My 2 bottom-line, no excuses, rain or shine, sickness or in health performances I promised myself not to miss were Mike Damron at Headhunter’s, and Milton Mapes and/or The Monahans (Milton Mapes other li’l project). I managed to pull off both.

I had hoped that one of my favorite humans on earth would be performing with The Monahans on Saturday, and lo and behold there he was! Next year I’m going to do SXSW as the Todd Pertll Tour since during the 4-5 days Todd performed with Doug Burr, Kristy Kruger, Deadman, Milton Mapes and of course The Monahans. That little mix of bands is even topper than top-notch.

Like Milton Mapes, The Monahans did not disappoint. I’ve loved Milton Mapes for years and years – and now I have two, two, two bands in one to adore…

The Austin and San Francisco-based band Monahans began in the spring of 2006 as a new project by Milton Mapes collaborators Greg Vanderpool, Roberto Sanchez, Jim Fredley, and Britton Beisenherz. The band’s first release, Low Pining (Undertow 6/12/07), weaves anthemic melodies in-and-out of ambient tranquility and rhythmic intensity. The songs have a distinct nautical theme, decisively apolitical, with strands of detachment, nostalgia, and spiritual longing stretched across vast sonic landscapes.

The ocean and water references weren’t really a calculated motif. We actually approached the recordings by putting any preconceived structure aside to focus on rhythms, beats (in a Tom Waits/Califone vein) and soundtracks (like Explosions In The Sky) with the thought that there might not be any lyrics at all. But we were also drawn to the spirit of some of our favorite older records by U2, The Police, The Stone Roses, etc. So ultimately melodies, phrases and fragments started working their way in, and before long we had this album by which we were very invigorated.

The album also features multi-instrumentalist Chris Dye, Todd Pertll on pedal steel, and Margo Timmins, vocalist of Cowboy Junkies (with whom the Mapes toured in 2006).

I seriously cannot wait to move to the hill country so that I can see these bands live more often. I freakin’ love Austin, Texas and the bands that it holds in its warm belly.

The Monahans Live at Jovita’s – Twangfest

Mo’ Monahans Live at Jovita’s – Twangfest

Mo’ Mo’ Mo’ Monahans Live at Jovita’s – Twangfest