Sarah M Vasquez
Oh man, lots to update…
After taking a month off, I’m now into the third week of summer school. Usually summer school is intense because it’s so fast paced, but it’s actually been pretty awesome. I’m taking Southwest in Films which means I watch westerns every day and write about them. My dad is a huge John Wayne fan so he’s very excited about this. When I asked him tonight if he had “Searchers” and “Red River,” he was down for a movie night. Oh dear.
But no movie night for me as I have some reading to do for my Sociology of Pop Music class. I can’t believe that’s a real class. Basically all I do is read about how pop music plays a role in society (very similar to my pop culture class) and write papers about it. It’s classes like this (which are for my pop culture minor) that make me go “This is college!?!” Needless to say, summer school has been pretty chill… when I don’t take on too much. Whoops.
Here’s are some other great moments as of late:
“Too bad we can’t put this in the actual article.”
There you go, Glynn.
Where would I be without Tactics? This was one of the times I was relieved to interview my friends.
After I heard they were going to provide the live soundtrack to Nosferatu, I jumped on the chance to interview them.
To make a long story short, my cell phone was turned off (I was having one of those moments that started a whole chain of events). I realized that night just how much I rely on my smartphone, because I got lost on the way to the interview. I second guessed myself and ended up away from where I needed to be. Brett and Glynn came to the rescue and picked me up so we could do the interview. That probably wouldn’t have happened if it was some random band I was assigned to interview.
After the interview, I got to stay for the remainder of practice and watched them write the score for Nosferatu. Amazing.
But that lede. Ugh. I should have made it more obvious that the Tactics show is not affliated with the Drafthouse. Oh well.
Q&A: Tactics
Local instrumental band to perform live score to Nosferatu
Originally published on March 28, 2012It’s a common staple at the Alamo Drafthouse for a band to perform a live score during a silent film. Local instrumental band My Education did it with Sunset. Now Tactics will try their hand at it at 7 PM on March 28 with a live score to Nosferatu hosted by New Flesh at The Vortex Repertory Theater. The band took time from their rehearsal to chat with UWeekly to talk about the approach on a performance like this.
Click here to read the rest at UWeekly.
Then before SXSW, I interviewed Brett’s other band Zlam Dunk. I really don’t make it a habit to interview friends’ bands so close together. This one was assigned first. Then Tactics announced the Nosferatu show. Timing. What can you do?
This may be my favorite Zlam Dunk interview to date. Well it’s only one out of two, but still, the last time I interviewed Brett and Daniel, they mostly asked me questions like “Who’s your favorite basketball team?” and talked about the Scott Pilgrim movie.
After this interview, Brett himself said that was probably the most productive interview with me to date. Yep, I agree. There was some goofiness around, but the majority of the interview was usable.
Here one of my favorite moments that didn’t make the published version:
After annoucing they are playing Free Press Summer Fest:
Daniel: That is a festival that we are behind 100 percent.
Brett: Yeah, we support that festival.
Daniel: Because that festival hasn’t gone to that festival’s head yet.
Brett: That festival won’t tell you to lose weight because they don’t think you’re cute enough or something, you know?
Daniel: Yeah, it loves you for who you are.
Brett: Uh huh.
On the plus side, the Tactics interview was the easiest one to transcribe, because I’ve interviewed all the band members in the past (except for Glynn).
Q&A: Zlam Dunk
New EP sparks memories
Originally published on March 7, 2012The members of Zlam Dunk formed in a dorm basement when they were college students at Texas State University in San Marcos (Texas State). Now the majority of the members live in Austin and have been going strong ever since. They recently had a show on March 2 celebrating the pre-release of their latest EP Balcones. Zlam Dunk’s guitarist Brett Thorne and drummer Daniel Vega chatted with UWeekly about the apartment complex behind the EP’s name, what exactly is a pre-release, and what happens when you mix alcohol and hatchets.
I need to stop interviewing people I’ve admired for years. It’s hard to control the fangirl when I do, and then I just embarass myself.
I met up with Eve 6 in front of Red 7 for our interview, and as soon as the band came out of thier van and introduced themselves to me, I freaked out (well, on the inside).
You gotta understand. This band defines my high school years. I’ve followed this band since “Inside Out.” “Here’s to the Night” is still my jam. I still listen to “Think Twice.” I <3 this band like whoa.
I did tell them that I was a long-time fan and was trying really hard to keep it together for them. They were cool with it.
But seriously, I gotta keep that fangirl in check.
Q&A: Eve 6
’90s rock band to release a new album after nine years
Originally published on March 21, 2012Believe it or not, this year was the first time Eve 6 performed at South by Southwest Music Festival (SXSW). The band that brought us the sing-alongs “Inside Out” and “Here’s to the Night” has played in Austin before, but never during the week-long festival. Eve 6 chatted with UWeekly during SXSW to discuss the upcoming album Speak in Code, which comes out April 24, and how fans welcomed them back after nine years of not hearing from this rock trio.
Oh let me share the hilarity that occurred with these two stories. I was originally assigned to write the tattoo story at the story meeting and did the interview early. Score one for me. I was ready to write it Sunday night when I got an email asking all the writers for an extra story to fill a page.
I knew I should have said no. I knew I would be cutting it close. But in true Sarah fashion, I pitched an idea and got the story only because I knew I could do it quickly. The problem was that I already had a long to-do list to deal with. But I had the interview and photos done after my Monday class (which I luckily got out early that day) and went home to pump them out as well as take my History quiz that had to be done by 11 p.m.
Well on the ride home from school, I noticed my computer was making loud whirring noises. It freaked me out so I turned off my computer. When I got home, I turned it back on and all seemed well until it started making that noise again. It sounded like it was going to explode at any moment. I mean this was really loud and not a pleasant sound you want your computer to make, especially when you’re on deadline. Great.
As much as I would have loved to see my Macbook explode, because I’m curious to see how they fit all those parts in that tiny frame and it would be another funny chapter in Sarah’s Awkward Life, there are things on my hard drive I would like to keep. So I couldn’t finish my articles on my computer. My mom let me borrow hers. The problem is that she’s not very tech savvy so her laptop wasn’t working as well as I would have liked which delayed the quiz and my articles.
Needless to say, I turned in my last article around 3:30 a.m. Sigh.
Tinkering and drinking
Gamers hang out at Red 7’s Vita Hill Social Club
Originally published on Feb. 22, 2012Red 7 has a new look. Unless you haven’t been to the music venue on 7th Street in the past month or so, it’s pretty hard to miss the new paint job of the inside lounge full of couches and TV screens, especially if you’ve used the bathrooms.
Click here to read the rest at UWeekly.
Bringing out the worst
Worst Tattoo contest back for another year
Originally published on Feb. 22, 2012The phrase “worst tattoo” may bring up images of tramp stamps, barbwire wrapped around a bicep or even the face of that one ex you thought would last forever right next to your heart, but for the Second Annual Worst Tattoo in Austin contest, that’s not exactly what event organizer Devon Tincknell has in mind.
“It’s about celebrating the other side of tattooing,” said Tincknell. “This is about the other end of the spectrum where you have your tattoos that you got when you were blacked out at a friend’s house in their living room or your tattoos where you just purposely thought out, talked to an artist and had them draw up something really strange.”
Ahhh Driver Friendly! I <3 this band. I was happy to sit down with some of the members and chat about the new album. It was a pretty lengthy interview so a lot of it got cut out, but like my community journalism professor said, you know you have a good interview if it hurts to cut things out… or something like that.
The new album is really good. I highly recommend it.
Q&A: Driver Friendly
Band ready to release new music after three years
Originally published on Feb. 22, 2012Driver Friendly (also known as Driver F) is finally releasing a new album after three years. The band was pretty close to calling it quits after nine years but decided to head to the mountains to write. The end result, Bury a Dream, will be released on Feb. 25 at The ND at 501 Studios. However, those that can’t make it will have to wait to get their copy when it’s nationally released in April.
I had three articles published in the latest issue of UWeekly (Feb. 15 issue). Sorta not intentional. I was working on one that was postponed for this issue (Neonbeard/Tea Farm), picked up an article (Beauty Ballroom), and then we needed a Q&A (Click-Clack). I ended up having a busy/stressful weekend, but really, when does that not happen?
New venue glams up East Riverside
Beauty Ballroom joins Emo’s East in providing more live musicAustin’s music scene has gained another venue. Although it’s a familiar name, Beauty Ballroom is located on the same block as Emo’s East on East Riverside Drive.
Click here to read the rest at UWeekly.
Q&A: Click-Clack
Hip-hop act goes soloIt was an Apple product that motivated Click-Clack, also known as Eric Mikulak, to start working with hip-hop. After his mom bought a Macintosh computer, he started messing around with GarageBand and made his own beats and recorded his own songs. Now he’s getting ready to release his first record Housework on Feb. 17 at Beauty Bar.
Click here to read the rest at UWeekly.
Spreading the music
Record label and recording studio debut in AustinIt’s Saturday night on Feb. 11 and Jared Marshall, Brandon Maguire and Abbey Lane are celebrating with their friends along with food and music.
“We just actually did it. We followed through,” said Lane.
The three were celebrating the official launch of Tea Farm Recordings and Neonbeard, a recording studio and record label run and owned by Marshall and couple Maguire and Lane, respectively.
I gotta admit. This album has been on heavy rotation since I got it. It’s soooo good.
I heard this name during Free Week, but I always seemed to miss one of their shows. Then they were among the suggestions when I asked for albums for KTSW. And just like the cliche “like a moth to a flame,” I had to find out what the fuss was about.
Q&A: The Dalles
Originally published on Feb. 8, 2012After a chance encounter with Blue Mongeon on a bus heading to Boston about six years ago, Ben Ballinger kept in contact with Mongeon and then moved from The Dalles, Oregon (also the band’s namesake) to Austin to start a band.
The band is less than a year old, but will release their debut album My Own Private White House on Feb. 11 at Hole in the Wall. Each member, Ballinger, Mongeon, Drew Brunetti and Chris D’Annunzio, come from “different corners of America” and musical styles that help shape The Dalles’ sound.
I was introduced to this band by Marc, otherwise known as Mofoz Vizualz, about two and a half years ago. He designed the logo you see on SoManyBands. When we sat down to discuss the layout for my site, he asked me what I did and I said I write about local music. Then he turned around, grabbed a CD and handed it to me. It was one of Hour Band’s EP.
Q&A: Hour Band
Originally published on Feb. 1, 2012Hour Band sat down with UWeekly to discuss why they decided to debut their band during South by Southwest Music Festival (SXSW) and what to expect on their upcoming album, Only, which will be released on Feb. 2 at Stubb’s.
UWeekly’s website has a new look! I love it. Go look. Right now. Click here!
Q&A: Delicate Cutters
Alabama rock band prepare to release third album
Originally published on Jan. 25, 2012A conversation about The Replacements started Delicate Cutters. The story goes that vocalist/guitarist Janet Simpson’s and drummer Chance Shirley’s conversation about music eventually started an argument about which Replacements album was the best one. Then they decided to just start a band, which include members bassist Brian Moon and fiddle player Kevin Nicholson.
This band from Birmingham, Ala., is currently on tour with an Austin stop on Jan. 25 at Beauty Bar. Simpson chatted with UWeekly about their upcoming album “Ring” and how they incorporate a fiddle player into the music.
This band and I go waaaaay back. Back before Twitter. Back before Facebook. Back before MySpace. During a time when people had to seek out bands through poorly-designed websites filled with slow-loading flash graphics (blah!). During those days, I kept a bookmarks folder of these band websites to get my updates. How I don’t miss those days. Yeah, social media has made it incredibly overwhelming to sort through all the amazing bands out there for coverage. It is a nice little problem to have.
Nooner and I met through the Austin Indie Alliance (AIA). AIA was an organization created by bands as a sort of networking and support system. Bands helping each other out. I remembered when I met Ben, Nooner’s drummer, at one of their shows standing outside the venue with other bands when he walks up to us, looks at me and then just hands me a CD. Turned out he recognized me from the AIA message boards. And that CD was soooooooo good. You know me and poppy music, I’m a sucker for that stuff.
Eventually AIA, Nooner and myself all went our separate ways and I hadn’t heard from them since. So imagine my surprise when I was reading an email from Squint’s mailing list last week about their upcoming show and saw that Nooner was reuniting. I also happened to be searching for a Q&A idea for UWeekly so this was a win-win situation.
I found Ben on Facebook with my mad journalism skills (really, how hard is it to find someone on Facebook?) and he was game. It was nice to play a little catch up on the last couple of years and can’t wait to see them Saturday night so I can relive that time. Hello 23-year-old Sarah. It’s nice to see you again.
Q&A: Nooner
Power pop band to reunite after five years
Originally published on Jan. 18, 2012The last show Austin-based band Nooner performed on stage was two years ago. Even then, that reunion show included every official member on stage (three guitar players, etc). But for the original four members, guitarist Greg Massouh, bassist Tim Seymour, drummer Ben Mills and vocalist Chris Telles, their upcoming show on Jan. 21 at Stubb’s BBQ is their first reunion show with just the four of them in five years.
Nooner was a power-pop band in the early 2000s, enchanting music fans with their feel-good lyrics and party vibe. After Mills left Nooner for another project, the band performed their last show and went their separate ways. UWeekly sat down with Mills to discuss the reunion show and what it was like playing those tunes all over again.
