Greg Ackerman

Album review: Brownout released lush new Berlin Sessions LP

March 30, 2020 Greg Ackerman 1207 Views album review, Brownout, Grupo Fantasma, Latin funk, Latin fusion, new music, progressive rock, psych-rock

Austin Latin funksters Brownout have returned with a full-length album of lush, original songs entitled Berlin Sessions. The record is the first collection of original tunes since Oozy (2012). The album’s moniker comes from capable producer, Steve Berlin (Los Lobos) who has also produced Brownout’s better known sister act, Grupo Fantasma. Released on March 6 on Fat Beats Records, the record is the first of the band’s to feature their Black Sabbath cover project, Brown Sabbath’s vocalist Alex Marrero.

Greg Ackerman Opinion

Essay: Country Music Doesn’t Suck, You Just Aren’t Listening to the Right Stuff

March 17, 2020 Greg Ackerman 4002 Views Carter family, Chris Stapleton, country music, essay, Johnny Cash, Nashville, opinion, outlaw country, rock n roll, Sturgill Simpson, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson

First things first, I loathe pop-country. Even trying to explain how much I want to be thrown into a cornfield Goodfellas-style whenever Sam Hunt or Jason Aldean comes on feels like it doesn’t do justice to my description. When it comes to real country music? Inject that shit directly into my veins, because you put on some classic George Jones or Hank Williams, I’m there all day for it.

Live Review Scott Rollins

Live music review: Texas legend Lyle Lovett played Beaumont’s Jefferson Theatre

February 19, 2020 Greg Ackerman 1947 Views country music, Jefferson Theatre, live music, Lyle Lovett, outlaw country, Review, Texas music

The Jefferson Theatre was privileged to host Lyle Lovett and His Acoustic Group on February 10. The theatre, located in Beaumont, Texas is designated a Texas Historical Landmark and it’s listed on The National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1927, the storied venue features an 8-Rack Morgan Organ. The Jefferson once hosted the premiere of classic film “It’s a Wonderful Life” with star Jimmy Stewart and director Frank Capra in attendance. It was the perfect place to host an equally storied Texas musician.

Greg Ackerman Preview

Live music preview: My Cruddy Valentine at Far Out Lounge Feb 14

February 5, 2020 Greg Ackerman 1227 Views Austin, Far Out Lounge, indie rock, live music, Megafauna, preview, rock n roll, The Sour Notes, Valentine, Valentines Day

Valentine’s Day can be a drag. If you’re in a relationship, you feel obligated to get your partner candy, cards, flowers, dinner, the whole ball of wax. If you’re not hanging out with anyone during the holiday then it can be a source of stress or at least mildly annoying. The Cosmic Clash along with Dad Presents and Covert Curiosity are taking care of all those details for you this year by booking and planning a great night of live music, performance art and vendors February 14 at Far Out Lounge and Stage.

Greg Ackerman Premiere

Song premiere: The Blowies new single There May Never Be Another X-Mas

December 19, 2019 Greg Ackerman 1137 Views garage punk, garage rock, pop-punk, premiere, punk, punk rock, Ramones, Sex Pistols, single release, song, The Blowies

Austin pop-punks The Blowies have released a timely single, “There May Never Be Another X-Mas (All I Want for X-Mas is Impeachment) as the U.S. House of Representatives have voted to send two articles of impeachment of President Trump to the Senate for trial. The fact that it’s done in classic garage punk style fits the raw, unrefined approach of President Trump. It’s the right genre for a radical political crisis.

Greg Ackerman Review

Best Austin Albums of 2019

December 18, 2019 Greg Ackerman 1389 Views Albums, Austin, best albums, Black Pumas, Gary Clark Jr, Jackie Venson, Megafauna, Moving Panoramas, Music, records, Sun June, Superfonicos, The Bright Light Social Hour, The Vapor Caves, top albums, Townes Van Zandt, vinyl

Two years ago, over 400 albums were released by Austin artists according to Kevin Curtin at
The Austin Chronicle. Curtin then released a list of Austin’s top 200 records. His point? The musical bar is set so high in Austin that half of that momentous number of releases were deserving of some kind of mention in a year-end list. While we applaud him for the effort in producing a massive list of worthy albums, we’re keeping it simple with a more manageable collection of best Austin albums we loved listening to in the past year.

Review Scott Rollins

Album review: Reina del Cid’s Morse Code record is a lesson in songwriting

December 12, 2019 Greg Ackerman 3798 Views album, Americana, folk music, folk rock, new music, Reina del Cid, Review, singer, songrwriter

Reina Del Cid has released a new album, Morse Code and it is nothing less than an impressive and intellectual exercise of masterful songwriting and musicianship. The record actually dropped back on October 4 with a release show in Minneapolis and I’m finally able to file an album review. Been chomping at the bit to share it with you.

Greg Ackerman Preview

Live music preview: Hard Luck Lounge to Say Farewell November 23

November 18, 2019 Greg Ackerman 1257 Views Austin, Ben Ballinger, Chandler Wilkinson, closing, Glass, Hard Luck Lounge, live music, Mrs, Music, preview, Rattlesnake Milk, Robert Allan Caldwell, That Damned Band

Beloved East Austin dive bar and live music venue, Hard Luck Lounge is holding a final show Saturday, November 23 before shutting down after five years on E. Seventh near Springdale. The much loved venue with a big back patio, tiny bar and a stage that looks cut out of a film set will close this Saturday with a celebration of local artists who frequently performed at there.

Greg Ackerman Review

Live music review (photos): Ghostland Observatory’s Halloween party in Austin

November 3, 2019 Greg Ackerman 1858 Views Aaron Behrens, Austin, Carson Creek Ranch, concert, dance music, electronic music, Ghostland Observatory, Halloween, live music, Thomas Ross Turner

Thursday music fans celebrated Halloween with Austin’s Ghostland Observatory at Carson Creek Ranch. The celebrated electronic dance duo performed with Fort Never and DJ Chicken George in front of approximately 1000 people. A good portion of those attendees wore outlandish costumes for the occasion. We’ve included images taken by The Cosmic Clash photographer, David Castaneda of the spectacle, fans and fun things to do at the ranch which sits across the highway from Austin Bergstrom Airport.

Greg Ackerman Preview

Live music preview: Ghostland Observatory to kick off huge Halloween weekend at Carson Creek Ranch

October 23, 2019 Greg Ackerman 1369 Views Alex Marrero, Brown Sabbath, Brownout, Carson Creek Ranch, Circles Around the Sun, DJ Chicken George, electronic music, festival, George Porter, Ghostland Observatory, Halloween, jam bands, live music, Steve Kimock

One of Austin’s most successful independent bands, Ghostland Observatory has announced a Halloween performance at Carson Creek Ranch next week on October 31. The electronic music duo haven’t played their hometown often in the last year, notching their most recent shows during South by Southwest last March.

Greg Ackerman Preview

Live music preview: Austin’s Wild Child plays Far Out Lounge next week

October 18, 2019 Greg Ackerman 999 Views Austin, concert, Covert Curiosity, indie, Kelsey Wilson, live music, new music, pop, preview, Sir Woman, Wild Child

The upstart music venue has announced popular local act, Wild Child will play the first ticketed event there on October 24. The indie-pop act led by songwriting team, Kelsey Wilson and Alexander Beggins makes a rare local appearance. From what Boone told us you’re going to want to be there for the surprise opener too. Tickets can be purchased here.