It is summertime in Austin and it is HOT (which you may have noticed!). What are you supposed to do to enjoy this wonderful time of year when you are short on cash? Listed below are just a few of the amazing music events in Austin that will help keep you cool and busy. After all, Austin is the Live Music Capitol of the World. Check out these opportunities to check out free summer tunes: KGSR’s 10th Season of Blues On The Green When: Every other Wednesday evening, June 9 – August 18 at … [Read more...]
My Education primed for “Sunrise” tour
With the release of and upcoming tour for their new Album "Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans," I met with My Education to get a history lesson on the evolution of the band that makes it what it is today. If you are familiar with today’s sound of My Education - - entirely instrumental, characterized as “cinematic, mildly psychedelic” and compared to the likes of Mogwai or Explosions in the Sky--the origins of the band couldn’t be farther from where it is today. Starting in 1999, Guitarist, … [Read more...]
BAM: Celebrating Black Arts
“There [are] not a lot of activities about African American culture and arts,” said Ms. Lisa Byrd, Founder and Artistic Director of the Black Arts Movement performing arts festival. Black Arts Movement festival (BAM) is a celebration of African American artists in the new millennium. This three-week long event, she said, is “an opportunity to come out and focus on culture.” The goal is to spotlight the Black aesthetic of modern artists. Now in its’ fourth year, BAM invites artists of all … [Read more...]
Bomba Estéreo en Fuego: Interview with Colombia’s rising stars
The first time I met Liliana, from Bomba Estéreo, was a few months ago in Indio, CA at Coachella. Paul Dryden, with Nacional introduced me to her, saying “This is Katie, from The Austin Times.” “AUSTIN?!?!?!,” exclaimed Liliana, “I love Austin!!!!!” She then grabbed my pen out of my hand and proceeded to write the word Austin on her arm. At that point, all I remember thinking was this chick is super cool! We hung out briefly at the festival and then made plans to meet and do a formal … [Read more...]
Pachanga Latino Music Festival 2010
The Pachanga Latino Music Festival, which took place on Saturday, May 22 at Fiesta Gardens in East Austin, was a lively party indeed. Now in its third year, the event had a stellar lineup, including local and international acts ranging from DJs to mariachis and traditional Tejano to electronica infused with Latin sounds. There was something for everyone at this family-friendly event, including the Ninos Rock Pachanga tent, where local artists Vallejo, David Garza, Brian Ramos, and Hayden Vitera … [Read more...]
Meet Mitote, playing Mexican folk music with Chicano sensibility
Don’t call Mitote a band. Members of the Austin-based ensemble of musicians consider themselves friends who are participating in the great tradition that is “Son” (pronunciation: sohn, meaning: traditional) music. Armed with instruments not traditionally seen around Austin, the group plays Son Jarocho- and Son Huasteco-style traditional regional Mexican folk music, from the states of Veracruz and Tamaulipas, respectively. They take a humble approach to their music. “In a sense, yeah, we … [Read more...]
Anthropos Arts: Bringing the benefits of music to all students
Tunes from Jazz to Meringue were heard in the Stubb’s Amphitheater on Sunday, May 16, as students from 12 different schools in the Austin area participated in the 11th Annual Student/Mentor Concert. Students participating in the Anthropos Arts program showed their skills as they improvised solos alongside their mentors at their end-of-the-year performance. The Anthropos Arts program organizes instructors from college professors to Grammy-winning performers to work with students on an … [Read more...]
Diversifying SXSW
Just last week, it was announced that the Austin History Center will be hosting an exhibit on “The 25 Year History of SXSW” from February to July 2011. South by Southwest (SXSW) has become one of the largest festivals in the United States and generated more than $100 million for the Austin economy this year. The nine-day conference bills itself as “the unique convergence of original music, independent films, and emerging technologies”. The conference is proud of discovering and exposing … [Read more...]
Music Mix to benefit fatherless young men
On Saturday, May 15, music artists from all different genres will come together at the Austin Baptist Association on 3811 Harmon Ave. to fundraise for Hungry for God Home, which works to redirect the lives of at-risk and homeless young men. “Today’s tough economic conditions make it difficult for the Hungry for God Home to meet needs without additional help,” said founder Pastor Larry Ball. Since 2003, Pastor Ball has personally housed over 300 young men. “Making better choices for better … [Read more...]
Destination Coachella: The Journey to Indio and Back
Deciding to go to Coachella I was excited and also a bit nervous. We were renting a car (partly in my name) and driving for over twenty hours to then camp for three days in the middle of the desert, all for the love of music and the bragging rights to say to those back home, “I went to Coachella.” Coming from a city that hosts two of the biggest music festivals in the world, I traveled to Indio, California to find out what the fascination with Coachella is all about. My first impression of … [Read more...]
