Thursday, November 21, 2024
The Cosmic Clash

Author: Brian Hillsman

Osees at Levitation
Brian HillsmanLive MusicReview

Live music review: Levitation Halloween Kickoff at Hotel Vegas with Osees and Kairos Creature Club

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Halloween night 2024, marked the opening evening of Levitation Festival this year.  With artists from around the globe opening on stages at venues throughout Austin, Kairos Creature Club and Osees presented a Halloween kickoff at East Sixth’s Hotel Vegas. It was a show that would surely deliver. Each year, Osees make their way to Austin for a four-night residency at East Austin live music hub. And every year, they put on versatile sets that exceed the expectations of music fans. Halloween night last Thursday was no exception.

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Bat Fest 2024 Kotah Mack
Brian HillsmanLive MusicReview

Live music review: Bat Fest 2024 featured Ghostland Observatory, Paul Wall and more

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The 18th annual Bat Fest took place, once more, on the South Congress Bridge, from 3 p.m. to the late hours of the evening on Saturday, September 7.  On a warm, late summer afternoon, the sun beamed down on patrons and vendors, as preparations for the showcase ensued. The all-day party which takes place on the bridge where the largest urban colony of bats reside with performances by an eclectic list of artists; hard-rockers, CORE, hip-hop duo Luniz, Screw legend, Paul Wall and headliners, Ghostland Observatory. The fest is known for its unusual lineups and the 2024 edition was no exception. 

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Pat G skyscaper portrait
AlbumBrian HillsmanReview

Album Review: Austin Hip-Hop artist Pat G released Talk To Me Nice

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In July, Pat G released his latest EP, Talk To Me Nice, July 11 on his own, Be Relentless label. It was his first release since his 2019 LP, Whatever it Takes. So much happened in the time between the two album releases, the Temple-born, Austin-based emcee felt it appropriate to convey his personal and artistic growth with this, his fifth record.

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Empire Garage Hot Summer Nights
Brian HillsmanLive MusicReview

Live music review: Hot Summer Nights Thursday lineup with Moody Banks, David Shabani and Daniel Fears at Empire Garage

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Empire Garage is one of the many participating venues, and their opening-night Hip Hop, R&B, and Soul showcase Austin Chronicle party on Thursday evening did not disappoint with performances by Moody Banks, Daniel Fears and hip-hop artist, David Shabani.

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Brian HillsmanLive MusicReview

Live music review: Wine Lips and Forty Feet Tall rocked 13th Floor

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On Monday, May 6, Red River Cultural District venue, The 13th Floor was flooded with patrons stoked to check out Wine Lips on the heels of their latest full-length release, Super Mega Ultra. One month to the day after the LP release, the Canadian quartet put on a raucous, mosh-inducing performance with enough pull to prompt friends Forty Feet Tall to fly in from Portland for the pairing. The two bands rocked 13th Floor with stand-out performances.

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Wine Lips at Shakey Knees Pooneh Ghana
Brian HillsmanLive MusicReview

Album Review: Wine Lips new album Super Mega Ultra emphasizes their growth and trajectory

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On April 5, Wine Lips released their latest LP, Super Mega Ultra, the much-anticipated follow-up to their breakout album, Mushroom Death Sex Bummer Party. The Toronto-based act thrilled at Austin Psych Fest last year. Then dropped this punk rock banger recorded and mixed by Simon Larochette at the Sugar Shack in London, Ontario.

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SPRINTS
Brian HillsmanLive MusicReview

SXSW live review: UK acts including buzz band SPRINTS thrilled at Music For Listeners party

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Lazarus Brewing Company hosted the annual Music For Listeners showcase again this year, and, as should be expected, it did not disappoint. The Cosmic Clash was on hand to witness the third of five days of live music on March 14 at the East Austin Brewery that featured SXSW buzz band SPRINTS from Ireland along with a slate of primarily UK acts.

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AlbumBrian HillsmanReview

Album review: Swallow the Rat sophomore effort South Locust positions band well for SXSW 2024

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New Zealand hard rock trio, Swallow the Rat, released their latest LP, South Locust, on September 1, 2023, and are set to perform at this year’s SXSW music festival as part of the Aotearoa contingent. The band has a number of performances slated for the festival including an unofficial event, Webberville Block Party presented by The Cosmic Clash and Play to the Plants at The Lost Well, Cavalier and Fading Yellow House on Saturday, March 16.

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Mick Jenkins
Brian HillsmanLive MusicReview

Live music review: Mick Jenkins and TOBi delivered stellar hip hop shows at Come and Take It Live

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Around 9 p.m. on Saturday, February 3, hip hop artist Mick Jenkins took the stage at Come and Take It Live. The Chicago native opened his set with what is possibly the strongest opening track of any album, in any genre, of 2023.  

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