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.

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