My favourite online stationery service, Paperless Post, and kate spade new york have teamed up to present a colourful array of 75 new cards. Plus, they're doing a fun giveaway...more on that below.
Of course, there is nothing quite like getting a handwritten note of thanks or hello but I've been using Paperless Post since it was in beta to add a little pow to all of these einvites that flood our inboxes. You want to stand out, right?
It's almost like the real thing but faster to get out. Plus, it tracks your RSVPs. I love the envelope opening aspect most!
I've used them for large parties of a few hundred people to small dinner parties for a close group of friends. I'm sure any of these would be a nice memento to send to a friend that needs a little cheering up.
Whenever you want a fast and chic way to invite people, think Paperless Post.
Is it just me or have there been more music gigs than normal coming to Houston? And, good ones. So many that there's no way I can make it to all of them. Maybe you can help me?
Below are some of the gigs as of today (that I know of...) that need you at them...and me, too.
Beach House play HOB on September 19
This year I've been most pleased with catching Exitmusic (they opened for School of Seven Bells in March at Fitzgerald's), the entire Lower Dens gig with Alan Resnick and No Joy and, most recently, Kishi Bashi. Good, good stuff!
And, don't overlook the opening acts. I found Exitmusic and Other Lives that way...you never know when you might hear something great before it's truly discovered by the rest of the world.
Here are gigs that have caught my attention -- October's a bit crazy, isn't it?? I can't make them all but if you go to one and love it, let me know in the comments! Tell me if you hate it, too. :) I don't think you will...
Click on links below for some song/video previews to whet your earbuds:
September 19 - Beach House (House of Blues) (why: Baltimore-based BH has been growing in popularity over the years. Their most recent album, Bloom, has been on many "best of" lists already and the year isn't yet quite over. See them at HOB before you have to go see them at Woodlands Pavilion.) 21 - The Walkmen, Milo Greene (Fitzgerald's)
October
10 - Alan Resnick makes an appearance with Dan Deacon's tour -- he's great! I hear Dan Deacon is pretty rad, too. ;) (why: Alan Resnick had me at the front lines of the Lower Dens concert. From his site: Alan Resnick is a visual artist obsessed with his own face. Since 2009 he has been working towards the creation of a lifelike digital backup. This avatar is being designed to fill the role of Alan to family and friends in the event of his death.' Alan also co-directed the video for Lower Dens' latest single, 'Candy'). 11 - Bombay Bicycle Club(Fitzgerald's) 12 - Tennis, Wild Belle (Fitzgerald's) (why: Tennis is a wife/husband duo and Wild Belle is a sister/brother duo but that's not really why. Tennis' latest album reminds me of the vocals of some of my favourite girl groups of the 60s and Wild Belle's hit 'Keep You' is the soundtrack of all single girls.) 15 - Father John Misty (House of Blues) 17 - Lower Dens (Fitzgerald's)
(why: I think Lower Dens' release of Brains reminded me of what new, good music is out there. Their gig earlier this year was simple and perfectly crafted from two openers to the final encore. Jana also spent some time in Houston and we tend to support our own, especially when they've done good. They will also be touring with Grizzly Bear!)
Exitmusic's wife/husband Aleksa Palladino and Devon Church
23 - Exitmusic (Fitzgerald's) (why: A band that I love to hear get loud and engulfed in percussion. I think each band member brings something to their sound...and Aleksa Palladino's voice is really like no other...deep, brooding and powerful.)
November 10 - Other Lives (Fitzgerald's) (why: I was intro'd to them right before they exploded...at least in the indie scene...I was one month too late to bring them to Songs From A Room and then a few months later, they open for Radiohead. BOOM. Go see them.) 14 - Jens Lekman, Taken by Trees (Fitzgerald's) (why: He always popped up on my Pandora station and just started to be in my regular rotation...time to see what it's all about.)
Bands I Also Want To See:
September 13 - The Suffers (open for Mingo Fishtrap) (Discovery Green, free)
September 14 - Canned Acoustica feat. B L A C K I E, Craig Kinsey, New York City Queens and others and it benefits Houston Food Bank. Admission is 4 cans of food. Do it! A great sampler of local musicians.
September 16 - Twin Shadow, Niki and the Dove, Bang Bangz (Fitzgerald's)
October 13 - Two Door Cinema Club (House of Blues), Free Press Summerfest 2012 alums
October 20 - Grandfather Child w/ Folk Family Revival (Discovery Green, free)
October 25 - Ghostland Observatory (they actually have 3 nights at Warehouse Live)
October 28 - Crocodiles (Fitzgerald's)
November 1 - Sharon Van Etten(Fitzgerald's)
p.s. Of COURSE, I love the musical intimacy of Songs From A Room. Videos soon from those gigs of some really fab Houston and Austin musicians. Not on the Songs From A Room list? Go to http://sofarsounds.com.
