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Thursday, December 17, 2009
Phoenix opens soundcheck to students before La Zona Rosa show
(From left, Laurent Brancowitz, Deck D’Arcy, Christian Mazzalai and Thomas Mars of Phoenix talk with high school and college students Thursday at La Zona Rosa. Photo by Jay Janner/AMERICAN-STATESMAN)
About 20 high school and college students were lucky enough to see an intimate performance by French pop rock sensation Phoenix during their soundcheck Thursday afternoon at La Zona Rosa. The band, who are playing Thursday night along with Austin’s White Denim as part of 101X’s Independent Workforce X-Mas show, also took questions after the performance as part of the Grammy Foundation’s SoundChecks program.
Except for a few minor tweaks, the band put on a better-than-soundcheck quality performance of songs from their most recent album, “Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix,” including “1901,” “Fences” and “Lisztomania.” While the band’s energy wasn’t as high as it would be during an actual performance, it was fun to see lead vocalist Thomas Mars meander around the stage and venue, making sure everything was set for later in the evening.
The students seemed to love every minute of the experience. Daniel Kubala, a senior at Westwood High, said he thought the show was amazing. “They played a lot more than I expected, which was a really nice surprise,” he said.
After the set students and band sat down for a Q&A, with questions ranging from the band’s influences (13th Floor Elevators and Velvet Underground, to name a couple) to the success of their latest release. When asked why they thought the band had gotten so popular, guitarist Christian Mazzalai replied, “we really don’t know,” but Mars attributed it to the leak of their album and their appearance on “Saturday Night Live” earlier this year. When asked what bands they were currently excited about, Mars named the Dirty Projectors “Bitte Orca” as his favorite of the year.
Other topics touched upon:
— On writing songs in English: “It takes more time. It’s not more difficult, it just takes more time.” (Mars said they think in French and write in English.)
— On the band’s name: It came to them when they were teen-agers. “It’s just a beautiful name for us.”
— On referencing classical composers in lyrics: They’re trying to create their own European mythology. “Andy Warhol took Marilyn Monroe. We take European dead guys. It’s nice because there are a lot of them.”
Check out some pics from the soundcheck after the jump.
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Golden Hornet Project premieres new symphonies and presents one by Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood
Graham Reynolds and Peter Stopschinski — perhaps Austin’s busiest musicians and certainly some of the most prolific artists of any discipline in town — will premiere the sixth symphonies together on Feb. 6.
The duo’s Golden Hornet Project will premiere Reynolds’ ‘The Difference Engine’ and Stopschinski’s ‘Rough Night with Happy Ending.’
And Reynolds and Stopschinski will also present the Texas premiere of Jonny Greenwood’s orchestral work ‘Popcorn Superhet Receiver.’ Greenwood is the lead guitarist and keyboardist of Radiohead — and also the composer-in-residence at the BBC.
Greenwood composed his symphony for the 2007 film, ‘There Will Be Blood,’ but it was declared ineligible for an Academy Award nomination under a rule that prohibited “scores diluted by the use of tracked themes or other pre-existing music.”
‘Golden Hornet Project Presents Symphony VI’
8 and 10:30 p.m. Feb. 6
AustinVentures StudioTheater, Ballet Austin, 501 W. Third St. Tix: $10-$60
www,goldenhornet.org
Read more here.
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The Lovely Sparrows cover “Take Care” for new video
The literate, folk-inflected pop of Austin’s the Lovely Sparrows practically begs for visual accompaniment. Front man Shawn Jones pairs thoughtful, personal lyrics rich with unexpected wordplay and clever allusions with warm, organic melodies for an enchanting brand of indie rock.
Fortunately, animator and filmmaker Eric Power has answered the call with his new video for the Lovely Sparrows’ cover of Big Star’s “Take Care,” which takes its lead from the Yo La Tengo version that appeared on that band’s 2003 album “Summer Sun.”
“I recorded ‘Take Care’ very quickly, in down time- between working on Sparrows songs for the new record, just to clear my head. I’ve only listened to this song maybe five times ever,” said Jones on the band’s Web site. “Probably not even that many. The Big Star version only once.”
Check out the claymation marvel of a video below. Power previously directed a video for the band’s “Year of the Dog,” which you can view alongside his videos for other local bands (including Clyde and Clem’s Whiskey Business and the Boxing Lesson) on his Web site. The Lovely Sparrows are currently recording their third album and follow-up to last year’s “Bury the Cynics.” It’s expected for release next year.
The Lovely Sparrows - Take Care from Eric Power on Vimeo.
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Antone, Vaughan, Joplin, Van Zandt among new inductees to Austin Music Memorial
The City of Austin announced the next batch of people who will be added to the Austin Music Memorial (a series of engraved plaques on the City Terrace at the Long Center). From the city’s release:
Clifford Antone (1949-2006) Antone was the owner of the legendary Antone’s blues club and record label. He is credited with launching the careers of many local blues and rock musicians and his club remains at the heart of the Austin music scene.
Martin Banks (1936-2004) Trumpeter Banks played with many of the jazz greats of the 1950s and 60s, touring from California to New York. He returned to Austin in the 80s where he continued to perform and promote music appreciation with several nonprofit music programs.
Erbie Bowser (1918-1995) Blues pianist Bowser was a regular on Austin’s club scene in the 1950s and 60s where he formed musical partnerships with several other local legends. He reemerged in the 80s to record an internationally acclaimed album, and to perform as one of the Texas Piano Professors.
Liliado ‘Lalo’ Campos (1924-2004) A broadcaster and music promoter, Campos was the first person to host a Latino radio show in Austin. His popular show, Noche de Fiesta, ran for 25 years and gave exposure to many local Latino musicians.
Luis ‘Louie’ Guerrero (1937-2006) A native Austinite, “Louie” was a multi-instrumentalist and second-generation composer. He performed frequently in east Austin restaurants accompanying himself on his signature bass & electric guitar combo.
Johnny Holmes (1917-2001) Holmes was well-known as a music promoter, restaurateur, and founder of the historic blues and jazz spot, Victory Grill. His popular juke joint was a staple on the “Chitlin Circuit” in the 1950s and continues to attract national and local talent.
Janis Joplin (1943-1970) One of the first female superstars of rock and roll, Joplin began her music career in Austin as a student at the University of Texas. While performing at local venues such as Threadgill’s she cultivated her signature bluesy, gravel-voiced sound before leaving for San Francisco where she achieved international acclaim.
Kenneth Threadgill (1909-1987) Threadgill turned his gas station into a tavern which eventually became a hotspot for local musicians and those just traveling through. Threadgill’s continues to be one of Austin’s best known venues and is still regarded as a cultural touchstone for the city.
Townes Van Zandt (1944-1997) Singer-songwriter Van Zandt resided in Austin during the 1970s and 80s, helping to shape the reputation of Austin’s country music scene. His songwriting remains internationally revered and his songs have been performed by many music greats.
Stevie Ray Vaughan (1954-1990) A local legend, Vaughan achieved great success as a virtuoso blues guitarist in the 1980s. He also served as a musical ambassador for Austin, bringing worldwide attention to the city’s diverse music scene.
The induction ceremony for these ten honorees will take place at the Long Center on March 28, 2010. The ceremony will include a concert of music associated with the honorees, performed by an all-star band of local musicians.
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Matador’s Harlem and Shearwater talk 2009
What do three Loggerhead Shrikes, a Neve mixing console and Roky Erickson’s “Devotional Number One” all have in common?
No, that’s not the setup for what would have be the world’s most obscure punchline — all three were among Shearwater front man Jonathan Meiburg’s favorite things in 2009, according to the Matador blog. The leader of the lyrical, cinematic indie rock trio — who have an album dropping on Matador in February — has posted an intriguing mix of some his favorite things from the last year. As befits the cerebral front man of a band that is itself named for a variety of seabird, it’s heavy on the bird sightings.
Also chipping in are local garage rock band Harlem’s Jose Boyer, who names the dreamiest buzz band ladies of the year, and co-owner of the label Gerard Cosloy, an Austin resident who dispenses shoutouts to Trailer Space Records and hometown heroes the Dikes of Holland and the Golden Boys.
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Cornell Hurd Band’s last Thursday at Jovita’s tonight
After 13 years, one of Austin’s longest residencies ends tonight at Jovita’s when the Cornell Hurd Band shuffles on outta there. Beginning Jan. 14, the CHB will play Thursday nights at the Alligator Grill.
