Music Archives - Page 32 of 36

Blue October Members Bring Orb Recording Studios to Hill Country

March 31, 2014 by Matthew Champion 3 Comments

It was a sunny, windy Sunday and I was exhausted. I’d been SXSW-ing all over Austin for a week and was ready to curl up with my hound dogs and sleep for a few days. But as bad as I wanted that Pawn Stars marathon from my couch, I wasn’t about to miss out on an opportunity to see the Grand Opening of Orb Recording Studios, Austin’s newest place to produce music that had been visited by Lil’ Wayne, Erykah Badu and Justin Bieber during SXSW.

Founders Matt Novesky and C.B. Hudson at Orb Recording Studios (Photo credit: 78triple6.com)

Orb Recording Studios was founded by a couple of the guys from Blue October – C.B. Hudson (lead guitarist) and Matt Novesky (bassist). Their vision was to capture everything they loved about East and West Coast studios and bring it all to the pretense-free vibe of Austin. [Read more…]

Your SXSW Music 2014 Primer: Who to See, Listen to and Follow

March 12, 2014 by Edgar Barguiarena Leave a Comment

Matt and Kim at Fader Fort 2013 (Photo credit: Edgar Barguiarena)

I wake up early Tuesday morning, the dawn of the SXSW Music 2014, to find out Jay-Z and Kanye West are playing a show for Samsung at Austin Music Hall on Wednesday. By 9 AM Tuesday morning, the line to secure tickets to the show had already been cut off. That’s the speed of South By. The viral nature of the festival and the speed of Twitter descend on Austin for 10 days each March.

Kanye and Jay-Z are SXSW regulars by now and their shows are notoriously difficult to get into. These big name acts are ruining the spirit of the festival, some say. It’s the evolving nature of a massive and truly unique 10-day conference, others counter.

I just want to see some music. I want to see up and coming acts make their mark on the national stage here in Austin. I want to see local favorites play in front of bigger audiences than they ever have before. I want to see random marketing campaigns like the Anchorman food truck and live talk shows like Jimmy Kimmel. And if I happen to get lucky enough, I want to see a big name act crash a party.

SXSW can be a lot of things to a lot of people. But if you are a fan of live music and you happen to be in Austin during South By, this is your Super Bowl week. Don’t get caught up in negativity or hype. Make this festival yours. [Read more…]

Award-Winning Jess Williamson Hypnotizes Listeners With New Album

March 4, 2014 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

Austin’s own Jess Williamson

This guest blog article is by Joana Ortiz.

The room stood still as Jess Williamson crooned ever so gracefully at Red 7, in support of Angel Olsen’s U.S. tour. (What are you doing? Jot Angel’s name down!)

Before I showed up, I read through tweets circling around the show and noticed some questions over the choice of venue. Red 7 is classically known to book rather boisterous acts, but it seems they’re expanding their horizon and opening their arms to artists of various genres who have one thing in common: talent. [Read more…]

Rattletree School of Marimba Imports Happy Music from Zimbabwe

February 27, 2014 by David Thomas Leave a Comment

Joel Laviolette, Founder of Rattletree School of Marimba

Joel Laviolette is the founder of The Rattletree School of Marimba

Have you ever been so inspired by something, you stopped what you were doing and began a quest to learn everything you could about it? Joel Laviolette has.

How It Started

Almost 20 years ago, Joel was traveling through New Mexico when he heard the music of the mbira. The instrument is indigenous to Africa and, after listening, Joel wanted to learn everything about it.

Traveling across North America, Joel did exactly that. When our fair continent could no longer provide new knowledge, he went to the source of another African instrument, the marimba. Over the course of several trips to Zimbabwe, Joel stayed with master musicians and continued his education.

He made his way to Austin six years ago and started a band named Joel Laviolette and Rattletree. He also started a marimba school named The Rattletree School of Marimba. [Read more…]

Erin Ivey: Austin Treasure Releases Whisper of the Moon Album

February 20, 2014 by Matthew Champion 3 Comments

Erin Ivey

I’m not sure what it is about Erin Ivey’s voice, but it brings me bliss like few others can. When she sings, I want to curl up, close my eyes and float off into the distance as the music completely envelops every fiber of my being. That may seem a little over the top, but listen to her and you’ll understand what I’m talking about.

I first discovered Erin Ivey years ago, as a college student delivering flowers to pay my bills. I drove a cargo van around the city of Austin every day with KUT blasting loudly through the speakers. I remember the first time the wonderful Jay Trachtenberg mentioned her name. I was taken aback the moment I heard her and continue to be with each new song she releases.

I recently attended and wrote about a show given by a close friend of hers, Elizabeth McQueen. In my article, I mentioned how big a fan I am of Erin, who participated in the show. I’ll be damned if she didn’t contact me after reading the piece on Elizabeth, and she graciously invited me out to her upcoming EP release.

That’s who Erin Ivey is. No ego. No pretension. Only love. [Read more…]

Elizabeth McQueen Stuns with EP Release at Lamberts

January 20, 2014 by Matthew Champion Leave a Comment

Elizabeth McQueen (Photo credit: Todd V. Wolfson)

The crowd was dense and the air was chilled last Saturday night as we anxiously waited outside Lamberts Downtown Barbecue to see Elizabeth McQueen, fresh off her departure from Asleep at the Wheel.

After eight years, a Grammy nomination and over a million miles on the road with the group, Elizabeth was saying goodbye and hitting the stage with some close friends she made along the way. [Read more…]

Austin Record Store End of an Ear Offers One of a Kind Selection

January 9, 2014 by Matthew Champion 2 Comments

End of an Ear, located on S. 1st Street

If you’re looking for that go-to record store you haven’t found yet in Austin, End of an Ear has you covered. Dan Plunkett and Blake Carlisle opened End of an Ear in May 2005 and have been spreading musical joy around the city ever since. With their diverse selection of records, CDs, books, and even new and used turntables, it’s not hard to see why they have developed a steady following.

End of an Ear’s prices are some of the most affordable in town, especially on their new vinyl. Plus, they have turntable listening stations set up throughout the store, so you can listen to anything that isn’t sealed before you buy it. [Read more…]

Black Fret Event Supporting Local Musicians Will Feature Ben Kweller

January 8, 2014 by Brittany Highland Leave a Comment

One year ago, I was introduced to a new non-profit with a bold goal: award at least fifty $25,000 grants to Austin musicians every year (if it’s too early for math, that adds up to more than one million dollars). Like most Austinites, the founders of Black Fret love our local music scene and want to see it thrive. But these folks are seeking to make a tangible difference, beyond just talk.

Through 2013, Black Fret has been recruiting members and asking them to make an annual donation of $1,500 to the organization. In return, members have been invited to some of the best house parties I’ve ever been to, featuring backyard performances and acoustic sets by some of the most talented musicians in Austin like [Read more…]

Without Formal Training, Austinite Nathan Felix Creates Full Symphony

December 27, 2013 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

This guest blog article is by Joana Ortiz.

Before you go any further, take a look at this video:

If you’re wondering who composed this wondrous music, his name is Nathan Felix. Thanks to a basketball injury in High School, Nathan picked up his brother’s guitar and discovered the power of making music. Some time later during a road trip, Nathan found himself listening to classical music for the first time. [Read more…]

Gary Clark Jr. Shows Skill with These Five Impressive Collaborations

December 20, 2013 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

Gary Clark Jr. (Photo credit: Jørund F. Pedersen via Wikimedia Commons)

Austin’s very own Gary Clark Jr. has accomplished a tremendous amount in 2013, and it seems that he already has a full year ahead of him come January. In November, he performed on DirecTV program ‘s Guitar Center Sessions and he will be joining Kings of Leon on tour in early 2014.

Given their stylistic similarities, it makes sense that Clark would tour with Kings of Leon. However, Clark is hardly confined to any one style. Clark’s music synthesizes elements of multiple genres. He has a unique talent for mixing blues with hip-hop and vintage hard rock. His varying style is unique, interesting, and also demonstrates how the blues set the stage for virtually every other style of popular music.

Clark has played with musicians across a wide spectrum of style, but below is a look at a few of the most notable Gary Clark Jr. collaborations to date. [Read more…]

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