Scion, the super-hip customize your own car company, has a brilliant way of getting young people to hop on their bandwagon, literally. Not only to they do they manufacture sleek looking sedans, but they host free shows, parties and film screenings in major cities around the United States. With acts like Redman, Simian Mobile Disco, and Talib Kweli, you can bet that Scion has received its share of attention. And by partnering up with Vice Records, they've managed to gain a fair amount of influence on what's hip in the music scene.
I know that when I saw that email in my inbox about a party at the beauty bar with headliners Midnight Juggernauts and Heartsrevolution, I knew it would be a good time. These things could only be better if they weren't so packed and the drinks were free. Arriving there late, as usual, I could see that the place was obviously packed with people bottlenecked at the entrance into the bar, which unfortunately was right in front of one of the speakers next to the stage at the front. Once I squeezed past gaggles of tight panted, black haired hipsters, I finally got to view Heartsrevolution, well, from behind a bunch of bobbing heads. On the microphone, a petite Asian looking girl dressed simply in shorts and a t-shirt sang, her voice anything but pretty. Her voice was loud and raw but when synchronized to the noveau 80-esque beat, made for quality club dance music that had a reliable beat and rhythm. Fans in the front were jumping up and down and I did what I could from the pack to move to the music, though it was pretty crowded and I had my elbows make me some room. Honestly, I hadn't known much of Heartsrevolution other than their catchy hit "C.Y.O.A (Choose Your Own Adventure)" which has been used in many a dance mix. So an aesthetically pleasing Bust magazine article I found on their myspace page, I was able to read up on these guys--- a link: Heartsrevolution article
Overall, a rowdy show but not too crowded to enjoy the loud dance music and have a good time.
Why?, the “folk-pop, indie-hop, sometimes-mustachioed, psych-rock quartet that operates out of the Oakland Bay Area" as described by the Anticon website, includes lead man and former solo project Yoni Wolf on vocals and drums, Josiah Wolf on percussion, drums and xylophone, Doug McDiarmid on keyboard, and Matt Meldon on guitar. On the night Why? visited Austin, the Mohawk was utterly packed. Both balconies were crammed with people, and bouncers were shooing stragglers from gathering on the stairs. The group set up on the outside stage surrounded on nearly all sides by admirers. As a part of the infamous Anticon, a label that hosts an array of eclectic musicans/rap artists/poets, the group’s fan base are of a certain die-hard, latest-EP-collecting caliber. Having only heard their latest album Alopecia, released March of this year, I felt a little out of place. I stood at the right side of the stage, at drummer Josiah Wolf's back, watching his arms slam on his drums in time as his brother, Yoni, tapped sprinkling simple, pretty background melodies on the xylophone. Yoni sang musical poetry wrought with irony, suicide-notes, and sweet/sour themes, staying true to the tunes of the album tracks so that the fans in the front row could sing along. Their show was a true collaboration of all musicians. The songs are layered with instruments and voices. The band has a penchant for ooh's and ah's and for the perfect mesh of synchronicity and complementary sounds that invented the rhythms prevalent on their latest album. Their performance of "The Sad Song of the Assassin" began slowly, punctuated by pounding drum breaks and sing-song choruses led by keyboard and guitar. It closed with a round of chanting and simultaneous sounds from all band members. In between songs, Yoni would charm the audience effortlessly while taking shots of Jaeger, living up to the oddly humble rockstar vision fans have come to expect from Why? Just four shaggy haired, unassuming guys making music people love with fervor.
For a glimpse into their live show, check out Anticon's live performance of “Song of Sad Assassin,” at the Dublab.
...but speaking of restaurants I wanted to bring up another place that changed my mind. Once deemed to be the home of yuppie priced tacos, I think it's safe to say that I have seen the light and the verdict is in: I love Torchy's Tacos.
Located on S. 1st street, this new non-trailer location (I think it opened less than 6 months ago) is never empty. There are always Austinites coming in, jonesing for their favorite taco. The menu includes an assortment of interesting combinations including Bre's fave, the Trailer trash taco which has fried chicken, poblano ranch, and lettuce on a flour tortilla. Haven't tried that one, though it looks creamy and delicious and obviously unhealthly but I did expand my horizons on my last visit there and decided to diverge from my breakfast taco routine. I tried the Brushfire taco with jerk chicken, cold pieces of mango on top of grilled marinated jalepenos. For a final firey punch, the whole thing was covered with Torchy's own diablo sauce, a thick orange sauce that has scorched my tastebuds on every visit (I must admit, I'm a bit of a masochist when it comes to spicy foods). Even though the tacos are considerably pricier than your average taqueria, its worth it. The fresh ingredients and portion size alone are enough to keep me waiting in line in the morning. And I'll tell you, the Brushfire filled me up, the sweet golden chunks of mango added to the savoriness of the chicken, and my mouth stung for at least half an hour afterwards. Ahhh, that's what I call a good taco.
But I'll tell you (Warning: TMI moment), the Brushfire, while a tasty experience doesn't leave you the next day quite so enjoyably. Oh, the woe of hot salsa addicts....
I know it must be because I think like a kid and enjoy the simple pleasures of dogs performing like circus elephants, colorful talking birds, and hearing live renditions of the National Anthem on the accordion that I want to share this.
I was invited out to spend to enjoy a playdate with babes and grownups at the Zilker park playground. I could not turn down an opportunity to see my nephews, Frank, Tom, and Dan, and swim in an oasis of family quality time amidst the hectic tangle of work and school that is life these days. So there we are, grazing in the shade, watching the boys hop and climb and I'm holding baby Frank, who is drooling long yo-yos of spit down my arm when some friends of my sister suggested Freddie's for lunch.
I was hungry so I seemed pretty pleased with the idea even though I had already visited this south Austin restaurant once and hadn't been too impressed. It had been for Freddie's Happy Hour, which happens Tues-Thurs. It's infamy has to be due to the fact that not only do they serve cheap drinks (which, as a scrappy college student used to $2 pints/$2 you call its, didn't seem too cheap to me) but they also set up a station where friendly Freddie's employees hand out free brisket and flour tortillas at 6. You can go there and make a light dinner out of happy hour. While I can't deny the goodness of free meat and tortillas, and cheap beer, I must have been anxious about money, or maybe I didn't eat last time I went because Freddie's didn't stick out in my mind as a place I'd return to.
I'm glad to say that what I saw today helped me figure out the whole idea of Freddie's. This restaurant encapsulates the originality and lightheartedness of the south Austin lifestyle. In case there were any doubts, I'd just like to remind you that there's something to be said for the 78704 zip code. South Austinites are so proud I've seen some cars sport bumper stickers with these digits. I think 78704 when I see that there is a separate entrance for people who have decided to bring their dogs to lunch. Dogs are expected to be on leashes, but that doesn't stop them from poking around, licking baby faces, and having a good time. Always looking for a laugh, I found the servers shirts pretty amusing: on the back of a plain black tee, "F.U. Fred University, "Ice Cold Waitresses, Good-Looking Beers." I also noticed that nearly all of the seating is located outside on a wooden deck. At one end lies the playground and a couple of big picnic tables where our group ate today. In the back left corner next to the playground is a small covered stage, where singers and performers play, according to the Freddie's website, at least 3 if not 4 nights a week.
Today we were witness to a one man circus. We had watched this guy, an average looking character wearing a casual button down and khakis, unload his car while we were waiting for our burgers. In one hand he clutched the leashes of his posse, his lead performers, three good looking mutts with big smiles. These animals were the stars of the show. He started off his show with a song or two on the accordion, which he ended up telling the three toddlers in front of him (and me too, when I couldn't help but get a closer look, if not to stop a tiny blonde girl from robbing the tip bucket), the reasons for his playing accordion. It had started with a joke he thought was hilarious: what Darth Vader would sound like on the accordion. I didn't get it. But from this guy's nonchalant manner, I could tell he wasn't telling these toddlers jokes for laughs. He could have been telling these jokes to people waiting at the bus stop for all he cared, it seemed. For what he lacked in his stand up, he definitely made up for in the show put on by his trained assistants. He had these dogs stand up on their hind quarters, and with a loud BANG with his finger pointed like a gun, they'd fall on the ground and roll over dead. The tricks, especially while Circus accordion playing man* jumped rope with his dog, appropriately named Jumping Jacks, had the attention of children and parents alike. We marveled, we cheered, we put more ketchup on our french fries. It was just plain fun. Afterwards, when the little ones found the slide more interesting than the accordion man's jokes, he closed up the show and made balloon animals for anyone who asked. Even though I really wanted a pink balloon sword, I couldn't get up the nerve to go up... plus, I didn't even have two bucks for a tip.
There are few places that I can vouch for here, a handful of eateries that have impressed me with a friendly, laidback environment that I enjoy. I mean, food, kiddos and dogs. Does life get any better than that that? Freddie's is definitely one of those places I'd like to visit again probably for another Sunday, just to see what other tricks those precocious canines have learned.
*Despite some online research, I could not for the life of me track down the name of this guy. He sang a song that was basically just the name of his circus (to help us remember) and the url to his website but I swear, the url was so long it was laughable.
As homegirl was flipping through the Austin Chronicle this morning and talking about all the good music coming to town (besides ACL), suddenly her jaw dropped. "MSTRKRFT is coming to Austin," she said, stabbing her finger into the ad in the paper. WTF. OMG. LOLZ. There are not enough acronyms to contain my excitement. It's just too much.
I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE FINALLY COMING. Tickets go on sale tomorrow at 10am. This show WILL sell out. Guaranteed. That's why you can bet your pretty ass I'll be there, hung over and half retarded, and twitching with glee.
Please check out the most rocking Canadians to have ever stepped their Puma clad feet in the states: www.myspace.com/mstrkrft/
These assholes have me green with envy, because you know what their lives consist of... doing the music, making the party, and being worshipped for it. Ah, doesn't that sound nice?
...because this guy is my advisor. But it's not just that. Doug Dorst, California native, creative writing professor at St. Edward's University and three time Jeopardy champion (I hope if I ever get this title, people will always mention it in their descriptions of me), has published a book called Alive in Necropolis that has recently been reviewed in the New York Times as well as in the Austin Chronicle.
The story is about a cop, Michael Mercer, who found his way into law enforcement after "years removed from college, sick of bartending and office temp work. ... Spooked by a creeping sense of his own irrelevance, he was drinking too much, sleeping too much and getting dark-minded and hopeless in a way he feared might be permanent."
From the reviews I've read, and the fact that the story is set in a suburb of San Francisco called Colma, a graveyard to millions and home to twelve hundred living residents, I get the impression that the story is dark,a bit gritty, and superbly written. I can't wait til I have time to pick up a copy. I was lucky enough to take Creative Writing with Dorst in the Spring and was relieved to have a professor who was so open and experienced. He liked to ramble (he would OD on coffee daily) ha, and from what I remember he could go on about something, anything really, and make it seem like it was worth saying--that in itself is a real talent. But he did imbue us with everything he knows about writing short stories and really encouraged us to go there, to be confident in our ideas. Real genuine kinda guy.
So yeah, I'm a kiss ass but it's sincere because he has been one of those few professors that I have enjoyed listening to. Annnnnd, you'll never believe it, but he is actually scheduled to read from his new book next Tuesday September 9th in the Maloney Room.
The poster said there will be a light reception to follow and you know what that means... cheese cubes, biscuits and strawberries! Yeah!
I'll be there. You should be there. It'll be great.
I am, of course, referring to two men, Tim Heidecker (top photo as Jan Skylar) and Eric Wareheim (bottom, as Wayne Skylar), who appeared into my life approximately two summers ago. It was, as I remember, pretty late, and I was sitting on the couch probably still in my bathing suit eating hot cheetos. It was nearly midnite and suddenly a program came on, a clusterfuck of swirling animations and live action characters whose awkwardness made me squirm in my seat, that made me feel like I had popped a handful of pills or smoked the fattest blunt of my life---in other words, the program left me feeling disoriented, confused but entirely and completely amused. When it was over my boyfriend at the time and I looked at each other when one question on our minds "What the fuck was that?" and "What did that do to our brains?"
The answer was revealed to me when Bre, a lover of the weird and hilarious (think It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Curb Your Enthusiasm, etc) told me I had to watch something that had really tickled, well, not so much tickled her as had her COMPLETELY OBSESSED. When she asked if I had ever seen Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! I didn't know what to say. At the time, I felt like what I had witnessed in the ADHD cuts to new skits/scenes, the uncomfortable repetition on some of the animations which played out like a scratched CD, and the feeling that something subliminal and subversive underlined the whole operation, I had been mentally violated.
BUT my feelings quickly changed after being introduced to the series through the Season 1 DVD Bre found at Best Buy. I couldn't help but the shamelessness that Time and Eric displayed as they carried out their jokes. Their ideas are a twisted but that just makes them fascinating. Off the top of my head: Casey and his brother and "Uncle Muscles Hour" --Tim plays Casey, a man-child with a blotchy face and snot that pours out of his nose while he squeaks out songs with titles like "A Song for Mommy" and twitches while his unnamed brother, played by Eric, dances stiffly around a CG background in black sunglasses. There is nothing obviously funny about this whole bit but its utter uncomfortable weirdness. That may explain why this is my least favorite creation of Tim and Eric's and Bre's absolute favorite.
What happens to be my favorite is a regular cameo made by Oscar winning actor, John C. Reilly (seriously, how did these guys get into this gig together?) as Steve Brule, with a segment called Brule's Rules on Channel Five news, wherein Steve, an owl-eyed bumbling sort of man with wild hair that gives his advice with a slight slur on what to do with your alone time, or how to defend yourself with against rapists using the "play dead" tactic.
Another person who enriches Tim and Eric Awesome Show with his own deadpan absurdity is Zack Galifianakis. A video that epitomizes the chemistry these three guys have together would have to be the Absolut vodka advertisement they filmed together. Basically, Absolut gave them a check and said make us a commercial---it can be about anything but it must involve Absolut vodka. Simple enough. What they came out with was a melodrama about three girlfriends in robes, laughing, screaming, yelling--enjoying each other over cold Absolut.
Anyway, I had the chance to see these two in the Spring when they came to the Parish off of Sixth St. That's when I knew these guys were absolutely nuts. At one interlude, Tim and Eric walked on stage decked out in Papa John's uniforms (by the way, they have this unexplainable preoccupation with this franchise) and chunked 10 pizza boxes worth cheese pizza at the audience. The man I was standing next to got smacked in the face by one of the greasy things. A random piece somehow landed in the hand of my friend Liesel and without much hesitation, she started chowing it down to all of our disgust. Later, during Uncle Muscles hour, in a fit of anxiety Casey puked all over himself and the fifteen people closest to the stage. And this was real regurgitated bread looking shit too, all over the arm of Liesel's black T-shirt. She didn't really bat an eyelash but by that time, the big guy next to her was getting tired of being assaulted by Tim and Eric.
Who knows, it may be because I got to preview a lot of their second season during their show (which was actually in large part just clips of their new stuff), but I'm not too keen on Tim and Eric these days. Undoubtedly, their first season is classic but I have not yet decided whether or not their unadulterated spastic creative energy can produce another full season of stuff that will not cross the line that separates bizarre and amusing into the dregs of pure drivel.
Either way, I'm still psyched to see what they will come up with at FunFunFun Fest (maybe some special guest appearances...?) and certain that their show will prove to be strange if nothing else.
