning one of the two pairs we are giving away on Twitter today. Go follow us now to win! (@ultra8201)

Here We Go Magic w/ Beach Fossils and Oh No Oh My

Wednesday August 4th

Emo's (Outside)

Tickets: $12 Door / $10 Advance [Purchase] | Doors at 9pm

Show Spotlight: 2010 : A Dance Odyssey | New Years Eve

We are giving away 2 pairs of tickets on Twitter today, follow us to win! (@ultra8201)

The Details:

Blast into the future with a heart pounding, foot stomping, and light blaring night with Zeale, Missions, The White White Lights, Prepmode, Markus (with a K), and DJ Czech One on New Year's Eve. Zeale, who recently toured with Jason Mraz and who is expected to open up for Lil Wayne, will be headlining and MC’ing the night.

In addition, courtesy of Couch Professor Entertainment, the first 100 people will receive two complimentary drink tickets. Ticket price includes a complimentary champagne toast when the clock turns midnight courtesy of Mosaic Wine Group, and complimentary food will be provided courtesy of Chipotle and Austin Daily Press.

As an added bonus, those that purchase an advance ticket will have a chance to win a SXSW platinum badge (worth $1,225) courtesy of The Parish.

This event is presented by Couch Professor Entertainment and The Parish along with the support of Mosaic Wine Group, Chipotle, The Onion, TwoGroove, Ultra8201 (!), Chrontourage and Austin Daily Press.

For more information and to purchase advance tickets, please visit The Parish's new website, www.theparishaustin.com. The event begins at 8 PM and ends at 2 AM. This event is 21 and up only. The Parish is located on 214 East Sixth Street, Austin, Texas 78701.

SXSW 2009: SXSW Music & Art Show @ Monstrosity (3/18) :: FREE

SXSW Music & Art Show @ Monstrosity

Wednesday, March 18th (5PM - Midnight)

2514 Wilson St. | Austin, TX

FREE

Lineup:

Harlowe (5:00PM)

FM Campers (6:00PM)

Crime Novels (6:45PM)

Diagonals (7:15PM)

Crocodiles (8:00PM)

Bang Bang Eche (8:45PM)

French Miami (9:30PM)

The Golden Filter (10:15PM)

We Have Band (11:00PM)

Read our SXSW Spotlight on The Golden Filter here.

SXSW Spotlight: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

If you're looking for some fuzzy, catchy pop that will cheer you up, look no further than The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. The foursome from New York took their name from an unpublished children's story that a friend of singer Kip Berman wrote of the same title.

Their music style reminds me of the late eighties/early nineties and brings me back to the good old days of being a kid. If you delve more into their lyrics, you realize it's not all happy and they actually have an edge to their music, which somehow makes it even better.

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Come Saturday (mp3)

They recently just played a gig in New York with Trail of Dead and Brooklyn Vegan was there to snap pictures. The band's SXSW itinerary includes TEN shows, making it almost impossible to not see them this year in Austin. Don't miss them, you'll regret it later.

[Purchase their debut, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart]

SXSW Tour Dates:

03/18 - Austin, TX @ Red 7 :: Terrorbird/Force Field Party (4:35pm)

03/18 - Austin, TX @ Ms. Bea's :: Todd P + NY Noise Showcase (9:00pm)

03/19 - Austin, TX @ Radio Room :: Paste/Brooklyn Vegan Party (1pm)

03/19 - Austin, TX @ Malverde :: IAMSOUND & 'Sup Magazine Party (3:45pm)

03/19 - Austin, TX @ Opal Divine's :: Green Label Sound Showcase (10pm)

03/20 - Austin, TX @ Emo's Jr. :: Pitchfork Windish Austin Bash (2pm)

03/20 - Austin, TX @ Fader Fort (3:45pm)

03/20 - Austin, TX @ 1204 Salina St. :: ATJ Unofficial House Party (6:30pm)

03/20 - Austin, TX @ Emo's Jr. :: Slumberland & Cake Shop Showcase (11pm)

03/21 - Austin, TX @ Waterloo Records :: Instore (1pm)

Check out all of our other 2009 SXSW Spotlights here. Also, find the rest of their 2009 tour dates here.

[The Pains of Being Pure at Heart Myspace]

[The Pains of Being Pure at Heart Official Site]

[SXSW Official Music Site]

(Photo cred: Kendra Elise and Pavla Kopecna)

SXSW Spotlight: Kuroma

Kuroma is a band more people should be writing about in the near future. Our good buddy Aaron introduced us to them a few weeks back and w've been digging them ever since.

Kuroma is a project of Hank Sullivant, a former member of The Whigs and one-time touring guitarist of MGMT. While a member of The Whigs, Sullivant recorded a number of trippy, psychedelic-influenced demos, including a number of tracks that would ultimately find their way onto the Kuroma release Paris. After leaving MGMT just after last year's SXSW he resumed focus on Kuroma, now officially comprising of drummer Ben DuPriest (formerly of The Pendletons) and bassist Nick Robbins (ex-Velveteen Pink).

Kuroma - Alexander Martin (mp3)

They don't have a Myspace (on purpose) but they do believe in having an official site, which has eight songs up on it. I personally like "Searching For A Sheep" and "I Was A Rat".

Check out the video "In New York, Everything is Tropical"

SXSW Tour Dates:

3/19 - Austin, TX @ Opal Divine's :: Green Label Sound Official SXSW Showcase (8:45PM)

3/20 - Austin, TX @ Austin Convention Center :: SESAC Day Stage Cafe (3:30PM)

3/20 - Austin, TX @ Ace's Lounge :: NME Official SXSW Showcase (8:00PM)

Additional national tour dates can be found here.

[Kuroma Official Site]

[Kuroma Youtube]

SXSW 2009: Lose Control Party (3/19 - 3/21) :: RSVP Info

Lose Control SXSW Party

Thursday, March 19th - Saturday, March 21st

Noon - 2am

Canvas (105 E. 5th St., Suite 113) | Austin, TX

21+

[RSVP HERE]

Lineup:

Thursday - March 19th

The Twelves

Don Rimini

Juiceboxx

Jokers On The Scene

Mickey Factz

We Have Band

Designer Drugs

Codebreaker

Kap10kurt

The Hood Internet

Kap Bambino

Jeremy Dawson (Shiny Toy Guns)

Nomathmatics

Richard Gear

Culture Prophet

Ocelot

Saskeii

Bradley D

Friday - March 20th

Le Castle Vania

The Golden Filter (Check out our SXSW Spotlight)

Kill The Noise

Villains

Steed Lord

Nick Catchdubs

Nadastrom

Hollywood Holt

Eli Smith

Casiokids

Woodhands

The Republic Tigers

Delta Fiasco

D.R.I.

Willy Joy

Max Justus

Saturday - March 21st

Treasure Fingers

Miami Horror

Evil Nine

All The Saints

Franki Chan & Toxic Avenger

Wallpaper

Vega

Jackbeats

Futurecop

AC Slater

Trashyourself

Totally Michael

Norrit

Iggybaby

Big Stereo DJS

D.R.I.

Flashmen

SXSW 2009: IAMSOUND & 'Sup Magazine Present All That Sparkles Party (3/19) :: RSVP Info

IAMSOUND, 'Sup Magazine, & This Is Music:  All That Sparkles SXSW Party

Thursday, March 19th (noon - 8pm)

Malverde (2nd and Guadalupe) | Austin, TX

21+

[RSVP HERE]

Lineup:

7.10 Little Boots
6:20 Telepathe
5:30 The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
4:40 The Mae Shi
3:50 Micachu and the Shapes
3:00 Mapei
2:10 Suckers
1:20 Glasser
12:00 Sebastien Grainger (DJ Set)

Check out our SXSW Spotlight on Little Boots.

[IAMSOUND Records]

['Sup Magazine]

[This Is Music]

SXSW 2009: 4th Annual Pitchfork/Windish Austin Bash (3/20) :: FREE

Damn, what a lineup!

4th Annual Pitchfork/Windish Austin Bash

Friday, March 20th (noon - 6pm)

Emo's/Emo's Jr. (603 Red River St.) | Austin, TX

FREE

Lineup:

12:00 - Girls (Emo's Jr.)

12:30 - The Mae Shi (Emo’s)
1:00 - Little Boots (Emo’s Jr.)
1:30 - Max Tundra (Emo’s)
2:00 - The Pains of Being Pure at Heart (Emo’s Jr.)
2:30 - Woods (Emo’s)
3:00 - School of Seven Bells (Emo’s Jr.)
3:30 - Wavves (Emo’s)
4:00 - Dirty Projectors (Emo’s Jr.)
4:30 - King Khan & the Shrines (Emo’s)
5:00 - A-Trak/Major Lazer [ft. Diplo] (Emo’s Jr.)
5:30 - Department of Eagles (Emo’s)

Read our SXSW Spotlight on Little Boots. Also, follow us on Twitter.

SXSW Spotlight : White Lies

UK buzz band White Lies are exalted in their homeland and are fast catching steam on U.S. soil, too.  Just yesterday the young lads made their cover debut on influential UK publication, NME , as the new face of the dark indie movement permeating from across the pond.  The trio are relentlessly touring Europe at the moment, will kick off the U.S. leg of their tour at SXSW and are also confirmed to perform at this year’s Coachella. (see dates below) The first single To Lose My Life makes its U.S. premiere March 17.  

Check out the new title track remix from Filthy Dukes, who rework their catchy hooks and ominous tones to create a melancholy electronic masterpiece.

 “To Lose My Life” (Filthy Dukes rmx) 

We also have the song, "Death" for you to check out as well.

White Lies - Death (mp3)

US Tour Dates

March

3/20 SXSW

3/21 SXSW

3/25 Philadelphia, PA- First Unitarian Church    

3/26 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom                      

3/27 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom                

3/28 Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club             

3/30 Montreal, QC - Les Saints             

3/31 Toronto, ONT - Lee's Palace       

April

4/1 Ann Arbor, MI - Blind Pig   

4/2 Indianapolis, IN - Radio Radio

4/3 Chicago, IL - Double Door                   

4/4 Minneapolis, MN - Triple Rock Social Club   

4/7 Seattle, WA - Neumo's                   

4/8 Vancouver, BC - Richard's on Richards      

4/9 Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge               

4/11 San Francisco, CA - Slims  

4/17 Indio, CA - Coachella                  

ACL Spotlight: The Black and White Years

The Black and White Years are a local band that has an electric/rock sound. The guys formed the band in 2006 in Nashville, TN and moved to Austin to fulfill their dreams in the greatest music city in the nation. They have graduated from playing Beauty Bar, to packing them in at Stubb's inside, to now performing at one of the biggest festivals in the nation.

Discovered by Jerry Harrison of the Talking Heads during a SXSW show (another reason Austin is great by the way) at Opal Divine's. Supposedly there were 15 people there that day, but it shows you how you can never tell who might be watching you. Mr. Harrison liked what he saw and decided to produce their debut album.

You can also check them out on RCRDLBL.

The Black and White Years - Power To Change (mp3)

[Buy The Black and White Years album on iTunes]

The Black and White Years at ACL
September 27 (Saturday) 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm
On the Austin Ventures stage

[The Black and White Years Official Site]
[The Black and White Years Myspace]

ACL Spotlight: Okkervil River

Many people may not realize, but Okkervil River have been around since 1998. The band takes its name from a short story by Russian author Tatyana Tolstaya. Their members may have changed over the years, but there remains one constant, singer and Will Sheff. His amazing songwriting fits perfectly with the band's intricate music.

They formed here in Austin and they have numerous EPs and also five albums in their catalog: Don't Fall in Love with Everyone You See (2002), Down the River of Golden Dreams (2003), Black Sheep Boy (2005), The Stage Names (2007), and The Stand Ins which was released earlier this month.

In addition to releasing a new record, Okkervil River also have their own page on Youtube which shows other musicians such as Bon Iver and David Vandervelde performing covers of songs off The Stand Ins.

Here's what some had to say about The Stand Ins:

"[Okkervil River] are a ban poised for greatness, and The Stand Ins may very well be the record to take them there. 9/10"
-Popmatters

"Frentically catchy...Okkervil River builds each flimsy illusion as if, for the moment, it's all that matters."
-The New York Times

Notable performances include opening for Lou Reed at the grand opening of New York's Highline Ballroom, performing on Conan O' Brien, and as the backup band for Roky Erickson at the Austin Music Awards at this year's SXSW. They've also played with The New Pornographers and The Decemberists.

Okkervil River - Lost Coastlines (mp3)
Okkervil River - Our Life is Not A Movie or Maybe (mp3)
Okkervil River - The President's Dead (mp3)
Okkervil River - No Key No Plan (mp3)
Okkervil River - Black (mp3)
Okkervil River - For Real (mp3)
Okkervil River - It Ends With a Fall (mp3)

Here's Okkervil River performing "Big Black Car" on Black Cab Sessions.

Okkervil River at ACL
September 28 (Sunday) 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
On the AT&T Blue Room Stage

Official ACL Aftershow
Saturday, September 27
Okkervil River, Man Man, Crooked Fingers @ Emo's (outside)
Doors open at 10pm, show starts at 10:30pm
[Buy Tickets] $16

[Okkervil River Official Site]
[Okkervil River Myspace]
[Tour Dates]

[Photo by FXR]

ACL Spotlight: Fleet Foxes

Fleet Foxes were a late surprise addition to this year's Austin City Limits Festival, after taking over for Ingrid Michaelson. The Seattle band has already been to Austin a few times this year, once for SXSW and the other a SOLD OUT show at Mohawk in July. They've also toured with Wilco and Death Cab for Cutie. Very impressive for a band with a couple of EPs, Fleet Foxes (self-released) and Sun Giant, and just one album, Fleet Foxes released via Sub Pop.

[Buy Sun Giant EP]
[Buy Fleet Foxes Album]

The five young members of Fleet Foxes are in their early twenties but their lyrics suggest otherwise. Their music draws influence from a number of great bands, but The Beach Boys and Crosby Stills & Nash seem to be the most apparent to me. This is a band I can honestly say is for fans of any age to enjoy. They blend folk, rock, and harmonies together so beautifully. A bunch of bloggers love them (including us), Pitchfork loves them, Rolling Stone loves them, Black Cab Sessions love them, Daytrotter loves them, we think you get the point!

Fleet Foxes - Winter White Hymnal (mp3)
Fleet Foxes - Ragged Wood (mp3)
Fleet Foxes - He Doesn't Know Why (mp3)

We recommend checking out their Lillywhite Sessions from NPR and a live concert at the Black Cat in D.C. also from NPR featuring 12 songs.

[Fleet Foxes Myspace]
[Fleet Foxes Tour Dates]
[ACL Official Site]
[Other ACL Spotlights]

Here they are live on Letterman playing "Blue Ridge Mountains".

Here is Fleet Foxes' Robin Pecknold playing "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song" during a set at London's ULU, June 11, 2008. (via Ragged Words)

Fleet Foxes at ACL
Saturday, September 27 (12:30 pm - 1:30 pm)
On the AMD Stage

Check out our other ACL Spotlights

ACL Spotlight : Vampire Weekend

The kind of hype that only could be created in these modern times. Vampire Weekend went from unknowns to Spin cover artists overnight. Along with help from eager bloggers (like ourselves) who just love to pluck obscure bands from nowhere and hype them as the "next big thing". The band catapulted to an impressive level of success playing sold out shows and huge festivals all throughout 2008.

We managed to catch them before the initial hype at an indoor show at The Mohawk and post hype at the NPR showcase at The Parish during SXSW where the line wrapped around the block. Their self titled debut will more than likely make it on our best of list and they will wind down a year of extensive touring with a performance at the Austin City Limits festival. Despite the early set time I have no doubt they will be one of the biggest draws of the weekend.

Vampire Weekend-Oxford Comma(mp3)

We also shot a video from the SXSW show at The Parish and in cased you missed it here it is one more time...

[Vampire Weekend on MySpace]
[Austin City Limits]
[Other ACL Spotlights]

Vampire Weekend
Friday September 27th
AMD Stage / 2:30 - 3:30

Lollapalloza Spotlight: The Ting Tings

I don't what it is, but I love me some electronic pop. The Ting Tings are another band I discovered around SXSW, unfortunetely I didn't get to catch a live set from the English duo. At Lollapalooza it'll be a different storythough.The Ting Tings are Jules de Martino (drums, vocals) and the sexy Katie White (vocals, guitar, bass drum). They have a really infectious eighties sound and are just a lotta fun to listen to. "We're called The Ting Tings simply because I used to work with a girl called Ting-Ting," says singer Katie White.

They've already been on Jules Holland and are set to be the next band to be featured in an IPOD commercial with their song "Shut Up And Let Me Go". Get ready because here they come!

When they signed to a major label they only had three songs, but definetely a lot of hype (Rick Rubin even showed up to one of their earlier gigs). They release their debut album, We Started Nothing, due out in May 20 (digital release) via Sony BMG, with a physical cd coming out in July.

The Ting Tings - Great DJ (mp3)

"This duo have a sharp knack with clever tunes that will stick in the mind like Velcro" -- Ones To Watch 08 - The Mirror

"By far the best pop band the UK has produced in years…too exciting" - Bands of 2008 - NME

"Great DJ"

The Ting Tings at Lollapalooza [Buy Tickets]
August 2 (Saturday)
12:45 - 1:30 at the AT&T Stage

Official After Show
August 1 (Friday)
Gogol Bordello w/ The Ting Tings
Metro, $22.50
Ages 18+
Doors @ 10pm
Buy Tickets

Portugal The Man Announce Tourdates

Portugal The Man is embarking on a nice tour of the country and will be joining us again here in Austin. Thanks to our good friend Ana at Austin Sound Check (she also has their new video for "And I").

Tickets go onsale this Saturday (4/26) at 10am for the Austin show and are $13.

Portugal The Man Tourdates:
07/15 - Rialto Theatre - Tucson, AZ
07/17 - White Rabbit - San Antonio, TX
07/18 - Emo’s (Outside) - Austin, TX
07/19 - House of Blues - Dallas, TX
07/20 - Meridian (Red Room) - Houston, TX
07/21 - House of Blues - New Orleans, LA
07/22 - Floyd’s Music Store - Tallahassee, FL
07/23 - State Theatre - St. Petersburg, FL
07/24 - Culture Room - Ft. Lauderdale, FL
07/25 - The Social - Orlando, FL
07/26 - The Masquerade - Atlanta, GA
07/27 - The Soapbox Laundrolounge - Wilmington, DE
07/29 - The Ottobar - Baltimore, MD
07/30 - The Fillmore @ The TLA - Philadelphia, PA
07/31 - School of Rock - S. Hackensack, NJ
08/01 - Highline Ballroom - New York, NY
08/02 - Harper’s Ferry - Allston, MA
08/03 - The Club @ Water Stree Music Hall - Rochester, NY
08/05 - Grog Shop - Cleveland Heights, OH
08/06 - Magic Stick - Detroit, MI
08/07 - Metro - Chicago, IL
08/08 - 2 Cents Plain - St. Louis, MO
08/09 - The Bottleneck - Lawrence, KS
08/10 - The Waiting Room - Omaha, NE
08/12 - The Marquis Theatre - Denver, CO
08/13 - Avalon Theater - Salt Lake City, UT
08/15 - El Corazon - Seattle, WA
08/16 - Hawthorne Theatre - Portland OR
08/17 - The Boardwalk - Orangevale, CA
08/18 - Slim’s - San Francisco, CA
08/22 - The Glass House - Pomona, CA
08/23 - Jillians - Las Vegas, NV
08/27 - The Troubadour - West Hollywood, CA
08/28 - The Troubadour - West Hollywood, CA
08/30 - Soma - San Diego, CA
08/31 - The Clubhouse - Tempe, AZ
09/01 - The Clubhouse - Tempe, AZ

See also:
**SXSW Spotlight** Portugal The Man


[Photo by moesi]

Lollapalooza / ACL Spotlight: Duffy

Duffy is gonna be huge this year. Her debut album, Rockferry, drops on May 13. The twenty-three year old songstress' album is already drawing rave reviews in England (been out since March), as it debuted #1. Duffy was raised in Wales and started singing seriously when she was fifteen.

She has already appeared on the famous UK show, "Later with Jules Holland" three times. She played SXSW last month, and landed gigs at this year's Coachella, Lollapalooza, the Austin City Limits Festival, and an upcoming show at the Apollo in New York on May 12. (in demand huh?). She has been compared to Amy Winehouse minus the drugs, which she dismisses, but she does liken herself to Dusty Springfield. Here are two tracks off Rockferry down below.

Duffy - Mercy (mp3)
Duffy - Rockferry (mp3)

"Mercy"

Duffy at Lollapalooza
August 1 (Friday)
3:15 - 4:15 on the Playstation 3 Stage

Grand Ole Party "Look Out Young Son" Video

Here is Grand Ole Party's video for "Look Out Young Son". We got to see em' at SXSW and they did not disappoint.

Related Post:
**SXSW Spotlight** Grand Ole Party