| Subject: Re: Last-minute story |
| From: "Barrett Brown" <barriticus@gmail.com> |
| Date: 4/23/08, 16:43 |
| To: "Melissa Delaney - Editor" <editor@austinmonthly.com> |
It's probably safe to describe a local band as being on the upswing when its tracks have been selected for use in not one, but three films. It's even safer to describe a band as versatile when one of the films in question is a sweet boy-meets-girl romance (I'll Come Running, 2008) and another is an upcoming documentary on the subject of transsexuals.
This is not to say that the playlist under which Corto Maltese operates is so diverse as to defy description. Critics have consistently compared the two-year-old group to Arcade Fire and Wolf Parade, both of which happen to hail from Canada. But the band itself doesn't quite agree with the prevailing view. "Wolf Parade I'm not that familiar with. Arcade Fire I know it's a flattering comparison, but I don't see it, and no one in the band really sees it." The occasional comparison to David Bowie may be more accurate; several members are big fans of the glamrock pioneer.
Besides, Corto Maltese is probably too much of a distinctly Austin-born band to bear much seriouss comparison to Canadian indie rock. Four of its five members hail from Texas, and the outfit has remained centered in the capitol despite its increasing success, having as of yet refrained from playing much farther out than Manor. Its emphasis on all things local seems to have paid off; aside from the three film score inclusions and the obligatory showcase performance at the most recent SXSW, the group has more recently managed to land an appearance on KVRX's Local Live as well as 101.X's Next Big Thing. Meanwhile, Maltese has become a staple of the increasingly integral venue Mohawk.
Perhaps most impressive is that Maltese has managed to achieve what it has without having yet cut an album, having so far released only three singles on iTunes and other distribution networks. The group's first EP is still in production; its eventual release may very well suffice to push yet another local favorite into well-deserved national prominence.
Excellent. You can wait until end of day tomorrow to get the story in.Thanks again for jumping on this at the last minute.MelissaMelissa DelaneyEditor in chiefAustin Monthly and Austin Monthly Home11612 Bee Caves RoadSte. 125, Bldg. IIAustin, TX 78738512-263-9133 Ext 226
On Apr 22, 2008, at 4:31 PM, Barrett Brown wrote:The lead singer, Ben Maddox, should be e-mailing you a high-res pic today or tomorrow. If you don't receive it for some reason, let me know. Working on the article now, will try to have it in later today.
On Tue, Apr 22, 2008 at 5:07 PM, Melissa Delaney - Editor <editor@austinmonthly.com> wrote:We'd need a high-res photo, so something from the Web site probably won't work.Melissa DelaneyEditor in chiefAustin Monthly and Austin Monthly Home11612 Bee Caves RoadSte. 125, Bldg. IIAustin, TX 78738512-263-9133 Ext 226
On Apr 22, 2008, at 3:09 PM, Barrett Brown wrote:<the_corto_maltese.jpg>Just did the interview a few minutes ago; aside from the one on their myspace page, I found the attached on a website. I'm checking to make sure that it belongs to them (I'm almost positive it does, but just want to be certain someone else doesn't own the copyright for some reason) and will let you know when I found out, probably within the hour. Also, I think there are probably a bunch more pics on that myspace page, but I can't view the images section because I don't have an account; if you do, you can check and see if there are any there you'd like to use.
On Tue, Apr 22, 2008 at 2:54 PM, Melissa Delaney - Editor <editor@austinmonthly.com> wrote:
When you talk to them, can you ask them for a photo?Thanks,MelissaMelissa DelaneyEditor in chiefAustin Monthly and Austin Monthly Home11612 Bee Caves RoadSte. 125, Bldg. IIAustin, TX 78738512-263-9133 Ext 226
Begin forwarded message:From: Melissa Delaney - Editor <editor@austinmonthly.com>Date: April 22, 2008 1:28:30 PM CDTTo: "Barrett Brown" <barriticus@gmail.com>Subject: Re: Last-minute storyYeah, let's go for it.Thanks,M
Melissa DelaneyEditor in chiefAustin Monthly and Austin Monthly Home11612 Bee Caves RoadSte. 125, Bldg. IIAustin, TX 78738512-263-9133 Ext 226
On Apr 22, 2008, at 1:20 PM, Barrett Brown wrote:Yeah, here's the myspace page:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=124715673
They've been written up a bit by the local Onion and The Austinist and whatnot, played the last SXSW, just did something for KVRX and 101X's Next Big Thing, play Emo's and other venues. But they haven't gone on any real tours or received much national prominence yet, though that may change soon; two soon-to-be-released films are using a couple of their tracks in addition to some independent film that's already used one.
On Tue, Apr 22, 2008 at 2:10 PM, Melissa Delaney - Editor <editor@austinmonthly.com> wrote:Do they have a myspace page or a Web site? I never heard of them and can't find anything online.Melissa DelaneyEditor in chiefAustin Monthly and Austin Monthly Home11612 Bee Caves RoadSte. 125, Bldg. IIAustin, TX 78738512-263-9133 Ext 226
On Apr 22, 2008, at 12:15 PM, Barrett Brown wrote:Melissa-
Have you heard of Maltese Falcon? They're an Austin band formed a little less than two years ago, they play all over the city, and they've had one of their tracks used in a film. I can get an interview with them fairly quickly and, being familiar with them already, could have the article written and in to you later today. Let me know if this works.
Thanks,
BarrettOn Tue, Apr 22, 2008 at 1:08 PM, Melissa Delaney - Editor <editor@austinmonthly.com> wrote:
Sure, you'll have more fun writing about a band of your choice anyway. For this column, we try to get bands that aren't too well known so, for instance, the 8 to Watch in '08 candidates wouldn't work. It can be a band that's starting to get popular locally and/or starting to tour nationally, but nothing as recognizable as, say, the Black Angels or Brazos. We also want to profile bands that will appeal to our audience (30-something, upper middle class), so nothing too extreme or offensive.If no one comes to mind immediately, here are a few of the ideas I have on my list (I haven't checked them all out yet -- I've either heard them play or someone else has suggested them):PorterdavisLocal musician Kina Grannis scores finalist slot in national Superbowl contest. The winner's music video will be spotlighted during national Superbowl ads being run by Doritos.
Suzanna Choffel was awarded first prize in the Season 4 Pop Competition of FameCast, for which she receives $10,000 and a consultation/mentoring session with Geffen Records . Over 400 bands nationwide competed in the Pop Competition, and hundreds of thousands of votes were cast worldwide during Season 4 by registered FameCast users. FameCast (www.famecast.com) is the premier artist discovery engine that collects, ranks and serves up the world's best emerging artists for entertainment fans and industry professionals in search of new talent. www.sonicbids.com/suzannachoffel and www.myspace.com/suzannachoffel
Pauline Reese
Cooper's Uncle: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=54298052
The Distant Seconds
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=36706971
Boxcar Preachers
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=46338408
Melissa DelaneyEditor in chiefAustin Monthly and Austin Monthly Home11612 Bee Caves RoadSte. 125, Bldg. IIAustin, TX 78738512-263-9133 Ext 226
On Apr 22, 2008, at 11:56 AM, Barrett Brown wrote:Melissa-
I still haven't heard back from Jason aside from the brief e-mail he sent me last week, even after sending a follow-up e-mail. I think part of the problem is that they're on tour this week. Would you like me to get in contact with another band just in case? What's the deadline on this?
Thanks,
BarrettOn Sun, Apr 20, 2008 at 5:45 PM, Melissa Delaney - Editor <editor@austinmonthly.com> wrote:
Great. Thanks for the update.Melissa DelaneyEditor in chiefAustin Monthly and Austin Monthly Home11612 Bee Caves RoadSte. 125, Bldg. IIAustin, TX 78738512-263-9133 Ext 226
On Apr 20, 2008, at 11:03 AM, Barrett Brown wrote:Melissa-
Got in contact with the band the other day, they said they'd get back to me soon but I'm still waiting, sent a followup e-mail, will hopefully hear back from them soon.
BarrettOn Fri, Apr 18, 2008 at 11:55 AM, Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com> wrote:Gotcha, will do. E-mailed them last night, will hopefully hear back from him soon.
Thanks,
BarrettOn Thu, Apr 17, 2008 at 7:00 PM, Melissa Delaney - Editor <editor@austinmonthly.com> wrote:
You're awesome! Thanks. The format is very similar to the 8 to watch in 08 stories, just shorter - 350-400 words. But here are a few old Cusp stories in case they help. Two things: when you contact the band, can you ask them to send me a photo? And second, ask them if they're playing any shows in Austin in June. That's the one requirement for the story. If they're not playing in June, tell them we'd like to feature them in a future issue, when they'll be playing in town. Then we can come up with another band to profile. Let me know if you have any questions.Thanks,MelissaThe Cusp: DON'T KNOW THEM? CHANCES ARE YOU WILL SOON.
Austin Family Jewels
By Melissa Delaney
If you haven't had a chance to see Austin Family Jewels, hold tight. You can catch more than an eyeful of the acoustic Americana band in the Naked 2008 calendar, featuring Austin musicians bearing allwell, all except for the more delicate parts, camouflaged by strategically placed instruments and the like (pity the poor harmonica players).
The two-year-old quintet, which released a self-titled album in July 2006 and plans to cut a second in February, generated enough of a buzz during its unofficial performance at last year's Southwest Regional Folk Alliance (SWRFA) Conference that it's been invited back as a showcase performer this year.
Austin Family Jewels' bluegrass, retro sound (think the Be Good Tanyas) has a consistent toe-tapping, simpler-time quality to it. With the guys outnumbered three to two, a good chunk of their songs focus on heartaches and last kisses and crazy love. But the boys manage to make their mark. "I write songs about bugs and blowing up stuff," says banjo player Bill Sneed.
When they formed, Sneed was the only parent in the band. Now it's surrounded by kids, with two more on the wayguitarist/harmonica player Stephen Kearley's first is due Nov. 1 and singer/guitarist Elizabeth Suggs' is due exactly one month later (the lullaby she sings to her belly will give you the chills, guaranteed). "We call ourselves the Family Jewels, and now we have our little treasures," says Sneed.
The band's long-term goals include airtime on the radio and festival performances, but with babies and day jobs, the key is pacing. "I want to play music when I'm old," Sneed says. "I wouldn't want to do too much too fast and burn out."
CATCH THEM NEXT AT SWRFA, Oct. 5-7; The Oaks, Oct. 12.
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The Cusp: DON'T KNOW THEM? CHANCES ARE YOU WILL SOON.
Tin Can Phone
By Paul Carrubba
Matt Rusin has no doubts about his move from Chicago to Austin. After finding an abandoned stageyes stagein the back of a local Spec's Liquor store, Rusin, half of the duo Tin Can Phone, knew he found his home. "Where else in the world would you go into a liquor store and find a stage?" he muses. In the Live Music Capital of the World, of course.
Rusin and bandmate Josh Nicholsonwho fall into the "I wasn't born in Texas, but I got here as soon as I could" categoryhave been playing music together for nearly 10 years, but it wasn't until they made the jump to Austin in September that they finally found their niche. Not a band to be constrained by genres, Tin Can Phone finds inspiration in everything from the gypsy jazz guitar riffs of Django Reinhardt to Operation Ivy's ska-inflected punk. The guys cut their teeth on punk rock but found it limiting. "The crowd loved it, but they couldn't dance to it," explains Rusin. Eventually, they began playing songs with more of a reggae feel. The duo (soon to be trio) fuses true-life Tom Waitsstyle stories of love, life and the dark alleys on the long urban street of life with reggae rhythms to form a style that can best be described as reggae-noir.
It's a heady mixture these Midwest boys have stumbled upon with their new self-titled album. "New Orleans" skates on the edge of hip-hop, while the breezy "Vagabond's Tale" flows along with a delicate piano line and a jazzy melody. "Alive or Dead" sounds as if it should be pouring forth from some jukebox joint in the back woods somewhere. Another standout, "Fool's Gold," has a Nick Drake feel to it.
To help disseminate their music, they decided to offer free downloads on their Web site, {www.tincanphone.net}. "I was just like, 'Man, it sure is getting expensive burning CDs and giving them away to everyone," says Rusin. It's been a successful formula so far as Tin Can Phone has seen an increasingly large fan base in the short time it's been in Austin. In Chicago, the guys had to hustle just to get gigs. Here, says Rusin, "We're just getting them on accident."
Catch them next at:
Texas Bar and Grill
Dec. 18 and 21
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Melissa DelaneyEditor in chiefAustin Monthly and Austin Monthly Home11612 Bee Caves RoadSte. 125, Bldg. IIAustin, TX 78738512-263-9133 Ext 226
On Apr 17, 2008, at 5:31 PM, Barrett Brown wrote:Melissa-
Sure, I can do that. I'll get started on it tomorrow and will have it in by the end of the week.
Thanks,
BarrettOn Thu, Apr 17, 2008 at 4:46 PM, Melissa Delaney - Editor <editor@austinmonthly.com> wrote:
Hey Barrett,I know this is a longshot, but I was wondering if you're available to write a story on a band in the next week. It's Jason Eady and the Wayward Apostles.It's for our monthly story called The Cusp, about a band that's on the cusp of ... something. It might be a band that's just starting to get regular gigs or one that's gotten some radio play or one that's starting to tour nationally or had a hit song. The tag line for the story is "Don't know them yet? Chances are you will soon." So you'd just need to get some background on the band and find out where they are in their career -- any big accomplishments recently? It's 350 words and the pay is $75.I know it's short notice, so I totally understand if you're too swamped to do it. But if you can, let me know ASAP.
Thanks,MelissaMelissa DelaneyEditor in chiefAustin Monthly and Austin Monthly Home11612 Bee Caves RoadSte. 125, Bldg. IIAustin, TX 78738512-263-9133 Ext 226