Austin Free Week 2011

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After a long, long holiday, Austin Writes Music is back with our recommendations for Austin’s Free Week 2011! There’s a lot of incredible local talent on display, and it’s all free, so you’ve got no excuse when it comes to trying out groups that could end up becoming your new favorite band. Here’s our guide to where we’ll be this week. For a complete list of shows, click here.

Monday, January 3

If you like intricate, sweet and sweeping pop music a la the Deadly Syndrome, you should hit up the Beauty Bar to see One Hundred Flowers. I’ll be here, swaying back and forth, wrapped up in all the romance.

If you’re a little more partial to cutesy, fun pop just waiting for an indie flick, get to the Beauty Bar earlier for the Bubbles. Your move, Zoey Deschanel.

If you’re really a classic country fan at heart, Mike & the Moonpies have been singing tales of broken hearts, girls and booze for years now around Austin town. They’ll be at the Hole in the Wall.

Tuesday, January 4

One Hundred Flowers play again on Tuesday at the Mohawk (so when they win your heart, you can see them again straight away). However, if you’d like to branch out, I recommend Austin’s own version of Oasis – Stereo is a Lie. Lead singer Glynn Wedgewood is a masterful commander of the stage, leering, sneering and spitting out lyrics like a Gallegher brother without the childish drama (he’s a gentleman).

Wednesday, January 5

Wednesday is overflowing with incredible bands to see. I’m very torn, although you’ll likely find me at the Mohawk. Here’s the rundown.

If you want a night full of psych rock that ends in pop rock, get thyself to Emo’s. Smoke & Feathers are slow-burning and emotional, like a baby Black Angels.

Then, the Boxing Lesson combines psych rock with Radiohead-influenced prog rock to create something big and beautiful; these are soundscapes to get lost in.

After all that psychedelia, you can snap yourself back to reality with sweet, straightforward pop rock by Quiet Company. This band’s been breaking out all over the place, and their catchy single “How Do You Do It” best captures why.

If you’re looking for some throwback grungy garage rock, hit up Emo’s. Shapes Have Fangs will get your blood pumping if you’re into Turbo Fruits – this is their only Free Week show, so you don’t wanna miss it.

A Giant Dog continues the garage-friendly trend, with a splash of Walkmen vocals thrown into the mix.

The Mohawk is where it’s at for me tonight. Singer-songwriter Danny Malone is my first favorite act – a gorgeous voice, a way with words and a strange-but-fascinating stage presence, with interpretive dance often thrown into the mix. If the song below (about Malone’s dog that died) doesn’t grab you, I don’t know what will.

Little Lo is next – a band of friends so joyful that sunlight seems to shoot from their instruments as they strum them. The songs can be piercing, but you’ll never be sad for long; just look at the performer’s faces, and you’ll find a smile on your own.

Finally, the Marmalakes round out the night. Talk about your epic pop tune. “Vittoria” will hook you, end of story.

Thursday, January 6

The Continental Club is hosting Leatherbag, a Stones-ish rock group with a Southern mentality. Get your bluesy groove on.

If you want to pick up the pace a little with some groovy R&B, T Bird and the Breaks will hit that sweet spot at the Mohawk.

Friday, January 7

Fun, energetic and charismatic indie rock troupe the Eastern Sea will rock it out at the Parish.

What Made Milwaukee Famous had a huge run, tipping the scales when they performed at ACL in 2008, but they’ve been pretty quiet as of late. Don’t miss the opportunity to see them for free at Emo’s if you like hooky rock heavy on the sing-alongs.

Nick Krill, one of the primary vocalists of odd-pop rock group the Spinto Band will bring his solo work to Cheer Up Charlies. He was captured on the street at SXSW 2010 – I’m sold.

Saturday, January 8

I’m biased here – I help manage Royal Forest, so of course I’d never miss their show at the Mohawk. But you really shouldn’t, either. My Golden Calf kick that night off with their sweet, strange vocals and Hush Sound-like vaudevillian pop.

Royal Forest are up next, and they’ve started crafting some new songs that sound incredible – they land somewhere between the twee pop the group put out when they were Loxsly, and the vast rock landscapes they’ve been laying down lately.

Finally, round out your Free Week with one of the bigger buzz bands in Austin, Mother Falcon. This gaggle of high school band buddies make orchestral pop that sighs and sparkles – like a very young version of the Morning Benders.

Hope to see y’all out and about this week! Who are you looking forward to seeing? Drop suggestions in the comments.