Fine Line: December, 2006

Red Monroe is Eric Steele, Neal Wadley, Matt Moffitt, Jeff Gilroy, Andrew Snow, who make up one amazing freakin’ band. I feel like I’ve known this band forever, but it’s only been a couple of years. Nice guys. Great music. Plus, I simply adore their manager Chance Wimberly.

So it was quite a treat being able to, not only enjoy, but also to record their performance at Good Records this past Saturday.

Red Monroe’s sound is nearly impossible to categorize. Incorporating elements of folk, rock, punk, jazz, and techno, the band emphasizes the function of its art rather than its form. With the progressive mentality of Radiohead, Pink Floyd, and The Velvet Underground, Red Monroe fuses its individual band members’ diverse influences into polarizing, yet captivating music. An experiment in eclecticism, the band attempts to express the sentiment and creativity of each individual songwriter. This is a band with something to say, lyrically and musically, and with the courage and commitment to say it. To see Red Monroe live is to grasp the depth of the experiment. Considering all songs are written live in “the room”, it should come as no surprise that a Red Monroe show is big, bursting with creative energy.

Courtesy of ACIDplanet

Too bad my picture taking skills are less than bad…but hey, I was juggling an audio recorder, a camera and a packed Good Records.

Red Monroe’s self-titled album drops today. Getcherself a copy at Good Records during your lunch hour.

You can catch Red Monroe along with Voot Cha Index and Pleasant Grove at the Wreck Room this Saturday, August 26th – and this is a line-up that’s worth every damn cent and every damn murdered brain cell.

Red Monroe live at Good Records – 8/19/06

So I took what extra little funds I had saved-up and I scratched my aging head and thought to myself…“self, what should I invest this measly pittance on?” The answer was perfectly clear what with raging high blood pressure, an ever-expanding ass and the growing inability to climb a flight of stairs without having to lay down and take a nap mid-way up the flight…“I’ll invest in me.”

So I joined a fancy-schmancy health club, complete with trainers and nutritionists. Today was my first real training session, and I find myself sitting here afterwards shaking my head in disgust…at…myself. I used to be in tremendous shape. I used to fit into teeny-tiny clothes. I used to be young. Not so much no mo’. The entire time the trainer-dude took me through each exercise, my head was saying, “gosh Cindy-lou, this is not a hard exercise…this is baby-stuff..,” but my body was screaming, pleading, demanding that I cease and desist post haste. I struggled through it though and once overcoming my initial shame and embarrassment as to how bad I’ve let myself go, I’m looking forward to continuing this journey.

I was shocked and amazed to see that after only 2 short weeks of eating really, really healthy (with the exception of a drunken Christmas party and a resulting Jack-in-the-Box run this past weekend) I’ve actually dropped 8 lbs! Yeah, it’s not that much, but it’s a damn start! The nutritionist is making me keep a food log – and since I can rarely find a pen, and hate the task of jotting, I opted to set up a super secret blog that I use for documentation. It’s really an eye-opener when, not only you take a real look at what you are feeding yourself, but also when you know, you KNOW that you’ve got to account for every single bite, and drink… speaking of, did you know there are 100 calories in a shot of Vodka? Dayum. Me thinks me knows how my once flat tummy became a gobbledy-gook of dough.

So you’ll most likely read my journey to health and fitness if you hang out here much.

On another note, Reid and I had the great pleasure of sitting in the control room of Gimarc headquarters for almost 3 hours yesterday. I’ve got about 2 1/2 hours worth of audio that I’ll edit and have up for ya here (and on Quick) early next week. What a trip that dude turned out to be in person. This guy REALLY knows his music, not only from being a highly regarded on-air personality in DdFW, but also as a music historian. You would not believe the collections of things he’s amassed, including interviews with huge, huge, huge rock stars, an amazing collection of vinyl, CDs, cassette tapes, and I’m sure there are boxes of 8-tracks somewhere in that rambling house of greatness. There is so much cool stuff in the works over at Camp Gimarc and we here at The Fine Line will lay it out fer ya when George gives us the thumbs-up to do so.

Next audio interview will be with the muy-talented Paul Slavens. Reid sets ‘em up and I just show with an audio recorder. Me luvs Reid.

Also come back next month and you’ll begin to see audio/video and more from Austin/San Marcos/New Braunfels/San Antonio/Corpus Christi venues with the help of my new partner in crime Patrick.

I think I’m going to jump on the treadmill and get a head start on tomorrow…later…xxox

So it’s been almost a month to the day that I decided to quietly shut the door on the local music scene for awhile. It’s been almost 2 weeks since I’ve ventured over to any local music sites, blogs, music sections, et al. I hadda go cold turkey. It was a matter of sane or insane.

I’ve noticed my stress level has settled down quite nicely and my mind has actually focused on other things for a change. I like it. However, there are many folks I miss seeing and talking to…like Frank Campagna, Tania Rivas, Allison V. Smith, Scott Porter, Muffy, just to name a few. I’ve missed some great shows and events too – a couple of them provided me a twinge of regret for not attending – like the Spune Christmas show (although the girl-child attended and re-hashed quite nicely), and of course the big Art Prostitute shindig on December 1st.

Since it’s probable that nobody comes here much anymore, I figure I’ll just fill these pages with personal stuff until I’m ready to get back to the music thang. That way I can get my thoughts out and not bother anyone with my silly blather.

For starters, it’s official – we are moving to San Antonio. The offer is on the house – the high school has been chosen – things are moving along quickly. I could not be more excited. For one, it’s getting the hell out of Dallas. For two, I really like San Antonio. It’s a friendly, unpretentious, family town. It’s pretty and they seem to maintain a sense of integrity towards the city’s history – most especially with it’s architecture, both residential and otherwise. Very un-Dallas-like.

The house we are waiting to close on is less than half the size of the one here in North Dallas. It’s teeny-tiny, but I love it. Finally, a house built 50 or so years ago with hardwood floors and charming touches. Talk about downsizing though – seriously, I’ll be having the mother of all estate sales in the coming months, so save your pennies. The area is perfection. The community is smack dab in the middle of the city, but once you drive into this city within a city, it’s huge acre-sized lots, wild deer roaming about, trees, trees and more trees. Our backyard is 1/2 acre of heaven. I’m hoping one day to host house concerts back there under the stars.

I’m really really excited to live so close to Austin. I’ve been watching the concert calendars and I’m already drooling at the thought of getting some great audio/video from Austin venues. This time, I’ll keep it totally about the music, like I intended 4+ years ago, and not get involved with people who will drain me of so much like I’ve done this past year.

Please do check back here in the coming days if you are interested in a very special, exclusive audio interview with the incomparable George Gimarc. Reid and I have been invited into George’s home this afternoon to pick his brain and bask in his splendor. What a great way to close my chapter on the DFW music scene…

I freakin’ love this band.

“Christmas Time” by Black Tie Dynasty and PPT

Photo by Julie Terrell

Saboteur most definitely cranked things up a notch on Sunday at the Double-Wide birthday bash.

They are so hot and musician-y…check their performance below.

Below are some rock star pics from the show, shot by Julie Terrell

Slow Southern Home

Add to My Profile | More Videos

Doug Burr. He my hero.

This Saturday, December 9th Affordable Gifts by amazing D/FW Artists

featuring original art by a whole lotta artists you know and love!

This show includes Andrew Douglass, Erica Felicella, Cathey Miller, Broose, Greg Landis, Justin Hunt, Richard Ross, Emily Jean Lamberty, Amber Campagna, Havi Frost Nelson, Micah Wesley, Lisa Lindholm, Sergio Garcia, Kristain Donaldson, Christina Phensy, Frank Campagna, Tammy Bond, Collin, R. Thies, Gilbert and more.

Kettle Art
Saturday, December 9th thru December 23rd

If you need a great source for local music ‘n stuff, then might I suggest the splendid work of one Ms. Kate Mackley. She runs a good ship over at Etheriousity.

The Bend Experience……………
Life in, at and among the “Intimate Evening Concert Series”

By…(magical) mel hoy

This past weekend at the Studio I wanted to tell you I fell in love. Not the soft & fluffy kind of love but something solid, something three dimensional and real. I don’t really know how it happened but somewhere between diapers and deadlines, car pools, bills and teleconferences I never had the opportunity to see Ian Moore perform until Friday night. Damn! My life pre-Ian has now faded and now post-Ian the possibilities are forever altered and endless. That’s lot to ask from one show but that was my Bend Experience and all that I can do is report it. Kullen Fuchs, who defines seamlessly hardworking multi-tasking musician, was a volcano of sound next to Ian and the intimate space was filled with Guitars, trumpets, drums, accordions, omnichords, cymbals, and a vibraphone that Kullen bowed with ethereal delight. I walked into the foyer at one time and spoke with Cate Reeves who was standing dazed and content, she mentioned she had to step out for a moment to steady herself because the music had made her dizzy. Love does that to a person don’t you know. Last night it was an honor to share the same space with Ian and Kullen and music that picked me up, swirled me around the room and left me breathless. The texture of their music was like skipping around in one of Dali’s masterpieces, unexpected and often-strange yet beautiful sounds and imagery created an unforgettable landscape of Ian’s inner world. CD’s of the show will be on-line and available in about 2 weeks…I can’t wait to listen to mine, sitting alone in the dark, enjoying with reckless abandon. When he sings “All I want is to keep you satisfied”….I’ll melt. If you are interested in such decadence you can order on-line at our merch page at www.bendstudio.com.

Upcoming at the Studio ……..

Saturday December 9th
Our First Annual Holiday Party and you are invited!
Party starts at 8:00, bring an unwrapped toy and come celebrate with us!

Saturday, December 16th
Alejandro Escovedo
Doors 7:30 Show 8:00, purchase tickets quick on-line
Alejandro = Goosebumps

Come be apart of the community…Come have your own Bend Experience…..

Come Bend with us….

Midlake. I listened to them all day today while searching for homes in San Antonio. Sitting next to me in the passenger seat was the boy-child, who fell in love with them too. So it was a delight to hear that they are FINALLY coming back across the pond to grace our fair stages state-side.

I’m holed-up in a Quality Inn with the boy – no time, nor comfort for links, but will report and update when I return to hell…er…North Dallas.

Meanwhile gander this…

Feb 2 2007 8:00P
The Republic New Orleans, Louisiana
Feb 3 2007 8:00P
Bottle Tree Cafe Birmingham, Alabama
Feb 4 2007 8:00P
The Earl Atlanta, Georgia
Feb 6 2007 8:00P
Local 506 Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Feb 7 2007 8:00P
Rock and Roll Hotel Washington DC
Feb 8 2007 8:00P
North Star Bar Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Feb 9 2007 8:00P
Bowery Ballroom New York, New York
Feb 10 2007 8:00P
The Middle East Upstairs Cambridge, Massachusetts
Feb 13 2007 8:00P
The Magic Stick Detroit, Michigan
Feb 14 2007 8:00P
Schubas Chicago, Illinois
Feb 15 2007 8:00P
7th Street Entry Minneapolis, Minnesota
Feb 22 2007 8:00P
Walter’s on Washington Houston, Texas
Feb 23 2007 8:00P
The Parish Austin, Texas
Feb 24 2007 8:00P
The Granada Theatre Dallas, Texas
Feb 28 2007 8:00P
The Rhythm Room Phoenix, Arizona
Mar 1 2007 8:00P
The Casbah San Diego, California
Mar 3 2007 8:00P
The Troubadour Los Angeles, California
Mar 4 2007 8:00P
Bottom of the Hill San Fransisco, California
Mar 6 2007 8:00P
Doug Fir Portland, Oregon
Mar 7 2007 8:00P
The Crocodile Cafe Seattle, Washington
Mar 9 2007 8:00P
Urban Lounge Salt Lake City, Utah
Mar 10 2007 8:00P
High Dive Denver, Colorado