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Austin Music Minute

By: Laurie Gallardo

If you know, you know. Interestingly, it took a friend originally from Alabama/Tennessee to explain it to your Austin Music Minute host. In addition to any shows presented by Eastside Kings Festival at various locations, Skylark Lounge is the spot to witness incredible blues shows. And it’s the spot where the Austin Blues Society Gathering presents performances by local and regional blues artists for musicians and fans alike to celebrate everything they love about the music. It’s the intimate atmosphere of the Skylark Lounge that also makes the experience an exceptional one every time.

The tradition continues with another Austin Blues Society Gathering tonight, Thursday Sept. 21, at the Skylark, 2039 Airport Blvd., starting at 9 p.m. This evening’s jam will be led by musicians Xavier Shannon (pictured above) and Kendall Harrison, with backing band The Brand. Get there early for a set featuring drummer Ernie Durawa with guitarist Murali Coryell at 7 p.m.

Austin Music Minute

By: Laurie Gallardo

Overwhelming. ACL Fest 2023 is literally only a few weeks – really, days – away. How the hell does the time fly by so quickly? But today’s AMM has details about a special ACL Fest retrospective, from the eye of a wonderful Austin photographer.

Perhaps your AMM host’s opinion is slightly skewered for various reasons, but Dave Creaney truly has an instinct for capturing the essence of an attitude, pretty much with all of his subjects, but most especially with the music artists he’s worked with. Creaney pulled together a few of his favorite ACL artist portraits from two years’ worth of shooting at the festival for the Austin American Statesman, blew each photo up to an impressive size, and collaborated with Central Machine Works to create an exhibit at their East Austin space. Dave Creaney Presents: Faces of ACL features a mix of local and touring artists caught in the wild, taking a moment to pose before diving back into the madness.

Get up close to these spectacular portraits at the Faces of ACL opening party at 8 p.m. tomorrow night, Thursday Sept. 21, at Central Machine Works, 4824 E. Cesar Chavez. And see live performances by Flora and Fawna, Jake Lloyd, and…a secret special guest. No idea who the special guest is. No, they would not share that info with the AMM. You have to be there to find out. Go for it.

-All photos in this post courtesy of Dave Creaney. Pictured above: David Ramirez. On the KUTX homepage: THEBROSFRESH.

Austin Music Minute

By: Laurie Gallardo

Your AMM host hears a lot of stories from local musicians about HAAM. These are praises shouted from the rooftops. “If it wasn’t for HAAM, I wouldn’t have been able to see a doctor…” “Without HAAM, I wouldn’t have been able to get this dental work I needed…” “If HAAM wasn’t here to help me, I would not have been able to get my surgery…”

The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians provides access to affordable health care for the population that makes this city the Live Music Capital. Since 2005, HAAM has helped thousands of musicians across seven counties with everything from eye exams, to out-patient procedures, to referrals, to basic health needs. Even a musician working several gigs a week or working multiple side jobs may not be able to afford insurance, let alone rent or groceries. With community support, HAAM has essentially saved lives.

Today is HAAM Day 2023, a citywide celebration featuring live music performances at venues and other spots around town, while participating businesses and restaurants donate a portion of today’s sales to HAAM. Check HAAM’s website for a full schedule of today’s shows, which include Live at Geraldine’s with Chief Cleopatra; a huge Paul Simon tribute show at Sagebrush with Akina Adderley, Bonnie Whitmore, Dossey, Graham Wilkinson, Dawn and Hawkes and more; the Ephraim Owens Experience at The Continental Club Gallery; Tameca Jones and Money Chicha at Antone’s; HAAM Day Live at Volstead with A. Sinclair, Thor and Friends, Danny Golden, and Tearjerk; Zach Person at Still Austin; and a show at The ABGB on W. Oltorf, where KUTX’s Susan Castle will host performances by Shinyribs, Selena tribute band Bidi Bidi Banda, and Primo the Alien, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Austin Music Minute

By: Laurie Gallardo

Whether accompanying the marvel and wonder of ‘The Red Balloon,’ complimenting the stunning imagery of Enchanted Rock, or adding an extra jolt of irreverence to a hilarious revised edition of ‘The Return of Draw Egan’, Montopolis delivers a unique storytelling experience with incredible scores by composer Justin Sherburn.

This week, the ensemble presents a special preview of an arrangement for the 1911 Italian silent film L’Inferno, Italy’s very first feature-length film, based on the first canticle of Dante’s Divine Comedy. Montopolis takes this work on the road next month along the West Coast, but you can experience the preview tonight, Monday Sept. 18, at Me Mer Mo Monday at Dada Lab, 2008 Alexander Ave. The event starts at 7 p.m., with a line-up that includes Sunray Project, R. Lee Dockery, and DJ sets by Chris Polcyn, with visual art by Drip/Cuts.

Austin Music Minute

By: Laurie Gallardo

It’s a common thing to see a lot of bars and businesses bringing the party on Cinco de Mayo every May. It’s also a bit odd, considering it’s not the biggest celebrated Mexican holiday.

May 5 commemorates an 1862 victory against the French in the Battle of Puebla, but a day of much greater importance is 16 de Septiembre, Mexican Independence Day, when Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla gathered his parishioners at Dolores Guanajuato to urge them to fight for independence from Spain. Mexicans honor the day with Hidalgo’s address to the people, El Grito.

Following this CliffNotes version of a specific chapter in Mexico’s history, the AMM brings you details about a grand Diez Y Seis celebration tonight at the Far Out Lounge and Stage. Es un Sabado gigante con música y baile de Adriana Rosso, Easy Compadre (“Besos de Menta” is featured on today’s AMM), Grupo Frackaso, Chico Selfie, y La Fermata. Doors at 5 p.m.

Austin Music Minute

By: Laurie Gallardo

Track by singular track, Alain Paradis edges closer to the 2024 release of a new Holy Wire album. Paradis’ dark synth electro-pop creation from Brooklyn, now a full band in Austin, unveils another sonic piece coursing in an ’80s darkwave/post-punk vein, “Worse For Wear,” an irresistibly upbeat melody drawing you into melancholic brooding over a past paramour. “I wanted you to know / I don’t hold anything against you / and maybe I should / but I try not to…” So danceable, and yet so devastating. Perfect combo.

Hear the new single at Holy Wave’s show tonight, Friday Sept. 15, at Mohawk on the indoor stage, with sets by Austin noisegaze shredders Witches Exist, and the mad avant-electronic scientist that is Body Tape. Doors at 9 p.m. Holy hell, this is awesome.

Austin Music Minute

By: Laurie Gallardo

Bedroom pop project Skateland is the creation of songwriter Dorian Williams II. Earlier this year, KUTX’s February 2023 Artist of the Month released the EP New Wave Revival, as haunted in its melodies and vocals as it is lyrically. It’s not necessarily sadness that dominates the overall arch, but Williams has described creating music as a cathartic experience, which may be why this collection has a touch of melancholy in its beauty. Still, Skateland’s sound is always evolving, and there’s more to come.

Tonight is a special night. On the same night that legendary electronic music wizards Tangerine Dream are gracing Mohawk‘s outdoor stage with composer/multi-instrumentalist Mari Maurice‘s More Eaze opening the show, Skateland brings New Wave Revival and much more to Mohawk’s indoor stage. Doors for Skateland at 8 p.m., and the line-up includes Die Mart, Chicago garage rock duo North By North, and Sweet Regime.

Austin Music Minute

By: Laurie Gallardo

It’s understood that certain platforms are commonly utilized for a significant amount of musical exploration, but your AMM host prefers Bandcamp, which is where your aforementioned host had a field day with a bunch of Gus Baldwin releases. Full volume, full throttle, starting in all caps with “LOAN SHARK” and “KILLER OF THE MAN II,” rattling the skull with Thriller II in its entirety because it reminded me a bit of Machine Gun Etiquette-era Damned, and kinda wishing I’d been a fly on the wall at the live-to-cassette recording of Live Bugs at Indian Roller. Damn. Plus “More War,” “Silk Sonic Blue” and today’s AMM featured track “Burglar For You” – every last mutilating riff. Generally speaking, it’s the sensation of feeling like it’s all about to careen out of control with this manic staccato speed, but then you swerve sharply round the corner and peel out into pop/garage punk power hooks. The shreds are ridiculous.

Remember to pick your jaw up from the floor as you check out Gus Baldwin and The Sketch tonight, Wednesday Sept. 13, at Hotel Vegas on E. 6th. Doors at 9 p.m., and the show starts out with a set by garage/shoegaze outfit Party Van. Stick around for a special treat afterward: Just before playing tomorrow night at the Parish, LA psych-punk quartet Frankie and the Witch Fingers will be at Vegas for a late night DJ set, starting at 11 p.m.