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Austin Music Minute

By: Laurie Gallardo

Earplugs are not optional for this one.

The double headliner at Mohawk tomorrow night, Tuesday Oct. 3, is over the top sick. Tokyo heavy sludge masters Boris share an explosive bill with one of the most influential bands in several things heavy, from sludge to grunge, noise to doom, Melvins. Like, what the hell?! Both of these bands in one night? Ridiculously awesome, but emphasis on the earplugs, if you’re interested in preserving whatever hearing you’ve got left, especially to witness the badassery of Boris guitarist Wata shredding into oblivion against a tower of amps. And whether you think Buzz Osborne‘s riffs remind you of Black Sabbath or Black Flag, you’re gonna need to brace yourself either way. And you just might get to witness Boris covering the very track that inspired their band’s name, so…

Doors open at 6 p.m. tomorrow for this outdoor stage event, with chaotic noise rockers Mr. Phylzzz (was informed it’s pronounced “flies”) opening the show. And don’t miss the afterparty on Mohawk’s indoor stage, featuring The Flood playing their album release show, with longtime AMM fave Bridge Farmers. Holy hell. Forget your ears. Your ribcage won’t make it.

Austin Music Minute

By: Laurie Gallardo

Put this in your 2024 calendar, in case you missed out this year. On Sept. 21, Mayor Kirk Watson officially declared the day as David Shabani Day in the City of Austin, presenting Shabani with “a proclamation for their craft and work in the industry both locally and abroad.”

This is meaningful for Shabani on many levels, coinciding with his Homecoming Tour, named in honor of a few cities on the route with a significant role in his life, as chronicled on the single “YUL to DFW”: Montreal, QC, where Shabani is originally from, and where he wrote his first ever rap-bars; Dallas, where he was raised; and Austin, where he’s built his musical career.

Shabani’s Austin performance is tomorrow night, Saturday Sept. 30, at Empire Control Room on E. 7th, opening for hip-hop artist Asher Roth, on a bill with Austin artist Kardinal Bloo’s hip-hop project Global Octopus. Doors at 7:30 p.m.

Austin Music Minute

By: Laurie Gallardo

Truly a Renaissance man. No exaggeration. Songwriter. Musician. Multi-media artist – which you’ll know first hand if you’ve ever been to Mobley performance. And now, in the recent words of Jonny Jukebox, “Are you ready for the next level?”

Mobley’s journey takes its next cue from a collection of demos titled Worktape, and that’s exactly what it is. The great and powerful musical wizard pulls back the curtain for a glimpse into his creative process, from lyric writing to piecing songs together, featuring rough cuts from Young and Dying In the Occident Supreme, and Cry Havoc!. Though none of these demos were meant for public consumption, Mobley describes Worktape as a retroactive voyeurism hopefully leading to a deeper insight and connection to the music.

It’s time for an unorthodox performance experience. Presenting Mobley | A Deconstructed Concert: No speakers, no raised stage, no physical barriers. Just a pair of headphones for each audience member for this astounding immersive event, culminating in a live track recording for Mobley’s next album. The concert is this Saturday night, Sept. 30, at Originator Studios, 718 Northwestern Ave., with special guests Urban Heat and the aforementioned Jonny Jukebox. Ticket info available via Mobley’s website.

Austin Music Minute

By: Laurie Gallardo

We’re all guilty of building up expectations. So, you might spin Corinne Bailey Rae‘s latest blazer Black Rainbows and find it something of a departure for Rae, in terms of a style that incorporates R&B, jazz and soul. This one gets loud, bold, experimental in many parts, powered by guitar and unapologetic vitality, all inspired by Chicago’s archive of Black art. “But it sounds different,” you say, “so not like her music!”

Stop right there, pal. Rae’s story is rooted in rock. As a teenager, she played in a rock band and was inspired by women-led bands like L7 and Veruca Salt. Those were the formative years. Perhaps it’s different from previous releases, but Black Rainbows highlights another brilliant layer of Rae’s talent. Think about it; this one’s not so different. It’s unabashedly, wholeheartedly Rae.

Catch Corinne Bailey Rae at her show Friday night, Sept. 29, at The Paramount Theater. Doors at 7 p.m., and opening the show is an artist described by NPR as one who “embodies the soul of jazz: Exploration,” songwriter Melanie Charles.

Austin Music Minute

By: Laurie Gallardo

Put the go-to retro label aside for a minute. The Heavy Heavy moves beyond that with a multi-layered ‘60s sound on their debut EP Life and Life Only. The way Georgie Fuller and Will Turner channel psych and mod influences with folk and soul in a timeless shimmer feels more instinctive than imitative. Then again, it’s also refreshing to see Fuller and Turner freely embrace the artists who’ve inspired them along the way, from the most obscure (do yourself a favor and look up The Action) to legendary figures like Paul Weller.

The Heavy Heavy is back in Austin to play a show tomorrow night, Wedensday Sept. 27, at The Far Out Lounge and Stage in South Austin, with The Mellows open the show. Doors at 6:30 p.m.

Austin Music Minute

By: Laurie Gallardo

Truth be told, your nerdy AMM host is drooling like a goblin over Hyperreal Film Club‘s upcoming scary October screenings at Hotel Vegas. This Austin-based film lovers’ club, formed in 2016, does badass pop-up screenings of independent films of every genre at various spots around town, and provides a platform for guest columnists to write about the films they see – the good, the bad, and the seriously ugly. And October is looking terrifyingly awesome, with House of Wax, Event Horizon, Basket Case (Henenlotter??!! Yessss!!) and Ringu, not to mention a much milder nostalgic stroll through the jack-o-lanterns with Halloweentown.

Before your AMM host overdoses on horror galore, let’s rein it back in to the here and now for an ultra cool happening tonight at Hotel Vegas. Welcome to the 1971 wild contemporary western outlaw adventure Zachariah, though this is not your daddy’s gunslinger movie. Hailed by many as the original gay western predating Brokeback Mountain, Zachariah brings sharp shooters, electric guitars, drummer Elvin Jones as a bandit in the most badass ensemble, and starring John Rubenstein and Don Johnson as the worst bank robbers ever. It all starts with a mail order gun…

Tonight’s screening features a music video release performance by Austin-based psych-western outfit Sheverb, featuring the fabulous Brigitte Bandit, for “Pamela Anderson Was a Prophet”; and western-infused baroque pop courtesy of KUTX’s June 2023 Artist of the Month, Pelvis Wrestley. The event starts at 8 p.m. this evening. Let those spurs sparkle.

Austin Music Minute

By: Laurie Gallardo

The humor is just as beautiful as the damn album, and the album is gorgeous. It starts as soon as you drop the needle on “Girls Bugging Me” on BOOTCUT. You clearly hear Afie Jurvanen, better known as Nova Scotia-based artist Bahamas, attempting to record something, but his young daughters are not having it.

“…Can it wait ’til I’m done writing this song?”

“NO.”

“It has to be right now?”

“Yes, it has to,” a tiny voice intones with great command. So much for the perfect melody, but as Jurvanen says with a shrug you can easily visualize, “Greatness will have to wait.” Then, it’s a lovely slide into the twangy steel of “Just A Song.” Holy hell, this is awesome.

Step aside, mister Sad Hunk (that title alone should clue you in on the humor your AMM host raves about). Following Bahamas’ rich funk-n-soul adventure comes a dream adrift in a big time country-inspired vibe known as BOOTCUT, right at home with your boots. Jurvanen’s sixth release is a collection of ballads taking it all the way with a cast of Nashville musicians and a special guest appearance by Vince Gill. Soak in all the twang, warm tones, and badass steel, but understand that that rich Bahamas soul remains at the heart of it all. And of course, no Bahamas album would be complete without Jurvanen’s dry wit, delivered in quiet and understated touches that sometimes makes you laugh out loud.

Bahamas will be in Austin for a performance tonight, Saturday Sept. 23, at Mohawk on the outdoor stage. Fortunate Ones opens the show. Doors at 7 p.m. And don’t forget the Mock-Up! babes, on the indoor stage with Jonny Sanders‘ magic spell Prehuman and the spins of DJ Black Leche.

Austin Music Minute

By: Laurie Gallardo

In any exploration of the origins of bboy subculture and its crucial role in the development of hip-hop, one of the best rabbit holes to dive into is the work of Bronx street photographer Ricky Flores. The stark black and white imagery from these formative years carries a unique fluidity and exuberance, but Flores was capturing something more than just innovative dance moves. Breaking was the phoenix rising from the (literal and figurative) ashes of Bronx neighborhoods in decay, left to crumble after property values declined, oftentimes intentionally set ablaze by unscrupulous landlords for insurance payoffs. Bboy subculture was, and continues to be, the survival, rebellion and joy keeping youth alive and moving forward.

“It’s a story about art and human beings’ resilience, and their ability to use art as a tool to rebuild themselves and create beautiful things out of tragic situations,” Flores told VICE in a 2019 article by Cassidy George about the bboy emergence in 1970s New York. It’s something totally worth checking out as an excellent starting point to exploring bboy history and relevance.

In present day Austin, we have the BBoy City and Hip Hop Culture 5-Day Unity Event, honoring the bboy/bgirl roots, 50 years of hip-hop culture, and celebrating the 29th anniversary of BBoy City, the longest-running breaking/hip-hop convention in the South. Everything kicked off Wednesday night with the Breakin’ Austin – Can’t Be Stopped art exhibit at Riches Art Gallery, and continues today through this weekend with events showcasing DJs, breakers, art and graffiti artists. The entire event culminates with the Snipes Pro Breaking Tour finals competition at 3 p.m. Sunday at Waterloo Greenway at Moody Amphitheater, featuring a performance by Brownout.

Tonight, the BBoy City and Hip Hop Culture Unity Event continues with the first annual block party at Riches Art Gallery, 2511 E. 6th St., starting at 7 p.m., with a street wear fashion show, live painting, art installations and more.

*Special thanks to Fresh Knight of The Breaks, and to M.A.S. Cultura, for insight and information inspiring today’s Austin Music Minute.