Jan 25
DaraCountry, Rockabilly, Swing
a fine boss-girl of a lead singer in her red dress with zig-zagging fringes and scattered arm tattoos – in addition to her solid version of low-toned female rockabilly vocalizing, she handled DJ responsibilities in between sets – the band was completed by an upright bass guitarist, drummer, and lead guitarist – some covers, old country, rockabilly, swing; and then a song where the vocalist left and the musicianship was turned up and it was very exciting psychosurf; and then our personal finale was a song that started like the Flipper song with “HA HA HA HA HO HO HO…” lyrics, was dedicated as “The Laughing Song” to the upright guitarist’s “partner,” and has been determined by the wonderous Google to be a The Residents song of the same name that is described as sounding like The Flipper song – it must be noted that the venue was satisfyingly swanky rock club and the environment on their ‘Swing Night’ was earnest, clean dance devotion with a crowd of youngsters, hipsters, oldsters alike
Sep 09
DaraAmericana, Bluegrass, Country, Jazz, Swing
the more that I understand the sound of Texas swing, the more I appreciate this band – they elaborate on the sound and play intelligently and creatively – always based in country but sometimes leaning more toward the bluegrass then toward a solid swing song and then a waltz and then almost jazzy – they’re very good musicians and make the song their own while maintaining its integrity – Jeremy, the lead singer’s, voice might not be remarkable but what is remarkable is his deft management of the band and dedication to the music he loves
Jan 23
AndrewJazz
A jazzy five-man jam band with funk tendencies, Persian Blue played the opening set at Johnny D’s on a Friday night. Their set started flat but picked up with the addition of vocalist Nina Evans, and from then on, the group put on a sizzling, energetic performance. The tempo definitely picked up when Evans stood in front of the mic, but to their credit, the guys kept it going through a number of substantial jams. Fronted by Shah Hadjebi, Persian Blue is one part guitar, one part bass, one part drums, one part keyboard, and then there is the guy that plays everything else. They closed with a version of No Doubt’s Hella Good that was in some respects better than the original.
Aug 14
DaraArt Rock, Jazz
rock-jazz, very good, upright bass – trumpet – sax – guitar – drums – they had it all plus a female drummer, anti-pop but not abrasive, diverse songs and sounds, the type of band whose album wouldn’t get boring since there’s a lot to pay attention to
May 02
DaraArt Rock, Jazz, New Wave
great: intense and interesting, jazz art rock, tangential rock with lead vocalist playing the sax at times, got a little more direct as they kept playing, Rockboy described as the real New Wave before it became pop
Mar 14
DaraCabaret, Gypsy, Jazz
the fantasmous band, all hoppy and Charlestony with the 7 foot man in short pants as their lead singer, they’re not meant to play outside – better in an old bar with wooden floors!
Mar 14
DaraArt Rock, Goth, Jazz
mix of Tom Waits and Nice Cave; Rockboy hears Jim Morrison in the singer’s voice, I hear sex in the singer’s voice: incredibly literate with a wry humor and ‘subtle’ neck tattoo; lead vocalist was dressed like a hobo and the rest were loungey in sharp clothes and sunglasses; drums, guitar, bass, guitar, percussion, saxophone, keyboard; nice and dark
Mar 05
DaraAmericana, Jazz, Texas Blues
Burton on pedal steel and singing – young hipster too self conscious to seem comfortable singing old Texas swing songs, rest of the band is a conglomerate of people from other bands in the Austin swing scene
Feb 28
DaraBluegrass, Country, Jazz
Rockboy was all enthused about this band now that he is officially a member of the anything-rootsy scene in Austin, I was bored silly by this band initially – western swing but it sounded like lounge music to me, and lounge music basically takes good songs and sucks the character out of them, BUT as the set went on for hours they went into their bluegrass selections and some moody wailers and the three are the fantastic musicians that they are purported to be: French jazz guitar, Elana James as lead vocalist and fiddler and then the thumpiest upright bass player I’d ever seen (he seemed to bounce his hand as he slapped so getting more out of each motion), the drummer is not always with them and did not seem to be having as good of a time as the rest of them, Rockboy heard about them through Shotgun Party connections and though Elana sometimes sings in a similarly old-timey cute girl fashion her voice is no match for her violin playing or Shotgun’s voice, the happy hour bands at The Continental are generally high quality, they’re heading out for a three week tour in Australia next week
Feb 14
DaraCabaret, Country, Jazz, Latin
so good that I was in continuous state of body prickles and it wasn’t only because of the horror of the previous band, one of the most charming and engaging bands I have seen in a long time, in large part due to the charismatic lead singer – a pug girl with a shock of blonde hair and a puppy dog enthusiasm and energy, she sang in an old-timey cutesy voice – kind of playful but high high quality, she verged on insane – jaw bracing, eyes darting – and I kept waiting to see a dark side but she maintained this tremendous aura of joy and quirkiness before, during and after her set, she also played guitar, the violinist was fantastic – a wispy near-severe former gothic woman in a red satin dress and ripped arms – purportedly one of the best in town, the positive interaction between the lead singer and the upright bass player when leaning in to share the microphone also built the appeal of a band that enjoys each other and enjoys what they’re doing, mostly old-timey swinging jazz and country songs, cute lyrics, one Spanish guitar song, one more modern-sounding song that reminded me of CocoRosie, the girl has it is my point
Jan 31
DaraJazz
an unnamed banjo player opened (Carousel Lounge…) – a shabby fellow totally entranced with himself – actually played several rootsy instruments, was really excited to see Bee vs. Moth because described as ska, post-punk, jazz, etc. but after being two hours late they were definitely more jazz than the two former, I didn’t stay for the majority of the show so may be an unfair judgment, they were a hopped up Miles Davis, very freeform, assume they’re good musicians, need to see again
Jan 31
DaraCountry, Folk, Gypsy, Jazz, Singer/Songwriter, Surf Rock
this is not who played (Carousel Lounge!), was a lone middle-aged cowboy with a posse of three young girls and more of a moody rock aura than country, struck me as a singer/songwriter whose songs you know are good if only he had a band backing him and somebody who could sing except that he could sing, he had an unimposing scruffy whining voice, especially liked him because he incorporated so many sounds: jazz, country, swing, rock, gypsy, surf, his rebel songs were kind of embarrassing because I just didn’t buy it
Jan 16
DaraJazz
three Hawaiian-shirted guys and one obnoxious self-obsessed gypsy girl, big tatted upright bass for a tatted man, pedal steel (theme of the night), mini guitar for the gypsy girl, steel-plated guitar, jangly Hawaiian jazz swing, pretttty basic but I guess that’s the point, did one super fast song that was impressive, in the end the gypsy girl had a nice voice to complement the male vocalist, kept making me think of those old movies…
Nov 18
DaraJazz
so incredibly young, very good musicians, gypsy jazz to swing jazz, female vocal lead playing violin/fiddle, excellent little drummer, upright bass, several guitarists
Sep 16
DaraAmericana, Jazz
solid Texas swing, rockabilly kid in a pale blue shirt does the classic vocalizing and keyboard, brought up a woman to vocalize as well, pleasant family atmosphere on a Sunday afternoon kind of music
Jul 15
DaraJazz
one of the five bands that my upstairs Neighbor plays with, was surprised to be liking it as much as I did b/c expected zydeco but Neighbor clarified that it’s traditional Cajun music rather than zydeco, he said that zydeco has traditionally been black music but that whites are opening their arms to it, all the guys are from Louisiana, there was Neighbor on drums, two on guitars and one on accordion, they sang in a French that sounded different – Neighbor said it was because it was Cajun, little kids loved them and were moved to dance – Neighbor said that bands with syncopation move the kids to dance but can’t watch them or you lost your rhythm, it was a very happy environment
Jul 13
DaraAmericana, Jazz
three guys and one thumping on an upright bass, pleasing, reminded me of The Weary Boys and South Austin Jug Band, old men in young bodies in the end
Aug 11
DaraAmericana, Jazz
honky tonk – we tried to define it apart from country and came up with twangy guitar, pedal steel guitar, Hawaiian guitar sounds (I say), and traditional uptight singing, I don’t much like the style but it strikes much nostalgia in Rockboy
Apr 15
DaraAmbient, Jazz, Modern Rock
free acoustic show that we had to arrive two hours early for, buzz made it exciting but the show was quite good, they were a little weird to me, homey . . . well acoustic I guess, bland lead singer with average voice, what was very special about them was their trumpets and the songs that were black Spanish magic
Apr 08
DaraCollege Rock, Jazz, Singer/Songwriter
very full-of-himself youth in loose-fitting jeans, button down and barefeet, jazz lounge covers of 80s soft rock, some “intelligent” rap bits a la Slug, really annoying guy
Mar 22
DaraJazz, Prog Rock
Girl Friend’s illicit beau, jazz crossed with prog rock, lots of covers, good musicians but jazz doesn’t do it for me generally and this was extremely noodly, they were better than I’m making out
Jan 06
DaraJazz
really great, that whiny girl voice vaudeville music that I imagine being on the streets of New York during the days of the flappers
Dec 30
DaraBlues, Industrial, Jazz
either I really like Tom Waits or really like this band
Dec 10
DaraJazz, Rockabilly
fantastic rockabilly loungey female vocalist, Rockboy developed immediate crush and made her his icon
Feb 12
DaraJazz
from Baton Rouge (get it?), quality Cajun French jazz, lots of variety
Sep 19
DaraIndie Rock, Jazz, Latin, World Music
another CD I should have bought years ago as recommended, they are amazing, from indie to mariachi, will have to suffer and be a latecomer
Sep 18
DaraJazz, World Music
crowd adores him (Phish lead singer of course), he’s one of those wise-soul life-lovers and music transmits that, soul-jumping Caribbean boogie was choice for the songs I heard, great
Jun 11
DaraJazz
very pleasing ensemble—three guitars, sax, and drums—reminiscent of Desperado soundtrack, desert jazz, vocalist was annoyingly brash and loud (sultry would have been more suitable)—was famous in Mexico City as a youth—astonishingly humpbacked
May 15
DaraJazz
jazzy, unobtrusive, perfect for a small-town family market Saturday
Apr 19
DaraJazz
Django Reinhardt style which was good, lead singer actually French—loved the French songs but eh on the English songs
Jan 10
DaraIndie Rock, Jazz
saw last song of set, average but with an interesting jazz twinge
Sep 21
DaraFunk, Jazz
good hard jazz funk but seen enough this weekend
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