Archive - Apr 1, 2009

Mulberry Mountain just keeps looking better and better. Our phenomenal experience last year made this summer's event a must-attend for us, and the recently announced additions to the lineup have sweetened the deal even further. Last year's final day headliner, Umphrey's McGee – who braved Hurricane Ike-related storms to deliver their set, will be returning to Arkansas for the festival in August; Michigan's Greensky Bluegrass, who we caught at ROTHBURY last July, will also be making an appearance, along with fellow additions Chicago Afrobeat Project, Delta Nove, Sarah Hughes Band, Eckobase, Weakness for Blondes, Opal Fly w/ Foxfire & Thy Faery Pranksters, and Pope County Bootleggers.

Full lineup listing after the jump

So, this is really, really late. Like, obscenely late. As in, if I were your friend and forgot about your birthday for this long, you probably wouldn't be my friend anymore late. I have lots of excuses (some of them actually good ones!), but I'll spare you. Annuals and support act Jessica Lea Mayfield came through Houston's Walter's On Washington back in February and put on a lively, entertaining show that has since stood out in my mind as one of the best shows I attended during the first quarter of '09. Check out photos and vids from the show after the jump

The Westheimer Block Party took place on Saturday, March 28th, and brought over 100 local and regional acts to play throughout several venues at the corner of Westheimer and Taft in Montrose, the yuss!est damn neighborhood in Houston. We've been to several block parties over the years, but this time the event took a much needed step upwards with the addition of a paid night portion that featured several prominent acts from today's thriving indie music scene. We were unable to make most of the free daytime portion, only catching Guitars, Come See My Dead Person, Sideshow Tramps, Listen Listen, Buxton and guerilla sets from B L A C K I E and Cop Warmth, but the night time was most definitely the right time as we were able to witness sets by The Eastern Sea, The Riff Tiffs, St. Vincent, I Am Mesmer, Valient Thorr and Devin the Dude. Both St. Vincent and The Eastern Sea performed amazing sets, but once again – for the second Block Party in a row – it was Buxton who impressed me most. While bringing along 1,080 sparklers was a brilliant and memorable idea, they certainly didn't need any sort of gimmick to sell their music. These kids are going to be huge someday, and we here at BOT feel extremely lucky to be able to watch their growth.

Check out a bunch of pictures and video from the spring 2009 edition of the Westheimer Block Party after the jump