The Weekend Starts Today With 'Newfangled' Music and Recycled Fashion

Hallelujah, praise geezus - La Snacks' "Newfangled" EP is released!

Yes, another d-i-y friendly and fun weekend in Austin starts today with two events: A "go green" fashion show and after-party for Treasure City Thrift Store, and a hot new release party for your favorite smart indie rockers (and mine) La Snacks at the Mohawk-with a free copy of the EP upon entry. Read on, dear readers, read on...

Treasure City Thrift Store Fashion Show 7 pm

If I can escape from suburbia soon enough, I'll be here to see the latest fashion from the fashionable thrift store Treasure City. If you live in Austin, you may have noticed a fashion trend-from musicians to hipsters to techies. More recycled, or "vintage" clothes and accessories. I'm no fashionista, but even I joined the recycled fashion movement when hosting a fab party for Lipstick Pages with Blue Velvet at the Beauty Bar this spring. The trend explodes this fall with a hot fashion show courtesy of Mike Litt and  Treasure City. 

There's a dance warm-up with The Bomb Squad, and DJ Bullet rocks the store runway with recycled fashion at 8 o'clock, with a live music filled after-party at 10 pm. Victory Grill presents indie rockers The Always Ready, Sunset, and hip hop upstarts Blacklisted Individuals, and Damp Heat. It's just a $5 donation at the door to party with the bands till last call. 

Treasure City Thrift
1720 E. 12th St.

Victory Grill
1104 E 11th St
Austin, TX 78702

Where I'm making tracks to after the fashion show:

La Snacks "Newfangled" EP Launch Tonight @ Mohawk 10 pm

You can't beat the deal-a free copy of La Snacks' Newfangled EP with admission to one of the hottest local music showcases in town. La Snacks has a bang-up new drummer Jimmy Evans, one-half of Ambient/Crunk/Ghettotech experimentalists Transmography. Evans and his musical half Michael Frazier (on keyboards, vocals, and everything + the kitchen sink) are releasing new music tonight too - a cassette (of course!)- and limited edition collection of tunes recorded since Polydactyl.  Check out "Car Commercial" and you will hear why the Austin Chronicle called their sound "as bizarre as it is beautiful..." Indie pop hip chicks Follow That Bird! and Stay Gold DJ John Gross set the stage for an engaging mix of musical  art and craft. 

Have a fun this weekend, whatever you do.

HAAM Benefit Day: How You Can Help Local Musicians Get Health Care

"HAAM is an amazing gift to the Austin music community!" - Kimberly Freeman, a.k.a. One-Eyed Doll

The live music capital buzzes throughout the week, every day of the year, but this Tuesday is special. It's HAAM-the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians-benefit day. By local music lovers giving just a little, we can help our musiciams a lot. I've been out of the loop for the past week, recovering from illness (not ACL dust and allergen related) and our other blogger is missing in action, focused on his band and other projects. But I'll plug for new bloggers here (and on Craig's List) later. This is all about HAAM.

Many fine partners or sponsors, local businesses that have benefitted from local music, are contributing at least 5% of proceeds (in the form of sales) to HAAM today. Some of these donors are welcoming musicians to perform in-store, so it's a special treat for customers. The schedule and map of activities for the day was a bit overwhelming for us at such short notice, but we encourage youour readers (all 10 of you if we're lucky) to visit the HAAM web site @ www.austinmusicianshealth.org and click on the updated schedule and interactive map.

I'm not certain HAAM partner ME Television is hosting a telethon this year, possibly due to programming and financial difficulties. ME raised $10,000 in 2007, but this year it seems they're too busy posting VH1 news, like Eminem being crowned "Best Rapper Alive" by Vibe magazine, to help local rappers. Joking aside, I don't (and can't) watch much ME to know. With a lack of a telethon to promote, and on such short notice, I'm not sure which events to recommend. Despite the lack of preparation I managed to come up with a few highlights of HAAM Benefit Day for those looking to help Austin musicians get the health care they need, so they can keep giving us the music we want:

Amy's Ice Cream

Not sure if there will be any live performances, but who really cares when there's ice cream? Today is a good excuse to get premium ice cream with all your favorite mix-ins, and your heart and mind will feel as good as your tastebuds with some of the proceeds going to HAAM. Check the web site amysicecreams.com for nearest locations and hours. (Don't forget to tip your scooper.)

Waterloo Records

Famous for in-store performances, the stage will be set for two afternoon performances at Waterloo, the largest independently owned music store in Austin-and Texas. Customers enjoy listening to live music while they select music from the extensive stock of music - international icons and local wonders that aren't separated by genre or geography. Well, maybe a little geography... musical shell game artists Asylum St. Spankers and the honky-tonk Derailers are two mega-popular Austin bands that may amuse and rock you. Get there before 4:30 this afternoon to browse and buy.

Antone's

At post time, I somehow misplaced my detailed notes about the benefit at Antone's. But trust me, there is something going on at the legendary rock, rhythm and blues club tonight at 8:00. Go to their web site www.antones.net for details.

Room 710

It's a night of full throttle rock 'n' roll. Dixie Witch, Tia Carrera, Adrian & the Sickness headline with cover proceeds going to HAAM. I'm a fan of one of the hottest rockers in town, Adrian, so this show comes with a gracious recommendation to experience her band live for a very good cause. Room 710 is a 18+ and non-smoking venue in the heart of the Red River entertainment district. They serve beer and mix two of my my favorite drinks very well-ask for the Cape Cod and Dreamsicle. Not sure of the cost and when the fun begins, but a typical show at Room 710 starts at 10:00 or 10:30, with doors open at 9:00. Go to Room710.net, myspace.com/room_710, or give them a call this evening at 512-476-0997.

Unfortunately I don't have a clue what's going on in the local underground, experimental or avant-garde music scenes to benefit HAAM. But if I excavate the internet enough before tonight, I'll post an update.

Have a happy HAAM day!