Party Ends

Good Googly Moogly- I still can’t get over how god-like the independent Texas festivals are shaping up to be compared to the mega corporate ACL this year.  Yes, I am happy to get to see Bjork and Dylan as much as the next guy, but in terms of cutting edge, interesting and overall fine ass music- Fun Fun Fun Fest and Wall of Sound Fest are killing it!

The FFFF lineup still brings a smile to face every time I think about getting to see Battles, Girl Talk , Okkervil and Diplo in one weekend.  Its another reason that makes me giddy to live in Austin because I am sure that if I didn’t I would skip work and blow a bunch of money on a segway and a hotel room to make it down here.  Get more information on the whole shenanigan here.

The other up and coming flagship festival in Texas for the summer is the mighty Wall of Sound festival featuring such crazy delicious acts the pAperchAse, Midlake and Ghostland Observatory live on three stages at the home of the Ft. Worth Cats LAGRAVE FIELD.  How wild is it going to be to see 40 amazing bands in a baseball field?!  I am pumped for September 22nd!  Pick up your tickets here  and check out pictures of the baseball stadium here.

 

After the day of drinking and making baseball jokes ("What baseball team does Pee Wee Herman like? The Yankees.") has passed- save a tad more hearing molecules to destroy for the after party up the street at the Wreck Room.  PartyEnds EXTREME favorites Astronautalis  and Car Stereo (wars) will be rapping and mashing for free with your ticket stub!  Pick up the excellent new CS(w) release here!

And now- without further ado…. As a Labor Day weekend treat- I would like to give away a pair of tickets to the Wall of Sound festival!  Here is what you need to do: email PartyEnds@Gmail.com with "Wall Of Sound CONTEST" in the subject line and sit back and cross your fingers.  We will randomly pick a winner by Friday September 7th (same day the new Paul Giamatti movie comes out) and that will be that.  Thanks to Lance over at Wall of Sound for letting us run this contest.  Good Luck!

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Is it labor day yet?  When is it finally going to be legit to drink, grill and read the patriot act aloud while lounging in red white and blue armchairs?!  I am ready to start the weekend of freedom and celebrate my accomplishments as a functioning member of the workforce!  Over the last year, Austin Sound  has brought you more great local music interviews, mp3s and news than there are diaper jokes in Oscar award winning Cuba Gooding Jr’s latest embarrassment Daddy Day Care. September 1st will be a one-year birthday party to beat them all.

This Saturday marks the accumulation of all that is good in Austin music as Doug over at Austin Sound has assembled a lineup that is referred to as “bitchin’” in the biz.  The Scoot Inn will be throbbing with free food and drinks and cheap music.  The nominal 5 buck cover gets you nonstop action from the likes of some of my favorite local bands: the Narrow Escapes, Golden Bear, and Leatherbag to name a few.  

The true stroke of genius that this 11-hour event has going for it is the DJ sets being from local music bloggers- this is a sure fire way to get a ton of exposure for the show.  A bloody brilliant idea- one that Luther and I are more than thrilled to be a part of!  We will be playing what the kids are calling “jamz” between the Black and Black Before Red (get it?) and  having a blast!  

See you on Saturday! Find out more here!

 

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Tonight: Okkervil River is on Conan!  Amazing. Watch it with the rest of America- but, if you must – wait for youtube after re-watching the 'Hipster Olympics' again and again.  Don't forget "Hobos are the new unicorns." 

UPDATE: the chiilling youtube link from conan is here 

 MP3: Okkervil River- Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe

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                           (photo from heicktopiertz II's flickr)
I have been looking forward to September 11th so I can buy the new Kanye album and do my part to put shame upon 50 Cent- with him out of the rap game he will have more time to make a Get Rich or Die Trying sequel- maybe a prequel.  Now I have another item to add to my shopping list for the day though- the new MONO release!

The Japanese po-ro (post-rock) pioneers MONO are putting out a record titled ‘Gone – A Collection of Eps’ that documents all sorts of rare and out of print fuzzy songs from their 8 year career of being compared to My Bloody Valentine.  Go ahead and drop out of those eBay auctions for the Asian only 7 and 10 inches and just wait for this bad boy.  

MONO will be rolling thru Texas in late September with guitar effects pedals blazing and High on Fire opening.  in the meantime- cop this track...

MP3: Mono-Gone

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Buy Aesop Rock 's Coffee 12 inch here:or eMusic

 

    Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings will release their latest full length, "100 Days, 100 Nights," on October 2nd on Daptone Records. Sharon Jones is a badass in case you didn’t know.  Just ask recent collaborators Lou Reed, Rufus Wainwright, or They Might Be Giants.

 

Check out this track:

MP3: Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings -100 Days, 100 Nights

            

 

   And finally, check out this new Mogwai track!  It’s from a soundtrack the band did for a documentary about some soccer player called Zidane.  If you love what Explosions in the Sky did for Friday Night Lights (and I know you do) you will dig this.  The whole album is phenomenal but here is track one…

MP3: Mogwai - “The Black Spider”

          

Dj sets throughout the night by Stay Gold 50’s- Built by Snow , 60’s- Preserve the Sound  , 70’s- Warm Winter ,80’s- Consider the Source , 90’s- Seaflea
                         

 

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So, the Ghosthustla show was cancelled last night much to everyone’s dismay.  Lamesauce.  It actually afforded me a decent night’s sleep tho for the first time in a while which was nice- so I am all powered up and ready to roll for the PartyEnds/StayGold happy hour today at the Mohawk from 5-8, and then to check out Chow Nasty (not to be confused with Pink or Black Nasty) later on in the evening.  

I have been digging this dude Copy from Portland lately.  He has an album has a new album that’s been out since April out called Hair Guitar. Dude makes rad dancy 8-bit synth pop.  Think of a more nerded out the Blow and you will be all set.  Anyway- you need this song to impress your Postal Service loving friends. Enjoy!

MP3: Copy-  Closet Face

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Mohawk Tonight: Dentron's GHOSTHUSTLER!!!!!! (I like to call them “ghosthustla” but when I do in conversation people are like: “whaaa” then when I say “sorry- ghosthustler” they are like “ohhhh that makes MUCH MORE sense.”)  as if that isn’t enough this evening’s Mohawk residency brought to you in part by the prodigious Gorilla vs. Bear also has the incredible foresight to have central booking out in full effect.  These guys know how to tear up a dance floor with all the jamzz up there with the best of them.  DJ’s Nature and Sober are hands down the best Scratch Live owners in Dallas and they will be bringing their party mixes down here to keep things going before and after Ghosthustla: one of the hottest new exports of Texas.

Then- tomorrow we have a real treat for you at the Mohawk: a PartyEnds/ Stay Gold Happy Hour!  Yes, we will be slinging afternoon cocktails from 5pm-8pm at rock bottom prices.  If you need a place to get some daytime drinking taken care of- the Mohawk is the place tomorrow night.  Once you’re there- you might as well stick around for the Chow Nasty show that is going on later in the evening…. Anyway- show up and say “hello.”  I’ll be the sweaty guy behind the bar talking about the merits of Knocked Up over Superbad.


MP3: Ghosthustler- Busy Busy Busy

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We are happy to be a part of the Always Already’s big CD release show tonight at Stubb’s.  The group began with 4, then got better with 3 and now has gotten even better as a two-piece.  (No offense members 3 and 4)  the sound is a really interesting blend of dance beats synthesizers and a post punk knack for demanding politically minded lyrics. 

The group has built quite the DIY following around the country for their continual touring.  Come out tonight and help kick off the upcoming venture into the land of the free and home of the brave with style and pick up a limited edition (only 150!) hand screened copy of their latest work "This is the Way Out!"   The money goes straight to gasoline and into the deep pockets of the Shell!

Ft. Worth   openers the Burning Hotels just walked away with the award for Rock Album of the Year in the Ft. Worth Weekly.  Part Interpol, part Wire; this is the only band from Ft. Worth (not Dallas mind you) that I have been interested in since Valhalla.  Expect big things from these guys in the near future. 

Getting to see a La Snacks show is a privilege as 3/4ths of the members reside in Beaumont Texas.  Their full length Brown, Orange, Black, Gray (available at your local record stores) is a fantastic release full of angular guitar jerking around over bass driven songs all with the Fugazi vocals of animated front man Robert Segovia.  A La Snacks show is not to be missed, ask anyone in Beaumont where every show reportedly looks something like that last Impossibles show DVD (which I watched for the first time a few nights ago- SO GOOD! Ha.)

See you tonight at Stubb’s and tomorrow night at Car Stereo (Wars) CD Release at Beauty Bar! Congratulations to Dustin for correctly identifying INXS and Survivor as samples from the MP3 that is up on the CSW myspace page- he and a guest will be getting into the show (Single Frame, White Denim and MORE!) for free.  Also- there will be plenty of mustaches for everyone to wear and have their photos taken with! So many releases this weekend!  Can’t wait!    
 

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Big show at Beauty Bar on Saturday night! Come see White Denim, Single Frame, Car Stereo (wars) DJ Rubix of Clap! Clap! fame, and DJ Terry Diabolik all the way from that Yankee city up north where the Cosby family lived. The night is in celebration of the best thing that Car Stereo (wars) has done yet- the completion and release of the first full length titled “the Bandit.” 

Equal guitar riffs from 70’s rock and Pitchfork heartthrobs seamlessly set the backdrop under some of the best vulgar rap and top 40 guilty pleasures.  The obvious comparison is Girl Talk’s Night Ripper but where it differs is that “the Bandit” is an easier to swallow listen. As much as I loved the Girl Talk album it could easily make my head swirl by the end.  The CSW release is more than a “mix tape” in that so many elements from so many songs are used to create layers into fun party music but not as chopped and cut up as the production work of Dangermouse or Girl Talk.  Oh, and also- the whole album is Burt Reynolds themed. You read correctly.

CSW has been putting out mashups, remixes and longer formed mixtapes on the Internet for about a year and has been shaking rumps in Austin clubs for much longer than that.  The release, the first for Artifact Workshop, comes with a felt mustache on the cover! YES! Also, the first 300 come with a one of a kind Polaroid featuring “Burt Reynolds” being wild and crazy. Collect them all! The Bandit is going to make a big splash on music and be yet another aspect of the independent industry that Austin will be able to chalk up as something to be proud of. 

In celebration of this significant release- we are giving away a pair of tickets to the show at the Beauty Bar.  Simply head over to the CSW myspace and listen to the track in the player 'Gator McClusky’s Gold' and send the names of at least 2 of the samples over to PartyEnds@Gmail.com
The winner will be chosen at random and will get to check out the big show on Saturday (which includes copies of the album) on us!  Hop to it. 

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What a summer this has been.  Luther is now living in Austin.  I just got back from Mexico.  MC Rove just resigned.  Times they are a changin’.  

 

                 (photo cred: john gross from sxsw 2006)

First up, this Friday night we are proud as punch to help out with the cd release for
the Always Already  at Stubb’s!  Opening up are ft. worth’s the Burning Hotels and PartyEnds favs La Snacks.  It’s going to be a night full of politics, yelping and Superbad McLovin quotes.  Well, I will be doing that at least.  More on this later…  

God, i am so American.  

Saturday night: the show to beat is over at Beauty Bar.  White Denim and Single Frame are playing in support of the first proper release from Car Stereo (wars) the new CS(W) cd 'the Bandit' is out soon on Austin’s newest imprint Artifact Workshop, comes with a one of a kind Polaroid of Burt Reynolds and a reallife fake mustache.  Oh, did I mention that the album is Burt Reynolds themed?  The show will be out of control- just like Burt Reynolds in Hooper. Cover is just 5 bucks and includes a copy of the party cd of the year.  Look out for giveaways on the site soon!!  

Onto Wall of Sound fest.  Good god.  What a lineup they have brewing this year. Texan badasses EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY, MIDLAKE,  GHOSTLAND OBSERVATORY, TACKS, THE BOY DISASTER, WHITE DENIM, BAPTIST GENERALS, PAPER CHASE all make me drool, when i think about the killer national acts my face starts to melt off... i have to pace myself. The fest is in Fort Worth on September 22, features 40 bands on 3 stages. Tickets are available online here, or at all area Front Gate Ticket outlets (DFW folks: Good Records, Bill’s Records, etc).
Why not try your luck and attempt to win some here courtesy of PartyEnds?
Email PartyEnds@gmail.com with “Wall of Sound Contest!” in the subject line and let us know your top 3 bands performing this year to be automatically entered in a random drawing to get a pair of tickets for free!  You have until Monday August 20th to enter.  It is truly random- the listing three bands thing is just to entertain us.   

                               
Next up in amazing Texas music festivals is early November’s Fun Fun Fun Fest! I went last year and had a great time but could feel in my heart of hearts that this year would be bigger and better.  Ahem. Bands performing at this year's Fest include the New Pornographers, Girl Talk, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, Of Montreal, Okkervil River, Battles, Diplo, Lifetime, Explosions in the Sky, Final Fantasy, Mates of State and of course many many more.  

i think it was Alan Jackson who said it best- God bless Texas.  

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   I would describe my musical background, outside of diverse and probably immature and unfocused, as skewing toward folk and alt-country, with my greatest loves at key points in my life being the likes of early Bob Dylan, Willy Nelson, Wilco, and the trashed out alt-folk headed up by Beck. This, combined with my deep seeded love of some good old fashioned song writing and piano driven pop is probably why I am actually pretty into what I've heard so far off the sophomore release from Josh Ritter.

   His new album, regrettably named The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter, is a montage of influences, most notably mid/late century radio-pop like Elton John, and I would call out a little Mamma's and the Pappas-ish-ness in there, tempered with the sensibilities of modern indie culture. While neither folk, nor country, his styles don't stray too far from the conventions that make those genres so listenable. The analogies are solid, the instrumentation is nothing revolutionary, but admirably performs without feeling tired, and the simple melodies and song structures, from what I've heard, lend themselves to a fair few catchy hooks.

   The lead single, getting some play around the ol' web right now, Rumors, embodies all of these qualities nicely. With it's layered organ/claves and horn hook, you'll find yourself humming that 'ohh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-ohh' part to yourself all day after just a listen or two. Check it:

MP3: Josh Ritter- Rumors

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                           (more photos from recovering lazyholic here )

The boat party on Sunday was the most fun anyone in Austin has ever had.  
Everyone on board should be proud of how much beer was consumed and how much dancing took place.  Giant kudos to White Denim for making the crowd jump and down enough to make our captain nervous that the largest party barge on Lake Travis might sink.  Kudos to Hustle Simmons and Markus with a K for keeping a dance party going non-stop on a moving boat with slippery floors!  The other boats on the water were extremely jealous of our hot moves, hot toonz, and cold beer. 

 

I have never had such a good time in the daylight.  I have never seen such a great band (any band) on a boat.  I have never felt so instantly connected with so many fun Austin music lovers.  It was a summer Extrav-o-ganza that will live in infamy.

Check out this raw video footage of White Denim shot on a digital camera with a wicked memory card by Erik from SUPER!ALRIGHT!  CLICK HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also- Erin from Recovering Lazyholic took some fresh ass pictures that can be seen here

Keep an eye out here for more and more pictures and video from the incredible event!

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(Don't cry for me neon Dallas building, you've got other bloggers here- you'll pull through little trooper) 

   Well, this will probably be my last entry as a Dallas resident because, as of next Tuesday, my wife and I will be living down in Austintown, where it all happens. We've had some good times Dallas, I was going to put together a slide show our best moments together to play in the gymnasium while we listened to Time of You Life by Green Day, but I was busy- you know, doing other stuff. Anyway, it's been real swell, but I have to get on with my life, and you've kinda' been freaking me out, what with the crime and expensive drinks and all, since we moved in together. So I'm running away, don't try and stop me.

   And so, because of all the commotion and motion, I won't be posting on PE for a week or so, though there will be a few articles I've gotten ready to go today. But John will be keeping things flowing with new music and way less events than we have had over the last few weeks. Please bear with us as things on the site are going to be changing quite a bit in the near future, but it should all be for the better. Not only for us, but for Austin, and really, the world.

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   All I have to say is: tomorrow. Tomorrow will be insane. Tomorrow is the Summer Extrav-o-ganza 2: Cruise Control. Tomorrow we cast off into Lake Travis aboard the Ark for a 5 hour tour with all the booze and food you could ask for, as well as White Denim, and Dj's Markus with a K and Hustle Simmons. Tomorrow we will swim, we will eat, we will dance, and we will probably sing along to things really loud, and you can come too. There are still a couple of spots left on the boat, though they might be gone already, it's still worth checking out. $20 gets you a guarenteed spot on the boat. Read more about the event and buy tickets HERE! Before they are gone, and you are sad.

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   Ladies and gentlemen of Austintown, this is your Thursday night! Be prepared to call in to work tomorrow, because it is highly likely that tonight's electro-techno-disco-rap throwdown will wear you the fuck out! Kicking things off are Austin's heavy beat maven's Lady Pterodactyl, followed closely by the young and angular Bark Bark Bark (Retard Disco) from Arizona, and topping the evening will be the discoteque king MVSCLZ. A sonic landscape will be provided throughout by the phenominal and origional TJ Lazerphone. The mohawk knows how to throw down, so get in on this.

 Stream: MVSCLZ- (various songs)

MP3: Bark Bark Bark-  Haunts

MP3: Bark Bark Bark-  One Thing Stands 

MP3: Lady Pterodactyl- Love to Hate You 

MP3: Lady Pterodactyl- Grikon

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