prog rock

Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music review: White Denim delivered epic two set show at Sagebrush

White Denim appeared earlier this year at Red River Cultural District staple Mohawk, joined by Nolan Potter’s Nightmare Band, and featured a sit-in from guitarist Raze Regal to commemorate their long-awaited joint album Raze Regal and White Denim Inc. Petralli and company opted for far-South Austin haunt Sagebrush on September 26 for their triumphant return to Austin. Not only this, the announcement came with the note that the Austin gig would be a two-set performance, producing a career-spanning evening with the legendary Austin indie rock act. To describe the Thursday night shindig, a word that comes to mind is “Epic.”

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Greg AckermanLive MusicReview

Live music review: Kilby Block Party on day one featured Vampire Weekend and a host of gifted female performers

In Salt Lake City one of the most beloved and revered music venues is Kilby Court, the tiny, DIY performance space for which the Kilby Block Party music festival is named. Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the legendary club, organizers and venue operators, S&S Presents are also marking the fifth year of the festival with another stellar lineup that attracted fans from all over the country to the Utah State Fairpark for what is turning out to be an incredible weekend of musical performances. Friday’s lineup included Vampire Weekend and a host of gifted female performers including; Joanna Newsome, Courtney Barnett, Alvvays and Blondshell among others.

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Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music review: Eclectic Austin Psych Fest returned to Far Out Lounge last weekend

The Spring installment of Austin Psych Fest returned last weekend to the Far Out Lounge & Stage for a three-day, two-stage, no-overlap experience that brought over 30 acts to Texas for an eclectic weekend of music from all across the trippy psychedelic spectrum. Event organizers, Levitation was, in part founded by local psych rock revivalists, The Black Angels, but the local organization has become much more over the years.

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Case CockrellPremiere

Video premiere: Nolan Potter’s Nightmare Band released great new single and clip Dig Me As I Am

Since restructuring his live ensemble in 2022, Potter and his trusted associates have been performing at a frantic pace, but no signs of new material with the second version of his band have appeared until the release of their new single and self-produced video “Dig Me As I Am.” The single comes as the first offering from the band’s forthcoming new record, The Perils Of Being Trapped Inside A Head, due out April 26.

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Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music review: White Denim played triumphant homecoming with Nolan Potter at Mohawk

White Denim returned to their hometown of Austin, for a special homecoming Saturday, February 17. Founding singer, songwriter and guitarist James Petralli is something of a local legend. With over ten records, countless tours, and a now-defunct Austin studio all in his prolific body of work, White Denim has since relocated to Los Angeles, taking his rock vehicle with him and rendering the White Denim name synonymous with his own creative musings. For Saturday night’s gig at Red River Cultural District’s Mohawk, Petralli and company proved that their ties with Austin are indispensable, no matter how far away they go from their once hometown sanctuary. The venue was packed with fans.

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Case CockrellPremiere

Song premiere: Grandmaster introduce latest single Castle Door

The Austin masked crusaders Grandmaster have released their newest single, “Castle Door.” The new release comes ahead of the band’s upcoming debut record, due out this Spring. The new single is produced by fellow Austin mainstay Nolan Potter of Nolan Potter’s Nightmare Band, who also lent his hand to engineer the Grandmaster Orchestra’s upcoming full-length debut. 

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Greg AckermanReview

Live music review: Japan’s Boris destroyed Empire Garage, Megafauna played Chess Club after show

Guitar-heavy noise rockers, Boris visited Empire Garage August 25 for a stop on their Heavy Rock Breakfast tour with support from Philadelphia’s Nothing. Needless to say, it was an evening of loudness that fans felt in their organs at various points during the intense, 15-song set headliners Boris delivered.

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Greg AckermanReview

Live music review: White Denim played stellar tour finale at Mohawk Friday

When White Denim lost 40 percent of their roster to Leon Bridges’ tour, things looked uncertain for talented founder, James Petralli. The path to the sound the virtuosic guitarist is constantly seeking was temporarily muddled. What was never in doubt is Petralli’s ability to make exceptional music. White Denim’s sound was largely built around former drummer Josh Block’s unorthodox technique who left to tour with Bridges full-time as did guitarist Austen Jenkins.

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