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June 29, 2008

stockholm syndrome strikes back- john



   Regardless of if you are aware of it or not- Sweden is where a TON of the best innovative independent music comes from.  The first Stockholm Syndrome was held in April – and  was a great success.  We can’t wait to celebrate the home of Ikea again Thursday July 3rd at Elysium Night Club with another fun filled night and a Smörgåsbord of Swedish synth, dance, indie, retro and pop courtesy of local DJs Stay Gold.  The list is extensive but a few of the more well known artists to keep an ear out for are: Suburban Kids With Biblical Names, Shout Out Louds, The Plan, The Embassy, The Sounds, The Knife, Peter Bjorn and John, Love Is All, Jens Lekman, The Tough Alliance AND SO MANY MORE! This 21 and up event is proudly brought to you by BingolandUK and PartyEnds.com. Free before 10 and $3 after. 
 
   Here are a couple of EXCLUSIVE songs that are not available for purchase or normal download anywhere else, from a cool Swedish band named Alison (after Alison Moyet, from Yaz/Yazoo, who they emulate.)  Grab these for a Eurythmics vibe to start your day off right.   Thanks to Brian at BingolandUK for the connect on these. 

MP3: Alison- Dancefloor Killers
MP3: Alison- There Was a Time

June 27, 2008

fall for it -john

 
    The Fall is the best movie ever.  Directed by the artistic genius who brought us the Cell, Tarsem. The Fall first screened in 2006 but is just now being brought to select theaters thanks to the backing of two of my other favorite directors Spike Jonze and David Fincher, whom share producing credits.  The film evokes simple, post modern fantasy, dream like imagery and unfathomable attention to detail that collide in a perfect storm of a movie. 

   The most notable aspect of the film aside from the bizarrely stunning visuals is the acting by the cutest little girl ever to grace the silver screen Catinca Untaru.  She brought the film laughter, and innocence that I don’t recall ever seeing from such a young age.  I hated Haley Joel Osment.  I hated Jonathan Lipnicki.  I love Catinca Untaru.  

   To best explain my point I would like to offer the internet this mathematical equation:
The Fall= Wizard of Oz (+) Be Kind Rewind (-) (the length) (x) + the Cremaster Cycle (+) the Never-ending Story (+) Amélie(+) Princess Bride
 
Here is the trailer: 
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Congrats to Pam W. who won the Matt & Kim tickets for the big show at the Mohawk tonight!  

June 25, 2008

mr. monster- john

Apparently this is old news in terms of “viral videos” but I really get a kick out of Colbert’s temper tantrum.

panty party ends - john


THE PANTY PARTY JUNE 27 BEAUTY BAR AUSTIN TX from kris hernandez on Vimeo.
 
   Be sure to show the above video to any Amish that you might be hiding at your house – it will blow their minds. Someone knocked off an American Apparel truck for panties, leotards, gold lame bras, thigh high socks etc, and set up a make-shift studio at their house and got girls to dance on camera.  What do you know, now it is on the internet.  Picture a normal night at Beauty Bar but with much less clothes. That is this Friday. June 27th. Apparently all the DJs have been carefully crafting their sets with girls in panties in mind.... I feel dirty posting this.  

   The lineup of DJs that night is actually pretty amazing.  As you know, I am a total geek for Bird Peterson.  His production work is fantastic and DJ sets always bring Austin one-step closer to Baltimore.  Also spining are Backspin Records DJ crew Minora y Majora playing all the best Italo Disco, X- man, and Go Go Garcia.  

   Show up in your undies and get in free. Did I mention that I feel dirty posting this.  

   Check out a BRAND NEW Go Go Garcia mix featuring all sorts of up-tempo bangers, retro throwbacks, danceable UGK, and overall beat matched hysteria.

MP3: Go Go Garcia- Panty Party Mix (link via zShare)

June 24, 2008

free matt & kim tickets- john

 

      Awesome Austin Newsflash! WIN free Matt And Kim tickets to Friday’s show at the Mohawk. Email PartyEnds@Gmail.com with 'Yeah Yea' in the subject line. Pretty easy. A winner will be randomly chosen by one of my co-workers on Thursday afternoon. Not feeling lucky punk? Grab your tickets online HERE

Check out what the Onion has to say about the show: 

Curated by Sean Carlson and former Black Flag/Circle Jerks singer Keith Morris, Fuck Yeah Fest makes up for its lack of a centralized theme with a spirited motto. It’s a self-described punk-rock art-walk of sorts, bursting with bands and comedians with no real thematic thread other than cramming in as much cool shit as possible. Debuting his first-ever spoken word set at this show, Morris hosts a touring version headlined by buzzy Brooklynites Matt And Kim. The keys-and-drums duo isn’t as accomplished as kindred spirits Quasi and Mates Of State, but its energy is infectious, and a reputation as the can’t-miss party band of NYC definitely precedes it. Opener The Death Set is a Baltimore act that coughs up neon-colored chunks of bratty electro-punk. Also playing: Team Robespierre, Brother Reade.

Read more about the bands and grab a few MP3s from the post below. Good Luck!

yeah yea - john

(PartyEnds photo of Matt (of Matt and Kim) at the 2008 Mess With Texas Fest)
 
   The Fuck Yeah Tour is upon us!  Only a few more days until Matt and Kim bring out all the Yellow Bike Project enthusiasts to the Mohawk for sing alongs, stage dives and non-stop smiles!  This time thru they bring an EXCELLENT supporting lineup including the DeathSet, Team Robespierre, and one of the best DJ and MC combos around- Brother Reade.

   On the decks behind Brother Reade’s MC Jimmy Jamz is the excellent Bobby Evans who blew me away one Sparks fueled sxsw afternoon a few years back.  I walked away with a couple of his mixtapes, which still are holding up to this day.  I am very much looking forward to see him again.  I predict he gets the dance punk loving hipsters worked into a frenzy before they get screamed in the face at by Team Robespierre or get a bicyclist’s rolled-up pant leg in their face from a jump off the stage during Matt and Kim’s “Yeah Yea!”

   This show is as diverse and appealing as anything. The unreal energy that Matt and Kim project across the sweaty crowd every show is never something to miss.  Kim’s ear to ear smile and seemingly adderall fueled punk drumming combined with Matt’s endearing between song banter and earnest appreciation for the fans make this couple SUPER FUN to watch play music.  See you Friday night at the Mohawk! Pick up tickets HERE

MP3: Matt and Kim- the Final Countdown (Europe Cover)

MP3: Team Robespierre- 88th Precinct

June 23, 2008

R.I.P. george carlin- john

     
   Rest in Peace George Carlin.  His timing, his weathered voice, his topics- oh lord his topics. He was a genius. My wife and I were lucky enough to see him in  Las Vegas where he was he was relentless on attacking the crazy indulgence that the city represents. He made a career out of biting the hand that fed. I recall one extra good joke about fat people with backpacks full of food.  He was a master of satire and pushing the envelope and he will be dearly missed.

under new mgmt- john


                       (Amplive at Birds Bigtop Blowout.  More pictures HERE)
   There are all sorts of good DJ related mixtapes and remixes you should be listening to right now thank to the all-encompassing power of the internet.  Offhand, a few recommendations are the Wale Seinfeld themed mixtape, the new Girl Talk record which you can get for donation (or not) over at Illegal Arts, and this interesting Leo Le Bug mix which features a lot of Beastie Boys in some fresh incarnations called  Music to Wake Children Up To.  But, some new stuff that isn’t getting as much attention on this big blue internet of ours is that latest from the guy who brought us the Radiohead Remix album and who Djed our Birds Bigtop Blowout- the one and only- Amplive.  

   He has produced two really great tracks featuring elements of MGMT’s album Oracular Spectacular that should be tearing up your itunes playlists.  One is a straight mashup of MGMT and Of Montreal. The second remix takes on  “Of Moons, Birds & Monsters,” which keeps the dope synth line the boys are known for and adds a exclusive verse from Oaktown hero and Snoop Dogg personal friend- MC Mistah Fab. His Snoop Dogg guest work on ‘Life of the Party” is probably falling down the TRL charts  right about  now...but his customized flow over the synth-tastic MGMT song is excellent in that it reads as more 'true.' I don’t really believe that any of the rappers on the Snoop track are actually spending millions of dollars on liquor and gambling save for the video shoot.  I DO believe that Amplive was hanging out at  Mistah Fab’s “crib” one day playing Grand Theft Auto 4 and he was like- “Hey, you know what band that the internet seekers are into these days and you would really like?  MGMT.”  Then after they got busted by the cops for having 6 stars before they could get to a Pay N Spray, they went to the studio and cranked out this verse.  I choose to believe. And now you can have it all for free below.  It is the American dream.

MP3: Amplive vs. MGMT: Of Moons, Birds & Monsters [Communication Edit ft. Mistah Fab]


MP3: Amplive: MGMT vs. Of Montreal

June 20, 2008

this dude is all about the different things- john

                 
   A friendly notice from Coldtowne Theatre’s premier nerd rap alter ego Terp 2 It:
“we will be partying our dicks off* at the United States Art Authority tonight.
acts: Alexander's Dark Band / The Pelicks / Terp 2 it.  Full bar / free parking / radical.  doors at 9, show at 10, $5.  this is the last Terp 2 it show for a long time!
*free re-attachment available”

  A lot of people think that this is the release show for his new album- but fact is – this is the release party for the release date for the new album.  Read the sentence again if you need to.  Take all the time you like. He’s funny like that.  

   Here is an exclusive partyends debut of the new single “The different things
Slow, steady beat touching on bears and… man- I can’t keep up with everything going on in this one.  It has some Kids in the Hall humor, faux screwed vocals, plenty of pop culture nods and a wailing ironic guitar solo. Check it:
MP3: Terp 2 It- The different things

your daddy’s rich and your ma is good lookin’ - john

  
   It is HOT outside. Summer in Austin brings us MUCH less congested streets due to 50,000 less college students being in town, MANY snowcone stands, and my PALE white legs peaking thru shorts causing mothers to cover their children’s eyes. Kick the season off right with a free all day concert tomorrow at Guero’s (OMG it’s totally that place from Death Proof.  Urgh.)   Highlights include, but are not limited to, Built By Snow and the Boxing Lesson.  The event is hosted by Laurie Gallardo from KUT and sponsored by NORML. This show is up my alley because I will be able to drink a satisfactory margarita while watching a show. Again- this show is 100% FREE FREE FREE.  Stay hydrated and wear sunscreen.

June 18, 2008

bengasm- john

 
                                      (image via Webster's is my Bitch)
   Man oh man.  What is this website coming too?  Our first Amy Winehouse gossip related post was yesterday and now a juicy photo of the superb Ben Folds and his fourth (yes, fourth) wife.wearing Timberlands.   His previous wives have collaborated with him for some of my favorite all time songs including Alice Childress, Last Polka and Lullabye.  I am always eager to hear more from this prolific musician, so here’s hoping that Fleur Folds gets the creative juices flowing the way his previous muses have.  Read about the proper definition of a" Bengasm" on Webster's is my Bitch.  

MP3: Ben Folds Five- Birds (from the Army Single)
MP3: Ben Folds - One Down

rmx - luther

 

   My affections for Spain's Cof Cof have been made adequately clear in recent months, especially after the release of their phenomenal, free, full length record Who Said Party? (which, if you haven't gotten, well, what the fuck?)

   So now the Valencia duo are following in the footsteps of other Myspace innovators like the Teenagers and Klaxons by branching out into the more traditionally danceable with a whole site dedicated to their remixes. So far the tunes are thorough, lengthy, and maintain their signature pseudo-bit sound. Though only one track is up so far, it's great, and I'm sure there are more to come. Check it out, be one of their first friends, and dance. I hope you dance.

Stream: Cof Cof RMX - NRK Flashlight Monkey

June 17, 2008

daptone singles- john


                                        (the Daptone Studio)
   By now you and the rest of America have heard about Grammy award winning Amy Winehouse chanting racial slurs in a crack den while carving pentagrams into baby bottoms or whatever the sensational scandal is. That being said, it is safe to assume that the retro Motown sound that she helped popularize is quickly fading from the mainstream.  Fine with me, because you are never going to have to worry about shenanigans like that from anyone on the Daptone label.  

   The Brooklyn-based soul-funk loving Daptone Records released a special digital-only compilation recently featuring 13 tracks previously available only on 7 inchs. Entitled Daptone 7 inch Singles Collection, Vol. 2, the album collects rarities from Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra, Charles Bradley and the Bullets, and more
   Catch the super tiny and super energetic Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings at all sorts of festivals this super warm summer including Austin City Limits Festival.  
   Grab the Charles Bradley track from the  Daptone 7 inch Singles Collection, Vol. 2 below and buy Daptone 7 inch Singles Collection, Vol. 2 at the following places:
iTunes exclusive version (including extra Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings version) HERE!
Grab it from Amazon HERE!
 
MP3: Charles Bradley-Now That I’m Gone
MP3: Sharon Jones - 100 Days, 100 Nights

June 15, 2008

night on the coldtowne-john


                                   (photo: recovering lazyholic)

   Thanks to everyone who came out to our Coldtowne Theatre edition of Stool Pigeons where we told stupid stories about ghosts, amateur hijackery and Richard Linklater’s pinball machine, then, we let the professionals make side-splitting scenes.  The comedy was full of fast paced bodily functions, irreverent slang, pop culture nods to dead stooges, and repeated callbacks about babies.  I guess you had to be there.  

   We are extremely grateful to Coldtowne Theatre for dusting off two stools for us to have the seats of honor for the evening.  The space is full of devotion and ambition to seeing improv comedy having four solid walls that can be relied on for guaranteed laughs despite having a ceiling that can be relied on for guaranteed hearing footsteps from I Love Video which has it’s comedy section right above the stage of the venue. It is truly something they should all be proud of.  I can’t wait to go back to see more of Austin’s closet connection to the late great Del Close do long-form improv justice.  Especially considering that before too long (TABC approval pending) they will be slinging what will surely be hilarious alcoholic beverages to make even the lamest Stool Pigeons like us seem all the more humorous.   

MP3: Atom and His Package- Tim Allen is Not Very Funny

June 13, 2008

fight for your right, the party - luther

 
   It's another big weekend, and the Mohawk is importing some intra-state fun in the form of the infamous, incendiary the Party. Always a great time, weather here or on their psudo-home turf in Dallas, these are the dance parties to beat, especially with Dj's like Keith P, Select, and local wunderkind Prince Klassen. So after you hit up our spectacle at Coldtowne, head over to the Mohawk, have a couple tomahawks, get an Annie Ray exclusive photo of you with your Highlife 40oz, and see where the night takes you (I'd wager it takes me out for kolaches, but we all have to follow our own paths in life).

June 12, 2008

joan of arc tonight!-john

  
   Tonight is one of those new fangled early shows I have been hearing about at the Mohawk and it looks pretty amazing.  With music starting at 9pm,  you can show up to work tomorrow morning with no one getting suspicious because you won’t fall asleep next to the coffee machine.  Instead you will whiz thru your last day of the week humming the off kilter melodies of Joan of Arc!

   I have had never had the pleasure of seeing this incarnation of a Kinsella Brother related project and am very much looking forward to it because Joan of Arc’s the Gap was my first exposure to that sort of music.  At a time when I eagerly consumed any media that could remotely be traced back to the genre ‘emo’ (have mercy) that record’s minimal instrumentation, sonically bizarre studio trickery and lyrics about minutia such as cat hair on pants pretty much blew my mind.  That gave me a taste of the brothers Kinsella and has since made me a life long fan of Make Believe, Owen, Cap’n Jazz and on and on and on.  Needless to say – this show will be great.  

   Supporting acts are top notch on this bill as well.  Yellow Fever is a duo now but still play great pop songs about girls and boys.  Their lazy style is sweeping the day dreaming nation so check em out on the home turf  tonight!    

   The illustrious Single Frame open up at 9pm so get there early because this is the first show that they are playing with their new member Ross Ethridge who will be DJing!  Single Frame has always utilized interesting and non-traditional instrumentation from televisions, to electronic effect-ridden drums, I am extremely eager to see how a live DJ falls into the mix.

   Cancel your plans tonight and come see indie rock living legends at the Mohawk. Buy tickets HERE. Download away below!
 

MP3: Single Frame- the Slip

MP3: Single Frame- Make Yourself

MP3: Yellow Fever - Culver City 

MP3: Joan of Arc- Zelda 

MP3: Joan of Arc- the Hands 

June 11, 2008

stool pigeons - john

          
   Imagine seeing both mine and Luther’s most embarrassing stories made into comedy sketches. I know, I know- try to contain yourself.  It is your dream come true.  

   Please join us this Saturday (JUNE 14th 2008!) at the Coldtowne Theatre as we share a stool and weave true tales for the talented actors of Coldtowne to misappropriate into something funny as a part of their weekly Stool Pigeons show.  We are honored to be asked to be involved and nervous about how it will go, so come out and do your part to support live local improv this Saturday at 8pm at Coldtowne theatre.  Oh and one more thing- it is BYOB so feel free to throw down for a keg of Franziskaner Weissbier that we can all share.  
 
Here is a track i have always really liked from the bleeptastic (and now defunct) Midwest Product...
MP3: Midwest Product- Pigeons 

June 10, 2008

sax rohmer #1 - john



    Summer jamz for most people are typically in the 'ringtone rap' variety but mine has been the leadoff track from the illustrious John Darnielle’s latest release under the prolific Mountain Goats penname: Heretic Pride.  The album has been out since February and I am still listening to it over and over again trying to learn the words and marveling at how prolifically genius Darnielle is.  Check out the graphic above for some clues as to what the song is actually about and who guests on it!  Click below to join me in making it the official 2008 summer jam.  Who am I kidding- there will be like 20 more in the next couple of months….

MP3: the Mountain Goats-Sax Rohmer #1

June 09, 2008

take a look out your window- john

 
   I just picked up the Pataphysics full length vinyl Take a Look Out Your Window, which comes brilliantly packaged with a cd-r so you can pump the weirdo jamz in the car as well as on the home stereo.  The songs are pogoed up and synthed out.  Bouncy bass lines, postmodern da-da lyrics and an overall tongue in check avant-gardeness make this release a must-own for fans of Devo or Onigo Boingo to see how the genre has shifted and the direction it is being pushed. Austin has had a penchant for being on the forefront of advancing oddball new wave revival for years now with the Zom Zoms and the Oblong Boys so it makes perfect sense that members of both these acts now make up the Pataphysics DNA.  

   Pick up Take a Look Out Your Window online HERE or at a fine Austin independent record retailer near you. Act fast – there are only 350 pressed!  See the amazing (and sometimes anti-comedy fueled) Pataphysics live show at Hole in the Wall on June 13th or at a free in-store performance at End of an Ear on June 14th.

June 07, 2008

what it is- john


             (image from Wired taken at the Gorrilla vs Booze sxsw08 day show)

    Holy cow! The Cool Kids EP the Bake Sale is sure good.  These laid back, fun songs about bikes, house parties and rare sneakers DEFINE the summer jams of the year.  Buy it and ride around shining. Here is a rad track from the new black Beastie Boys to start off your weekend correct.
MP3: the Cool Kids- What it is

June 06, 2008

freeday- john

      

   Soundcheck Magazine is hosting quite the show tonight at Emo's featuring Corto Maltese, Frank Smith, Death Is Not A Joyride, Southern Drama and Kevin A. from Mothfight! the whole night is in honor of the new Soundcheck website which features all sorts of content and non-stop updates so you don't have to wait until whenever the next issue comes out.   We cought the sultry sounds of Southern Drama and the burlesque sounds of Death is not a Joyride last week at the PartyEnds show with Transmography last thursday.  Twas a blast. This is the show of the night even if it weren't free.

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   Transmission Entertainment launched their new super involved site yesterday and if you want to read some comments from a buncn of bitter haters - cruise down to the comments section on the Austinist post about it. The site manages to be a one stop shop for several different vevnues in town with details, dates and links but the most interesting part of it is how dynamic they are allowing it to be.  Users can submit pictures and mp3s for all the world to check out thus transmitting Austin's happenings to folks all over. Not too shabby.         

June 04, 2008

girls again - luther

photo by John at our Four on the Floor SXSW party 

   A few months ago, I gave a sort of raving review for a group of young ladies who played one of our SXSW shows called the Vivian Girls. A Psyche-grunge trio giving a hip new slant to a tried and true sound, these ladies are worth checking out again if you were too lazy to do it the last time I wrote about them. They are also on tour at the moment, so check your local listings and don't miss their rather intense, yet somehow lackadaisical stage presence.

   Their self titled release LP on Mauled by Tigers was evidently a huge success as it appears to be sold out, but will now be released in the near future on the prominent In the Red.

MP3: Vivian Girls - Tell the World

almost famousish- john

 
   'God's least favorite nightlife blog,' The Famouish, has been bringing their A-Game lately to the Austin web-o-sphere.  From dropping the link to a Seinfeld themed mixtape (!), to expanding my horizons in the form of chopped and screwed tejano music (its MUCH more tolerable than you are thinking) - they are on a roll.  In addition to their significant content, they have been excelling in visual significance via their poster designs by site contributor Lydia Reynolds who is vastly improving the Austin showposter landscape.  Check out the latest edition in her summer party series featuring all sorts of frosty cold treat for this Friday night’s Beauty Bar show with Small Town Djs  above.   All of her design work has been wonderful and it adds a lot to the overall presence of the website.  Not to mention video recaps of their wild dance parties by Doneski.  The site is fairley new and is a VERY welcome addition to the online pimping of cool ish.    Take part in the action this weekend for what has been dubbed ELECTRO-GANZA with high profile electro nights Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  Peep the full lineup and grab some free music HERE.

Add em on a little social networking site called myspace HERE

June 03, 2008

burn after reading- john

  
   I have not liked Brad Pitt this much in years.  Watch this trailer for the new Cohen Brothers movie Burn After Reading and marvel and the star-studded cast but above all- a funny Tyler Durden.  

June 02, 2008

monday bloody monday- john

       
   At the peak of the Radiohead “donate-whatever-you-want-because- music-is-an-art-not-a-commodity-and-our-newest-release-InRainbows-is-no-different-   just be-sure-to-cough-up-200-bucks-for-a-ticket-when-we-come-thru-your-town" mania Saul Williams took a similar approach with his newest The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiggyTardust- produced by Trent Reznor who is the front man of some band or something. Maybe you have heard of him.  Williams capped how many were given away for the pay-what-you-want price and then started charging a set rate for the downloads.  Now, many months later- the album is set to get a proper release in late June on cd and limited edition vinyl complete with bonus tracks and what I would guess are some cool-ass pictures of Saul Williams.   

  I have had the pleasure of seeing Saul a few times and can only imagine how good this new material is live.  Fans will have plenty of opportunity at this summer's Lollapalooza and Bumbershoot among others.

And now, a list of demands that have already been met for Saul Williams:
A Cameo on Girlfriends
Not gotten sued by David Bowie
A supporting role in K-PAX
Song in a Nike commercial
MP3: Saul Williams- Sunday Bloody Sunday