SXSW 2022 Favorites

SXSW 2022 was extremely special. For one: two years ago, the City of Austin and Travis County canceled the event because of the unknown COVID-19 pandemic. This devastated not only music artists and fans, but also the local economy. 

So, this year, it was somewhat of a renaissance. An emergence of new sound and fashion. A revival.

I got to see Jackie Venson play at Central Machine Works in East Austin. It was freaking cold to the point, during the performance, the soul singer said, "I can't feel my fingers." She then accepted the challenge and continued to play an amazing show.

Jackie Venson (@jackievenson)

via Jackie Venson

The cool think about SXSW week is that artists will play a condensed show featuring their hottest songs. This gives audience a snapshot of their work in 45 minute sets. 

Hotel Vegas and Volstead Lounge in East Austin provides perhaps the best venue to watch three sets at the same time. In other words, if you get tired of a sound, you can move and listen to a different band at another stage.

There were a couple of bands where I stayed listening through the whole set. One of those bands was Annabelle Chairlegs. Singer Lindsey Mackin's strong voice and guitar riffs along with the rest of the band made the show enjoyable.

Annabelle Chairlegs (@annabellechairlegs)

via Annabelle Chairlegs

Another great venue to listen to live music during SXSW week is at the South By San Jose, which is held at the San Jose Hotel parking lot in South Austin. 

Mini Trees, a band out of California, caught my attention. Described on their Facebook page as "living room pop," the voice of Lexi Vega filled with the sound from the band is nostalgic. I quickly added Mini Trees to my audio playlist. 

Mini Trees (@minitreesband)

via Mini Trees

Perhaps one of the most entertaining show I experienced during SXSW week was held at Central Machine Works in East Austin with drag queens, LGBTQ+ artists. Austin pop artist Kady Rain was one I absolutely loved watch perform from the very start of her set. Her song "Crooked," which is about an ex-boyfriend's crooked penis, had me laughing and then singing along. 

Kady Rain (@kadyrain)

via Kady Rain Official

There were so many other bands I enjoyed during SXSW week from the indie soul sound of Kendra Sells and BluMoon, folk pop sound from singer-songwriter Marta Casanova and MAVICA, indie rocker Matthew Logan Vasquez, queer southern rock band Thelma & The Sleaze lead by badass Lauren "LG" Gilbert, soul and rock sound of S.G. Goodman, and the punk industrial sound of Jonathan Horstmann and Urban Heat to the fun sound of Benjamin Violet and Pelvis Wrestley.

BluMoon (@blumoontx)

via BluMoon TX

MAVICA (@iammavica)

via MAVICA

Matthew Logan Vasquez (@matthewloganvasquez)

via Matthew Logan Vasquez

Thelma & The Sleaze (@thelmaandthesleaze)

via Thelma Sleaze

S.G. Goodman (@s.g.goodman)

via S.G. Goodman

Urban Heat (@urbanheatmusic)

via Urban Heat

Pelvis Wresley (@pelvis_wrestley)

via Pelvis Wrestley

Others: 

Billy Glitter

Fake Fruit Band

AntennaTheEnd

Strawberry Guy

Nuevo Musica

SXSW 2019 Favorites

As SXSW comes to a close, here are a few of my favorite musicians I saw this year:


LUKAS NELSON @ LUCY'S FRIED CHICKEN




VALLEJO @ MOONTOWER SALON




GABRIELLA COHEN @ HOTEL SAN JOSE




MAMALARKY @ HOTEL VEGAS




BLUSHING @ HOTEL VEGAS




ANEMONE @ HOTEL VEGAS



SMiiLE @ HOTEL VEGAS




MAGIC ROCKERS OF TEXAS @ THE VOLSTEAD LOUNGE

A weekend of art galleries in Austin

This past weekend, I got to enjoy a few great art gallery openings in Austin.

Andy St. Martin displayed his abstract works at the Prizer Arts & Letters art gallery in East Austin. His paintings and collages on paper and panel are captivating. You can see more of his work here: http://www.andystmartin.com.

Andy St. Martin at the Prizer Arts & Letters Gallery

Link & Pin art gallery in East Austin hosted “Summer Nights” and featured some of the areas creative abstract artists. Artists included Murdock, Ryan Runcie, Glenn Towery, Juanita Coleman Towery, Chris Van Loan, Sr., and Zen Van Loan.

"Summer Nights" at the Link & Pin

The beautiful Wally Workman Gallery featured the abstract works of Joyce Howell. You can view her  art here: http://www.joycehowell.net.

Joyce Howell at the Wally Workman Gallery

Meg Aubrey’s series “Surface” was hosted at the Women & Their Work art gallery in central Austin. The exhibit featured realism that touched on suburban life. You can view more of her works here: https://www.megaubrey.com.

Meg Aubrey at the Women & Their Work

The Canopy Last Friday

I spent last Friday at The Canopy in east Austin. The Canopy is a gathering spot where art enthusiast, like myself, can chat with local artists and view their work.

Michelle Lawrence Schwartz
www.seedsthenroots.com
IG @seesthenroots

Kevin Munoz
www.kevinmunoz.us
IG @KevinMunoz

Anthony Hurd
www.anthonyhurd.com
IG @anthonyhurd

Kiah Lee Denson
www.kiahdenson.com
IG @kiahdensonart

Karen Woodward Studios
www.karenwoodwardstudios.com
IG @kewoodwa

Ines Batllo
www.inespaintings.com

Vera Smiley
www.artsvera.com

The Blue Genie Art Bazaar

Art Appreciation

I've lived in Austin for the past 18 years. Thus, perhaps I can indeed consider myself an Austinite.

Every Sunday, I open the Austin Chronicle to see what's going on in the city. My aim is mostly art exhibits and galleries. Preferably free. And trust me, there are plenty. Even if there was a charge, the fee is reasonable.

This weekend, I decided to visit The Blue Genie Art Bazaar. As explained on their website, "The Bazaar features the work of more than 200 artists offering a wide variety of imaginative and beautiful gifts." And they do. Many of the products sold are handmade by local and regional artists.

Here are a few artists I came across at the bazaar:

Cindy “Crash” Raschke
crashartaustin.com

Illuminidol
illuminidol.com

Kristen von Minden and Eve Trester-Wilson
brightbeamgoods.com

Liz Potter
thewonderfuladventure.com

Rebecca Bennett
rebeccabennettartworks.com

Tim Doyle
nakatomiinc.com

My Choices for the Austin Chronicle's Best of Austin

These are some of my choices for Austin Chronicle's Best of Austin:


Art gallery: Guzu Gallery
Visual artist: Drew Riley
Performance Space / Theatre: Paramount One World Theatre
Actor/actress: Adriene Mishler
Classical musician: Graham Reynolds
Muralist: Tim Kerr
Stand-up Comic: Matt Bearden
Fiction writer / poet: Ernest Cline
Drag Performer: Alexander the Great
Burlesque Performer: Ruby Joule
Movie Theatre: Alamo Drafthouse
Film Festival: Austin Film Festival
Outdoor Festival: ACL Fest
Museum: The Contemporary Austin
Graphic Artist: Gary Dorsey
Late Night Dining: Kerbey Lane Cafe
Brewery: Austin Beerworks
Distiller: Deep Eddy Vodka
Coffee Shop: Epoch
Tex-Mex / taqueria: Matt's El Rancho
Pizza: Pinthouse Pizza
Burger: P. Terry's
Desserts: Capital City Bakery
Karaoke: Common Interest
Cheap Date: The Hideout
Ice Cream/Frozen Treats: Amy's Ice Cream

Don Zimmerman advice to Hispanic Students

Last week, Austin City Councilman Don Zimmerman made a statement during a city council meeting to a group of Hispanic students. What he said to those students caused an "uproar" from Hispanic leadership and the Hispanic community.

First of all, Don Zimmerman is not new to controversies. The Austin American Statesman highlighted a few of those controversies last year, such as his comments regarding gay marriage, and suing the city of Austin over its campaign finance rules.

During the city council meeting, Zimmerman provided some advice to Hispanic students:

“I’d ask for everyone here, including the children, when you grow up, I want to ask you to pledge to finish school, learn a trade, a skilled trade, get a college education, start a business, do something useful and produce something in your society so you don’t have to live off others,”

This caused Texas House Democratic candidate Gina Hinojosa to tweet:

The same advice Zimmerman provided is the same advice I received from my uncle, a lifelong Democrat and a Vietnam Vet, when I was in high school. My uncle, who is a Mexican-American with multiple graduate degrees from UT-Austin, suggested I learn a trade (e.g. refrigeration, radiologic technician, or electrical technician)--a skilled trade pays between $50,000 to $108,000. Additionally, unlike myself and probably many of my cousins, my uncles, aunts, and parents did whatever they could not to rely or live off others.

So, why does his comments raise controversy? Is it because he is White addressing Hispanics? Is it because he is a Republican?

Personally, I find no offense to his comments. If we were to dissect his comments and not read it holistically, it would read as follows with my interpretation in red and italics:

“I’d ask for everyone here [the audience]
including the children [the Hispanic students], 
when you grow up [learn from life],
I want to ask you to pledge to finish school [high school], 
learn a trade, a skilled trade [a tradesman specializing in a particular trade or craft], 
get a college education [higher education],
start a business [become a business owner and manager], 
do something useful and produce something in your society [give back to the community]
so you don’t have to live off others...[don't depend on others]"




Sources:

http://www.mystatesman.com/news/news/local/council-member-don-zimmerman-courts-controversy-wi/nnK26/
http://www.kvue.com/news/local/zimmerman-under-fire-for-comments-towards-hispanic-students-1/302749248

@GinaForAustin @ndhapple @DonZimmermanATX

Kleptomaniacs and puns

pic.twitter.com/TIzbFWRKDR
— G C (@PhotoWritingMor) April 19, 2014

Finding 26 Doors

Several days ago, we visited the 26 Doors Shopping Center in North Central Austin.  Actually, we found this shopping center by accident.  We were looking for a place to eat lunch and I suggested Waterloo Ice House, which is located on 38th Street. 

As we were looking for a parking space, my wife noticed Santa Rita Cantina, a Tex-Mex restuarant, and suggested we go there instead.

Good things she suggested Tex-Mex too.  It was the first time I have every noticed the shopping center, and after lunch, we strolled around admiring the sculptures, fountain, and stores. 

With the crisp air, it seemed as if we were in a different state.  I even mentioned to my wife that the shopping center kind of reminded me of Estes Park in Colorado.

Below are pictures I took on our 26 Doors stroll.

Live Austin Music

Music Appreciation (A Retrospect)

After a school trip to Dallas, three of us guys decided to stay in Austin for a couple of nights.  What I recall from that experience was hanging out with my good old friend, driving around town, listening to Stevie Ray Vaughan--God bless his soul--and visiting the numerous strip joints nightclubs.

I was in my early twenties and months from graduating from college.  I had visited many places that I fell in love with such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and D.C.  I was searching for a place I could find a future and develop as a person while enjoying the surrounding.  Austin became that place for me.

I can't say I came to Austin solely for the music.  The music came to me a few years later.  Actually, it came a bit too late, I think. 

Although, I did know who Stevie Ray Vaughan was before I got to Austin.  As many others, he became my favorite.  While driving around town with my maltese dog, we would listen to Pride and Joy and Crossfire.  Soon enough, we found a local alternative rock station, 101X, who introduced us to local bands such as Fastball, Vallejo, and David Garza.

A few years later, my wife (then girlfriend) introduced me to her favorite, Bob Schneider's Lonelyland album.  Bob Schneider which was synonymous to Austin Live Music, soon became my favorite.  Yes, I said it, I enjoy Bob Schneider.

But what I was missing was the roots of Austin music.  Bob Willis?  Okay, that's a bit too far down the root.  I was thinking more like Willie Nelson, Asleep at the Wheel and Lyle Lovett. 

Within the following years living in Ausitn, I began listening to the Austin greats.  But besides these fantastic music artists, there is another genre that I have since witnessed over the past few years.  They are those music artists who play a major role in defining Austin Live Music and making it the Live Music Capital of the World. 

I met a guy at work who introduced me to his music selection--Tejano with a blend of Texas Country, instrumental rock, bluegrass, and true-Austin music.  Soon we became friends and I was fortunate to be invited to a reunion party he hosted at his backyard where bands that were once under his record label performed... free.

Below are some photos I took of the bands that performed at what I have called "BruceFest 2010." 

The Highwaymen (Loose Diamonds)

Ivan Brown and the Low Brow

Attention Channel Surfers!

Okay Mountain, a collaboration of 10 artists, presents a comical video installation titled "Water, Water Everywhere, So Let's All Have a Drink," which depicts life as a Channel Surfer and the influence of mass media.



Water Water Everywhere from Okay Mountain on Vimeo.

Their exhibit can be seen at the Austin Museum of Art on Congress Avenue.  You can read more about Okay Mountain here.

The Mother Truckers On My Mind

I was listening to KGSR's Lone Star State of Mind program as I was driving to a friend's house to introduce my dog, Chato, with theirs. 

Highlighted on the program was Austin's The Mother Truckers, a band I saw a few years ago at an arts festival in downtown Austin.  What I can tell you is that they rock. 

If you haven't heard of them or what their music sounds like, I'd suggest you visit their website and listen to some of thier tunes.

Daniel Johnston's Hi, How Are You

Daniel Johnston's Hi, How Are You
Originally uploaded by GCAUSTIN

If you've ever been in Austin and found yourself lost on the UT drag, chances are you have seen this frog. At which point, you probably really freaked out and thought you'd never see the light of day--especially with the numerous drag rats roaming around the area--or you may have smiled and felt comfortable in the city whose slogan is "Keep Austin Weird."

The mural was drawn by Daniel Johnston in the early 90s on the wall of what was once Sound Exchange.

http://www.hihowareyou.com/

Taken on May 5, 2008 using the Canon PowerShot A400.

Art City Austin 08

Picture 084
Originally uploaded by GCAUSTIN

The Art City Austin 08, the annual arts festival, which took place last weekend (April 12-13, 2008), provided guests with "a diverse array of art talent."

Artists from all over the world showcased their works to visitors. Guests were able to taste the various foods Austin has to offer. Children were able to show their art capabilities as well. And of course, it wouldn't be Austin if there wasn't live music.

For more information, visit the following website: http://www.artallianceaustin.org/art_city_austin.html

Taken on April 12, 2008 using the Canon PowerShot A400.