Saturday, June 9, 2007


- The Hold Steady - Austin, TX - Emo's -
 

Last night I attended a show that was really hot and partly full of morons.  Still, it was infinitely better than the previous time that I saw the Hold Steady in Houston when there were roughly 70 people and the band kept things rather calm.  Read on! Also, be sure not to miss this week's podcast at the bottom.

    
- Blitzen Trapper -

I hadn't heard of this sextet prior to the show but I enjoyed their performance.  They had a sort of classic rock sound that at times would effortlessly switch over to a more indie pop or dance-esque vibe.  I would recommend checking them out if you have the chance. 
 

    
- Illinois -

These guys are SOTO favorites so I wasn't surprised that I had such a good time during their set.  The banjo-lead act always seem to be having a lot of fun and it makes all of their live sets feel like a huge sing-a-long.  I mean, even the Hold Steady guys felt the need to come out during the last song to insure that the raucous level stayed overly high.  Get out and see these guys whether or not they're with Craig Finn and Co.
 

    
- The Hold Steady -

Set List:  Stuck Between Stations / Chicago Seemed Tired Last Night / The Swish /Your Little Hoodrat Friend / Hot Soft Light / Chillout Tent / Massive Night / Party Pit / Modesto / Cattle And The Creeping Things / Stevie Nix / Chips Ahoy / You Can Make Him Like You / Southtown Girls / Citrus / First Night / Most People Are DJs / Killer Parties

I have always felt that Craig Finn is one of today's premiere storytellers but last night made me realize that he is the best.  The characters and situations that he lays out so energetically and charismatically are incredibly captivating live, especially since he and the rest of the band genuinely appear to be having the time of their lives.  Though, how could a bunch of guys so seemingly rooted in their working class ways not enjoy a rowdy crowd in a nasty hot venue?  If you've never experienced these guys live then I would advise that you get out and do so on this tour because they are really operating at what may be their peak.

On a rowdy crowd side note, who the fuck decides to crowd surf during a song like Citrus!?  More importantly, how do you carry a stunned expression when people look at you with a face that says who the fuck decides to crowd surf during a song like Citrus!?  Also, Most People Are DJs is a good song but not to the point where its cool to request it the entire show.  In other words, most people are stupid.
 

Remember that LCD Soundsystem cover of All My Friends by Franz Ferdinand that I put in the podcast a number of weeks ago?  Well, now they have a nice little video to go along with it.

:SOTO - Episode 18:  This week I have some comments about Touch And Go's new music store, and I have you covered on any of the small news bites you may have missed over the course of the week.  Musically, I have the show packed tight with new material from The Foundry Field Recordings, People Noise, Portobello, Rasputina, The Loose Salute and Wooden Wand.  Enjoy.

- John Laird -

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