Thursday, November 21, 2024

The Bright Light Social Hour

"Call My Name"

PreviewRobert Dean

Fundraiser: White Horse employee Luke Trimmer needs our help, benefit concert this Sunday

One of Austin’s best and brightest this past week, Luke Trimmer from White Horse, was hit by someone who had too many sodas and turned a wrong turn – down I-35. And now Luke is in a bad way. Just a guy like many of us, after a long shift on his feet, looking forward to a plate of tacos and the warmth of his bed. That’s pretty much everyone reading this; every time we get ready to head home after a late night, no one expects to be pulled from the twisted metal of a car wreck.

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Case CockrellReviewSong

Single review: Sexpop drops new song and video for Who To Call

Blaise Eldred’s Sexpop was just a one-man band when the Berklee College of Music attendee arrived in Austin as a member of the now-defunct psychedelic collective Acid Carousel. Before arriving in Austin, Eldred had two albums of material with his musical vehicle Sexpop and another record with Boston-based indiegaze act RVRCT. (pronounced Rivercat) On new single “Who To Call,” Eldred takes a break from local funk mega-ensemble Grandmaster, revisiting his passion project with a fresh, refined approach with an accompanying music video to boot.

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Live MusicPreviewRobert Dean

Fashion Feature: Roi Hernandez of Elysium has vision for large sized men’s styles with House of 1912

Because art moves with the flow of the thoughts of outsiders looking inward, it’s no surprise that Austin-based designer Roi Hernandez’s House of 1912 is getting acclaim around Texas fashion circles. It will also not be a shocker when he gets his due credit in bigger fashion circles. Roi doesn’t come from a fashion background; he came from the music industry. Hernandez is key leadership staff at Red River club, Elysium. He decided to make clothes for more prominent men because he wanted to see them dressed better than boxy nightmares with Hawaiian print or corny t-shirts splashed with faded X-Men comic book covers or a Mountain Dew logo. Instead, he’s reclaiming what goth is, which is something that’s not whatever Hot Topic is peddling – a reflection that even though clothing may be considered “goth,” everything doesn’t have to always be black and spooky.

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Greg AckermanLive MusicPreview

Live music preview: SIMS Saturdays rolls on September 7 with Forever Changes, The Living Pins and The John-Pauls

The quarterly live music series that benefits The SIMS Foundation, SIMS Saturdays rolls on September 7 at Love Wheel Records with performances by Forever Changes (Love tribute) along with The Living Pins and The John-Pauls presented by The Cosmic Clash. The rotating act show which matches store sales for the day by an anonymous donor, raises funds for the Austin-area music industry mental health and recovery organization that puts those services in reach of industry members who cannot afford a therapist on their own. This Saturday the store is open at 11 a.m. with music running from 4-7 p.m. RSVP here. 

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Greg AckermanLive MusicReview

Live music review: Park City Song Summit day two featured My Morning Jacket, Larkin Poe and Anders Osborne

The fifth Park City Song Summit festival continued on day two (August 16) at Canyons Village Amphitheater with two-hour headlining set by My Morning Jacket.. The undercard featured standout performances from the talented guitarist sisters of Larkin Poe and Anders Osborne with Jackie Greene. Those high-quality acts plus grade-A production and event values amid astounding mountain views and ideal Summer condition minus an afternoon thunderstorm on Saturday added up to an exceptional experience for fans and artists alike.

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Greg AckermanLive MusicReview

A Different Kind of Music Fest: Park City Song Summit Labs featured Jim James with Danny Clinch and Steve Poltz with Jay Blakesberg

Last weekend musicians, music industry members and fans gathered at Canyons Village in Park City for the fifth edition of the Park City Song Summit which took place August 15-17. The small capacity festival provided an intimate and gorgeous setting for fans to engage in Summit Labs sessions that included performing artists discussing various aspects of music as it relates to mental health and wellness. Programming included a presentation by Canadian singer-songwriter, Steve Poltz and photographer Jay Blakesburg as well as a session that included, My Morning Jacket band leader, Jim James and longtime MMJ photographer, Danny Clinch. The festival offered daytime performances by various acts with headlining shows in the amphitheater situated on the adjacent Canyons Village ski slope which provided top-tier sound and lighting throughout the weekend. It was evident that this was a different kind of music fest than most fans are accustomed to. 

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Drew DoggettLive MusicReview

Live music review: Kings of Leon and Phantogram Prove They Have Plenty of Fire at Moody Center

I hate the term “guilty pleasure.” Loving music based on the approval of others will drain you. While I’m not saying I’ll grab the aux cord to blare “Sex on Fire” during a road trip, I will die on the hill that Aha Shake Heartbreak was a seminal record for 2000s alternative and indie rock. Maybe it’s the Nashville boy in me, the lover of arena rock, or the nostalgia for how their southern riffs colored my upbringing in Tennessee. Kings of Leon rock. And on August 14 at Austin’s Moody Center, they brought a 28-song, anthemic setlist to prove it.

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Greg AckermanLive MusicPreview

New Music: Matador Sphere drops new single August 23, announced Ulrika Spacek, Queen Serene show at 13th Floor

Florida to Austin outfit, Matador Sphere (fka Fading Yellow) have made a big splash in Austin in a relatively short time. The band formed in Tallahassee but actually got their start in Austin, moving to the city before ever playing a gig or recording a song to make their push as a group in the Live Music Capital. On Friday, August 16 the group announced a new single, “Water Bug” which is coming soon to music listeners on all streaming platforms. For now, fans can hear this track as well as listen to their previous EP, Stereo Assessment which The Cosmic Clash wrote about last year.

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Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music review: Legendary alt rockers Redd Kross played Parish on Rock and Roll Party tour

Since reforming and recording a double, self-titled record, Redd Kross is touring again and bringing what bassist McDonald would call a “Rock and Roll Party” to every city the Kross has placed on their itinerary. For the Austin stop on their tour, the California alt-rockers rolled into East Side hideaway, Parish on August 7, ready to deliver their top-down assault of tunes that made for a career-spanning performance. 

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Greg AckermanLive MusicReview

Live music review: Rising Austin synth act Urban Heat played Metro Music Hall with Gvllow

Rising Austin synth pop, post-punk act Urban Heat played Salt Lake City’s Metro Music Hall on August 7 with intense, darkwave band Gvllow from Southern California.. Led by veteran musician, Jonathan Horstmann whose previous project, BLXPLTN was well regarded in a crowded Austin music scene. With Urban Heat, Horstmann has elevated his game, earning Song of the Year at the Austin Music Awards last March with the single “Have You Ever.” The trio’s superlative performance last Wednesday in SLC showed just how far the young band formed in 2019 has gotten in a relatively short period of time.

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