TEX Big Nashville tonight and tomorrow/random tidbits
September 27, 2010
Do you know Tex Rambunctious? If you don’t, then you’re probably a low-life scum suckin’ pile of horseshit! At least, that’s what Tex would say. Tex is the alter-ego of local music promoter/manager Dean Shortland, and he’s put together a one-two punch lineup of free shows leading up to this weekend’s Next BIG Nashville Music Festival/Conference. It’s called TEX Big Nashville, and the lineup is full of great bands who were flirted with by NBN but ultimately dumped for sexier bands/artists. My own band POWERBRRRD (Seth decided to make us a twitter, so follow us!) is among them. We are on tonight’s lineup at Mercy Lounge, which is an 8 off 8th-style lineup consisting of us, Del Barber, Chris Pickering, Jacob Thomas, Shotgun Lover, The Weeks, and maybe Jeremy Lister. As always, it’s FREE and starts at 9pm.
Tomorrow night’s TBN lineup is at Exit/In and features Codaphonic, My Tyger, The Black Shades, Reno Bo, and Bravo Max. Again, it’s FREE and will start at 9pm.
These are all great bands who, by any normal standard are certainly good enough to play NBN, but probably either a) haven’t been around long enough/produced enough recorded material, or b) don’t have any label/management affiliations/connections. So please do come out and checkout at least one night of bands before you booze it up on free drinks and sponsorships this weekend. Stay tuned in the next day or two as I have some pretty exciting news to unveil about exclusive NBN happenings on friday.
A few more random tidbits of interest:
In other NBN-related news, the Fader is co-sponsoring the WAVVES/Tennis/Christmas Island/Diarrhea Planet/Girls in the Eighties showcase on Friday night at Exit/In. They blogged about it. Which is pretty awesome.
Spin magazine also showed Nashville some love in a post about 5 new Nashville bands they ❤. Kind of an odd mix but mad props to PUJOL, The Ettes, and Turbo Fruits for making the list.
Didn’t get a chance to blog about this last night but Nashville’s own video journalist Crystal Heidemann of YouTell Concerts got made fun of on Hipster Runoff. As I told her, she should only feel honored.
Pixies/Next Big Nashville tix deadline/other weekend stuff
September 10, 2010
Let’s all face it, the big news show-wise this weekend is The Pixies playing two consecutive shows at the Ryman. This undeniably awesome, but I haven’t the money nor the means to go. I halfway missed the Pixies train in high school/middle school, so they will never have the significance to me that they do to some. The bands that cemented themselves firmly into my formative years were Nirvana, Weezer, and Green Day… amongst many others. But those were the main ones. So, yay Pixies?
Some other good stuff going down this weekend (besides the AMA’s):
FRIDAY:
There are a shitload of bands at the 5 Spot- Fly Golden Eagle, The Early Evening, Slow Claw, Chrome Pony and By Lightning are all playing as part of “Family Tree Vol. 2.” 9pm $5
Dozen Dimes, Frank The Fuck Out, and Diarrhea Planet @ The End. 9pm $5 (This is the Dozen Dimes’ album release show… I’m not up to speed on these things but I thought DD’s album came out a couple months ago… but whatevs, this is an awesome lineup regardless!)
SATURDAY:
Well, the 2nd Pixies show (tix still available!) is about it.
SUNDAY:
Whoa, sunday rocks…
Gentleman Jesse & His Men, Strange Boys, Cy Barkley, Natural Child @ Glen Danzig’s House. $5 7pm. I’ll be there.
Best Coast, Cults @ Mercy Lounge. $12, 8pm
The Love Language, Bows and Arrows @ Exit/In. $10, 8pm
MONDAY:
(Because I’ll be gone and not blogging for a week probably)
Keep On Movin’ celebrates their 2-year birthday. The weekly 5 Spot dance party/boogie-fest has been going strong for 2 years, so show ’em some love!
I must also mention that today is the LAST DAY to get early bird discounts on Next BIG Nashville tickets! Wristbands are $40 and VIP badges are $215, and after today the prices go up to $45 and $250, respectively. Act now or pay more later.
Before I leave for a week-long hiatus due to my road stint with Those Darlins, I must share one of the most ridiculously design-nerdy things I’ve ever seen. Apparently some super nerdy graphic designers had waaaay too much time on their hands and decided to figure out how many iterations of the word “helvetica” in 100 point un-kerned type would fit between the earth and the moon. Then they had some more time and decided to see how big, in points, the word helvetica would have to be to fit once between the earth and the moon. As ridiculous as this is, it makes me very happy. Click through to find out the results at kottke.org.
Have a great weekend and week, because it’ll probably be that long before you hear from me again on here.
First, I must point you to the official Next BIG Nashville schedule. It’s up, and it will probably change, but it’s there so start planning which sacrifices to make. Planning your schedule at these types of music festivals is always a delicate balance between seeing people you know and like, and branching out to see some new acts you might not get to see otherwise.
Secondly, I have some exciting news that some people know about, but others don’t. I will be doing a photo documentary project with Those Darlins next week; joining them on a week-long leg of their tour with Strange Boys and Gentleman Jesse & His Men. I got the idea after the death of famous rock photographer Jim Marshall last year. News of his death got me thinking about his photographs, and how a lot of the truly iconic shots are very casual, candid, off-beat images taken off the stage. I thought about how I could do more of that type of behind-the-scenes work (not that my images will ever be as iconic as Marshall’s shots of Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, and the like), and I thought of Those Darlins. I’ve known them for years, they’re some of the best people I know, they have room in their van, and after some discussions with their awesome manager John “JT” Turner, this idea is now becoming a reality. They’re what most would consider a mid-level act, but they’re headed for higher places and I think it’s the right time to do this type of project with a band like them. Those Darlins know how to party, and I think the results of this little experiment will be interesting. So, if you’re in Chapel Hill, D.C., New York, Cambridge, or Brooklyn, I hope to see you at one of the shows! Obviously, I may not be posting much next week…
My other news is simply that Miami Horror is awesome and you should go buy their album now. Seriously, I’ve been seeing mp3’s from these guys popping up in the blogosphere for a few months and I kept thinking “oh, this is an awesome track… nice…” But just yesterday I saw my friend Joseph’s review of their debut album on his blog Nashville Nights and it finally clicked in my head that these guys were different than your average “3 or 4 singles a year” DJs/producers. I urge you to checkout the quality interview Joseph did with them as well… I totally agree with his sentiment that it’s hard to find a good, quality dance floor album these days. There really are no sleepers or filler on this album- pure quality all the way through. Honestly this material is exactly what I personally want out of electronic/dance music: it’s got a great disco-ey, funky groove to it, smooth bass lines, and most of all the songs are songs, not just a bunch of loops layered together that build and fade (via trancewave). If you like Cut Copy, AIR, or Neon Indian, you will love this record. This is the best thing to come out of Australia since Silverchair. J/K J/K J/K
Miami Horror-I Look To You (Ft. Kimbra)
Oh, and the link to buy the album goes to Amazon. Fuck iTunes and their non-mp3/non-DJable formats. And while I’m at it, fuck their new ugly skin/layout for iTunes 10, too.
This weekend is crazy in Nashville
September 3, 2010
This weekend’s show offerings are pretty intense. Here are a few suggestions that I think are awesome.
FRIDAY:
The biggest deal tonight is Nashville Cream’s 4 year birthday bash at Exit/In. The lineup features My So-Called Band covering Weezer’s Pinkerton, Tristen, Shaky Voices, and DJ sets from the Grimey’s staff. I will be running a photobooth, so be sure to come say hi. They also have tons of awesome door prizes, including a killer vinyl pack from Infinity Cat records.
Pardon the self-promotion here, but I have to mention that I also have an after-hours DJ gig tonight. It’s with the awesome Jane Dupree of Disco Terror Squad, and it’s at 508 Late Nite Lounge. It’s at (duh) 508 Leah Ave. and I spin from 2-3am. Party till the wee hours!
I have to also mention that the awesome Jasmin Kaset is releasing an album tonight at the Basement. She’ll be joined by Majestico and The Mattoid. I didn’t even know she was working on a record, but according to the Cream Jordan Lehning of the Non-Comms/Make Out With Violence fame produced it. That sounds like a match made in heaven to me, even if her voice sometimes gets a little too child-like for my taste. I stress sometimes.
In addition to the onslaught of releases that are happening this weekend, Kyle Andrews will be celebrating the release of his Kangaroo EP tonight at Mercy Lounge. He’ll be joined by Heypenny, Mother/Father, and Gold Motel.
SATURDAY:
The main story Saturday is the triumphant return of Left Can Dance at La Paz (formerly Ombi Bar, a.k.a. the original home of Left Can Dance). The disco/indie/post-punk dance trio will be returning to the decks for the first time in at least a year, if memory serves, for this event which they’re calling “Disco Ball & Chain.” It’s sort of a “pre-celebration” of the marriage of Sam Patton and Kelly Taylor, which comprise 2/3 of the trio. This will kick off about 9pm and cost $5 to get in. They also have some drink specials up their sleeve but I’m not sure what they are, but I’m sure it will involve margaritas, so prepare your liver accordingly.
That about does it for this weekend. Let’s party.
Seth Graves’ THE CRUCICHIX
August 4, 2010
My bandmate and friend Seth Graves has entered the 48 Hour Film Project for several years in a row. This year was no different, but unfortunately he was unable to get it in before the 48 hour deadline. He did turn it in though, and it will still be screened and is eligible for the crowd popularity vote. It just can’t win the festival officially. Behold THE CRUCICHIX:
Next Big Nashville released a shitload of information over the past couple of days, including the big news everyone was waiting for: the headlining music acts. This year Jason Moon Wilkins & Co. have really upped their game with an amazing lineup of national headliners. Yeasayer, WAVVES, Ponys, The Hood Internet, David Bazan, Javelin, Peelander-Z, and many others will make this year’s NBN way bigger than ever before. This is a big step in the direction towards making NBN more of a “SXSE,” which is essentially JMW’s goal with the festival/conference. Straight from the horse’s mouth:
Yeasayer, WAVVES, Ponys, David Bazan, Javelin, The Hood Internet, Garotas Suecas, Moon Duo, The Mynabirds, Otouto, Peelander-Z, Elf Power and many more. In total, 150+ acts will play over four nights in Nashville’s premiere music venues. Nationally recognized artists will appear with a full slate of established and emerging names from Nashville and the Southeast including Madi Diaz, Kyle Andrews, Keegan DeWitt, Futurebirds, Andrew Belle, Katie Herzig, Megan McCormick, Kopecky Family Band, The Apache Relay, Mikky Ekko, The Protomen, The Non Commissioned Officers, Roman Candle, The Silver Seas and more. Record labels, organizations and brands will also present showcases, VIP events and exclusive after parties.
Checkout the official NBN summit website for more.
Higgs Boson rumor/awesomeness
July 13, 2010
There’s been a lot of buzz lately about possible evidence of the elusive Higgs Boson, the so-called “God particle” being discovered at Fermilab’s Tevatron collider. Apparently some of the physicists have entertained the idea that an unexpected result from a recent particle collision experiment might possibly be evidence of the Higgs Boson, while others dismiss the idea. So, don’t go thinking that we’ve finally found the Higgs Boson (and not even at the LHC nonetheless) just yet. An official statement on the matter has not been released yet, and we have no clue what they found until that happens. So everyone just chill out for a minute until some official findings are released. All we know for sure now is there was an “unexpected result.” (Via Discovery News)
Now I must simply share a few things I’ve run across the past couple of days that are simply awesome:
–What the Fuck Should I Make for Dinner? Perfect for those “I don’t know what I want, what do you want?” times.
-Yazoo Brewing Co. may be switching to cans, but they want your input first. Weigh all the options before making your choice.
-Sam Kean of Slate is blogging the entire periodic table of elements. Nerd-out!
-And if this doesn’t make your day (and even week) infinitely better, then you are beyond help:
Infinity Cat invades NYC/Columbia “Viper” is famous
July 7, 2010
Infinity Cat staples Heavy Cream and Jeff the Brotherhood both got some serious love yesterday on Brooklyn Vegan. They’re about to embark on a tour together, and will be invading NYC next weekend, though oddly they’re not actually on any of the NYC bills together. Coincidentally I’ll be in NYC visiting my girlfriend who is currently there for a month taking a class at SVA. We’ll probably drop by one of those shows and surprise them. It seems like NYC has had a bit of a crush on Nashville’s rock scene, especially since Be Your Own Pet exposed them to the Infinity Cat roster. Awesome.
If you’ve been under a rock, you may not have heard about Columbia, TN’s real-life spandex-clad superhero “The Viper,” but some national media outlets have taken notice. The most interesting place this story popped up is on the sci-fi/tv/nerd blog i09. The part I don’t really get is why the hell you can’t wear a mask in public in Columbia. Seriously? It seems like the local lawmakers got bored and decided to find an excuse to arrest everyone on Halloween…
This has to be one of the best posts in Hipster Runoff history…
More science posts coming soon, I promise…
Bonnaroo weather/CMA bingo/no more posts this week
June 9, 2010
*This will be my last post this week, and today will be my last day of web presence until after Bonnaroo.*
As I’ve said before, I’m going to Bonnaroo this year. I’m not going the way I’ve gone the past 2 years, however, as the Scene/SouthComm is sending their staff photographers to cover it this year, obviously the result of a rough economy/tight budget. (They are full-time staff photographers, so in the end SouthComm isn’t having to pay them anymore than they would have already, whereas my work would be an extra expense to them since I’m freelance.) Let me say that I’m in no way irked at them for doing this, as they have to do what makes financial sense in these times especially, and if I were in their shoes, I’d probably do the same. Since they weren’t sending me, I had to work a little harder to acquire a pass, but I did. So, don’t expect any photos from me this year, as I won’t be able to get into the photo pits, and honestly don’t want to have to lug the expensive/heavy equipment around and keep up with it unless I have to. My only real goal is to see LCD Soundsystem, since this is expected to be their last year of live shows, ever.
I’ve heard a lot of ridiculous rumors that there’s going to be a monsoon in Manchester this year. THIS IS BALONEY. The weather forecast looks exactly like every other June forecast in TN has since the beginning of time. It’s going to be hot, humid, and there’s a slight chance (20-30%) of scattered showers and storms in the afternoon. I’d say there will be at least 1 or 2 of those showers/storms that happen across Bonnaroo, but it will by no means equate to a monsoon. The cause of this rumor is probably the fact that most weather apps and “forecast-at-a-glance” sources don’t include the probability of precipitation (PoP). They just show a small icon that has the sun covered partially by a storm cloud, a few rain drops, and a lightning bolt. It still shows that icon, even if the PoP is only 10%. This is a problem in my opinion, because sadly the vast majority of people will probably look at those icons on each day and think that it means it’s going to rain all day, everyday. So if you’re going this year, of course be prepared for rain and mud- it’s going to rain at some point, but it’s not going to rain the whole time. Remember to drink plenty of water and you’ll be fine.
I must also point you to Nashvillest’s 2nd (I think) annual CMA Bingo card. With the “CMApocalypse” quickly approaching, this little bit of local humor/snark is all but necessary to keep your sanity if you’re a Nashvillian who hates this annual gathering of:
AND
Have a great rest of the week/Bonnaroo if you’re going, and I will see you here sometime next week.
DJ A-Trak’s Dirty South Dance 2 mixtape is officially available for free download today via his Bandcamp. This mix follows up his 2007 release Dirty South Dance, and continues his style of blending popular hip hop vocal lines with more electro/dance beats. Personally I’m a fan just about everything he does, but then again who isn’t? Dude is one of the most well-respected DJs in the world right now. Just go grab the mix and enjoy. (Via A-Trak’s blog)
Speaking of DJs and dancing, Justin Kase is apparently planning a revival of the post-Buddytown/pre-Happy Valley era Youth Group parties at a yet-to-be-disclosed new location. Kase is planning to move to L.A. this September, thus the emphasis on making the most of this summer. More info will posted here as soon as I know it, but I’m sure it’ll be well-publicized.
Tonight is the final Road to Bonnaroo 8 off 8th at Mercy Lounge. Come early and stay late, and cast your vote not based on who you’re friends with, but who fucking rocks your face off. I’ll be there shooting pics as usual. Lineup is: Heartbeater, My Tyger, Pico Vs. Island Trees, Delta Saints, Space Capone, Cheer Up Charlie Daniels, And The Relatives, and Deep Fried Five.
On a side note- if you’re in Nashville, please check your property for standing/stagnant water. The recent floods combined with the typical hot/humid summer weather will make the mosquito population explode this year, so if we don’t take measures to prevent them from breeding, we may be in for one very itchy, West-Nile virus-ridden summer. Mosquitoes breed in even the smallest areas of standing water- empty flower pots, buckets, old tires, etc… All you have to do is simply empty them out after it rains, or put them in a place where they won’t collect rainwater. If you (like Megan and me) use a rain barrel to water your lawn/garden/flowers, you can get tablets at any gardening store that when dissolved in said rain barrel, will prevent mosquitoes from breeding in the water. I like summer for the most part, but I absolutely dread dealing with mosquitoes every year. I’m cursed with a pretty significant reaction to their bites, and they usually leave me with a quarter-size whelp that lasts a couple of weeks. So, for your own sanity and the sake of everyone else’s, PLEASE take measures to minimize the mosquito population this summer! For more info read this article from WKRN.
steve cross loves music and science 