Austin Music Minute

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October 21, 2021

On the Fringe

By: Laurie Gallardo

Ethan Azarian, Jeff Johnston & Lindsey Verrill.

Surely you’ve seen the sweet and unassuming Blue Cow. It’s a magical image, unmistakable. The Blue Cow can be spotted on artwork and murals all around Austin, a gentle cerulean creature most likely caught in mid-float as he continues his adventures in the city and across the land…

If you know the Blue Cow series creator, Ethan Azarian, all of that makes perfect sense. Singer, songwriter, painter, and icon. Azarian is a wizard of visual whimsy, a lo-fi poet who observes the quirks of our bewildering planet and its deranged inhabitants with genuine wonder. He is fearless in his vulnerability. The warmth is real.

It also makes total sense that Azarian grew up in a musical and artistic family. Born in Cabot, Vermont, and influenced by his parents’ friends performing in cafes around Boston in the early ’60s (count Judy Collins and Taj Mahal amongst those friends, by the way…), Azarian took punk rock to heart in his ‘20s and was playing in his own bands before making the trek to Austin in the late ‘80s. This paved the way for the much-loved Austin treasure The Orange Mothers, formed with friend and longtime collaborator Jeff Johnston.

Azarian has been performing with Johnston ever since, from cozy residencies at Hole In the Wall to house shows, and the Longplay East, as well as contributing to Azarian’s solo works. Speaking of which, it’s time to rally around Azarian’s newest release, On the Fringe, an incredible set of recordings produced by Will Courtney, showing the artist at his beautifully offbeat best, winding with wordplay, marveling at all that unfolds in the journey.

To celebrate the new music, Azarian is having a release show this Saturday, October 23, at Wyldwood Shows, 4204 Wyldwood Rd. Opening the show is special guest Little Mazarn, featuring Lindsey Verrill and Jeff Johnston. It’s a socially-distanced event, for your safety.

Ethan Azarian kindly asks that you write to inhousegallery@hotmail.com for ticket reservations, or find him on Venmo.

-Special thanks to designer and songwriter June Higgins for inspiration on today’s AMM.


Episodes

October 20, 2023

Get It

Tomar and The FCs, tonight and tomorrow at C-Boy’s Heart and Soul.

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October 19, 2023

Come Around and Love Me

KUTX’s 10th Birthday Concert series presents Jalen Ngonda, tonight at Empire Control Room and Garage.

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October 18, 2023

Toda Esta Musica

¡Tan spectacular! KVRX Presenta Un Show Hispano, tomorrow night at Chess Club…

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October 17, 2023

Heavy

Seriously. It’s heavy. Acid Mothers Temple tonight at Hotel Vegas…

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October 16, 2023

What’s Yr Damage

Following the breakup of their previous psych-gaze band Creepoid, Anna and Patrick Troxell forged an electro post-punk dynamic as the duo Lovelorn. And now the ATX-by-way-of Philly outfit is ramping things up with two new additions to the line-up, guitarists Steve Pike and Kyle Harris. No doubt extra shreds will add even more discordant dimensions […]

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October 14, 2023

More Weekend Picks

The AMM’s back at it with a few more ACL Fest selections, and a couple of must-see non-festival related shows to sink your fangs into. Here’s a list. Check it twice: Gonna say this over and over: Go support the bands, even if you’re abstaining from those of the wrist variety.

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October 13, 2023

ACL Fest Friday and More

It’s round two of the Austin Music Minute‘s selections for ACL Fest 2023, along with AMM show picks off the beaten path for those not festivally-inclined. No, “festivally” is not an actual word, but you get it: And remember: Go support the bands, even if you’re abstaining from those of the wrist variety.

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October 12, 2023

5th Wheel

Wait. You missed Night 1 of Deezie Brown’s Wire Wheel Opera House series (Part II) last night?? Do not despair! The Austin-based rap artist and producer behind 5th Wheel Fairy Tale is presenting the next round tonight, Thursday Oct. 12, at Chess Club on Red River. And true to form from the previous iteration of […]

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