Countdown to NX35 2010: ONE WEEK, ONE WEEK, ONE WEEK!

Do you know what this means, folks? The light at the end of the flippin’ tunnel. The NX35 administration and volunteers will see the fruits of their labor, I will have to find something else to blog about and, of course, best of all, over 200 bands will play for people that love music. Short intro today, folks, so you can get back to preparing for next week’s awesomeness. And… go!

photo credit: www.billellison.com

RTB2

I don’t have many regrets in life. But having lived in Denton for about five months now without hitting up an RTB2 show? Inexcusable. The first time I heard of Ryan Thomas Becker, I was at a show at The Schoolhouse and a friend told me I shouldn’t miss his set. I was there but for some unknown reason, I missed it. And I’ve managed to do so for five freaking months. The same friend told me I should definitely go to an RTB2 show, and I haven’t. No good excuses for missing any of his many, many shows as he is in two other bands (Eaton Lake Tonics, The Slow Burners) in addition to his solo project and RTB2. His dedication to music far, far outweighs mine to say the least as he manages to juggle a day job along with all of his bands. Does he sleep?

It has been said that Ryan Thomas Becker is the “best guitarist in Denton.” That’s a mighty large claim to make but from the recordings I’ve heard, I will not argue with that declaration. Combined with Grady Don Sandlin on drums (another musician that someone recently told me was the best in town), RTB2 is definitely a bluesy-rock force to be reckoned with. Although I’ve managed to miss every RTB2 show, there was a good solid month where I played the DOMA XXI compilation disc in my car, giving extra play to “When Hammer Hits Stone.” No lie. And yesterday, the video for the song was unleashed. It accentuates the pure badassery of the song well. (And I’m not the first one to use the word “badassery” to describe this video.)

RTB2 – “When Hammer Hits Stone” Super 8mm from Andy LaViolette on Vimeo.

I swear one day I will experience this live. You can, too, if you start the festival off at Dan’s next Thursday night.

edit: Also, RTB2 is releasing a live album next week called In People which covers their set from last year’s NX35. Don’t say I didn’t warn you to bring some extra cash!

Notable tunes to preview online: “When Hammer Hits Stone”, “Wire to the Walls” / Myspace / Facebook

Countdown to NX35 2010: 8 days ’til you learn a thing or two.

The daytime programming has now been announced and scheduled with full details listed on each day’s schedule on NX35.com. Of course, there is the much anticipated keynote speaker, Steve Albini, who will share his knowledge on Friday afternoon of the conferette. Other conversations will take place each day of the event, giving us a reason to wake up before noon (daytime programming begins on noon on most days) to learn a few things or two about the music industry. Most definitely a good idea for musicians who want to be a step ahead of the rest, journalists, music lovers, and anyone who is part of the Denton DIY music scene. Check it out but make sure you have a wristband for access first!

photo credit: www.manitouphoto.?com

The Phuss

In case you haven’t noticed, Cold Fusion is no longer a NX35 venue but not to worry, Texas 8 Ball has stepped up to the game as a replacement venue. As long as there is a place for The Rocketboys, Here Holy Spain, Bridges and Blinking Lights, and The Phuss, we will have a place to freakin’ rock on Friday night at the festival.

Based in the DFW (claiming home to both Dallas and Fort Worth), this rock duo is comprised of Joshua Fleming on guitar and vocals, and Trey Alfaro back at the drums. Set to make “dirty, Texas devil rock,” The Phuss does so in a very solid and big way, making you wonder how they manage to do so with just two band members. They released their debut EP, Wanted, last fall and took it upon themselves to use the album to create a story about an murderous outlaw. Tall order for a first release but The Phuss made it happen. It’s gritty and dirty and something you want to listen to before you go kick someone in the face. Er, I mean, when you want to get pumped up about something.

Here’s their recently released music video for “Preacher, Preacher.” Seriously, try not to destroy something while watching this. It’s so aggressively, wickedly good.

Notable tunes to preview online: “Preacher, Preacher”, “Wanted” / Myspace / Facebook

TROLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLO

Instead of writing today’s countdown post (don’t worry, I’ll postdate one tomorrow!) I bring you something that is neither here nor there. Just a break from all the madness that will occur this month. Enjoy.

http://trololololololololololo.com

Countdown to NX35 2010: 9 days ’til you wave your hands in the air like you just don’t care.

In case you ever wondered, “conferette” is not a real word. It’s a term coined by the brains behind the music conferette who wanted the name of the festival to reflect its “antagonistic, off-festival” attitude. Denton Record-Chronicle published an article today about the origin of the word and the conferette which is in its third year if you count its first year as an afternoon fest at SXSW. Brush up on your NX35 knowledge and make sure you can go!

photo credit: www.benshawver.com

Damaged Good$

I don’t think there’s a showcase on the closing night of NX35 that I don’t want to hit up. You have your pick from rock shows, party shows and international acts but Andy’s is the place to be if you need to feel a thumping bass in your heart and a desire to jump and shake it ’til the festival ends. Damaged Good$ will help make sure you wake up Monday morning with your dancin’ muscles sore. As I’ve mentioned before, I don’t listen to hip-hop or rap often but this hipster-hop duo keeps popping up on my local music radar. Quite recently, they released an album, $pread Love Not Germ$, for free on their site along with other free singles. And check out their statement:

$pread Love Not Germ$ is our first charity based project. We felt that this project was perfect considering the economic climate. Every month we released a single, coupled with a charity event to benefit certain organizations. We wanted this project to spark a movement of selfless actions in a world where everyone is driven by material things and are obsessed with money. We put this event together without spending/making a dime. So now you have absolutely NO EXCUSE to not do your part wherever you are on this planet. If you buy rims…then you can donate to the Haiti fund. If you are making it rain….then you can organize a food drive…..That simple.

If their selfless attitude and grooves aren’t enough to win you over, DC9 taped them last year as Coool Dundee supported Trak Bully while he got a tat… then they proceeded to perform “Dopest Flyest”. Pretty rad.

Notable tunes to preview online: “Saltshaker”, “Yo That’s Righteous Bassline” / Myspace / Facebook

Countdown to NX35 2010: 10 days ’til you preview a bit of SXSW.

It’s no mistake that NX35 happens a week before SXSW. Nicknamed SXSW’s “baby cousin”, the music conferette offers a chance for musicians heading to Austin to warm-up and for music lovers to catch a little extra live music for the month. More bands than I can accurately count will debut albums and tunes, work out kinks and tricks, and give dedicated fans a chance to see their favorite bands at least twice in March. I know I’ll be making the trek down south the week after NX35 but most importantly, I’ll be wearing this wristband first. Get excited folks, it’s March!

photo credit: www.sunnyoldsoul.blogspot.com

Western Giants

Well, the sun has disappeared again on this March Monday morning, hidden beyond the rainclouds and wind. Among catching up with posts I missed this weekend, I decided to listen to a few tunes Western Giants so graciously gave to me. (Apparently, writing a music blog has its perks. Who knew? Obviously I didn’t!) I let them know that I may or may not include them in the countdown since I have almost finished planning the last two weeks of posts. But that was before I actually listened to them.

Western Giants brings a “southern charm” that has been an excellent soundtrack for this cloudy, slow start to the month. Quite a bit of Texas is present in this Denton-based folk/rock band that was initially a solo project started by Kennon Talley two years ago. Indecisive about many of life’s choices, Talley decided on doing something he knew he loved, music. He set out to record one song a week for seven weeks in hopes to record a full album. Whether or not he actually followed through with the idea is unknown to me but it did blossom into a full band that released a self-titled EP with five solid songs last year. Western Giants are set to release a new EP, Long Live the Live Long Day, at their showcase on the closing night of NX35 before heading off to play a few shows at SXSW. It’s going to be an exciting month for these guys so be sure to help them kick it off.

Notable tunes to preview online: “Heavy Skies (Bring Blind Eyes)”, “River Cry Bayou” / Myspace / Facebook