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Day 1 in Austin.
Many realizations re-realized while I’ve been gone. People in Texas love Texas, and continually need to remind you of their loyalty. People who live in Austin, and may not be true Austinites love them some Austin and also pledge allegiance to this, as well continually needing to let everyone know with the display of shirts, stickers, and other memorabilia.
With that said let me just say that I am an Austinite, born and raised and lived in Austin the last 26 years of my life. I also remind people of the fact that I am from Austin, right down to the “Keep Austin Weird ” sticker on my SUV.
At the top of my list , in no order while in town, was to hit the Hike and Bike trail atleast everyday, go canoeing on Town Lake (now renamed Lady Bird Johnson lake), hike in the greenbelt, eat Amy’s icecream, Mr. Natural, Mexican food, Cuban, Beer and lot’s of it, wear sandals , try the Hey Cupcake stand! on congress, jo’s coffee, and maybe Home slice.
Tuesday I hit the greenbelt, it was great, sunny, inspiring, I even caught a tan.
I realized there are no shortages of DOGS in Austin, it seems 1 in 3 people own one, as well, the Auditorium shores have been deemed a “Leash free” zone.
In Austin they clearly give -bikes the right- , and the dogs liberty to roam free. Love it.
Also realized I need to step up my game when it comes to working out. It’s either sink or swim in this town, Healthy and Fit is the way to go.
After went by Convention center to get my wrist band. There I am wearing a tank top, sneakers, and running shorts in a see of pseudo thirty something hipsters, many of whom wear quite good looking, in a slight nerdy “Interactive” way.
It was a sea of badges, they all stood proud mingling amongst themselves, holding their new canvase totes, and ofcourse I couldn’t help think of the website -
Stuff White People Like
Tuesday night I checked out this little mixer Rae & Steven were throwing at their very cool studio right off congress, behind Ruta MAya, and some new Condos being built. They had yummy munchies, and rum drinks, and a capoeira group was throwing down. Pretty fun.
Wed. we do breakfast at Marias Taco Express and Lamar, which now has had an interesting makeover sharing space with a CVS, behind it, what else -Condos. But cool condos.
One thing I will mention but leave alone, since it’s a new post in it’s own, is the obscene amount of Condos being built all over Austin. Downtown, Eastside, South Austin and North austin, they are everyhwere. Many of these new developments are Condos with retail space below it. Most of these new structures are very urban and modern, steel, “green looking”.something out of Dwell Magazine….On the congress bridge I saw some scrawled graffiti that said simply- “Yuppies go West, Stop gentrifying East Austin”……moving on.
Maria’s was still good, I had, AL Pastor, Carne Guisada, and a potato and egg. They did a great job of making the place look like it had been there for years.
2 quirky dinners, one looked like some version of Michael Moore, the other was a tall skinny older white man in his 60’s with a little beret. They left then reappeared, walking in, one playing a little clarinet the other some sort of banjo. They just gave everyone this little performance and they were quite good, and we were all clapping.
After we hit the Baldwin Beauty school to get a 5 dollar haircut. I got something kinda funky, and though I keep telling myself I am gonna grow it, I went a wee bit shorter. Alas it will grow.
After running again at the trail I went to Congress ave, also known as SOCO (vomit) to stand in line to try the Hey Cupcake airostream trailer. The lady there was working it all by herself and still smiling. classic. The red velvet was decent, and all the cupcakes I saw leaving the little window were a really good size, good looking frosting.
For dinner we went to Art’s Rib House for some much needed ribs and beer. We caught a little performance by a young singer songwriter, very KGSR/107.1
After I ventured alone down to the Continental Club for the Bachanga showcase of David GArza, Girl in a Coma, Maneja Beto, Elis Paprika (whom are supposed to be good, but didn’t make it ),Monte Negro,Ceci Bastida and DJ Pajaro. The whole showcase was on some Mexican/Latin/Spanish rock alternative type shit. very cool, edgy and reminiscent of the Monterrey scene.
Dj Pajaro from L.a. kept the hour moving with some cool spanglish sounds, much of which I haven;t heard. I got chatted up by this cute 2 young gay boys,I think they were digging on my Liza? haircut. They were darling. I later kept company with another gay couple, this asian guy from california and a bit older Austin white guy, very interesting. The asian had those trendy scarves, indiginous to Arab culture, but everyone in N.y. is wearing with jeans and sneakers, ya know what I mean….
Monte Negro is my new favorite group. They are from L.A. and simply brilliant, to me they are spanglish, rock, alternative, ska, reggae, definitely experimental, and I’m loving it. I need to get their new EP. Check them out!
Ceci Bastida from Tijauna were next, and were also alot of fun. Lot’s of energy, great sound, really cute group .
I stayed for Maneja Beto.
They had quitte a bit of equipment, reminded me a bit of Groupo Fantasma. They call themselves “Indie in Espanol”, and they make everyone dance!!!! Alot of fun.
I missed David Garza, funny enough my friends and I drolled over him and his group the Love beads, back in the 90’s when we were in highschool. Then he went solo, and he is still quite talented. Also missed Girl in a Coma, they are from San Antonio and supposed to be really hot right now.
Their myspace sounds really good, check them out!
Day 2
Put on the walking shoes, cause it’s time to walk.
Just like in NYC when you don’t realized you just walked 5 blocks, and it’s no problem.
Sigh, How to see all these bands, in such little time… The wrist band makes things easy getting in, but I want to see one group at 10, and another at 11, at a different place 4 blocks away… so the Rickshaw is quite handy, those guys and gals are working it out on the little bikes. Some are fancy with klennex and a boom box, in the back, other svery minimal, just a man, his wooden box, and his bike, and you and 3 others.. It’s cool how they kinda have their own lane and cops basically leave them alone, and let them get their hustle on( in the transporting of people kinda way) , it’s quite handy, and better than cabs!
Headed downtown around 6. Saw a swarm of people headed to the Auditorium shores for the outdoor concerts. Bypassed the 10 $ parking and settled on 5$ instead.
Walked around the newly vamped 2nd St. District, across from the smartly designed new City Hall. Bunch of high end shops, an outlet of Jo’s coffee, a few Trattoria looking spots with outsie seating very NYC, the whole thing. It was shocking I tell you, shocking!!
The thing about going out alone, is you can count on seeing someone you know, esp. during SXSW. I got spotted by this old friend I worked with Brandon sitting outside Halycon( formerly Ruta Maya ) and he said he was going to check out DeVotchka playing at the Filter Magazine party. That outdoor patio between Malaga and Saba Blue water was packed to the gils, strewn with badge people, people holding their green wrists in the air, and then the regular fans patiently inline waiting and hoping to get in.
I was going to a show at the Fado pub, to hearTrombone Shorty, but his set wasn’t on till 10:15. Plenty of time to kill between then.
My friend Seven was flying intown today, but had a long layover and got stuck in Houston. Luckily he made it in, but missed the show he was going to catch, this group out of Chicago that he just signed to his label, their getting alot of buzz right now -The Cool Kids.
We took a rickshaw over to Habana for our annual Cuban feast, had some Mojitos on the patio and caught up. There was a funny incident over the Bistec de Pollo, when it arrived breaded, Seven was like- this ain’t Bistec de Pollo, I lived in Miami, yada yada, it was too funny! (love ya Seven) The waitress was like- This is how we do it here.
Walked back to the warehouse district from 6th, and I kept saying - I want to see someone famous. We caught the show at FAdo, they were good, the crowd was a mix of Yuppie regualrs enjoying an afterwork pint, and people who apparently some big time Trombone Shorty fans. After 2 guinesses we decided to have another drink, some place cool, quiet, and chill.
We walked up to Starlite. They were playing Tortoise so Seven nodded in approval. The kitchen was closed- so they told me, but the bar was open. We ordered the Fountain of Youth ,an interesting concoction of Lillette Blanc, and apricot nectar. The bartender was a little curt , appeared to be finishing after a busy night. I asked for one of the Chefs Aaron, and he came out, cute as a button with curly hair, a little bandana and the Purple crystal I had given him a few years ago. I worked briefly at Starlite for like 2 weeks a few years ago, when I was leaving Gravitas to go to Indika, in Houston.
At the time my pal Phillip was the pastry chef, and getting rave reviews for his stellar cutting edge desserts. Now he is big balling at Uchi. Aaron came out with a fabulous dessert trio of chocolate. A chocolate pot de creme or was it orgasmic pudding? Anyhow they are one in the same. A brilliant Coffee caramel brittle studded with I think Cocoanibs. (I was envious they had created such a brittle, I am the brittle Queen!) LAstly on the plate was a mini Boston creme Pie, it was devine! Loved it somemore…..
Aaron casually mentioned that none other than Michael Stipe and R.E.M. were upstairs in the lounge finishing dinner. I wanted to grab the camera, or start singing ’Shiny Happy People’, but I did neither.
Seven also noticed Shepard Fairey as he was leaving. I think he had a DJ that night.
Anyhow, another fun filled night awaits!
Day 3 & 4
Summer has arrived in Austin.
Friday more outdoor stuff, back to the hike and bike trail with a friend and her baby.
It was 91 that day in March. Spring break is normally cold and rain, but damn that Global Warming.
Later we meet our good friend Keora, for some much needed Mr. Natural. Wish I had that hibiscus tea now, but with some crushed ice, lime and mint.. ahh.
Quick change back at home, to clean up and rest a bit. We all hookup later for more Tex-Mex and frozen margaritas at El Mercado. Good times and good laughs.
I contemplated avoiding downtown and staying south to hit Jovita’s for a San Antonio show case with Girl in a Coma headlining, or to The Continental Club for the Ponderosa Stomp featuring a mix of Country, Rockabilly, and New Orleans Rnb.
I decided to be adventurous and head across the bridge, in hopes of finding a parking spot near 2nd st. I remebered also that DeVotchka had an 11pm set over at Antone’s.
Apparently that was ’the place’ to be that night, because several lines extended way outside the building almost to Halycon. People in line had wristbands and badges, and the line was not moving. Antone’s was already at capacity, so noone was getting in. I heard mumbles in the crowd of “fUCK DEVOTCHKA!”, but the group everyone was waiting to see was Vampire Weekend. Punk, Indie, New- Wave, they are apparently the hot new shit . Interesting.
I drove back south to The Continental Club and caught the last of Little Freddie King from New Orleans. Note- Little Freddie King is actually not on Myspace. wow.
He is one of those many brilliant musicians who actually feel the music while we hear it. You can see it in their face, like they are about to combust, you can see they have gone to that place, and it - the power- just takes control of them.
The crowd at Continental was mostly anglo, and mostly 30-50 age range. Lot’s of old Austin hippies, mixed with the Rockabilly crowd. When Little Freddie King got really going these older white women were there right up in the front of the stage just flapping their arms, looking like rag dolls caught in the wind. Little Freddie King was part snake charmer, part Reverend to his own personal chapel of the guitar. I stayed for Kenny and the Kasuals. The were dressed in nice sharp suits, skinny ties, standup base, and electric guitars. Good Rockabilly. Headed home.
With any oppourtunity to be at several places at once I would have loved to see:
Jimmie Vaughn
Lyrics Born
DeVotchKa
The Cool Kids
Girl In A Coma
Kid Sister
UK Showcase
Ireland Showcase
Carrie Rodriguez
S.I.A.
N.E.R.D.
Dizzee Rascal
Friends of Dean Martinez
ANd Any other free shows and non Sxsw events I didn’t know about.
Day 4
Hiking in the greenbelt is exhilirating and much needed more often.
Wanted to check Flat Stock at the Convention center but ran out of time. I also would have loved to have seen any of the hundreds of films that were screening at the SXSW Film Festival…next year.
Also wanted to check out the concert at Auditorium Shores. Pete Rock, Jean Grae and Talib Kweli. I’m sure it was amazing.
Found great parking and decided to face 6th head on.
My plan was to stop at Maggie Mae’s, Driskill, Barcelona, Flamingo Cantina, Stubbs, and Club de Ville. Approaching Maggie Mae’s I stood in horror at the very very long line extending infront of the door, it wasn’t even 8pm. Luckily the shows I were seeing were in the Maggie Mae’s annex. All those people were waiting to see Jaymay, Afrobots, and the Young Lords.
I was there to see more Mexican music, the Monterrey music explosion. I caught Sesenta Tigres or 60 Tigers and thought they were amazing. They were also giving their Cds away for free. They reminded me of the 80’s, Rollingstones, talking heads, a mix of punk, ambiant, new wave, experimental, this would be great driving music! Loving it . The lead singer has so much passion in his face, super rock star. Also loved the drummer with his little mustache, vintage Milli Vannili shirt, skinny jeans and sneakers. They had some fans with them and they were all effortlessly stylish..
Next up was Gustavo Alberto, a young man and his guitar and his band. With his smooth voice and good lucks he might be the next Enrique, Ricky or Cheyene. He has a wide range, he is young, catchy name, and has great ’cross over ’ appeal which record people love. Expect to hear more of him in the future.
I would have liked to see Chikita Violenta.
Headed to the Victoria room at the Driskill to catch Bavu Blakes set. Caught the last bit of Maya Azucena. She has a Great powerful voice and she is a beautiful woman from Brooklyn. She did a great rendition of Hallelujah.
Bavu came on, and I haven’t seen him perfom in a while. I was pleased he played an oldie. Reminisced with a woman next to me about the old Catfish Station, Liberty Lunch and Pearl’s Oyster bar. Ter’ell Shahid is a part of Bavu’s Extra Pair. He is an amazing produer, singer and musician. Pikahsso from Dallas’ PPT came on to rock a bit wearing the coolest white vintage Porsche jaket.
Jetted over to Barcelona for the King Britt showcase, didn’t realize the club was underground very cool. Not much was going on there beside, blasting cold air and some random waterfall in the back.
By Stubbs to see what is going on. Gza was playing at 1 a.m. but that place was empty, never seen it like that before, some group called NASA was on.
Over to Club de Ville to catch the Brownout set. They are an extension of the notoriously brilliant musicians Grupo Fantasma, but more latin funky if that is at all possible. Grupo is pretty modern traditional cumbia esque. I still haven’t seen them live , partly due to the fact I no longer live in Austin and may have missed them if they came to Houston.
Darondo was playing to a packed house. I never had heard of the man and wish I could have been closer. He really tore it up with ’legs’, interestingly enough the young man infront of me had only 1.
Darondo will make you clap, nod, shake your stuff, this ain’t no Belle & Sebastien show, no standing still! He could be compared to many, but why? He is simply Darondo, there is plenty to go around that energy, and we are glad it is out there.
Brownout’s set up took a wee bit. I had some strange (in a bad way) tapping me on the shoulder, and got beer spilled on my foot. It was also another saturday night on 6th. All the usual suspects out. Drunk frat guys starting fights, lines for pizza at 1 a.m., slick streets filled with vomit and trash, drunken lovers, and hookups in progress.
As the World Turns
I would have also loved to see Saturday night:
GZA
Brazil showcase
Sons & Daughters
Monte Negro- again
Jean Grae
Talib Kweli
Pete Rock
Papa Mali
Los Lonely Boys and Arcade Fire- if they were playing
The free events at the George Carver museum and Waterloo Park to name a few.