10 bands to see in Houston in the next two months...and others I hope to see, too

This blog post goes to 11.

Added: Lower Dens on October 17.

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)

To Purchase Tickets Visit:
Fitzgerald's
House of Blues
Warehouse Live

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.

Listen: My fave songs of the year, thus far (June 2012)

This is some of the best music that has come out of the first part of 2012.

There is a lot of music out there and PLENTY of reviews on these bands. I've included a few below. Take them as you will. Art is like dating - you go out and try it and if you don't like it, you know more of what you like and what you don't. I don't think someone else telling you whether something is good or not should be the decision-maker.  Luckily, for you, there are a lot of good reviews on all of these.

Go ahead. Put on your headphones and listen.

Lower Dens
Song: Candy
Album: Nootropics
Purchase songs & album here.

First thoughts: Hazy, hypnotic dreams.
Ok, first it was Brains.  Then, it was Propagation.  So maybe I'm a single whore...as in album single...  These happen to be the singles off of their most recent album, Nootropics. There have been some nights and a bottle of wine that have accompanied the entire album. I love the wailing guitar and Jana's use of her voice in Candy.  I just saw them live and was curious to see how the album would translate. Verdict: So good, great energy and the best gig I've been to in a while.  They are on tour in the US and parts of Europe through August -- you should catch them.


Read this, too: NPR: First Listen: Lower Dens 'Nootropics'

Hospitality
Song: Friends of Friends
Album: Hospitality
Purchase here.


First thoughts: Boppity, summ-summ-summertime and yay, friends! Kind of what I thought of L.A. vs. NYC.
This is probably as about as poppy and cute-sy I'm getting in these suggestions.  For some reason, when I first saw the video -- it reminded me of a modern day, NYC version of Clueless and the reality of long distance relationships. They suck and good friends are amazing people to have in your life. NYC is her now, dude.  Nice little message.  Watch the video, too.  They'll be on tour this summer.  Would love to finagle a Houston show...

Beach House
Song: Lazuli
Album: Bloom

First thoughts: chiming and sumptuous
Myth was the first track I heard...and always made me cry when I listened to it.  Teetering between moments of happiness and then seeking someone to "help me to make it," felt close to home. Myth really is a gorgeous song...you need to listen to it, too. Lots of touring for them starting July 1st.

Purity Ring
Song: Obedear
Album: Shrines (out July 24, 2012)

[if the song isn't showing up, listen to it here.]
First thoughts: ethereal and drifting; heavenly and hellish
This takes me back to some of my favourite electropop which also resided in the goth world. Maybe the goths and non-goths can all be friends now since I can see them both liking it :) They arrive courtesy of 4AD which hosted another ethereal, ghostlike fave, Cocteau Twins.

Exitmusic
Song: Passage
Album: Passage

First thoughts: dramatic, dark and strong. Am I going too far when I think of a darker Janis?
I stumbled upon this band as the opener for someone else. The lead singer has an incredibly powerful voice with an equally powerful band to back her up. If you see them live, the percussion makes your whole body reverberate along. It is a song ridden with drama and radiance. "Suggesting Berlin and Bowie, Bedhead and Portishead, Exitmusic's third release continues and catalyzes the pair's stepwise progression..." - Grayson Currin, Pitchfork.

Bear in Heaven
Song: Sinful Nature
Album: I Love You, It's Cool


First thoughts: unleashing inhibition and sex.
I definitely first heard this and thought of a hazy seduction. Then I thought, "Bring it Bear In Heaven." And, Jon Philpot's explanation of the song makes perfect sense to me now:
"'Sinful Nature' is an ode to all the shy girls out there. Don't restrain your inner freak. You could change the world if you just let yourself. It's also an inner dialogue between my responsible and not-responsible self."

Read what NPR had to say, "Bear in Heaven's 'Sinful' Ode to Shy Girls."

Tanlines
Song: All of Me
Album: Mixed Emotions


First thoughts: Damn catchy. Laugh when you need it. Go ahead, it's ok. Someone better play this at a dance party.
Read what NPR had to say, "First Listen: Tanlines, 'Mixed Emotions'.

Five things to do before Free Press Summer Fest Houston

Free Press Summer Fest is almost here ... and with the closest thing Houston gets to a music festival, I cannot wait!

Here are a few things I'm doing to get ready:

1. Getting a pedicure.
I'm going fuss-free but pretty. Painted toenails will be the new black and be on view through some flip-flops. Ladies, you will curse yourself if you wear heels. Wedges, ok.

2. Clothes that are OK being burned/trashed afterwards.
Since there's a 0% chance for rain, it's going to be hot, messy and sweaty. With highs in the low 90s and the wind at a paltry 11 mph (and humidity in the millions, probably), there will be pony tails flying and plenty o'skin showing. Think bathing suit and some digs from Forever 21 (or the new H&M at Baybrook will be open on May 31, so you can go there, too!) Would love some Joe Fresh in this piece...just putting that out there.

Not going to rain, y'all.

3. Sunscreen!
With all that skin showing, it needs some love. Slather, rub and repeat...maybe get someone cute to help apply. Be generous. Your 50-year-old self will thank me.

4. Champagne pops and water! And, beer. And, pizza.
Hydration is important...especially, a good balance of champagne, water and beer. Soak it all up with some pizza and you'll be feeling like a champ. Maybe throw a stash of coconut water in your fridge for when you get home. You'll thank me the next day. I will thank myself the next day.

5. Bands, bands, bands!
Last, but not least...the whole reason I am doing all of the above: the music. Thanks to this sweet Spotify starter list that was created...I've started to carve out a list of what I need to see.  Just because you may not see your fave band only means there is new music to explore. So, go do it.

Here are a few to start and in no particular order:

Phantogram - As Far As I Can See - @phantogram

Starfucker - Rawnald Gregory Erickson The Second - @starfucker_usa

Two Door Cinema Club - What You Know - @tdcinemaclub

Ok. Now, make sure you have your FPSF tix and get back to work. More tomorrow.

xohp

Foster the Record Store - A peek into Record Store Day 2012

Before there was hanging out at the coffee shop {or a bar}, there was hanging out at the record store.  At least, for me.

Record Store Day is THIS Saturday, April 21, 2012.  It's a day that celebrates an explosion of specially-released vinyl and special performances with artists and music stores coming together to foster and continue to breathe life into record store culture.

Just like there are all types of music fans, this day is for everyone.  You'll see releases from Bruce Springsteen, Buddy Guy, Arcade Fire, Beach House, ABBA (where did they come from?), David Bowie, Cult, James Brown, Jimmy Fallon/TeBowie...it goes on & on.  Big or small, all of these artists understand the plight of the independent record store and their necessity in our communities.

The record store was a very integral part of my teen years.  I remember going to a local record store every Thursday in my '89 Volvo 740 GL to see what was out there I should be listening to or if they had any new The Cure vinyl and CDs come in the used bin box so I could buy them ALL.  I also made friends with some of the people that worked there and eventually started my short-lived retail career in a record store.

At 16, that was the coolest thing ever!  Plus, I got to inflict my favourite music on an entire store rather than just my parents, sister and friends.

Every trip I went on...especially when in London (I always hit Berwick Street), there was a stop at a record store.  My favourite vinyl covers are from Joy Division.

I always find myself digging back into music at certain points in life.  It's integral, it's transformative, it's a basic need. And, with vinyl -- it becomes another type of art. I love cover art and when you give me a coloured vinyl - I can get giddy.

Here are a few fun items you may want to look into on the 21st.  Yes, it involves actually going to a store near you, interfacing with clerks and not swiftly clicking a download button. Oh, and if you don't have a record player, you need to get one.  Music sounds so great on them!  Aside: I'm not going to lie...the last time I saw a CD for sale...I got really confused.  This was about three weeks ago.


Here are a few releases that strike my fancy - they may not all be at your local record store and possibly limited quantities -- remember, this is a store with inventory, not a giant warehouse:

• Arcade Fire, Sprawl II {RSD Exclusive Release}
• Animal Collective, Transverse Temporal Gyrus
• Beach House, Lazuli B/W Equal Mind - white vinyl and from their album coming out in May 2012...OMG.
• David Bowie, Starman {RSD Exclusive Release} - 7" picture disc + 7" picture disc w/ clear plastic sleeve + numbered
• Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
• Foster the People, Broken Jaw/Ruby {RSD Exclusive Release}
• M83, Mirror, previously unreleased track available
• Sigur Ros, Hvarf Heim, {RSD Exclusive Release}
• St. Vincent, Krokodil, {RSD Exclusive Release}, red vinyl
• The Flaming Lips, The Flaming Lips and Heady Fwends
• Pretty In Pink {pink vinyl!} and The Breakfast Club movie soundtracks 
• Empire Records movie soundtrack - you could have your own Rex Manning Day!
• Mates of State, Crushes (The Covers Mixtape)

Oberhofer {Kanye West cover included}, School of Seven Bells, Starfucker, Wilco {deluxe box set}, the list goes on and on.  Take a peek at more special releases here.

Even if you don't see something you want - do something different and go visit your local record store.  You may find something that brings back good or miserable memories. : )

Here's what's going on in Houston -- wow, we have more stores than I thought.

You can see what's going on near you at recordstoreday.com.  Happy vinyl hunting!  You may want to get your needle checked out, too.

p.s. Let me know what you get in the comments section below...!
p.p.s.  If you love live music in a secret setting, you need to check out Songs From A Room. It's a parlor-style music concert that gives you a taste of up-and-coming bands from all around the world in a living room most likely near you.  The next Houston one is on Monday, April 30.  To be invited, you MUST sign up at sofarsounds.com.