Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Epistrophy Arts presents Ab Baars and Ken Vandermark 4/10

Dear Friends,

We are very proud to announce our next event happening at the Victory Grill. It is an absolute pleasure to present the Texas debut of a fantastic ensemble joined by our good friend and Austin favorite Ken Vandermark. Ab Baars was last in Austin with the ICP Orchestra in 2007 and Ken was here in 2004 with the Peter Brotzmann Chicago Tentet. Please help us reach as many interested folks as possible by forwarding this announcement to your networks or posting on your blogs etc. As always, thank you for your continued support and I look forward to seeing you at the gigs.

Sincerely,

PG Moreno
Epistrophy Arts
groups.to/epistrophyarts



Epistrophy Arts presents
"Amsterdam Meets Chicago":
The Ab Baars Trio & Ken Vandermark

Ab Baars Trio & Ken Vandermark
Ab Baars (Amsterdam) - tenor saxophone, clarinet, shakuhachi
Ken Vandermark (Chicago) - tenor saxophone, clarinet
Wilbert de Joode (Amsterdam) - bass
Martin van Duynhoven (Amsterdam) - drums

Friday, April 10 2009
8pm
at Austin's Historic Victory Grill
1104 E. 11th St.
Austin, Texas

$15 advance general admission
$18 at the door

tickets available now at Waterloo Records and End of An Ear

for info go to www.epistrophyarts.org

A highly distinctive voice from the fertile Dutch jazz scene, Ab Baars brings an idiosyncratic creativity into combination with skill and knowledge of his music's roots. Though his music has been described as "joyfully obstinate", it has an undeniable and colorful catchy-ness that stems from its stripped essence. As an instrumentalist, Baars has been influenced by (among others) American Jazz greats like Roscoe Mitchell and John Carter (both of whom he has worked with). As a composer/improvisor/band-leader Baars displays all of the musical characteristics that have come to define the Dutch creative music scene: open forms, varied improvisational strategies, wacky use of juxtaposition, and an unwillingness to treat jazz—or any music—as a fixed art form. Ab Baars is an important member of The ICP Orchestra, the defining group of Dutch jazz.

Named as one of the 25 most significant improvising musicians under 40 by Downbeat magazine, Ken Vandermark has been a powerful and influential voice in contemporary jazz, both on and off the stage. He's the leader of dozens of bands and a valued collaborator to some of the most exciting artists working today. He's an important organizer of concerts and festivals. He also, at the age of 35, received the prestigious "Genius Grant" from the MacArthur Foundation. All of the (well-deserved) credentials, accolades, and associations sometimes distract from the most notable thing about Ken Vandermark: he's one of the most moving and powerful saxophone stylists working in the music today. His strong instrumental voice can shift from an oblique angularity to a comfortable and rocking back-beat. He is equally at home when swinging "in the pocket" or stretching the music to its outer limits. Though he has a distinctive style, the breadth of Vandermark's projects is a testament to his vital creativity.

For more information about Ab Baars:
www.stichtingwig.com
For more information about Ken Vandermark:
www.kenvandermark.com
For more information about Wilbert de Joode:
www.wilbertdejoode.com





IT'S BONUS VIDEO TUESDAY!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Wayna Arrested at Houston Airport?

The Grammy nominated one that was just here last week?



Yeah man, click here to check the article at Chron.com and I'll see if I can get anymore info...

The 54 Reality Show - SXSW 09 Edition!

They pretty much captured it!!!

SXSW 09 Photos

O.K. So captioning begins now and I hope to have something to say about all this sometime later today. brain still not totally functioning.


First show I got to see was Wednesday night at the Back Alley Social, U-N-I fucking killin' it. I didn't expect to like them so much, but they do the thang!


P.O.S. got a lot of burn outta SXSW this year. His multiple performances were all off the chain and people got to witness the greatness that is. His new album is off the chain. Some wild shit.


Eyedea & Abilities pon di street.


Bird Peterson and Friend up in the Speakeasy Kaberet.


DJ Mel is certainly one of Austin's finest and an upstanding individual with genuine heart,


As is DJ Sun, only from Houston. I'll never forget the first time I saw this dude DJ. One of his arms was in a cast and he played music I never heard of, let alone heard. Still does!


JEN MORELLI I BEEN LOOKING FOR YOU WE MUST RAGE AGAINST THIS MACHINE ASAP!


This is my security force for the week. Shout out to Ashlee and Ericka for holding down the Sonzala one man freak force for like 5 days straight. Seriously they kept fools out of my face (cuz with these two, said dudes, didn't even see me, HA!) Anyway, they helped a lot with the logistics and the keeping me from spazzing aspects of my job and THANKS y'all!


COMPLETE! So glad these dudes made it down, what a set, WHAT A BAND!




Joe liked them too.


Kam was out of her mind for the band COMPLETE!


This the new guitar player. he picked up on the songs with ease. Though "Beautiful Sunrise" sounded kinda like a remix.






Etienne from Radioclit gone get Kam on the Complete REMIX!


Finally I got a picture with MY DUDES!




The Wednesday night crew.


JOHN BRANNON OF EASY ACTION! REAL!


When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth are one of the better, more fun, interesting, bands in Austin who tour and actually do things. This is all very important.




For you to feel.




Look how they be jammin'.


Kendra Ross did the damn thing at Mohawk Wednesday!


As did Bavu and Co.




Anticon was up in the inside of Mohawk.


Brett Koshkin of Waxploitation DJ's straight killed them tables!


Karma Stewart - you may know her from PPP - killed it during Bavu's set as well.


DJ Tameil and Dirty South Joe up in the Speakeasy!


Sun-Jue in the Speakeasy!




Willy Joy!!!!


MY FAVORITE DJ STEF!!!!!


Grimy Styles of course got it poppin'...








Al Kapone was up in the convention center doing the damn thing, taking advantage of every aspect of the conference.


The Murder Dog contingent at SXSW. YA DON KNOW!!! Me, Al Kapone and J-Dogg. YOU CANNOT FUCK WITH THIS HOLY TRIUMVERATE OF RAP HUSTLERS AND YOU KNOW IT. SHOVE YOUR FUCKING VLOG UP YOUR ASS WE BEEN DOIN THIS.

Sorry I just had to say it. But what fucking man has had more on his shoulders in the world of rap than J-Dogg? NO ONE!

And Al Kapone is a legend.


As is Freeway, on a different level.


Cataracs did a 12 minute set of rap cover songs. Interpret that how you will.


Robert and Stacey ridin' tough with your boy!


Scuba Steve y mas!


DJ KNOWLEDGE HELD IT THE FUCK DOWN FOR ME THE WHOLE TIME AT SXSW 2009!


Ericka and Ashlee again!


Reflection Eternal was a whole nother level of greatness.




More or Les in the house!


My bro Josh Martinez at the Canadian Hip-Hop Showcase!


MY BBBBRRRRROOOOOOOZZZZZ! What up Sleepy!


Canadian hip-hop show was a serious breath of fresh air.


HISD and Andre from Wax Poetics = THE FUTURE!


Ish and our Swedish homiez!


NME, Gonzalo and friends.


Yak Ballz, Cage and dude from Hatebreed. Cage's new album is really incredible. The man hath found his way. truly.


Puja and My wife Melissa CHILLIN'.


Big time writer dude Brian McManus.


Flosstradamus and Blacksmith oh boy. Seriously. Like in 2009 I have seen so many scenes just melding so effortlessly. Like bridges being made and such over what were once large gaps.


Me and Catchdubs may have put in a lil work over time to try and fill in such gaps, and such.


And then of course the lovely Kid Sister. One of my favorite people to run into at events. her smile just beams and brings joy to all in her cipher. Sounds fruity sure, but it's true. She has super powers.


Sun-Jue and Michael terrazos chillin' up ta the Club De Ville.


Peter Rosenberg and Kosha Dillz being playa as fuck. Like how we do in that Texas.


Asher Roth I suppose lived up to his hype, but at that point I was like the dude in his "I Love College" song. Incoherent from the thangs of the day.


Then of course Saturday during the day we had the kids show with my new favorite group THE BISCUIT BROTHERS! Dang they rule.


This is music that kids should hear. its not some la la foo foo stuff. You can learn something and have a great time. They had the crowd CRUNK!!!!!


IN MOTION!


Saturday night at the Music Hall was quite an event. OMG AL KAPONE LIVE ON STAGE WITH A BAND!


OMG!


OMG!


OMG!


Then of course my homeboy Balance. I been telling y'all how dope he is since like 2004, recognize folk!




Dude, Double O is my new favorite DJ for any rap group ever. he had a midi thang, a drum pad, 2 turntables, I think he did a back flip. He did some sort of flip, I mean, the energy of Kidz in the Hall 2009 compared to what I have seen from them over the years and especially a few years back.... MAN! I am serious, this is the GROUP! I knew it first time I saw them and always wanna support these dudes, but MAn, that night... SCHEISSER THEY KILLED IT!




Naledge is a brilliant man too.


Mistah FAB is now one of my favorite rappers.




I mean, I always loved dude, but I'ma say it right here, MISTAH FAB IS WHAT A RAPPER IS SUPPOSED TO BE! Follow his model please y'all. He keeps it real, is a good dude, performs with all his heart, writes original lyrics that genuinely pertain to him and his situation, is not joking but is mad funny, um, I mean, dude, the dude is the all encompassing vision for rap that I have right now and I am not fucking kidding. It's not that hard dudes, just watch how FAB does it. I am so serious, Mistah FAB > Most Other Rap.


Then of course there's B.o.B., nee Bobby Ray. The dude who is not satisfied with the current state of rap and is doing something about it. Dude quit for like one week and came back like THIS IS HOW IT'S GONNA BE YOU CAN'T HOLD ME DOWN AND YOU CAN'T KILL THIS CULTURE. At least that's what I got out of it. I'll be honest and get my critic on for a second and say I don't totally think the man is totally there yet rock and roll wise, but with a lil research and maybe seeing some shows way outside the mainstream for context, he is going to be come one of the most important voices/faces/sounds in rap within two years. This is not a joke. I'm not down with a lot of these new dudes, not at all. They are derivative of everything and quite often they suck. B.o.B. does not suck, he's a unique voice in this and man, I am SO PROUD to have had him at SXSW these past two years. Man, I hope he, like Bun B, comes back every year so I can see his progression first hand. I like to see artists who progress, and B.o.B. is at warp speed. THANK YOU BRO! Also Playboy Tre is VERY IMPORTANT! Robots won song of the year on the AustinSurreal music poll. ALREADY!




I'm being extremely real here.


The man Tommy Tee from Norway! He's like the backbone of hip-hop in Scandinavia. Seriously, I used to get his lil magazine and mixtapes in the mail in the early 90's. DUDE IS LEGEND!


Like the man Bun B. Dude, Bun, if you are reading this, I hope you know how much it means to have you at SXSW every year. You put so much into this shit and your support is unparalleled. You helped me build this just by being down and letting the folks know the importance of this festival. Look at it now. My Lord. Thank you!


Also Bun B had THAT FIRE last night. If you have seen him live a few times you know what I mean. He's always dope but when that FIRE ignites, WATCH OUT!




Bazaar Royale is my new homeboy man. He has that passion and such, ready to help take hip-hop to that next level. The LIVE level. They were pretty dope man, threw a few people for a loop but I LOVED seeing the straight rap heads jam to what he was doing!




And of course the walking revolution that is Dead Prez was THE BEST WAY TO END AN INTENSE WEEK EVER!


Thanks so much dudes.





THEN OF COURSE SABBATH IN THE PARK WENT DOWN OF COURSE AS ALWAYS! 3RD YEAR STRAIGHT AT SXSW FUCKIN' KILLIN' IT! International melting pot style.


DJ Ayres paid $30 for that hat.


My brother and my daughter.


DJS WHO ARE BETTER THAN YOU! DJ Ayres, Rapid Ric, DJ RAZE - Raze is the man in Europe. From Switzerland he was making "chopped and screwed" mixes before anyone outside of Texas (besides the homey DJ BLACK in Tennessee).


THE WAGON RETURNED! Look how pretty my girrrrrls are!


Caroline sleeping.


DJ Jazz One!


DJ MUTHAFUCKIN RAZE IN TEXAS FOR THE FIRST TIME!!!!




Richard Henry goin' hard after a hard week. Dudes week was like a walking blues song but he still standing!








DJ ELEVEN IS ON THE BOARD OF SITP LLC!


MY GIRL HEIDI! and Will Hustle. Heidi came from Denmark to intern at SXSW in our department and showered us with good Danish vibes, which was very important.


Kasia and Tami are also good for some good vibes.


And Tierney is the QUEEN OF ALL!


Kersten Ganzemueller also came to SXSW to intern this year, only from Germany. Another ray of light in our lil corner office. Thanks for al your help and positivity!


DJ KLASSEN!


OMG it was so good to get back with my GIRLS after SXSW. So nice.


Melanie, Graham from Thunderheist and Cullen Stalin.


MIKE D AND DAN SELIGMAN FROM MOUNT REAL!


Nonsense in the place.


Sandar from Amsterdam!!!!


Of course SERG!


MY INTERNATIONAL CONTINGENT OF PEOPLES!


And then of course the group.

I have a lot more to say, but gimme a minute...