Americana darlings and partial Austinites The Greencards unleash their new one The Brick Album today & celebrate by playing a Waterloo instore tomorrow (6/22). While you’re there you might want to pick up a copy of the new one from North Texas indie legends Centro-matic, Candidate Waltz. And really, at this point, why not make a day of it, and head over to Zilker for Blues on the Green (we’re still talking about Wednesday 6/22 here, please keep up) for Suzanna Choffel and The Bright Light Social Hour. That kicks off at 7:30. Wait, is that free? Why yes. Yes it is. 

Thursday night was slammed with Built By Snow’s homecoming at Red 7. These rockers haven’t seen stage light since 2010 but came back with a punch in the drums. Their latest album, MEGA, was released in January 2009 and pulls 70s post-punk, keyboard slang, and corner arcades into a wonderpiece. Tracks aside, their live performance was a feverish addiction of “woo-oos” and volts of energy you could feel through your bones. They danced, they did the robot, they rolled on the floor, they swept the space leaving you wonderfully dizzy and scrambling to find their next show.

–Jamie Hsu

(–pic from www.TwoGroove.com)

With Grupo Fantasma already earning a Grammy this year, another of Adrian Quesada’s pursuits, Ocote Soul Sounds, celebrated the release of their fourth studio album, Taurus, at Beauty Bar last Friday (6/10). Quesada and Martin Perna turned stranded-roadside jam sessions into fresh Latin roots and funklore. Taurus was officially released May 31^st and has been strongly acclaimed for its bold fusion of salsa, funk, jazz and tropical flavor. On stage, they captured a brilliant blend of saxophone solos, bass riffs, flutes, shakers and the sultry vibe of Columbian soundscape. The music was raw and so organically vibrant with the essence of Latin groove and moves, the crowd was completely soulspun. Next up, the band will be taking some summer heat to New York City in early July.

–Jamie Hsu

Tomorrow night (6/17) at the Parish: David Ramirez, Black Books, Fox and the Bird, and Shakey Graves. And just who the hell/what the hell/why the hell is Shakey Graves? Why, he’s a gentleman from Texas, of course. A gentleman named Alejandro, but not that Alejandro. A gentleman with a bandcamp and a tumblr and a facebook, with a fedora and a banjo, but without an inflated sense of self-promotion. He is, in short, a gentleman you’ll have to go see in order to learn very much about. Which you can do, tomorrow. Remember where we started? 

Never let it be said that Austinites don’t support their own…The Bright Light Social Hour returned from the first major national tour on Saturday night & were greeted by a sold-out show @ the Mohawk. They rolled out all the bright & funky jams from their debut, and turned vocal duties over to the crowd for "Detroit". The crowd was more than up to the task…many fantastic happenings are in the band’s future, including quite soon (6/22) an album of remixes from their debut, with a remix release party planned for the Parish that same night. They want you to feel everything…that they feel. 

Frenchie Smith Records are taking over Homegrown Live this Saturday and bringing some of the scuzziest psychedelic to be found in our Lone Star city, including The Boxing Lesson, who will bestow the new Muerta EP upon you, but also Smoke & Feathers, Black Bone Child, and their brother band Scorpion Child. $8 at the door, ND 501. 

Ocote Soul Sounds will celebrate the release of their album Taurus tomorrow (6/10) at the Beauty Bar– be prepared for a dose of Funkloric Folklore…

KGSR’s Blues On the Green concert series kicks off tonight (6/8) with Quiet Company opening (at 7:30) for Bob Schneider — neither of whom are really blues artists, but let’s not quibble. Let’s make it a point today, to not quibble. Just head on down to Zilker rain or shine, it’s not quite anything goes, but children and dogs are welcome. Dogs must be leashed; children: your call, but it may earn you some looks. Blues on the Green runs every Wednesday from now until mid-August, future acts TBA. Enjoy! 

On Wednesday, May 25, Austinites The Bright Light Social Hour made a lasting impression on New Yorkers with their rare appearance in the Big Apple. Alongside New York notables The Wicked Tomorrow, The Click Clack Boom, and Black Taxi, BLSH arrived prepared to take Mercury Lounge by storm,  show off what they have been keeping from the Northeast, and depart with a bevy of new fans. Tight knit grooves, bluesy riffs, dancey swagger, and  extended “electro” breakdowns, mixed with a taste of Southern rock, the quartet got the crowd moving, sweating, and even laughing, with the band’s witty banter, raunchy lyrics, and tricky ways  with rests, which brought on premature applause on several occasions. Featuring several of the tracks from their debut album, highlights included down and dirty, and danceable “Shanty,” playful “Bare Hands Bare Feet,” ultra-sultry “Detroit,” and  enchanting, echoing, and keytar-driven jam,“La Piedra De La Iguana.” Bright Light Social Hour “kept Austin weird” while keeping New York City satisfied.

 –Meijin Bruttomesso, The Deli Magazine NYC 

If you’re looking for a salty breath of oceanic tunes, grab your nearest sea creature and head on to The Hole in The Wall for a performance by Mermaid Blonde this Friday, June 3 (today!) at 10pm. This Austin-based band documents the “ill-fated voyages” of the sailing vessel with the melodies of trial and triumph. 

They will also be docking at Mohawk June 9 with Reverse X-rays, and Horse + Donkey. Come tip your hats in tribute to their farewell show. It’s going to be nautical.

–Jamie Hsu

Sleep Good, a local dreamtown band of four, took an opening stage at Emo’s last Saturday (5/28).  The band was originally formed with solo recordings by Will Patterson but has kicked up a few more members since. They released their most recent album, Strange Vacations, in December 2010 and is expecting to record this summer. Lucky for you, their collection of albums were recorded on a ½’’ 8 track tape machine. So pop in the 60s cassettes feel for a happy days in the clouds of jingles and dreams. Lead guitarist Willis McClung, quotes on Saturday, “Don’t mean to be bossy people, but let’s dance!”

–Jamie Hsu

This Friday (6/3) at Venue 222 you can be part of the inaugural Sunshine Fest, all to benefit the Health Alliance of Austin Musicians (superb organization) and Austin Music People, and to provide valuable exposure for Austin Sunshine Camps— a group that has made not just summer camps but many many more amazing programs available to disadvantaged youth in central Texas. Those are three excellent reasons to attend and that’s before we even get to the bands: The Black and White Years, who have a fine collection of Austin Music Awards, Suzanna Choffel, who just released her album Steady Eye, Shaky Bow to great acclaim, the always brilliant Bill Baird (aka Sunset, pictured above), Graham Wilkinson, Kalu James, and more. Go on now.