“Austinites’ ACL Fest 2009 Picks: Austin Party Team Knuckle Rumbler”

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.

Jill Sorrels and Aaron Berkowitz from Knuckle Rumbler

I can honestly say that I love Jill Sorrels and Aaron Berkowitz, the team behind events company Knuckle Rumbler.  When I see them out, they make me  feel happy–and they bring that same passion to the events they throw.

Whether they are promoting a show like Prints for Nonprofit’s or events for Scion and Fader, they throw hip, sophisticated parties that are fun to be at–kinda like if your friend had a house party with a bomb sound system, invited all your friends, booked the dopest DJs and some kick-a bands, and then blew out your eardrums, leaving your clothes drenched in sweat and legs sore from dancing your bass off.  Oh yeah: And the cops didn’t come.

Don’t believe me? Find out for yourself this Thursday (ACL Fest Eve!) at Art Disaster No. 9 at the Beauty Bar. Go ahead: Click on it and then RSVP. (Read the fine print: Open bar from 8.30P-9.30P!)

Yeah, so these EmmEffs is crazy.  Here’s what they have to say about ACL Fest 2009 (You can also scroll down for the scheduled grid or the simple list of picks):

Friday, October 2nd:

Aaron: The Knux – They stopped by the Undiscovered Austin loft last fall during a tour stop with the Cool Kids, I should probably return the favor and actually see them live. Jill: I thought Q-Tip was coming by the loft that night, but this dude was cool.

Aaron: The Parlor Mob – These guys put on a decent show in front of 36 people at Rothbury. I was number 21. Jill: The Parlor Mob – only cause Berk keeps talking about them.

Aaron: Phoenix – Hands down the best set I saw at Monolith Festival. I’ve been playing the Cadillac commercial on repeat from my DVR all week. Jill: Their live set sounded better than the album. And ‘If I Ever Feel Better’ played on repeat in my car for 3 months after I heard it the first time.

Aaron: K’naan – If you can’t enjoy K’naan then you aren’t listening to what he is saying. Here let me make your life easier and youtube things for you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edVQ14akyvg&feature=related

Jill: Bassnectar. Sounds like beehive krunk.

Aaron: Thievery Corporation – I’ve heard they are one of the best live shows touring these days. I’ll be the judge of that, thank you.

Jill: Kings of Leon – Caleb’s voice is amazing live. Saw them at Lolla in 2007 when they were in smaller font size.

Saturday, October 3rd
Aaron: If I get there in time I want to check Henry Clay People. They played the Knuckle Rumbler / Aquarium Drunkard / My Old Kentucky Blog party at SXSW and I was too busy to really take them in.

Jill: The Virgins – Sounds like teenage angst, and every time I’ve tried to see them, it hasn’t worked out.

Jill: Cotton Jones – cause it sounds like music I want to drink beer to.

Aaron: Hard choice between !!! and Agent 23 Skidoo, don’t sleep on the Skidoo Jill: !!! is the choice here. In music and punctuation.

Jill: Grizzly Bear – cause its Grizzly Bear, the most amazing band ever blogged about!!!

Aaron: Papa Mali – Get that dirty funk and soul. Wheres my Abita?

Jill: Citizen Cope – oh wait, its not 2005 and I’m not shopping for t-shirts at Pacific Sunwear.

Aaron: Mos Def – I’m stoked to see him but I hope we get the Black on Both Sides / Soundbombing / Rawkus Records version and not the nasally not funny Def Poetry mumbler. Jill: Ya, ok Mos Def.

Aaron: STS9 – I need to find a way to blow out my ear drums before I head over with the girlfriend to Dave Matthews.

Jill: Ghostland – because I haven’t seen them since the last time they played ACL before Bob Dylan.

Sunday, October 4th

Aaron: L.A.X. – Nothing starts a day off better then bloody marys while cheering on Erin, Andrew, Yadira and band. Gonna dance up a storm. Jill: Really happy they are on this lineup. Good people, great band.

Aaron: Black Joe Lewis and The Honey Bears – These guys should be on Blue Note. Jill: I loved this band before I heard them, they always put on a great live show.

Jill: Here We Go Magic – I’ve enjoyed a few tracks from this band. It also seems that some mystical animals should be joining them on stage with a band name like that.

Aaron: Dirty Projectors / Rebirth Brass Band / Dead Weather – Time to get the ear drums checked out again, while dancing funky butt brass style before taking in another Jack White festival gig. I’m for it. Jill:  Dead Weather.

Aaron: I’m having a tough time deciding between Girl Talk and Spearhead. Skinny short sweaty stripping “Not” dj vs tall dreaded pachuly rasta. Jill: Girl Talk. I’m getting on stage this time.

Jill: Dan Auberbach. No brainer.

Aaron: Pearl Jam at 8? I’ll be home watching VH1. Jill: Who?

Knuckle Rumbler’s ACL Fest 2009 Picks

Jill Sorrel’s and Aaron Berkowitz’s Picks, Simple List, by day:

Friday, October 2nd:

• The Knux
• The Parlor Mob
• Phoenix
• K’Naan
• Bassnectar
• Thievery Corporation
• Kings of Leon

Saturday, October 3rd

• The Henry Clay People
• The Virgins
• Cotton Jones
• !!!
• Grizzly Bear
• Papa Mali
• Mos Def
• STS9
• Ghostland Observatory

Sunday, October 4th

• L.A.X.
• Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears
• Here We Go Magic
• The Dead Weather
• Girl Talk
• Spearhead