Entertainment Archives - Page 41 of 71

ALL ATX Showcase and CD to Support Austin Musicians

September 16, 2016 by Joleen Jernigan Leave a Comment

Todd Rundgren and other performing musicians thanking the crowd at the 2015 ALL ATX benefit concert
(Credit: ALL ATX)

ALL ATX advocates for and nurtures Austin’s musicians, and strives to aid Austin in keeping musicians here and cared for. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, ALL ATX is adding new beneficiaries this year to best meet the needs of local musicians, needs highlighted in the 2015 Austin Music Census Report.

The proceeds from the Sept. 29ALL ATX 2016 Showcase and accompanying CD, both titled “Low Down Violet Crown: Austin Rocks the Blues,” will go to the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM), SIMS Foundation, Black Fret and Austin Music Foundation, four organizations that give direct support to Austin musicians. [Read more…]

Listen Here First: Ruby and The Reckless Release “Gold”

September 12, 2016 by Brittany Highland Leave a Comment

Ruby and the Reckless

“In My Head” album cover

Ruby and The Reckless, Austin’s fiery, fiddle-heavy pop/rock band, just came off a stint as KUTX Artist of the Month. In anticipation of their Sept. 23 album release of “In My Head,” the group is exclusively releasing “Gold” here on The Austinot.

Ruby and The Reckless, the latest collaboration by front woman Ruby Jane Smith, came together in 2015. That same year, the band received a grant from Black Fret, the philanthropist-led nonprofit that exists to support the most talented musical artists in Austin.

In the time since then, “In My Head” was recorded at Austin’s Bubble Studio with Frenchie Smith (Wild Child, JET, Gary Clark Jr., Santana). Written with bassist Austin Simmons and arranged by the full band (Miggy Milla, guitar and vocals, Sam Powell, keys, Chris Copeland, drums and vocals), the album has been described as “psyche-tinged, fiddle-driven, hook-laden ear candy.”

“Gold,” a cover originally by Australian Chet Faker, is the final track to be released before the entire album is made available later this month.

If you aren’t familiar with Ruby Jane Smith, here’s some background that reveals her immense experience:

Front woman Ruby Jane Smith has been taking Austin music by storm since the day she came to town almost a decade ago. Back in September of 2007 at the age of 12, Smith’s family made the move to Austin. That very same night, she joined legend Dale Watson on stage at Austin’s historic Continental Club. Crowned the youngest fiddler player invited to play Grand Ole Opry, Smith’s list of accolades is astounding–boasting a steady stream of awards from the title of Mississippi State Fiddle Champion at age 10 to touring as lead violinist for artists like Willie Nelson, Lady Gaga, Blues Traveler, Local Natives and performing alongside acts like Sheryl Crow and ZZ Top.

We look forward to the release of “In My Head” on Sept. 23. Until then, click the Play button below to be one of the first people to hear “Gold” off the upcoming album!

For updates and show information, visit rubyandthereckless.com and follow the band on Facebook and Instagram.

@theAustinot wants to know:

Have you seen Ruby and The Reckless perform live?

Mobley’s One Man Band Generates the Energy of Ten

September 5, 2016 by Bill Tucker 1 Comment

Austin native Mobley hangs out before his August 20 show at Spider House Ballroom
(Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)

The air surrounding Spider House Ballroom was hot and sticky the night I met Mobley. The venue had been celebrating their 20th anniversary since 2:30 p.m. that afternoon. Having suffered one rainstorm and expecting another, a muggy, sweaty crowd waited for the Austin native to perform. When I asked Mobley before the show which stage he was on, he answered, “The wettest one.”

His start time of 10 p.m. came and went. The crowd grew restless as Mobley, wearing a black hat, jacket and sunglasses in the ninety-degree evening, dragged mountains of gear onto the rain-slicked stage. A keyboard and sampler rack. Stage lighting. Guitars. Drums. Up on the roof of Spider House Café, a tech aimed a video projector at the screen set towards the back of the stage. All for a one-man band. [Read more…]

Spider House Cafe and Ballroom to Celebrate 20 Years With Epic Party

August 16, 2016 by Jaclyn Hubersberger 1 Comment

Outdoor patio stage at Spider House (Credit: Jaclyn Hubersberger)

An incredible live music lineup, comedy, an array of food trucks and drinks flowing as steadily as the water streaming down the giant, inflatable water slide. These are only a few of the activities that promise to make Spider House Cafe and Ballroom‘s 20th Anniversary Party an event to remember!

Starting at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 20, you can head over to 2908 Fruth St. and partake in the debaucherously good time that has been this iconic Austin spot’s modus operandi since 1996. The price of admission: FREE. [Read more…]

Smooth Guide to Finding Blues and Jazz Music in Austin

August 15, 2016 by Ashley Alkek Leave a Comment

Antone’s by night, home to the Blues (Credit: Marco Figueroa)

Are you interested in exploring the depths of the music scene here in Austin? You don’t have to be a classically trained musician to appreciate amazing blues and jazz. In fact, all you need is an open mind and–optionally–a pair of dancing shoes.

Austin is home to some of the greatest venues and artists around. Grab a friend and head to one of these cherished institutions. [Read more…]

Austin’s 6th Annual Quesoff Set to Celebrate All Things Queso

August 8, 2016 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

Expect lots of this at the 6th Annual Quesoff at Mohawk (Credit: Quesoff)

Queso. Simply saying the word activates saliva glands and rumbles the stomach. A staple of appetizer menus, backyard barbecues and UT game day snack spreads, this melted cheese sauce is as Austin as the Longhorns’ Burnt Orange.

But not all queso is created equal. The 6th Annual Quesoff on August 20, 2016 at Mohawk, aims to separate the pretenders from the contenders. Queso makers from around Austin will be pitted against each other in a battle of cheesy supremacy, all in support of a great cause. This is a delicious way to spend a Saturday afternoon. [Read more…]

Guide to Austin’s West Sixth Street

August 3, 2016 by Jessica Pino 2 Comments

There are three sections of Sixth Street in Austin: West, East and what locals refer to as Dirty. For locals, Dirty Sixth runs from Congress to I-35 even though technically, and according to street signs, East Sixth starts at Congress Avenue and runs east. But when you hear locals talk about East Sixth, we are referencing anything east of I-35. Don’t get confused by the street signs; you’ll be talking like a local in no time.

West Sixth is the section of Sixth Street that runs west from Congress Avenue. For the most part, the nightlife scene ends at North Lamar Boulevard, but for this article I’ll take us all the way to MoPac as there are several notable bars and restaurants in the extended stretch of West Sixth.

While you’ll find your fair share of bars here–no surprise for Sixth Street–West Sixth is much more diverse when it comes to local Austin businesses. This list highlights the cream of the crop. [Read more…]

Tempting Lineup Planned for Trailer Food Tuesdays This Summer

July 18, 2016 by Talena Ramnath Leave a Comment

Aerial view Trailer Food Tuesdays at Long Center

Aerial view of Trailer Food Tuesdays at The Long Center (Credit: Trailer Food Tuesdays)

By occupation, The Long Center is no stranger to large indoor and outdoor events. Whether it’s a large-scale musical act or a summer treat like Sound & Cinema, Austin residents and visitors suffer no shortage of entertainment on these active grounds.

Now in its fifth year and going strong, Trailer Food Tuesdays is no exception. As a segment of The Long Center’s “All Summer Long” series, this free event features over fifteen food trailers, live music and other entertainment provided by local vendors. [Read more…]

Grupo Fantasma Delivers Latin Flavor to Austin City Limits

July 11, 2016 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

Grupo Fantasma exploded onto the Moody Theater stage during their Austin City Limits taping (Credit: Scott Newton)

When a 10-piece Latin funk band starts their Austin City Limits taping with a rendition of “Immigrant Song” by Led Zeppelin, you know you’re in for a special evening.

Grupo Fantasma gave the energetic crowd exactly that. Delivering a powerful, body-shaking blend of samba, merengue and Latin jams, this groove-tastic Austin staple blew the roof off the Moody Theatre. My foot still aches from the constant toe-tapping. [Read more…]

Traveling Band, The Watters, Settles in Austin With Album Release

July 8, 2016 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

Jenna and Daniel Watters of The Watters band (Credit: Ashley Amoroso)

Guest article by Lauren Lyman

The Watters began their story outside of Austin, Texas. Married couple Jenna and Daniel Watters were originally in The Oak Creek Band, beginning in 2009. They toured the country, keeping a home base in Denver for about four and a half years, then in Nashville for about two years. In 2015, they moved their band to Austin, where they changed their group name to The Watters.

This Americana/Soul group was specifically attracted to our city, due to its welcoming nature and supportive environment for the arts. This past Saturday, the band celebrated their debut album release of “The Great Unknown” with an Austin crowd at The Parish.

“We feel so welcome here, and it’s a good feeling,” Jenna Watters shared. “We’re not going to be leaving anytime soon. We just love it!”

Name Change, New Identity

Credit: Ashley Amoroso

Watters said the band members wanted to change their name to The Watters after previous members went their separate ways. The original name also gave the impression of a folk or bluegrass combo. Instead, the group wanted to recognize the louder, more energetic sound they create when performing live as a nine-piece ensemble. At their CD release event, the band definitely had more a rock feel when they included a horn section and covered a mad version of Led Zeppelin’s “What Is and What Should Never Be.”

“I think, live, we just love that energy of rocking out,” Jenna Watters explained. “It’s just so much more fun, and we’re able to master the sound that we’ve been wanting, finally.”

While this is a debut release under The Watters name, Jenna and Daniel Watters have previous experience with albums under The Oak Creek Band. Their prior collaborations have shaped their music into what it is now. Some of the best Austin musicians are featured on “The Great Unknown” album, including Joe Woullard of Golden Dawn Arkestra and Hardproof, Zumbi Richards of Golden Dawn Arkestra, Trevor Nealon of Band of Heathens, and Erik Hokkanan.

“The whole album is about diving into the unknown in life,” Jenna Watters added, “whether it be the kind of job you’re going to have, the people you’re going to surround yourself with, trusting your guts, following your instinct and speaking truth. A lot of those songs are about speaking truth, what’s right and what is real in the world.”

The 10-song LP is available in CD and digital formats. For more information, visit wearethewatters.com.

@theAustinot wants to know:

What new Austin band have you discovered recently?

Lauren Lyman is a freelance writer, flutist, and singer. She is a graduate of Texas State University, where she attained a Master of Music in music history. She wrote her master’s thesis on the sisters of Heart, as well as Fiona Apple, Madonna and Janis Joplin.

Name Change, New Identity

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