My Ex-Boyfriend's Band

Moving + Shaking

My Ex-Boyfriend's Band has not disappeared, just reassessed and readjusted. Selling my soul to financial marketing for 40 hours a week has meant my own writing is a growing luxury. So rather than keep this as a full blown blog, My Ex-Boyfriend's Band is turning into a weekly column and moving to the Austinist. I started writing for Austinist when I first moved to Texas, and was very sad to leave when I had to sign a non-compete agreement at the Austin American-Statesman. I am very excited to be back in the beautiful world of Ist so I can touch a wider audience and share all the Austinist resources with you lovely readers.

Check out the first entry I wrote for the Austinist on Graham Williams and the birth of Transmission. And keep visiting the Austinist for My Ex-Boyfriend's Band. Here's the new banner:

We haven't settled on a specific schedule yet, but the column will probably run on Wednesday. This week's entry will be catching you up on all the important Austin music news you missed over Thanksgiving. And trust me, between a psych folkster landing a movie deal and a disappointing homecoming from the latest it band, there is plenty you've missed.

Best of ACL 2007

Best Reason to Cancel: With three major acts missing from the lineup, cancellation was a heavily debated topic this year. And yes, anxiety and exhaustion sound like serious rock star problems. I feel for Gabriela, Rodrigo y Meg White. But you know you need a break when you go on a drug binge with a prostitute and then attack your husband with the razor you were cutting yourself with when he tries to stop the madness. Amy Winehouse should take all the time she needs.

Best Enabler: The rock stars may need rehab, but I need a drink, especially when surrounded by high school and college students. Being able to buy an entire bottle of Pinot Grigio at ACL is genius. Just a hint, drink at a healthy pace, wine starts tasting a bit pungent after a few hours in the sun.

Best Pyrotechnics: Friday's fire. I wasn't there, but my friend Matt Odom, a.k.a. The M.O., said covering the propane explosion made him feel like a real journalist. Anything that validates bloggers is a best in my book.

Best Adorable yet Possibly Awkward Moment: A very brave young man got himself a very giggly young bride during the Midlake set. The band invited the precious couple on stage so the groom-to-be could get down on one knee in front of a huge crowd of strangers and pop the question. Fortunately the little lady said yes. I wonder if Midlake would have stilled played "Young Bride" if she declined.

Best Headlining Set: I am torn between the grand theatrics of Arcade Fire  and the sublime simplicity of Wilco. Arcade Fire has capitalized on their Neon Bible success by creating a cinematic live show that matches their symphonic sound. On the other hand, Jeff Tweedy remains a man and his band, captivating the audience with sheer talent. OK, maybe Bjork came out on top, how could the mere mortals beat such an explosive and ethereal performance?

Best Song: The luau theme was perfect for My Morning Jacket's "One Big Holiday". Hidden behind a long blond wig, Jim James lead his lei-clad band through the rousing anthem at sunset. True music festival magic.

Best Party: Ghostland Observatory and Dr. Dog at Stubb's. I danced insanely at the Ghostland festival set and was still blown away by the afterparty performance two hours later. Dr. Dog has been at the top of my playlist all summer, and their intimate show inside lived up to their huge studio sound. The bill was an amazing replacement for the White Stripes. Because, to be painfully honest here, Jack White just can't shake it like Aaron Behrens.

Best Change in Festival Strategy: Going to the festival late each day. It seems counter-intuitive, but I really think you get more bang for your buck when you skip the scattered day shows to save up energy for the packed evening lineup. Plus you need to hit the aftershows, some of the best stuff goes down after dark. Remember kids, this isn't SXSW or spring break. The 19-year-old body can do some incredible thing, but let's face it, I'm not 19 any more. Sleep and food and hydration are all good things. Especially in the Texas heat.

Pictures from ACL 2007

Alas, ACL has come and gone, but the pictures are already up. You can watch them as a slide show here:

Or visit my Flickr set to view them individually at full size: ACL on Flickr

ACL Updates: Muse Replacing White Stripes

The festival line-up will be reshuffled so that Muse takes over the Saturday headlining spot. That means the rest of the bands have moved around as well to make some interesting new match ups, ones that honestly make a little more sense, like the Arctic Monkeys vs. Damien Rice. Picking between Arcade Fire and Muse will be hard, but I'll probably try to see both of them. A few new faces have been added as well, like St. Vincent and Dr. Dog.

Print out the new schedule here: http://www.austincitylimits.com/schedule/day1.htm (and click through to Day 2 and Day 3 to get the rest of it, y'all are smart, I don't need to put a million links down for you)

On Sunday night, the Stubb's show will now feature Ghostland Observatory outside with the Cold War Kids, and Dr. Dog will play an after-show inside. Tickets are $25 and on sale now.

But C3 might have an extra surprise up their sleeve. NME posted an interested tidbit saying that Muse is taking over the White Stripes spot at Stubb's as well. They are the only ones reporting it, but NME is a reputable outlet, they might know something we don't. Anyone heard more on that?

The White Stripes have released a statement regarding their canceled appearance. They have actually scrapped the entire US fall tour due to Meg's anxiety issues. Pitchfork has the brief apology as well as their depressing new schedule.

ACL Update: White Stripes Cancel

Now I understand why Bob Dylan is suddenly playing an intimate show at Stubb's on Saturday night. C3 had to throw us something because the festival headliners for that evening won't be coming to Austin after all. The White Stripes have canceled both their Saturday headlining spot and their Sunday Stubb's show. The official reason for the absence of Jack and Meg is illness.

Sound Team is scheduled to play on Saturday as well. I assume that show will go on despite the break up. Does anyone know for sure?

The Sound Team of Silence

We've heard the rumors circulating, but it appears to be official. CMJ announced today that Sound Team is calling it quits. The band was on the brink of legitimate success with their own stdio, a new album and major label backing. But when the record company bowed out, the break up seemed inevitable. Shed a tear for the homeboys.

Bassist Bill Baird has addressed the sad situation on his blog. he gives us hope with a look into the future:

Will as been playing and recording as Sleep Good, and will continue doing so.  He has started a band with Michael Bain.   Preliminary results indicate great things to come.

Matt has written a fantastic set of songs, his best yet, and will likely record and release them. 

Bill (me) will continue recording and releasing music under the {{{ SUNSET }}} moniker. I'm hoping the upcoming songs will "raise the bar."

Big Orange Studio will change, no doubt, but the dream will remain alive as long as there's breath in my body. I will try to operate the studio more as a commercial venture, engineering bands and producing when asked. If anybody wants help with their music, my rates are quite competitive.

Sound Team's Catalog will be available on our website, completely free, and in high quality digital format. Unreleased material will also be available, including live recordings, radio session, b-sides, and outtakes.

How to Survive Your Mentor Tormentor

In Silver Lake, the cult of Elliott Smith was looking for their second savior. Just beyond Hollywood’s glittering shadow, the bohemian enclave became a cultural hotspot in the 90s, cultivating a slew of alternative rock bands such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Rilo Kiley. And, despite the sunny location, the neighborhood has a special appreciation for dark emotions. After Smith died in 2003, there remained a yearning for melancholy music, a need for raw sadness mixed with hazy melodies. Hungry ears turned expectantly to Earlimart’s Aaron Espinoza.

Somehow Earlimart has resisted chasing the ghost. With Espinoza’s ethereal voice and penchant for poignant songwriting, following the footsteps laid by the king of heartstrings would have been easy. The group even dedicated its 2004 release, Treble and Tremble, to the recently deceased Smith. The setup was right in front of them. Which makes Mentor Tormentor an ironically perfect title for the new album.

On Mentor Tormentor, Earlimart makes a point to maintain an alternative slant. Originally more Pixies than Pedro the Lion, the current incarnation of the band keeps just enough dimension and grit to save its polished rock from dissolving into romantic pop. The sonic landscape stresses diversity as well. “Answers and Questions” incorporates a sweeping chorus worthy of The Anniversary, while “Happy Alone” is a delicate affair highlighting Ariana Murray’s lilting vocals. Ultimately, the album’s breadth is comforting, confirming a level of talent that would have melted away in a more routine collection.

Earlimart is highly aware of its influences, and in Mentor Tormentor you can hear the echoes of bands they have inspired as well. Now that they share the Silver Lake scene with contemporaries like Silversun Pickups and Great Northern, a clear sense of the past and the future is emerging. Now it's Earlimart’s turn to be the mentor.

All Night Long with Centro-Matic

Centro-matic's free Labor Day show at the Parish restored my faith in local indie rock. I love that venue and I love that band. Check out the column I wrote at Impose Magazine.

Okkervil's Life is a Movie

Homeboys Okkervil River are really ripping it up with their new album The Stage Names. If you haven't listened to it yet, you must pick it up, immediately. It is going to be one of the best Texas albums of 2007. But for you lazy and cheap people, something off YouTube might be a little easier. The first music video is done for "Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe." The single is my favorite from the album so far, a passionate and electric song with an energetic narrative journey.

I am trying to imbed this but I can't. So until I learn more about the crazy technology of the blogosphere, you have to go to the source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROlCPlnCIfo.

An interesting side note, the video was directed by Margaret Brown, famous for her 2005 documentary on Townes Van Zandt. I finally saw  "Be Here to Love Me" two nights ago. If you dig music or Austin, you will love it. If you dig both, you will obsessive over it. I now have a deep urge to move to Clarksville circa 1970.

CBGB Punk Pioneer Kristal Dies

Hilly Kristal, founder of the historic NYC venue CBGB, died Aug. 28. Kristal passionately supported the Lower East Side rock scene, bringing the Ramones, Patti Smith and Blondie to CBGB when they were still young artists looking for a break. The Brooklyn Vegan has an excellent collection of MP3s posted as a tribute to the punk pioneer.