Weekend Plans: 3/2/12

In the past few days, I've had about several people ask me what shows they should go see this weekend. I suppose it means it's time to dust off the old "weekend plans" posts on the blog and bring them back. It has been quite awhile since I've done the last one. In fact, it's been so long since I've done one that it's my first since I started booking at Crown and Harp.

I feel the need to mention that as I start this post, for those who might try to argue that I have a conflict of interest. Obviously, I have a vested interest in people attending the shows I organize at The Crown and Harp. At the same time, the artists I book there are those I would want to recommend no matter what. Also, I will continue to promote ALL quality shows, whether they be at C&H, in Deep Ellum, Oak Cliff, Fort Worth, Denton... you get the idea. So without further ado, here are my picks for best shows of the weekend.


FRIDAY:
Cassie Holt/Backwater Opera/Emmeline (The Crown and Harp)
Yes, this is one of the shows I have a vested interest in. It also features Emmeline, and in case you haven't noticed, I promote Emmeline at any available given opportunity. Plus, Backwater Opera are a highly intriguing band out of Denton that fans of Seryn, Telegraph Canyon, and The Civil Wars will definitely want to check out. Finally, the night will wrap up with the soulful musical stylings of Ms. Holt.
Somebody's Darling/J. Charles & the Trainrobbers/Dead Flowers/Goodnight Ned (Club Dada)
Somebody's Darling has kept a rather low profile over the past year, as they have intently focused on recording their soon to be released album Black Eyes and Alibis. You can count on them performing several new tracks tonight. And while SD may be the night's big draw, equally as impressive is opening act Goodnight Ned. The band has one of the most energetic stage shows of any band going right now, and their shows are only getting tighter.
Dead Beat Poetry/Great White Buffalo/The Winniebago Forcefield/Arielle (Liquid Lounge)
Blues rock has exploded in the past year, almost to such a point where it becomes harder for bands of that style to stand out. While Dead Beat Poetry does incorporate a certain amount of that Black Keys type vibe, the ferocity of both Lulio Guevara's vocals and Brandon Keebler's drumming give the duo an undeniably hard rocking edge that makes their style unmistakable. And just like the previously mentioned show, opening act Arielle is every bit as worthy of your attention and respect as the headliner. She is easily one of the strongest female vocalists in the metroplex at the moment.
The Hi-Tones/Darstar/Rocket Arm (Double-Wide)
Darstar nice straddles the fence between 90's alternative and riot grrl, and lead vocalist Lisa Hardaway has a voice perfectly suited for such a musical blend. While I have not seen Rocket Arm live as of yet, from what I've heard, they're one of the more intriguing hard rock acts at the moment. Again, I'd recommend getting there early if you go, and reporting your findings back to me.


SATURDAY:
Bravo, Max!/Goodnight Ned/Temple Diver (The Crown and Harp)
Again, another C&H show courtesy of yours truly. I've booked the pairing of Bravo, Max! and Goodnight Ned previously, and it was the strong, most enthusiastic crowd I'd seen in the venue since its days as The Cavern in the mid-2000's. This show is sure to be just as intense. Get there early for the lovely acoustic styling of Jaime Saso's act Temple Diver. And save your money; there's no cover. Hooray for no cover!
The Phuss/The Virgin Wolves/Trebuchet (The Boiler Room)
Ever since The Boiler Room opened up last year, it seems that the majority of the shows have flown beneath the radar. With a lineup this strong, it just wouldn't be right to let this show slip quietly by. Actually, with as loud as all three bands rock, "slipping quietly by" just isn't an option for any of the acts here. For those who like their rock hard and sloppy (in the good way), this show will be just what you've been looking for.
Altered States/The Wake of Man/The Patient Patient/Amble/To Coda (2826 Arnetic)
Yes, To Coda is a younger band, and I suspect that may make some of my readers skeptical. All it will take is a few minutes of watching their live set to convince you that this is a band worthy of respect, regardless of their age. In fact, listen to "Take It Back" from this week's Lucky 13 playlist. This is not the sound of an amateurish garage band, but that of a band with solid songs and an incredible vocalist (Heather Darwin).
Emmeline (Buon Giorno Coffee - Grapevine)
Just in case one Emmeline show this weekend wasn't enough for you...

The Lucky Thirteen: 2/27/12

This is the part where I'm supposed to give some witty prologue to the playlist. I've used up all my wit in writing the blurbs on the songs and the artists, as it should be. The only thing I have left to say is this: listen and enjoy!

Standard playlist disclaimer: any artists, record labels, etc. who do not wish to be on the playlist for any reason whatsoever, email me at ghostofblindlemon@gmail.com and I will gladly remove the track. And if you'd actually like to be on the playlist, you can use the same email address to email me your mp3's. If I like the song, then odds are it'll wind up on a playlist.

1. "Knockout Rose", Bad Design
   I don't think that in the past two weeks there has been a single day where this song didn't get played at least twice. The unique rhythm of this track combined with the striking guitar solo keep me coming back for more. With February not even over yet, it's way too early to declare this the track of 2012. Instead, I will say that Bad Design has thrown down the metaphorical gauntlet, daring other local acts to outdo them. Let the games begin.


2. "Hotel Denalian", Bravo, Max!
   This Saturday, The Crown and Harp celebrates its one year anniversary. Yes, 1914 Greenville Avenue has become a mainstay in the local music scene for well over a decade, but this marks one year under the new moniker. Bravo, Max! will help the venue celebrate the special occasion, along with performances by Goodnight Ned and Temple Diver. And to make it a sweeter deal, there is absolutely no cover charge.


3. "All the Reasons Why", Emmeline
   Speaking of Crown and Harp, Emmeline will be spending more than her share of time at the venue this week. As usual, she hosts the Wednesday night open mic in her usual entertaining manner, sprinkling in amusing anecdotes and coaxing audience members onstage. In addition to the Wednesday show, she will also open Friday's show featuring Backwater Opera and Cassie Holt. Disclaimer: yes, I do help book at Crown and Harp, which gives me a reason to promote the shows there. I helped make these lineups for one simple reason: they're good lineups. And really, what more do you need?


4. "When Your Hope Dies at Your Feet", The Farstar
   The Farstar has made no fuss to big to do over their latest album, God Be With You, Heaven Knows the Devil Is. In a strange way, it's rather fitting. Upon first listen, the songs might not grab you immediately. But give the album a few chances, and you'll find that tracks such as this one stick in your head. So perhaps the album will quietly worm its way into the consciousness of the collective known as our local music scene.


5. "Wait for Us", Mind Spiders
   At the end of 2010, I had barely heard of this band. In that time, the buzz surrounding this band has grown for a quiet din to a deafening roar. With tunes like this that are equal parts sloppy and hook driven, it's easy to see how they've become so popular.


6. "Lay Low", Black Tie Dynasty
   Laying low seems to be exactly what ex-BTD frontman Cory Watson is doing with his latest project, Mon Julien. What I've heard seems to be moving into a more standard indie rock territory, although I've heard people say that Mon Julien stays on the same musical turf as Mr. Watson's previous band. Either way, I'd like to see them play more so I can catch them and judge for myself.


7. "Turn on Your Radio", THe BAcksliders
   Not only will Chris Bonner of THe BAcksliders celebrate a birthday this week, fans of the band have reason to celebrate. They will be headlining March 23 at the Double-Wide, their first show since the CD release of their live album last August. Allan Hayslip joins the band as the new bass player, but I suspect the band will rock as hard as ever in their live shows.


8. "Cats in the Dark", Nervous Curtains
   The wait is officially over... Nervous Curtain's latest, Fake Infinity, is available in both digital and physical format. If the latter is more your cup of tea, swing by Good Records this Thursday to pick up a copy on CD or vinyl. And while you're there, you can catch Nervous Curtains performing a set on the store's stage.


9. "Tape Number 7", Chomsky
   I kept hearing that Chomsky was playing Edgefest, and I thought there had to be another band out there named Chomsky who was playing. Nope, THIS is the Chomsky that will be at Edgefest this year. And that, my friend, is no small deal. I can only hope this will be more than a one-off deal. My fingers are crossed.


10. "Take It Back", To Coda
    Yes, the band is a young band, with all four members still in high school. And yet for a band so young, they possess an unusually strong sense of musicianship and hint that the band is capable of even more than has surfaced thus far in their young career. The band's EP is filled with catchy pop nuggets, including this, the title track. As for the live show, the powerful vocals by lead singer Heather Darwin are reason enough to catch a live show.


11. "Swagger", The Gypsy Bravado
    Congrats to the Gypsy Bravado, who were one of the Dallas finalists in the Hard Rock Rising 2012 contest. The next round takes place on March 31 at Hard Rock Cafe. The goal: to get Gypsy Bravado to perform at the Hard Rock Cafe in London. Dallas, let's make this happen.


12. "Snow in June", Little Black Dress
    Now if you'll excuse me, I need to take a break and carefully examine what I'm wearing on my feet.


13. "San Francisco", Dead Beat Poetry
    Finally, here's a slight departure from the dreamy shoegaze vibes of Little Black Dress. And by slight departure, I mean an enormous change of sonic pace, and volume too. Dead Beat Poetry is full throttle rock and roll with a definite bluesy vibe in many of their tracks. But this is not some Black Keys wannabe duo. The songs, like this, are fierce and unrelenting. Don't just take my word on it though, you can see the band headlining at Liquid Lounge on Friday night, with GOBL fave Arielle opening the show.

In a Sea of Sirens, This One Stands Out

If you don't have plans for tomorrow night, you're about to. If you already have plans, change them. The band Siren Sea will be hosting their CD release show at The Crown and Harp. This actually marks the first time that The Ghost has had the privilege of hosting a release show for any band.

Some of you may not be familiar with this group, in spite of the fact that I previously raved about the band and the song "Lies". What is it about the band that I find so enchanting? The obvious answer to that would be lead singer Reema Hamdan, whose stage presence is absolute captivating. When she sings, she gives 110% of herself, expressing a seamless blend of passion and heartbreak with her beautiful voice. And while Ms. Hamdan is the undeniable star of the band, she is backed by a quite talented group of musicians who create the perfect musical backdrop for her voice.

I strongly encourage to see them tomorrow, along with opening acts Tweed EQ and Alex Allred. And just in case you're needing further motivation, here are three videos for you. The first is the track "Save Me", from the upcoming album. The second video is a live performance of "I Know Why" from this past January, when Siren Sea opened for Tiger Darrow at Dada. And finally, I offer up Reema's cover of The Cure's "Love Song" because, well, I'm a sucker for just about anything connected to The Cure. Enjoy, and I hope to see you out tomorrow night!

The Lucky Thirteen: 2/6/12

When I began my shows on Deep Ellum Radio, I felt that doing a weekly playlist on top of my show would be redundant. Since I have not been able to record as many shows as usual, I'm thinking that a return of the Lucky Thirteen may be in order. So without further ado, here is this week's Lucky Thirteen. Also, forgive my briefer than usual commentary today. My brain is having a bad case of the Mondays.

Standard playlist disclaimer: any artists, record labels, etc. who do not wish to be on the playlist for any reason whatsoever, email me at ghostofblindlemon@gmail.com and I will gladly remove the track. And if you'd actually like to be on the playlist, you can use the same email address to email me your mp3's. If I like the song, then odds are it'll wind up on a playlist.

1. "Gambling Preacher and His Daughter", Whiskey Folk Ramblers
   Not only is this the strongest song I've heard from the band, the video for the song is quite impressive and intriguing. Don't just take my word on it. Pause the playlist and give it a watch right below.
   
   
   


2. "Your Kiss", Parallel Play
   Time for a shameless Crown and Harp plug: check out Parallel Play, along with The Black Frames and Police cover band Regatta de Faux, this Friday night. A mere $5 cover gets you thru the door for this fine night of music. OK, my sales pitch is done... for now.


3. "My Niagra Heart", Spooky Folk
   I did a little search for Spooky Folk in the Grooveshark catalog, and to my surprise, there were a number of their songs available. After hearing this song repeatedly on The Local Edge with Mark, it inevitably grew on me. By the way, if you're not listening to his show, you're really missing out.


4. "City Bus", The Boom Boom Box
   The Boom Boom Box released their first full length CD, Until Your Eyes Get Used to the Darkness, last month. It's full of everything you expect: thundering guitars, fierce percussion, and Andrew Huffstetler's trademark scream. And yes, this is meant to be played very loud.


5. "I'm Goin' Nowhere", The Chloes
   This weekend breaks the cycle of three consecutive weekends watching The Chloes play. I'm not a stalker. Honest.


6. "sEVEN", Ducado VeGA
   Congratulations to Mr. Vega. This past Saturday, he and Zenya (keyboardist for his band, Bloodrich) got married.


7. "The Story", Emmeline
   Emmeline is one of the contenders for the Hard Rock Rising 2012 contest. The winner gets to perform at the Hard Rock Cafe in London. There are a lot of great acts competing, including Ducado Vega, Gypsy Bravado, Jessie Frye, Quincy Forte Johnson, and, well, too many more to mention. Click here to vote for your choice. And when you vote, you get to download a free track from the artist (in Emmeline's case, it's "The Story). How cool is that?


8. "The Man with the Golden Snack", Old Snack
   This is the only way that an Old Snack can be tasty.


9. "Sound City", The Burning Hotels
   I have to confess that "Beard", the lead off single from the band's self titled CD, didn't grab me as much as I expected it to. This track, on the other hand, is a much more appealing foray into new wave. This song helps prove "Allison" was no fluke.


10. "Schoolboy", Kirby Brown
    Mr. Brown will be playing what's called The Valentine Blues Ball at LaGrange this Saturday, along with Quaker City Night Hawks and Dead Mockingbirds. Looks like this should be a good alternative for those needing an Anti-Valentine's Day celebration.


11. "I'm Not to Spare (Live)", Tweed EQ
    Siren Sea are playing at The Crown and Harp on Friday, February 17th for their CD release show. I don't have the new album yet, therefore I cannot share any material. Instead, I offer you a live Tweed EQ track, since they're sharing a bill with Siren Sea.


12. "The Girl Who Stole the Eiffel Tower", The Deathray Davies
    Mr. Dufilho will be releasing his second solo CD in a matter of months. It's an ambitious project to say the least, with guest vocals from many of Dallas' finest (Sarah Jaffe, Salim Nourallah, Will Johnson, and Ben Kweller are just a few names). Reportedly, he'll also release the 6th DRD release this year. Here's hoping that happens.


13. "I Only Have Eyes for You", Emily Riddle
    This is a song I've been wanting to share with my Deep Ellum Radio listeners, but have not had the proper opportunity to do so. It's a little more pop than what I usually listen to, and yet between Ms. Riddle's lovely voice and the intriguing melody, this track has set up a permanent residence in my head. See if it has the same effect on you.

Help for Pleasant Grove

Those who were around in the local music scene in the late 90's into the 2000's are sure to remember the band Pleasant Grove. With songs like "Nothing This Beautiful", "Only a Mountain", and my personal favorite "Commander Whatever", the group managed to tell beautifully heartbreaking tales to a gorgeous country backdrop. The band's two vocalists, Marcus Striplin and Bret Egner, managed to convey a simple and sincere tone of sadness in the vast majority of their songs. These are not the songs you want when holding a house party. If, however, you need songs that speak to a broken heart, you'd be hard pressed to find many local bands that have the emotional punch of Pleasant Grove.

It came to my attention today that member Bret Egner was recently hospitalized for injuries from a recent bicycling accident (you can click here to read more details). He had surgery today in order for his collarbone to heal properly. Like most musicians, Mr. Egner is without health insurance, so he has acquired a mountain of medical debt.

This is where you come in. Bret's friends have set up an account on ChipIn where people can contribute and help him with these expenses. I've embedded a widget below through which you can donate. I've also added a video of the band playing the never released "Canopy" at the Kessler Theater in 2010.

While You Were Sleeping...

Last night at about midnight, the band Siren Sea posted their new song, “Lies”, on YouTube. To debut a song on so late on a night where most local music fans might be asleep might seem like an unusual move, considering that it might seem to increase the likelihood of the song going unnoticed. Especially since, on top of it all, it seems much of the local music community has not taken noticed of Siren Sea.

Folks, that’s gotta change, starting right now.

Just take a few minutes and listen to this track below. The haunting and exotic vocals of Reema Hamdan are sure to make any music lover stop to take notice. The melody does start out slowly, but give the song time. Between the beautiful melody and Ms. Hamdan’s vocals, it will not take long for you to get caught up in “Lies”.

The song also serves as the theme song to the upcoming film, Blissful Lies, staring Leann Hunley. The band was specifically asked to compose a song for the film. It took the band a mere three hours to compose this gorgeous track. But if you’re looking to see the band perform live, you have several opportunities coming in the near future. Siren Sea will open for Tiger Darrow this Thursday at Club Dada. A few weeks later, the band will perform at Liquid Lounge on Friday, January 27th. Last, but certainly not least, you can catch them Friday, February 17th at The Crown and Harp, with Tweed EQ and Alex Allred rounding out that lineup.

Bravo, Max... and Ned... and Signals and Alibis

As you may recall, I was recently given the opportunity to become the head booking agent at the Crown and Harp. I want to thank the bands who have played there so far, and well as those of you who have checked out the venue lately. I also realize that many of you have not been back since the days it was called The Cavern.

This Friday night is the perfect time for you to return to 1914 Greenville Avenue. I have assembled my finest lineup to date tonight. Starting off the night at 9 pm is Signals and Alibis, which looks like they're about to join the leagues of True Widow, Menkena, and Little Black Dress as among Dallas' finest shoegaze acts. Up next is Bravo, Max!. The band is now stripped down to a trio, but Johnny Beauford's songwriting skills hold up whether performed by three or seven. Wrapping up the evening is Goodnight Ned, a band that has grown in leaps and bounds ever since I saw them play first in January. They were good at the time, but when I saw them in October, the energy on stage was undeniable. Expect big things from them in 2012.

Now I know some of you are working up excuses in your head to miss the show. "But Ghost, I really don't want to deal with all that Lower Greenville construction. But Ghost, I'm short on cash and can't afford the cover." Well, the construction is finally over and done with, so that eliminates excuse number one. And I know the lineup is impressive enough you'd expect a higher than usual cover charge. But actually, the REVERSE is true. There is absolutely no cover charge all night. So if you're going to have an excuse, you've got to make one way better than the ones I just shot down.

So come on out by 9, because you won't want to miss the opening set by Signals and Alibis.

More Fun than a Pledge Drive

Sure, I suppose all the individuals at Deep Ellum Radio could ask for donations on the air in order to help the station with its operating costs. I think you’ll agree, however, that a benefit concert is a lot more fun than any pledge drive. So without further ado, check out the poster below for information on my upcoming LaGrange showcase.



I thank all of the musicians who kindly volunteered their time and talents in order to help the station. And thanks to Cory Bergren of Ironstamp Designs, who created the lovely poster above. I encourage all of my readers to attend this fine event. Not only are you getting the opportunity to see four first-act local acts, but your money will help keep Deep Ellum Radio operating smoothly. Help us continue to promote local bands and the Deep Ellum community.

Tickets are available thru Prekindle, so feel free to buy your tickets in advance. Hope to see all of your beautiful faces on December 10th!

Keepin' It Rude

There are certain genres of music I tend to be partial to. I tend to be more drawn to a lot of singer-songwriter material, as well as indie rock. This is not to say I like everything in those genres. I will say, however, that musicians in those genres have a certain advantage. Since I am admittedly more partial to those styles, the odds of me liking those within those genres is perhaps a little better.

Ska music, on the other hand, has not shared that advantage. As a general rule, I have not been a fan of ska. When I received some mp3s from their previous effort, Rude to the Last Drop, I decided to give it a listen, expecting to be unimpressed. From the first notes of “Love Bomb”, I instantly knew that I had misjudged the band. This high energy song has more than enough hooks to capture the attention of both ska fans and non-ska fans.
And throughout their current album, Ruder, Better, Faster, Stronger, the hooks keep coming with tracks like “On the Ground” and “Gone”.

What’s even more impressive than the album, however, is the live show. Everything from the brass section (courtesy of Houston Bogus on trombone and Mason Neeley on trumpet) to bass and drums (Justin Rush and Rob Tovar, respectively) is spot on in the performance. But the strongest asset to the band is their main vocalist, Jon Bravo. His voice is perfectly suited for ska music. If it were any better suited, I’d be saying that ska was perfectly designed with Mr. Bravo in mind. The energy brought to the stage by all members makes Rude King easily one of the best live shows you’ll see in the metroplex.

Yes, this band is an absolute must-see for ska lovers. But more importantly, this band is even a must see for everyone. Even those who think they may not be ska lovers will likely be won over by Rude King. Take it from the mouth of a (former) non-ska fan. You can see Rude King this Friday at Double-Wide, opening for Swingin’ Utters and Far From Finished. Get there early so that you do not miss even a second of the Rude King set.

Doyle Bramhall

Local blues legend Doyle Bramhall was found dead yesterday of what appears to be heart failure. Some of you may not be familiar with his name, but most of you are familiar with the songs he has written. He co-wrote many tunes with Stevie Ray Vaughan, most notably "Change It", "The House Is Rockin'", and "Life by the Drop".

I had the privilege of seeing Mr. Bramhall perform live approximately fifteen years ago outside the Borders in Plano. While the location may have been unorthodox (to put it kindly), Doyle gave the crowd a first rate, enthusiastic performance.

I leave you with some more recent video footage of Mr. Bramhall, performing two of the songs made famous by Stevie.