On the Scene: Soul Track Mind-Pictures

Ladies and Gentlemen: Soul Track Mind

The target date for me to join the band is Wednesday April 8 at TC's Lounge in East Austin

On The Scene: Magic Christian-Pictures

Ladies and Gentlemen: Magic Christian

One the Scene: Solange Knowles

I met up with my friend Megan and her friend Kristin. We go to the Bat Bar located in the Austin Convention Center were Solange is performing. Ok. I'm late to this party. I really like her. She is like black alt rock. She can sing and she has Beyonce's hips. She performs with an unhinged persona that Beyonce wishes she had. Pics to come.

On the Scene: Soul Track Mind

SXSW: Shakespeare's Pub

OK. I'm biased. This band is such a throwback to greasy soul bands. Of
course they play every Wednesday at TC's Lounge in east Austin. Oh
yeah, they are about to get an upgrade at bass by this guy named me.
Hopefully sometime in April. Pics to come.

On The Scene: Magic Christian

SXSW in Effect. I'm at the Ginger Man listening to Magic Christian.
Great garage band. Pics to come.

Information Overload

On this first day of Spring, I'm suffering from too much information.
This from a professional information junkie. At work, we have a ton of
new projects coming up. I have the honor of being selected for our
Innovation Board. I'm running the Cap10k next Sunday and volunteering
the Friday and Saturday before. SXSW is making Austin a giant speaker
and parking lot. I'm battling my sister and my friend in a war of
bracket supremacy in the NCAA tournament. I'm learning tunes, writing,
arranging and practicing with a couple of bands. I'm putting together
a myspace music page. Did I mention my wife got her wallet stolen, she
needs new brakes, the air condition in or condo needs work? Plus 24
and Damages are climaxing and I'm behind on my updates for them.

Since I'm a junkie for information, I love this stuff.

On The Scene: Austin Music Awards

I have been in Austin for 8 years. I lived in New York City for 8
years. I have been a professional musician all of my adult life. So
take these comments with this in mind.

I think the music scene here is very overrated. The same writers cover
the same musicians every year. The lack of music diversity is really
incredible. It is blues, alt country, singer songwriter, alt country,
blues, singer songwriter, waterdown jazz and country. There is what I
call the Austin Music Mafia. The winners and top ten finishers are all
the same every year. The only change is really the best new artist and
best indie band. The music of those winners tend to play the same
music as above.

The problem tends to be generational. Like in other media, the old
rules and old way of thinking still rule. Long forged relationships
tend to rule over innovation. My big hope us that the condos going up
downtown will bring new people with new tastes. Perhaps the music
scene will become as vibrant as the restaurant scene.

Tonights show is being hosted by local music empresario Andy Langer.
The Austin Music Hall has undergone a big renovation, but the sound is
still cavernous and midrangey. Why don't clubs understand basic sound
physics? Concert floors, high ceilings and bare walls create terrible
acoustics.

I came in during the tale end of the opening act of Carolyn Wonderland
with Suzanne Choffell and Ruthie Foster. They were good. Andy Langer
us doing a good job. The winners are grateful and yet the great Austin
fans talk all over the speakers. Bob Schneider performed and I still
don't understand his appeal. He has talent but his musical aura puts
me to sleep. The most annoying winners are the radio personalities-
the morning x crew.

I am cutting out now, so I'm going to miss the Doug Sahm tribute. I
bet that will be good. I do think the Austin Music Scene has the
ability to be more innovative and open. The question is, will it?