Nico Vega - UnCut Free Music Videos at www.roxwel.com
Los Angeles rock trio Nico Vega recently stopped in Austin for the third time – as far as I can count – in ’09. First, they were here for SXSW, followed by two gigs at Emo’s (inside stage) in May and October.
Touring in support of their first full-length studio album, Nico Vega, Roxwel was lucky enough to score an interview, along with an acoustic rendition of “Beast,” during SXSW. And then we caught up with them again before their October 21 show at Emo’s, where we also shot their performance of “Protest Song,” “Living Underground,” “Taxi Cab,” and “Fe Fi Fo Fum.”
If you’ve ever listened to Nico Vega, it’s undeniable that Aja Volkman (vocals) has been influenced by strong and commanding female singers. In fact, having been compared to the likes of Janis Joplin and Fiona Apple, Aja tells Roxwel that attending Tina Turner’s concert at the Staples Center last year had a major impact on her, seeing the sort of emotion that went into Turner’s voice and performance.
“It was really inspiring to me just to see a woman be so powerful, despite what she was battling,” she said.
Aja’s explosive live performances and soulful vocals are pretty inspiring themselves, and the band’s bio on their MySpace page seems very fitting – here’s an excerpt:
“Nico Vega represents a modern day saint. A warrior that has led us to a more fulfilling, lighter way of being. She represents people and unity. She fights for all of us and teaches us to fight for each other.”
This description sheds some light on Nico Vega as a whole, as well as the creation of individual songs, which is a collaborative process among the three – and a far cry from being formulaic. It’s really all in the moment. The only recurring theme seems to be what the experience of their live shows should produce for both the band and fans: a release.
Check out the full interview and see what else Aja, Rich Koehler (guitar) and Dan Epand (drums) have to say about music that has changed their stage presence, their songwriting process, what they’re thinking before a show, and how it’s been working with MySpace records.
Also, check out their full live performance of “Protest Song,”“Living Underground,”“Taxi Cab,” and “Fe Fi Fo Fum,” or watch each song as a single (by clicking on the individual songs) – it’s up to you!
Phish has announced that they’ll be returning to Miami for a 4-night run at American Airlines Arena from December 28 - 31, which will include a 3-set show on New Year’s Eve. The ticket lottery is currently open, and you can put in requests until 11:59pm EST on Sunday, November 15. Tickets will go on sale to the public on Saturday, November 21 at 10am EST.
Phish will kick off their fall tour on Wednesday, November 18 in Detroit:
11.18.09 Cobo Arena, Detroit, MI - Limited Tickets Available 11.20.09 U.S. Bank Arena, Cincinnati, OH - Limited Tickets Available 11.21.09 U.S. Bank Arena, Cincinnati, OH - Limited Tickets Available 11.22.09 War Memorial at Oncenter , Syracuse, NY - SOLD OUT 11.24.09 Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, PA - Limited Tickets Available 11.25.09 Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, PA - SOLD OUT 11.27.09 Times Union Center, Albany, NY - SOLD OUT 11.28.09 Times Union Center, Albany, NY - SOLD OUT 11.29.09 Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland, ME - SOLD OUT 12.02.09 Madison Square Garden , New York, NY - SOLD OUT 12.03.09 Madison Square Garden, New York, NY - SOLD OUT 12.04.09 Madison Square Garden, New York, NY - SOLD OUT 12.05.09 John Paul Jones Arena, Charlottesville, VA - SOLD OUT
And if you haven’t OD’d yet on Festival 8 chatter, check out these pix from the fest. As my friend said, they might give you an ocular orgasm. Also, Glide Magazine’s Hidden Track blog has posted the top 10 costumes from Festival 8 – check ‘em out (personally, I’m really feelin’ the Wookbusters…pretty clever!).
In other news…
Wilco has announced they’ll be streaming a live webcast from The Paradiso in Amsterdam on Monday November 16 at 9:15 p.m. CET, 3:15 p.m. EST, and 12:15 p.m. PST – stay tuned for more details.
Yonder Mountain String Band and Tea Leaf Green have announced 2010 tour dates. YMSB’s annual Cabin Fever tour kicks off on January 26 in Fayetteville, AK. Tea Leaf Green will tour coast to coast for their One New Day tour, which begins on January 13 in Breckenridge, CO.
LiveMusicBlog.com has posted their New Year’s Eve Roundup of shows around the country.
Railroad Earth’s bassist, Johnny Grubb, has announced he’ll be leaving the band. His last shows will be their New Year’s run: December 27 & 28 in San Francisco and December 30 & 31 in Portland, OR. Grubb explains the reason for this decision on his blog.
In local Austin news…
101x has announced that Phoenix, as well as Hockey and White Denim, will be playing their “Indie”pendent Workforce X-Mas, benefiting Austin Habitat for Humanity, on December 17. Tix go on sale Saturday, November 14 at 10am.
Check out the Austinst’s Fun Fun Fun Fest pix (day 1 and day 2) and recaps from Saturday and Sunday, and stay tuned to Roxwel.com for live performance footage and interviews, coming soon!
Colorado-based producer Derek Vincent Smith, aka Pretty Lights, made his second ’09 tour stop in Austin on November 11. This time around, unlike his April 30 show at Light Bar (which Roxwel filmed), Derek was accompanied by drummer Corey Eberhard, bringing the beats for a straight-up dance party at La Zona Rosa.
Gramatik and Alex B. (of Pnuma Trio) opened the show, and by the time Pretty Lights took the stage, the energy was high and the sweat was beginning to flow. The venue was packed, and the fans were ready for the throw-down that was about to come their way.
The lights were stellar, making for a fantastic visual experience. And if you’re wondering about the origin of the stage name Pretty Lights, don’t assume it’s all about the lighting. Yes, there are “pretty lights,” but the name is “supposed to touch on the concept of beauty,” which Derek explained during my April interview with him.
As he said, “We as humans experience the world through light, and the whole idea of Pretty Lights – to me when the name was chosen – was meant to grab onto the little moments we all experience in our lives.”
Pretty Lights’ album titles also connect to this concept – from Taking Up Your Precious Time and Filling Up The City Skies to his new album, Passing By Behind Your Eyes.
Only on their second tour around the country, Pretty Lights has been filling up venues and selling most shows out – much of this success attributed to the fact that fans can download their albums for free at www.prettylightsmusic.com.
Pretty Lights has shows scheduled through November 22 and will also be boarding Jam Cruise 8 on January 3, 2010.
If you're in Austin and in the biz, come by and say hi...we'd love to meet you!
Pittsburgh, PA's most rockin' ladies man, Gene The Werewolf has just released his debut album, "Light Me Up", available on iTunes today 10/20! And Roxwel's got the exclusive premiere of his brand new video for "Superhero"... Check it out!
http://www.roxwel.com/player/playlist_49355.html
« Previous entries