Somewhere between Thin Lizzy and T. Rex sits King Tuff, perpetually stuck in that awesome '70s rock and roll groove. You recognize immediately within the first few bars of his music - King Tuff is not from the here and now. King Tuff is the brainchild of Kyle Thomas, the guitarist/vocalist in J. Mascis' stoner rock band Witch, and is/was one of the main members of the band Feathers and Happy Birthday. But his solo stuff is where it's at.
It's a shame there's only one King Tuff album that's ever seen the light of day, because the fuzzy power-pop featured on Was Dead is some of the catchiest shit I've heard in a long time. After downloading (and promptly forgetting about) the album in advance of his show at Mohawk earlier this year, I rediscovered the album about two weeks ago and haven't been able to put it down ever since. Half of the songs have established a permanent residency in my dome.
I've seen no news on future King Tuff releases, but it would be quite an accomplishment to top the debut. If you're late to the game (like me), you can read up on King Tuff at Viceland, Future Sounds, and Tee Pee Records. Here's a snippet of the Victim Of Time review:
"Main musical contributions aside, the picture perfect pop sound King Tuff delivers on this debut LP bowl over his other two projects with ease, and if you're keen on that impossible-to-duplicate shiny early 70s power pop production, coupled with impeccable songwriting, then this is going to win you over before you get through the first few bars of the opening song. Sounding like he's snuck into a bigger-than-necessary recording studio to do his business, King Tuff drives home a full album of modern classics that evoke all the early pop prime movers, yet it still holds its own personality and creates an overwhelming feeling of excitement that's virtually impossible to shake."
You have to be living under a big fat pile of rocks to not know about Fusebox. With its opening night featuring Mother Falcon’s “100 Strings” piece, the festival's buzz is loud throughout the city. With events ranging from performance art to dance to music to theater, and everything in between, Fusebox is all about bringing together the artist and art consumer in a way that produces ideas and engagement.
"Comic genius" – GQ "Man Of The Year" issue 2010. Hilarious, brilliant, unpredictable – comedian/musician Reggie Watts is a staple of the international performance scene. Reggie's improvised musical sets are created on-the-spot using only his formidable voice and a looping machine. No two songs are ever the same. An avowed "disinformationist," Reggie loves to disorientate his audiences in the most entertaining way. You may not know what Reggie is going to do, but that's okay – he doesn't either. April 30, May 1.
Five people performing on five gong kits. Ten gongs will be set up on the stage.The gongs will be bowed and softly struck with mallets producing and intensely immersive sound. The music of N.G.O. is a metallic temple of deep harmonies and a poetic beauty of spaces. N.G.O. clears the pathway. May 1.
There’s a Bear named Butcher who has been hard at work trying to bring the brilliant weirdos and other creatives out of the woodwork here in Austin where he calls home, and outside its borders, where the other animals live. Butcher Bear has been the one-man operation behind Austin’s micro-label, (iN)Sect Records, putting out records for the likes of all kinds of music since election year 2008. Event Features $hit $hine, Ararimatt, Aadam Our Hatley, and Exploded Drawing. April 28.
Sleep ∞ Over was formed in early 2010 in Austin by Stefanie Franciotti and former members Christa Palazzolo and Sarah Brown. After a handful of popular single releases on Night People, Light Lodge, and Forest Family records, the Hippos in Tanks label will release Sleep ∞ Over’s highly awaited debut LP this summer. The debut Sleep ∞ Over LP will include a brand new batch of the dark, dreamy pop that is known to come forth from Franciotti’s maze of cables and vintage hardware. The release will be followed by tour dates with a new backing band made up of Christine Aprile, Eli Welbourne, and Jesse Jenkins.
Portland surf rock trio Guantanamo Baywatch kicked off the Covert Curiosity & Reverberation Appreciation Society showcase at Emo's during SXSW 2011. Frontman Jason Powell feverishly wailed away on the guitar like a modern-day Dick Dale, with bassist Chevelle Wiseman supplying plenty of low end and a sexed-up stage presence. Chris Scott managed to keep perfect time as the three-piece alternated between playful guitar doo-wop and chaotic punk-abilly. You can hear the full set at Austin Music Weekly.
I've had this band Lumerians on my radar for a little while now. It could be because their name is an interesting one that is not soon forgotten, which could be a reference to co Lemuria, the long-lost sunken continent ruled by primitive mystics. But the band spells it Lumerians, and not Lemurians, witch is perhaps a nod to son et lumiere, the fusion of sound and light that is one of the hallmarks of deep trance and media. The music is interesting to match, an intoxicating brew that is propelled by percussion-heavy tribal rhythms, a stripped-down psychedelic organ, and an element the band likes to call "fuzzed out space disco."
The Oakland-based quintet recently unleashed their debut full length, Transmalinnia, on Knitting Factory Records. Inspired by the transcendental visions of artist and poet Eugene Von Bruenchenchein, the album takes its name from his cosmic fingerpainting that illuminates the cover. It has already been praised by the likes of CMJ, who said the album "thumps with bass line rhythms that ground the tunes while propelling them forward, leaving the grungy guitars, droning vocals and theremin-inspired keyboards free to meander in the higher registers. The end result is a fascinating, and often strange, lunar soundscape."
You can get a look into the heads of Lumerians at Impose Magazine, where the band shares a sampling of the music they were listening to while recording the album. You can see them up close and personal next weekend at Austin Psych Fest.
Earlier today Do512 invited Fitz and the Tantrums to come down and perform a few songs in the Shiner-sponsored lounge. With all that moving and shaking it wasn't long before everyone was a bit sweaty and worn out, but I'm sure they'll have enough energy for their sold out show in Austin tonight at La Zona Rosa. The guys from Austin Music Weekly worked their magic to produce and edit this video with the quickness.
Hot Tracks is a great little recording space on east 6th Street that has opened its doors to a laundry list of local bands over the years. Golden Bear, Leatherbag, Ola Podrida and Danny Malone are just a few of the names that show up on the Hot Tracks client roster. But now, after 5 years and over a 100 albums, Hot Tracks owner Matt Smith has been forced to evacuate the studio, with multiple records in tow. Turns out the city went to court with the landlord over the property and won in order to tear down the facility and put up condos.
In order to show their support and help finance relocation, some of the friends of Hot Tracks have organized a benefit show on Friday, April 15 at Club De Ville. The event will feature performances by Hot Tracks alumni Danny Malone, Leatherbag, The Eastern Sea, The Great Nostalgic, Wiretree, The Pons, David Wingo of Ola Podrida, My Education, Corrina Corrina, and The Gary. There will also be an art auction and multiple side shows. There's a $10 cover, and all proceeds go to the relocation of Hot Tracks Recording Studio.
Here's the schedule:
the pons 6-6:45pm (inside)
danny malone 6:45-7:30pm (outside)
corrina corrina 7:30-8:15pm (inside)
wiretree 8:15-9pm (outside)
david wingo (of ola podrida) 9-9:45pm (inside)
leatherbag 9:45-10:30pm (outside)
excited states 10:30-11:15pm (inside)
eastern sea 11:15-11:55pm (outside)
the gary midnight-1am (inside)
outside between bands:
feather extensions by Hearts & Robots Salon
ukulele hoke'em performances by Lex Land
The fourth annual Record Store Day is Saturday, April 16, 2011. So get out there and buy some stuff. If you need pointers, Spin put together a list of 10 Must-Have Releases for Record Store Day. That list includes three releases that are close to my heart - the 13th Floor Elevators 7'' with a never-before-released song, the Daft Punk clear TRON vinyl, and The White Stripes' first two singles. It does however leave off the Record Store Day branded vinyl figure designed by FRANK KOZIK. If none of those strike your fancy, you can peep the full list of special releases right here. Or just watch this video of RSD founder Chris Brown showing off some of the goods:
Participating record stores in Austin include End of an Ear, BackSpin Records, Waterloo Records, Trailer Space Records, Cheapo Records and more. See the full list here. Another handy resource for record stores in Austin is www.vinylaroundaustin.com. See you Saturday.
Spring is in the air, and with a new month comes a new edition of The Rumble: Austin. On tap for April is a great lineup that includes Bridge Farmers (who we mentioned previously), along with Leatherbag and The Pons. It's all going down at Beerland on Wednesday, April 13th, otherwise known as tomorrow night.
As always, the show is absolutely FREE. To read up on the bands or simply find out more information on The Rumble, just click over to Do512 and/or Facebook. I will be there, and I will buy you a beer if you ask nicely. Or if you rub my newly shaven head, that works too.
Here's a new one from the Austin-based psych outfit Holy Wave, who we told you about in November of last year. The band just released a two-sided cassette single their new start up label Fungal Hunger, reveling in the same melodic and hazy psychedelia that has recently earned them a nod from the Austin Chronicle as one of ten Austin bands to watch in 2011. The cassette's stand-out track is the A-side "Best Friends," which sounds like it was lifted directly from a home movie of Syd Barrett on beach vacation.
I'm not sure what it is about this song, but I've listened to it like ten times already. After digging on the debut Holy Wave EP, and now this, I'm very much looking forward to hearing what these guys do next. And wouldn't you know it? Holy Wave will be performing at Austin Psych Fest this year. Rock and roll.
"Hot Sauce Committee Part Two," the Beastie Boys' long anticipated eighth album, will be released on May 3. Originally planned for release in 2009, but delayed after band member MCA was diagnosed with cancer, this is their first full length effort since 2007's Grammy-winning all-instrumental "The Mix-Up." In a brilliant move they put together a 30-minute short film, "Fight For Your Right Revisited," where Danny McBride, Elijah Wood and Seth Rogen star as the Beasties, with Will Ferrell, Jack Black and John C. Reilly mirroring them as their older selves. The film will be released on May 3rd in conjunction with the album. The single "Make Some Noise" has already been making the rounds..
Brooklyn-based psych-pop outfit Crystal Stilts will release their sophomore album, In Love With Oblivion, on April 12th via Slumberland Records:
"Amazing second album that deftly combines the spooked 60s Texas psych of 13th Floor Elevators and Red Crayola, the gothic blues/punk howl of Gun Club, the dark, experimental DIYism of early Flying Nun/Xpressway groups and a dash of classic 60s pop by way of early Mary Chain b-sides and LA's Paisley Underground."
I got my first chance to hear the whole thing today. The three-song sequence of "Half A Moon," "Flying Into The Sun" and "Shake The Shackles" definitely got my attention.
Crystal Stilts will play Austin Psych Fest on Friday, April 29th along with the likes of Omar RodrÃguez-López, the Night Beats, Atlas Sound, and This Will Destroy You. Tickets are available through austinpsychfest.com.
This is music to feel good to. With shimmering guitar and reverberating vocals telling tales of beautiful summers, Real Estate captures the essence of the other Jersey Shore. The band is best described as a happy Pedro the Lion, with a considerable amount of sunshine, guaranteed to evoke a sense of beautiful nostalgia. Real Estate will bring their beachy beauty to our fair city this Sunday at the Parish. Also performing that night will be Pure Ecstasy and Love Inks. With a live show that is bound to be unlike much of what we produce locally, it is certainly not to be missed.
"Real Estate were born in the depths of one New Jersey summer. Frontman Martin Courtney had just returned home to his native Ridgewood from college in Washington State, a few fresh songs in his pockets. He'd been playing music with bassist Alex Bleeker and guitarist Matthew Mondanile since high school in various forms, even covering Weezer and the Strokes records from tip to tail. But during the summer of 2008, Real Estate didn't get nostalgic for just their specific suburban nights, crushes, or favorite bands as teens-- they fashioned a tin can-and-string to memories more universal."
I ended up being pretty ill the week after SXSW, and then got unusually busy at work, so this SXSW recap is coming a bit late. I don't have enough room to relive everything I saw and did at SXSW 2011, in fact it's hard to even know where to start, so I'll just try to focus on the things that really stood out.
I spent most of my time (the mornings and afternoons at least) working at the Do512 office, and managing stuff for all of the Lounge Sessions we did throughout the week. We ended up booking and filming over 20 bands during the SXSW music portion, so I got to see a bunch of international acts right in our own office that I would normally miss out on. It was truly a special experience to be able party and chat with so many artists that were in town from all over the world, many of them who were visiting Austin for the first time. Israel, Ireland, Australia, Denmark, the Netherlands, and the UK were all represented. Of the numerous highlights from the Lounge Sessions were WhoMadeWho, The Lines, The Mighty Stef, Colour Revolt, Typhoon, and Portugal The Man.
You can check out rest of the Do512 lounge footage, filmed by Austin Music Weekly, right here.
Obviously a personal highlight for me was co-presenting the showcase with the Reverberation Appreciation Society at Emo's. On the bill was Guantanamo Baywatch, Christian Bland, Secret Colours, Las Robertas, Shapes Have Fangs and the Night Beats. We had originally planned to do everything on the inside stage, but we ended up moving it to the outside stage and drew a great crowd. I had seen The Night Beats once before, but their set at Emo's absolutely blew my mind. The crowd was really into Secret Colours, who we brought down from Chicago for their first trip to Austin. After listening to their album pretty much nonstop for a few months, it was really nice to meet them and have them play at our show. They were all just so genuine and excited about being involved, so that made it extra special. There's a bunch of pictures from their set here. Las Robertas were also a lot of fun, and Shapes Have Fangs tore it up as usual.
During the rest of the week I was able to break away from the office a couple of times to catch a few specific parties that I absolutely did not want to miss. One was the Other Music lawn party at the French Legation Museum, which is an absolutely great setting the for a show. I had this one on my list of things to do for quite a while, mostly because I really wanted to see Low, who I became oddly obsessed with after seeing that documentary. Twin Shadow played right before them, so that was an added bonus.
The other thing on my can't-miss list was the Rhapsody party at Club de Ville, where (among other things) I saw was Kurt Vile and Deerhunter. I was impressed with the show that Kurt Vile and his band put on, as this was my first time to see them, and they jammed hard the entire time. The Deerhunter show was especially memorable, as it had been something like four years since I saw them in concert last, and they have come a long way since then. This performance reaffirmed that they are one of my favorite bands of the past few years, as if I needed any confirmation. I loved the way they pulled off some of the songs from Halcyon Digest in a live setting, substituting heavy guitar riffs in place of some of the softer electronic elements they used in the studio.
Somewhere along the line we managed to catch Queens of the Stone Age at La Zona Rosa, fighting and bribing our way past a long line of badge holders to end up with a great spot on the side of the stage just a few feet away from the band. These QOTSA guys don't mess around. They are rock stars in the truest sense of the word, and put on a fantastic show. I also saw Thee Oh Sees at the Scoot Inn at some point during the week, where ended up bruised and covered in beer. That was fun.
Beats Antique and Lance Herbstrong, by Jenna Wakeley
Saturday was fully committed to The Big One at Hotel Vegas, presented by Do512 and Shiner. Standout performances came from Beats Antique and Lance Herbstrong, who I had only seen bits and pieces of previously at the Austin City Limits Music Festival. These are both seriously good live bands. Once the sun went down The Lines hit the stage with another great set. We were so impressed with WhoMadeWho during their Lounge Session earlier in the week that we ended up making them the late-night surprise special guest. And they absolutely killed it. Fists were pumping, dust was flying, and asses were shaking. In a live setting I would say that WhoMadeWho are kind of like a more rocking, Danish version of Hot Chip. It was great to see the crew from Austin Music Weekly cutting loose during the show, after busting their tails working on the lounge footage all week.
I know this is hilariously late. Thanks for reading.
Two full weeks after the end of South by South West, and the afterglow is finally beginning to fade. Kanye West’s smell has drifted from East Austin and we are sadly reminded that beer is far from free. Of course with the help of Covert Curiosity and Do512, the party never truly has to end. Austin music alone is certainly enough to satiate the musical appetites of all. And so I give to you, with sights toward SXSW 2012, the third and final segment of my “Ten Favorite SXSW Discoveries”.
It is safe to say the Lines are best when seen live. This is not to say that their recorded work is not phenomenal, but the live show is mind-blowing in the purest sense of the term. And Robert Plant agrees, “There aren’t really many good bands coming out of Wolverhampton, just one great band called the Lines”. With each member serving as a part-time percussionist, the concentrated rock and roll rhythmic pulse propels the ensemble forward. Alone the ride the audience is treated to moments of theremin, melodica, and incredibly sexy UK accents. Utilizing stylistic elements of Jimi Hendrix, the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin, The Lines do not sell themselves short when it comes to influences. While reviving the energy of the 70’s The Lines allow for a contemporary take on the classic. I caught up with drummer Dave O’Connor after their Do512 Lounge Session, and learned that the band played a whopping 11 shows during SXSW, and quite rightly. I am sure all of Austin was as blown away as I was, and the charming Beatles haircuts certainly did not hurt. You can download their second single, El Matador, here, and I highly recommend checking out as many live video recording as Youtube will allow.
The song is called “Kim Kardashian” and the hook repeats “People don’t dance no more, they just stand there like this. They cross their arms and stare you down, they drink and moan and piss”. In a single number there are countless things to love. Furthermore, any band with a rapper and guitarist scores automatic gold stars in my grade book. I am a sucker for the out of the ordinary. It would be unfair to compare them to Gym Class Heroes. Rocky Business errs more toward the underground and grassroots and subsequently produces more interesting product, their indie status allows for this. That said, the same general thing is going on with Rocky Business as with Gym Class Heroes and the latter certainly opened the doors for such genre bending. Every Rocky Business’ song is an exercise in boundary pushing. The rhymes of Strictly Business feature tales from the hood similar to Tupac and Talib Kweli, while Johnny on the Rocks provides top-notch Brooklyn indie rock. How the two blend together with so few seams is I do not know, but I do know that I dig it and am looking forward to catching them next time they come through.
In 2003 we all mourned the loss of Johnny Cash, and regrettably many of my generation were never able to see him perform. Enter The Mighty Stef. Front-man, songwriter and guitarist Stefan Murphy honors Cash’s legacy with a buttery baritone croon, and honest sorrowful lyrics. The rhythm section captures the heavy old west ambiance, and with no pretension, produces an airtight sound that is both technically and emotionally impressive. That is most striking about the outfit, is their organic hybridizing of classic rock and roll with Irish and American folk. This is music to cry to, to drink to, to party to. These are the type of guys you can talk to after the show with no worry of being shot down, Stef might even buy you a beer. Their video to “Death Threats” is simply beautiful, and would provide and thorough and attractive taste. Do your inner bleeding heart a favor and spend some time with The Mighty Stef.
Along with music, fashion is one of my many passions. For this reason I was delighted to see the two combined at the trial launch of “Style By”. For a first run, the effort was impressive, but instead of discovering an outstanding new designer, I found the final artist for my series. Dennis Thomas and Jefferson Smith were planted near the exit of the event handing out their freshman record, “Live From Kingsville”. Frankly, I was not optimistic when I slid the disk into my laptop, but after the opening prayer, I was quickly converted to fandom with the bass heavy beat and melodic hook. This is standard R&B hip-hop, fully loaded with expert production, clever rhymes, and crooning vocals, but without the major label processing that often pollutes great music. Their album is not for sale, but if you e-mail them at thomasjeffersonrr@gmail.com, they will send you the file for download. I will end this series with the best line in all of SXSW, courtesy of Thomas Jeffason: “She only want the carrots in her life, like a vegan do.”
Lykke Li's new album Wounded Rhymes is currently streaming in full on Hype Machine. If you haven't given it a spin, I highly recommend. While somber in content --somewhat of a breakup album-- there is a powerful, emotional tone at the core of these songs that can't be ignored. The Swedish songstress commands her vocals carefully upon dramatic beats. While "I Will Follow Rivers" first caught my eye as the album's stand out track, I've since become completely enthralled by "Love Out Of Lust," which I've probably played 5 times a day for the past week and a half. It's just that solid of a track, filled with prominent percussion and soft, sultry vocals.
Li was recently featured in February's issue of Spin as one of the "Next Big Things: 11 Artists to Watch in 2011," and rightly so. Having come up musically with the assistance of bloggers, she's been hustlin' the internet with appearances on a plethora of web sessions since her 2008 debut Youth Novels. MTV must have finally taken note of the trend; they'll be hosting Li in an episode of Unplugged this Thursday, April 7th, featuring a 7-set session.
After sell out screenings at Austin Film Festival and being selected as one of the 12 Best Films at SXSW 2011 by Paste Magazine, Echotone will make its theatrical debut later this month at The Alamo Ritz. Directed by first-time filmmaker Nathan Christ and photographed by Robert Garza, the documentary takes a look at some of the challenges facing the Austin music scene, and follows several local artists as they attempt to make their own way.
"Now that Austin has high-rises rising up amongst our downtown skyline, how are our local musicians impacted? Director Nathan Christ examines this important topic in his documentary, Echotone, as he and cinematographer Robert Garza follow Austin's independent music culture over a two-year period, featuring musicians, venues, promoters and others within the city landscape. Echotone is a poignant reminder of the abundance of talent and passion in the Austin music scene, along with the challenges and frustrations faced by creative artists and local music venues. Echotone features so many artists that some viewers may be overwhelmed, but the filmmakers' focus on a select few and diverse musicians paint a colorful masterpiece of a precious part of our Austin culture." -Slackerwood
Echotone opens at the Alamo Ritz on April 24, 2011. Click here for screening dates and times. The film includes appearances by The Apeshits, Belaire, The Black Angels, Dana Falconberry, The Octopus Project, The Pity Party, Sound Team, Sunset, Ghostland Observatory, Ume, and The White White Lights. You can download the film's soundtrack for free, which Paste Magazine called "The Best (Free) Soundtrack We've Ever Seen."
Online crushes are always a joy, and Edward Appleby is the most recent “apple” of my eye. I fell head over heels with his well-produced videos, musical ability, and beautiful persona. Originality is unavoidable for an orchestral pop composer and artist in Mobile, Alabama, and Appleby exemplifies this in his freshman EP. He takes pages from several books including that of Connor Oberst, Ben Gibbard, and Zach Condon, but produces a truly unique sound. Appleby’s voice would be somewhat of an acquired taste if not for its concentrated lovability. Fully equipped with adult-braces, thick-rimmed glasses, and what looks like a Gap scarf, the honesty in Appleby’s tone is endearing rather than whiney; charm, intimacy and truth coat the album in bittersweet syrup.
In part two of my “Ten Favorite SXSW Discoveries” trilogy, I manage to hit three corners of this county: the Pacific North West, the South West (okay, Austin), and the North East. No matter where you may reside, there is something for you within some sort of shouting distance. Or perhaps this more exemplifies the amazing variety that comes to us during SXSW, one of my favorite things about the festival. In any case, please enjoy part two of my series, and as always, I would love to hear about your SXSW as well.
I spent the last two years of my life residing in Portland, Oregon and was as delighted as all Portlanders when this IFC series Portlandia debuted. This delight was only surpassed when I saw the show’s star, Carrie Brownstein (Excuse 17, Sleater-Kinney), perform with Wild Flag. Along with Brownstein, the band features Janet Weiss (Quasi, Sleater-Kinney, Bright Eyes, Stphen Malkmus and the Jicks), Mary Timony (Autoclave, Helium), and Rebecca Cole (The Minders). Supergroup is certainly an apt term. The all woman quartet exceeds expectations, brining bits of their past projects to create a wild wall of booming post-punk. Despite their snowballing popularity, the band has yet to release a record, though one is expected very soon. As much as I would love to see Brownstein put more “birds on things”, the upcoming 7” is bound to be well worth Portlandia’s end.
As keyboardist and singer Ben Thornewill warmed up with jazz-inspired piano licks, I knew I was going to love Jukebox the Ghost even before they began their set. A blend of They Might Be Giants, Ben Folds Five, the Maccabees and Sondre Lerche, the upbeat sound was both nostalgic and young. It was as if I grew up with the band, spinning the same records during our calculus study sessions. Smiles abound, they produced an impressive amount of sound for only three people; true heart-throbs indeed. Intrigued, I caught up with Thonewill after the show to ask about his jazz background and he explained to me that he studied jazz piano at George Washington University, which was where he met Tommy Siegel (guitar) who was a journalism major and Jesse Kristin (drums) who studied biology. With brains, beauty and talent abound, the trio has already released five records, with many more expected. As a nearly full-time touring band, Jukebox the Ghost is sure to come through Austin again soon; I hope to see you there.
Just as the beautiful insanity that is SXSW was begining, I caught up with Marshall Escamilla, of the now defunct Unbearables, to discuss his new project Stephen's Island Wren. Departing from his rock band roots, Escamilla’s new project, featuring three members of One Hundred Flowers, is best described as unplugged, narrative, mathy, and hypnotic. “Intimacy”, says Escamilla, is the primary objective. Embedded in the expertly composed music lies the story of Stevens Island, a man and a woman, and the island’s birds. Escamilla hopes to add a visual component as well, “illustration, puppets, or dance”. At the Stem and Leaf Records Unofficial SXSW Showcase, where Stephen's Island Wren performed their second ever show, plans to raise funds to complete the Unbearables album trilogy were announced. Escamilla hopes to complete the trilogy by the end of Summer 2011. In the mean time, he will add coats of polish to Stevens Island Wren and prepare for its media component.
