Austin’s Food, People, Hot Spots and Vibe
Austin musicians and bands, listen up. You want to make music because you can’t imagine doing anything else with your life…right? But you’re facing a dilemma that all aspiring musicians confront: how the heck do you make a full-time living doing what you love?
Austin Music Foundation
What if you knew of a state-of-the-art resource center that was 100% free, focused solely on helping Austin-area musicians realize their dreams, and make money doing it? [Read more...]
The Austin Civic Orchestra recently performed at UT’s Butler School of Music
The startling clash of cymbals, the thunderous boom of the kettle drums, the precise and fiery melody of the strings. No matter how old you are, if you’ve never experienced a full orchestra live, you’re missing out.
Being on the younger end of life myself, I understand that sitting in a dark concert hall for a couple of hours may not seem enjoyable. But in the middle of our fast-paced lives and over-stimulation, we could use some exposure to classical music that has withstood centuries because of how amazing it is. Live orchestra performances aren’t boring, and the Austin Civic Orchestra exists to prove that point. [Read more...]
Entering the Moody Theater for AMP UnGala
Through her work as Executive Director for Austin Music People, Jennifer Houlihan is devoted to advocacy and fundraising for the Austin music industry. She keeps a finger on the pulse of the industry’s well-being and does her part to ensure its growth. ”The music community is the cultural soul of Austin, an economic engine contributing more than $1.6 billion a year to the local economy.”
But Houlihan’s no Atlas and she can’t do it alone. So on April 21, 2013, Austin Music People (AMP) hosted its largest fundraiser of the year at the Moody Theater, home to Austin City Limits. The turn-out for AMP UnGala was high. Who can stay away from talent like Shakey Graves and Bright Light Social Hour, and well-known local industry staples like Margaret Moser (Austin Chronicle) and Laurie Gallardo (KUT)? [Read more...]
The Continental Club hosts Austin jazz every Monday night
Jazz is restless, it won’t stay put and it never will. -J. J. Johnson, Trombonist
While most seasoned musicians agree that jazz is difficult to define, few deny its worldwide appeal.
With standard elements like improvisation and group interaction, this genre of music attracts the very best musicians to collaborate with one another.
There are several weekly Austin jazz events. Though we haven’t attended them all, one that we highly recommend without reservation is Church on Monday at the Continental Club Gallery.
[Read more...]
This guest blog post is by Kyle Bailey.
Mike Milligan has a great smile. It’s toothy, wide and communicates his warm and approachable personality. When he walks on stage, though, all of that vanishes. Once he grabs that microphone and takes center stage, Mike Milligan is six feet two inches of energy, growl and talent. A consummate frontman, he grabs your attention and doesn’t let go until he and his band are done with you.
Mike Milligan and the Altar Boyz have been performing “Texas Blues with Louisiana Attitude” in Austin and around the country for more than eight years, rolling out a unique blend of music that is equal parts blues, rock, bayou and pure energy. Powered by Mike’s amazing four and a half octave vocal range and unique vocal tone, you find yourself being impressed with the band as a whole and with Mike himself as a frontman. [Read more...]
Ben Livingston and the That’s What She Said band at Continental Club Gallery
We have eyes to appreciate the icons that contribute to our local pride: murals that tourists take home on t-shirts, the buildings that compose our recognizable downtown skyline, the beloved local businesses that we would stand in front of bulldozers to protect.
But partly because so many Austinites are recent additions to the city, and partly because many of the most integral community architects work quietly behind the scenes, we don’t always know where credit is due.
Ben Livingston’s fingerprints decorate Austin and his musical sound has been heard literally around the world. A biographic tome could be written about his adventures and talents – and I would gladly volunteer as the first reader – but an exhaustive tale of Livingston’s life is beyond the scope of this Austinot article. Instead, my goal is to acquaint a new generation of Austinites with a neighbor worth knowing. [Read more...]
Bill Carter and the Blame performs with Gary Clark Jr. at Austin Music Awards 2013
It may happen only one night a year, but the reverberations last all year long. In a city where music is everything, there isn’t a local band within earshot that wouldn’t love to see their name in lights at the Austin Music Awards.
The 31st annual Austin Music Awards took place at the height of SXSW 2013 at Austin Music Hall. Much-loved Austin musicians like Ben Kweller, Alejandro Escovedo, Brownout, and Gary Clark Jr. graced the stage, and there were even rumored sightings of Johnny Depp.
There are similarities between the Austin Music Awards and awards shows like the Grammys or the Country Music Awards that you might see on television. But if you’re going to give up a night in Austin during one of the most exciting times of the year – and shell out a little bit of cash in the process – I want to make sure you know what you’re in for. [Read more...]
Erin Ivey at Flipnotics, February 2013
Austin singer and songwriter Erin Ivey has a lovely, lilting voice and poetry in her bones. Texas Music Magazine named Erin one of the top artists of 2011, and her newest album Dreamy Weather was funded by fans through a successful Kickstarter campaign late last year.
I’ve had the chance to enjoy Erin and her music in different settings, and she never disappoints. If you appreciate lyrical depth and musical calm that leaves space for your thoughts, Erin Ivey is for you. [Read more...]
This guest blog post is by Mikaela Thomas.
As you’ve probably noticed, Austin has about as many festivals as it has Mexican Free-Tailed Bats. That tells you everything you need to know about this town: we love community, we applaud creativity, and we have an insatiable hunger for fun.
In that spirit, a small troupe of Austin locals, myself among them, set out in 2010 to bring a spectacular and totally new kind of festival to the heart of the Lone Star State. It’s a high-energy sonic invasion that draws brass bands from around the continent each spring to fill our streets with three days of nonstop music. Welcome to HONK!TX. [Read more...]
Quiet Company is a 2012 Black Fret grant nominee
We love our local music. But there’s a noteworthy difference between sending out raving groupie tweets to three hundred followers about the no cover show you attended on 6th Street, and being instrumental in helping a band with legs get their first album out.
If you’re addicted to your groupie tweets and free shows, read no further. But if you’re part of the smaller group that means business when it comes to helping talented musicians earn a living doing what they love to do, I’ve found the organization for you. [Read more...]
This guest blog post is by Hunter Stanford.
Free Week in Austin has a certain vibe that’s hard to put down on paper. It’s the first week of the New Year; you’re still riding that Christmas high, still pretending resolutions might actually happen, and dang y’all! some things are free that usually aren’t.
For those of you just now emerging from under the rock you call home: Free Week is the first week or so of each year, in which select venues in and around the Red River area host – wait for it – free shows all week. [Read more...]
This guest post is by Joana Ortiz.
It was 32 degrees last Tuesday night. For the veteran Austinite, that’s “am I wearing enough layers” kind of cold. I didn’t know what to expect as my friend and I walked up towards a pretty empty E. 6th Street.
We arrived at Cheer Up Charlie’s: a familiar, friendly, and cozy spot for those who frequent the relatively new strip of bars and restaurants.
The eve of ACL 2012 had security’s panties in a knot, as long lines formed outside Stubb’s back lot. Despite the warm invitation from the Wheeler Brothers’ publicist, our Canon 7D became a liability and Eric and I wondered whether our established threesome would make it through the gates.
The five members of the Wheeler Brothers opened their set while we jumped through hoops outside. But with a photographer wristband attached firmly to Eric’s wrist, we earned our entrance and he edged his way toward the stage. As he positioned himself for close-ups, security approached again. Photos were only allowed during the first three songs.
Fascinated that our Austin musical events have adopted such an excess of legislation, my faithful photog used his powers of persuasion effectively. He talked his way into [Read more...]
This guest blog post is by Janet Jay.
It was a late show, but October 4th saw the Continental Club packed to the rafters to see Ben Kweller and Joe Pug perform. The two artists share many similarities: both live in Austin, both are multi-instrumentalists, both draw from blues and folk in their music.
It makes sense that the place would be packed. These are local boys, and many of those in attendance grew up listening to Ben Kweller. And really, Kweller grew into adulthood right along with his fans. While the Greenville native saw success when he was in his early teens, Kweller’s solo career began with the hit album Sha Sha at age 19…though he looked about 12. (Sorry, Ben.) Now at 30 [Read more...]
Quiet Company at Stubb’s in Austin
Ever been to a watch a band not knowing what to expect, and then been blown away?
Stepping into Stubb’s on Red River, we didn’t know what to expect from Quiet Company. Great articles have been written on the band, and their accolades are widespread.
We expected something special, but we had no idea how electrifying the performance would be.
The crowd was gathered in anticipation, and there was a palpable [Read more...]
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