Indieroke Showdown at Mohawk

Last night at Indieroke I unleashed a beast, a beast named Trent Reznor.

I believe my fetching friend Melissa took some pictures of this and frankly I'm concerned to see them in the harsh, better judgment-inducing light of day.

But until then, have a look at these rock stars!

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EDITOR'S NOTE: Trent Self.

NEW YEARS EVE 2009/2010 in AUSTIN

No chit-chat today, let's get this party started. Not comprehensive, just a few of my faves. Commentary below.

NEW YEARS: FOR FOODIES


New Years Day BBQ at Franklin's
Featuring French Toast Casserole, Black Eyed Peas, Cream Sausage Gravy, Grits, Buttermilk Biscuits, and (if all goes well) Chicken Fried Brisket
Tickets (TBD) and more info here


Parkside 2010 New Years Eve Party
Featuring: DJ's, open bar, champagne toast, photo booth, hors d'oeuvres and sweets
Tickets ($100) here
(This photo is of Parkside ceviche because I could not find a big enough poster JPEG; check out informative poster here)

NEW YEARS: FOR DANCE PARTY PEOPLE


2010: A Dance Odyssey
Tickets ($18 pre, $24 day of) here


New Years Eve Sock Hop
Tickets ($10) at door


Mad Classy WITH Irresponsible Voltron
Tickets ($10) here


New Years Eve at Beauty Bar
Tickets ($5 with RSVP, $10 at door): beautybaraustin(at)gmail.com


New Years Eve with DJ Crown
Tickets ($50 pre, $60 at the door) here

NEW YEARS: FOR LIVE MUSIC JUNKIES

Live at Seaholm

Featuring Flosstradamus, DJ Car Stereo (Wars) and SHIV
Tickets ($99) here


Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears WITH Hard Proof Afrobeat
Tickets ($32) here

NYE Mohawk
Featuring: Grupo Fantasma, Brownout, and Peligrosa All-Stars
Tickets ($20 pre, $25 day of) here


New Years Eve at Emo's with Scott Biram
Tickets ($12 pre, $15 day of) here

NEW YEARS: MISCELLANEOUS


First Night Austin
Featuring: Fireworks (!!)
Tickets (FREE except for events at Long Center): Info here


Metallagher (with stABBA and more) at Red 7
Tickets ($10) here


NYE Rock N' Roll Party
Featuring: Stooges cover band, '60s cover band, comedy, DJ's, more
Tickets (FREE for Spider House, $10 for USAA bands): Info here


Juan Pelota's 1st New Year's Day Ride
Tickets (FREE and there will also be free coffee: Info here

Ok so, CLEARLY, there's a loooot going on in this town on New Year's Eve. Austin Eavesdropper will be hitting up two house parties, but if I weren't doing that, I would:

• Probably go to Second Sunday Sock Hop, because you can dress up in a big poofy skirt and dance 'til you're red and sweaty. Is like heaven for me!
• If not that, it's a toss-up between The Parish, Stubb's (Black Joe Lewis and Hard Proof Afrobeat), and Red 7. "stABBA," if you're not familiar, is a metal ABBA cover band. RIGHT. Awesome.
• I feel like every Austinite (and everyone who gets the chance) should see Scott Biram once in their lives. He's a crazy one-man rock, punk, and blues show. Also, R. told me that he survived being hit by a truck once. I'm pretty sure this is true.
• I have always wanted to go to First Night, which is like a big citywide art party. Someday I will. My artistic, magic fairy-like friend Sarah went the first year, and said it was amazing. Sarah, unlike me, is not given to hyperbole and mad exaggeration so when she says "amazing" I believe her. I need to tell you guys about Sarah sometime.

Birds of Paradise.

It is a fact that I've always loved cross-dressers.

There are a few reasons for this. A) While growing up, there was a Moseley family tradition of getting dressed up in costumes for Christmas cards. While most families were posing in front of the the Christmas tree, or perhaps in front of a fireplace mantle, I was putting fruit on my head with my parents and dressing up as Carmen Miranda.

That man on the right? ....Is my father. Isn't he sort of precious? Are you noticing that his lipstick is the brightest??

As you can see, from a young age, I was exposed to men wearing women's clothing for a variety of occasions, including the birth of Christ.

B) My favorite Popple was always Rockstar Popple, who was kind of like the Ziggy Stardust of the Popple world. Androgynous and glittery and awesome.

C) Mom and I both love the movie To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar (RIP Patrick Swayze). Have you seen it? If not, stop reading this post, drive to the nearest video rental store, and GET IT. So funny! You will never look at Wesley Snipes the same way again, who is sister sassypants all the way through. Also, Patrick Swayze is a gorgeous woman. Coincidentally - or not - this movie released the same year that above Christmas card picture was taken, making me wonder if the one did not perhaps inspire the other.

So it comes as no surprise that this is my very favorite clip from BBC's Planet Earth, and quite possibly my favorite clip from anything, ever. (Thank you thank you Heather and Eric for giving Planet Earth to R. and I for Christmas!)


I cannot tell you how much I want one of these birds as a pet. Wouldn't it be so great to come home to one of these fancy guys? I would clap for him and make him puff himself out for me again and again.

I die, revive myself, and die again around minute 2:32 when David Attenborough goes, "oh dear. Her departure says it all." Poor bird of paradise.

I love East Side Show Room, even when you have to wait.

It's true. You do have to wait a while to get your food, or even your drink, at East Side Show Room.

But I don't care. I love it anyway.

Last night, I joined a handful of friends at ESSR while R. stayed home and practiced drums. Have I told you about R. and his drum zen state? I don't think I have. Well, this man can play drums for hours, which is equal parts unfathomable and astounding to a person like me, a person with the attention span/memory of a goldfish. I have always hoped that by marrying him some of his super hobby powers will rub off on me, and I think it's working because, guess what? This blog just had it's two-year-old birthday! Good job, blog.

Anyway, Kerissa - cute short black bob below - made it into a lot of these pictures, as well she should. She's a teacher and she works for Filter! Talk about hip. You'll also see friends Andrew, Marty, and Frank.

Marty and Frank are on the bottom right, and don't you love the quizzical look Frank is giving him? Especially since Marty is grinning madly. Almost like he's UP to something.

More very adorable people, Chris and Ashley. You may remember Ashley from when we were talking about red lips a while ago, and she inspired me to try out red lips too. I think we are on the verge of a tidier street style here in Austin, and red lips are just the beginning.

Also, you would have loved this so much Reader. There was a jug band playing at ESSR, and while I'm not certain of this I'm going to venture a guess and say they were No Prospects. ESSR's website calendar doesn't say for sure but judging by the band's description this sounds about right. Anyway, a while back, you know how The Gourds did a cover of "Gin & Juice" and essentially blew everyone's mind? Well....

That is a picture of No Prospects covering Ludacris' "What's Your Fantasy!" It was GENIUS and very much a crowd sing-along. (It's a little embarrassing to open your mouth and realize you know every word to that dirty, filthy song.)

Finally, we made a New Year's Resolution list. This was a collective effort made by all of the lovely people here who I did and did not get pictures of, as well as a second group I like to call "The Gang," i.e. a stack of postcards with pictures of 70's catalogue men that I carry around for laughs. The Gang was featured on my wedding invitations and now they are helping turn New Year's Resolutions into reality. I'll show them to you sometime as truly, there's not much The Gang can't do. Except look bad in tidy whities.

I'm afraid to tell you that my resolution for 2010 is frightfully vague - "BALANCE" - but, oh well. I'm thinking it'll be more like a mantra as that is what I need sometimes.

The most wonderful thing happened.

You guys!

Something MAGICAL happened on Christmas. (Besides it snowing in Dallas while self was there! But this is even bigger).

R. and I have these two best friends, Kim and Jason, whom we met five and 1/2 years ago. You see, R., Jason and I used to be teachers at this little school together in Hyde Park. R. taught music (which he still does), I taught yoga, and Jason pretty much taught everything. Kim is Jason's girlfriend, and the first time I met her, she was dressed as Superwoman for a Halloween party our school was having....a fact that makes me smile to this day.

And now, Kim and Jason are ENGAGED!

That is Kim's hand and her new ring, and here is a picture of Jason basically being a rockstar.

He plays in a band with R., who is their drummer! This was at Club DeVille, and you can kind of see DeVille's cave-like wall in the background.

And here is a summery picture of Kim and I and several friends from a few months ago. Kim is in a happy face shirt, and I'm in orange right next to her.

Kim has the greatest life stories of anyone I've ever met. I'm always begging her to let me write her memoirs. Whenever she goes on a trip, she always comes back with some new adventure tale or a fresh piece of endearing ridiculousness that a family member said. She also does hilarious impressions, and when she and Jason are both around they are so funny together than my stomach and cheeks hurt and I have to beg them to stop!

Jason writes songs for people, and he even wrote one for my birthday last year. If you ever go to a Lennings show here in Austin you might hear the song "B12," which is about Kim.

This is Kim and Jason at R. and I's wedding two years ago. Don't they already look smashing?

I can't wait to see what their own wedding will be like. I feel so lucky to know these two talented, beautiful individuals. They are both the type of people that make you feel so good about yourself, even if all you do is sit there and laugh at THEM and the delightful things they say.

"CongratuJasons!" I love you two very much!

Bacon: Taking over Austin, Texas?

Have any of you seen Attack of the Killer Tomatoes?

The film's creator, Costa Dillon, graduated from the same place I got my Masters degree, UC Davis. (I'm sure there are a few degrees between us to Kevin Bacon somewhere). If you knew the reverence with which UC Davis regards its agricultural department, this fact would not surprise you.

Anyway, it occurred to me today that bacon (not Kevin) is establishing a similar reign over Austin, Texas. Whether that reign will continue as one of benevolence or one of terror is yet to be seen. Here are the facts:

• Gourdough's offers a Flying Pig donut, topped with maple syrup icing and bacon. I believe it is a distant - albeit classier - cousin of Sonic's pancake-and-sausage-on-a-stick.

• Whole Foods Market Downtown served, for a time last May, Dark Chocolate with Bacon and Marshmallows gelato. Which I tried, and it was really good.

• MisoHungry's Jennie Chen brought chocolate, bacon, and beer cupcakes to the first Bleet-Up back in July. Self also tried those, and found them incredibly delightful!
  

Photo credit: RomanReign.com

• Eat This Lens' Marshall Wright prepared bacon and chocolate chip cookies for a recent cookie swap, according to the Statesman's Addie Broyles.

• Frank on 4th and Colorado makes a drink called a "Red-Headed Stranger" (wink!) prepared with bloody mary mix, cheddar cheese, bacon, and bacon-infused Dripping Springs Vodka. Did you catch that? Bacon. Infused. VODKA.

Photo credit: BootsInTheOven.com

• A small gas station near my house, on the corner of 45th and Duval (not sure what the name is, but judging by the copious number of international flags hanging outside you might mistake it for a mini UN), sells bars of Vosges' "Mo's Bacon Bar," i.e. applewood-smoked bacon combined with milk chocolate.

• Big Top Candy Shop on South Congress sells chocolate-covered bacon. (Breathless reviews abound on Yelp.)

Photo credit: MoxyJane at Flickr.com

• Finally, this fact isn't specific to Austin, but NPR did a story earlier this month about bacon being the en vogue dessert ingredient. The same story includes a recipe for Peanut Butter Maple Bacon Fudge, which sounds both ridiculously unhealthy and KIND OF AMAZING.

My gorgeous and hilarious friend Anna recently wrote in an email, "I am so happy that even in a city full of health-conscious vegans (and the home to Whole Foods, no less!) that there is still a great appreciation of nature's fattiest and most delicious meat." Indeed! We do love bacon, it appears. Which presents an interesting gastronomic dichotomy between our ever-enduring vegans and raw foodies, and our newly-proud carnivores.

I've always been a salt-craving type of person, so these rather tasteful bacon creations would likely all be welcome to my palate. I wonder, though, if there are more over-the-top manifestations of the bacon craze that I just haven't heard of yet? Is any place in Austin cooking up bacon crème brûlée? Bacon bananas foster? Bacon-tinis? (Looking in your direction, Bill Norris).

If so, I would love to go A) eat it, and B) take a picture of it.

Speaking of pictures, I've been photographing things non-stop with my new Holga camera and can't wait to post some of the pics for you!! It feels like a little toy. The plastic-y "click" and manual "crank, crank" sound when I wind it haven't convinced me that it's actually capturing images, but that's probably because I'm a jaded 21st century photography consumer and only trust the near-silent magic of digital playthings. I halfway expect to open up my developed film roll next week at Precision, and instead of pictures, pull out ViewMaster slides of The Muppets or something.

Admit it. You're excited!

This trailer leaves much to the imagination. Oh, the staples are all there: shot of Carrie's closet, shot of Big in limo, shot of Samantha exchanging looks with young chap in cougar-like fashion. And then - cut to camels and the desert?

The girls are headed to Iraq!

.....or Dubai, but that's a wild guess. However, a few things are certain. Miranda's hair and make-up get better every day. Charlotte likes to make cupcakes. Head wraps are IN.

These, friends, are facts. Facts we can trust.

Opens in Austin (and everywhere) May 2010.

Lazy Saturday playing with presents.

Welcome back to the interwebs, Austinites! And everyone! Did you have a good holiday?

R. and I were in the Dallas/Fort Worth-ish area on Christmas Eve, where it...snowed. This was very different snow from the light (imagined?) sprinkling we experienced here in Austin three weeks ago. This was a REAL LIVE ALL-DAY LONG snow, i.e., my very first White Christmas ever. Were any of you displaced Austinites out there witnessing it?

For Christmas, R. gave me a Holga camera!!

I am going to Precision Camera & Video today after I finish this blog post to buy film for it.

Also, my adorable just-returned-from-Costa-Rica-on-a-language-immersion-program Daddy brought me back a little pouch purse that's the exact right size for my new Holga baby:

And my mom, from whom I directly inherited my obsession with thrift stores, gave me these awesome vintage earrings:

Speaking of vintage! I gave myself a Merry Christmas at Buffalo Exchange last week with these faded black jeans with zippers at the ankle.

And...to top off this downright vintage-y circus, Gary sent me this video yesterday, "Une Very Stylish Fille." Do you love?

Finally. On Christmas Eve, my wonderful mother-in-law gave R. and I this rad indoor, hydroponic HERB GARDEN!

We have been wanting to be more garden-enjoying people but have yet to set up a garden at home, so this is a perfect solution. Our kit also came with a flashy cookbook that tells us how to make things out of our fresh herbs! Now Reader, I am not a gifted cook, but what would you be more likely to come over and eat if I made it for you: Creamy Zucchini and Basil Soup or Roasted Garlic Thyme Soup?

Off to go purchase film for the new Holga baby!

Are you listening to Corto Maltese yet?

Because if not, you should be.

The first time I saw Austin's Corto Maltese perform was at the Bleet-Up, and Richard had booked them. I thought, "whatever that's cool, I trust your taste," but I had never heard them before.

Oh my God.

They played a 45 minute set at the Bleet-Up, and I would have given anything if it could have been longer. Many, many people compare their sound to the Arcade Fire, which is true some of the time - for energetic, dancy songs like "Providence" and "The Kiss Off," I suppose. But I dig the ever so slightly dark stuff, like "Answer Answer." Ben Maddox's voice reminds me of Jeff Buckley - croony and soft sometimes, desperate and jagged elsewhere - underlining my current preference for bands with good singers. Don't get me wrong, many bands here in Austin have their drum, guitar, keys and bass chops - but I really respect male frontmen who spend time developing their voices. Bands like Corto and The Temper Trap. Do you ever find that you expect bands here to be generally good at their instruments, but have lower expectations for voices? I don't know why this is, exactly. Maybe because mastering one's voice doesn't deliver quite the thrill of mastering a complex guitar solo or drum fill. (Or, maybe it does?)

At any rate. When a frontman does open his mouth, and something gorgeous comes out, it's a pleasant surprise. (It's also a pleasant surprise when the band happens to be hot, but that's neither here nor there.)

For the music lovers in your life, I highly recommend giving them a Corto Maltese's EP for Christmas. You can buy it here.

And for daytime diversion, go listen to some Corto Maltese samples here.

Merry Christmas to the most stylish person you know: Inglenook Decor

Something I have always admired about Austinites, and stylish people in general, is how thoughtfully they put together their homes. From the local blogging duo over at Design Crisis to quirky Austin shops like Aviary and Room Service, originality is the order of the day here in central Texas. Think about it: Where else could you fuse both cowboy chic and old Hollywood glamour in one glorious space? (And here Reader, we are referring to Roar Salon -- Rory McNeil's dreamy little 5th St. shop).

I still have a LOT to learn about turning out my own space, but until it is decidedly fabulous, I like speaking with people who've got the design strategery thing down. Enter Austinite Maureen Toribio, owner/founder of Inglenook Décor. Right now ID is an online shop, but she dreams of turning it into a bricks-and-mortar outfit and I think we should support that dream. I mean.....right??

Right. Adorbs. It's a little Anthropologie, a little Grandma's attic, and a little brilliant flea market find. (Funnily enough I wrote a blog post last week over on Heartless Doll about Anthropologie, and why it makes me feel insecure. But Maureen makes me feel empowered, because she's a one-woman operation who goes out and finds all this stuff herself!)

Maureen chatted recently with Austin Eavesdropper about Inglenook Décor, which, if you haven't already, is a great stop for last-minute Christmas shopping (and while you're there read her very fun design blog). Oh, and you know that photo collage at the top? THAT'S HER HOUSE! Girlfriend knows what's up.

1. First things first, Maureen: How long has your business been in operation, and what has the reception been so far?

Well, I had a different site prior to the one you see now earlier this year but I shut it down as it wasn’t the feel I wanted. I re-launched (and revamped!) the site and made it live July 15. The reception has been tremendous, especially with local press and also with the blog community. I am so grateful for my blog friends who have given me and the shop amazing support and virtually did free press for me in the online world.

2. I understand that you are currently a physical therapist. I am amazed you do that, and run this whole business on the side! Why did you decide to take the leap (into décor entrepreneurship)?

Ha! Ha! My co-workers used to kid me that I am Miss 100% Productive. Last September, I was no longer working physically at the practice and just performing a few administrative tasks remotely. It was such a drastic change for me. It seems like I can manage my time better if I’m doing so many things at one time! Does that make sense?

As far as leaping into the décor world, it’s a little cliché to say this, but I believe everybody should follow their bliss (no ifs, no buts)…so I did!

3. The items on your site are pretty darn cute. Where do you find them? (It looks like you peruse Parisian markets and hipper-than-hip SoHo flea markets!)

Awww, it makes my heart flutter to hear comments like these! Needless to say, I “peruse” a lot! I love going to different places (especially quaint little towns) and the first place I look for is their antique alley and flea markets. I do hope to travel more a la Keith Johnson of Anthropologie (but at a much tighter budget!). A friend and I are planning a trip to Morocco in the spring. I’m super psyched! I also go to different wholesale markets. There’s one in Chicago, Vegas, New York, Atlanta, etc.

4. Do you buy for a variety of tastes, and if so, which ones?

Not necessarily a variety of tastes; I think it’s for the different facets of a modern chic. She is creative and bohemian at times, classy and sophisticated without being too out of reach (and yes her fashion and décor doesn’t break the bank) plus she can be sweet and romantic, too!.

5. How would you describe your own home décor style?

Urban cottage is how I would describe it. It’s minimalist without being too cold, cottage chic without being frou frou. Our current place is a work in progress so it’s not together yet but here’s a few things I have so far (refer to picture at the top).

Clockwise from top left: My always messy home office, ledge display, our bathroom wallpaper, my yellow birdcage follows me everywhere, starting a collage of old postcards we’ve traveled to, our bed---headboard just came in, nightstand (loved Domino! Sigh!).

6. I liked the blog post you did recently on things you are thankful for, where you mentioned your design heroes. Who are those heroes?

Miles Redd is my new designer crush. His prediction for 2010 is Baroque Minimalism. I love that! Rococo mixed with clean lines, that’s sort of the vision of the shop. And Eddie Ross! He seems so friendly and relatable. He was the style editor for Martha Stewart Living and has stints at HGTV, he loves flea market shopping adn has dedicated his blog to his escapades.

7. Speaking of your posting, your blog is SUPER CUTE, it is like eye candy / porn for me! Who are some of your favorite sites on the interwebs for finding inspiration?

Gosh, much thanks! I’m quite embarrassed as I’m not able to blog often or do daily reads. I’m telling you, décor & fashion bloggers abound and everyone has something different to offer. It’s so hard to pick a favorite. I do love Sarah Klassen. Her style, both for fashion and interior are so refreshing, plus she’s sort of become a friend, too! At Home with Kim Vallee is cool. The Paris Apartment, Eddie Ross and Antiques Diva, also. Not necessarily for the eye candy but their amazing travels and finding neat stuff. That’s something I can totally relate to! Oh and these are not blogs, but Flickr, of course and www.inhabitat.com.

8. I read on your site that you eventually want to turn your online business into a bricks-and-mortar establishment. What are you envisioning? Décor shop-cum-bakery? Salon-style French coffee shop? I want this place to exist.

Yup, that’s the plan. I also want a catalog. But as far as a storefront, yea, I’m envisioning that it has a courtyard and outdoor café (cobblestone walkways, topiaries everywhere, fountains sigh!) Enjoy a café au lait, some beignets, nutella crepes, french macaroons, yum! Oh and I want it to be a hub for DIY’ers and décor enthusiasts. Yes, I want it to exist, too…maybe someday soon!

Thank you Maureen for stopping by Austin Eavesdropper!