This is shaping up as what I believe you would call a runaway victory, so if you have a rooting interest other than International Waters, time to get your vote in. Else we expect to crown them shortly. In other bloggy news, our man Neon Indian recently crafted up two remixes of Grizzly Bear’s "Cheerleader." And there is much rejoicing.

Over here we are gearing up for our Year End Poll of the Best Emerging Austin Acts of 2009, as voted on by a jury of local writers, bloggers, record shop owners, radio DJs, and all around music heads. More on that to come, for now we wanted to let you know that…

…Ume grabbed the November cover of Soundcheck Magazine; they’re accompanied on the inside by fellow Austinites T-Bird (above) and Black Joe Lewis, reflecting what we believe to be a sensible Austin bias on the part of the Austin-based mag. T-Bird and the Breaks, btw, play a Thanksgiving show at Momo’s, so you know where to go if you need a little old school, deep funky R&B to get your tryptophan-riddled self moving; they’ll be joined by Blues Mafia and Brett Randell, who happens to be the newest addition to our charts. (Climbing?) Over the weekend you’ll have Neon Indian with The Tunnels at Stubb’s on Friday, and some serious stalwarts on Saturday: Alejandro Escovedo at the Continental, Patrice Pike and Suzanna Choffel at Momo’s, and Bob Schneider at Antone’s.

Finally, we have to mention that Matt the Electrician & Southpaw Jones will again hold down their Wednesday night Flipnotics gig (the 25th), and they made an offer to offend & horrify any of your visiting relatives – really, they did, I was there last week…so bring ’em on by, the show is free.

Happy Turkey…or tofurkey…

New self-titled upcoming from Yellow Fever, featuring some Beat Happening/Daniel Johnston/Richard Pettibon style artwork and songs that go a little like this. Actually, they go exactly like that. Yellow Fever is comprised most frequently of Jennifer Moore and Adam Jones, although they sometimes increase in number. Yellow Fever is due out a week from tomorrow, Dec. 1st, on Wild World. Track list below…

1. Ratcatcher
 2. Cutest
3. Donovan
4. Psychedelic
5. Donald
6. Alice
7. Cats and Rats
8. Metarie
9. Hellfire
10. Joe Brown
11. Culver City

Chris Klassen – or Prince Klassen, as he’s known to civilians – got his first taste of DJing as a teen in San Antonio.  Using his brother’s turntables, he started playing gigs at age 14; today, he is a fixture on Austin’s electronic music scene, and travels all over the country sharing his requisite brand of percussive, soul-inflected party tunes. He hasn’t done too shabbily on the publicity end of things, either: Fader, Wire, Texas Monthly, Austin American-Statesman, Austin Chronicle, San Antonio Current, Tribeza, and Spin have all tipped their journalistic hats to Klassen, so it’s about time The Deli did too.  Below, thoughts from Klassen – who, were he not DJing, aspires to be a stone cold killer.  Watch out, hipsters.

DJing.  When and how did you start? 
I started DJing in the summer of 1997. I started because of my older brother, for the most part. He would have me record a house mix show, "House Nation," every Saturday for him on the local college station back in San Antonio. From there, he got turntables and I kind of started to use them more than he did. Now here I am.

I’ve been hearing your name in Austin’s electronic music scene for years, it seems – and everyone raves about your spinning! How would you describe your sound’s style?
Well I think coming from San Antonio, there wasn’t too much going on at the time (plus I was a teenager), so my "style" comes from being isolated without too much outside influence. Reflecting on the people I was influenced by, my style seems to be an amalgam of them all. I can’t really describe my sound, but my good friend always says to me "that sounds like you, I heard this and it sounded like Klassen". So let’s say very percussive, and anything you feel the soul coming out of. 

You are one of the DJs who has really embraced the blogosphere, by proactively sending tracks to bloggers to sample online for their readers.  Over the years, do you think this effort has helped you in terms of exposure?
Oh that dang ol’ blogosphere. I have always embraced technology, whether if be for DJing, communication, or lifestyle. I do, however, feel that since DJing has turned digital, there is a weird shift currently happening that I am not too sure how I feel about. Blogs are great. I have two or three that I write for, but I feel that blogs have watered down actual personal flavor. I do know for a fact that they have helped spread my tracks/edits/name all over the world. I just wonder if people actually like the songs, or if they like it because it’s free, and you can have a bazillion types of music in your pocket/serato now.

What’s your favorite venue to play in Austin?  Why?
Does my house count?  Hahaha. That is a hard question to answer. I don’t know if I have one that I absolutely love. I love The Parish because they have the best sound in town, but I don’t play there regularly. I guess I don’t have a super favorite room at the moment.

What’s your favorite venue to play anywhere?
This is another hard question. I think the most memorable was one I played recently, which is First Ave in Minneapolis. It is most notable for being in Prince’s Purple Rain. The party I played is called Too Much Love, and my friend that runs that night has built a very solid crowd that is up for anything. You hardly see that anymore. The iPod generation wants to hear everything they know, and the DJ isn’t "trusted" anymore.

Where do you find the songs you sample, and do you have a method for putting tracks together?  Or just kind of mix-and-match, and see what happens?
The tracks I usually put out are edits of long-time favorites for me. When it comes to DJing, I never create sets. I always just freestyle and see what happens. There are songs that always go together, but I never have a whole two hours planned. I think I would get bored because I know what is coming next.

In a recent internship I spent with XXXchange from Spank Rock/ Fully Fitted, he taught me a lot when it comes to producing tracks. Things I had never thought to try. 

Fill in the blank. If I weren’t a DJ, I’d be a ______.
Less bitter person, stone cold killer, teacher/ professor, cultural ambassador.

Last remarks?
Thanks for interviewing me, I truly appreciate it. I guess I can be this guy and promote new Fully Fitted releases from Pase Rock, XXXchange, and a group DVD mixtape. I have other edits and releases coming up as well.

(Editor’s note: Check out Prince Klassen’s latest projects on his MySpace page, http://www.myspace.com/princeklassen.)

–Tolly Moseley

For a sliver of a pittance of a smidgen of cash, or, more specifically, for five bucks, you can catch three high-quality, low-fiber, polyunsaturated local bands this Saturday (Nov. 21st) at the recently born Ghost Room: The Great Nostalgic, Candi and the Strangers, and Leatherbag, all three of whom have new material in the works. So you would, in fact, be a fool to cry.

One of my favorite things about Austin is our prediliction for the 24 hour joint – one fine shining caffeinated example being Bennu Coffee, nestled away on the east side on MLK near Poquito. Bennu feels Austin – it’s relaxed & smart, and most importantly, they serve an excellent cup of coffee (and of course Torchy’s Tacos). They keep the prose flowing, such as it is, here at The Deli. So help us thank ’em by checking it out – any time of day or night.

Hearty backslapping congrats to the members of Corto Maltese, who walked away victorious from the dustup that is the Deli Austin Artist of the Month Poll. You shall soon see their image boxed up above. But glory is brief: the new nominees are up, are in, are awaiting your sharp judgment. Have at it, people: Brothers and Sisters, International Waters, Ola Podrida (above), Pompeii and The Wooden Birds all cluster above right, late November suitors for your love. Vote vote vote! 

At least two of these nominees are available soon for your live enjoyment via your earholes and eyeholes: Brothers & Sisters play Emo’s December 4th and Ola Podrida just announced a Dec. 11th date at the Mohawk. 

Headline pretty much says it all, but let’s say it again – here’s a mix put together by Butcher Bear of songs written and selected by Low Line Caller. LLC will hit the Mohawk this December 2nd for a Rare Magazine party…

Local Music IS Sexy.  I can emphatically confirm this statement.  Friday’s local music night at the Mohawk was insanely entertaining.  I love all things Austin, but what was special about the night was the crowd.  Young hipsters, band geeks, and all those in between – like myself – all set the tone for a fun evening.
 
Going in, not knowing too much about the artists performing, I was pleasantly surprised with the caliber of the lineup.  Starting with the Minor Mishap Marching Band (above) and their grand entrance down the stairs and onto the stage like a funeral procession in New Orleans, I knew I was in for a treat.  Their melange of a marching band was like a French Bat Mitzvah, a Gypsy festival, a Cirque Du Soleil performance and they left me smiling and satisfied.  My cohort commented, "Have I seen them on Sesame Street?  I mean that in the BEST way!"
 
I haven’t listened to PIL in a long time, but when manikin hit the stage, they brought the angst and pissed off charm of a Jon Lydon that I loved.  Vocals were limited, like a Devo, but there was lots of reverb and LOUD bass that blasted the Mohawk when they hit the stage.  With a one man horn section, a sexy and talented woman drummer, lots of in your face rock and roll, manikin is a show not to missed. 
 
I made my way inside to catch Silent Land Time Machine.  A recent graduate of UT who has captured the young club scene.  Spinning decks relentlessly all the while playing over with his electric violin.  A unique blend of dance and experimental beats…
 
On to International Waters.  Buddy Holly vs. Weezer.  Ocean Blue vs. The Lightning Seeds.  Their sensibilities are similar and that’s a positive thing.  Lots of "anthemy" songs, but I would have liked a real break out tune.
 
TV Torso!  I am in love!  The best musicians I have seen always make their work look easy.  These guys are so tight, but relaxed and look like they are truly enjoying themselves.  A three piece band that…wait for it….sound to me like a modern version of the Everly Brothers with harmonies to die for and songs so catchy you find yourself dancing and humming along.  These guys could be playing for 10 or 10,000, it wouldn’t matter, their heart and souls were evident in every beat.  Definitely my favorite of the night!
 
I found at the end of the night that not only is Local Music Sexy, it’s really freaking good, too.  The lineup was stellar.  I was so impressed, I got online to look up bio information. I had to quench my music crushes.  The Mohawk was a great host, too.  The weather, the lights, the smell of cloves for God’s sake, made the night unique and special, but the fantastic music – that’s what I’ll remember. 

–Ellen Green

The Sad Accordions have bravely taken on the latest iteration of The Deli’s Five Questions, results are below…the Accordions play Emo’s Wednesday night the 11th in the company of Lake. Maybe you’ll hear "In My Tree"…

The Back to the Future/Butterfly Effect Question: You can travel back to 1955 and teach a local band one song: what do you teach them?
Our drummer Nathaniel has finally seen the light, and that light is called Pearl Jam! He’s all about spreading the gospel according to vedder to any time period, so he’d be teaching the kids "In My Tree" from Pearl Jam’s best record, No Code. Ben wanted to push the envelope a little further by playing "Teenage Riot" by Sonic Youth for them… "Thurston! This is your cousin… Marvin… Marvin Moore! You gotta hear this man…"
Best compliment you’ve ever gotten, on your music or otherwise?
 There’s this guy who will often drive up from San Antonio to see us play, on a fairly regular basis. We think that’s pretty weird, but it’s a huge compliment. Thanks Cullen!
Also, our moms all think we’re very handsome.
If you could get one local guest star on your next album, who would you pick?
 Monahans! The whole lot of em! (Rocky Erickson would be pretty cool though…)
Best breakfast in Austin?
Tamale House, without a doubt.
This set of questions made me ________.
a hungry slacker.

Let’s not get too lengthy with the preludes here and just cut right to the Q & A we were lucky enough to collect from recent poll winners The Tiny Tin Hearts. Take it away, Hearts…

You can travel back to 1955 and teach a local band one song: what do you teach them?

Assuming this would be a Tiny Tin Hearts song, perhaps, "Love and Jet Engines". I think that it could shake up some suburbia folks that felt like 1955 was the golden age of America. Maybe confuse the rebels who knew better, a little, too…

Best compliment you’ve ever gotten, on your music or otherwise?

Billy Gibbons (of ZZ Top) once said in his Billy Gibbons voice, "Man, that’s a dirty guitar." He didn’t mean "dirty", as in a distorted tone, but dirty as in filthy. It needed to be cleaned, so I’ve been making more of an effort to clean the thing, once in a while. I guess that’s more of a comment…

If you could get one local guest star on your next album, who would you pick?

Doug Sahm, without a doubt! Of course, if that were to happen, we might be pretty frightened, as well…

Best breakfast in Austin?

That’s asking for a full-out fist fight within the band! There’s a great place way East on Burleson Rd, called El Meson. It’s well overlooked, but if you do stop, you won’t regret it.

This set of questions made me:

…even more neurotic than I was before this set of questions.

…The Tiny Tin Hearts’ debut The Last Flight of the Martyr Aviator is available now. They are currently at work on new songs & plan to return to the studio in spring (when the world is mud-luscious, as some say).

We here at the Deli Austin are extraordinarily proud to present the first in our series of features profiling Austin venues. Our writer Resalin Rago brings us installment one, focused on the Red River hotspot the Mohawk, which you may call a hipster hangout at your own peril. Photos by Frances Lin.

A wooden sign hanging above the bar at the Mohawk reads “All are Welcome.” The motto, explained owner James Moody, is directed at artists. “Austin, having so much talent coming through, didn’t need to take that extra step. There were things in Austin that weren’t being done and we wanted to fill in gaps," Moody said. “When we started, the interactive scene wasn’t there. No one was using social networking on websites and there were no Green Rooms for artists to chill and relax before the show. ”

Bored at his desk job, Moody left the health care industry to open a club, soon christened The Mohawk, on Red River. The investors decided to build next to Club De Ville, hoping to piggyback off the elder’s success. Club De Ville had established itself (nine years prior to Mohawk’s opening night) as a strong rival against Stubbs, one block down the street. While the trifecta now compete against each other for bookings, they are reviving the downtown entertainment district that had grown quiet.

On a late summer afternoon, Mohawk co-managers Adrian Ace San Miguel and Renee Stokes tell me stories about the club between puffs of a shared Camel cigarette. The Camel sales rep loves the club so its patrons and employees have no problem sating their nicotine craving. They finish smoking and take me on a tour of the property.

We climb narrow wooden stairs off to the right of the indoor stage. Before coming into the Green Room, I pause to read Neil Young lyrics painted in Old English font:

My, my, hey, hey,
Rock & Roll is here to stay.
It’s better to burn out than to fade away.
My, my, hey, hey.

Public access to the Green Room Lounge is determined by the generosity of the headlining band, which is why it’s “open most of the time.” (This pertains to the venue as well since its doors open only if a band is playing on one of its two stages). A green light over 10th St. summons revelers into a room with walls the color of mowed grass. During late afternoons, however, the wooden floors don’t groan under footsteps or shake from the amps blasting below. The vintage Seeburg Stereo 160 jukebox is left alone. At these moments, the music is gone, and with it, the debauchery, lewdness, and unexpected rollicking antics of artists and Austinites cashing in on cheap prices and free cigarettes. All is quiet.

But here is where Too Short left with female co-eds and tequila bottle in hand. Here is where Michael Stipe (REM) supposedly puked his guts out.

“[Stipe] needed to go to the bathroom,” Moody said. “He was on the roof deck and it was jam packed with people so I asked an employee, an ex-Marine, to help Stipe. Not knowing that Stipe is a frail, nervous guy—grabs him and says ‘Come with me dude.’ He puts [him] in a headlock and starts yelling: ‘He’s gonna puke! He’s gonna puke!’ The crowd cleared out and Stipe got to the bathroom. For the longest time, the rumor was that Michael Stipe puked in the Green Room at the Mohawk.”

Stokes and San Miguel point out the new canopy, all of the re-claimed wood and metal, and new soundsystem. “What I like about working here is that rather than take home a paycheck, the owners re-invest back into the club,” San Miguel said. “I worked at Emo’s for five years and they still have the same shitty, broken toilet.”

While Moody is not the sole owner (Mike Terraza is another), he is responsible for crafting and maintaining Mohawk’s personality through design, social networking, and booking (Transmission Entertainment). Mohawk dabbles in different music genres as evidenced by its eclectic lineup. However, its taste prefers underground and emerging bands over the mainstream. The crowd that warms the white swivel stools in the lounge on a regular basis didn’t buy tickets to Cracker a month ago. They choose skinny jeans over pleated khakis. They are clever enough to appreciate the clashing interior decor motifs—the stuffed animals heads hanging over a retro couch, yellow-gold frames gilding portraits of woodsmen with coiffed facial hair. They read blogs, or have one. They listened to Bon Iver before he made it on the Where the Wild Things soundtrack and they probably stood in line at the Alamo Drafthouse to see the film opening night. Of course their taste in music is above average. They are, after all, hipsters.

It’s a stereotype Moody opposes.

“We were a hipster location at first but that faded,” Moody said. "Our scene is based on events. We don’t have hipsters, but Austin music heads.”

Mohawk may not be a hipster scene, but it’s hip to be seen there.

–Resalin Rago