Editor’s note: Welcome to the first edition of Aus10 for Austin shows and recommendations! Get these delivered to your email regularly by scrolling to the bottom of the page and signing up.
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Recommended Shows For Friday, May 8
Elias Haslanger Quintet at The Elephant Room
If you need a relaxing start to your weekend, kick it off with Elias Haslanger, a local saxophonist, who is well known throughout the local jazz scene. Performing at the Elephant Room on Congress Ave, the basement club has featured some of the best jazz musicians in Austin, and Haslanger is one of them. With his dreamy and lively approach to jazz, Elias Haslanger is sure to get you feeling chill in no time. You can check out one of Elias’s tunes titled “Feelin’ Good” from his 2012 release Church On Monday below.
Play By Numbers at Hole In The Wall
Deciding on the right club to go to on a Friday night in Austin can be a difficult task. How do you decide which genre you are interested in hearing when you love so many? For those who enjoy bands who incorporate many different styles into their music, look no further than Play By Numbers. On May 8th, the local band will be hitting the stage at Hole in the Wall to perform their intoxicating rock-inspired tunes. Judging from the twists and turns their music provides, anyone listening will not be disappointed. You can find the group playing their song “Acid Raindrops” at Hole in the Wall below.
Austin Guitar Kings Rock Out Show at Strange Brew
Tickets: $15
In South Austin, there is a little coffee shop named Strange Brew that was once a well kept secret. Though in the past year, the shop has grown from a small unknown coffee hangout into a happening music venue that is packed each night of the week. While the store’s music venue has hosted plenty of smaller bands, they have also put on shows with larger Texas acts such as Fastball. On Friday night, Strange Brew will be hosting several local guitarists which include Van Wilks, Ruben V., and Eric Tessmer. Dubbed “Austin Guitar Kings Rock Out Show” this performance will not only demonstrate the talent of each musician playing, but it is also perfect for the guitar enthusiast who just wants to take in the experience and listen. You can head over to Strange Brew’s calendar to see videos of both Ruben V., and Eric Tessmer. Below, Van Wilks plays “Little Wing” by Jimi Hendrix at Strange Brew, and judging from the crowd’s enthusiasm, Van Wilks is a performer that should not be missed.
Ruby Jane at The Black Heart
In the last few years, local fiddle player Ruby Jane has become known as one of Austin’s best musicians, particularly for her mean fiddle skills. Opening for country greats such as Willie Nelson and playing national music festivals such as Lollapalooza, Ruby Jane always brings in a packed house wherever she plays. If you want to see what the fuss is about and experience Ruby for yourself, she will be playing at The Black Heart on Rainey Street. You may want to get there early to guarantee yourself a seat. Show starts at 9 p.m. Below, you can see Ruby perform at Central Market doing what she does best.
Bob Schneider at Threadgills
Tickets: $25
Another popular Austin musician is Bob Schneider, known for his snappy live performances and great rock and roll style; everywhere that Bob plays is absolutely guaranteed to be packed from wall to wall. While Bob performs all over the country, when he comes home, it’s always sure to be a good time. You can catch him performing at the famous Austin restaurant Threadgills at 9 p.m. If don’t already have your ticket, you are advised to get one early as the show will likely sell out by the night of the performance. You can take a listen to Bob’s song “Honeypot” below.
Seek Irony at Red 7
Tickets: $7
For those Austinites who are looking to really spice up their weekend, you can head over to Red 7 on Friday to watch Seek Irony shred the stage at 8:30 p.m. Combining elements of hard rock, metal, and electronic music, their unique approach to music is a vibrant and exhilarating ride that we want to see live.
Recommended Shows For Saturday, May 9
Redd Volkaert at The Continental Club
Grammy-winning guitarist Redd Volkaert has been a staple at the Continental Club for awhile now, and every time he performs music fans come out in droves. Having no cover, there is no excuse not to see Volkaert play his guitar on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Playing original songs and cover tunes, Redd and his band are an entertaining listen from start to finish.
T Bird and the Breaks at The Continental Club
Tickets: $10
With the release of their latest album Harmonizm, T Bird and the Breaks have brought funk to Austin, letting us reminiscence about the early days of The Red Hot Chili Peppers when they brought an entirely new sound to the Los Angeles music scene. Consistently funky with a lot of punch, T Bird and the Breaks are one of Austin’s best bands, with Harmonizm cementing the group as Austin’s best funk group. Catch their late show at midnight on Saturday.
Will Johnson And Taylor Muse of Quiet Company at Cactus Café
Tickets: $15
Joined by singer-songwriter Will Johnson, Quiet Company member Taylor Muse will be playing a solo set as Quiet Company takes a break from touring behind their latest album Transgressor. Consistently touching and reflective, Transgressor is a record that every Austinite should be aware of, and if Taylor’s solo performance is just as moving as his work with Quiet Company, this will be a show that you will regret missing. Doors open at 8 p.m.
Recommended Shows For Sunday, May 10
The Resentments at Saxon Pub
Tickets: $10
The Resentments have been filling a Sunday residency spot at The Saxon Pub for a few years now, and their hard rock attitude will be one that Austin residents will adore. Saxon Pub’s small space provides music lovers with an intimate environment to truly enjoy the music and hear every note. Catch this show at 7:30 p.m.
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Get more of Lauren Gribble’s music reviews at her website, Listen Here Reviews.
