ACL Download: Day 2. This is probably why I'm not a professional music journalist.

Hello, I am 13 years old. A 13 year-old boy.

While watching The XX yesterday, I took 17 pictures of this naked inflatable blow-up doll.  It was acting as a place-marker for a group of friends, and according to my photos, commanded a little more attention from my camera than the band itself.

Heh.  That one is my favorite.

Anyway.  In the middle of The XX's set, I squeezed my way out of the crowd with my buddy Dan. He needed a beer, and I needed to catch the last few songs of The Temper Trap's set.

Now: A word on The Temper Trap. I'd like to share with you a photo I took at SXSW 2009, right before the band popped. This was pre-Diet Coke commercial, pre-500 Days of Summer soundtrack.

(I'm sorry the photo is so crooked. I went through this phase in 2009 where I thought tilted pictures looked really cool, but now I see they just force you to tilt your head sideways).

Note how close I am to the stage in this picture. I took this with no zoom, inside the diviest of 6th St. dive bars, Dirty Dog. Note also the discernible amount of physical space between each audience member.

At that show, I remember turning to Ross and saying, "I feel like I'm part of something important right now." Because it's true, I was completely blown away by them. Dougy Mandagi, the lead singer, turned around and played the drums at one point along WITH the real drummer, and I thought: "Dear God. Who are these guys?"

THIS was their audience yesterday.

My, how times have changed for The Temper Trap!

I ran into them at the Rock the Vote Nights party last night, and congratulated them on how far they've come in just a year and a half.  Somehow, this devolved into a discussion about haggis. That Scottish dish made out of a sheep's heart and lungs. It was a pretty solid interview.

Speaking of bands who popped at SXSW 2009, Local Natives were also at last night's Rock the Vote party - and put on one of my favorite performances of the whole weekend.

I'm quickly beginning to latch onto these intimate small-venue parties that have risen up around ACL proper. Austin is a little city, mind you, so there's really only a limited number of places you can do stuff like this - and American Legion Hall, in the very second story room where Local Natives played last night, was the exact same room where two friends of got married last summer. Back in July, I stood in a quiet, reverent circle in the room's perimeter, watching Karl and Rendi sway to the beat of their first married couple dance; last night, I jumped up and down in that room with a hundred sweaty bodies to the frenetic drumming of Local Natives.

In all of Austin, this one room, in this one house, is a very sacred spot for me.

Local Natives were so thankful during their set, repeating over and over again how much they loved Austin. We were drunk with flattery.

Outside, Megan saw one of them, and insisted I interview him. She tapped him on the shoulder.

"HEY. DO YOU READ BLOGS." (This was her opener).

"...yes?" he responded politely.

"THIS GIRL HAS A BLOG!" (Now pointing in my general direction).

"Hello," he said.

"Hi. Your set. It was really good!!" (Last two words pronounced in high-pitched squeal).

"Thank you!" he said.

"How does it feel to be a rockstar?" (Pause while I considered a point of clarification)--

"A curly-headed rockstar?"

Quickly realize that qualifier was a mistake.

"Um...I guess it feels pretty great!"

"HEY. WILL YOU TAKE A PICTURE WITH US." (Megan again).

From left: Ari from Republic of Austin, Megan, Ryan Hahn from Local Natives, me.

Thank you, Ryan, for not punching us in the face. And being generally lovely.

Last day of ACL is today! Off to go get ready for that. Step One is changing out of pajamas.

We try new restaurant Urban, and, what makes a "foodie?"

Last week, Megan and I joined a few other bloggers in town to try out Urban, a new restaurant inside The Westin, which technically speaking, is inside of The Domain.  Did you just get a vision of a Russian doll?  Because I did.

Anywho.  We were lucky enough to sit with Becky Bullard from Texanthropology, who is also an Austinist food writer and Examiner drinks writer, as well as her friend Jessica.  Before our samples arrived, we got to pondering this matter: Just what, exactly, makes a foodie?

But like I am about to do with you, we were suddenly interrupted by gorgeous food before we could dive too deeply into that question.

Grilled Crab Cake with Avocado, Micro Cilantro, and "Dynamite" Sauce. "Dynamite?" Yes, dynamite. To indicate a flavor explosion, if you will, and after licking it off my spoon, I'd say that's an accurate description.

Texas Quail, with Green Tomato Chow Chow, Grits, Guajillo Honey.  Teehee, "chow chow." I have no idea what that means!  But let's pretend we do anyway. The chow chow was fabulous!

Seared Tuna.

Bar Steak with Chile Arbol Chimichurri, and Sweet Corn Bisque. Let me tell you something. That bisque was ridonkulous. We all decided to call it not bisque, but rather, a "little bowl of heaven."  I wish I could reach out of the computer screen and offer you a spoonful of this amazing bisque.

(PS. Are you wondering why these food photos are in a completely different, altogether better league than the photos you normally see on Austin Eavesdropper?  That is because Megan took them. Isn't she too good.)

Chef Mizael Saucedo, who put together the sample menu for the evening, came to Urban from Bess Bistro - Sandra Bullock's restaurant.  For dessert, he served us Avocado Tres Leches, far and away my favorite dish of the night.  We heard that Mizael used his mom's classic Tres Leches recipe, and when he added the avocado, his mom got mad at him.  Well.  What the dish loses in classic form, it gains in screams of ecstasy.  I am being serious.

There are no words for Avocado Tres Leches.  Only guttural sounds. We were so taken with it, we forgot to take a picture.

Alright, so back to our original question.  What makes a foodie?

Here is my opinion.  I think most people are snobby about something.  Me?  Books.  I'm sorry, I don't like Twilight.  Oh well.  But television?  Five words: The Real Housewives of New York.  See?  I'm kind of a dumbass in that department.

(My mom is the most hilarious example of this high culture/low culture thing, by the way. Namely when it comes to movies.  She loves Big Night, Happiness, these two French flicks she's been raving about ... but, also, White Chicks.  Yes.  THAT White Chicks.  As in, starring the Wayans brothers).

So "food" is one of those things, I think, where if you train your palate long enough on high quality versions of things, you get to become a "foodie." The only time this gets tricky is when people have different definitions of "quality."  Which to you, might mean "local," but to someone else, might mean: "imported from its country of origin." Gruyère cheese that actually comes from the town of Gruyères, for instance.

What do you think makes a foodie?

Oh, and! I almost forgot to thank lovely Jetté Momant, for inviting us out, and putting this lovely tasting at Urban together. Thank you dearly, Jetté!

Grab your best Never-Nudes and hop on a Segway immediately.

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Do you want to know what one of the best YouTube videos of all time is?

Ross and I could seriously watch this for HOURS.

Afterwards, we always walk around the house going, "What the F!"

So when I got an email in my inbox this week that the Society of American Magicians was throwing the First Annual Austin Street Magic Festival this weekend, I knew I had to share!

Ok, so, the art of ILLUSION is not a hobby I necessarily practice myself.  But if I had a kid, I would totally take he / she to the Street Magic Festival. Heck, I might even borrow a random child from somebody and hit this up.

Also? In addition to the street festival, The Texas Association of Magicians is having a convention this weekend. I didn't even know there was such an association!

from today through monday:

* Texas Association of Magicians 2010 Convention, Sheraton Hotel, 701 11th.

* Single ticket shows and close-up magic performances. Tickets here.

(My very favorite, favorite show listing of all is: "MAX MAVEN, Thinking in Person: An Evening of Knowing and Not Knowing.")

If you go, maybe you’ll learn how to saw yourself in half—under the clause of silence, of course.  

*Special thanks to Megan for contributing facts and wit to this post!

TOMORROW: After Crystal Castles, Art Versus Industry brings the pain.

Ok, fellow former teenagers of the '90s. Who here gets a little bit excited when NIN comes on the radio?

I certainly do. "Closer" is, in fact, my karaoke song of choice, even though when I look out at the audience, I see concerned faces. That's because my rendition involves a lot of growling.

So when Art Versus Industry, a local pop/goth/synth outfit known for their NIN channeling, let us know they were playing the Crystal Castles after show on Wednesday -- well, I admit I was intrigued. That's because their lyrics are very emotional, very non-ironic, which is unusual here in Austin. And, refreshing. Because sometimes I get bored with irony, you know? Sometimes I want PAIN. Not very often, but sometimes, when I fear I'm walking around with a bit too much ennui.

Ever-fabulous Eavesdropper Megan interviewed the trio, so I'll let you listen in on their conversation. Here she is, being hilarious as usual:

If Trent Reznor and Robert Smith had a baby, it would be a machine…obviously. And this baby machine would grow up and play music. Throw in a light show that rivals Ghostland Observatory’s and you have Art Versus Industry, a sophisticated, dark band that really isn’t anything like Trent Reznor or Robert Smith. If it were up to me, I would categorize their music as highbrow goth avant-garde punk pop synthesized, or HGAGPPS for short--but don’t you dare simplify it to just ‘electronic rock’. Hell, nah.

Art Versus Industry will be playing the after show at Stubb’s after Crystal Castles this Wednesday, August 11th. Their performance is something to behold. Check them out. Then get their album when it releases around September 28th (1st EP of two). (Interesting fact: it’s currently being mixed in NYC's Avatar Studios where noted notables such as the Kings Of Leon and Paul McCartney record.)

But before that, learn all their secrets:

Art Versus Industry only formed just last March, and yet you’re already opening for
Crystal Castles. Is Satan your overlord?

Avi:  (Laughs) We all serve many masters, in fact, we’re all paying off our debts with interest at an APR of eternal infinity.

Matt:  Nintendo is my overlord.

Nick:  It turns out Satan is a sucker for sexual favors.  But seriously things have happened pretty quickly for this band.  I think we have managed to strike a chord with those who might have heard our music or seen us live and it has just spread by word of mouth.

Avi: We’re beyond fortunate and are excited to be a part of this show- we really don't take it for granted.

I can’t seem to find only one or two words that encapsulate Art Versus Industry.  You’re like highbrow goth avant-garde punk pop synthesized, or HGAGPPS for short. How would you describe your music?

Nick:  I love that description!  I think that once people can find only one or two words that pigeonhole our sound, then I think it’s time we got more creative.   I would definitely classify us as a rock band.  I don't like getting into sub genres and sub categories when we never really set out trying to write songs that would fit a certain type of style or sound.  I just describe it as ‘death by synth’.

Matt: Our music is way too hard to encapsulate.   It really is song-specific really, such as trip-hop/goth, avant-garde/electronica , trance/punk, etc.   So maybe just electronic rock to be simple—but that’s a grave injustice to what we’re doing.

Avi:  Wow.  That's single-handedly the crème de la crème of musical categorization.  I don’t even think we’re worthy of such a category, but I’ll take it.

In all seriousness, there are elements of everything in what we do.  I like to describe what we do as ‘the future’.  What is the point of limitation when we can channel everything we love about Wu Tang Clan, The Beatles, and Rasputina in the same song without resorting to self masturbatory, pretentious snootiness?   I’m a sucker for great hooks and pop sensibility, so we focus on writing good songs alongside our ambition to do something challenging, innovative, and unique.
On a sidenote, you think we can get Waterloo to put us in the "HGAGPPS" section? (Looks at Nick & Matt)

Your shows are more like performances, really, combining primal beats with theatrical lighting. Is it a collaborative effort? 

Matt:  Having our shows being theatrical performances, rather than the lackluster plug and play was definitely a conscious decision on our part.  It not only gives our audience what they deserve, but we also get what we want.  We all have great respect for bands that go above and beyond in a live setting and provide an escape from reality for their concert-goers.   We hope to captivate minds at every show, presenting something that meets our standards in what we'd expect to see if we were coming from the audience's perspective.

Nick: Absolutely, we collectively decide on how each song should sound and look live. We put a lot of time and effort into our live shows and we are really proud of the end result; which is exactly why you should come see us play with Crystal Castles this Wednesday.

Avi: Just to resonate on what Nick and Matt said; this entire beast is the culmination of three people united by our love for music and all that it has to offer.  We all collectively vow to ensure every body in attendance is entertained and continually push ourselves to deliver “shows” that are larger than life, despite the setting.  Even coffee shops are targeted prey to our strobes.

You’re compared to NIN-a lot. Is that fair? Was that a huge influence or just one of many?

Matt:  The NIN comparison is flattering, but I think often overused simply because of a general lack of awareness in this specific scene of music.  There’s no possible any modern musician has not been influenced one way or another by NIN, but they are just a small part of the complex puzzle of influences to our art.

Nick: I feel that the comparison to NIN is a huge compliment but at the same time I think this comparison only happens because that is the one and only point of reference the general public has for music like this.  I personally think that the two bands are tremendously different, and I think people will think the same once the Art Versus Industry record is released.  I come from a completely different musical background so they weren't a huge influence for me.  I do love me some Josh Freese though.

Avi: Personally, it’s endearing to be associated in the same ballpark as NIN.  There’s a lot worse to be compared to.  I’m just a fan of music that pushes boundaries in general and I’m fortunate to have developed a varied sonic palette and have a pretty wide range of appreciation.  Reznor is undoubtedly an artist that had caused a paradigm shift in our pop culture and we hope to do the same in some impactful capacity.  My primary influence has always been life and experience; hopefully that honesty shines through in what we do.

Thanks to Art Versus Industry for photos.

TONIGHT: Zombie jazz in Austin.

Hi all!

Megan joins us again today for an interview. With LADY. F-ING. GAGA.

I'm just kidding. World, meet Father Figures, a "zombie jazz" band playing this weekend in Austin.

Now people, have you ever been to The Elephant Room on Congress? Well, this post has nothing to do with The Elephant Room, or Congress, but since we're about to discuss jazz I feel the need to inform Austin's hipster contingent about this (literally) underground den of thrills. It was where Ross and I went on our very first "friend date," followed a few days after that by our first PROPER date. And here I am referring to Team America.

Anyway, this is all to say I'm really happy that a hip little Brooklyn band is bringing jazz to Red River's strip of beer-soaked, tight-panted, SXSW-tred music venues. Here's Megan with a little some-in' some-in' from Father Figures, and hopefully, you'll be as pleased as I am that parts of this interview are kind of hilarious.

From Megan: 

Last January, some merry pranksters hacked into the City of Austin’s electronic road signs so that commuters would read “Zombies ahead! Run” when driving to work. When I first read that story, I was secretly delighted -- even beaming like a proud parent, as being a resident of Austin automatically grants you the right to take credit for any and all of its Awesomeness.

In the same vein, Brooklyn is like a sister city to Austin, and I feel a sense of kinship whenever her eclectic talent makes its way to Austin. When I heard about ‘zombie jazz’ by the Brooklyn-based band Father Figures, I had to hear them for myself.

Since they swing into town tonight for their Austin tour stop (details at the bottom), the fine young men of Father Figures (Adam Schatz, Jas Walton, Ross Edwards, Spencer Zahn and Ian Chang) took the time to answer some of my pressing questions. Check out our conversation below, and see you tonight at the show.

The song “Flight of the Tumbleweed” charms me, and it’s not just because I own cowboy boots. Did you write this song just for me?

Yes we did. It's a combination of our affinity for really awful plays on words and brief compositions that motivate improvisation in fun ways.

Did that answer your question?

For now. Moving on…you’re neither zombies nor is your music entirely jazz. Discuss.

Well, to be fair, you don't know that we're not zombies. I'm pretty sure we aren't. (Though we could turn at any moment.) The genre ‘zombie jazz’ represents our music stemming from jazz's history of strong melody and improvisation, and combines it with a zombie's instinctual and often destructive energy and motivation. It's a little ambiguous, but I think we've been growing into the term, and when we explain this to people after we play, it seems to make more sense.

Austin might be known as the live music capital of the world, but almost every band out of Brooklyn proves it has a fair share of eclectic talent. How does your band stand out?

We're bringing improvisation to the rock clubs. Not solos, not free jazz, but improvisation; where the band collectively composes together, pushes one other with our sounds, ideas, and, occasionally pre-determined improvisational cues. We weave from our composed music in and out of the improvised, without it being totally clear as to which is which, creating a new plane of sonic spectacle. It's been a blast to bring our music to spaces that have been presenting rock bands and use the energy of the space to help make our music for different people in each city.

How do you plan to conquer Austin when you play on July 31st?

We're ALSO playing on July 30th! At Headhunters. 10 pm. How about that??

Also, Jas says: “Artillary first. Then we send in the calvalry. Then the infantry. Then the saxophone section.”

Also, Ross says: “We'll convince the Austinites to conquer themselves.”

But I think we'll just eat all of your breakfast tacos.

What do you hope the immediate future holds for Father Figures, aside from breakfast tacos, tequila, and Barton Springs?

Barton Springs! Let me add that to the list.

This was our first major tour, and we've just released our first record, a vinyl double LP on Museum People records, a label I started with a fellow in Japan (order it at www.museum-people.com). It's the dawning of a new era for us for sure. The uphill battle we face is getting folks in the DIY rock world to let us in, even though we have saxophones and stuff.

We always work better with other rock bands than with other instrumental groups, so the next step is to try and get an open-minded booking agent and record label interested in what we're doing, to help push us further into that scene. Folks are definitely ready, so we'll see what happens, but no matter what,we're just going to keep playing and having a blast doing it. We're also going to start work on a new record in the fall.

FATHER FIGURES in Austin

Friday, July 30th at Headhunters, 10 pm

Saturday, July 31st at Club 1808 with No Mas Bodas and Plutonium Farmers, 8 pm

Your food recipes at Arthouse Texas.

Happy Friday, all!

New Eavesdropper contributor, Megan, has two posts today. The first is about an in-progress art exhibit happening at Arthouse Texas, and it's calling for YOUR favorite food recipes.

I joked with Megan that I was going to submit my mom's Better Than Sex chocolate cake (actual name of recipe), but now - I think it might not be a joke.

Because that cake really does belong in a museum.

Read below, then tell us:

what's your favorite recipe?

From Megan!:

To anyone who has somewhat of an interest in this thing we call food: Would you like to stuff your face with Better Than Sex chocolate cake? What ingredients comprise the $25,000 Pie? Will you make me some Porcupine Meatballs? Do you think that Prince eats?

If none of this sounds interesting, you’re clearly a robot. Or Prince. If your curiosity is piqued by any of the above recipe titles, or if you think you can top that, you’re in luck.

New York-based artist Jason Middlebrook is seeking submissions of family recipes for his latest project: a massive drawing incorporating these recipes as well as a communal pot luck dinner featuring a few lucky chosen ones. This is all part of the inaugural exhibition in Arthouse’s new second floor gallery.

The dinner will be held in November, but the deadline for submitting a recipe is this Saturday, July 31st. Please submit your favorite or most memorable recipe along with the name(s) of who passed it down to you.  

You may also include an anecdote of why this recipe is important to you, what memories it conjures, or a story of when it was served.

*The recipes don’t have to be unusual or have epic titles, either. They just have to be what you consider tasty or perhaps have a sentimental tinge.*

Please email your recipe by Saturday, July 31 to Middlebrook.Arthouse@gmail.com, or send to Arthouse, PO Box 160490, Austin, TX 78716. Also include your name, phone number and email address.

ABOUT JASON MIDDLEBROOK

Jason Middlebrook was born in Jackson, Michigan in 1966 and lives and works in Hudson, New York.  His work, which has been shown extensively in the United States and Europe, typically features found and recycled everyday materials that are redeployed to reveal practices of overconsumption and the points at which culture and nature collide.

ABOUT ARTHOUSE

Arthouse creates meaningful opportunities to investigate and experience the art of our time through exhibitions, programs and commissions of new work.   All exhibitions and programs at Arthouse are free and open to the public.

FACILITY INFORMATION

Arthouse at the Jones Center is located at 700 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX  78701.  Arthouse is closed temporarily for an extensive renovation and expansion designed by LTL Architects and will reopen in fall 2010.

SUPPORT
Arthouse Season Sponsors:  Austin Ventures, Roger Beasley Highline Group, Four Hands Home, Guerilla Suit, Intercontinental Hotel – Stephen F. Austin, and Jones Villalta Funds.

Photo credit here. 

Introducing MEGAN.

Happy Thursday evening, friends. Have I ever told you about my friend Megan?

Wait - yes. Yes I did. Megan and I have known each other for years, and were even roommates at one point, here in Austin.  Megan's good at a lot of things, including but not limited to competitive karaoke singing, but this email below basically sums up why I love her so much.

(Note: "spark" means instant message).

She emailed me that two weeks ago, and I am STILL dying, sitting here posting it.

Anyway! Megan will now be joining us here on Austin Eavesdropper, joining the ranks of our other beloved Eavesdroppers, GARY! and Breanna. We're like a little harem!  Except the man in our group is gay.

Megan has two - count 'em, TWO - posts going up tomorrow, and both are really fun. The first is about Arthouse Texas, and a new art project they're hosting that involves YOUR (imagine my finger pointing at you) recipes; the second is a Q&A with Father Figures, a grungy jazz band making a tour stop in Austin tomorrow night. Among other songs in their musical repertoire, one is called "You're Not My Real Dad." Heh. Take that George Michael!

Welcome, Megan!