Walter Daniel lives in Austin, Texas and is a long-time fan of fusion and progressive rock.
People who have lived in Austin for a while complain that the city has become too mainstream, too corporate, too bland. In other words, it’s just not _weird_ any more. To counter that perception I present to you local band Jibber & Twitch. First, a bit of history. Around 1980 an English band renamed themselves the Cardiacs and recorded several albums that combined the polyrhythmic...
The 2016 Voyager Music Festival will include an array of musicians playing unusual stringed instruments that are generally known as “touch guitars.” A musician plays one of these devices by tapping and holding strings against the fretboard most of the time. Electric guitarists often use tapping as an effect; in fact, jazz guitarist Stanley Jordan plays with two-handed tapping...
You may have seen Descendants of Erdrick (progressive metal arrangements of classic video game soundtracks) at VoyagerFest 2015 with guitarist and occasional vocalist Amanda Lepre fronting. She has a solo album of quite different music and has been playing shows of the material this summer. Beneath the Forest of Error is driven by energetic acoustic guitar riffs backed by drums, bass, keyboards...
Did you know that Austin Public Library (APL) has all kinds of resources for progressive music and beyond? Physical items such as books and CDs remain available but APL is increasingly using electronic borrowing services. A library card is free if you live in the city limits, just apply at a nearby branch using your ID and proof of residency such as a utility bill. Note that you can place a hold...
Longtime local band Thirteen of Everything played two sets at the circus-themed Carousel Lounge on June 16. The quartet includes drums, Chapman Stick (also bass, acoustic guitar, and bass pedals), guitar, and keyboards. While the band has kept a low profile in recent years they are playing shows in 2016. Their first song, “Flying East,” was largely in 7/4 time so I knew that I was...
2015 Voyager Festival alums Circling Drones played a set at the relaxed and funky Sahara Lounge in East Austin on June 3. The venue is away from the downtown traffic and has plenty of free parking. At the 2015 outdoor festival Circling Drones performed as a quartet (drums, bass, guitar, sax) that had a laid back, Canterbury vibe much like Soft Machine. For the Sahara show the group included a...