Emerging hip hop/indie artist ZEALE teamed up with Blastro, both Austin-based, to release the video premiere of "Hope Dies" today. Featuring The Soldier Thread's Patricia Lynn, the video was directed by Jeff Ray of Papertank Productions and produced by Lee Ann McAdoo.
Compelling lyrics, coupled with footage showing the remnants of the disastrous 2011 Bastrop, TX wildfires, send a real message about the state of our world today. As ZEALE raps in the video, "Even if you're happy in this place, tomorrow can wipe the smile from your face." The lyrics go far beyond the fire-ravaged area just outside of Austin, telling of catastrophic incidents worldwide, experienced day in and day out, "while we surf on our phones." Stay tuned to see what happens during the surprise ending for those living in a wold where hope has died.
Often playing chemistry with the genres of hip hop, indie rock and EDM, ZEALE seeks to create a hybrid of music with depth. The artist is currently working on his debut EP featuring the sounds of AWOLNATION, Dwight Baker, CJ Eiriksson and more. "Hope Dies" was produced by Dwight Baker of Matchbox Studios with introduction music produced by CJ Eiriksson.
Watch the video exclusively on Blastro!
The Wallflowers have announced they are back in the studio and putting the finishing touches on a long-awaited new studio album that will be released by Columbia Records this fall.
Currently recording in Nashville at Dan Auerbach's (The Black Keys) Easy Eye Sound studio, the new album finds frontman Jakob Dylan joining original band members Greg Richling (bass) and Rami Jaffee (keyboards), with Wallflowers' longtime guitarist Stuart Mathis and drummer Jack Irons (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam) rounding out the lineup. The album is being produced by Jay Joyce (Emmylou Harris, Cage The Elephant) and mixed by Rich Costey (Bruce Springsteen, The Shins).
The Wallflowers have taken their deep history and defining sound into new territory with the release of their upcoming album. The new record has the band doing what it does best while continuing to find new ground to cover. "It's been a while since we've felt this energized and creative. We haven't changed our stripes so much as we're continuing to redefine the animal," said Jakob Dylan.
In addition to their new album, The Wallflowers rose to fame with their 4x platinum album Bringing Down The Horse, which featured four top charting singles, including "6th Avenue Heartache," "One Headlight," "The Difference," and "Three Marlenas." The two-time Grammy Award winners went on to sell over 7 million records worldwide with a series of critically acclaimed albums before going on hiatus in 2007. During the group's break from recording, Jakob Dylan released two solo albums, which also garnered significant praise, 2008's Seeing Things and 2010's Women and Country.
Here are The Wallflowers tour dates so far:
7/20 Firefly Music Festival, Dover, DE 7/24 Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY (on-sale Friday, May 11th) 7/25 The Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ (on-sale Friday, May 11th) 7/27 Schubas, Chicago, IL (on-sale Saturday, May 12th) 9/23 De Luna Fest, Pensacola, FL
The Wallflowers will be announcing additional album details and tour dates in the coming weeks. For more info, check out the band's website, Twitter and Facebook page.
Umphrey's McGee took the stage at Stubb's for the second year in a row on 4/20 - this time on a Friday night - and did what they do best, face meltage. Unfortunately, we didn't film them this year, but if you're looking for a taste of UM at one of the best outdoor venues around, look no further! TourGigs has their 4.20.11 show (that Roxwel filmed) for sale via Blu-ray, DVD and digital download. \mm/
4.20.12 | Stubb's Bar-B-Q | Austin, TX Set 1: There's No Crying in Mexico > Domino Theory, Wappy Sprayberry > 2nd Self, Plunger > Glory > Plunger, Ocean Billy, Miami Virtue > Live and Let Die Set 2: Gurgle > Miss Tinkle's Overture, Conduit (1) > Burning Down the House > Pay the Snucka > Bridgeless > Puppet String, The Triple Wide > Bridgeless Encore: JaJunk
(1) with A Love Supreme jam
photos by @crunchyMunckin
Multi-platinum alternative rock band Deftones have announced a summer tour supporting System Of A Down.
The two-week summer jaunt kicks off on August 2nd in Philadelphia and wraps August 15 in Chicago.
From their 1994 debut Adrenaline to their platinum-certified, Billboard chart-topping, Grammy-winning breakthrough album White Pony, Deftones have continually crossed-over genres, defied categorization and delivered compelling live performances around the world.
The Sacramento band's 2010 release Diamond Eyes was named iTunes' "Rock Album of the Year," as well as KERRANG!'s 2010 Album of the Year. Diamond Eyes also graced many other critics and readers "Best Of" lists, including MySpace, AOL Noisecreep, Alternative Press, MOG and Drowned In Sound.
Deftones are currently in Los Angeles, CA recording their seventh studio full-length with producer Nick Raskulinecz (Alice In Chains, Foo Fighters, Rush) who also produced Diamond Eyes. The album will be released Reprise Records later this year.
Deftones upcoming tour dates are as follows:
08/02 Philadelphia, PA - Susquehanna Bank Center
08/04 Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center
08/05 Wantagh, NY - Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
08/07 Washington, DC - Verizon Center Arena
08/09 Boston, MA - Comcast Center
08/11 Montreal, QC - Heavy Metal Festival Parterre @ Parc Jean Drapeau
08/12 Toronto, ON - Heavy Metal Festival Downsview Park
08/14 Detroit, MI - DTE Energy Amphitheater
08/15 Chicago, IL - Allstate Arena
Stay tuned to Deftones.com for more info on the tour, as well as the latest Detones news.
Austin's friendly local music blog ATXSounds put on yet another great party with a stellar lineup of Austin musicians at Love Goat on Guadalupe. The Spring Me! party featured the likes of The Keller Brothers feat. Greg Izor & Willie Pipkin, Esther LaVonne, Bat's Blood, The Janes, The Wolf and Tiger Waves. Kicking off at 4pm on a perfectly breezy spring afternoon on Saturday, April 14, the musically clad party also offered free-flowing kegs, a never-ending buffet of snacks and treats (I should know!), and, most importantly, good friends who always put a smile on this girl's face.
Be sure to checkout ATXSounds' blog and Facebook page so you don't miss the next one...it's a guaranteed fun time! And if you don't live in Austin, no worries - actually, that's all the more reason to stay tuned into what these tastemakers are saying. They do an unreal job covering national touring acts that travel through Austin (and you know we're in a musical sweet spot) - and beyond - along with the oh-so talented musicians that truly give the Live Music Capital its name.
BIG thanks to everyone who made it out and made this happen. You guys sure know how to put on a party, especially when it counts most.
The Keller Brothers feat. Greg Izor & Willie Pipkin
Esther LaVonne
Esther LaVonne w/ Jansen Hawkins
Jansen Hawkins
Bat's Blood
The Janes
The Wolf
Tiger Waves
Today brings the sad news that Levon Helm - the legendary drummer and vocalist from The Band - is losing his battle with throat cancer. Here is the announcement from his website:
Dear Friends,
Levon is in the final stages of his battle with cancer. Please send your prayers and love to him as he makes his way through this part of his journey.
Thank you fans and music lovers who have made his life so filled with joy and celebration...he has loved nothing more than to play, to fill the room up with music, lay down the back beat, and make the people dance! He did it every time he took the stage...
We appreciate all the love and support and concern.
From his daughter Amy, and wife Sandy
The Band first gained wide attention as Bob Dylan's backup band in the mid-60s, then with their album Music From Big Pink, released in 1968. The Band's final show in 1976 was immortalized in the live album and film The Last Waltz.
In addition to his work with The Band, Helm pursued a solo career and appeared in a handful of movies. He was diagnosed with throat cancer in the late 1990s.
Here's The Band performing "Up on Cripple Creek" in The Last Waltz. Turn it up real loud and send good vibes his way.
Yonder Mountain String Band put on one hell of a show at Stubb's on April 6, 2012, plucking and strumming their way through the night with a pretty lengthy setlist. I only wish I could recreate the serious bluegrass break dancin' by one fan in particular. It was impossible not to watch in awe-mazement.
Set I: Sideshow Blues, Pockets, My Gal, Don't Worry Happy Birthday, Blue Collar Blues, Years with Rose, Shake Me Up, Straight Line, New Horizons, Only a Northern Song, New Horizons Set II: All the Time, Ripcord Blues, Too Late Now, Polka on a Banjo, Ooh La La, Going Across the Sea, Big Spike Hammer, Just the Same, Jail Song, Cuckoo's Nest, Looking Back Over My Shoulder, Traffic Jam, 2 Hits, Southern Flavor Encore: Steep Grade Sharpe Curves, Going Where They Do Not Know My Name
Childish Gambino - aka Donald Glover's rappin' alter ego - sold out Stubb's on April 5, 2012. The actor/writer/comedian and now turned musician is a true performer, never losing the crowd's attention once. Honestly, I had never seen a more energetic audience at Stubb's and maybe in Austin ever. The kids were rapping along with the talented Glover...hands waving in the air, bouncing around, jumping up and down.
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