secret machines

On Saturday, December 13 – the afternoon following their performance at Warehouse Live – the Secret Machines stopped by Houston's Cactus Music & Record Ranch for a special acoustic in-store performance. The night before, we'd caught their normal live show, which featured their moody space rock stylings in all its distorted glory. The next day, frontman Brandon Curtis and guitarist Phil Karnats both donned acoustic guitars (Curtis' still sported tags – a loaner or recent purchase, perhaps?), while drummer Josh Garza kept the beat using maracas, a tambourine and his rhythm-filled hands. The performance was a completely different experience from the Warehouse set – stripped-down, the Machines' music was subtler and almost gentle at times. The short set included a few songs from their new self-titled album, as well as a couple older songs. The acoustic format showed off a new side of the trio, one that we hadn't seen at previous live performances. We weren't the only ones enchanted by the set – Curtis' grandmother beamed from a chair near the stage as he dedicated the last song ("Sad and Lonely," a somewhat curious choice) to her. This makes me wonder if the group's decision to use a quieter, more toned-down approach on this day was related to her attendance. Whatever the reason, their fuzzy psych rock compositions translated surprisingly well into acoustic arrangements and I hope they continue to experiment with their softer side in the future.

View videos and photos from the Secret Machines' in-store performance after the jump

Thanks to all who entered to win tickets to see The Secret Machines plus DJ Peretz/Perry Farrell and Electric Touch this Friday, December 12 at Warehouse Live in Houston, TX. We randomly selected two winners and have sent them further details. If you didn't win this time, stay tuned for more ticket giveaways in the near future!

You can purchase tickets to this show for $30 each here.

A big thanks goes out to The Messina Group for enabling us to hook you up.

The Secret Machines will be heading out on a US tour in support of their upcoming album entitled The Secret Machines, which is being released on October 14th. Although I am not a big fan, I know that my fellow BOT heads are quite intrigued by the New York/formally Dallas trio. The recording will be released on TSM Recordings, obviously their own label.

Read more on the tour including the dates after the jump!

The final day of the first annual(?) All Points West festival featured a much different vibe than the more indie-tastic Friday and Saturday. The big name on the bill was Jack Johnson, whose set featured sit-ins from both Trey Anastasio and Matt Costa, who had both performed with their own bands earlier in the day. Other performers during the jam-friendly Sunday included Rodrigo y Gabriela, Cat Power and Amadou and Mariam on the main stage, and The Secret Machines, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, and Rogue Wave holding down the other two. We wish we could have made it up to NYC for this event, but thankfully a whole bunch of other folks did.