SXSW: The Twelves + Austin dance

I'm long overdue on SXSW party recommendations, it's true. Partly because I have a hard time wrapping my brain around South By. Whereas ACL has everything contained (for the most part) in the neat little box of Zilker Park, SXSW is all over the freaking city with official shows, non-official shows, house parties, parties in parking garages, parties on roofs, parties in streets, parties in pants, parties in my brain. (And - ahem - those last two examples clearly illustrate why I should not drink-and-post.)

Anyway. I've talked about The Twelves before, and they are playing Wednesday, March 18, 11:00pm at Rusty Spurs. Next door to Black and Tan.



Now, off to rally what little dignity I have, and go conquer this night.

EDITED TO ADD:

In other dance party news, on Saturday, March 7, my friend Kim is performing at this Uchi-catered event!

It's quite a tony affair...tickets are $30/each. Check out the website for more details.

BREAKING NEWS: Vintage garage sale, Saturday.

It's a devil-and-angel-on-opposing-shoulders situation, guys.

On the one hand, my devil is urging me not to tell you about this, so that selfish me can have first dibs on all this deliciousness.

On the other hand (er, shoulder) my angel says that I love Sarah Dean, and you know what? You guys are alright too.

Ok ok FINE - here we go:

magnolia family vintage garage sale

Saturday February 28th

7AM

6607 Argentia Rd. @ Allendale

Austin, TX 78757

Preview:



For more deets (and more clothing samples), just click here.

Announcing: New Movement Theatre + Studio8.net

Local actor, comic, ColdTowne Theater alum and one of my most favorite Austinites Chris Trew is opening up a new theater - a new movement theater, to be precise - this Sunday. He and fellow ColdTowne teacher Tami Nelson have been major forces in Austin's improv and comedy scene since Hurricane Katrina delivered them to us in 2005, and together, they are opening New Movement as well as an Austin branch of L.A.'s Studio8.net, a comedy booking company.

So, what does this mean? Classes for aspiring improv actors, hot shit comics coming to ATX, and a funky new theater next door to Nubian Queen Lola's. I have performed at ColdTowne a few times, and can't wait to see the new digs. To sign up for a class - which you will inevitably be compelled to do after you read this interview - email thenewmove@gmail.com.

Chris and Tami took a break from killing unsuspecting victims with laughter to tell us about all this craziness.

1. You and Tami opened Coldtowne Theater. What inspired you to open a second one - The New Movement Theater?

The New Movement is the monument Chris and I are building inspired by all the fun things to all the fun things for all the fun things. When we started ColdTowne we had no idea what we were doing, we just knew it needed to be done. Now we know exactly what we are doing and what we want to focus on and are just totally doing that.

2. Will Coldtowne still remain open?! (Disregard sounds of worried hyperventilation)

That is entirely up to forces beyond our control. We certainly set it up for longevity. We hope that it continues to do the good work that it is known for and maintains the reputation it's gained over the past 3 years.

3. What is going to make The New Movement Theater a crazy awesome space? And what's all this about "Chicago-style" and "craft" talk, mister?

The New Movement will be a training center completely unique to Austin - one which is focused on a specific, defined improv philosophy - Austin's improv scene has grown enough in the past few years to deserve a variety of training centers - when we first moved here we wanted to put Austin on the map for improv study and performance, this is an expansion of that goal.

4. Since your arrival, you and Tami have been quite integral to the local comedy scene. Yet, not everybody knows where you came from. Tell us how you two made your way to ol' Austin, Texas.

We originally studied improv together at La Nuit in New Orleans. Then Katrina devastated the city in 2005. We couldn't return to New Orleans for a long time, so we set up camp in Austin and started doing what we loved to do here and found Austin very receptive to us.

5. Speaking of the comedy scene: Studio8.net. What kind of talent do you hope to attract?

In Los Angeles the team is already set up, they are producing piles of sketch comedy already and getting the material up all over the place. In Austin we are going to be focusing on the live aspects of comedy and working with the coolest kids. Got lots of shh shh projects in the works, one of them being the Austin, Sketchfest, a new comedy festival.

6. Tell us about this new Mohawk Comedy Showcase?

We are working with Transmission Entertainment to bring a headlining act in from out of town once a month and surround him/her with some of the hardest working and fun local comedians. This first month we are bringing in Sean Conroy from L.A.'s Upright Citizens Brigade and local guys Albert Im and Ramin Nazer are rounding the show out. The Mohawk is a great venue for comedy, did you know that?

7. In the face of a global recession, the obesity crisis, and the drop-crotch harem pants trend, why will improv save the world?

Studying improv gives you a time and a place in your life to play, hone your craft, discover new things about yourself and how you are perceived. The basic improv philosophies are beautiful - support, be smart, have fun, grow and get over yourself because it's bigger than you. If everyone really acted like that we'd all be hi-fiving dolphins and riding surf boards on milk chocolate waves to everlasting fun island for a big free lunch. Usually, about once a class, we have those moments. And the people love it. But we are really good teachers.

launch schedule:

Sunday, March 1st

6pm til - Launch Party at The New Movement Theater

Monday, March 2nd
5:30pm - Classes begin at The New Movement Theater
8pm - OFF NIGHT ON - a new Mohawk Comedy Showcase feat. UCB's Sean Conroy & Chris Trew

Wednesday, March 4th
6pm - Drop in class at The New Movement Theater - $10
8:30pm - The Shootaround: Long form improv jam at The New Movement Theater

Thursday, March 5th
7pm - Studio8.net Launch Party at The United States Art Authority - FREE

Saturday, March 7th
noon-1pm - The New Movement at the Staple Media Expo at the Monarch Event Center
PM - Staple Media Expo afterparty w/ Terp 2 it at The Red 7

Don't Bring Me Down: A Hypothetical Band Event

Austin is known for its music - sure. But fashion? Well, we're getting there. Especially when visual euphoria like Fashion Freakout comes along. For both of those reasons, I was immediately intrigued when I heard about "Don't Bring Me Down," an art / music / fashion / film party happening this Friday at the United States Art Authority. Get this: local designer Rachel Fields and photographer Christina Shaffell have teamed up to create a fictional band, styled and shot by the ladies themselves. This Friday, they'll celebrate the "band," while REAL bands, REAL filmmakers, and REAL photos will be on-hand to pay homage. Sound crazy meta? It is.

Direct from the press release: "Fashion that takes its cues from bad-ass funk and 18^th-century popular attire will be on display, along with photos and set-pieces from the group’s one and only photo shoot. Filmmakers Jacob Villanueva and Tim Thielen will present short films about the artistic process." Whee!

Recently, Rachel and Christina were kind enough to stop by Austin Eavesdropper and spill the deets on Don't Bring Me Down.

1. Where did the idea for "Don't Bring Me Down" come from?

Austin is the self-proclaimed "Music Capital of the World" and there is tons of music all over the city any night of the week. I was struck by the lack of style that many musicians have around town. Music is first and foremost of course, however the way in which an artist presents him or herself are essential as well in projecting a certain aura / vibe / persona / image. I think it also goes back to the "Americana" genre in that that type of music is supposed to be genuine, some guy / girl who is singing about true-to-life events and feelings in their living room. To put any thought into dress would negate the authentic feeling. However, as a fashion-oriented person, I think it just comes off as schlepy.

I was interested in styling a band as an experiment but didn't feel comfortable convincing a pre-existing band to let me completely take over their entire aesthetic...there would be too many pre-conceived notions and egos involved...and again, this was just an experiment. So I created a band that would play music that I enjoyed and found interesting but that also had certain looks associated that would lend themselves well to experimental styling.

2. What inspired you to create an event based on a fictional band?

After my super-talented photographer buddy, Christina, was on board I started emailing every creative person I knew--as did Chrissy. People seemed to be really into the idea. The more people we contacted, the bigger and more elaborate the project became. Next thing we knew, not only were we to have a fashion shoot, we also had friends who wanted to make films about the process and others who wanted to write music for the project. It snowballed into this amazingly multi-media event.

3. It appears there are a lot of historically-based fashion influences weaving themselves into this event - 60s, funk, 18th cent. Rachel, what time periods (or perhaps which historical figures) influence your designs most?

Since the music is 1960's garage rock with a funk beat, I thought of Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings and especially Betty Davis (amazing woman married to Miles Davis for one year, fashionista, musician, and fellow North Carolina native). One picture in particular...


The other element was the lyrics inspired by French Romantic poetry (Baudelaire & Rimbaud). Again, very distinctive fashions that lent themselves well to the styling. Here's a photo of Baudelaire.


4. Rachel, how did you direct the photo shoot for this "hypothetical" band?

Christina and I approached it as if we were shooting a real band, so we came up with a concept-a storyline...kind of like a story within a story, a concept within a concept. Like Sharon Jones, I wanted to have a female lead singer flanked by study male musicians-in this case, four dudes. We decided that like the age old saying, "cherche la femme." We decided to have a bit of a love triangle that ended tragically--just because.

5. Tell us about these videos Jacob Villanueva and Tim Thielen are screening.

We actually just got back from seeing the drafts of both videos! Jacob's video is an arty version of the love story that's played out within the main photos. Tim's film is a behind-the-scenes look at the process of the project.

6. Last but not least - the music. Hailey Tuck & the Finn Brothers are playing songs especially created for the event - what does that mean? And Crooks - me likey. How are they connected to all this theatrical / art / fashion / film madness?

Haha, do you know Crooks? They're awesome, and I just love them. Hailey and the Finns--they are playing music in the persona of the fake band. They are working on writing one or two brand new songs, translating another into French, and playing a lot that are covering many that are in the garage rock vein. I'll most likely be styling them a wee bit so that they are dressed in a similar manner as the photoshoot band. But just a wee bit.

Since we were having an art opening and the Finns were playing, we thought we might as well make a party out of it and have another band play as well. Crooks came into the picture because Josh is childhood friends with the secondary photographer, Erin, and we thought their style of music matched really well with the entire vibe of the project.

Lastly, Christina and Erin have convinced me to have a couple girls walking around in fashions that I've done in the past that are entirely unrelated to Don't Bring Me Down. I decided not to have any of the fashions created for the project displayed and this was the second best option.

What United States of Tara and Austin music have in common

So, R. and I are now obsessed with Diablo Cody's rad series on Showtime, United States of Tara. It's about a mom (Toni Collette) who has multiple personality disorder, and Aidan (er, John Corbett) plays her husband. It's bizarre, sometimes dirty. We love it terribly.

But before I explain what this has to do with Austin - guys, do you remember vintage Toni Collette? Before she got cast as 5,000 middle age American moms? She's a ridiculous bombshell:

Right?

This was before The Sixth Sense, before Little Miss Sunshine, and certainly before The United States of Tara, where she plays - among other things - a man named "Buck." It's one of her personalities, and this particular individual thinks he's a 'Nam vet who watches porn, hits on bowling alley women, and makes rude gestures with his pelvis - and make-believe penis.

Anyway. Did you know that Kat Edmonson - who I have just now become a little bit obsessed with - had a song on the premiere episode? ("Lucky"). R. and I saw her once at Central Market, and she's this tiny, pretty little thing. She possesses one of those child-like voices that almost sounds like a four year old is speaking to you. (But in an auditorily-mind-blowing way.)

I love, love her spare, jazzy version of The Cure's "Just Like Heaven." People, this song is making me nuts. Seriously, if you have a second, stop reading and go to her MySpace page linked above.

Did you do it? Are you freaking?

Well lucky readers, Kat is playing tomorrow night with several others. My good friend Rose Reyes, whose kids I used to babysit (!) is putting together this Austin-tony lineup at Antone's, and it looks like a pretty big deal:



KUT darling Drew Smith will also be playing. I've heard you many a time on "Ekletikos," sir. Also, someone who I've been hearing a lot about lately - Jeff Lofton and his jazz trumpet, along with equally astonishing dreadlocks - will be there. The Austin American-Statesman recently compared him to Miles Davis.

Other musical guests include Guy Forsythe, Dan Dyer, and Randy Weeks. It goes down at 6pm at Antone's - where Lykke Li recently played - and tickets are $10.

Here's a little more ear candy from the Dan Dyer corner. Forgive the NPR intro.

Let's not take our ears for granted.

Well everyone, The Recession has me feeling somewhat off. Over the past few months, I have watched friends lose their jobs, I have heard the desperate calls from Wells Fargo asking me to please pay my credit card payments on time, and I have seen far too many people at the grocery store lately. Presumably because these individuals are out-of-work, and suddenly have all the time in the world now to lollygag in the chips/snacks aisle saying things like, "would you look at that? Blue Cheese Doritos! Pam, c'mere - you gotta see this!"

I typically deal with stress one of two ways: stress eat. And/or vigorously exercise. Which is a little self-defeating, considering that each activity cancels out the other, does it not? That time wasted eating R.'s leftover Pei Wei and then elliptical cycling it off (or far more often: the reverse) could have been much better spent watching Love Actually and decoupaging the cat. Or something.

Anyway, in the last few days R. and I attended a wedding for our friends in Baton Rouge and spent the remaining time in New Orleans. Here, we ate gloriously fried food for several days straight, aiming for a "true cultural experience" (the kind of experience that is washed down with a mint julep or six): catfish atchafalaya, how have I never known ye? King's Cake, is your real name "manna?" The Bible tells us that Jesus fed 5,000 people from 1 loaf and 2 fishes or something like that and all were satisfied. I have now come to believe that this holy doctrine is in all likelihood referring to crawfish etouffee prepared by the first century equivalent of Tony's Bourbon Street Oyster Bar, because friends, God spoke to me in those delicious bites.

Which is all to say that stress management tactic #1 has been satisfied.

So today, I went running.

In a town like Austin, where residents take their silly little bike hobby and win Tour de France's with it, I shouldn't feel as smug as I do when I run. But I'm going to say it here and now: I feel better than everybody else when I go running. Not so on the elliptical. There, I just pity myself. "Yes, I can only exercise while simultaneously watching Gossip Girl. No, I'm not 'training' for anything. Just burning off pad thai, k?" Exercising on the elliptical, my preferred form of cardio exercise, is rather like announcing you have no athletic ambitions whatsoever; you just want to buy a bikini.

Well today I went running for 30 minutes. Oh, how powerful I felt! How superior! I looked ridiculously over-panted in yoga pants, as I don't actually own a pair of running shorts, but whatever! It felt good to be alive. I nodded grimly at strangers. "Pardon me, impervious-to-pain runner coming through." Walkers and their dogs moved out of the way. "Probably prepping for a race," I imagined them saying.

Next stop was the gym, where I dutifully lifted weights, performed sit-ups, and sorta kinda maybe snuck in some elliptical machine (old habits, they die hard. Also, I ate my weight in trans fats the day before). But now, after this Rocky Balboa-like day of triumphant fitness, I believe I've made myself sick. At the time of this post, I am lying in bed, halfway convinced that exercise itself has given me the flu. Isn't that sad? I'm not surprised. My stomach was putting up a fight the entire way through the jog. "What the f---?" It kept saying. "Can we please go back to eating breakfast tacos?"

The day before, R. and I stopped in Elgin, Texas, which boasts a large billboard that says, "You'll LOVE Our Guts!" This refers to the food Elgin is famous for: sausage. I thought it was sick (and hilarious); in addition, it made me crave meat. So we stopped in a gas station in a neighboring town, where I bought the next best thing to sausage one can find at a Shell station, beef jerky. It's here that I encountered this headline, on the front page news of the Lexington Leader:

"Lexington man sentenced for kicking a man's ear off."

Come again? Kicked an ear? Off of the head?

Oh, fellow Texans.

Things have never looked so bleak that this seemed like the most sensible course of action. (And if you stopped me here to say that it's a little cheap to compare one's situation to that of a man who goes around kicking people's body parts clean off, I would absolutely agree with you.) I noticed another sign in the gas station, however, that surprised me more than the story of the poor person who had been de-eared, if that's possible:

"NO CUSSING. Cuss words will be fined $0.25 - $1.00 depending on severity."

It's such an odd state we live in, Texas. A place where stress, perhaps the Recession itself, thrusts our most brute representatives right into the foreground, along with our old-fashioned civility. In my most desperate hours, I either eat or exercise myself to exhaustion. Some of us lash out (on defenseless ears, as it were). But in the face of adversity, many Texans just want to go a day without hearing the word "shit."

Which may be the most reasonable thing, after all.

SATURDAY!! The Lennings' EP release at Club De Ville!

Well this morning R. and I are headed for New Awlins y'all, but we WILL be back for this:


Remember "You're The One That I Want?" That's these fools.



I can never decide if that song is more sweet or hawt. (And sorry to make you blush if you're reading this, Jason).

Here's a link to their band page, where you can get a taste of some of the songs on the new EP. They go on at 9:00 and if you come, I'll see you there.

Side projects and craft projects.

Special announcement, interwebs. Tomorrow night, Party Ends is hosting a little "side projects" night at The Mohawk. Isn't that a clever event theme? Anyway, to match our city's currently drizzly, foggy state (at least it is right now at time of post, on Tuesday night), it must be said that this line-up packs a powerful dose of melancholia. Which isn't a bad thing, of course - just, you know, check your glow sticks at the door.

John did a very comprehensive post on the evening here, of which this tidbit might intrigue you:

"Nervous Curtains is the venture of the Paper Chase’s Sean Kirkpatrick who released an album of songs under his own name but recently added drums and another synthesizer then assumed a moniker. Having previously played with Spoon and a handful of other bands, Kirkpatrick behind the 88 keys has contributed to a variety of different sounds but it is the somber sounds of Nervous Curtains that sets him apart as a grave visionary."

Now maybe this is an overgeneralization, but I know very few synthesizer enthusiasts who also qualify as "grave visionaries," do you? Sean Kirkpatrick, because you have achieved both - and also because I very much like the band name 'Nervous Curtains' - you win my vote of confidence.

But seriously you guys - back to the weather. Wha? What-the-huh? Who ordered this humid mess? Whenever it gets like this, I like to pretend I'm a little old lady and bust out the knitting needles. For our very first Valentine's together, I even made R. a scarf. Then, he wore it out to dinner one night at Opal's, and all the girl waitresses hit on him, so I stole the scarf back.

Which brings us (however circuitously) to...


I think it is so neat that our local craft-preneurs are becoming such a force! Gone are the days when "crafts" designated macaroni necklaces and/or dried bean art. I got the inspiration for my very first (and, well, only) tattoo from a handmade piece I found at a craft show. (And no, I don't have a needlepoint pillow tattooed on myself. Yet.)

Kristen Pumphrey, crafter and host of the pretty blog Pommes Frites tells me that Etsy Austin is trying to make this a monthly event. Here is a sample of what you might find there:

Wall art.

Jewelry.

What is this. The website calls it "Luke the Sock Goblin." I'm not sure what that means, but I love it!! And I especially like the way it has been carefully posed in a tree, like a proper goblin.

Bloggers: How do you post JPEGs so they aren't all blurry?

I know I should be on top of this, but I don't know how to post flyer JPEGs so that they aren't all pixelated and dumb-looking. Here's an example:



(P.S. - I'm about to post on this event tomorrow. Go here if you want to find out about it now).

I love big flyer images, but my heart breaks a little when they are ruined by my inept image upload skills. I was emailed this image, and also retrieved it here, where it looks crisp and beautiful. I got the same outcome each time I tried to upload it.

Does anyone know how to fix this? I use a Mac, which I adore - but I cannot forgive it for refusing me the right-click function. There are many things my slow, clunky old PC did not allow me to do, such as turn it on and open an internet browser in under an hour, but I COULD right-click. And God, how I miss it. It was a lot easier to save image files back then.

But enough whining. Talk to me, interwebs! What have you got! Bloggers - especially the ones who post band flyers often - lend me your JPEG knowledge, please?

EDITOR'S NOTE: Nevermind, I figured it out!!! Notice the lovely high-res image above! If anyone else encounters this issue, here is the website that helped me fix it.

Ah, Blogger. You are a vexing mistress, non? Secretly shrinking my images, without even telling me? I am catching onto your wily ways.

Danny Malone

On Friday night, I went to a party with a bouncy castle. That was the first reason it was a fantastic affair. The second reason was this gentlemen.



He played out on the back porch, and his voice reminded me of Damien Rice. I asked this tall, dreaded guy next to me who it was.

"Danny. Danny Malone."

"Is he, like...famous?"

"No, not really. But you've got to watch his Baby Bleu video on YouTube. It almost makes me cry."

So when I got home that night, that's exactly what I did.

Valentine's Day for foodies

Say what you will about Valentine's - it's commercial, it encourages couple smugness, blah blah - but you have to love the dionysian spirit it fosters. Unlike the traditional holiday season, which is roughly a month-long buffet of food and drink we may or may not care about (spiced cider? Eh, no thanks, well it's right there, well, actually, ok), Valentine's means exactly 2 things, as far as edibles are concerned:

A) Chocolate,
B) Wine,

...consumed in ridiculously decadent amounts. Within 24 (or sometimes 1 or 2) hours.

So foodies, with this in mind, here are a couple local Valentine's options to satisfy your wino / chocoholic souls.

COOKIE LOUNGE

Ok, so, you know that scene in Clueless where Cher orders herself flowers? To impress the cute, very fashionable new guy, Christian? (Who later turns out to be gay but whatever?) You can totally do that with Cookie Lounge. By which I mean order yourself (or "your office") cookies. Cookie Lounge is sort of like Amy's Ice Cream, where you customize your own little treat. And then they'll deliver it. In this pretty pink box! For Valentine's Day, you can order 2 dozen for $18.

If I had to create my dream cookie from Cookie Lounge's options, here is what it would be:

Oatmeal cookie dough + toasted walnuts + sundried cherries + Schokinag (what!) dark chocolate.

I defy anyone to top that delicious confection.

CUPCAKE BAR

The Cupcake Bar is having a "Naughty or Nice" wine and cupcake night at House Wine on Valentine's. There are 4 cupcake wine/pairings available, each for $12. Here are my two favorites:

Naughty:
"A sinfully decadent and rich, Dark Chocolate Espresso Cupcake with Fudge Chocolate Icing and fill with caramel. Topped with a chocolate-covered cherry. Paired with a 2004 Malbec, Llama, Argentina 100-year old vine."

Nice:
"A sweet Strawberry Cupcake with Champagne Icing and filled with marshmallow whipped cream. Topped with conversation hearts and pink edible glitter. Paired with Marques de Gelida Sparkling Rose: The palate is flavorful and silky with a refreshing vibrancy, nicely balanced with clove and lightly sweet cherry notes; dry, with lightly brassy finish."

There's no website, but there is an Evite, so email me if you're interested.

Valentine's Day for hipsters

For this month's Rare Magazine, Cory Ryan and I got to do a fun piece called "I Heart Austin." Inside, we put together date nights for different categories of Austin couples: The Rockstar, The Eclectic, The Jock, etc. Well kids, we left out someone pretty special, and that is our city's hipster contingent. What's a hipster-in-love to do this Valentine's Day? Where do you turn when your ironic heart secretly yearns for some ooey-gooey commercial romanticism?

You lace up your pink Chuck Taylors and get your freak on, that's what.

Every time I attend a Car Stereo (Wars) dance party, I dissolve into a sweaty mess caused by copious busting of moves. Every time I hear Chris Rose's mixes, all I can think is: "ah, Daft Punk and Britney Spears...together at last."

Nash Cook will bring the photobooth to Beauty Bar for this event (anyone notice how photobooths are all the rage these days?) and High Society will supply a real-life kissing booth! Wonder who will supply the kisses....

But wait, back up for a minute. Maybe dance parties aren't your thing. Maybe you prefer your Valentine's slightly more on the sultry, not sweaty, side. Do you like tasteful nakedness? Nakedness for a cause?

It's funny: I can't remember that last time I visited United States Art Authority and left without seeing a nipple. (And I'm not complaining). R. and I went to an Enchanted Forest-sponsored event there last year for Valentine's Day, and loved it. Tickets are sold out for the dinner, but the afterparty starts at midnight and should be super-fun. Especially since Rebecca Havemeyer will be there! (Girlfriend's getting around these days, non?)

Finally. As befits a hipster-jock, there are several Austinites flying around lately on vintage single speed bikes. Perhaps you've gotten your wheels serviced at the soon-to-be-moving East Side Pedal Pushers, or maybe you're a Mellow Johnny's downtown commuter type. I'll admit that I am neither. However, I still think this event sounds pretty cute:

For reference: Juan Pelota = the coffee shop inside Mellow Johnny's, and it is named after Lance Armstrong's one remaining man jewel. (That he still somehow manages to impregnate women with).

Note that this event happens on Friday, so technically, the day before Valentine's. Is this event's set-up not genius? Exercise, burn off a ton of calories, and then go drink. (Which leads to all kinds of delightful trouble, as personal experience recently reminded us).

Tomorrow, I'll be posting on Valentine's Day for Foodies. If you've got suggestions, feel free to email or leave a comment.

Heads up: The Lennings EP release party

The show's in a few weeks, but get it on your radar now:

I've put a few songs up here before, but to jog your memory, The Lennings = "You're the One That I Want" and "B12."

Will be fun!

The Rock-afire Explosion & Second Sunday Sock Hop

The purpose of this post is not to inform, but rather to whine. You see, The Rock-afire Explosion will be having its nationwide premiere tonight - in Austin! - and I was so excited that I went and wrote a story about it.

But alas, I won't be seeing it this evening, and chances aren't you won't either since it sold out in a matter of hours. Here is what we're missing:



Best line: "It was like being in rock n' roll. Exactly like being in rock n' roll."

You know the southern-talkin' guy at the beginning of the film? That would be 31-year-old Alabamian Chris Thrash, who bought The Rock-afire Explosion and reprogrammed the, eh, "band" to sing songs like this.



He then posted this video, and several other gems - including Usher's "Love in this Club" - to YouTube. Texas filmmakers Brett Whitcomb and Brad Thompson caught those, contacted Thrash, and lo and behold....an underground, cult-like Rock-afire Explosion fan base slowly emerged, from the plastic colored ball pit depths. Wild, huh?

Anyway, while Whitcomb and Thompson introduce the film tonight - amidst an all-you-can-eat pizza party, no less! - fear not Austinites. There's crazy fun just across the highway.

Enjoy your Sabbath Day!

FASHION I am FREAKING OUT! Pictures from the show

Well last night's Fashion Freakout at The Mohawk pretty much killed.  It made me so very proud to be an Austinite!

Before we get into the pics, let me first tell you about the magical people who executed this affair. Audrie San Miguel (who stopped by Austin Eavesdropper for an interview earlier this week) produced the event with Jason McNeely (that Jason McNeely, of Windsor for the Derby). The participating retailers were New Bohemia, Laced with Romance (whose models convinced me that tye-dyed tights - want so badly! - are the It Item for 2009), Prototype, and my fave, Buffalo Exchange. The models, event decorators, musicians, etc. are too numerous to list here, but all contributed to make the event hugely well-attended, edgy, and playful.

One more thing. Reader, I may be many things, but I am decidedly not a pro photographer. Some of these are alright, and some are more along the lines of, was-she-wasted-when-she-took-this?  For high quality shots, let me refer you to Austin Style Watch.  I am sure Rachel's pics will be amazing.

fashion freakout 2009.

finis.