Covert Concert Picks

Here are our picks for live music in Austin this week, with a few tunes to get you in the mood. Use the links to get more information about everything.

Tonight:

Sunset, The Sour Notes, Wild Moccasins at Emo's

• Sunset - "Fishtown"
• myspace.com/lobosunset

Wednesday:

Left Lane Cruiser, Restavrant at Emo's

also:

• Hip Hop Night with DJ Orion at Red 7
• DJ Orion - Big vs Outkast
  

Thursday:

Harlem, Woven Bones, DJ Orion at Club Deville

also:

• This Will Destroy You at the Mohawk

Friday:

Indian Jewelry, Shapes Have Fangs Mohawk (free 21+)

also:

• Li'l Cap'n Travis at the Continental Club
  

Saturday:

Explosions in the Sky and The Octopus Project at Stubb's

also:

• Henry Rollins at Emo's

Sunday:

Ty Segall at Beerland

also:

• Bill Callahan at the Parish
• Psychedelic Sundays w/Black Angels et al.
  
• Transmography, LaSnacks at Red 7

Video: Dirty Projectors

See what people are saying about Dirty Projectors.

Beck vs Velvet Underground

Beck recently launched a new project called “Record Club” where he plans to cover entire classic albums with the help of some of his musically-minded friends. A few of the cohorts I've seen listed include Devendra Banhart, Jamie Lidell, and MGMT. According to a press release, none of the albums covered will be rehearsed, and the artists involved only have one day to lay down the entire LP. A statement at therecordclub.com reads:

"An album will be chosen to be reinterpreted and used as a framework. Nothing rehearsed or arranged ahead of time. A track will be uploaded once a week on beck.com as well as through the web sites of those involved with the project."

The first album they chose to cover is the essential The Velvet Underground & Nico. Participants for Beck's re-imagination of this one include Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich, Joey Waronker, Brian Lebarton, and... Giovanni Ribisi? It looks like the first tunes to pop up from this recording session are "Sunday Morning" and "Waiting for the Man."

• Beck - "Sunday Morning" (The Velvet Underground)

Beck’s web site will be going through some changes to accommodate not only the covers project, but also a weekly DJ set called Planned Obsolescence. Go over to beck.com for more.

Spoon's Got Nuffin

Word has it that Spoon are releasing a brand new EP entitled Got Nuffin. The three-song single will be available on CD and digital download beginning tomorrow, with the 12″ vinyl version following in July. Hit up the Merge Records store to get yours. This marks the band’s first newly recorded material since 2007’s Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, and includes the B-sides "Tweakers" and "Stroke Their Brains." Check Austin360 for a fitting review.

• Spoon - "Got Nuffin"

Now people will have a new song to shout for during Spoon's three-night stint at Stubb's, otherwise known as SPOONX3. The band will use these shows to debut new songs off their forthcoming album, and to feature a great lineup of supporting acts that includes Black Joe Lewis, Atlas Sound and the Strange Boys. Tickets for all three nights are available here.

Spoon will also be playing Merge’s 20th anniversary celebration next month, otherwise known as XX Merge. Head to spoontheband.com for more.

Little Girls

You should think about getting down with Mexican Summer. Here's why:

"Mexican Summer is a limited edition vinyl and digital only label. Our records are pressed in very limited quantities and are also available for download via our website. The vinyl will also be available on a subscription basis and at a select group of exclusive indie retailers across the country. 2-3 albums will be released every other month in various formats - 12", 7", Picture Disc, etc and will be beautifully packaged, numbered, pressed on high quality virgin vinyl and include a download card."

They mostly deal in neo psych/garage, and have released records by the likes of Wooden Shjips, Black Moth Super Rainbow, Golden Triangle, Kurt Vile and more. The most recent Mexican Summer offering that has caught my attention comes from Toronto post-punk group Little Girls. Here's the skinny, a couple of tracks from the EP, and a link for your mouse. Use of headphones is highly recommended.

"Mexican Summer is proud to announce the debut release from Toronto pop band Little Girls. Originally conceived as a solo project from Josh McIntyre's other band Pirate/Rock, it wasn't long before these five tracks made their way across the blogosphere. Now they make their way to you, on vinyl. Little Girls' sound rests comfortably into a modern lo-fi demographic, stirring up shoegaze, bedroom goth, and memorable riffage into tiny, murky little packages of joyful release. Drum machine, hazy vocals and plenty of thick guitar strum are what's in store."

• Little Girls - "Ebonics"
• Little Girls - "What We Did"
• myspace.com/littlelittlegirls

Ty Segall

Burying '60s sing-alongs and dance crazes beneath waves of reverb, Ty Segall has carved out his own spot in the San Francisco psych-garage scene alongside compatriots (and Covert faves) Thee Oh Sees. After impressing the Bay Area underground as a frantic one-man-band, Segall has now given up the solo act for a three piece with a live setup that is a better reflection of his work in the studio.

Ty Segall's self-titled debut was released in 2008 on Castle Face Records. These two songs come from the Cents 7'' teaser single for his upcoming Goner Records full-length, Lemons. You can catch Ty Segall performing live in Austin at Beerland on Sunday, July 5th. Do512 is giving away a pair of tickets to the show right here.

• Ty Segall - "Cents"
• Ty Segall - "Standing at the Station"
• myspace.com/tysegall
  

Deer Tick

John McCauley recorded Deer Tick's debut War Elephant at age 19, performing every instrument on the album. But his vision from the start was for Deer Tick to be a real band, so by the time the second full-length album (which is great) was released (last week) the band had developed into a quartet featuring two guitars, bass and drums - with three members singing and writing.

The result is an album full of rambling country-rock with "desperate lyrics delivered straight from the bottom of the bottle." McCauley's raspy voice layers everything in a warm blanket of authenticity, even when it's just being used to cover the old standard "Goodnight Irene" (hidden track) complete with beer can sound effects. If you're in the market for a little tailgate-down twang with Hank Williams-warped sensibilities, lend your ears to Born On Flag Day.

Deer Tick was just on Daytrotter a few days ago with an unreleased song and a cover of The Boss. Also, they will be playing in Austin at Emo's with Dawes on Thursday, July 9th.

• Deer Tick - "Houston, TX"
• myspace.com/deertick

White Denim - Fits

The new White Denim album was released last week. I listened to it all the way through for the first time while taking a little trip out of town yesterday, and couldn't wait to get back in front of my computer so I could share some of this stuff on the blog. The album doesn't sound much like their debut Workout Holiday, and many of these songs bear little resemblance to what you would have heard at the band's earlier live shows.

From the overall polish and professionalism of the recording, to things like the instrumental percussion/organ groove of "Sex Prayer," the hand clap opening of "Paint Yourself" and animated sing-along finale of "Syncn," this is a noticeably new direction for White Denim. And it's a good thing. I think this is their best effort so far.

You can get Fits on CD/LP/MP3 right now at Full Time Hobby. Check The Quietus for a decent review. White Denim are currently supporting the release with a European tour.

• White Denim - "Sex Prayer"
• White Denim - "Syncn"
• myspace.com/whitedenimmusic

It's hot

The temperature in Austin is 103°F. Not cool. Not cool at all.

• Fatlip - "First Heat"
• myspace.com/fatlipmusic

• Hieroglyphics - "Heat"
• http://wiki/Hiero
  

Mos Def - The Ecstatic

I'm not sure why, but for some reason there hasn't been much of a fuss around this new Mos Def album. It's a great album and has garnered some pretty good reviews, Pitchfork gave it an 8.0 and labeled it "Best New Music." It's even being released in t-shirt format. Maybe it's because he's more of a movie star than a rapper now? I'm really not sure.

This album isn't the best Mos Def album by any stretch but with good hip-hop becoming harder and harder to find these days, it's about as good as we're going to get.  I won't tell you every song on here is great, but there sure are a lot of good ones. And for what it's worth, he'll be playing Austin City Limits so maybe that'll entice some more peeps in Austin to check out The Ecstatic.

• Mos Def - "Auditorium"
• www.myspace.com/mosdef

Covert Concert Picks

Here are our picks for live music in Austin this week, with a few tunes to get you in the mood. Use the links to get more information about everything.

Tonight:

FADER presents SOUNDCHECK w/ DJ Prince Klassen

• Collie Buddz - "Hustle" (Prince Klassen edit)
• myspace.com/princemotherfuckinklassen
  

Wednesday:

Talib Kweli and Zeale at Emo's

• Talib Kweli - "Get By"
• myspace.com/talibkweli
  

Thursday:

2 Live Crew at the Mohawk

also:

• Shapes Have Fangs at Club Deville
• Monahans at Waterloo Records

Friday:

Monahans at the Mohawk

also:

• Adi Fest II with Bang, StABBA at the Mohawk
• John Vanderslice at the Parish
• Car Stereo (Wars), Astronautalis, Zeale at the Beauty Bar

Saturday:

Ben Kweller at Emo's

also:

• DJ Orion at Tripp Custom T-Shirts
• DJ Orion - Puro Cumbia
  
• djorion.com
  

Nosaj Thing - Drift

Drift is the debut full-length album from electronic producer Nosaj Thing, who we told you about late last year. He has received artist-to-watch accolades from XLR8R, remixed Daedelus and Flying Lotus, won Plastic Little/Turntable Lab's remix contest featuring MF Doom, and won LA s prestigious Project Blowed beat battle.

Nosaj (Jason Chung) has shared the stage with the likes of DJ Krush, Z-Trip, Free the Robots, Flying Lotus, and he's a regular crowd pleaser at the clubs in LA. Here is a video from his last show in Austin at the Parish.

Boomkat:

"He shares a fascination for hip-hop tempos and electronic production methods with many of his peers, but what sets Nosaj out on his own is the filigree attention to detail paid to his work, combining a level of intricate melodic and harmonic complexity generally associated with UK artists like Aphex, whom Nosaj cites as a major influence."

"The couplet of 'Light 1/Light 2' displays Nosaj at his most synthually psychedelic, crafting crystallized melodics on a par with Dorian Concept over two proggy head-nod riddims that fans of Prefuse 73 will fall head-first into."

• Nosaj Thing - "Light 1"
• Nosaj Thing - "Light 2"
• myspace.com/nosajthing

Jenny Lewis at Stubb's

Things Jenny Lewis has done:

• A Jello commercial
• The Twilight Zone
• Baywatch
• Golden Girls
• Growing Pains
• Just the Ten of Us
• Roseanne
• Mr. Belvedere
• Pleasantville

She also plays a little music. Lewis formed the band indie rock band Rilo Kiley in 1998 and eventually found widespread success and major-label distribution for the, 2004 album More Adventurous. As a solo artist she has released two albums, debuting with the Watson Twins in 2006 on an album that featured contributors M. Ward, Ben Gibbard, and Conor Oberst.

Her sophomore solo effort features collaborations with Elvis Costello and the Black Crowes' Chris Robinson, which was called "a confident amalgam of tracks that sparkle, stew, and storm" by the A.V. Club. Lewis performed at Bonnaroo last weekend, and will play Stubb's on Monday night along with the Heartless Bastards, who we have talked about quite a few times this year.

If you want to check this out live and in color, follow us on Twitter for a chance to win a pair of tickets to the show.

• Jenny Lewis - "See Fernando"
• myspace.com/jennylewismusic

• Heartless Bastards - "Could Be So Happy"
• myspace.com/heartlessbastards

YACHT - Mystery Lights

Here's a jazzy little tune from Portland dance-party duo YACHT. This is from their outstanding forthcoming album See Mystery Lights, due out on DFA Records next month.

The DFA Records Web Store will have it on CD, vinyl & digital, and the physical CD will come wrapped in a special holographic foil.

Check out an animated version of the cover at www.seemysterylights.com

• YACHT - "The Afterlife"
• myspace.com/yacht

Covert Concert Picks

Here are our picks for live music in Austin this week, with a few tunes to get you in the mood. Use the links to get more information about everything.

Tonight:

The Strange Attractors, Followed by Static at Mohawk

• Followed by Static - "AADC"

Thursday:

B Real (of Cypress Hill), Bizzy Bone at Mohawk

also:

• Royal Bangs at Emo's
• Woven Bones at Beerland

Friday:

St. Vincent, Pattern is Movement at Mohawk

also:

• St. Vincent at Waterloo Records
• Sad Accordions (after St. Vincent) at the Mohawk
• Sad Accordions - "Moustrap"

• Ear Pwr, The Always Already at the Beauty Bar

Saturday:

Sunset Rubdown at the Mohawk

• Sunset Rubdown - "Apollo and the Buffalo"

also:

• Harlem at Beerland
• Sky Saxon, Shapes Have Fangs, Christian Bland at Antone's

Sunday:

Psychedelic Sundays with Christian & Alex of the Black Angels

also:

• Daedelus, Ghislain Poirier at Emo's
• Daedelus - "Fair Weather Friends"

Deastro - Moondagger

Moodagger is the full-band debut by Deastro, real name Randolph Chabot. Hailing from Sterling Heights, MI, Chabot began writing music at age 13 and recorded three previous albums in his parent’s basement. Now 22 years old, Chabot has become notable for his live performances. The recently released album is a euphoric, synth-driven neon fantasia of swooning dream-pop fitting an epic videogame soundtrack category, particularly one which would incorporate or house a Final Fantasy or Space Harrier theme.

The first track, entitled “Biophelia,” commences with an 8-bit beat, similar to an old school Final Fantasy IV Super NES start menu loop. The ambient intro transforms into an electro-pop synth cantata permeated with incessant drumming and rocket blasting sirens. “Toxic Crusaders,” details the self-acceptance of a mutant do-gooder born with one eye who pleas for his love to be reciprocated. The track incorporates a toy piano whose simple melody conveys a juvenile innocence.

“Pyramid Builders,” is a starry-eyed instrumental piece fusing an array of rhapsodic futuristic loops and beats. The eighth track “Daniel Johnston Was Stabbed In the Heart With The Moondagger By the King of Darkness and His Ghost is Writing This Song as a Warning to All of Us,” remains to have the longest title ever, coming in at 29 words!

The 14 track album includes two bonus tracks, “The Shaded Forests (Gift Giver’s Version),” and “Tree Frog.” While “Tree Frog” sounds similar to the other tracks on the album, “The Shaded Forests,” stands out in that it sounds more fully constructed; created and performed by a band rather than just a keyboard and computer.

• Deastro - "The Shaded Forests (Gift Giver's Version)"
  
• myspace.com/deastro

New White Denim

White Denim's highy-anticipated new album 'Fits' will be available on June 22nd through Full Time Hobby. They have released the single "Mirrored And Reverse" for download, cut the video above for "I Start To Run", and you can hear streaming clips of the rest of the album right now at NME.

The label says: "From thunderous prog and psyche to tender blue eyed soul, ‘Fits’ is packed with instantly memorable songs." White Denim will be celebrating the release with a lengthy tour of the UK. Hit up their myspace page for tour dates and pre-order links for the album.

Track List:

1. Radio Milk How Can You Stand It
2. All Consolation
3. Say What You Want
4. El Hard Attack DCWYW
5. I Start To Run
6. Sex Prayer
7. Mirrored And Reverse
8. Paint Yourself
9. I’d Have It Just The Way We Were
10. Everybody Somebody
11. Regina Holding Hands
12. Syncn

• whitedenimmusic.com

Grizzly Bear at the Parish

Brooklyn's Grizzly Bear has been one of the most talked about bands of late. They've toured with Radiohead, opened for Paul Simon, and appeared at the many of the biggest music fests including Coachella, Lollapalooza, and SXSW. The band recently released their third full-length album Veckatimest, which has been called their "most satisfying record" and "an album that sounds so downright flawless it feels like a dream."

from NPR:

"Grizzly Bear began as the name Edward Droste gave to his psychedelic home-recording experiments. The 2004 album Horn of Plenty tore through underground circles quickly, at which point the group expanded to include three additional members on guitar, reeds and electronics. Grizzly Bear's second disc (Yellow House) and subsequent Friend EP bolstered the band's growing reputation."

Grizzly Bear are currently touring with Here We Go Magic, a band we've talked about a couple of times before, and they will both be playing tomorrow night at the Parish. This show has been sold out for weeks, but thanks to C3 we have a pair of tickets up for grabs. Follow Covert Curiosity on Twitter for your chance to win.

If you miss out on this show you can still catch Here We Go Magic at End of an Ear tomorrow at 4pm for a free instore, and both bands will be performing at the Austin City Limits Festival in October.

• Grizzly Bear - "Ready, Able"

Holy Fuck - Photo Recap

A lot of people left the Mohawk wet last night. Half of them were doused by a massive, unexpected storm that blew in right as the doors were opening, and the other half became soaked in sweat and beer during a hot mess of a set by Holy Fuck.

The show got moved inside because of the weather, but plenty of people ignored the tornado warnings and crammed shoulder-to-shoulder to watch Holy Fuck do their live-electronic-jam thing on the inside stage.

They tell me their new album is just about finished, so expect an announcement in the coming months. Check out a recent article in Dummy Mag to find out more.

All photos by Ed Lehmann. Go to AustinExposure.net to see more.

Santigold at Stubb's

Santigold, formally Santogold (real name Santi White) will be playing in Austin at Stubb's, Monday, June 15. The Brooklyn-based rapper changed her name as a result of infomercial jeweler Santo Gold threatening legal action. Her debut release Santogold features notable singles “Creator,” “Lights Out,” and hipster favorite “L.E.S. Artistes.” Often compared to Sri Lankan rapper M.I.A., White has collaborated with the likes of Pharrell Williams, Kanye West, Julian Casablancas and has pending projects with David Byrne and the Beastie Boys.

Her 35 song mixtape “Top Ranking,” produced by Diplo features 12 original tracks and is almost too cool for school with its hefty variety of dubstep, indie, new wave, rock, R&B, hip hop and electro tracks. With a crazy wardrobe, lively backup dancers, and hot beats Santigold’s show will undeniably be a highly energetic and all around good time. Also on the bill are fellow female rapper Amanda Blank, and Andrew Trouble, White’s pro-snowboarder fiancée.

We’ll be giving away a pair of tickets for the Santigold show via Twitter, so follow us for a chance to win!

from Top Ranking:

• Santigold - "Get It Up"
• myspace.com/santogold
  

New Camera Obscura video

Here is a video for the song "Honey in the Sun" by Camera Obscura, from their new album My Maudlin Career. Camera Obscura will be performing two sets in Austin next week, on Monday afternoon at Waterloo Records, and Monday night at Antone's.

Covert Concert Picks

Here are our picks for live music in Austin this week, along with a few tunes to get you in the mood. Use the links to get more information about everything.

Tonight:

Cotton Jones Basket Ride at Emo's

• Cotton Jones - "Gotta Cheer Up"
• myspace.com/thecottonjonesbasketride
  

Wednesday:

Clues at The Independent

Clues was created by former members of The Unicorns and Arcade Fire. We have talked about this band a couple of times already, (here and here), and I'm told they put on a good live show. I also hear that The Independent is a pretty cool venue. If you want to check out this show for free, the first person to send me their name will be placed on the guest list.

also:

• Vega and Learning Secrets at the Beauty Bar
• Vega - "No Reasons"

• Daniel Francis Doyle at Beerland

Thursday:

Holy Fuck at the Mohawk

I think you have to experience Holy Fuck live to really "get it." Woven Bones is opening. I told you about them a few weeks ago. This show is highly recommended. Tickets are here.

• Holy Fuck - "Royal Gregory"

• Woven Bones - "Sitting Sick"
  

also:

• Peaches with Drums of Death at Emo's

Friday:

Lions with Ume at Emo's

Saturday:

Ringo Deathstarr at Stubb's

• Ringo Deathstarr "Some Kind of Sad"

also:

• Devin the Dude at Lamberts
• The Lemurs at the Mohawk

Sunday:

White Rabbits with The Boxing Lesson at Emo's

Wheels on Fire at Beerland

Free tix for Gomez, Little Joy

English indie rockers Gomez started off with a band, taking home the coveted Mercury Music Prize for their debut album Bring It On. They have released five studio albums since then, including 2009's A New Tide. Flavors of Delta blues, psychedelia, and Krautrock all come into play in their music, and a whole lot of people tend to get excited every time they play in Austin. Gomez will be at Stubb's tonight with JJ Grey & Mofro, and I have a guest list spot for one lucky person. Email me (with Gomez as the subject line) if you want it. *claimed


Little Joy is a new collaboration between Brazilian singer-guitarist Rodrigo Amarante of Los Hermanos, drummer Fabrizio Moretti of The Strokes, and Los Angeles-based musician Binki Shapiro. The trio have released a self-titled gem of an album, mixing together a carefree attitude with south-of-the-border influences and elements of Beach Boys-esque 60's pop. Little Joy will be playing tonight at The Independent, a new 300 capacity venue on E 5th St. and I-35. I have a spot on the guest list for this one too, just Email me your name with Little Joy as the subject line. *claimed

The Sword to play Mohawk

The Sword are one of the best metal bands on the planet, and they happen to be from Austin. The band just wrapped up a nine-month world tour with Metallica, and haven't played a local show since October of last year. I was at that show, and reviewed it for Soundcheck Magazine.

Earlier today it was announced that The Sword will be playing at The Mohawk on Friday, August 28th. This will mark their first appearance in Austin in way too long, and I recommend you check it out. Tickets go on sale this Saturday. Don't sleep on it, because this one will sell out fast.

• The Sword - "To Take the Black"
• myspace.com/thesword

Black Moth at the Mohawk

On the heels of their latest album release, Eating Us, Black Moth Super Rainbow put their tripped-out, vocoder-enhanced bubblegum psychedelia on display at the Mohawk earlier this week. Backed by a visual display that flashed images of melting bodies, roadkill, puppets, and other homemade horror films (Decider), the Pittsburgh experimental band's unconventional, noisy pop songs made a perfect match for the trippy scenes being played out behind them.

I got to the Mohawk in time to catch the Brooklyn three-piece School of Seven Bells (Benjamin Curtis from the Secret Machines and the twin Deheza sisters from On! Air! Library!) whose dreamy, tribal-synth drones sounded great in a live setting. Click that Decider link for a full review. These photos are provided by Ed Lehmann. You can go here to see more.

• School Of Seven Bells - "Prince of Peace"