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:
The funky Fondue Monks continue the celebration of 20 years together as a band with a show tonight (Friday, 4.20.12) at Mike’s Ultimate Sports Bar. This free show starts at 10pm.
Mike’s Ultimate Sports Bar is located at 8670 Highway 6 N (at West Rd.) in Houston.
Cursive plays at Fitzgerald’s tonight (Friday, 4.13.12). Cursive is touring to promote its recent Saddle Creek record, I Am Gemini, a concept piece that tells the story of Cassius and Pollock, twin brothers separated at birth, and what ensues following their unexpected reunion. Should be a good show.
Cymbals Eat Guitars and Conduits open the show. Doors open at 8pm.
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.
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.
Hundred Visions, a band that garnered big praise during South By Southwest last month, comes to Houston to play Fitzgerald’s with Austin’s White Denim tonight (Wednesday, 4.4.12).
Check out this video from the band’s Daytrotter Barnstormer tour:
“Chasing Rabbits,” a song from Folk Family Revival‘s 2011 album, Unfolding, will be featured in tonight’s (Tuesday, 4.3.12) episode of “Justified” on FX Networks.
MusicianArthur Yoria returns from California to play at The Davenport in Houston this Tuesday (4.3.12). His shows in Houston are somewhat rare these days, so be sure to come out and show your support.
Local artist/photographer Dawn Moody‘s “Clone Series” of musician-inspired paintings will be on display.
Yoria also plays in Houston on Saturday, 4.7.12, at the Heights Contemporary Art Museum.
Music reviews and news ... From Houston, Texas and beyond.
In addition to Houston Calling, you can occasionally read David's thoughts on music in Space City Rock,
and Houston Press. He has previously written for All About Jazz,
Splendid, Swizzle-Stick, Envy, Free Press Houston, and Houston magazine.
He is a very happily married new father and his loving family indulges his varied musical tastes.
