Sometimes a promotional video actually works as a promotional video. Above is the acoustic video offered by Courrier to promote their upcoming CD release show (for A Violent Flame) at the Parish (tomorrow, 1/28). They created similarly elegant vids for the others sharing the bill, including Quiet Company, David Ramirez, and Aaron Ivey. 

Born not so long ago, the site AustinMusicWeekly.com showcases high-quality audio and video from some of the best Austin bands in operation. Most recently, they tracked down Arum Rae and her incendiary duo White Dress @ Lamberts; the above vid is just a tiny sampling of what they’ve put up. Being that the folks at AMW are all about promotion + exposure for local indie talent, we’re going to do our best to keep you posted about their goings on…well worth your time. 

The first new album from Iron & Wine in more than three years, Kiss Each Other Clean, arrives today, and tomorrow Waterloo Records will mark the event with their patented Pizza & Listening party at 5pm. Mr. Iron & Wine, aka Sam Beam, made the wise decision to adopt Austin (well, Dripping Springs) as his home several years ago; he’s kept a very Austin-like low profile, but he gets lots of love from KUT and even makes an occasional studio appearance. Mostly he’s been busy expanding his brood; I believe the count stands now at five children and four full-length albums, all of which could explain why he sounds sleepy.

Drew Smith’s classic americana pop songs are a dynamic projection of simple, efficient songwriting and a genuine depth of artistic delivery. His mix of heartfelt, visually descriptive lyrics and masterful compositions make Drew Smith’s music as unique as it is encompassing. TED SONGS, by Drew Smith, is the sixth release from the Austin, Texas based recording artist. Shifting away from the inspiration and soulful pop of The Lonely Choir album, this collection of songs was stirred by a new acoustic framed project called TED. The group is comprised of multi instrumentalist Brian Beken (South Austin Jug Band), accomplished percussionist Rob Hooper and Lonely Choir bassist Ryan Bowman. Drew and his bandmates recorded the material in February of 2010 during a “magical” weeklong snowstorm in Brooklyn, NY with producer Roger Greenwalt (Ben Kweller, The Pierces). From this creative council, Drew Smith came away with five songs full of characters, storylines, adhering hooks and yet another dimension of color and tone in his musical landscape. Still, this landmark is just one spot on Drew Smith’s horizon for 2011. More music releases are expected from The Lonely Choir and the most recent shape in Drew’s musical kaleidoscope, a 70’s suit & tie three-piece rock band called All The Elements.

(Ed.: this post taken from Drew Smith’s post on our DIY Open Blog, check out other Open Blog posts in the Deli Kitchen.)

Denton natives Sarah Jaffe and Bosque Brown will take hold of The Ghost Room this Friday in downtown Austin.

Singer/songwriter Jaffe released her second album, Suburban Nature, last year, and received Rolling Stone recognition for her 2010 Austin City Limits performance.  Don’t let Jaffe’s tender looks and blonde locks fool you. She possesses no fluff. Her song “Clementine” is an extraordinary find. Jaffe’s voice is wonderfully rich and wistful. She impressively crafts her words and sound with smoldering fervor. Folksy Bosque Brown (named after a river near Mara Lee Miller’s childhood home) will also perform at the spooky venue.

Bosque Brown will perform at 9:30 p.m. Jaffe comes on at 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door.

Be sure to wish Jaffe a happy early birthday, too. The talented singer turns 25 on the 29^th.

–Cassie Morien

Seems like good timing that one year after winning both the Readers’ and the overall Deli Emerging Artist Poll, and in the midst of the current poll, 2010 champs STEREO IS A LIE are now ready to unveil their debut, eponymous full-length. The album – slated for release Feb. 8 – will also mark the debut release for the Austin-based boutique label Monolathe Recordings.  

The long-awaited sophomore release from indie-poppers Oh No Oh My People Problems arrived yesterday and has been justly praised by sources as diverse as Paste and the Wall Street Journal. "I want this album to make people cry," said member Daniel Hoxmeier of the new effort. For right now, they’ll be making the French cry: the band have embarked on a two-month tour of Europe, including multiple dates in France throughout the remainder of January and Feb. Ah, the sacrifices we make for art. 

You may have noticed the impressive size our current poll – that’s no ordinary poll, it’s our annual Best of Austin Emerging Artists’ Poll, and voting is happening NOW. We have a tremendous pool of talent represented this year, and we need your vote. 

The band/artist from this list that wins on the poll’s composite chart (i.e. jurors + Deli writers + fans’ votes) will receive a plethora of prizes provided by the sponsors of The Deli. Right now all the artists in the list have accumulated some points from the votes cast by jurors and writers, now it’s the fans and readers’ turn!



JURORS:

Here’s the list of our fantastic jurors in random order: John Laird (Side One Track One), John Kunz (Waterloo Records), Paige Maguire (Austinist), Kevin Hoskins (Emo’s), Zoe Cordes Selbin (Bold and Zesty), Jennifer Leduc, (Superpop!), Tyler Groover (TwoGroove), Paul Oviesi (Momo’s), Michael Maly (Sonic Itch), Richard Gonzalez (Ultra8201), Mitchell Mazurek (The Deli). Big thanks to them all!!

Noise-freaks Zorch topped our list of artists who submitted for consideration in our fast-approaching Best of Austin 2010 poll. Their whirling, swirling, disorienting synth & drums attack is being called "the saving grace of electronically-charged music" (thephotongod blog). They also just happen to be playing as part of Free Week at the Mohawk this Saturday (1/8), along with Attack in Formation, Look Mexico and MoTel Aviv. Here’s our full top ten, all of whom will now move on to the next phase of the poll: 

TOP TEN ARTISTS FROM OPEN SUBMISSIONS:

1. Zorch

2. Horse + donkey

3. She Sir

4. Thai Paul

5. Little Lo

6. Sad Accordions

7. Sarah Jarosz

8. The Boxing Lesson

9. The Pons

10. The Rocketboys 

Atmospheric post-rockers Baron Grod ("a soundtrack to a disturbingly addictive Kubrick film") topped the list of our Sonic Bids submissions this year; you’ll often find them featured in the employee picks over at Waterloo, unfortunately, as of yet there’s nowhere to find them playing live in 2011. They were joined at the top of our Sonic Bids list by The Sour Notes, who return from a winter tour to play the Cactus on Jan. 20th, and the bluesy Megan Tubb & The Shady People, who will celebrate a CD release Feb. 5th at the Saxon. 

Eight bands for six dollars, plus the chance to contribute to a 13-foot wind-powered steel T Rex – it’s not an everyday event. The upcoming Yellow Bike Project Benefit Jan.14th is centered around the construction of the T Rex (who is going to need a name, I’m just saying) at their new Eastside HQ. What this means for you: free beer, raffle, SuperLiteBike, No Mas Bodas, Os Ovni, Cowabunga Babes, Christopher Fairman (above), Art vs. Industry, Chase Frank, Shawn Matthews, and DJ Kris Bueno, all at the Art Authority/Spider House Coffee. Get your Jurassic on. 

The End of 2010 approaches, and that means two things: one, our big bad Year End Poll is in the works, with a winner soon to be crowned as Emerging Austin Artist of 2010, and two, FREE WEEK is on its way, with way WAY too many local bands out playing for you during the first week of January. You’ll never see them all, but if you tried, you could catch What Made Milwaukee Famous (at Emo’s 1/7 along with The Lemurs, pictured above) White Rhino, Amplified Heat, One Hundred Flowers, Quiet Company, Shapes Have Fangs, STEREO IS A LIE, Fresh Millions, Beautiful Supermachines, and many many more. All week. Participating venues include The Parish, Emo’s, The Mohawk, Red 7, Beerland, ND at 501, The Scoot Inn, Stubb’s…

–photo by Chris Carson