Lots of great shows coming up around West Texas the next few weeks. Here are a few good ones I know about. Send West Texas area music listings to windfarmblog(at)gmail(dot)com if you want your show listed on Windfarm.
Go see Lucero in Lubbock this Sunday if you can. They are one of the better touring bands who regularly visits the Hub City, and even better, The Lusitania will be opening.
Lubbock
Oct. 8 - Hayes Carll - Blue Light
Oct. 10 - Lucero, The Lusitania - Bash Riprocks
Oct. 12 - Thrift Store Cowboys - Blue Light (CD Release)
Oct. 15 - Wovenhand - Bash Riprocks
Midland/Odessa
Oct. 14 - Eli Young Band - Dos Amigos
Oct. 21 - The Deftones - Dos Amigos
San Angelo
Oct. 15 - The Derailers - Steel Penny Pub
Abilene
Oct. 16 - Rodney Parker & 50 Peso Reward - Lucky Mule Saloon
Alpine/Marfa
Oct. 7 - Dale Watson - Padre's
Oct. 8 - Jon Langford - Railroad Blues
Oct. 8 - The Gourds - Padre's
Oct. 9 - Jon Langford - Padre's
Oct. 15 - The Derailers - Railroad Blues
Nov. 3 - Monotonix - Padre's
Nov. 19 - Ray Wylie Hubbard - Railroad Blues
Dec. 3 - Black Joe Lewis - Padre's
Showing posts with label Wovenhand. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wovenhand. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Thursday, August 20, 2009
none of this just in
One final West Coast note:
I'm convinced that if you are looking for old country music vinyl, then the Bay Area is a great place to look. Not only are there a number of good stores like Rasputin and Amoeba in SF and Berkeley, but I am of the opinion that people just don't buy country vinyl there much, and so you've got a pretty good chance of finding some cool stuff.
Okay, one more final west coast note:
For all you vinyl collectors who have noticed, at least to a small extent, that record store owners are less pretentious these days now that they are on such a shoestring budget, never fear, I'm pretty sure the record store clerks in the bay area are just as pretentious as they ever were.
Just finished reading:
the new Dave Eggers book, Zeitoun. It is amazing! It's written in the style of What is the What? and I found myself flying through it because I just couldn't put it down.
Didn't have a chance to write about it:
but I was able to catch one of the Lusitania's Denver shows a couple of weeks ago. All of my praises were backed up by their show. This band is really tight and their live shows are awesome. I hope they catch on up here, because all the show was lacking was a high energy packed house. By the way, Vinyl Collective is now carrying their 7" split with Buckeye.
Stumbled upon news:
that Alternative Tentacles is reissuing Secret South, a hard to find album by Denver's 16 Horsepower. If you don't have this album, you should strongly consider checking it out if for no other reason than to hear the cover of Dylan's "Nobody 'Cept You." The album will be reissued on LP and CD, each with a bonus DVD included. Vinyl originals of this album have gone on ebay for around $75 or more in recent years, so this reissue makes it a bit more accessible. However, it also leaves vinyl collectors to question whether they are bidding on an original or a reissue version on ebay, so for all it helps, there are some downsides as well. Also, I still can't decide whether it's worth it to buy reissue vinyl anyway.
I totally missed this:
but the recent Zach Galifianakis interview on the Tonight's Show was hilarious. He seemed much more in his element than when he was on Dave. I love Dave, but I felt like he was just going through the motions asking Zach questions and it wasn't very natural. Make sure and watch part 1 & part 2.
The Boulder Avett Brothers' show:
is now sold out. Let's hope we make it out alive.
I really enjoy:
telling people that if we ever have a son we're going to name him "Billiam," but call him "Will."
I'm convinced that if you are looking for old country music vinyl, then the Bay Area is a great place to look. Not only are there a number of good stores like Rasputin and Amoeba in SF and Berkeley, but I am of the opinion that people just don't buy country vinyl there much, and so you've got a pretty good chance of finding some cool stuff.
Okay, one more final west coast note:
For all you vinyl collectors who have noticed, at least to a small extent, that record store owners are less pretentious these days now that they are on such a shoestring budget, never fear, I'm pretty sure the record store clerks in the bay area are just as pretentious as they ever were.
Just finished reading:
the new Dave Eggers book, Zeitoun. It is amazing! It's written in the style of What is the What? and I found myself flying through it because I just couldn't put it down.
Didn't have a chance to write about it:
but I was able to catch one of the Lusitania's Denver shows a couple of weeks ago. All of my praises were backed up by their show. This band is really tight and their live shows are awesome. I hope they catch on up here, because all the show was lacking was a high energy packed house. By the way, Vinyl Collective is now carrying their 7" split with Buckeye.
Stumbled upon news:
that Alternative Tentacles is reissuing Secret South, a hard to find album by Denver's 16 Horsepower. If you don't have this album, you should strongly consider checking it out if for no other reason than to hear the cover of Dylan's "Nobody 'Cept You." The album will be reissued on LP and CD, each with a bonus DVD included. Vinyl originals of this album have gone on ebay for around $75 or more in recent years, so this reissue makes it a bit more accessible. However, it also leaves vinyl collectors to question whether they are bidding on an original or a reissue version on ebay, so for all it helps, there are some downsides as well. Also, I still can't decide whether it's worth it to buy reissue vinyl anyway.
I totally missed this:
but the recent Zach Galifianakis interview on the Tonight's Show was hilarious. He seemed much more in his element than when he was on Dave. I love Dave, but I felt like he was just going through the motions asking Zach questions and it wasn't very natural. Make sure and watch part 1 & part 2.
The Boulder Avett Brothers' show:
is now sold out. Let's hope we make it out alive.
I really enjoy:
telling people that if we ever have a son we're going to name him "Billiam," but call him "Will."
Monday, July 20, 2009
A dilemma of not very epic proportions (not epic at all)
Of all the conundrums I’ve dealt with in the past, this one is completely inconsequential, yet it really has me worked up. As of late, I feel as though I’ve been caught up in a whirlwind (“dust devil” for West Texan readers) of new music and good live shows. The Denver area music scene goes back and forth with periods of no good live shows, and then periods of too many to attend (or afford). New music releases have a similar ebb and flow in my experience.
I’m starting to feel like new music burnout is just down the road, yet I can't stop myself from really wanting to go check out the Denver Underground Music Showcase this year. Not only are there a ton of good local bands I’d like to see, I know there are many I don’t even know about, and said showcase would afford me the opportunity to begin filtering through those and deciding who is worth a longer listen. Nothing wrong with any of that.
Enter David Eugene Edwards. It so happens that one of Colorado’s most compelling artists is playing a show in Boulder (i.e., about 5 minutes from my house, no less), on Friday night, the same night when there are a number of bands I’d like to see at the UMS. Not that I haven’t seen him before -- quite the contrary -- but I hate to miss his show at the Fox Theatre, because at least according to a 16 Horsepower fan site, DEE has only played Boulder 3 times, ever (two with 16 HP, and one with Wovenhand). And it's a very reasonably priced show for Boulder ($10, or $14 DOS).
Even as I write this, I’m leaning back and forth on what I think I should do. I’m not sure I have the energy to make all 4 days of the UMS, but if I had to choose, I wouldn’t purposely make Friday one of the ones I missed.
Can anyone talk me through this one?
Photo credit: Mark Holthusen via Wovenhand's myspace
Enter David Eugene Edwards. It so happens that one of Colorado’s most compelling artists is playing a show in Boulder (i.e., about 5 minutes from my house, no less), on Friday night, the same night when there are a number of bands I’d like to see at the UMS. Not that I haven’t seen him before -- quite the contrary -- but I hate to miss his show at the Fox Theatre, because at least according to a 16 Horsepower fan site, DEE has only played Boulder 3 times, ever (two with 16 HP, and one with Wovenhand). And it's a very reasonably priced show for Boulder ($10, or $14 DOS).
Even as I write this, I’m leaning back and forth on what I think I should do. I’m not sure I have the energy to make all 4 days of the UMS, but if I had to choose, I wouldn’t purposely make Friday one of the ones I missed.
Can anyone talk me through this one?
Monday, June 1, 2009
Wovenhand acoustic show - Swallow Hill (5/29)
Last Friday, 5/29, finally brought with it the concert I had been (over?)hyping for the past month or so, if not on this blog, at least to the few people who would listen to me talk about it. The show featured an acoustic show by one of Denver's most respected groups, Wovenhand, at the Swallow Hill concert hall.
Similar to the fact that I had not been to Swallow Hill before, I think many of the Swallow Hill regulars had never heard Wovenhand before. The regulars at this concert hall, which doesn't serve alcohol (although it apparently may soon), were a bit older than the typical Wovenhand crowd, and thus, the audience had an interesting dynamic between these concertgoers and the hipster-ish crowd that filled in the rest.
In one of his few discussions with the crowd, Edwards noted that (paraphrasing): "we usually play loud enough to bring the law." The Spiro's show at SXSW was case in point, although I think the law was there because they are at Spiro's every night, and not so much on account of the loudness that left my ears ringing for the next 24 hours.
Similar to the fact that I had not been to Swallow Hill before, I think many of the Swallow Hill regulars had never heard Wovenhand before. The regulars at this concert hall, which doesn't serve alcohol (although it apparently may soon), were a bit older than the typical Wovenhand crowd, and thus, the audience had an interesting dynamic between these concertgoers and the hipster-ish crowd that filled in the rest.
In one of his few discussions with the crowd, Edwards noted that (paraphrasing): "we usually play loud enough to bring the law." The Spiro's show at SXSW was case in point, although I think the law was there because they are at Spiro's every night, and not so much on account of the loudness that left my ears ringing for the next 24 hours.
You can find the Denver Post's review and photo gallery from the show here, and on that same note, I'll try not to repeat too much of what you already know from that review. The openers Kal Cahoone and Elin Palmer did a nice job of opening the show and also of accompanying David Eugene Edwards and Ordy Garrison in the Wovenhand set. Palmer I had seen perform as a backing musician for Munly and Tom Hagerman, although I had not heard her original music, which mixes Swedish traditional music with more contemporary indie pop sounds. Pascal Humbert was noticeably absent from his normal duties on bass for Wovenhand, and while I'm sure he would have added a great element to the show, the performance was not lacking in any way.
(edit: And I've just been informed by the spouse that Kal Cahoone was/is half of Tarantella and also, it would appear, sister to Sera Cahoone, an artist on Subpop. Missing information like this is the reason why I'm not a journalist.)
Overall, there were no major surprises (meaning he didn't play the hits from 16 HP), but as expected, it was a strong and well rehearsed Wovenhand show through and through. Edwards did a good job to cover a broad spectrum of the Wovenhand catalog, and I was pleased to hear some of my own personal favorites - most notably "Pail Blue Fever" and "Dirty Blue."
While the venue provided a more intimate setting (read: deadly quiet) for Edwards and his songs, the show provided little added insight into the thoughts of this very private artist, who spends little time making idle conversation with the audience and who typically gives no hints to audiences or interviewers in regard to specific song meanings. A devout Christian, Edwards does not hide his beliefs, but he uses his art as his primary expression of them (as far as the public is concerned), and knowing the depth of his talents, it is clear that he is playing on his strengths by taking this route. Throughout the night, he remained stoic as ever, although he was very mindful of demonstrating his gratitude to the audience, no doubt acknowledging his appreciation to them of supporting him and allowing him to make a career out of his music. I was a bit surprised that he came back for an encore, but once again, one could sense a mutual appreciation between artist and audience.
While the venue provided a more intimate setting (read: deadly quiet) for Edwards and his songs, the show provided little added insight into the thoughts of this very private artist, who spends little time making idle conversation with the audience and who typically gives no hints to audiences or interviewers in regard to specific song meanings. A devout Christian, Edwards does not hide his beliefs, but he uses his art as his primary expression of them (as far as the public is concerned), and knowing the depth of his talents, it is clear that he is playing on his strengths by taking this route. Throughout the night, he remained stoic as ever, although he was very mindful of demonstrating his gratitude to the audience, no doubt acknowledging his appreciation to them of supporting him and allowing him to make a career out of his music. I was a bit surprised that he came back for an encore, but once again, one could sense a mutual appreciation between artist and audience.
Since his 16 HP days, I've long heard that Edwards is far more popular in Europe than in his home base of Denver, although I have to imagine that is what has kept him here in Colorado and allowed him to make music out of the spotlight and on his own terms. Though subtle, I found the best representation of Edwards and his musical legacy early on in the show. When Palmer was having some problems tuning her nyckelharpa at the beginning of the set, Edwards could have been very impatient, knowing that the full house was waiting to hear him begin his set. However, he reassured her to take her time and get it right, just the way he's done his entire career.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Stupf
A nice Avett Brothers show review here:
that's most notable for it's comparison of the Avett's current energy to the Old 97s, which I think I can get on board with, especially if the comparison is to Too Far to Care era 97s.
By the way, I'm glad to argue with you about it:
but I'm still convinced Too Far to Care is the best alt-country album ever made.
They've always got to find a flaw with albums:
but, nonetheless, Pitchfork gives Monahans a decent review here.
For some reason:
I still haven't gotten my copy of the Monahans CD in the mail. I blame USPS, not Misra, though, given that it took almost 30 days for my last Bloodshot order to get here.
If you are still forgetting to read What's So Funny?:
then you missed a good one here. (As usual Relatively Safe For Work - i.e., don't read it out loud in your cubicle.)
I hope:
that my expectations aren't unnecessarily high for The Hangover.
Thrift Store Cowboys got some late arriving SXSW coverage here (page takes a while to load for some reason):
and yes, the band featured on the next page is Metallica. Pretty sweet. And another short SXSW review popped up here.
If you need a good new book:
try Let the Northern Lights Erase Your Name by Vendela Vida. It's a fast read, but a good one. If you've not heard of her, she's married to Dave Eggers, and while their styles are not the same, she similarly has the ability to write in such a way that you don't put the book down until you're done.
Acoustic show, this Friday. Denver. At least I know it won't burst my eardrums like the last time I saw them. Apparently the Post called it "one of the 10 most exciting club shows this summer." And it might even end early enough to check out Lucero at the Bluebird later that night.
the common link was Lloyd Maines.
Overheard:
"I mean, like, if you don't know anything about cars then you're basically not a guy, right?"
Also overheard:
Countless conversations about Jon & Kate Plus 8. Come on people.
Seen:
Headline in the Denver Post reading "No Charges Against Poudre Doctor." Not to make fun of the actual situation relating to this story, whatever it is, but this struck me as funny because the area, typically called the Poudre Valley, is pronounced "pooder."
Good news Lubbock:
Buddy Holly Center summer showcase schedule announced. If you don't go to any other show, GO SEE MARIACHI AMISTAD! I'm not joking.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Denver, this should be amazing
It's hard to say exactly what this means, at least for those of you who haven't had the Wovenhand live experience lately. The show involves a substantial amount of face melting rock, most specifically ear melting. I've no problem with the rock and roll, but when I can't hear for 24 hours afterwards, then it's a bit excessive, at least in my book. Thus, this acoustic show should be the perfect antithesis to that -- face melting without the ear melting.
Plus, then Lucero plays the Fox Theatre in Boulder the next night.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Wovenhand brings the guitars and still rocks harder than you
The latest Wovenhand release Ten Stones rocks hard. Don't try to listen if you're not ready. The band is on tour through the U.S. in the fall, and oddly, has probably toured the U.S. more than their somewhat better known predecessor 16 Horsepower. The tour starts in Lubbock, of all places, on March 6th. Please don't let the world down Lubbock. Go to this show. Don't make this like the time the Court & Spark played Whiskey River and then broke up shortly afterwards. I'm not saying one caused the other, but just keep that in mind. Finally, check out this NPR live concert video of D.E.E. playing solo on a wooden banjo.
Speaking of totally unrelated things, remember when Wade Bowen (the artist formerly known as West 84) released the album Try Not to Listen about 7 or 8 years ago? I still haven't listened to that album.
Monday, April 28, 2008
We have found Providence
With all the gushing over the Old 97s I've really neglected my "Denver sound" folks, namely the new releases by DeVotchKa and Slim Cessna's Auto Club.
Nonetheless, the new album has a great progression, although their slower songs seem to have grown darker on this album. Overall, however, this album definitely delivers with some great new songs. Given that this is the band that brought us "He, Roger Williams," they could get away with just about anything in my book, but they don't rely on any formulas on this record.
Slim's new album Cipher was released last month, and while they played a few SXSW shows and one hometowner, they've been relatively quiet since. I guess that is the reality of having a band where a number of folks live in different cities.
For any of you who have seen recent live shows, you'll already know "Children of the Lord," quite the quintessential tent revival rocker with a redux of a familiar Vacation Bible School song. "Scac 101" brings some great contrast, with what one might deem a bit reminiscent of older Slim. The thematic tune of "An Introduction to the Power of Braces" appears throughout the album, the significance of which must be interpreted by the listener I suppose.
On top of the well arranged songs, the album artwork, especially the photos by Gary Isaacs, really give the album a great visual presentation. Isaacs has become somewhat of an icon in the photography of a number of Denver musicians, and the inside photo is a great example.
Next up we have the new album by DeVotchKa, A Mad and Faithful Telling, released on the Anti- label, their first LP released on a label. Honestly I hate to try and describe the sound because I know I've been heavily biased by reading various reviews of DeVotchKa over the recent years, and thus, I don't know that I have much different to say. Needless to say they still have a pretty good corner on the market of gypsy indie mariachi cabaret music. However, speaking of Gary Isaacs, here's a great new press photo he did for DeVotchKa:
An important recommendation I would make is to purchase the ITUNES bonus track of "Undone," featuring the Tom Hagerman Quartet. While the regular cut of "Undone" is a great listen, I prefer this extra track. We had the opportunity to see Tom play an instrumental show in Boulder a few months back, and while a completely different experience from DeVotchKa, it was an amazing night of instrumentation with his extremely talented colleagues. If that's your thing, don't forget to pick up a copy of Tom's The Breakfast Playground. Other good listens off the new record are "Along the Way" and "A New World." Still haven't really warmed up to "Transliterator," but maybe with time.
While I'm on the subject of Denver music, a couple of other items of note. Around this time last year, Smooch Records announced that there was a documentary in the works about the Denver sound. I've not heard any updates on this, but hope to see something out soon. One can argue there is no specific "sound," but there is an interesting element to the fact that the city has produced such distinct and notable acts as 16 Horsepower, Slim Cessna's Auto Club, Munly Munly, DeVotchKa, Woven Hand, and the Denver Gentlemen to name a few (in no particular order).
Speaking of Munly, the only news I've been able to find on him is that he is working on a double album on the fictional town of Lupercalia, although the most that has been heard of him lately has been his appearance on New Years Eve with his new band Munly & the Lupercalians. However, word is that the Lee Lewis Harlots are no longer playing, for reasons that I have only heard in rumor form. And I don't want to be one to go spreading rumors...
And finally, one more Denver-related release on the horizon is the new Woven Hand record Ten Stones, slated for an August release. Hopefully that means they'll play a hometown show by that time, although they seem to have a more adoring fan base in Europe than here in the U.S.
i can't get a word in
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