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Sunday, December 14, 2008

Alpha Rev for Guardian Angels

By Michael Barnes | Sunday, December 14, 2008, 07:54 PM

Truth is, I know next to nothing about Alpha Rev. Their origin myth is lost in the mists of MySpace. Their textured, Coldplay-ful sound seems to have emerged from the celestial spheres, not some grungy rehearsal space. And their lyrics, with intimations of spirituality and brotherly love, who knows what they really mean?

I don’t want to know. Mystery increases the attraction. Late Friday at their Christmas show, I found, once again, during an Alpha Rev concert, I didn’t care. Let music writers dissect the styles and chronicle the histories. For once, I just want to be transported by an Austin musical act.

Without a doubt, others agree with me. As always with Austin shows, I was not the youngest or oldest in the fairly full Antone’s house, not the most dressed up or the least, not the most fanatic nor the most cynical. I just drifted in the crowd and considered myself blessed to live in their city and afford the opportunity to hear them virtually whenever I want.

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Holiday Party at Kirk Gallery

By Michael Barnes | Sunday, December 14, 2008, 02:49 PM

Gallery owner Jeff Kirk is quickly becoming one of the most prolific party-givers in downtown Austin. I’ve been to three fandangos at his furniture and art shop on Guadalupe Street, and another is on the way for the retail public on Wednesday.

Mark Wendorf, Nicole Taylor, Jacob Stetson, Cody Kinsfather

Friday, Kirk graciously allowed our photographer (whose work will appear in the Style section on Thursday) to document an intimate get-together of his friends. Nice to have such a mod space to throw a small holiday fete. Nice for us that the shop provides the backdrop for our professional’s work (these are my humble party pics).

Ryan Hammond, David Ross, Jenny Southerland

I talked with guests about the generational breakthrough in politics and culture represented by the Barack Obama election, the (just-short) Heisman candidacy of Colt McCoy, the vagaries of texting vocabulary, the range of spirits at Spec’s in Sunset Valley, the tensions between journalism and public relations, the quality and origins of the gallery’s art, and, as at every part, the state of the American-Statesman.