Day 22 Oct 16 "Keeping Austin Weird"
We have come to Austin three times already for SXSW conferences, but this is the first time we will play here on our own. I gathered that it would be pretty much a more sober town than what we're used to, but I'd say we were proven wrong.
There's something about Austin that is inherently nutty. For those who haven't been here, this city is known to be far more left wing (and artsy) than the rest of Texas. If you haven't seen it, "Keep Austin Weird" is the popular slogan sold on many t-shirts and bumper stickers. It really is a music town, as evidenced by it's ongoing country music and festival history. See the Broken Spoke Legend for example. The power of the Austin scene is aptly validated by the long running live music show, "Austin City Limits". A coveted exposure milestone for any music group, it requires little mention here.
We are not going to be so priveledged to appearance on that show, but we did manage to do a feature interview and performance out of the same building as A.C.L. on the U.T. campus on a show called "Folkways", which runs on Saturday afternoons on KUT 90.5 FM. Also we did an appearance on Austin News at Noon (NBC), right after Blanch from Golden Girls, with a host quite reminiscent of Ron Burgundy. The extra media didn't do a ton to boost attendance at our show, but the exposure no doubt has it's esoteric benefits.
At Emo's we had people come from as far as San Antonio (thanks Rachel et al), but I couldn't help but feel a little envious of the band called "Thursday" in the adjacent room at Emo's playing to a packed house of moshers. There's something to be said for gratuitous banter. To quote the singer of Thursday as he throated to their roaring audience; "People get on the stage and try to preach to you... but what I say is not to listen to those people... you should just do whatever the hell you want to do !!!". His contradictory rhetoric was swallowed up by fans, some of whom even hanging shirtless off the rafters so as to jump upon their fellow audience members. Impressive. Also impressed upon me was the general enthusiasm for chaos and rowdiness abounding in Austin that night. Within short time of arrival at the club we were advised of where to get hookers and cocaine. Austin should have no problem keeping "weird".
Day 23 Oct 17 Denton Texas - Hailey's
Denton is a fine, if boring University town with a nice old town square. There are no street people visible (or payphones) and even the punk clad kids are buying expensive coffees at Jupiter's.
There seems to be a veritable gay/lesbian presence here too. We see posters for Canadian faves and gay concomitants "The Hidden Cameras" in a local pizza place around the corner from our club. That might be a fun show to go to, but tonight this pizza place proves to be our nemesis: they are hosting a free all ages CD release party for a local band. I don't know if there could be any more disheartening news to a visiting band (us) trying to charge cover just around the corner. Even though it is Saturday night, our attendance is hit. Also there is a massive football championship game (UO vs UT) going on downtown.
The only consolation for a less than awesome turnout is the nice staff, and everybody is a little nutty over the door girl, who is a studious 20 year old who is a taller and more voluptuous deadringer for Leslie Feist.
Because of the local UO/UT college football game, we are lucky to get rooms at the Days Inn, where we are honoured to be awarded with a generous Southern gift from The Beloved Wooden Sky: A 60 oz bottle of pure agave reposado tequila. What make this bottle extra especial is that is shaped like a Tommy Gun. They picked it up in Phoenix, of course (see blog). We are now gangsters for sure ! Gavin, Simon, Wyatt and Kip... the BROOD loves you !!! To date we haven't opened the bottle, though I think we agree that it should be shared between the two bands before the end of the Western leg. Failing that, New Years Eve at Lee's Palace, which we are hoping they will accept with us as a year end blow out gig.
We found out about a week later that Denton is hometown to a band we've been listening to with religious fervor in the van called "Midlake", who are modern day kings of smooth music, reminiscent of the original smooth music (aka Yacht Rock) movement of the 70's and 80's... check out Midlake if you want some great driving music.
We have come to Austin three times already for SXSW conferences, but this is the first time we will play here on our own. I gathered that it would be pretty much a more sober town than what we're used to, but I'd say we were proven wrong.
There's something about Austin that is inherently nutty. For those who haven't been here, this city is known to be far more left wing (and artsy) than the rest of Texas. If you haven't seen it, "Keep Austin Weird" is the popular slogan sold on many t-shirts and bumper stickers. It really is a music town, as evidenced by it's ongoing country music and festival history. See the Broken Spoke Legend for example. The power of the Austin scene is aptly validated by the long running live music show, "Austin City Limits". A coveted exposure milestone for any music group, it requires little mention here.
We are not going to be so priveledged to appearance on that show, but we did manage to do a feature interview and performance out of the same building as A.C.L. on the U.T. campus on a show called "Folkways", which runs on Saturday afternoons on KUT 90.5 FM. Also we did an appearance on Austin News at Noon (NBC), right after Blanch from Golden Girls, with a host quite reminiscent of Ron Burgundy. The extra media didn't do a ton to boost attendance at our show, but the exposure no doubt has it's esoteric benefits.
At Emo's we had people come from as far as San Antonio (thanks Rachel et al), but I couldn't help but feel a little envious of the band called "Thursday" in the adjacent room at Emo's playing to a packed house of moshers. There's something to be said for gratuitous banter. To quote the singer of Thursday as he throated to their roaring audience; "People get on the stage and try to preach to you... but what I say is not to listen to those people... you should just do whatever the hell you want to do !!!". His contradictory rhetoric was swallowed up by fans, some of whom even hanging shirtless off the rafters so as to jump upon their fellow audience members. Impressive. Also impressed upon me was the general enthusiasm for chaos and rowdiness abounding in Austin that night. Within short time of arrival at the club we were advised of where to get hookers and cocaine. Austin should have no problem keeping "weird".
Day 23 Oct 17 Denton Texas - Hailey's
Denton is a fine, if boring University town with a nice old town square. There are no street people visible (or payphones) and even the punk clad kids are buying expensive coffees at Jupiter's.
There seems to be a veritable gay/lesbian presence here too. We see posters for Canadian faves and gay concomitants "The Hidden Cameras" in a local pizza place around the corner from our club. That might be a fun show to go to, but tonight this pizza place proves to be our nemesis: they are hosting a free all ages CD release party for a local band. I don't know if there could be any more disheartening news to a visiting band (us) trying to charge cover just around the corner. Even though it is Saturday night, our attendance is hit. Also there is a massive football championship game (UO vs UT) going on downtown.
The only consolation for a less than awesome turnout is the nice staff, and everybody is a little nutty over the door girl, who is a studious 20 year old who is a taller and more voluptuous deadringer for Leslie Feist.
Because of the local UO/UT college football game, we are lucky to get rooms at the Days Inn, where we are honoured to be awarded with a generous Southern gift from The Beloved Wooden Sky: A 60 oz bottle of pure agave reposado tequila. What make this bottle extra especial is that is shaped like a Tommy Gun. They picked it up in Phoenix, of course (see blog). We are now gangsters for sure ! Gavin, Simon, Wyatt and Kip... the BROOD loves you !!! To date we haven't opened the bottle, though I think we agree that it should be shared between the two bands before the end of the Western leg. Failing that, New Years Eve at Lee's Palace, which we are hoping they will accept with us as a year end blow out gig.
We found out about a week later that Denton is hometown to a band we've been listening to with religious fervor in the van called "Midlake", who are modern day kings of smooth music, reminiscent of the original smooth music (aka Yacht Rock) movement of the 70's and 80's... check out Midlake if you want some great driving music.
Steve have so enjoyed all your posts on this very interesting journey. Hope you will continue them for the Eastern leg coming up.
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