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Friday, December 9, 2011

Austin Christmas Music Round-up 2011

Sounds of Christmas in Austin

By Sean Claes
Ahh... it's Christmastime in Austin. Every year INsite likes to run down some local slant on the holidays. A few times we've done a "Totally Austin Gift Guide" which has been popular. Well.. if you'd like to peruse those here's a link to the lists in 2005, 2007, 2009, and 2010. This year we decided to do something different, so we took a look as 10 of the more interesting local Christmas/Holiday releases and have shared them with you.

We found 4 new releases and then filled out the list with 6 picks that you may have missed, but should be on your list. Holiday music is timeless... right?

So.. here's 10 of our favorites as the 2011 Sounds of Christmas In Austin. There are links to where you can purchase all of these after the blurb, and where we've been able to find them, YouTube videos of a performance. Hope you enjoy, and if you have any to add, please comment away. Merry Christmas to all.

1.
HAAM Benefit Christmas Album (2011)

If you buy one Christmas CD this year, please make it this one. It goes to benefit the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians AND it’s filled with amazing Austin performers like Wendy Colonna, Dave Madden, Will Sexton, the Grooveline Horns, Haden Vitera and more. The first “single” from the album is an awesome Shelley King track entitled “Christmas In Austin.” Swagger.


2. Full Service perform “We Three Kings” (2011)
This little homespun and underproduced gem from Full Service is just over a minute long, but it’s going to be the endcap of my families annual Christmas CD. It’s a free download, it’s a little bit funky and it’s all Full Service.
Free download: http://soundcloud.com/bonesaw-fs/hoags-3-kings

3. Invincible Czars Ornaments (2011)
If you’ve never heard the Invincible Czars, you should. They are a full-on Rock band that is known mostly for doing a stellar rock version of The Nutcracker (although their originals are also awesome). Do yourself a favor, visit the link and listen to the sample of ‘White Christmas.”
http://invincibleczars.com/cd_ornaments.html

4. Nakia “Remember This Christmas” (2011) – Single

Riding (deservedly) his rise to reality-TV singer stardom, Nakia has released his sad ballad entitled “Remember This Christmas.” Here’s a video of him performing it with another stellar ensamble, With Strings Attached, in 2006.
Purchase: http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/nakia/id218180492

5. Austin Handbell Ensemble Serenity (2010)
If you’re in the mood for nice, quiet, reflective disc, I would suggest this release from the Austin Handbell Ensemble. This one is for the Hymns… “Angels We Have Heard On High,” “O Little Town Of Bethlehem,” and “Silent Night” among them.
http://www.austinhandbells.org/music.html#cd4

6. Biscuit Brothers - Have a Very Musical Christmas (2007)

If you live in the Austin area and have never heard of The Biscuit Brothers, you either don’t have kids or you have not paid attention to… well.. anything for the last 6 years. They are a local Emmy Award winning Children’s TV show on PBS, and they are all talented musicians and fantastic songwriters. I’d put their “Bad Sushi for Santa” up against any witty holiday song. Plus most of the tracks are new songs, so it’s great music and a new discovery.
Purchase: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bicuitbros4
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MKdNFvUK3Y

7. Bob Schneider Christmas Time (2009)

Bob Schneider is one of those performers who you either REALLY like or REALLY dislike. I happen to enjoy his music.. and he put out a Christmas CD a few years ago.
Purchase: http://www.buymusichere.net/rel/v2_viewupc.php?storenr=13&upc=75970720802


8. Kelly Willis & Bruce Robison Happy Holidays (2006)

This one is from 2006, but their version of “Baby It’s Cold Outside” is worth a mention. This is a great CD from one of Austin’s most talented musical couples. They also do an annual Holiday Show, this year it’s on December 10 at The Paramount.
Purchase: http://www.amazon.com/Happy-Holidays-Kelly-Willis/dp/B000H0M556

9. Austin’s WB - Holiday Songs (2004)
If you blinked you missed this one… it’s a great grouping of Austin artists including Malford Milligan on “O Come All Ye Faithful” and Strings Attached w/ Eliza Gilkyson on “What Child is This,” even if this album didn’t benefit the Austin Children’s Shelter (I hope it still does, this was released in 2004) it’s worth buying. Of course, the gem of the 12 song album is Grupo Fantasma’s version of “Dreidel Song.”
Purchase: http://www.mytexasmusic.com/austinswb/

10. Slaid Cleaves - Holiday Sampler (2001)

A decade ago Slaid Cleaves released his version of “You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch” on a Holiday sampler. I’d seen him perform it live a few times… and it always impressed. As with the rest of his music, he puts a twist on it that makes it his own.
Purchase: http://www.slaid.com/blog1/archives/category/store/cd/holiday-sampler

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

52 Weeks of DIY Music Advice - Week 50

Update:

INsite Owner Sean Claes has been on a mission. The mission is do write 52 Weeks of Advice for Do-It-Yourself Musicians. Last Friday he published Week 50 entitled "Are You In A Fan's Life?"

The link to this entry, plus the previous 49 are below.

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Fifty-Two Weeks of Music Do-It-Yourself advice

52 Weeks of Music DIY Advice
The link to each week is below.

Week 1: Posters and Handbills (9/24/10)
Week 2: Social Media (10/1/10)
Week 3: Merchandise (10/8/10)
Week 4: Publicity (10/14/10)
Week 5: How To Write a Press Release (10/21/10)
Week 6: How To Release Your Music: Part 1 of 3 (10/28/10)
Week 7: How To Release Your Music: Part 2 of 3 (11/4/10)
Week 8: How To Release Your Music: Part 3 of 3 (11/11/10)
Week 9: The Rock Star Treatment (11/18/10)
Week 10: What's The Point? (11/25/10)
Week 11: Keep It In Your Pants (12/2/10)
Week 12: Where's Your Glass Ceiling? (12/9/10)
Week 13: Basic Ground Rules (12/16/10)
Week 14: It's Christmas - Comic Time (12/25/10)
Week 15: Steps to Advertise on Radio (12/30/10)
Week 16: Who's Talking? (1/6/11)
Week 17: Be A Gracious Host (1/13/11)
Week 18: Who's Voting? (1/20/11)
Week 19: Come To My Show... Please? (1/27/11)
Week 20: Entertain or Perish (2/3/11)
Week 21: DIY Poster Child: One Eyed Doll (2/10/11)
Week 22: Promotions One Oh One (2/17/11)
Week 23: Check Your Music (2/24/11)
Week 24: The Hustle (3/4/11)
Week 25: Reviewing the Role of a Reviewer (3/10/11)
Week 26: The Banter (3/17/11)
Week 27: Keep It Real (3/24/11)
Week 28: Interviewing 101 (3/31/11)
Week 29: Notes From The Cubicle (4/8/11)
Week 30: Standing Out (4/14/11)
Week 31: Playing Festivals (4/26/11)
Week 32: What Are You Wearing? (5/4/11)
Week 33: Tell The Truth (5/17/11)
Week 34: The Average Lifespan of a Band (5/24/11)
Week 35: What's The Big Idea? (6/6/11)
Week 36: How NOT to Treat Fans (6/16/11)
Week 37: It's A Job (6/23/11)
Week 38: Five Ways to Brand Your Band (6/30/11)
Week 39: What Goes Around... (7/8/11)
Week 40: Wasted Potential (7/14/11)
Week 41: Standing Out or Outstanding? (7/21/11)
Week 42: Know Where You're Headed (7/28/11)
Week 43: What's In A Name? (8/4/11)
Week 44: Treat People Right (8/12/11)
Week 45: Promote From Your Phone (8/19/11)
Week 46: The Plan (8/29/11)
Week 47: Ian Moore (9/6/11)
Week 48: Which Comes First? (9/23/11)
Week 49: Your Stage Self (10/13/11)
Week 50: Are YOU in THEIR Life? (12/2/11)

Friday, November 25, 2011

Shop Small.

We don't usually post other people's advertisements... but this national ad promoting local Austin business seemed like the right thing to do.



Small Business Saturday. Take part. Buy 1 thing at a local shop.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

NOVEMBER 19, 2011

squint, Waiting for August, The Nevermind Project and Radio Fallout at Emos




Sponsored by INsite.
Here's a link to the event on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=198833626856467

Thursday, November 10, 2011

INstant Hindsite: FUN FUN FUN FEST

INsite brings you our coverage of the 2011 Fun Fun Fun Fest.
Pull up a chair, grab a cup of your favorite soup and enjoy.


Fun Fun Fun Fest
November 4-6 2011.
Auditorium Shores
Austin, Texas
Photos by Steve Hopson.





Mates of State

Ted Leo

Hum

G Side



Le Butcherettes



Boris

Baths


Asobi Seksu

Wayne Coyne

Tune Yards

The Joy Formidable

Austra

Ra Ra Riot

Hot Snakes

Girls


Thee Oh Sees



Yacht

The Thermals


Omar Souleyman

Okkervil River

Okkervil River

Ocote Soul Sounds

Passion Pit

Ryan Gosling



Black Joe Lewis

Heartless Bastards

Friday, October 28, 2011

INstant Hindsite: Taylor Swift

INstant Hindsite - TAYLOR SWIFT
From her "Speak Now World Tour"
Where: Frank Erwin Center - Austin, Texas
When: October 26, 2011
Photos: INsite Photo Editor Jay West