The Nothing Song

Austin TX booker/promoter, assistant editor at ANON Magazine, graphic novel/comics enthusiast, and advocator for sexual health. Twitter Facebook

[oursedemer-blog]

June Goal Post.

My worries of spending my time being unproductive have been for naught - I feel like I’m keeping full time or near full time hours doing booking and promotion work, planning a tour for a band for dates later this month and early next month, writing and editing for ANON Magazine along with odd work here and there. In combination of some payment doing writing work and renting out my place on Airbnb I’m pretty much breaking even with a bit of savings in terms of paying my bills, groceries, and essentials. That’s a lot more that I could have hoped for this time last year, let alone a couple months ago.

I have four shows coming up in July (one that already has 220+ RSVPs five weeks out from the show), a two stage shoegaze/dream-pop line up, and the other with Paul Gonzenbach on tour from Seattle. I’m aiming to put on three or four shows from here on out starting in July (give or take slower winter/holiday months). Promotion work is going great with Cheer Up Charlies, there’s a chance of an organization willing to collaborate and raise money for ANON Magazine which would help immensely in terms of what we could do with the magazine and printing costs, and we have ideas for our next print magazine underway.

I’ve actually saved up enough money for a trip to Iceland in the future - that likely wouldn’t be happening until this time next year or so, but it’s there in my savings account, with enough leftover to take a trip to Chicago in October with my boyfriend. This is pretty much the first time ever that I’ve had enough savings to be all adult-like and know that I can afford a trip out of state and to take a vacation. Previous vacations have been with the family or to visit the family, but never on my own (aside from small road trips and things like that).

I feel like I probably say this every month, but it’s true when I feel like my goals and career continue to careen in the right direction as I get closer to figuring out what kinds of events I want to book, establish more connections with people in this city and with both local and non-local bands alike, hone in on my writing skills, learn time-management with being my own boss 90% of the time, and plan ahead of time for shows and events that I’d love to put together. Living the dream, as they say.

[oursedemer-blog]

May Goal Post.

This one’s a little delayed, but better late than never.

Things have been picking up quite a bit in terms of booking and promoting shows. Events will be steady this month and next, but in July I’ll have at least three shows booked, likely looking closer to four or five. I’m booking a two stage line-up towards the end of July that I believe will be a success, as well as booking one of my late teenage musical heroes, Paul Gonzenbach, in mid-July. I can recall over a year ago how eager I was for this to become a reality, and now I’m actually doing it. I also have a booked show in June that I think is a really solid and cohesive line-up, including a band from out of town that’ll be performing. As much talent as there is in this city, I don’t want to confine myself to just booking local bands. Developing my contacts out of Austin (and out of state) surely seems to prove only beneficial. I’m also getting a lot more emails from bands and people looking to coordinate events asking if I can help out to some degree. Seeking out more networking opportunities and bands has helped increase my range for curating events and creating solid and creative events that I’m excited to work towards. I’ll also be delving into new territory - that is planning a week or so long tour in September for a band outside of state.

I’ve been up and down in terms of mental and physical health (getting over a cold immediately followed by a swollen and painful sunburn, and some up and down mood swings last month). I want to make it more of a habit to write down how I’m feeling, and what has helped at the time. Leaving a notebook on my nightstand and carrying a small notepad with me will help me to record things in the moment. I know getting out of the house and taking a walk, sitting at a park, essentially changing my scenery helps. Talking it out with my boyfriend/mom/good friends helps. Trying to focus on positive things in the moment helps. And certainly accomplishing goals I care about and keeping busy with booking and promoting helps.

I may have a part time short term job opportunity next month, but otherwise my schedule is now very open, in terms of how many hours and the work that I do in my own time. I love the freedom of being “my own boss” at times and doing work that I genuinely care about. I realize a flexible schedule can be a blessing in disguise, and I want to make sure I don’t get sucked down a hole of being unproductive and putting off hard effort and work. My view leading up to the summer has truly been one that will test just how far I can get in my career and how much I can strive for. The unknown is a little frightening, but with so many potential positive and exciting opportunities I’m really looking forward to seeing what kind of places I can take myself.

[oursedemer-blog]

April Goal Post.

I feel a tad guilty for not having posted a March Goal Post, but for the last few weeks I’ve been riding an upswing in pretty much all areas of my life.

I got a gig doing booking and promotion work at Cheer Up Charlies, one of my favorite venues in town. The pay is great for work I actually want to be doing, and I’m guaranteed at least two nights per month booking my own shows there. My schedule’s been flexible, I’ve been making lots of great contacts, and it’s stretching my ability to multi-task when it comes to organizing shows. I also got a (very side) gig doing some paid writing work which is a first. Writing is not something I want to be doing full-time, but I think it’s important to hone in on my skills as a writer and it’s something I usually enjoy doing if I’m not on too much of a time crunch. With my increase in pay, I’ve managed to cut down my tutoring hours from 27 to 20 hours and now have more to put in savings. Iceland next summer, anyone?

Ever since the Cheer Up Charlies gig, I’ve been on a trek to figure out how to put a creative spin on upcoming shows and what are some things I’d like to accomplish with those shows in the long run. I’ve made a point to reach out more to bands from out of town and out of state, mostly inspired by a near-cancelled Hum show during SXSW and wanting to bring them back for fans to see a set in its entirety. It may not sound like much to most everyone but myself, but I reached out to Paul Gonzenbach of The Jim Yoshii Pile-Up, who was up there on my top five list of bands I listened to in high-school and college. He’s planning a tour within the United States, and I’ll be helping him out booking a show in Austin, TX when he comes to town. I also want to make a Twin Peaks themed event happen nearing the premiere of the new season in 2016, as well as plan an event with a mobile outreach vehicle that does HIV/STI testing after struggling for so long to get a regular STI check that didn’t cost a fortune and that wasn’t impossible to access. It’s not something I’m as actively involved in these days, but sexual health and education is extremely important to me and something I wish was more easily accessible and talked about. I think this is one step closer to making that happen, or at the very least helping out someone that wants to get tested but doesn’t know where or how, or doesn’t have the funds for it.

For the last few weeks I’ve felt a lot more self-confidence in my work as well as in my relationship. I sometimes feel the tendency to scrutinize “the small stuff” and have a habit of comparing things to the past, rather than focusing on being in the present and recognizing all the amazing experiences that are happening right now. It’s a bit difficult to put into words, but having more of a drive to succeed in my career and keeping busy with my own plans feeds into having more to share and talk about with my partner (and vice versa), and it’s just felt like a wonderful stretch of weeks feeling very content and relaxed with aspects of my relationship. My mom and I have also had really great and personal talks and I’ve been able to do a lot of fun things in my down-time (getting a badge for SXSW Film is up there).

I feel like I’m in a position that I truly want to be in, and only heading in the right direction.

[oursedemer-blog]

This Wednesday! I'm putting on an unofficial SXSW show, featuring Subspace, Honey and Salt, Concrete Robot, and Lake of Fire at Swan Dive! There will also be vendors in attendance selling their zines, cassette tapes, vintage clothing, and more! RSVP Here for free entry before midnight. Hope to see you all there!

[oursedemer-blog]

ANON Magazine's Mixtape Monday this week features Texas bands from the likes of Far Far Future, Sunrise and Ammunition, Sealion, Slow Pulse, and more. Give the mixtape a listen to on the blog!

[oursedemer-blog]

Really looking forward to ANON Magazine's Third Issue Release Party at Swan Dive on April 16th! Machete Western, The Rotten Mangos, Ichi Ni San Shi and Madd Comrades will be performing killer sets, and we'll also have a string of local vendors selling their artwork, vintage goods, zines, and much more. Mark your calendar for this one!

[blushm-deactivated20151210]

[oursedemer-blog]

I put together a mixtape for ANON Magazine, featuring tracks by Happy Fangs, Motel Beds, Wild Moth and more. Give it a listen over at the website! 

[oursedemer-blog]

Ole Creepy / Bat City Surfers / Machete Western

Ghostcat Lounge

Friday, February 13th

Ghostcat Lounge, a DIY music venue located in the heart of the North Loop neighborhood, brought an intimate touch to all the attendees on Friday the 13th; their enclosed garage space left you no choice but to get up and personal with the band and those surrounding you, along with a fire pit located right outside the lounge which made for a convenient social space. With access to free beer, giant Jenga precariously stacked on one of the various benches in the yard, and a line-up of free and quality music, Ghostcat Lounge certainly provided a bustling crowd with a night of entertainment.

In the spirt of Friday the 13th, Ole Creepy assuredly lived up to their name. Their stage set-up came suited with green moss cloaked over their equipment and a shining skull placed near the audience. Members Jerry Howard and Eva Francine united in black attire with only a glimmer of their faces visible through draped black hair and hat. Their macabre performance combined with guttural and sepulchral screams wavered throughout the venue, giving a haunting aura to the space. The duo fluctuated between brooding and and heavy drum beats and fast-paced instrumentals and guitar solos. At one point did Howard slowly growl into the microphone to the crowd, “if you show Ole Creepy your big fat ass, good things will come to you in the near future”. Ole Creepy brought out the truly sinister, yet ingeniously combined with a wicked sense of humor.

Still in the realm of musical horror, yet with an instrumental surf rock twist, Bat City Surfers took the stage for a fast-paced and crowd-bumpin’ good time. The four members of the group came decked out in black clothing and star studded shades, looking at ease in front of an ever growing crowd dancing to speedy and dominating surf rock numbers. One of the audience’s personal favorite was the band’s spin on The Champs’ ever popular hit song, ‘Tequila’, which got the crowd energized and singing along with punched emphasis. Bat City Surfers’ lively set drew to a near close with an anthem for “smoking weed and playing video games”, proving an authenticity that the band doesn’t take themselves too seriously, yet at the same time demonstrating undeniable group cohesiveness and individual instrumental talent.

The crowd’s anticipation bubbled for the final act of the night, Machete Western. Guaranteeing to “put you on the threshold of awkward pain and nauseous pleasure” is precisely what this surf-rock band delivered. Machete Western fans packed the venue to its seams, riotously dancing to western ballads and punk covers, interspersed with instrumental surf-rock grind. Machete Western spared no expense at letting loose in their interactions with the crowd, serving (literal) shots of champagne, communal whiskey drinks, and fire blazes tossed into the crowd from vocalist Slick Johnson’s leather-cladded crotch. Their rendition of Judas Priest’s “Breaking the Law” called for audience participation, with specific instructions to aim and spray dozens of containers of silly string at the vocalist’s genitals. The audience absolutely reveled at being doused with champagne, covered in confetti and silly string, and off their rocker on whiskey shots, which made for an authentic and unquestionable end to a full-fledged night of debauchery.

Even though the music simmered to a close, the attendees immersed together in the afterglow of a lively and spirited evening. Ghostcat Lounge provided the space and ambience for Austin’s very own closely-knit community as well as showcasing hidden musical gems in a close and intimate setting. In consideration of all the positive vigor and enthusiasm post-set, this can only surely mean much more to come from Austin’s very own DIY venue.

Words by - Trish Connelly Photography by - Maye Marley Photography The Austin Live Review

[nothingislinear]

[oursedemer-blog]

[oursedemer-blog]

ANON Magazine's Mixtape Monday this week features tracks by The Black Ryder, Swirl, Sister Crystals and more. 

[wulfyworld]

[charredbaby]

Visit Original Link

pretty good 

not doing that fine 

getting up most everyday

[unrational]

words to live by goddamn.

[oursedemer-blog]

Just in time for Valentine's Day, here's a lovey dovey mixtape I made for ANON Magazine featuring tracks by Jeff Buckley, The Cure, Lou Reed, and more.

[zenpencils]

ROBERT FULGHUM: A mutual weirdness

[zuliebe]