So, who hasn’t been to Paschall Bar yet? If you can appreciate a high quality cocktail and a well-fitted establishment, you absolutely must stop by Denton’s worst kept secret. I mean, I may be doing myself a disservice by telling you to stop by because the bar is small and is often at capacity. But, I want people to know there is more to Denton than the Fry St. Bars and that yes, there are people who still appreciate the art of a drink and some of them are in Denton (even if some of them smoke!) If you’re making a special trip to Denton for 35 Denton, this is a stop you must make in between all that delicious music you’ll be intaking.

The O’s

Yesterday, I wrote about a duo that sounds like a full band. The O’s are the duo that sounds like a duo and that’s completely fine. They need no fancy effect pedals or fretless basses; they do just fine with some banjo pickin’, bass drums and tambourines, and sweet, hand-holdin’ music. And Dallas agrees as The O’s have been nominated for the Dallas Observer Music Awards three years in a row, having formed in 2008. That’s a pretty good batting record. Be sure to check out these straight shooters in March. And bring someone you want to hold hands with. What better place to make your move than at a music festival, right?

Notable tunes to check out: “You’ve Got Your Heart”, “We’ll Go Walkin’” / Facebook / Twitter / Official

I know we’ve had a mild winter but I’m ready for the spring. I’m ready for taking Noodles to the dog park. I’m ready to start a running program, only to quit halfway because I’d rather have a brew on Dan Silverleaf‘s patio. I’m ready to feel the sun on my arm as I wave it outside my car window. And, of course, I’m ready for outdoor concerts and music festivals. I’ve already purchased wristbands for two music fests this year, including 35 Denton. That’s how ready I am. How are you getting ready?

El Ten Eleven

The first time I heard El Ten Eleven, I had my earphones on, listening to my Explosions in the Sky Pandora station. I’m not exactly sure what I was working on at the time but anytime I’m listening to that Pandora station, I’ve got my focus goggles on and I’m getting shit done. Sometimes you just need music with no words, sometimes you just need clean and gentle melodies – sometimes simple, sometimes intricate, never too fast, never too slow. When I heard “My Only Swerving,” I hit that little thumbs up and made a mental note to check them out.

El Ten Eleven is a duo of skilled wizards, masters of the craft of looping and pedaling. If you had listened to them before reading this, you probably wouldn’t have guessed they were a duo, right? IT’S BECAUSE THEY ARE WIZARDS. Have you ever played with a loop machine? If you’re off even a fraction of a beat, your creation is ruined and those with skilled ears will wince every time that loop comes back around and your mistake is repeated, time and time again until you stop playing. El Ten Eleven takes that chance, adding layers upon layers of loops for minutes on end to create their large sound, an adventurous journey. And you know what they say about big risks, right? Be a part of that big reward and catch them live at 35 Denton in March.

Notable tunes to check out: “My Only Swerving”, “Indian Winter” / Facebook / Twitter / Official

Are you sitting at your desk at work, wishing the day would end? Are you stuck in a job with a one-way ticket to Nowheresville? Or perhaps you’re in class or at Jupiter House, trying to be a studious student but already sick of the spring semester? Whatever the case may be, this is the chance to spice up your life, friends. 35 Denton is now taking applications for volunteers which might be one of the most exotic and exciting times one could ever have in Denton, MFTX. Who knows? You will if you vow to dedicate your time, sweat and energy into a music festival that is busy busting its ass for you. It could be the most magical time of your life but you won’t know until you try so do it to it. Or, just buy a wristband, ya lazy bum. Just be here in 45 days.

Bad Sports

As 35 Denton is a four-day music fest, you may find yourself tired, hungry and confused. It’s okay. That means you’re doing it right. If you want to fix all of that, be sure to check out Denton and Austin’s sweaty, energetic love child, Bad Sports. On a punk rock scale, they rank closer to The Ramones than My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy or whatever the kids are listening to now, so don’t be scared; they’re legit. And as with any legit punk show, your body will be subject to fuzzy, delicious guitar riffs, perhaps a bit of shenanigans from the crowd, and definitely spittle-covered microphones as Bad Sports covers such important topics such as girls and life and Denton. When all is said and done, you may leave even more tired, hungry and confused as you came in but in that good, satisfying, I-just-survived-a-punk-show way.

Fun fact: If you were at 35 Conferette last year and watched the High Tension Wires show, you might spot a familiar face or two.

Notable tunes to check out: “Can’t Remember Your Name”, “Days of Denton” / Facebook

For those of you that haven’t noticed, I have started the 35 Denton lineup table some of you have come to love and know. And by my count, they’ve got 155 bands set to take the stages in March. By my math, if you’re crazy enough to try, that means your wristband will grant you access to see all the bands for only 38 cents each. That’s some sick deal, right? Of course, I’m sure you’d rather soak up your favorite bands slowly like a fine wine but still, that’s a flippin’ good deal. Have you bought your wristband yet?

High Places

If you want to hear some electronic-fueled music live and watch some dude push a button and bob his head around then I’m afraid High Places would disappoint you. Well, first, they are a boy-girl duo but most importantly, they are devoted to creating an experience at their shows, molding their beats live as they simultaneously mesmerize you visually with projected video and aurally with Mary Pearson’s smooth and silky vocals. If pleasant dreams could speak, they’d sound like High Places.

And, to break my unspoken rule of strictly posting live video for this countdown, I have posted High Places’ “Sonora” video instead. I couldn’t find a live recording that captured their sound without distortion but mostly because Mary Pearson knows how to rock a crazy arm and look like a bloody badass and you need to see that.

Notable tunes to check out: “From Stardust to Sentience”, “Year Off” / Facebook / Twitter / Official