Best Free Week Pick is Saturday January 8, 2011

Austin Vida is presenting a very special Free Week Showcase at Stubb's indoor stage this Saturday. Although this is the first year Austin Vida has presented a Free Week showcase, they have a very successful track record of very exceptional and creative shows. This showcase is special because first, it's Free Week, second, this showcase features four very exceptional bands made up of very talented Latinos and third, this showcase has a local, regional and international reach. The bands are no strangers to the Austin music scene, they definitely have a presence and a fan following. See you there.

Venue: Stubb's Bar-B-Q 801 Red River Austin, Texas 78701

Cost: FREE/No Cover Charge

Other Details: Doors open at 9:00 PM, Inside Show, All Ages welcome

Musical Line-up:


Sour Soul - Mexico City, Mexico - Psychedelic/Rock/Soul


The Young Maths - McAllen, Texas - Garage/Indie/Punk


Hydra Melody - Helotes, Texas - Experimental/Progressive/Rock


Vinyl Dharma - Austin, Texas - Alternative/Electronica/Indie



do512 provides an excellent link to all of the Free Week Events. Check it out.

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FREE WEEK January 1-9, 2011 in Austin, Texas

The first week of January is a special time for the Austin music scene, musicians and music lovers. "Free Week," January 1-9, 2011 is here. It's like an extension of the Christmas Holidays and if you're like me, I don't have a lot of money left over from all the gift giving. So Free Week comes at a perfect time. Free is the key word. "No Cover Charge" to get into many of the clubs or venues in downtown Austin, Texas, "The Live Music Capitol of the World." There are nine days of music, 100 plus local and regional bands playing nightly, all types of music to please every musical taste and it's FREE. It's like a mini-music festival which doesn't require standing in line for a costly wrist band or confined to a fenced in area. You have an open downtown area with most of, if not all, the clubs within walking distance of each other. The weather should be good, not like last year's freeze, and the atmosphere festive.

This will be my third Free Week and I have already planned the dates, times and the bands that I want to see for the week. So if you live in Austin, show your support or if you're outside of Austin, you're welcome to come for the music and fun.

The first year, one of the clubs I ventured into was Beerland and saw The Flame Trick Subs. I really liked them and their "psycho-billy." Check them out.


The second year, I was at Red 7 for some hard ass Punk. The Lower Class Brats was one of the bands that night. Hardcore, check it out.



An excellent link to see all the week's activity is do512.com. Check it out.

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Barrio Massive En El Mero Hueso at Una Noche De La Gloria October 9, 2010

Una Noche De La Gloria, presented by Contemporary Arts and Literature Organization (CALO), is an event in the West Side of San Antonio, Texas which showcases local talent in the arts. This includes visual arts, fashion, film, music, theater and spoken word performances at the historic Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center. "Barrio Massive En El Mero Hueso" is the main musical presentation of the event.

Below, is a short video that really gives you a sense of Una Noche De La Gloria 2010.

Una Noche De La Gloria from noi mahoney on Vimeo.

This is the second time that I've attended Una Noche De La Gloria. I enjoyed it so much last year that I had return again. I go more for the exceptional music but I enjoy all the activities. This year's main stage line up included: JD Diego Bernal, La Guerrilla, Pop Pistol, Piñata Protest, Bombasta and Special Guest, The Sequence.

La Guerrilla, the international, Latin, gypsy ensemble from Austin, Texas band and one of my favorites.


Pop Pistol, from San Antonio, incorporates a "very interesting blend of indie rock steeped in electronic roots. Progressive broken beat drums coupled with an ethereal rhythm section of synths and samples and haunting vocal delivery for a complex, multi-dimensional sound." -Study Breaks Magazine, UTSA
This is the first time I saw Pop Pistol and I was really impressed with their performance, music and sound. This is a band I want to see again and a band that you'll be hearing more about very soon.


Pinata Protest, is a San Antonio "accordion powered punk rock-y-roll band." I also add "conjunto punk band" as part of the description because of it's rocking Mexican roots.


Bombasta is the epitome of the new Urban Latino sound that has emerged in cities like San Antonio, Austin, Corpus Christi and all over which incorporates all the intrinsic influences of Latin, Rock, Conjunto, Traditional Roots and Electronic music. When Bombasta performs, you know a party is going to break out and you better be prepared to throw down some moves!


The Sequence, an a capella doo-wop group also from San Antonio performed some 1950-60's songs. The Sequence is not on the web, you may contact them at (210)421-5683 or at vic.love@sbcglobal.net.


Una Noche De La Gloria 2011 is already being planned and I am looking forward to it already.

Free Week 2010 in Austin, Texas: Red 7

Every January for the last several years, the Red River District has "Free Week." Basically there is "No Cover" to get into the clubs and see tons of bands for 10 days. It is a huge event for music in Austin and many other clubs, not on Red River Street, have joined the annual event. I love Free Week because I can go to the clubs and see the bands that perhaps weren't on the top of my "must see" list although I do want to see them. This year one of the clubs I went to was Red 7 to see three local hardcore Punk bands: Sober Daze, Krum Bums and Lower Class Brats.

I've gone to see a couple punk bands before but this event was the most raucous. I'll usually stay as far back from the stage and the pit because it can get really rough. This time around I decided to get closer to the stage to take a few pictures when all of a sudden I felt someone pushing me into the pit. I turned around and got some kid in a headlock. I looked at him and he looked at me and I then pushed him into the pit. I quickly proceeded to the rear of the club and stayed there.

The bands were great, the music was hardcore and the audience generated a fantastic energy. This blog is definitely late but the videos were just recently downloaded by Red River Noise. Check out the video and see what I saw and experienced.







Note of Caution: the Pit is not for the meek or weak of heart. The possibility of getting kicked, punched, pushed around and getting hit with a beer bottle is extremely great.

Este Vato CD Release Party at Mi Casa

Bemba Entertainment and Este Vato, Austin's best Latin Fusion band, is having a CD Release Party to promote and celebrate their music. This CD Release Party will be the "Mother" of all CD release parties and keep in mind "What happens in Mi Casa, stays in Mi Casa."

Venue: Mi Casa Cantina located at 503 E. 6th Street in Austin, Texas

Musical Line-up: Este Vato, Piñata Protest and Mexican Stepgrandfather

Date: June 5, 2010

Time: 10:00 PM till they kick us out

Cost: Free - over 21 and $5 - under 21 years of age

Este Vato is officially debuting their self titled CD, "Este Vato," this Saturday and performing the songs from the CD plus new material. Este Vato specializes in Latin fusion, Mexican Cumbia and Rock with a skilled Emcee and a DJ to give their music more depth and uniqueness. I can honestly say there is no other band like Este Vato or comes close. They have already established themselves as a premier band in the Austin music scene and this new CD gives Este Vato the complete promotional package every band strives for. Este Vato is a must see musical experience.



Piñata Protest is another favorite band. I came across the band at In The Flesh Tattoo Studio loft a couple of years ago. When I heard they were a Punk/Rock/Conjunto band, I needed to see them. They are amazing and I catch them whenever they're in Austin. Piñata Protest is another unique band. I can't say I've ever heard a band like Piñata Protest before and was glad to see them again at Pachanga Latino Music Festival 2010 on May 22, 2010. Piñata Protest also has a new CD, "Plethora," out at this time and put them in the must category as well.



I first saw rapper Marco Cervantes, aka Mexican Stepgrandfather a couple of years ago at the Flamingo Cantina with Este Vato. I really liked MSG's lyrics, music and style. MSG was different. He was not a young teen or a twenty something, he is a mature brother, he is originally from Houston but lives in San Antonio, Texas and more interesting is the fact that Marco Cervantes is Assistant Professor of Mexican American Studies at University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA). MSG combines all these factors in his music and tells a story of the immigrant struggle and personal life experiences. You have to see MSG. Also, a must see performer.

The last time I saw Rocky Reyna of Este Vato, I told him I'd like to see an Este Vato show with Mexican Stepgrandfather. Thanks to Rocky for fulfilling my request and with such a special event.



I like a lot of bands and I have a lot of favorites. I especially like out of the ordinary bands. This event has three unique and exceptional bands that will provide a night of extraordinary entertainment, dancing and fun you'll remember for a long time. You will also become avid fans of these groups as I have. Hope to see you there.

En Tu Ciudad Tour February 25th at Mohawk, Austin, Texas

DON'T MISS THIS EVENT! IT'S FREE
(You Have to Register)

THREE OF MY FAVORITE BANDS:

GIRL IN A COMA-San Antonio's indie rockers, sisters Nina and Phanie Diaz and friend Jenn Alva, will be headlining the show. They have a unique sound which their Myspace page tags as Garage, Rock, Punk. I've seen this band perform and they will rock you in and out and all around. Presently, their new video, Their Cell, is airing on several music video channels. If your not a fan now, you will be.

PINATA PROTEST-When I first heard that this San Antonio band played punk with an accordian, I knew I had to see them. It's been almost a year since I've seen Pinata Protest but it's time for a Mexican mosh pit throw down. You don't go to see or hear Pinata Protest, you physically participate. I do have to warn you, you may come out with a few bruises. They have been described as "puro pedo punk rock" and that's pretty accurate.

ESTE VATO-One of my top favorite, up and coming bands, Austin-based Este Vato combines Latin , fusion, cumbia rock with electronic samples. I've seen Este Vato a few times and I always look forward to seeing and meeting them again. Now with Este Vato, come with your dancing shoes on. They definitely have a beat and a rythme that will make you want to find a dance partner. If you didn't bring a partner, Este Vato always attracts a lot of good looking dancing partners.

Look for AustinVida's feature article on Este Vato this week.

Manolo Black, Hobo D and Pagame are three of the DJs who are part of the Peligrosa All Stars

MOHAWK-An excellent place to have this event.

Presented by: Myspace Latino, Remezcla
Sponsored by: La Otra Puerta Matrix