The Sound of Silence

Want to know what's really annoying? Being without sound on my computer. Apparently, I need to purchase a new sound card for my computer. Alas, money is something I'm always short on these days, so that may have to wait until next month, and perhaps even later. We'll see.

This is particularly annoying since two of my favorite local bands have posted new tracks that I haven't heard yet, and cannot hear until the sound card is installed. "Devil's Basement" is a new track from Jonathan Tyler & Northern Lights. I have a feeling this will be one of the tracks on their upcoming Atlantic Records release. The other track is "That's How We Do Christmas" from THe BAcksliders. Admittedly, it's a tad early to be listening to Christmas music. Even so, the track is available for free download thru both last.fm and Reverb Nation. That way, you can download now, and listen once the holiday spirit moves you.

Just a random thought here: earlier this year I said JT&NL might well be the best live band in Dallas, but over the summer I changed my mind to THe BAcksliders. I think the best way to determine which band is best live would be for both acts to play together for a Ghost of Blind Lemon Showcase Showdown. Any takers for this idea?

An EXTREMELY brief look at Friday Shows

Don't have long, so I'm just giving the 3 best show options for tonight. I'm sure I'm leaving out some good stuff. Oh well.

Jimmy LaFave/Rahim Quazi (Palace Theatre)
For the record, I still haven't had ANYONE answer the trivia question to receive free tickets to this show. It's a shame, because you don't want to miss out on Rahim playing songs from his new CD, Supernatural (hint hint). I'm excited to see him play, as well as seeing this venue.
Lovie/El Gato/Happy Bullets (Club Dada)
I'm not sure of the order of the lineup. I do know, however, that this is the last show of Lovie's with Grace on drums. Fans of Lovie should make this a priority show.
Mucca Pazza/Dove Hunter/Mount Righteous/Telegraph Canyon/Stumptone/Baby Dee (Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth)
Here's something for those who like a little culture with their rock n' roll. Dove Hunter is one of the most impressive live bands around, and Telegraph Canyon aren't too shabby either. Haven't seen Mount Righteous or Stumptone yet, but word of mouth on both is impressive. Easily worth the $15 admission.

Feel free to post comments telling me about the shows I forgot to list. Honestly, it won't hurt my feelings.

I Heard It Through the Grapevine (Part II)

A thought occurred to me. Yes, sure I can show you pictures and talk about the Palace Theatre. What might be more effective, however, would be to let you SEE the theater with your own eyes. I have been generously granted a pair of tickets to give away for Friday night's show with Jimmy LaFave and Rahim Quazi & The Supernaturals.

So how can you get these tickets? It's simple. The first person to email me at ghostofblindlemon@gmail.com with the correct answer to the following question gets the tickets:

What is the name of the album that Rahim Quazi released earlier this year?

Come on, if you've been reading my blog, this is a gimme. A no-brainer. Easy as pie.

Be sure to include your first and last name in the email, along with the answer to said question. Good luck to you all!

I Heard It through the Grapevine (Palace Theatre, That Is)

I’ll be completely honest: when I think of areas in the metroplex for seeing local music, the city of Grapevine isn’t exactly at the top of my list. The first thing that enters my mind when mentioning the city’s name is Grapevine Mills Mall. Granted, the Glass Cactus does book plenty of cover bands and even the occasional flashback touring band, but that’s not really my cup of tea.

Well, my viewpoints on Grapevine and music are getting a severe makeover. If you’ve been paying attention to my blog in recent days, you have heard me making mention of the Palace Theatre in Grapevine. Rahim Quazi, both one of my favorite musicians and human beings, is responsible for breathing life into the theater. He is the one responsible for the theater’s Sounds of Texas concert series. To quote Mr. Quazi, he is “so excited to be a part of creating a quality music experience and introducing this gem of a theater to Dallas and Fort Worth.”

The Sound of Texas concert series began last Friday, with a show featuring Bob Schneider and Johnny Lloyd Rollins. For each show, a major Texas artist headlines the show, and a local favorite opens. This week’s show features Mr. Quazi himself opening up for Jimmy LaFave. You can also check out Del Castillo and Blue Petal on November 14th.

So while Grapevine may not have much of a music scene right now, the Palace is definitely a step towards the creation of one. Between the quality of music being booked and the beauty of the theater (just look at the photos below), this venue could not only satisfy the musical cravings of those in Grapevine, but also draw people in from all around the metroplex area. Since it seems that it is becoming harder and harder to find quality music in these parts, you just find that it’s worth the drive to check this place out.

Random Musings

It seems as if there are not enough hours in the day for me to report on the local music stories that are worth talking about. Here are random blips that almost got lost in the shuffle.

You probably know this already, but congratulations go out to Jonathan Tyler & Northern Lights, who were recently signed to Atlantic Records. My only complaint: instead of using the great Ghost of Blind Lemon blog to break the story, they instead opted to tell Dallas Observer first. Guys, you’re breaking my heart here. I think the band at least owes me some free press passes for the oversight. Just kidding, but if the band wants to get me in free, I won’t turn it down.

Another band deserving of some congrats is Somebody’s Darling. They recently won a Battle of the Bands competition sponsored by Shiner Bock. If memory serves correctly, the band won studio time to record their next CD, and I also believe they will be signed to Shiner Records. I’ve been saying for about a year that this band will hit it big; it appears my predictions were correct.

THe BAcksliders are top 10 finalists in a Battle of the Bands (sponsored by Teen Vogue magazine) exclusively for bands with female leads. The top three bands will play off against each other in New York City, and the winner will be signed to Wicked Cool Records. This is just my belief here, but I think that if THe BAcksliders can just make it to the top three, they can easily annihilate any other band they’d play against. Click here for the link to vote for the band.

I also wanted to make a quick mention of two different series of shows that deserve further attention. One is Sounds of Texas at the Palace Theater in Grapevine, and the other is an acoustic music series hosted by yours truly at the Dunn Brothers Coffee location at LBJ & Dallas North Tollway. You’ll be hearing more about both sets of shows in the very, very near future. Keep checking back here to find out all the juicy details.

Weekend Oversight on My Part

I mentioned that Macon Greyson is playing at Adair's on Friday Night. What I forgot to mention is that the band always plays BOTH nights of the Texas/OU weekend at Adair's. If you missed out last night, come tonight. If you went last night, well, you can see them again. Just thought everyone should know that.

Texas/OU Weekend Review

Here’s the bad news: our fine city is about to be invaded by a bunch of Okies who are under the mistaken impression that OU are superior to the University of Texas. Here’s the good news: since the bars, clubs, and other music venues like taking the money of both UT and OU fans, you can always count on some killer shows this weekend. Here’s a little peak at some of the musical mayhem occurring this weekend.

FRIDAY:
Macon Greyson (Adair’s)
I discovered this band in 2004, right before their first weekend of Texas/OU shows at Adair’s. Since then, it has been my tradition to attend at least one of the two shows they put on during this weekend. If cheap pitchers of Shiner Bock and great alt-country with a heavy dose of rock are your cup of tea (or beer), then you cannot find a better show for your money.
Bob Schneider/Johnny Lloyd Rollins (Palace Theater)
Rahim Quazi, one of my favorite local musicians, has begun a series of killer shows at the Palace Theater where he pairs a major Texas musician (Bob Schneider in this case) with a major local music act (this time, Johnny Lloyd Rollins). While I have not had the opportunity to visit the venue, if the interior of the theater matches the charm of the exterior, then this venue is worth the drive no matter where you reside in the metroplex.
Airline/Flat People/Here, In Arms (Double-Wide)
You know something I hate in a lineup? Fat. Fat is when you have an act in a lineup that is not worth listening to. Fat is the band that you spend your time at the bar instead of by the stage. Double-Wide is presenting a fat-free lineup. Whether it be the soulful countryesque vibe of Here, In Arms, the Neil Young meets Radiohead’s The Bends stylings of Flat People, or the ambitious rock sound of Airline, this lineup is 100% fat free. That’s a good thing for anyone’s musical diet.
Theater Fire/Kristina Morland (Lee Harvey’s)
You probably understand the brilliance of Theater Fire. Not to many people are familiar with either Ms. Morland or her album Pidgin Music. She is probably my favorite discovery of the year. If you were one of the handful of people who arrived at the GOBL anniversary show in time to see her set, you get where I’m coming from. Please, Theater Fire fans, do not make the mistake of arriving late.
Southern Drive/Kristy Kruger (City Tavern)
I know nothing about Southern Drive, but Kristy’s playing with a full band. That’s reason enough to go.
Eleven Hundred Springs (Granada Theater)
It’s only a matter of time before you start hearing the phrase “I was into Eleven Hundred Springs before they became big time.” If you haven’t seen them yet but want to be able to say that, now would be a good time to see them play.

SATURDAY:
Patrice Pike/THe BAcksliders (Dan’s Silverleaf)
Jason Bonner may have recently left THe BAcksliders, but he’ll be celebrating his birthday with his brother Chris and the rest of the BAcksliders. Sure, Patrice Pike is playing, but you and I both know that the night will belong to THe BAcksliders.
Astronautilus/Sarah Jaffe/Picnictyme, Info Red (Double-Wide)
I'm a little confused here... is Sarah's next project going to be a hip-hop album? She certainly seems to be odd woman out on the lineup. Either way, both hip-hop and Jaffe fans should enjoy this lineup.
The Liking Strikes/Southbound Lane/Greyhounds (Lakewood Bar & Grill)
I will probably miss out on this show, which will help Liking Strikes maintain their status as “One of the Best Band I’ll Miss Out On”. But seriously, I’m not sure how much longer I can hold back.
RTB2/Smile Smile/Sunward/Young And Brave (Hailey’s)It’s not often that Hailey’s holds an evening of such fine music that’s all local. It is, nevertheless, a pleasant treat, especially for those in Denton craving fine Dallas music.
Trey Johnson and Friends (AllGood Café)
This will be a nice warmup for the show I’m looking most forward to this month. More details on that later…
Kristy Kruger/The Beaten Sea (Opening Bell Coffee, Mosaic)
For years, Pascale from Opening Bell has talked to me with such enthusiasm about the debut of the second Opening Bell location. The dream is now a reality, and this show marks the official grand opening of this new location in Downtown Dallas. Kristy will play again with a full band, and The Beaten Sea will open. Beaten Sea played at Kristy’s benefit for Mojo, and put on a very impressive set for a band so newly formed. Time and experience is sure to only make the set even better.
Salim Nourallah/Vanessa Peters (Opening Bell Coffee, South Side on Lamar)
Just in case you’re worried that the Mosaic OBC is going to steal all the thunder from the original, booking Salim should soothe the minds of any doubters.

Have fun this weekend, and remember: friends don’t let friends drive drunk. They also don’t let friends cheer on OU. Go Longhorns!!!

The Best Band I Will Miss Out On

Before Pete Freedman took on his role as music editor for the Dallas Observer, the paper published an article where various people gave advice to the then future music editor. One of the contributors made the suggestion “don’t get in a relationship.” The reasoning was that by getting in a relationship, it would distract focus from the local music scene, and that one great band would come and go that he would have totally missed out on.

Here’s the reason I bring this up. Those of you who know me personally are aware that I have recently entered a relationship. I have found a woman that makes me genuinely happy and I am deliriously in love. I must confess, however, that this new relationship has distracted me from my blogging, as you may have gathered from my infrequent posts.

(For the record, work and financial stresses have also distracted me, so if anyone knows how I can blog full time for a living, my ears are wide open.)

Back to my original point, however. There are some great bands out about town that at the rate I’m going, I seem destined to never get to see. I figured I’d throw out a few nominees for The Best Band I Will Miss Out On. These are bands that I have every reason to believe are quality acts, but for some reason, I seem to keep missing shows by said acts.

Here are just a few potential nominees:

The Liking Strikes
They seem to be a particularly fitting place to start, since I was supposed to check them out the night of my first date with my girlfriend. Their sound leans very heavily on the pop side of things, but don’t let that scare you off. Songs like “Stupid Girl” (no relation to the Garbage song) are so dang catchy that even the most pretentious indie rock hipster will be unable to shake it out of his or her head. Word of mouth has it that they put on a mean acoustic set as well. Electric or non-electric, this is one band I hope gets moved over to the “seen” category very soon.

The O’s
Here’s what you need to know about the O’s. It features Taylor Young and John Pedigo. If you don’t know who those two musicians are, you need to get out more often. A lot will be expected of this duo, considering the fact that both artists seem incapable of being in a bad band. In fact, both musicians are talented enough that they could make a sucky band sound good. So while a lot will be expected from The O’s, I have no reason to believe they will do anything other than live up to the promise, and maybe even surpass it.

Cocky Americans
They say you can learn a lot about a person by the company they keep. Wonder if the same holds true for bands? If so, then Cocky Americans are in excellent shape. In recent months, they’ve played with Rahim Quazi, Somebody’s Darling, and the aforementioned Liking Strikes. They’re also playing at the Cavern this Friday with Fate Lions, another great band that I’ve been missing out on long before the GF. Oh, and the band makes good music. Can’t forget that detail.

Menkena
The band has used the phrase “acoustic shoegaze sound” in regards to their music. That would be a very dead on description. Imagine if Nick Drake was resurrected and became the front man for Lush for their first few CD’s, and that’s a good start for describing Menkena. I can’t promise how this will translate live, as neither Nick Drake nor pretty much any shoegaze band has had much in the way of stage presence. If the music can remain as beautiful onstage as it sounds recorded, however, this band definitely is worth checking out.

If you know of any great bands that you think I am missing out on, don’t be shy. Post a comment and let me know. Maybe I might even catch one of the bands you recommend. Granted, they can no longer be in the running for “Best Band I Will Miss Out On”, but I always prefer seeing good bands to missing out on good bands. I’m just funny that way.

For Those About To Download, We Salute You

For those who are friends with THe BAcksliders on MySpace, you've probably noticed that they have been offering up free downloads right before they play a major gig in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Tomorrow night they play at the Fairmount, along with Goodwin and the cut*off (one of my absolute favorite bands in Dallas). So this week, they have offered up their song "Wedding Day" as the free download.

Obviously, I would encourage you to download the song if you don't have their CD, You're Welcome, yet. More importantly, I hope it encourages you to make it to the show. They performed at my GOBL showcase this past year. While I watched their set, I remembered that in March of this year, I said that Jonathan Tyler & Northern Lights might be the best live band in Dallas. After THe BAcksliders finished their set, I was ready to retract my statement. And by the way, congrats go out to JT&NL, who were just picked up by Atlantic Records. But here's a thought for any record execs reading this blog: THe BAcksliders, unlike JT&NL, are unsigned... for now. Just trying to give some food for thought to any record company bigwigs in need of a great new band to sign. That's all.

Hurricane, Shmurricane… How About Some Good Shows?

Thanks, Crazy Jeff, for the not to subtle reminder that I need to blog more. I have more interesting things planned for some future entries, but for now, here are a few cool show ideas. Remember: you are in Dallas, not Houston. We may get some nasty weather as a side effect of Ike, but while I am not a meteorologist, I suspect it will not be so bad that you can’t make it to a show. Speaking of shows, here are a few recommendations.


Method Mayhem BBQ (Club Dada)
I don’t know what impact the weather will have on the barbecue part of the show, but I do know that most of the bands originally slated to play are still on the lineup. Out of towners Records Record Records and Deadman both had to bail, but everyone else on the original lineup remains. Almost every artist on the lineup I have seen and have nothing but great things to say. While I haven’t seen The O’s, who kick off the show at 4:00 pm, I cannot imagine anything but great things from the duo of Taylor Young (THe BAcksliders, The Hundred Inevitables) and John Pedigo (Boys Named Sue, Rose County Fair). Greatness seems to be the only logical conclusion with such a pairing.

The Tah-Dah’s, Laura Palmer (Amsterdam Bar)
This is it. The Tah-Dah’s are over. Done. Finished. After tonight, they become yet another band in the graveyard of great local bands that have come and gone. But knowing Roy Ivy and the rest of his bandmates, they will not go down quietly. Expect loud music, mayhem, drunkenness, and other forms of joyous celebration.

The Farstar, Ella Minnow, Clay & The Electronic Cowboys (City Tavern)
The only band on the lineup I’ve seen is The Farstar. They are one of those rare bands that has the potential to appeal equally to both the indie-rock music aficionado crowd as well as the Curtain Club crowd (where they headlined last night). I know, you’re skeptical, but if you give these guys a listen, I suspect you will not be disappointed. All I know of Ella Minnow is the song “Quick and Clean”, which has quickly become one of my favorite tracks to listen to while on last.fm. I still haven’t seen Clay perform yet. I will make it to a show eventually. I promise. Based on what I’ve heard online, I’m sure it will be a pleasurable show.
SPUNE Back to School Show (Lola’s)
I don’t know many bands on the lineup, but Somebody’s Darling and Macon Greyson are reason enough to go. If you’re lucky, perhaps SD will have copies of their EP available for sale. If not, go check them out tomorrow at The Cavern. If you get there before 7:30, you get a free CD with price of admission. Sweet, huh?
2nd Annual Blind Lemon Blues Festival (Poor David’s Pub)
I’ll be honest, I don’t know any of the blues musicians playing the show. Still, there’s something about the name of the festival that I find quite appealing. It’s hard to put my finger on it though.

Please, if you do go to any of these shows, drive carefully. Hurricane Ike may not be in Dallas, but there will be plenty of nasty weather to contend with out on the roads. And of course, bad weather brings out all the idiot drivers. Just be safe. I want to see your smiling faces at many more great shows