S.A. Weekly music news and updates
San Antonio Music Business Expo -- P.O. Box 201090 -- San Antonio, Texas 78220
ph. 210-227-4821 -- fax: 210-226-5009
e-mail: Editor@sambe.org -- web address: http://www.sambe.org copyright 2005
Music business information services [ San Antonio, Tx. Musicians Guide ] and [ San Antonio, Tx. Club and Bar Guide ( Expanded) ] are published quarterly and the S.A. weekly music news and updates published every Thursday, provide FREE calendar listings for bands, live music clubs, concerts and music related events. copyright 2005
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SXSW Nightly (Almost) Reviews & Updates
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Tuesday 3/15 3 girls unloading a car turned into 3 Jammin’ Babes. It may have been cold and windy but the folks checkin’ out Girls In A Coma on an out door stage were not phased a bit. With vocals and guitar that send you into a dream state, a bass that is more than just the standard bottom and a drummer that does more than just keep the beat. Girls In A Coma will also be playing on Thursday at a NOT SXSW Showcase at Hotspots 503 E. 6th St. Check’em Out!
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Wednesday 3/16
Paris By Night at Molotov Pix comimg
Buttercup!
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Thurday 3/17
An afternoon stroll on 6th St and I stumble across Nic Armstrong and The Thieves jamming outside the Ritz. If the stage gig is anything like the street performance these guys will be around for as Long Long time. You can catch them at Eternal (418 6th St) (9:00pm) on Saturday 3/19.
Good Food Always at Noodlism
Finally started the list. The Velvet Spade is really off the beaten path when walking between venues. Wear comfortable shoes. That pavement is a killer. The pain was worth it. The Grates, an Australian 3 piece or person group that consists of a tasteful and articulate male guitarist, a female drummer that keeps him grounded and a super-energetic front woman who does more than just sing. She presents each piece as a story that is transformed into a collage of singing, dancing and sheer energy. I hope they hang out in the states for a while. The so called "superstars" could learn something from these folks.
From the I-35 end of E. 6th all the way to Congress there is nothing but music, music. music!
What a hike! What a treat! Caught part of the set of A Hawk and A Hacksaw, a strange twist to the one-man band concept. The crowd at Copa was mesmerized by this duo. An accordion that sounded more like cross between a bouzouki and a sitar, two hand drums that were thumped by kick pedals, a halo of bells, with a stick protruding to the right, with a twist and shake of the head you get bells and a cymbal crash, a knee knocker for the gong and an assortment of other percussion devices. That's not all! There is a talented violinist that fills in the gaps and adds soulful melody as support. So! What does all of this sound like? It definitley is not the typical novelty act you would expect. The sound, at least to me has the underpinnings of Mediterranean folk with a chorus of music from the middle east. A most enjoyable combination of sounds.
Several yards this time. Boy are my feet happy. I make it to the Elephant Room and get to bathe in the cool jazzy sounds of the Diplomats of Solid Sound. This is the band you want playing when you are trying to impress a date. Dim lights, soft talk, a nice glass of your favorite beverage and this band playing in the background. What a romantic evening. What the heck! Even if you are flying solo the music of the Diplomats of Solid Sound will keep you company.
Have some time to fill so the long 6th. Street trawl begins but I am on a mission. Back to Congress from Red River by way of the back alleys. The dogs are getting a workout tonight and they are barking.
Finally make it to the Hideout. What a place! Pilotdrift is playing in the back room to an SRO crowd. I am stuck in the narrow walk-way and am overwhelmed by the realism of what I hear. Mind numbing melodies and instrumental excursions into the other realm. Almost mystical. Think a cataclysmic collision between, the Moody Blues, Yes and Emerson Lake and Palmer. A whole new galaxy of sound emanates from this confluence of energy. A joy to behold as the sonic wave flows over and through me. This is NOT the music you would find at the local "disco". It provokes thought and encourages exploration. Go For It!
The dogs are howling. They want to go home. Too bad. Short night.
Friday 3/18
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Keep your Roldex, PDA or cigar box up to date!
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As a policy S.A.M.B.E. provides an open forum for all musicians, fans, promoters etc. I may support the concept of MP3 downloads but feel it is just as important to support copyright protections afforded recording artists. Piracy may not seem an important issue to the unknown artist trying to gain recognition but it does hamper sales of recorded product. Have a safe week.