Austin360 blogs > Out & About > Archives > 2009 > December > 11 > Entry
Music for the City Launch at Highball
I must admit my first impression of the Music for the City event at Highball was not about the party, but the magnificent mob outside the roped sanctuary. On a Wednesday night. People with serious hair bopped between the long bar, the articulated banquettes, the scattered dining tables and vintage bowling lanes. The mood was bright and brittle, and I wouldn’t credit holiday cheer. By itself.
Fastball
The charity socializing, snug behind a velvet rope, filled Highball’s special-event area. The musical act easily held the stage. Then I realized it was Fastball. Yes, that Fastball, the power pop band behind “The Way” and “All the Pain Money Can Buy.” True, it’s been an age since they produced such a big hit, but what a way to kick off a charity series —- with mellifluous sounds from a gifted songwriter and his live team.
Alex and Angela Van De Walle
So what is Music for the City? From its Web site, it: “Exists to encourage and enable Austin’s artists to give back to the community by partnering with charitable organizations serving our city. (It) does this by producing benefit albums and concerts that directly benefit charitable organizations serving our city.” Ah, so a sort of CharityBash for music types.
Angela Dinkel and Clark Hamilton
I met founder Nate Navarro, a charismatic personality to watch, given this ambitious project. I also ran into Jason Poe of the sadly defunct Jets Under Fire, as well as his wife, Jade Poe, who reports for the NBC station in Waco and covered the recent Killeen shootings close up.
Jade and Jason Poe
Jason promises a new musical act, which I appreciate, since I always grouped Jets Under Fire among other quintessentially New Austin acts: Alpha Rev, Soldier Thread, Pompeii, Ghostland Observatory, Black and White Years and the nearly invisible Ghost of the Russian Empire. (Future column alert.)
Aaron Ivey and Nate Navarro
Anyway, a fertile evening at the Highball, story-wise, and confirmation that Karrie and Tim League’s latest entertainment outlet is a smash.
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