SXSW ’13-Day 4

I apologize if my last post seemed a little lackluster. I think tiredness and soreness had set in. Today was a different story however. I’m still really jazzed from the events of the day despite how much my feet are screaming at me.

We started off with lunch at the ASOS lounge where we munched on free tacos and indulged in some free music thanks to RedTouch Media. From there we went to see Third Eye Blind at Hangar Lounge however, they were half an hour late and the sound was so loud that even with ear plugs, my ears hurt. We decided to leave right then and there but not before scoring some free Sony headphones. A quick dash to Filter on Cedar Street for our wristbands and some stuff, including a slap band with a usb drive! We got back to the ASOS lounge in time to catch some K. Flay and another taco but our bags of swag were weighing us down and we needed to drop our stuff at the hotel.

I was determined to catch some Airborne Toxic Event since I had never seen them and with Fitz and The Tantrums playing after, I knew I found a place to hang. After catching a bit of Airborne Toxic Event, I went to meet with my other half at Empire Automotive but they were running so far behind that I went back to make sure I made it in for Fitz and the Tantrums. This was an epic show at Old School Bar and Grill presented by StubHub and I was so glad to be there. I even got a set list!

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From there was a quick dash across the street to catch the tail end of Free Energy at Peckerheads. We hiked over to Rachel Ray’s Feedback House for dinner but dinner never seemed to come. The gang split up and I took the chance to get a quick rest at the hotel before coming out to dance with Semi Precious Weapons at The Main. All of the SXSW High Voltage crew was there dancing and singing along with the band at the top of our lungs. We all had smiles by the time Semi Precious Weapons ended, which was far too soon.

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I decided to make a go for The Roxy Showcase at Empire Automotive to see Dead Sara. However, Capital Cities went way late and despite the line outside, I managed to make it in and up front. Dead Sara blew the house down, as is their usual style. However, by the time my feet were screaming at me and I had to call it a night. But it ended on such a great note, I, couldn’t be happier!

Check out more photos below.

 

~ Amanda

addendum: I just wanted to mention the amazing time I had at The Blackberry House. It was the best sound I’ve heard all week plus I got to see two of my favorites, Keaton Simons and Leogun back to back. Add in the comfy chairs, accessible outlets, and ice pops and we have the makings of a highly enjoyable afternoon.

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~ Kristen

SXSW ’13- Day 3

I guess today was my day of running all over downtown Austin. Even with starting the festivities at noon at CTC Garden for the Butch Walker documentary screening of Out of Focus, it’s been a long day. Kristen is still out and about. I’m not sure how she does it but after 8.99 miles, this lady is done.

Today turned out to be more of a sampling day which I guess is why I wandered from CTC Garden at 1102 East Cesar Chavez all the way to Waterloo at 600 North Lamar and back again. Well, it didn’t happen in that exact order. The first musical act I caught was Wild Feathers at Lusture Pearl but I didn’t manage to stay too long. From there, I wandered about with Kristen until we got over to Rusty’s for the Swinghouse event. I caught some of A Silent Film and hung out for a bit. After that, I caught some of Ambassadors at Brew Exchange on my way to catch a second round of Twenty One Pilots at Waterloo Records. It was only after watching Andy Clockwise and The Chevin play that I caught some Butch Walker at the Rachel Ray Feedback House. That place was one of the highlights of my night. Nice space, good food, and great music. My night ended with a few songs of Atlas Genius at a horrible and late venue and Civil Twilight at the lovely Hanger venue.

The thing I came back with today was how much I really enjoy acts that seem to bleed music. They eat, sleep, pray, live, breathe, and bleed music. Those are the artists that I truly enjoy and I’m realizing that with the more shows I see. Call me a cynic but I want to see how passionate you are about what you do. Otherwise, why do it?

Here are some random photos from my day. Enjoy!

SXSW ’13- Day 1

Today marks the unofficial beginning of the SXSW music madness. It was just a mere taster and sampling of the craziness that is to come. We arrived at 6:30pm in Austin, Texas after leaving San Diego at 10:15 this morning. The screaming child on the first flight notwithstanding, they were uneventful. We started the night at Burbon Girl to catch a band and after realizing they weren’t going on anytime soon, we bailed and headed to the Paste + Sennheiser Party. After a decent walk (I’ve done 11,113 steps today!), we arrived at an unassuming looking house to catch Moon Taxi and Free Energy. Both bands were high energy and fun. While I’ve never seen Moon Taxi before, I am definitely a fan of these Nashville natives!

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After that awesome dance party was another dance party with Free Energy! What a way to kick off SXSW!

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Check out more photos from tonight in our gallery!

Amanda’s SD Concert Calendar 3/11-3/17

It’s SXSW time! I will be on a plane tomorrow morning and will be in Austin by the evening. I’m a little sad to not be doing the cross country drive but it will be a nice change of pace. I’m also looking forward to being cramped in an airplane for a few hours instead of the back of a car for many hours. Anyways, here are the festivities in San Diego whilst I’m gone. There isn’t much going on because everyone is at SXSW!

 

Monday: The Hush Sound, The Last Royals @ Casbah at 9pm

Tuesday: Frightened Rabbit @ Belly Up at 9pm
AND: Ape Machine and Dirty Sirens @ Soda Bar at 8:30pm

Wednesday: The Flowerthief @ Lestats at 8pm

Thursday: Kelsea Rae Little @ Casbah at 7pm

Friday: The New Kinetics, The Paragraphs @ Soda Bar at 8:30pm

Saturday: Dead Feather Moon @ Soda Bar at 8:30pm
AND: Kevin Martin @ Lestats at 8:30pm

Sunday: ???

 

Keep in Mind:
March 18th- Imagine Dragons, Nico Vega, and Atlas Genius @ House of Blues
March 18th- Josh Ritter @ Belly Up
March 19th- Matt Costa @ Casbah
March 19th- The Joy Formidable @ Belly Up
March 22nd- Get Back Loretta @ Casbah
March 22nd- Pennywise @ House of Blues
March 26th- Mika @ Belly Up
March 28th- Sister Sparrow and The Dirty Birds @ Griffin
March 30th- The Airborne Toxic Event @ House of Blues
April 4th- Soul Asylum @ Belly Up
April 5th- Kopeckey Family Band @ Soda Bar
April 6th- William Beckett @ House of Blues Side Stage
April 11th- Ben Howard @ Belly Up
April 12th-14th- Coachella
April 16th- Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds @ Balboa Theater
April 17th- Alex Clare @ House of Blues
April 19th-21st- Coachella
April 22nd- The Gaslight Anthem @ Belly Up
April 23rd- Black Rebel Motorcycle Club @ House of Blues
April 24th- Chappo @ Soda Bar
April 26th- Transfer, Dead Feather Moon, Grand Tarantula @ Belly Up
April 26th- Alkaline Trio @ House of Blues
May 4th- Crash Kings, Chris Wilson and Planet Earth @ Griffin
May 10th/11th- Mayday Parade, You Me At Six @ Soma
May 12th- The Milk Carton Kids @ Belly Up
May 25th- Cold War Kids @ Belly Up
May 27th- Cold War Kids @ Belly Up
May 29th- !!! @ Casbah
June 1st- Imagine Dragons @ SDSU Open Air Theater
June 16th- They Might Be Giants @ Belly Up
June 21st- She and Him @ SDSU Open Air Theater
September 6th- Dave Matthews Band @ Cricket Wireless

Amanda’s SD Concert Calendar 3/4-3/10

This somewhat delayed calendar post is due to the fact that I’ve been out late the past two nights in a row. In fact, I just got home. What was I doing? Ok, I’ll tell you… I’ve been at Disneyland and California Adventure. Yesterday was spent hanging with a friend from AZ I hadn’t seen in awhile and wouldn’t see for awhile. Tonight, was all about Mad T Party for me. Either way, I’m a little sore from all the walking and dancing. This week doesn’t promise to slow down starting with Free Energy Monday at Soda Bar and ending with The Silent Comedy on Sunday. After that, we will be off to SXSW!

 

Monday: Free Energy, Barbarian @ Soda Bar at 830
AND: Marcus Foster, Ruston Kelly, Josh Damigo @ Casbah at 9pm

Tuesday: Gold Fields, A Silent Film, Royal Teeth @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: North Beach, Trouble in The Wind, Mrs. Henry @ Belly Up at 8pm

Wednesday: The Stone Foxes, Family Wagon, The Paragraphs @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: twenty one pilots, New Politics @ Irenic at 7pm

Thursday: Toad and the Wet Sprocket @ Belly Up at 8pm
AND: Hey Marseilles! @ Casbah
AND: Flogging Molly @ House of Blues at 8pm

Friday: Megan Combs @ Lestats at 830pm

Saturday: Blackout Party, Hit Dog Hollar @ Soda Bar at 830pm
AND: Deadly Birds @ Griffin at 845pm
AND: Bad Religion, Against Me! @ Soma

Sunday: The Silent Comedy, The Heavy Guilt @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: Joshua James, Noah Gundersen @ Soda Bar at 6pm

 

Keep in Mind:
March 12th- Frightened Rabbit @ Belly Up
March 12th-17th- SXSW
March 18th- Imagine Dragons, Nico Vega, and Atlas Genius @ House of Blues
March 18th- Josh Ritter @ Belly Up
March 19th- Matt Costa @ Casbah
March 19th- The Joy Formidable @ Belly Up
March 22nd- Pennywise @ House of Blues
March 26th- Mika @ Belly Up
March 28th- Sister Sparrow and The Dirty Birds @ Griffin
March 30th- The Airborne Toxic Event @ House of Blues
April 4th- Soul Asylum @ Belly Up
April 5th- Kopeckey Family Band @ Soda Bar
April 6th- William Beckett @ House of Blues Side Stage
April 11th- Ben Howard @ Belly Up
April 12th-14th- Coachella
April 16th- Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds @ Balboa Theater
April 17th- Alex Clare @ House of Blues
April 19th-21st- Coachella
April 22nd- The Gaslight Anthem @ Belly Up
April 23rd- Black Rebel Motorcycle Club @ House of Blues
April 24th- Chappo @ Soda Bar
April 26th- Transfer, Dead Feather Moon, Grand Tarantula @ Belly Up
April 26th- Alkaline Trio @ House of Blues
May 4th- Crash Kings, Chris Wilson and Planet Earth @ Griffin
May 10th/11th- Mayday Parade, You Me At Six @ Soma
May 12th- The Milk Carton Kids @ Belly Up
May 25th- Cold War Kids @ Belly Up
May 27th- Cold War Kids @ Belly Up
May 29th- !!! @ Casbah
June 1st- Imagine Dragons @ SDSU Open Air Theater
June 16th- They Might Be Giants @ Belly Up
June 21st- She and Him @ SDSU Open Air Theater
September 6th- Dave Matthews Band @ Cricket Wireless

The Bard Chronicles: Dear Boy at The Troubadour 2/13/12

There’s this wonderful thing called life that sometimes gets in the way of other endeavors. I apologize that this took so long to post. I blame life. But let’s flash back to February 20th, 2013 when this post began….

Last Wednesday I took a jaunt up to LA to see the debut of Dear Boy. In case you somehow missed the new band alert Kristen posted about them, they are a reincarnation of Scarlet Grey. I was very much a fan of Scarlet Grey and was sad to hear when they broke up but happy to hear when singer Ben Grey and drummer Keith Cooper got together with some new guys to form Dear Boy.

I had inconveniently caught a cold the day before the show, but I wasn’t going to let that keep me from attending. Traffic was a breeze and I made it to LA relatively quickly for a Wednesday afternoon but the drive left me tired (thank you cold). So, Kristen and I spent our pre-show time hanging out at her place and ordering in because… well, because we could. And I love ordering in. You can’t do that where I am in San Diego. But I digress…

It was obvious when we got there that this was a show with a band people were here to see. Thankfully luck was on our side and after scoring a sweet parking spot, we found a prime spot up on the balcony to observe the show. The first two bands were ok but as soon as the second one finished, people started pouring in for Dear Boy. The Grey family is a loyal one.

Ben came out with a shiny new hairdo but minus his awesome stickered guitar from the days of Scarlet Grey. I guess I can let that slide. Dear Boy had only released a somewhat cryptic music video as a hint of what the sound was like and it wasn’t enough. The show was great and it’s clear Ben is excited to be moving in a different direction. The sound has more depth than Scarlet Grey did and I think it gives the band an opportunity to expand, experiment, and create. There was even a song specifically for the Grey family about his change of direction but how he is still the same person. I thought that was a very sweet sentiment. Their set seemed all to short but for us who were sick, it was actually just right I’m sad to say. We hung around for a little bit after, hoping to say some hellos but it seemed like everyone was hanging out to say hellos. We said goodbye to our friends after waiting for about 20 minutes when I saw Jade Puget standing around. I wanted to say hello but nerves and tiredness got the better of me and we retired to Kristen’s place. All in all, it was a fun night out, and I’m glad I was there to witness it. It gives me some indie cred 😉

Here are some pictures Kristen shot of the show. I hope you enjoy. And don’t forget to check out Dear Boy if you haven’t already.

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Amanda’s SD Concert Calendar 2/25-3/3

Happy Sunday! It’s a beautiful San Diego day minus the rather chilly wind. I’m getting my butt out tonight to the Ken Club to see Social Studies and hang out with my friend Lauren Ruggles. In other news, I have a pending Bard Chronicle but I’ve been busy with school work that my brain seems non-functional by the time I can get to working on it. I should have it up sometime this week though. Well, enough of my ramblings….

 

Monday: Sir Sly @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: Scott Mathiasen and The Shifty Eyed Dogs @ Soda Bar at 9pm
AND: Oliver Trolley @ Griffin at 845pm

Tuesday: Grand Tarantula, The Royalty, North Shore @ Casbah at 9pm

Wednesday: Jukebox The Ghost, Matt Pond, The Lighthouse and The Whaler @ Soda Bar at 830pm
AND: The Used @ House of Blues at 7pm
AND: Josh Damigo, Robert Francis @ Griffin at 830pm
AND: Morrissey @ Balboa Theater at 8pm

Thursday: The White Buffalo and Terraplane Sun @ Belly Up at 9pm
AND: Willy Burns @ House of Blues at 730pm
AND: Crash and The Burns @ El Dorado at 9pm
AND: Electric Six @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: G Love and Special Sauce @ House of Blues at 9pm

Friday: Ryan Bingham and Honeyhoney @ Belly Up at 9pm
AND: Capital Cities @ Block No. 16 at 7pm

Saturday: The Burning of Rome @ Ruby Room at 9pm

Sunday: David Lindley @ Belly Up at 8pm

 

Keep in Mind:
March 4th- Free Energy @ Soda Bar
March 6th- The Stone Foxes @ Casbah
March 6th- twenty one pilots @ Irenic
March 7th- Flogging Molly @ House of Blues
March 7th- Toad and the Wet Sprocket @ Belly Up
March 7th- Hey Marseilles! @ Casbah
March 9th- Transfer, Dead Feather Moon, Grand Tarantula @ Belly Up
March 9th- Bad Religion, Against Me! @ Soma
March 10th- The Silent Comedy, The Heavy Guilt @ Casbah
March 12th- Frightened Rabbit @ Belly Up
March 12th-17th- SXSW
March 18th- Imagine Dragons, Nico Vega, and Atlas Genius @ House of Blues
March 18th- Josh Ritter @ Belly Up
March 19th- Matt Costa @ Casbah
March 19th- The Joy Formidable
March 22nd- Pennywise @ House of Blues
March 28th- Sister Sparrow and The Dirty Birds @ Griffin
March 30th- The Airborne Toxic Event @ House of Blues
April 4th- Soul Asylum @ Belly Up
April 6th- William Beckett @ House of Blues Side Stage
April 12th-14th- Coachella
April 16th- Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds @ Balboa Theater
April 17th- Alex Clare @ House of Blues
April 19th-21st- Coachella
April 23rd- Black Rebel Motorcycle Club @ House of Blues
April 24th- Chappo @ Soda Bar
April 26th- Alkaline Trio @ House of Blues
May 4th- Crash Kings, Chris Wilson and Planet Earth @ Griffin
May 10th/11th- Mayday Parade, You Me At Six @ Soma
May 12th- The Milk Carton Kids @ Belly Up
May 25th- Cold War Kids @ Belly Up
May 29th- !!! @ Casbah
June 1st- Imagine Dragons @ SDSU Open Air Theater
June 16th- They Might Be Giants @ Belly Up
June 21st- She and Him @ SDSU Open Air Theater
September 6th- Dave Matthews Band @ Cricket Wireless