The good bros at 35 Denton were kind enough to ask me to join their podcast to talk about, of all things, local music. Who knows what I'll say without being under the watchful eye of the FCC...
You can check out the blog and podcast here. And while you're at it, support our very own music festival and buy a wristband.
Make that 111 more bands. Tons of locals, as per usual. And a sweet vid.
111 Bands Added to 35 Denton Lineup! from 35 Denton on Vimeo.
The walkable music fest in Little d is March 8-11. Get your wristband for cheap here.
There's no question 2011 was another great year for musics. But how was this year in appletinis? The Dallas Observer appreciates my love of the tini.
No other local personality has the courage to countdown the best appletinis of the year except me. Here's my fearless list. Cheers.
5. Marc Charles Steakhouse (Armonk, NY)
During a trip to New York to visit family a few months ago, this place was attached to the hotel we were staying at. It seemed like quite the swank steakhouse, but we just needed to drink. The bar was dark and fancy, and the barkeep abnormally tall. Seriously, the dude was like 7’ tall.
Vodka: Went with Grey Goose here on a count of they don’t have Tito’s in NY. That’s the only thing wrong with that state.
4. Benihana
I really wasn’t expecting it to be so good, but it was. This was a part of my #MarkAt30 birthday celebration weekend, so it was quite memorable. And if there’s one thing that me and Jet Terry have in common, we love that hibachi.
Vodka: Ciroc. To help Diddy's stock.
3. Sambuca (Uptown)
This is a fave among the after-work happy hour crowd (which is how I was first introduced since Uptown is not my scene). Their appletinis are small, which makes it easy to down seven and not even realize it. Then, before you know it, you're dancing to "Moves Like Jagger" being played dutifully by a cover band on a Thursday night. At least that's what a friend of mine told me...
Vodka: Might as well go all out and treat yo self with some Goose.
2. The Libertine (Lower Greenville)
One of my favorite hangs in the hood. They have great food, support local music real hard, and always make a solid tini.
Vodka: Whatever the barman suggests.
1. The Balcony Club (Lakewood)
After 20+ years, the venerable Lakewood jazz club was almost forced to close for good this year. But thanks to a flexible landlord, they were able to stave off closure and continue serving up the best tinis and live jazz in town.
Vodka: I like to keep it in Texas here and go with Tito's.
Is there a joint serving up quality tinis that I didn't mention? Let me know what I missed so I can check it out next year!
These are the good times, friends. There are a ridiculous amount of talented bands and tons of great venues to see them play live. It was a great year in local music, and a great year for me personally (thanks to all of you).
What were some of the trends of the year? Pop punk was real big this year. So was folk and indie rock, as per usual. But I think most of all, Dallas just wants to dance. So who are the best of the best?
10. True Widow - As High As the Highest Heavens and from the Center to the Circumference of the Earth
True Widow - "Skull Eyes" from Kemado Records on Vimeo.
9. Old Snack - Everything Is Happening So Fast
8. Fox and the Bird - Floating Feather
7. Sealion - Keep the Camera Rolling
6. Quaker City Night Hawks - Torquila, Torquila!
5. Bravo, Max! - Dog's Light
4. Soviet - Doom
3. Seryn - This is Where We Are
2. Calhoun - Heavy Sugar
1. Burning Hotels - Burning Hotels
And here it is: the obligatory year end list. Did I miss something? Tell me about it in the comments.
10. Telekinesis 12 Desparate Straight Lines
I was lucky enough to see them twice this year (at the Granada and at SXSW) and both performances were filled with their high energy indie pop gems.
9. M83 Hurry Up, We're Dreaming
I am never a fan of the double album. Too much material to digest. But I waded through this one and connected to it much more than M83's previous work. Plus, "Midnight City" is the best song of the year.
8. The Antlers Burst Apart
Heartbreakingly beautiful.
7. Toro y Moi Underneath the Pine
One of my favorite shows of the year was seeing these dudes on the patio of Club Dada in early October. Errbody had their dance pants on.
6. Smith Westerns Dye It Blonde
5. Jay-Z and Kanye West Watch the Throne
This.
4. Cults Cults
Some of my favorite jams of the year are on this record. So catchy.
3. Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds S/T
I miss Oasis forever, and I've always been Team Liam. But this album proves that, yeah, he's probably the more talented brother.
2. Yuck Yuck
1. Foo Fighters Wasting Light
I don't know any other way to say this, but no one makes rock music better than the Foo Fighters. Even as a FF superfan, I had no expectations before listening to Wasting Light and was still completely blown away. Recorded directly to analog tape in Dave Grohl's garage and produced by Butch Vig, the record is up for six Grammy's. Also shout out to the creative marketing effort surrounding it's release using social media and a series of "secret" live shows.
(via Deadspin)
Sorry Cowboys fans, but this just makes me so happy. Brandon Jacobs dancing on the star to The Old 97's.
Well, friends, we did it. Thanks to your votes and overwhelming support, The Local Edge won Best Radio Show and I won Best Local Music Advocate in the 2011 Dallas Observer Music Awards!!!
I can't tell you how much this means to me. I love local music and I love DFWd. Thank you for supporting the scene, the radio station and me. I'm having the time of my life and none of it is possible without you. Now let's jump into our local music pants and go see some live music, huh?
And yes, that's real liquor in there. Cinnamon flavored whiskey. Tastes as bad/good as it sounds.
For more pics and whatnot, check out The Local Edge Facebook Page. Oh, and I got to high five Donnie Nelson numerous times. It all comes full circle!!!!
XOXO
Local filmmakers, The Luu Brothers, have done it again. They've made numerous quality music videos for local bands, but the following clip is for New York band, Cults. This is one of my favorite songs of the year and a pretty great video too.
© 2012
