SEMI PRECIOUS WEAPONS If you didn't see Semi Precious Weapons last year with The Sounds and MEN, you missed a kickass show! This glam-rock band with a punk flair has come along way in the past few years. They released a self-titled EP on January 19th and are continuing the Monster Ball Tour with none other than performance artist and reigning pop queen Lady Gaga this spring. Trannies and queens get your tickets now, because this is a show you don't want to miss! The rest of you can tag along, but we know who'll be first in line for the show! Led by the filthy gorgeous Justin Tranter, Semi Precious Weapons is sure to be a crowd pleaser this year and we simply can't wait for them to come back to Texas!
NNEKA What can we say? She's freakin' groovy. Her debut album, Victim of Truth, was released in the UK in 2007 and was described by Rolling Stone as "...pure hotness." Concrete Jungle marks her US debut due out February 2nd. Nneka hails from the Delta region of Nigeria born of a German mother and Nigerian father. Staying true to her roots, she dedicated the album to the people of Warri and the Niger Delta. She studied anthropology at Hamburg University while attempting to launch her musical career. Her vibe is congruent with pop, soul, reggae and R&B and while she hasn't been in the forefront since she began in 2005, this year should bring her much success and notoriety.
THE XX From Wandsworth, England, The xx formed in 2005 after meeting at Elliott School. Their self-titled debut was finally released last year (August 17), which sparked interest with a lot of music critics hitting multiple Top Music Lists (NME, Pitchfork) and now ours. One of our favorite xx tracks is actually a remix featuring Florence and the Machine. Listen to it now! "You've Got the Love."
THE RADIO DEPT Much to our chagrin, The Radio Dept was formed in 1995 and has just hit our radar. They are one of the several bands from Sweden that we've come to dig over the last several years. Named after a gas station and radio repair shop sign in Lund, Sweden, the band has quite a catalog of music, much of which can be downloaded for free if you register on their site. While their bio could use some tweaking, they have a pretty comprehensive website for newbies. The band has released three albums -- Clinging to A Scheme, Pet Grief, and Lesser Matters and are on one of Sweden's premier Indie labels, Labrador Records.
SHOTGUN PARTY This Austin trio was founded in 2006 and were regular favorites at Austin's Continental Club. We caught them by accident a few years ago at Houston's McGonigel's Mucky Duck and fell in love with Jenny Parrot's endearing vocals and Rose Cox's incredible violin skills. Reminiscent of times when music was simple and untainted by modern technology, Shotgun Party garners influences from early swing, blues, country and bluegrass. Shotgun Party is currently planning a European tour and will be headed to Memphis soon for the Folk Alliance February 17-22.
SPEAK Upcoming Performance, Feb 10 @ Waterloo Records, Austin, TX Catch synth-pop quartet SPEAK at SXSW in Austin March 18-20! Their debut Hear Here is due out February 9th on Playing in Traffic Records. SPEAK are: Troupe Gammage (vox/keys), Nick Hurt (vox/guitar), Joey Delahoussaye (vox/bass) and Jake Stewart (drums). More importantly,if you happen to stop by our favorite Austin record store, Waterloo Records on February 10th, you can catch an in-store performance and if you dig it, stop by their CD Release @ The Independent on February 12th.
Hear Here EP
STUCK! TO BE FEATURED AT MACON FILM FESTIVAL 2-19
Director Steve Balderson (Firecracker, Pep Squad, Wamego) is an independent filmmaker from Wamego, Kansas with a contagious laugh. His work is often controversial, subversive, dark, funny and not for children, and if you don't pay attention, you may miss great performances from actresses Karen Black, Mink Stole and Jane Wiedlin (yes, that one). The recent screening at the Egyptian in LA was packed. Stuck! premieres at the Macon Film Festival today at the Cox Theater at 8 pm. Stuck! was ICON-MAGAZINE.COM'S pick of 2009.
Taft McWhorter Gallery, formerly known as Taft McWhorter Fine Art relocated recently to 2219 Canal Street, next door to Canal Street Gallery. Taft McWhorter Gallery features many Houston artists including Kevin Peterson, Matt Messinger, Ian Anderson, Justin Garcia, Roberto Del Rio, Jane DiPaolo, Van McFarland, Anne-Joelle Galley and Chris Silkwood.
Why we're interested: “We are trying to distinguish our gallery by showing only Houston artists.We also offer a consulting service for artists and an art rental program for area businesses.” - Lindsay Peyton, Gallery Director for McWhorter Gallery
Next Exhibit: Black & White Opening Feb 27, 6-9 pm
