Archive - Jun 3, 2009

For a few weeks now, our friends over at Free Press Houston have been laying mention of a festival they've been constructing for this summer. Culling their festival experience from the wildly popular biannual Block Party, FPH has announced details for the first ever Free Press Summer Fest, an event that just might help put Houston on the musical map. Taking place August 8 and 9 at Houston's Eleanor Tinsley Park – and costing less than 15 bucks – the fest includes Canadian indie super-group Broken Social Scene, odd-ball indie-dance outfit Of Montreal and Austin post-rockers Explosions in the Sky, among others. Several of our favorite local bands will also be gracing the stages, including Buxton, Wild Moccasins, Sideshow Tramps and many more.

Check out the full line-up after the jump

Eleanor Tinsley Park

On Saturday, May 16th, our great day of countrified fun – which began with Steve Earle at Cactus Music – continued out at Dosey Doe’s Coffee House, the best 150-year-old barn in Houston in which to watch live music and grub down. No, I swear... there really is a 150-year-old barn out in Spring that quadruples as a music venue, bar, coffeehouse, and restaurant. From their website:

Our Dining/Live Music Hall is a 150 year old barn from Kentucky. Hand Hewn (cut by axe instead of saw). It is made entirely of 300 year old growth Oak and Birch. The process of taking the barn down, re-raising it, and finishing it out took two and one half years.... Adorned with all original signage, artwork, photos, general store wares, antiques, leaded glass windows, and milk glass (school) lights all from the late 1880’s to mid 1900’s.

The time they spent transporting and meticulously rebuilding the barn was absolutely worth it. The acoustics in this place are ear-gasmically incredible, not to mention the unique and friendly atmosphere. And the food alone makes the trip to Spring worth it, regardless of the live music going on. The Gourds are as alt-country as acts at Dosey Doe’s have gotten thus far, but hopefully bands as talented and untraditional as they are will be booked more often. The typical act at Dosey Doe’s is as straight country as a 150-yr old barn, though. Ninety percent of the crowd at Saturday’s show fit that bill too.

Read about the show, check out some pictures and watch some videos after the jump

Editor's note: We want to join everyone in welcoming Bacon as the newest member of the BOT crew. He has written a few things for us in the past, but we are now thrilled to have him on as a full-fledged BOThead. His wealth of knowledge about the current state of music will be a welcome addition to the fold. Glad to have you, Bacon!

Last night marked the debut of Conan O’Brien’s Tonight Show, and his first musical guest was no slouch – Pearl Jam. The band played the new song “Got Some” off their forthcoming album “Backspacer” which is tentatively slated to drop on September 22.

On first listen, “Got Some” has several great hooks, beginning with the “got some if you need it” chorus. The tune is a promising one, and should have PJ fans excited for the upcoming album and tour. Let’s hope for two nights at the Pavilion!