Last Wednesday Sedition Books in Houston hosted Samuel Doores and Hurray for the Riff Raff. These two groups hail from New Orleans and each provide their own twist on music based out of do it yourself folk.
I suppose the blog isn't much without pictures. Check out their music on the myspace. Hurray for the Riff Raff also has video on YouTube about their shows in Europe and such.
Also, the Westheimer Block Party is this Saturday March 28 and Sew What is playing at the Austin Layne Hotel at 1:30p. Over a hundred free bands during the day and not so free shows at night. The city won't block off the streets so we take them and drink beers and make music. Only this year there is a new and disgusting twist: The Contest for the King and Queen of Montrose. A harking back to the highschool days where kids like me tried to avoid the dances and the proms. A popularity contest that spread over the entire Houston music scene. And of course the men on the ballot are musicians or people involved. and the girls are hot. that's their talent i suppose.
annoying. this is the first year Sew What is playing the block party. Do we really want to be behind this? A soundtrack to all the things that alienated us in the past? Ugh.
I am super grossed out and annoyed by this stupid awful idea.
Hurray for the Riff Raff!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
A Show in the Woods
Last night was a special night in Houston. The well loved Houstonians Robert Ellis and his fair lady Destiny put together a show in Memorial park, a six minute walk from their house. The two managed to get a large group of people together in one place and then transport them into the woods to pee and drink beer and hear live unadulterated music.
Robert and Geoffrey started off the night with a split set, exchanging songs and playing covers. Many people sang along to Robert's song "Good intentions" while Geoffrey regaled us with the love of the lord singing "Oh lord how happy I am". Though more in the vein of older days and southern culture than a shakedown for the lord but it is always finny to find the few confused listeners who think they are about to listen to some good old indie-grass tunes.
Following this power duo was the very anti climactic set of one Chase Hamblin. I went pee a lot during this set.
Listen Listen swooped into the save the audience and their ears. They did some special forest engineering that made it possible for them to plug in an electric organ. Everyone sang along when "Rope" was played and Ben let loose howling by the last two songs, Marshall smiling while Shane and Jose kept everything flowing.
Dark Dark Dark was stuck in the infamous Houston traffic this whole entire time. By the time Listen Listen finished we decided to hear the next band play at the house. We did not want to bring them all the way into the woods after them sitting in some of the most irritating traffic the US has to offer.
Damned if they didn't tear the roof down. Nona on accordion and two other fellows who's names I did not catch, one on banjo and keyboard and the other on stand up bass. There are few words that can describe the power of their set. Very heartfelt and genuine with well crafted and executed songs. Cory took the field recorder to document the whole night. I think he will be splitting up the tracks and posting them on his blog Stitched Tire very soon.
The whole night ended with Geoffrey, Robert, Nona and the standup bassist playing together as if they'd been doing it for years. Early into the morning we listened to them play.
Sew What slept well last night.
Tomorrow we are playing with NOLA comrades Hurray for the Riff Raff and Samuel Doores at:
Sedition Books
901 Richmond
8p
If you have the funds please bring money for the touring bands. Hope to see y'all tomorrow night. All both two of you that read this blog.
Robert and Geoffrey started off the night with a split set, exchanging songs and playing covers. Many people sang along to Robert's song "Good intentions" while Geoffrey regaled us with the love of the lord singing "Oh lord how happy I am". Though more in the vein of older days and southern culture than a shakedown for the lord but it is always finny to find the few confused listeners who think they are about to listen to some good old indie-grass tunes.
Following this power duo was the very anti climactic set of one Chase Hamblin. I went pee a lot during this set.
Listen Listen swooped into the save the audience and their ears. They did some special forest engineering that made it possible for them to plug in an electric organ. Everyone sang along when "Rope" was played and Ben let loose howling by the last two songs, Marshall smiling while Shane and Jose kept everything flowing.
Dark Dark Dark was stuck in the infamous Houston traffic this whole entire time. By the time Listen Listen finished we decided to hear the next band play at the house. We did not want to bring them all the way into the woods after them sitting in some of the most irritating traffic the US has to offer.
Damned if they didn't tear the roof down. Nona on accordion and two other fellows who's names I did not catch, one on banjo and keyboard and the other on stand up bass. There are few words that can describe the power of their set. Very heartfelt and genuine with well crafted and executed songs. Cory took the field recorder to document the whole night. I think he will be splitting up the tracks and posting them on his blog Stitched Tire very soon.
The whole night ended with Geoffrey, Robert, Nona and the standup bassist playing together as if they'd been doing it for years. Early into the morning we listened to them play.
Sew What slept well last night.
Tomorrow we are playing with NOLA comrades Hurray for the Riff Raff and Samuel Doores at:
Sedition Books
901 Richmond
8p
If you have the funds please bring money for the touring bands. Hope to see y'all tomorrow night. All both two of you that read this blog.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Pluck Luck on Palm Street
Last night Cory and I hosted a Pluck Luck at my place. The lighting was low, the space small and barely able to fit the twenty of us.
Cedar Boy Bailey kicked off the night. This is Sergio's solo project done on ukulele. The set was very intimate. The uke strings quietly plucked out the soul and sincerity behind each song.
Phillip Foshee went up second and began with a cover song. He claimed he was not up to caliber as a musician and thus should not be playing covers. The audience disagreed as he rock eleanor rigby and some sweet song from Toy Story. he also played originals he claims to be sick of. Once again the audience disagreed as they sat captivated by his clear-as-a-bell vocals filled the room. Both boys will be appearing March 28th at the Westheimer Block Party at the Austin Layne Hotel. Phillip as himself and Sergio playing with his band Buxton.
Teresa of Gerogia's horse played next. Her vocals are soulful and sweet. Melancholic and moving. Her vocals range begins from way down low southern rock woman to angelic delta-gothic folkster. She will be going to Europe in April to once again spread her sweet sounds across the Atlantic.
All in all the night was well received. Everyone went home full of food and local music. Perhaps Cory will post some songs from the night on his blog Stitched Tire.
Our set (sew what) went over well. We played two new songs and had a little audience participation as well.
Tonight we will be attending a show in the woods with Houston's Robert Ellis, Geoffrey Muller, Listen Listen and out of towners DarkDarkDark. Should be fun!
Until next time!
Cedar Boy Bailey kicked off the night. This is Sergio's solo project done on ukulele. The set was very intimate. The uke strings quietly plucked out the soul and sincerity behind each song.
Phillip Foshee went up second and began with a cover song. He claimed he was not up to caliber as a musician and thus should not be playing covers. The audience disagreed as he rock eleanor rigby and some sweet song from Toy Story. he also played originals he claims to be sick of. Once again the audience disagreed as they sat captivated by his clear-as-a-bell vocals filled the room. Both boys will be appearing March 28th at the Westheimer Block Party at the Austin Layne Hotel. Phillip as himself and Sergio playing with his band Buxton.
Teresa of Gerogia's horse played next. Her vocals are soulful and sweet. Melancholic and moving. Her vocals range begins from way down low southern rock woman to angelic delta-gothic folkster. She will be going to Europe in April to once again spread her sweet sounds across the Atlantic.
All in all the night was well received. Everyone went home full of food and local music. Perhaps Cory will post some songs from the night on his blog Stitched Tire.
Our set (sew what) went over well. We played two new songs and had a little audience participation as well.
Tonight we will be attending a show in the woods with Houston's Robert Ellis, Geoffrey Muller, Listen Listen and out of towners DarkDarkDark. Should be fun!
Until next time!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Ghost Mice and other paranormal animals...
In this entry I will attempt to cover a few basic topics:
Observations and ramblings on the night of February 24th
April 5k as new contributor to the Free Press Houston paper
The Ghost Mice show was the first all ages show I have attended in ages. I realized the unbridled enthusiasm and enchanted eyes of the youth were what is missing from the up-against-the-wall-indie-rockers mentality that affects even the truest of Houston music lovers. All ages shows need to happen more often. The elderly hipsters and music lovers should welcome with open arms confused and overly excited youth. The music made that night bridged gaps instead of the usual construction of chasms by the elite elders around when the Pik and Pak was hoppin', before Ashby High rise was a zygote in the mind of developers. I noticed the more prominent members of the Houston music scene only came by for a split second, as if to say "Hey I was at that show. I think I saw you." Hannah and Chris continue to create honest music that is covers what was five years ago, what we are today and what we can "grow up " to be.
Speaking of refreshing, good friend and intense rocker, April 5k stepped up to the plate early this year by becoming the newest contributor to the music scene. She writes for Free Press Houston, a newspaper that sponsored Recession Thursday at Numbers and the ever popular Westheimer Block party that happens every spring and fall. In her most recent article she acknowledges women in the Houston scene. A breach from the usual male/power chords/ambient/noise/indie pop-with-token-girl format that has long supported this newspaper. The topic was "To be a female musician in Houston". She begins with a very positive " I never had the notion music was only for boys". I love the way she is always empowered. I have admired her for her Amazon strength and rugged wit. But I cannot help but disagree. I held back for years, secretly covering fifties classics and old folk songs on my guitar until I was about 19 or 20. Then I wrote my first song with chords. I felt empowered and also shy. I have come a long way since then but I remember internal battles and times when I had to say "Well I am a musician too" in the middle of discussions where males would base their responses on "because I am a musician". I have noticed many women in the past couple of years stepping on stage in Houston. It offers something else to work from and a different viewpoint and diversity in the music scene. The more women I see in bands with boys or working solo, the more I think it is possible for myself and other women who hold back. I think the battle I have been fighting all these years is mainly with myself and my own insecurities as a musician.
The next women in music series will be asking the question: "What is your role (as a woman) in the scene? What drives you? What interests you? I plan on writing and submitting to April for this articles although I never really thought I had a role in the music scene. Perhaps it is time to claim one?
Observations and ramblings on the night of February 24th
April 5k as new contributor to the Free Press Houston paper
The Ghost Mice show was the first all ages show I have attended in ages. I realized the unbridled enthusiasm and enchanted eyes of the youth were what is missing from the up-against-the-wall-indie-rockers mentality that affects even the truest of Houston music lovers. All ages shows need to happen more often. The elderly hipsters and music lovers should welcome with open arms confused and overly excited youth. The music made that night bridged gaps instead of the usual construction of chasms by the elite elders around when the Pik and Pak was hoppin', before Ashby High rise was a zygote in the mind of developers. I noticed the more prominent members of the Houston music scene only came by for a split second, as if to say "Hey I was at that show. I think I saw you." Hannah and Chris continue to create honest music that is covers what was five years ago, what we are today and what we can "grow up " to be.
Speaking of refreshing, good friend and intense rocker, April 5k stepped up to the plate early this year by becoming the newest contributor to the music scene. She writes for Free Press Houston, a newspaper that sponsored Recession Thursday at Numbers and the ever popular Westheimer Block party that happens every spring and fall. In her most recent article she acknowledges women in the Houston scene. A breach from the usual male/power chords/ambient/noise/indie pop-with-token-girl format that has long supported this newspaper. The topic was "To be a female musician in Houston". She begins with a very positive " I never had the notion music was only for boys". I love the way she is always empowered. I have admired her for her Amazon strength and rugged wit. But I cannot help but disagree. I held back for years, secretly covering fifties classics and old folk songs on my guitar until I was about 19 or 20. Then I wrote my first song with chords. I felt empowered and also shy. I have come a long way since then but I remember internal battles and times when I had to say "Well I am a musician too" in the middle of discussions where males would base their responses on "because I am a musician". I have noticed many women in the past couple of years stepping on stage in Houston. It offers something else to work from and a different viewpoint and diversity in the music scene. The more women I see in bands with boys or working solo, the more I think it is possible for myself and other women who hold back. I think the battle I have been fighting all these years is mainly with myself and my own insecurities as a musician.
The next women in music series will be asking the question: "What is your role (as a woman) in the scene? What drives you? What interests you? I plan on writing and submitting to April for this articles although I never really thought I had a role in the music scene. Perhaps it is time to claim one?
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Comin' up this spring
Well the ball is beginning to roll faster as the year goes on.
This coming up Tuesday, February 24th, Sew What is playing Amy's Ice Cream's Houston with Ghost Mice (Bloomington, IN) and local solo musician Robert Ellis.
A little bit about these guys:
Ghost Mice is a folk punk two piece based out of Indiana. The two members have names that sound like Hannah Jones and Chris Clavin. They have been in bands together for years like the Devil is Electric, Op. Chris Clavin, and Disarm.
Chris plays guitar and also runs the record label Plan-it-X records.
Hannah plays violin and sings real loud
Robert Ellis plays a whole lot of instruments in a wide variety of bands. I have heard of namely his Tejano and Bluegrass pursuits. Under his name he plays guitar and writes thoughtful folk songs about daily living and daydreaming. He plays five thousand notes for every chords you've ever hit. I swear. He has a sweet voice that reminds you of a time that has already gone by.
In March we are having a pluck luck at yours truly's place featuring Cedar Boy Bailey, Phillip Foshee and georgia's Horse on the 15th. Then we play quiet songs in the loud Houston streets on March 28h at the Westheimer block Party.
April will take us to Denton and back with hopes to end with another pluckluck at the stitched tire house. We are continuing work on the new album and want to see it hit the local shops, reviewer's desks and local radio stations in May or so.
Until then musical traveler!
This coming up Tuesday, February 24th, Sew What is playing Amy's Ice Cream's Houston with Ghost Mice (Bloomington, IN) and local solo musician Robert Ellis.
A little bit about these guys:
Ghost Mice is a folk punk two piece based out of Indiana. The two members have names that sound like Hannah Jones and Chris Clavin. They have been in bands together for years like the Devil is Electric, Op. Chris Clavin, and Disarm.
Chris plays guitar and also runs the record label Plan-it-X records.
Hannah plays violin and sings real loud
Robert Ellis plays a whole lot of instruments in a wide variety of bands. I have heard of namely his Tejano and Bluegrass pursuits. Under his name he plays guitar and writes thoughtful folk songs about daily living and daydreaming. He plays five thousand notes for every chords you've ever hit. I swear. He has a sweet voice that reminds you of a time that has already gone by.
In March we are having a pluck luck at yours truly's place featuring Cedar Boy Bailey, Phillip Foshee and georgia's Horse on the 15th. Then we play quiet songs in the loud Houston streets on March 28h at the Westheimer block Party.
April will take us to Denton and back with hopes to end with another pluckluck at the stitched tire house. We are continuing work on the new album and want to see it hit the local shops, reviewer's desks and local radio stations in May or so.
Until then musical traveler!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Secret Saturday 1.31.2009
Sew What
This past Saturday was an all day bash of food beer and music at none other than Broman's huble abode.
Secret Saturday left the regular venue, the Shady Tavern, for being too shady and not enough tavern. Now they are hosted in a much more secret fashion, with the interested parties emailling the two guys that run the show Broman (JD) and Cory Derden (Stitched Tire Label) for show details.
We (Sew What) played a fairly decent set, with only a few messups until the very last song. We played it on two instruments that had not been tuned yet and had been sitting in the car. So the tuning song was a long one and we didn't even do it well enough to sound good. But luckily the audience was patient because we gave them such a good show before the tuning fiasco. One very young lady joined us on drums for a song, further solidifying the theroy that our band attracts cute kids and dogs.
For more about the show go to freepresshouston.com
Gormeh Sabzi
GUITARS!
And many more amazing bands like Sad Gorilla, The Time Machine Veterans, and the Takes played that day and into the night. Thanks to all who came out and made it happen!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Getting up to speed
Sew What has been truckin' along through the fall and winter. We began to play Plucklucks(potluck and folkshow) in October; In December, we had fun at ArtStorm playing with Houston bands Listen Listen and the Wild Moccasins and Austin band Peter and the Wolf. We played the UH Art show, hosted by ISSE, at the Houston Foundry. There was an art auction and burning that night as well as a free keg and snacks.
Then, we took a mini caravan trip to New Orleans with Listen Listen to play at the Side Arm Gallery with Why Are We Building Such a Big Ship?. It was nice to return to that well loved well haunted city and see friends we met in the summer of 2008. I ran into a long lost friend and slept in the attic of the beloved Termite and Vine and left without bedbug bites this go round.
Cory and I have began recording our new album, The Death of the Land Line, due out in May or June. I am hoping to entice my good friend Deisy to make a print for the front and back of the cd packaging. That's the short of it and I hope to write again soon. Here are some pictures from Fall/Winter 2008:
Then, we took a mini caravan trip to New Orleans with Listen Listen to play at the Side Arm Gallery with Why Are We Building Such a Big Ship?. It was nice to return to that well loved well haunted city and see friends we met in the summer of 2008. I ran into a long lost friend and slept in the attic of the beloved Termite and Vine and left without bedbug bites this go round.
Cory and I have began recording our new album, The Death of the Land Line, due out in May or June. I am hoping to entice my good friend Deisy to make a print for the front and back of the cd packaging. That's the short of it and I hope to write again soon. Here are some pictures from Fall/Winter 2008:
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