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July 31, 2008

lolla-pa-who's-it's? - luther

 
   A real quick aside, if any of our readers happen to be in Chicago for the upcoming kickoff to the grand ol' super-corp-festival season at Lollapalooza and you're looking for a few free shots of tequila, check out the Spin party over at good ol' Reggies. Spin might have Coldplay on the cover at the moment, but they always throw a descent SXSW party with surprising taste, so they're probably a good bet. There's even a shuttle, apparently, so you can get good and trashed.
   It is part of the Summer Rocks tour, which will be covering most of the giant festivals and then some this year and should produce a bunch of pretty cool performance videos and stuff along the way. The video on the page right now is pretty dope, so check it out.
 
MP3: Gutter Twins - Idle Hands

Posted by partyends at 03:25 PM | | Comments (679) | TrackBacks (0)

July 30, 2008

wondersmith and his sons - john


                                      (album art looks slick, huh?)
  OMG!ABNASFHFAP?! (Translation: Oh My God! A brand new Astronautalis song from his forthcoming album Pomegrante?! ) I am a busy man and you, the reader, are a busy reader- I can’t waste our valuable time NOT using acronyms on news like this.
   The past 24 hours I have been exclusively listening to the new Astronautalis song "The Wondersmith and His Sons" that is currently streaming on his myspace page.  Maybe “listening to” isn’t the phrase ….. more like “marveling at the awesomeness.”  It has been two years since the touring machine Astronautlis has put out a studio record but he is finally gearing up to unleash the latest Eyeball Records release "Pomegranate."  It is hard for me to convey the brilliance of this record's foundation, as it has some of my favorite artists involved.  John Congelton from the Paperchase who has recorded some of my favorite albums with Explosions in the Sky and the 90 Day Men helmed the production of this and has left his spidery fingerprints all over it. He recruited a ‘who’s who’ of Texas musicians with credits ranging from Sara Jaffe, members of Polyphonic Spree and of course the omnipotent Paperchase.  Congelton went to great lengths to make sure that the players on this record were top notch- he even hooked up some dude named Chris Godby who left in the middle of the project to go work full time in Miami for Timabland.  Not too shabby.

   The first notes of the off-key minor haunted house piano meshed with a bluesy riff are 900% convincing to me that this record will be the most mature and sinisterly enjoyable LP that whatever genre of hip hop that Astro best falls under has ever seen.  The track is a fantastic, exciting balance between Kerouac, John Darnielle and Nas.  It concisely executes everything that Astronautlis records have been building towards all these years in 3 and a half minutes: skill, content, and innovation.  Well, everything except his freestyles.  You have to see him in person to wrap your mind around those….  
DMAPFAGLTTOOTNRPRN! (Translation: “Do me a personal favor and go listen to track one off the new record Pomegranate right now!)

STREAM: Astronautalis- The Wondersmith and His Sons

Posted by partyends at 07:42 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

July 29, 2008

make mixes, not wars- john

 
  
   Good morning Vietnam!  PEACHCAKE- one of my favorite touring bands that wears masks, gets in the audience’s face and commands a killer game of duck duck goose is coming back to Austin this Thursday July 31st at Emo’s.   This time thru town has a nice little twist to it- it is a stop on their first annual, Make Mixes, Not War! Tour. The concept of the tour urges attendantsvto come bearing mix CD's or tapes., then, they will have a choice. They can either swap mixes with other confetti covered audience members, or submit their mix to the band, where it/they will then be entered into a contest revolving around Peachcake’s top three favorite mixes. The top three chosen will receive a huge Peachcake gift pack and more! This is a great way for the band to stay sane in the tour van without wearing out iPod playlist after playlist again and again.  Instead, they can hear your favorite jamz, and in turn, own a slice of your soul.  It is also nice that you have a shot at that one of a kind Peachcake inflatable t-rex you have always dreamed of.  

   As you can imagine, this is the sort of contest with a twist that appeals quite highly to Rob Gordon and I.

   Dust off the tapes and cd-rs because it is time to get to work before you come out to see one of the most energetic bands in America perform at the Emos Thursday night.  Also- folks with tapes will be getting discounts on merch.  Seems like a no brainer!  Other bands on the bill: jc & co. (members of belaire & voxtrot) Breathless and Bear Claw.

Posted by partyends at 08:31 AM | | Comments (206) | TrackBacks (0)

July 28, 2008

top ranking- john

 
   Thanks to everyone who came out the PartyEnds show Friday night. I think we all owe Club DeVille a big "thank you" for not running out of Imperial pint glasses because, lets be honest, they make all of the Live Oak product taste at least twice as good.   

   I can’t wait to see Neiliyo again.  The energy and yacht rocking attire was worth the door charge alone.  His Best Fwends meets Ghostland Observatory shtick had the place turned into an immediate dance party.  It was bizarre.

     Black Tie Dynasty channeled Joy Division’s moodiness and entertained a good size crowd of fans most of whom were wearing black, although I don’t think I saw any actual ties.   

   The Always Already were the grand finale of the evening playing mostly new songs off their upcoming full length.  The group performed in front of homemade projections, which added a lot to their already exciting performance full of Jagger style strutting, MacKaye style anthems and not to mention plenty of hot tambourine action. Every song was impressively dynamic, reassuring the crowd that the Always Already is indeed one of the best bands in Austin. Check out more photos from the night HERE.

   It was a busy week of PartyEnds show between Flosstradamus on Tuesday and the Always Already on Friday it was a whirlwind. Thanks for all the support!  We are still scheming away on another Boat Party for August, this one being our third installment in the Summer Extrav-0-ganza party series which will continue on until someone drowns in Lake Travis. Also keep an eye out for a cup cake social. with our budz at KVRX. You will be hearing more and more details on these and many more awesome-tastic events in the coming weeks.  In the meantime why don’t you do yourself a favor and download TOP RANKING, the new Santogold and Diplo mixtape for free before it gets taken down! 

Posted by partyends at 04:09 PM | | Comments (102) | TrackBacks (0)

July 25, 2008

so much to do- john

 

   Tonight the magic happens. Club Deville will be pouring strong cocktails and imperial pints of Big Bark.  The outside patio chairs will be nice and dry by then and the PA will be set loud enough to drown out the Indieroke going down next door at the Mohawk.   You can wait and see Step Brothers or X Files tomorrow because tonight you have a date with the one-man dance party  Neiliyo, the tall hair of  Black Tie Dynasty, and the Casio dance punk of The Always Already.

   Onto Saturday: at noon at the Parish, part two of the Girls Rock Camp goes down where the young ladies perform the songs that they have been working on all summer under direct supervision of some of Austin’s most talented independent female musicians. Check out the Austinist’s breakdown of the whole shenanigans HERE.  

   Tomorrow night is the farewell show to friends of PartyEnds Ocelot.  The remaining American counterpart of the group is finally skipping over the pond for a damn good reason- to make a great living playing dance music! The farewell party has another Austin music celebrity playing (who thankfully is staying in ATX to keep making his Bmore bangers) – Bird Peterson.  It is all going down at the Black and Tan Bar, which I have still yet to check out but from the looks of it’s recent shows, seems extremely welcoming to DJ events. Rest assured that Saturday night the place will be rattling eardrums and shaking the floorboards.  This is going to be huge.  

   Then Sunday our boys La Snacks (complete with new drummer from Transmogprahy!)  play the KOOP benefit at United States Art Authority.  Somehow KOOP tricked Scooter Revolution into donating a scooter to be given away as part of a raffle.   It is not too late to buy your NOW !  The money goes to the mighty fine cause of community radio which works tirelessly everyday to minimize dead air and station fires with kooky lounge music and elk mating rituals.   

Have a good one and we’ll see you tonight at Club DeVille!

Posted by partyends at 10:15 AM | | Comments (98) | TrackBacks (0)

July 24, 2008

break beat happening- john

 
                        (image from the always interesting Dirt Dirt's Flickr)
   NEW OPENER FOR THE SHOW TOMORROW NIGHT AT  CLUB DEVILLE!  This will be one of the first public performances of the one-man electronic/guitar band Neiliyo.  "Low-fi" does not quite fit because it has such Beat Happening connotations.... has anyone on the Internet coined a phrase for dudes who just use a MacBook and a Telecaster to construct heartwarmingly simple dance songs?  Mac-Fi? After this post, I am contacting the copyright department to trademark it.  Part Of Montreal, part Gene Defcon, the music teeters on the verge of novelty but is resiliently earnest and above all- fun.  Is that not what we are all looking for in our music?    After Neiliyo plays,  Black Tie Dynasty takes the stage and then The Always Already will hopefully grace us all with some new material from their forthcoming LP.   This is thing to do Friday night.

MP3: Neiliyo - Kinda Pissed
MP3: Neiliyo - Fire

Posted by partyends at 08:14 AM | | Comments (467) | TrackBacks (0)

July 23, 2008

crunk summer- john

  
   Here is an understatement for you:  Flosstradamus was great last night.  With a set spanning from Neil Diamond to exclusive new tracks from Cool Kids and Kid Sister and then from Weezer to Ludacris,  the DJ duo completely rocked the giant outside space at  the Mohawk.   Openers Abominatron and Markus with a K traded off  shifts of dance music and had the place shaking from early on, but the crowd was there to here "overnight star" and the "yeah yea" remix.  It was extremely refreshing to me to see that a DJ show on a Tuesday night in the summer can  do so well and be so gosh dern fun.  Keep an eye over at  We Own This City for some photos at some point soon...

   Here is some new music from a guy who stood on the stage all night long last night behind Flosstradamus except for this one time when he managed to pull off crowd surfing- King Louie.  King Louie probably loves Crookers more than anyone and it is absolutely apparent in his music.  He has been producing for almost 10 years and worked in a multitude of genres (hip hop, turntablism, and now fidget house.)  Check out these tracks he made with longtime PartyEnds friend- DJ Orion. Both tracks are electro gold and certain to work their way into the the Serato libraries of top cats all over the world.    

MP3: King Louie & Orion- Crunk Fader
MP3: King Louie & Orion- Summer Skanks

Posted by partyends at 11:29 AM | | Comments (218) | TrackBacks (0)

July 22, 2008

flosstradamus tonight- john


   Polish off those dancing shoes because the outside stage of the Mohawk tonight is going to be jam packed as two of the world's hottest DJs are gracing us with their skillz all the way live from the Windy City.  Ladies and germs- preemptively put your hands together for Flosstradamus!

   I think that thanks to those lovely and well made condos (ahem. does sarcasm come across on the internet anymore?) across the street, the show has to wind down around Midnight. SOOOOoooo -come out early, once they wind down things migrate inside as Richard Henry keeps things going until 2.  Who knows, maybe FLoss' J2K and DJ Autobot will make an encore appearance inside....  

   Check out what Austinist has to say about the show HERE!

Posted by partyends at 10:27 AM | | Comments (25) | TrackBacks (0)

July 18, 2008

always black & blue - john

 
   The Always Already just keeps getting better and better.  If you haven't seen them with the addition of the new bass player from Clap! Clap! (R.I.P)- the three piece still creates climatic synth punk with the undertones of adderal fueled samba drum fills, but now there is a bass player.  They are truly one of Austin's most exciting
bands to watch both literally and figuratively.  Opening up are the 'hot item' of the DFW music scene Black Tie Dynasty, whose Killers-esq tracks (swirling guitars, keyboards) will fit in perfect in front of the giant limestone wall at Club DeVille.  It is always worth cover whenever Til We're Blue or Destroy is on the bill.  Every performance is unapologetically unique as the lineup seems to be dynamic: sometimes there are two drummers,  sometimes there are added guitar players.  Everyone in the band seems to pull double duty on
instruments and it works wonders. Next week is a big one- Flosstradamus on Tuesday.... the Always Already on Friday.  Good thing i have the excitement of seeing the Dark Knight to keep me going!
 
MP3: the Always Already - I am Electric 
MP3: 'Til We're Blue or Destroy - All Shook Up  
MP3: Black Tie Dynasty - Tender

Posted by partyends at 11:19 PM | | Comments (226) | TrackBacks (0)

dark melee knight - john

 

   Last night I had the great privilege to see the Dark Knight at 1:30am.  Trust me.  Buy your ticket right now and then get out your checkbook and donate your life savings to some sort of Heath Ledger charity.  He was incredible.  Absolutely crazy.  He had every Joker mannerism out of the Gotham ballpark and into the windshield of every Batmobile before Christian Bale's.  The movie could have gone on for another 10 hours as far as I am concerned.  If a DVD was released of just the Joker outtakes & bloopers it would still make a billion dollars and make the nation tremble.   All hail the new Joker. 

 

   Tonight is the final round of the austin installment of DJ Melee at the Hawk and it should be one hell of a party.  Competitors tonight include Giant Hornets vs. DJ Starsign vs. BIGFACE.  What really sets tonight apart from anything else happening in town is that there will be a live performance by Starlynx featuring the LBJ High Drum Line. Starlynx is a new group with DJ Manny and BIGFACE on the tables and MC Tiger Liu.  You can listen to House Rockers on the Melee site, it starts playing automatically.  Listen to the drum line break - that's what will be performed by members of the LBJ High School drumline at the show tonight!  Should be pretty sick!   Also, don;t forget to go see the Dark Knight.  SO GOOD!

Posted by partyends at 09:45 AM | | Comments (94) | TrackBacks (0)

July 17, 2008

flosstradamus predicts free tickets - john

 

   Floss, floss, floss, floss, Flosstradamus!  it is creeping up here folks.  This coming Tuesday over at the Mohawk the outside stage gets rattled by two of the best Chicago DJs out there and we are pleased as a thick crust Chicago pizza pie to help make it as awesome as possible.  The last time i saw Flossy D was in Austin as they looked on like proud parents while The Cool Kids killed it with their laid back Beastie rhymes.  Flosstradamus made them who they are now, paved the way for Kid Sister, and have brought a dancefloor ready version of Matt and Kim's "yeah yea" directly to the aorta of the American dance floor.  These two young men know what they are doing, and they do it well.

   The decks have got to nice and warmed up first so Abominatron and Markus with a K will be doing the honors.  This is going to the be most fun a  Tuesday night has been Austin in a long time.  We Own This City will be manning the photography duties for the evening, Richard Henry will be keeping things going on the inside stage late night and I will be manning the sweaty, drunken dancing duties along with all of you. 

   Want to win 5 free tickets?!  Do you think i know what  a rhetorical question is?  The fine feathered folks over at Transmission have the hookup with a contest that requires you to be silly. Here's what you have to do to win 5 tickets to this show:

"In the theme of Nosstradamus, we want you, the fans of Flosstradamus, to predict the future.  What major world events will take place in the year 2009?  Say whatever you want...say something hilarious, something dirty, say something downright rude...the harder we laugh at your prediction, the more likely you are to win the prize, so get creative.

(1) Call us at 512-472-2009 (it's an Austin number) and, at the beep, leave us your shamanistic prediction for 2009.  No need to leave any contact information, just the funny shit, please.  If we involuntarily pee in our pants from laughing at your voicemail, that's a pretty good sign.

(2) When you're done, send an email to info@transmissionentertainment.com with the phrase "FLOSSTRADAMUS PREDICTS" in the subject line.  In the email, re-summarize your prediction so we know which voicemail was yours.

The winner gets 5 free tickets to the show AND gets their winning voicemail prediction posted right here on the Transmission website for the world to hear & enjoy.  Not to mention the fame and glory that will at last be yours. This contest, like all contests, will end at 5pm the day before the show.  To the winner go the spoils."

read more about it HERE and GOOD LUCK! Not feeling lucky?  Buy your tickets HERE.

MP3: Flosstradamus- Overnight Star 

Posted by partyends at 04:53 PM | | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

July 16, 2008

forward russia love - john

 

   If you are like me and need a good song to listen to after playing 7 straight hours of Grand Theft Auto 4, then look no further.  Here is a new MP3 the always-energetic Forward Russia.  It is a little mathier and epic than their older stuff.  This is not a bad thing, just different.  Also, note that the songs are no longer just numbers. I guess this means they are maturing.  The new album Life Processes comes out July 22nd on Mute Records…

MP3: Forward Russia -Spring is a Condition

Posted by partyends at 09:25 PM | | Comments (232) | TrackBacks (0)

July 15, 2008

joy bus division- john


   The Joy Bus is the type of band that I really enjoy, but until I checked them out, I had forgotten that I enjoyed so much. Does that make sense?   The Shoegazy and post punk bands like this that I like - I have liked forever. I just realized that I don’t seek out new ones to add into the mix, that is until the Joy Bus. This Austin band is good.    

   I have a feeling seeing these guys like would be like seeing Jimmy Eat World at an early basement show.  I mean this as an extreme compliment, not an epic slam. I am talking pre-“emo is a word and genre to be spit on” America. Pre-Clarity Jimmy Eat World. Pre-EmoGame.  Ok, maybe that band name is too jaded by MTV to be accurately used on a semi-respectable music website such as this… let me try again: Sunny Day Real Estate and Fugazi clearly influence The Joy Bus.  They have a more spacey take on the fusion than 90’s bands like  Christie Front Drive, Sense Field, or Seven Storey Mountain and it works really well.  The new release Loves You the Most is full of experimental guitar and excellent vocals.  It is produced well and is completely solid throughout.  The band is almost 3 years old, owns and operates its own label (KillRedRocket Records) and is about to undertake a national DIY tour, which includes everything from major clubs to Brooklyn rooftops. The Joy Bus is playing Emo’s Lounge Saturday July 19th with Sharks and Sailors and Watching the Moon.  Check them out:
 
MP3: the Joy Bus- Pillowcase
MP3: the Joy Bus- Something Wrong Inside

Posted by partyends at 08:45 PM | | Comments (164) | TrackBacks (0)

July 12, 2008

mi fresh prince -john



   In addition to the new Hold Steady record (Stay Positive! Hurry up and come out on vinyl!) all that has been in my car for the past week is the brand-new summertime poolside must Mi Fresh by Austin’s own Prince Klassen.  I picked this up at Waterloo Records and can’t stop listening to it.  It is extremely diverse; showcasing his love for scratching, soul, dancehall, boom bap, and the 80’s cross dressing classic Just One of the Guys.  Klassen is Austin’s equivalent of Baltimore’s DJ Blaqstarr in that he is unapologetically eclectic and is able to make world beats, rap lyrics, and dance jamz sound innovative and modernize them into one big dance celebration of music itself.

   The mixtape title, Mi Fresh is taken from a song of the same name from the underrated hip-hop group, Poor Righteous Teachers.  The sample is brought back again and again at different speeds and at different intervals as a motif to all four sections of the CD.  It gets in your brain like a boll weevil.  I find myself saying “mi fresh” through out the day uncontrollably.  

   In addition to the song selection of the mix, one thing that is interesting about it is how Klassen takes  different vocal samples and really rides them out- almost to the point of them outstaying their welcome.  Repetition is nothing new in songs especially in the electronic music genre but it is interesting how he does it with funk and hip hop.  It is not a new idea by any means, but by letting his crafted samples build and build and build he creates his own style.   This is quite the feat in the DJ game since all of the elements are chunks of what other musicians and DJs have already done.    
 
   The whole party mix ends with Santogold.  This is a perfect artist to represent of the whole idea of what Klassen achieved with his technique.  Santi White is one of the best in the independent music game right now who mixes and matches genres in a pleasing way (for an example of doing it wrong- see NERD’s latest.) Klassen finds just the right place for her on Mi Fresh along with James Brown, Lord Finesse, Sharon Jones, South Rakkas Crew, and more.

   You can grab the mix at local Austin record stores and go jump over an apartment complex’s fence and get you swim on. Once they are gone they are gone and then what is going to remind you of Summer 2008?
 
Here is part one in streaming form: 
 

Posted by partyends at 11:39 AM | | Comments (156) | TrackBacks (0)

July 11, 2008

the swish - john


   You gotta love Nina Simone.  Not just because of her Grammy Award winning contributions to the very fabric of American soul music, or her fiercely controversial political views, but because you have to give props to any and everyone that Craig Finn deems worthy in a Hold Steady song.  

   She has a new release out called Protest Anthology featuring glimpses of Nina in and out of the recording studio as her songs are mixed in with tracks of her interviews.  It is hauntingly good. In her lifetime, Nina Simone recorded over 40 live and studio albums and this one is assembled with love as all of the these unreleased tracks are under direct license from her husband.  The release collects some of her most poignant statements from the 1960s.  It is fantastic.  Also, if you want to interested in learning more about people and places mentioned in Hold Steady songs- I can’t recommend enough wasting your day away by pressing 'Random' on the Hold Steadyipedia.      
MP3: Nina Simone- Revolution

Posted by partyends at 06:24 PM | | Comments (569) | TrackBacks (0)

July 10, 2008

gods of the earth - john


   In honor of Hellboy 2 opening Friday (going up against with the next Norbit and some remake with that guy from Encino Man) I think it is only fitting to post up a great  SWORD MP3.  This is from their latest album, the Gods of the Earth, and will DEF set the tone for  Ron Perlman fighting the Golden Army.  I really wish I could have seen some early Sword shows back when Ben Snakepit was in the band.   Oh well. 

MP3: the Sword- Fire Lances of the Ancient Hyperzephyrians

 

**************************************************************************

   Tonight at the Mohawk,  after all of the Wizard Rock is over (early show from 5-10ish) a FREE show takes place featuring a very special secret performance by a thematic Austin band who has not played out in 4 months.  The surname they are booked as tonight is Stop Speaking Spanish (or something like that.) This show will be a warm up for the group as they are playing with a new line-up and gearing up for their second EP release in late August.  If you want to be entertained tonight for free, come check this secret show around 10:30, otherwise you could be the Laughing stock of your freinds. (Dumb Dumb. Hint Hint.)     

Posted by partyends at 12:43 PM | | Comments (213) | TrackBacks (0)

July 08, 2008

midnight movies - john

 

   Midnight Movies are an interesting band from Los Angeles that have been around since 2002 but I am just finding out about. Sorry if this is beating a dead horse and proof that I am losing my edge but their new digital  Nights EP is really great the same way that the new Portishead and Vivian Girls records are great.  
 
   The release is bookended by excellent covers of the Moody Blues classic Nights in White Satin, with the album closer beautifully sung in French.  Combining galloping flutes with a strangely appropriate pseudo psychedelic guitar solos, Midnight Movies create an atmospheric sound that can be listened to over and over.  I am little hesitant imagining the live show being great, but for a band from LA- they are truly noteworthy.  Just ask real life rock and roll guitar heroes Nick Zinner and James Iha who both remixed songs on this release.  

   Below, grab Should Have Known; a track that is as lazy as it is a stampede.  

MP3: Midnight Movies: Should Have Known

If you like, pick up the whole digital only Nights EP on iTunes.

Posted by partyends at 11:37 PM | | Comments (145) | TrackBacks (0)

you do the math - john


   Pajiba has a momentous love letter to one of my all time favorite TV shows Freaks and Geeks. This is another installment of their excellent series in the best TV shows of the past 20 years.  There is a long intro that explains subjectivity etc but when it gets to the meat of it- it hits every nail in every head.  Next time you have about about 15 hours to spare you should truck thru the entire series laugh, cry and wish you had that amazing Steve Martin poster that is on the door of Sam Wier’s room.  Click that link!  So good.

   Ok, now to talk about some music: here we are two years after these guys first made the rounds in the blog-o-sphere and I still am not into into the hype around Birdmonster.   I think the problem that stops me from hoping on the excitement train is the vocals.  It is a little too whiny, and a little too high pitch.   Am I alone on this?  I ran across the mp3 and figured I should share it with you anyway… They have a new album coming out soon called Mountain to the Sea.  Prepare to read a bunch of praise about it from various trusted indie media outlets....

MP3: Birdmonster- Born to be Your Man

Posted by partyends at 01:59 PM | | Comments (129) | TrackBacks (0)

July 07, 2008

lp3 - john

 

   By now you have heard that Ratatat has a new one out called LP3 coming out tomorrow.  It is interesting because on this album they manage to not just play Seventeen Years over and over again with slight variations.  This one is fresh.  The band has remained relevant over the years thanks to their amazing remix albums, which lay their tunes under some of the dirrrtiest of the dirty south rap etc.  This is a nice return to jamz that don't bank on ironic rap to carry the weight for the them. 

   Their new release is full of character, musical arches, and futuristic dance tracks are practically begging for DJs to lay their own Ludacris or Bun B verses over to make the next internet mashup sensation. LP3 has all the riffs that you know and love from Ratatat but within their existing sound and structure they manage to do something different.  Check it:

MP3: Ratatat- Mirando

Posted by partyends at 09:30 AM | | Comments (85) | TrackBacks (0)

July 04, 2008

everybody dance now - john

   Thanks to everyone who came out to Stockholm Syndrome last night!  Next time- we are shooting for having some free Häagen-Dazs.  Maybe. 

   So, by now you know that I really like DJ nights with themes, confines and restrictions because they are novel and fun. SOOOooooo- you know I am excited about the Party coming down from Dallas  and filling the Mohawk tonight with NOTHING BUT 90’s JAMZ. Hip Hop Hooray, Gangsta's Paradise, Afro Puffs,s Jump Around, Groove Is In the Heart, Unbelievable, U Can't Touch This, Here Comes the Hotstepper, Motownphilly, Around the World, Virtual Insanity, Too Legit 2 Quit...this is just off the top of my head!  Lord only knows what gems they are going to bust out and add air horns and gun noises over.  Be there unless you are a terrorist.

Posted by partyends at 11:15 AM | | Comments (43) | TrackBacks (0)

July 03, 2008

stockholm syndrome on texas music matters! - john

 

Good evening fine reader.  Listen to Stay Gold on KUT's Texas Music Matters discussing tonight's Stockholm Syndrome!  On the internet air- because they care. Thanks to Laurie Gallardo, a true dancing queen (ABBA?  anyone?), for the help in promoting the extravaganza tonight!

 LISTEN NOW:

MP3: Texas Music Matters- Stay Gold interview about Stockholm Syndrome

Posted by partyends at 04:57 PM | | Comments (174) | TrackBacks (0)

swede child o mine- john

   TONIGHT! We celbrate the Fourth of July weekend with a night of music from Sweden! Makes sense, right? Come one down to Elysium Night Club and be treated to a  Smörgåsbord of Swedish synth, dance, indie, retro and pop courtesy of local DJs Stay Gold. Check out the recommendation from Austin Sound Check.  And let's not forget to thank Both Sides of the Mouth!    

Here is a preview of some of the jams you will be hearing that isn't Young Folks.. don't worry- you will hear that too.

MP3: Suburban Kids With Biblical Names - Loop Duplicate my Heart

MP3: Suburban Kids With Biblical Names - Rent a Wreck

MP3: Lykke Li- Tonight

Posted by partyends at 08:00 AM | | Comments (12) | TrackBacks (0)

July 01, 2008

seeing sounds, i guess - john



   “Just be thankful that Pharrell gave you something to bump to” Ludacris pleaded with the world on his top 40 anthem Moneymaker.  Well, here I am listening to the new NERD album “Seeing Sounds” again but I am not so thankful.  May Ludacris have mercy on my soul.  

   Yeah, yeah, I get that NERD is totally different than the producing vehicle the Neptunes but I still want to be thankful.  I want to, I really do. The only thing that gets my foot tapping is the single about the girls in line to do coke.  I got to see NERD for the first time as part of Kanye’s Glow in the Dark Tour.  They were full of energy and choruses that pleaded for the stadium to stand up and dance- but most of the crowd was content sitting and watching Pharrell do the Charleston and the Jitter Bug while sorority pledges danced around him and gasped when they saw themselves on the megatron.  Yeah yeah, having two drummers is cool and different.  I guess.  I am all about the mixing and matching of different genres: Beck does it well.  Andre 300 does it well.  NERD doesn’t have the right combos.  Soul harmonies with 80’s shredding, or worse- rap with metal drums doesn’t work for me in this context.  They are trying very hard to not be pigeonholed into any one category and to embrace the musical freedom that their 100 or so popchart hits have afforded them, but it comes up a tad short.  To put this thought into terms that Pharrell could understand: it’s like having your Ice Cream sneakers and no designer laces to hold them together or make them tight.   
 
   Pharrell is a cool dude.  No doubt.  Nice sunglasses, flawless sneaker collection, he jumps well in concert, but I think NERD is better for me on stage where I can be entertained by Pharrell and the energy that the group produces.  Seeing Sounds relies on the listener being interested in a mallrat take on fusion music and the new age-ality of actually seeing music- whatever that means.  It just doesn’t mesh. But I do like that "Everybody Nose (All the Girls Standing in the Line for the Bathroom)"song, hopefully that will be enough to beg forgiveness from Ludacris.  

   Their label Interescope has been strict on the hosting of their songs, but you can buy that one song via itunes here.

Here is a pretty good remix of the track thanks to Trashbag Kids.
 
 
...and for good measure: 

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