Fingers crossed…

In the mean time, stream this on Soundcloud.

More information from APS:

This June, Aurora has an exciting opportunity to relocate to a new space that will not only be our homebase for indoor screenings, but also give us room for more education programs, as well as accommodate administrative offices, video library, and program space under one roof – for the first time in the history of the organization.

Our goal is to have the new home ready for the upcoming Extremely Shorts Film Festival, but we need chairs, equipment and supplies in order to make this possible. That is where you come in- we need you to pledge your support!

As a non-profit organization, we rely on the support of our community and membership to help us achieve our mission and programs. So, we have launched a Kickstarter campaign to help us fundraise for this exciting goal. Local artists have contributed by creating exciting benefits to help entice you into supporting our cause, including artist-made gifts and invitations to exclusive events. Check out the benefits here.

But we only have 30 days to reach our goal, so check out our Kickstarter page to view our video, make a contribution and learn more about this pivotal change for the organization.

Read the CultureMap article with more details and images of Aurora Picture Show’s new location.

In 2004, Houston’s Southern Backtones released a self-titled EP that marked a radical shift in the band’s sound. Originally a rockabilly project–with a fairly rabid fanbase–the Backtones instead channeled glam-era Bowie and late-80s college rock, alienating some fans but gaining many more in the process. In the years since the last release, other than the occasional single, the band has been mostly quiet, honing new songs, chasing storms, and finishing up 2011′s Honky Tonk Blood film. Given the band’s previous dramatic change, it should come as no surprise that La Vie En Noir brings another departure in styles and sound.

Singer/guitarist Hank Schyma’s deep and sexy vocals are in full effect on the new album, but it’s the music that again is the major difference. Full of spaghetti western influences–with the requisite hints of glam–La Vie En Noir is a dark, mind-altered trip through windy country roads and out of the way, Tarentino-esque dive bars. Southern Backtones’ music seems a perfect soundtrack for these types of experiences, and songs like “Bandera” (moody, country-tinged) and “Dive Disco Misfits” (glam rock) best demonstrate the extreme range of the band’s influences.

That’s not to say that Schyma and company are confused about the band’s direction. Far from it. The Backtones’ frontman has had these songs in his head for years, and with line-up shifts, the movie, and life in general, these things take time to make. Lyrically, Schyma mixes late-night drama, heartbreak (such as on the impressive “She Crossed The Line”), and road trips into a palatable mix of songs that, while most definitely varied, manages to work as a cohesive unit.

“Call Off Your Dogs,” a live staple and long-time fan favorite from early album Los Tormentos De Amor, and “Dirty” (from the band’s last album), both get unnecessary remix treatments on La Vie En Noir. While it’s easy to understand why Schyma might feel the need to update his old rockabilly tune to the newer sound, the song was fine as-is. “Dirty”–without a doubt a great song–almost seems a bit too clean here. However, these are minor missteps on an otherwise impressive album, and regardless, listeners new to the Backtones won’t know the difference.

Purchase and download La Vie En Noir via Amazon or iTunes. More information may be found at www.zenhillecords.com.

Southern Backtones plays in Houston this Saturday (5.12.12) at 3:30pm at the 2nd Annual Haute Wheels Houston Houston food truck festival, held at HCC Southwest West Loop Campus.

Beastie Boys member MCA (Adam Yauch) has died at age 47. As many of you likely do, I have a close friend who is a gigantic Beastie Boys fan. Ross, this one’s for you:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdJ5e70Q8mw

More local coverage–including more video links–may be found on 29-95.com and Rocks Off.

The Treaty Oak Collective has released the vinyl version of the Co-Pilot/Alaskan split, which features Co-Pilot‘s massive “The Bering Sea” and Alaskan’s throaty “Euthanize”.

You can buy one of 500 copies in black or clear with black haze vinyl here for $9 (plus S&H).

Houston’s The Watermarks plan to release a series of new singles and EPs on German label AF-Music leading up to the band’s new full-length. The first single will be released this Tuesday (5.8.12), and includes the songs “Run Away” and “Empty Heart”.

A video for “Run Away” should be released soon.

Catch The Watermarks live this Friday night (5.4.12) at Fitzgerald’s with Featherface, Sister Crayon, and New York City Queens.

More information may be found at thewatermarks.net, on the band’s Facebook page, and on Twitter.

In other Wild Moccasins news, the band will sell its new single via 7-inch vinyl (released on New West Records) while on tour. The B-side is a cover of the B-52s’ “Summer Of Love”. Stream “Gag Reflections” here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-wBPXoHvE4

A free download of the song is available at the band’s website: www.wildmoccasins.net.

Today (Saturday, 4.21.12) is Record Store Day 2012, and local record stores are in on the annual action.

From 10am-12pm, Cactus Music hosts local band The Tontons for a DJ session in the Record Ranch, rock band Evanescence will sign autographs for 250 people from 2-3pm, and Rhett Miller (Old 97s) will play a free show at 5pm.

On Sunday (“Record Store Day hangover day”), there will be a listening party for the upcoming Jack White solo album, Blunderbuss, from 1-2pm, followed by a DJ session from local musician Benjamin Wesley (whose new album, Think/Thoughts, is available at Cactus) from 2-5pm. Read my review of the album here.

Other local record stores are also celebrating Record Store Day 2012. Here’s a list:

As you may have already read on Rocks Off, Space City Rock, or 29-95.com, local glam rockers Roky Moon & BOLT! have called it quits. On Rocks Off, the Houston Press‘ music blog, frontman Mike Hardin gives details about the band’s demise, along with his plans for moving on with new music.

Read it here.

Benjamin Wesley
Think/Thoughts
Self-released/The Convoy Group

With Geschichte, Benjamin Wesley’s debut solo release, the Houston-based musician introduced himself as dark and talented, with songs that did ample justice to his wild and impressive one-man-band-style live performances. On his latest album, Wesley thankfully doesn’t stray far from the inventive songwriting that’s made him one of Houston’s most unique artists. The songs on Think/Thoughts are often sad, sometimes playful, and still bristle with hope.

Highlights include “Aliens” and “Catch My Shadow,” two songs that show Wesley’s signature sound–subtly crafted beats and melodic synths make up the bulk of Think/Thoughts‘ musical framework, along with meandering guitar and the occasional distorted scream. However, “Temper,” “Great Moments In Life,” and “I Take It Back” are where Wesley lays himself bare for the listener. Lyrics such as “The semen I came from from Vietnam / And then that soldier had some babies, shot himself in the head… / No time for sad stories / Truth and spit and rape and grit / and brutal and spooky, gut-wrenching evil shit… / It’s hard to trust another person…” (from “Temper”) are uncomfortable at first, but instead of coming off as overly dramatic–as they could easily do in less capable hands–they instead show a rare depth and style of songwriting that some may not have expected from the musician.

It’s these deeply personal and reflective lyrics and uncompromising style that help make Think/Thoughts a standout. By the time Wesley declares “I’m so awesome, tell everybody you know” (on the poppy “I’m So Awesome”), there’s no denying he’s right.

Think/Thoughts is available digitally via Bandcamp and in Houston at Sig’s Lagoon and Cactus Music.

As you may have recently read on Houston Calling, Wesley plays his album release show upstairs at Fitzgerald’s this Friday night (Good Friday, 4.6.12). Please email me at [dacobbatgmaildotcom] for a chance to win free tickets to the show. I will pick a winner at random for two free tickets to the show.

More information on Benjamin Wesley may be found at www.benjaminwesley.net. For a great video from Geschichte, visit 29-95.com.

The Convoy Group is throwing a listening party tomorrow night (Thursday, 4.5.12) from 8-10pm at  Double Trouble Caffeine & Cocktail (3622 Main St.). Sig’s Lagoon will be selling Think/Thoughts for $10 and will be open until 10pm. The first 25 albums purchased from Sig’s also get a ticket to the album release party at Fitz’s.