“Austinites’ ACL Fest 2009 Picks: Austin Music Video Blog ‘Nites”

With so many stages and bands, ACL Fest can be overwhelming.  That’s why we’ve asked some of our favorite musicians, music bloggers, venue owners and other folks related to the Austin music scene for their ACL Fest 2009 Picks.  Each day for the next two weeks, we’ll be featuring their ACL 2009 selections.  Sure, you could just wait for the mainstream media to publish their picks, but would it be as fun.

'Nites blogger Ajay Miranda videos live shows for his blog

You ever wanted to go to a show, but maybe you had food poisoning and couldn’t make it? Or maybe there were TWO killer shows on the same night, and you regrettably could only go to one? Sure, you could read a review about it or see pictures–but those don’t let you EXPERIENCE the concert.  Thank goodness Austin has ‘Nites, a blog that features videos from shows around Austin.

‘Nites, short for Austinites, is heavily focused on the Austin music scene, but through a unique point of view: a videographer’s lens.  Somehow he manages to avoid security, sneak in his video camera and film live sets.  Check out his blog for show reviews, mp3s and album reviews.

Here’s what ‘Nites blogger Ajay Miranda has to say about ACL Fest 2009:

RoA: What band are you looking forward to seeing most, and why?

I most look forward to seeing Los Amigos Invisibles. They released the best party/road-trip album of the summer with Comercial. The lead single “Mentiras” is my summer party anthem. So catchy, kitschy, and fun. Los Angeles record label Nacional has been releasing some of the best albums of the year. Period.

RoA:What’s your fondest (or not so fondest) ACL memory?

I spent most of last year’s ACL in the backstage media area helping Paste Magazine do video interviews with the bands. That’s a pretty cool ACL memory, right? I didn’t even know I’d be doing that ’til the Saturday morning of the fest (I missed Friday). I had helped Paste on a freelance video gig, filming their pre-party at Emo’s. They liked me so much they said they’d try to get me into the fest. They made no promises, as ACL was starting the next day. But on Saturday morning, my phone rang and it was Paste’s multimedia director telling me he had a photo press pass for me if I was up to the task. I said hell yes! I took photos and video for Paste on Saturday and Sunday, but managed to take personal time to catch one of my favorite local bands, The Octopus Project.

RoA: Anything else?

I’ve been referring to this year’s ACL as “Remember The ’90s Fest”, only half-jokingly. I’m disappointed by the amount of bands on the lineup whose best work came more than a decade ago. WTF? I know festivals are about spectacle and big names, but when those big names are this far past their primes it’s kinda sad. Everyone loves the Beasties (who have since dropped out) and Pearl Jam, but does anyone expect them to ever be as good as they were 15 years ago? Remember the awful sight (and sound) that was Bob Dylan’s set a couple years ago? And now Dave Matthews? Really? I hope ACL crashes into a fresher list of performers next year.

‘Nites’ Ajay Miranda’s ACL Fest 2009 Picks

Ajay Miranda’s Picks, Simple List, by day:

Friday, October 2nd:

• Daniel Johnston
• Los Amigos Invisibles

Saturday, October 3rd:

• Flogging Molly
• …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead
• Ghostland Observatory

Sunday, October 4th:

• L.A.X.
• Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears
• Toadies
• Dan Auerbach