NX35 2010: Facebookin’

No, you don’t have to RSVP to Facebook events to get in to these official and unofficial NX35 shows (you may need a wristband though!) but some of us actually use Facebook to organize our schedules. Who knew Facebook could be so handy?

NOTE: If you know of any showcase with a Facebook event not listed here, create the event and lemme know!

Updated: March 9, 2010 7:01PM CST

Thursday

1PM-2:30PM, Banter
NX35: DFW, the Arts, and the Future: A Roundtable Discussion

2PM-6PM, Cool Beans
NX35 Day Party presented by The Schoolhouse and Annex House
Balance Party, Tiger, Tooth and Paw, Cartright, Allie Farris

5PM-6:30PM, Cool Beans
Allie Farris

4PM-6PM, Dan’s Silver Leaf
Music Makers Mixer Denton NX35

8PM-12AM, Dan’s Silver Leaf
KXT 91.7 NX35 Showcase
OK Sweetheart, Jacob Metcalf, RTB2, Carrie Rodriguez

8PM-12AM, Texas 8-Ball
Savage and the Big Beat, The Bizarro Kids, Burywood, Lazy Native

8PM-12:30AM, Circa 77 (BYOB!)
Andrew Tinker, Jessie Frye, Small Time Ruffians, Har Herrar / alternate event info

8PM-1AM, J & J’s
The Daily Beat, Cocky Americans, Parata, The Virgin Wolves

8PM-3AM, Boiler Room
Snarky Puppy, Zorch, Kaboom, Zlam Dunk, Orange Peel Sunshine

8:30PM-9:30PM, Rubber Gloves
Native Lights

9PM-12AM, The Hydrant
NX35 – AM Ramblers, Jenn Gooch, Daniel Folmer, the cut*off, Roy Robertson

9PM-1AM
NX35 Annex House Showcase
Fox and the Bird, Sabra Laval, The Beaten Sea, Delmore Pilcrow

9PM-2AM, Andy’s
NX35: Gutterth Showcase
History at Our Disposal, New Science Projects, Nervous Curtains, The Timeline Post, Drink to Victory

11:45PM-2AM, Boiler Room
Snarky Puppy CD/DVD Release Show

Friday

12PM-8PM, 1035 Oak Street
The Unofficial NX35 Day Show – Picnic
The Lackadaisies, GioSafari, The Orbans, Darcy, Bronze Whaler, The Gypsy Bravado, Holy Mountain, Constant Seas, Balance Problems

2PM-6PM, Cool Beans
NX35 Day Party presented by The Schoolhouse and Annex House
Eerie Apartment, Kristall Nacht, EPDAGR, Noonday Morningstar

4PM-6PM, Dan’s Silver Leaf
Drink and Think at NX35

8PM-11:55PM, Rubber Gloves
Indian Jewelry, Babar, White Drugs, Hotel, Hotel, Vexed UK

8PM-11:55PM, Texas 8 Ball
The Rocketboys, Here Holy Spain, Bridges and Blinking Lights, The Phuss

8PM-2AM, The Hydrant
The Angelus, Robot Arm, Museum Creatures, Icarus Himself, Handbrake

8PM-2AM, Banter
Frontier Ruckus, The Demigs, Summer of Glaciers, Lane and Paul

9PM-10PM, J & J’s
The Hope Trust

Saturday

12PM-3PM, Cool Beans
NX35 Day Party presented by The Schoolhouse and Annex House
The Vessel Fleet, Cassavettes, Leg Sweeper

12PM-3PM, A Creative Art Studio
Unofficial NX35 Day Show @ Creative Art
One Hundred Flowers, Clint Niosi, Lalagray, Early Birds, Wheeler Sparks

12PM-5PM, 1017 Alice St.
Unofficial NX35 Day Show with Frontier Ruckus
Frontier Ruckus, Baruch the Scribe, Robert Ellis, Western Giants, Burywood

9:40PM-12:40AM, Hailey’s
MATAS & The Black Angels

10PM-1AM, Boiler Room
Trebuchet, Oso Closo, 420 Blues

Sunday

12PM-6PM, Recycled Books and Music
Words and Music
Kelly Evans, Shannon Goleman, Cody Robinson, Ryan Cornelius, Aaron Leis, Lara Campbell, Katey Margolis, Angela Gigi Foster, Jen Gooch, Aaron Anderson, Jason Ashbaugh, Darci Ratliff, Ashley Cromeens, Michael Constantine McConnell, George Neal, Haj Ross, Chris Welch

12:05PM-6:05PM, 816 W. Sycamore St.
Unofficial NX35 Syc House Day Show
Icarus himself, Glen Farris, Br’er

2PM-6PM, Cool Beans
NX35 Day Party presented by The Schoolhouse and Annex House
Boom Box Society, Teamwork, Sydney Confirm, T0MMYL33J0NEZ

3PM-9PM, Little Guys Warehouse
Paperstain Records Day Show
Douche aka Last Men, Seth Sherman, Dust Congress, Shiny Around the Edges, Geistheistler, Drink to Victory, Kampfgrounds, Piccline, Kaboom

8PM-2AM, Boiler Room
Parade of Flesh at NX35 / alternate event info
Fishboy, Math the Band, The Shakes, The Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt, Giggle Party, Smile Smile

10PM-2AM, Jupiter House
Quiet Company, Strangers Family Band, Thunder Power, Drive Like Maria, The Diamond Center

Countdown to NX35 2010: 3 days ’til half of Denton almost passes out…

…from exhaustion! I keep in touch with a few of the NX35 team that has put in so many hours into this music conferette, it should count as a second job. Except this one doesn’t pay. In money, that is. In a few days, however, their hard work along with a hundred other volunteers will finally pay off as thousands flock to the multiple venues in town to check out over two hundred bands. And those thousands of people will have no idea how many phone calls, late nights, last minute changes, dry erase board plans, meetings, buckets of paint, Red Bulls, and hours of sleep lost have gone into this festival, and I think that’s how the NX35 administration would want it. Because, mind you, this is not a corporate-run event. This is a love child of many music lovers in the area willing to put forth the energy and work required to make it happen. If you want to pay your respects to the volunteers, the best thing you can do is have fun. Or throw your own damn festival.

photo credit: sakphotography.wordpress.com

Jacob Metcalf

I started this countdown mentioning my friend Petra Kelly who was basically my gateway into the Denton music scene. At the time, she was mainly playing with Denton bands, Leatherwood and Spooky Folk, but now my favorite local violinist has started to head south to the big city. I can’t blame her though as she has joined the likes of Fox and the Bird and Early Birds (who played at DayBowBow’s Blogiversary and totally won me over). This post is both a thank you to Petra for giving me such a warm welcome to the beautiful music around me and a heads up that you should definitely check out all of the new projects she is in. And that includes Jacob Metcalf and his ever-growing, inclusive band.

The first time I saw Jacob Metcalf was by mistake. I was running late to The Local Edge Show at Trees because it was raining. And Texans don’t do well with rain on the highways. But I happened to make it there to see a string section – violins, cellos, and bass – along with other musicians dressed as if they were in a symphony. I learned later that Jacob Metcalf likes surprises. Of course, his performance at Trees was amazing especially after finding out the string section was put together within two weeks. Jacob’s not your regular indie folk guy. I caught him again at Dan’s in January as he and the band were covered in warpaint and feathers. You’d think the various costumes would be distracting but they aren’t. Not when he starts playing. He seems to find the most talented folk artists in the area to come play with him and he credits them to writing his songs alongside him. The songs are as much their songs as they are his. Watch this DC9 in Sibil video to catch a glimpse of a musician that will definitely capture more attention as the year rolls by.

DC9 Live at El Sibil: Jacob Metcalf from Dallas Observer on Vimeo.

By the by, Jacob Metcalf will be part of KXT’s showcase on Friday night at Dan’s Silver Leaf. This showcase should be one of the best so go out and support local music and the radio station that supports local music!

Notable tunes to preview online: The real gems are the videos of his most recent work online like this one. And this one. / Myspace / Facebook

Countdown to NX35 2010: 4 days ’til we’re shoutin’ from the rooftops.

The awesomeness behind house venues The Schoolhouse and Annex House have teamed up to ensure NX35 is an all-day and all-night event. If you can’t make it to any of the NX35 daytime programming or would rather listen to music than discussions, head to the rooftop of Cool Beans for an afternoon of music. FOR FREE, Y’ALL! Over fifteen bands will keep you company as you wake up and prepare for even more music in the evening. Check my list of NX35 Facebook events for more info on what’s happening during the daylight hours this weekend.

photo credit: Ha Ha Tonka's myspace profile

Ha Ha Tonka

Texas 8 Ball will be a good place to be on Friday night if you want some good, solid rock n’ roll. I’ve already featured The Phuss and The Rocketboys, and I do believe Ha Ha Tonka will fit right in the showcase. Hailing from the Ozarks, they make a nod toward their heritage by naming themselves after a Missouri state park and with their grand Southern rock sound. It’s easy to draw a similarity to Kings of Leon as singer Brett Anderson has the same soulful voice but Ha Ha Tonka has been bringing their own rock far before KOL became mainstream. With both of their albums garnering the respect of several “best albums of the year” lists, they will definitely be a treat for anyone in the mood for some good ol’ rock with soul.

Notable tunes to preview online: “St. Nick on the Fourth in a Fervor”, “Close Every Valve to Your Bleeding Heart” / Myspace / Facebook

Countdown to NX35 2010: 5 days ’til you buy a brand new album.

Unless you live in some kind of social networking closet, you have probably noticed several NX35 bands announcing their plans to release new albums at the music conferette. RTB2 will be releasing In People, a live album featuring last year’s NX35, Western Giants will be releasing their second EP, Long Live the Live Long Day, and my personal favorites, Spooky Folk, will be releasing their much anticipated debut album. Hopefully I’ve given you ample time to save up because these albums will be worth purchasing. No, seriously.

photo credit: GioSafari's Facebook profile

GioSafari

Speaking of NX35ers working hard, Gio Andollo will be making his way to NX35 from New York through his singer-songwriter moniker, GioSafari. A survivor of a motor vehicle / bicycle accident, Gio found life again through busking and sharing his stories and thoughts through song. You may not agree with his beliefs but you have to admire this folk artist doesn’t take the high road, having lived life as a homeless man, volunteering with AmeriCorps, and traveling throughout the world sharing his talents and life through his heart-revealing lyrics. And from the looks of his blog and sounds of his words, he’s got a big heart. Grab some pizza at J&J’s on Friday night and let’s show Gio that Denton’s got heart too.

GioSafari Live @ Tea Lounge NY from Roll®Blade A on Vimeo.

Notable tunes to preview online: “Homeless Thursday”, “The Silence and the Sound” / Myspace / Facebook

Countdown to NX35 2010: 6 days ’til I don’t have to play catch up so much!

Technically, I am writing this on a Tuesday with NX35 ’round the bend. Um, like two days ’round the bend. Last weekend, I took a much welcomed mini-vacation to the exotic land of Keller, Texas where I proceeded to care about nothing except for my allergies. I think it’s springtime, y’all! Well, now it’s game time and I’m ready to plow through these updates, bring you all the news that’s fit to tweet at NX35, and get ready to do it again for SXSW. It’s a tough job and no one has to do it but dammit, it’s been fun.

photo credit: www.matthewbrush.com

Via Audio

If you’ve been keeping up with the countdown, you’ve probably seen me gush over the international acts that will be showcased at Dan’s on the final night of NX35. Because, come on, this is Denton, Texas and there’s really no reason for someone from Australia, Ireland, or Denmark should come visit. Our mall doesn’t even have a food court for crying out loud. But here we are, throwing our own music festival that has garnered all sorts of attention, respect, and critics. You know you’re doing something wrong if you don’t have critics. But I digress. What I haven’t mentioned about the Sunday night show at Dan’s is the fact that two national acts will be sharing the stage with our new friends overseas, Pattern is Movement and today’s featured band, Via Audio.

Having met while in college in Boston over five years ago, Via Audio brought their indie pop/rock outfit to New York where dreams come true. Well, at least theirs did. I mean, not many year-old bands are named one of Chris Walla’s “new favorite bands” and rarely does handing a demo over to Jim Eno from Spoon result in him producing your album. Singers Tom Deis and Jessica Martins complement each other as they share lead vocals over their smooth, authentic version of indie pop. Listen to where they’ve taken their sound with their newest album, Animalore, dropping March 9.

Check the video below for a performance of “Modern Day Saint” from their critically-acclaimed debut full-length album, Say Something.

Notable tunes to preview online: “Summer Stars”, “Babies” / Myspace / Facebook