Oh the 90′s: That which is not a distant blur has become an idealistic memory. And while you can relive most of the aural highlights 47 minutes an hour on 101X, nothing can replace the sonic splendor that was K-NACK 107.7, Austin’s original alt-rock station.

The early 90′s saw Austin’s airwaves in a barren state–until the fall of 1991, when new upstart K-NACK started broadcasting. Suddenly Austin had direct access to the burgeoning alternative rock sound, then known as “college rock.”  Plus, Austin artists were also featured in heavy rotation.

Yes, dear readers, there was a time when Austin radio didn’t just play variations on mainstream, but  kept it local ALL the time.

But K-NACK wasn’t just a radio station. They built a community around the local scene. And by putting out their “Homegroan” CD compilations, they shined a light on Austin bands that might not have had the resources to get their sound out. Remember, this was Pre-Internet!

Truth be told, I’m a little biased. In the fall of 1997, I started an internship at the station. For almost two months, I’d drive up to Georgetown on Wednesdays to help out around the studio. Man, the CD library was epic. My internship ended early because the radio station got sold.

K-NACK's mascot logo was this image, affectionately known as the Psychobaby.

Found this misprinted Psychobaby sticker in my scrap book!

So what did Austin music in the 90′s sound like? Pickings on the InterWebs have been pretty slim, but I was able to find some stuff. Check it out:

90′s Austin bands played on K-NACK:

Sincola – “Bitch”

Retarded Elf – “What Up, G?”

Mumbleskinny – “Devilman”

Mojo Nixons – “Elvis is Everywhere”

Asylum Street Spankers – “Jerry the Junker”

Ugly Americans – “Vulcan Death Grip”

Stranger Than Fiction – “When Mystery Loves Company”

El Flaco – “Sister”

Sixteen Deluxe – “Honey”

Gal’s Panic – “Fuentes”

Bo Bud Greene – “Mira La Punk Star”

Wannabees – “Itchin Jenny”

You can catch several of these bands and more this weekend at the K-NACK Reunion at the ND. Here’s the full line-up:

Friday, January 27

Midnight                SIXTEEN DELUXE

10:45 PM               SINCOLA

9:30 PM                 BO BUD GREENE

9:00                        SEED

Saturday, January 28

Midnight                  WANNABES

10:45 PM                  BUG / SPLINTER

9:30 PM                    GOMEZ (TX)

8:00 PM                    K-NACK CLASS REUNION:  Come have a beer with K-NACK alums.

Hosted by Raydog.  With the K-NACK Crew in the house: Max Pace, Lynn Lawless, Trina Quinn, Melody Lee, Rachel Marisay, Drew Bennett, Ken Fusion, Jason Jenkins, Cary Delmark, Alan Cross, The Rude Luvah, Jess Webb, Biff Raffe

WIN: If you want to win a pair of passes to the weekend’s events, go to Republic of Austin Facebook page between 10AM and NOON today! Look for the question

EXPERIENCE: K-NACK 107.7 Reunion; (Friday, 01.27; Saturday 01.28); 8P-2A (Meet and greet with the K-NACK Crew at 8!); The ND (501 Brushy between E 5th and E 6th, 78702); Tickets $10/night or $17/wknd; More info; Facebook Event

And if you’re still feeling nostalgic, join the K-NACK 107.7 Psychobaby Time Capsule group on Facebook.

How many of those bands do you remember?

Find something Austin-related that you want to share? Photos, screen shots, articles, news? Email us at tips@republicofaustin.com.

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They say love and marriage mature a man. At least, that seems to be the case with Austin’s neiliyo. The electrosoul singer recently took Annie Ray to New York City and Martha’s Vineyard to propose to the “gimmie more” photographer. Not only did neiliyo come back with a new fiancé, he also had a head full of ideas. The end result is Aquinnah, his 6th EP.

*Hold up.*

Before I continue with the review, I have to get this off my chest: Y’all know we’ve loved neiliyo since day 1. His live shows explode with energy. His tracks can make you shake your ass–but the mix on the recordings always was a little off. Sometimes the vocals were too loud. Sometimes it was the guitar. Not so on the new EP: neiliyo’s production combined with Love at 20′s Mike G‘s mix make this album sound larger than Austin.

*Phew*

Now that I’ve cleared the air, let me get back to the review.

Aquinnah has been burning up my playlist since I got it last week. Based on the whirlwind of emotions neiliyo experienced during his engagement weekend last summer, Aquinnah expertly combines the chill beach vibe with the hyperactivity of the Big Apple. With waves of intricately woven samples layered on top of urban beats, Aquinnah displays a sophisticated maturity that demonstrates neiliyo’s growth as an artist over the last year and a half since his last album. In fact, I might go as far as to say that Aquinnah represents a continued evolution towards a unique ‘electrosoul’ sound that blends 90s dance sensibility with an 80s urban/soul crooning.

[Check out the dance party of a Voyeur Music Video for neiliyo's "Kinda Pissed" on the Lamar Pede Bridge]

Opening track “Beach Party” sets the tone for the album: a preppy weekend retreat to a beach house out on Martha’s Vineyard. The sampled voices on the background with the distorted beats remind me of Machine Drum minus the basswaves. Like tracks from the Game Night album, there’s something almost singsong and care free as he sings, “I hope it doesn’t rain, but if it does it’s ok, we’re getting wet anyways.”

“Flowers,” the second track, starts with a sample groove from 90′s classic “Set Adrift on Memory Bliss” by P.M. Dawn. Lazy Saturday exploring a small coastal town. Is he gonna do it? Is he ready to pop the question? Following the 90′s style, neiliyo tells a story and then follows it with a dreamlike, funky bridge. And it’s even got that slow-jam horn, in TLC style. Distorted beats, layered chords and whispered vocals make this song sound like a distant summer memory. In fact, I can’t stop singing the refrain: “Flowers dancing, on the sidewalk, I am freaking out. Was it worth it? Would you go back? Yes, with out a doubt.”

The third track, “Aquinnah,” is pure genius. It gives me chills. Part Prince, part chill wave, part Anita Baker, this is truly evolved neiliyo. Track opens with distorted cymbals crashing on top of claps and some phat beats–kind of reminds me of Peaches’s first album–except chill. Running away from the beach house, neiliyo and Annie Ray run out to a light house. 80s soul crooning in a falsetto, he asks, “Would you be…would you be my baby? For the rest…for the rest of my life?” There’s a break that drops some rimmed out booty bass beats and the sickest guitar solo this side of 1983. It’s a poetic love song. I can’t stop playing it…at all. I hope neiliyo continues this direction.

Fourth track “NYC Summertime” is a classic summer jam. It’s got all the energy of a 90s party jam plus a heap of Spank Rock. Dueling acid-like synth lines and singalong lyrics are guaranteed to make this a club banger. “Taxi cab pick me up. Hit that train. Make that bus. Watch the sign, don’t step across, but don’t forget my favorite line, it’s New York City summer time.” “So hot it blows my mind, It’s like a jungle sometimes, but it’s no wonder why: It’s New York City Summer Time.” “This ain’t no Austin, Texas, you ain’t on West Coast time. Change your plans. Stay Inside. It’s New York City Summer Time.” “Blackout windows sleep till 5, it’s New York City Summer time.”

LISTEN: neiliyo – “Aquinnah” EP

Full disclosure: neiliyo and I DJ every week together at #kitchen. He’s been teasing these tracks for the last couple months. And with all honesty, I’m so proud of my homie. He really turned it up to 11 on this album. After a couple listens, you’ll be hooked, and it might just be a part of your spring soundtrack. Head over to neiliyo’s soundcloud to download Aquinnah for free.

Austin dance musicians, neiliyo just upped the game. How you gonna answer?

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Our “Voyeur Music Video” series is a lot like porn for music lovers. Shot in one take at locations around the city, the videos are intimate, stripped down and raw–nothing like traditional live performances. Enjoy!

It’s time! After shooting all summer long, we’re kicking off our new season of Voyeur Music Videos! Shot in one take, these videos snatch the musicians out of the music venue and plop them down in locations around the city. Like amateur porn for music lovers, these are stripped-down sets by some of our favorite musicians. And this season, we’ve got a slew of diverse artists that represent the full gambit of Austin music.

Kicking off the new season of Voyeur Music Videos is Austin psych pop band Candi & The Strangers. With their lush soundscapes, Candi & The Strangers bring a style that reminds me of the aural incarnation of pop art. Full of dreamy pinks and oranges, their synth-heavy sound mimics the swirls of liquid psychedelic light projections. And the vocals, layered in reverb, have an almost shiny, plastic feel, as if sung by a mannequin who has come to life.

For the video, we decided to represent that plastic, pop art sound by surrounding the band with eerie naked mannequins. Shot in a fixtures warehouse off Cameron road, the band was surrounded by arms, legs, and lots and lots of perky plastic boobs. The end result is something that could have been shot in Andy Warhol’s Factory: a beautiful fusion of sound and style.

WATCH: “Femme Sonique” by Candi & The Strangers

Kind of in love with Erik Woffor’s omnichord. Like an electronic harp, it’s really effing sexy. I’m also in love with Samantha’s Casio SK-1

Erik Wofford plays the Omnichord

Samantha Constant plays the Casio SK-1

Earlier this year, Candi & The Strangers released their debut album “10th of Always.” You can pick it up at End of an Ear on South 1st or at Waterloo. You can also download “10th of Always“ from Amazon.com.

Currently, band members Angie and Greg Rose are on an old-fashioned road trip through the US. In the meantime, songwriting team John and Samantha Constant and producer Erik Wofford have teamed up with Shiny Object to create an animated feature called Children of the Tone. The band also worked on the soundtrack to Man on a Mission, which will have its theatrical debut in New York in January.

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There’s a certain place in every guy’s soul that is reserved for breakups. Dark and primal, it’s like an extra reservoir of testosterone designed to help us power through the aftermath of a relationship. When used correctly, this survival instinct helps us work through complex emotions to discover a truer sense of self.

Smokey and dream-like, the new album from Austin’s The Pons, ”The Blackest Shine,” takes the listener through this epic journey of self discovery. But this ain’t no warm fuzzy, new age album; rather, like whiskey, cigars, leather, and boots, “The Blackest Shine” is unabashedly masculine, trotting us down a rocky road through the subconscious, from dark self-loathing to hopeful self-realization. At the end of the journey, we’re ready to conquer the world, knowing that we’ve defeated our own demons.

Sometimes angst-filled, sometimes  vulnerable, always strong, frontman Thomas Mazzi’s vocals guide us through “The Blackest Shine” like an epic poet in a way that makes the lyrics raw and  authentic. Ruby Painter plays the bass low and dirty like a dude, but with something smooth and sensual that turns it into chocolate. Topping all of that off is drummer Steve Sanders’s layers of percussion, sophisticatedly combining flares with kicks to further heighten the dreaminess of the album.

Track-by-track Review of “The Blackest Shine” by the Pons

With its driving beat and an expansive sound sound, opening track “The Blackest Shine” feels like a reckless drive out to an isolated cabin in the middle of the desert, dust flying up behind the wheels, and an endless sky with the sun dropping behind the hills. Indigo tones and playful keys make it feel like dusk.  Vocals, angry and desolate, this song is about trying to forget a woman in that bottle of Jack, “eff that girl” sort of way.

In “Someone Else’s Voice,” our protagonist is having trouble being honest–even to himself. He needs to commit ego suicide. Kill his heart. Kill the pain so he can start again. Catchy bassline, grinding guitars.

In “Impossible Love,” our hero starts having alcohol-induced visions of what might have been.  The brightest song on the album, sentimental track Impossible Love feels angelic, like floating into the clouds. Dreamy chords, ethereal vocals, shimmering keys, and shades of sky blue and white, it kind of feels like light dancing on water.

“Impossible Love” by The Pons

“Can’t Get Through” shakes with building epiphany. He’s beginning to understand the problems in the relationship. Guitar and drums lead this yellow track.

In “The Future’s Past” our hero is clearing the clouds from his mind. Full of bright sunny guitar, piano, driving beat and a killer bassline that will stick with you, it’s like looking up into the sky and seeing the new dawn. Slow build as our hero talks himself through understanding.  ”The future belongs to the uninhibited. So drive out your fears. And throw them in the mirror.”  He’s tired of watching his life and everything he loves walk out the door. He’s ready to start fighting and living again. Enlightening. Shaking off the depression.

“Sleep Soundly” is like a mellow lullaby. He’s talking to himself. This is it. This is the discovery.

“Death of the Peacock” represents the new confidence. After his epiphany, he’s looking at a new life and clearing himself of all his old ideals and thoughts. He’s killed off his showboating, ineadeqaute image of maleness, and has found his mojo.  Musically he’s now got all the psychedelic pop swagger of the Doors with all the blues of James Brown combined with the 60′s sexiness of Tom Jones. Neon signs passing by at midnight. Driving by trucks. Sultry. The rockingest track on the album, it’s one of my faves.

“Death of the Peacock” by The Pons

Sexy, sophisticated, and cimenatic like James Bond, “Gene Hackman Dream” is big and open with the sexiest bassline I think I’ve heard. It kinda hits you in your naughty bits, propelling you to a smoke filled study full of bourbon, cigars and arm chairs. Psychedelic and surreal, it’s about letting go to find yourself. Love this track.

“Black Twin” is haunting. Dreamy guitars. Uplifting drums and a bass soundscape. “The world is waiting for you. It’s time to throw caution aside. To reach the dark places where the true and great hide. Keep your eyes open. Your mouth will cry. Where there is smoke, you know there is fire. Finding your dark side doesn’t always lead to sin. Every white swan must have a black twin.”  Even though I’ve had this album since early summer, I still put this track on loop. Amazing.

“Black Twin” by The Pons

This may be one of my favorite albums of the year. Get it. Love it. Pick it up at Waterloo or download it on iTunes. And if you want to see it performed live, check out the official release party at the Highball on October 28th.

Must give mad kudos to Erik Wofford at Cacophony Recorders for an amazing job producing and mixing this album.

This weekend, the Mohawk, one of Austin’s most beloved music venues, celebrates its 5th Anniversary. And in true Mohawk style, there’s going to be a big ass party all weekend long. To help get you ready to rumble, we asked Mohawk founder James Moody to share some of his favorite posters and memories from the last 5 years of shows. The result: A perfect summation of the diversity and badassery that makes the Mohawk such a kick-a venue.

How many of these do you remember?

KOOL KEITH:

This show was insane. The best part was Keith was late (as always), but we didn’t realize until later that he was busy ordering pizza from Dominos for the crowd right before his set. By the 3rd or 4th song, the delivery dude showed up and brought like 10 pizzas to the stage and slice by slice Keith and crew handed them out to the crowd while Keith was rhyming ‘Its a mutha fuckin pizza part-ay’ and ‘get you a slice gurl’.

HOLY FUCK:

This show was total mayhem on the inside stage. This poster is probably one the best we have had in our halls, for obvious reasons. We had it up for years until it was recently stolen.

PSYCH FEST:

We love these dudes and are happy to have hosted the early days of Psych Fest. Robs psychedelic 3D mushroom posters are always bad ass, and this fest is one of Austins best.

YELLE:

I don’t know if I love this poster, but damn I love that lady. Le Dance Party USA. Yelle has probably made more butts simultaneously shake, sweat, and move in the Mohawk than any other act I can think of.

ICE CUBE:

I still can’t even believe that he played our stage. I know every word to every damn NWA song. This show was a big deal. We have never sold so many 32 oz high life growlers in one night. I gotta say it was a good day.

MISSION OF BURMA/KRS ONE:

Old school heroes.

DECEMBERISTS:

This band is not a quintessential Mohawk band, but them playing the inside stage was definitely a turning point for the venue. People really started to notice us after this night.

THE SWORD:

The first time I saw them, they were still working at Thundercloud and playing 710. I bought their first 3 song EP. Then, years later, I see them on you tube playing an arena in Paris opening for Metallica and Lars Ulrich is drumming to Sword songs. It was amazing to see them come back to Austin, victorious.

FIRST POSTER EVER:

This is our first poster ever from our opening night. 2 sold out nights of mayhem – back when Ghostland cost a grand or so. People got naked that night. Greg Jones painted the giant Mohawk logo live during ghostlands set. I remember him saying “Moody, would you excuse me while I turn this shithole into a landmark?”

BONUS: POSTERS BY FARLEY:

Those hand drawn posters (tortousie/mono/etc) of pensive women in cool clothes/situations are from Farley. She is a rad local poster artist that still kicks it old school with the pencil. You can see more of her stuff at empire or bouldin creek coffee shop.

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The 5th Anniversary  Party is gonna be MASSIVE. Here’s the line-up:

Friday, September 30th
OUTSIDE STAGE:
Grupo Fantasma + Soul Happening

INSIDE STAGE (Aftershow):
Master Blaster + Peligrosa All-Stars

Saturday, October 1st
OUTSIDE STAGE:
Lucero + Moonlight Towers + Frank Smith

INSIDE STAGE (Aftershow):
Mike and the Moonpies + East Cameron Folklore

Sunday, October 2nd — FREE “Locals Only” Show:
OUTSIDE STAGE:
My Education + Great Nostalgic + Transmography

INSIDE STAGE (Aftershow):
Marriage + Lean Hounds + Golden Bear

Mohawk 5th Anniversary; (Friday, 09.30; Saturday 10.01; Sunday 10.02); Mohawk (912 Red River St, 78701);  Facebook Event

When I was little, I used to love View-Masters. Long before augmented reality apps, these portable stereoscopic goggles used to take me to worlds that were more colorfully 3D than anything I’d ever experienced. With a flick of the wrist, my View-Master transported me into the movie E.T. and carried me up the beanstalk with Mickey Mouse. Plus there was something about it that feels more immersive than TV or the Internet.

On his new album “complete dream home,” Austin electronic musician soundfounder has created the aural version of a Viewmaster. At times beautiful and peaceful, often haunting and eerie, ”complete dream home” creates cool, vibrant soundscapes that transport the listener into a slightly fractured alternate reality. Heavily reliant on chilled bass lines and peppered with percussion, it’s a great chill out album.

Here are a few of my favorite tracks:

Neil

The vox sample sounds like it’s from a meditation album from the 60s, except there’s something menacing in her tone that is more serial killer than yoga instructor. The drum loops are sick on this track–like DJ Shadow partnered with DJ Spooky.

Wayne

Wayne is my favorite track on the album. Floating with soft metallic breaks, lush waves of bass lap against a shore of warming violins.

Ban Memo Dana

An erie Scooby Doo xylophone and sneaky percussion take us through a labrytnh of  foreboding chords. Along the way, we discover ghosts of music’s past, including a disco beat and some tribal drum flares.

Chew Your Juice

Like a trip through the wrong side of town, this track brings a bit of late night angst with some old-fashioned thuggery lurking in a dark alley, waiting to steal your wallet.

See for Yourself

The machine is starting to break down. The time-space continuum is collapsing. With a sense of urgency, the computer warns you, at the same time, flipping channels. Where will it land?

LISTEN:”complete dream home” by soundfounder

You can purchase the album through (in)sect records’s bandcamp page. You can also see him LIVE and DIRECT this Friday, September 30th, at Exploded Drawing 9 at the Baby Blue Studios. There will also a bevy of bad ass electronic musicians.

• Exploded Drawing 9; (Friday, 09.30.2011); Baby Blue Studios (1522 E 12th St, 78702); 9P-1A; $5 donation (includes booze!)  Facebook Event

With low’s in the 60′s, it’s beginning to feel a lot like…early summer? But the temperature isn’t the only thing dropping. The end of summer means the beginning of the fall album release cycle. And this lil dillo already has his claws on a bunch of new new from Austin bands dropping albums this fall.

One of our most anticipated releases comes from Austin power pop band Quiet Company. Earlier this year, the band’s last album, “Songs for Staying In,” won a Roaries Austin Music Award for Album of the Year 2010. Their new album, “We Are All Where We Belong,” is out on October 4th. So when I met up earlier this week for coffee with Quiet Company’s bassist Matt Parmenter, I couldn’t wait to hear all about it.

Recording the album

The band tracked the album from late last fall through early June of this year. During those months, they recorded all the songs in a little isolation booth on the East Side. And although the room can hold about 15 people without instruments, it was no match for Austin sympho-rock band Mother Falcon. When Quiet Company had the band in to cameo on a few tracks, only 5-7 of the pint-sized prodigies could fit in the booth at a time.

From outside

From inside looking out

Mixing with Tim Palmer

After recording the album, the band turned to renowned British producer Tim Palmer to do the mix. Known for shaping the late 80s and early 90s modern rock/grunge sound, Tim, who now lives in Bee Caves, was the dude responsible for Pearl Jam’s Ten. With this new album, Quiet Company joins Tim’s impressive roster, which includes U2, Catherine Wheel, James, Gene Loves Jezebel, Mother Love Bone, Concrete Blonde, and Ned’s Atomic Dustbin.

WATCH: Comedic behind-the-scenes video of Tim working with Quiet Company

A higher theme

Matt considers this album an art piece. Sonically, he describes it as gorgeous, gigantic, intimate and expansive. Thematically, Matt sees “We Are All Where We Belong” as an uplifting exploration of our universal quest for happiness. Instead of turning to organized religion for the answers, however, everything we need can be found in the present moment. It’s the people we love and the fervor with which we live our life that determine our true happiness.

After listening to the album (in the passenger seat of Matt’s car), I think the band captures this theme really well. With musical references that echo everything from gospel to the Beatles to 90s modern rock, the album has a certain joie de vivre that challenges the listener to question what we’ve been taught, let go of fear, live life to the fullest, and cherish our loved ones. In fact, it’s refreshing to hear such positive messages woven into catchy pop songs.

I promised the band I’d hold off on sharing any of the tracks until shortly before the release. They’ll be streaming the album next Wednesday, September 14th, on Turntable.FM (more info on the Quiet Company Facebook Fan Page). There are also a couple of listening parties at the end of the month. Until then, you can listen to tracks on the band’s fan page, or watch this kick-a music video shoot around downtown Austin.

WATCH: “Fear and Fallacy, Sitting in a Tree” by Quiet Company

There’s a reason why the French are known for romance, and I’m willing to bet it’s because of wine. Honestly, how many times have you had a couple bottlesglasses of vino, and the next thing you know, you’re in the middle of a hot makeout sesh with your tongue shoved down a random stranger’s a loved one’s throat? Without wine, love as we know it might be completely different, and we’d probably still be rubbing noses instead of French kissing.

Seriously, wine transforms me into a poet, driving me to compulsive whispering of sweet nothings into the nearest unoccupied ear. It also activates some love center in my brain, forcing me to buy roses and put a vigil’s worth of candles around my bed. And then there’s that overwhelming desire to cuddle…

After listening to Suzanna Choffel’s new album ‘Steady Eye Shaky Bow,’  I’ve decided that the native Austin singer is also under the influence of wine. Romantic and mature, her music is the exact opposite of the awkward, drunk-fumbling-to-unbuckle-pants, beer-induced love, or the abusive love-hate/fight-f**k Jack Daniels kinda romance, both standard in a lot of Texas music; rather, with its rich, almost magenta textures and Suzanna’s playfully poetic lyrical musings, ‘Steady Eye Shaky Bow’ conjures a cuddly, wine drunk love. Delicately fusing catchy pop hooks with bluesy vox, jazzy lyrics and a dash of electronic distortion, the album is like Patty Griffin met Stevie Nicks, and they made an album produced by Mark Ronson and De La Soul.

Track-by-track Review of ‘Steady Eye Shaky Bow’

The album opens with Archer, a dreamy track about love at first sight. With horns, disjointed keys and  60′s bass, it has all the mod style of a Mad Men episode. The powerful build and whirlwind of instruments, each playing their own melodies, adds to the feeling of excited twitterpation after being hit by cupid’s bow. Listen for Suzanna’s fun wordplay.

LISTEN: “Archer” by Suzanna Choffel

The second track, Raincloud, a song about a girls who has a little black cloud that follows her around. With a strong 1960′s pop feel, this fun, danceable track with bluesy vocals will have you clapping your hands. It’s like Billie Holiday made a Motown album.

So The Story Goes is a summer song full of splashes of golden yellows.  Suzanna pleads to her boyfriend that he will remember what it was like when they were in love. Another catchy gem that Duffy fans will enjoy.

The first time I heard 4th track, Animal, I got super emotional. When Suzanna asks “What kind of animal are you?”, it’s like she’s looking across a bar, watching a guy. She imagines his life, his goals, his history, and then wonders if he’s the right guy for her. Laura Scarborough’s vibes give the song a dreamy feel, and the Theramin solo makes this track cross into the realm of other worldly.

This track sits right next to Kat Edmonson’s “Lucky” as one of the most magical songs ever.

LISTEN: “Animal” by Suzanna Choffel

Stumble feels a lot like a trip-hop track. Very jazzy with a semi-Portishead treatment on the vocals, this could be the soundtrack to some top secret spy lounge.

Sixth track, Hot Shot, is a slow, bluesy number about a guy who thinks he’s the hot ish. The former football star, will the hot shot every be satisfied? Or is he just a playa.

On Hold of the Night, Suzanna channels Stevie Nicks. Uptempo Fleetwood Mac-style pop with some very matter-of-fact sounding piano, this track has Suzanna pleading with a lover that whatever happened with that other dude was before they’d met.

With fun reverbed-out vibes and a reggae beat, Racecar is another one of my favorites. Suzanna purs to her lover “Calm, Quiet Kiss” in this track about slowing down love.  Catchy and fun, this song could easily get stuck in your head.

Inch, is a bit of a soul-folk blend about a guy who overstepped his bounds and walked on poor Suzanna’s heart. “Gave him an inch, he took a mile.”

Suzanna’s vocals are the centerpiece of Come Clean. Raw and delicate, they pair beautifully with the distorted, accompanying piano.

This album is perfect for wine on the patio at sunset. With each listen I find another layer of sound or a playful lyric. Highly recommend you head over to Waterloo (or your favorite local record store) and buy it. You can also download Steady Eye Shaky Bow off of Amazon.

WATCH: This Thursday we met up with Suzanna for drinks on South Congress. In the 6-minute video, we drink wine at South Congress Cafe, drink beer at Birds and hang out at the Hotel San Jose pool. Oh yeah, and Suzanna talks about growing up in Austin, shares her junior high jams, and  discusses producer Danny Reisch’s influence on the new album.

And, yes, I mispronounce Suzanna’s name. For those not in the know, it’s actually pronounced Show-fel

VIDEO: Rowdy night on South Congress with Suzanna Choffel

Gettin Crazy at the Bird's Barbershop Blockparty with Suzanna Choffel and KUT's Laurie Gallardo. (photo by Alison Narro)

Gettin jiggy at Bird's (photo by Suzanna Choffel)

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Ahhh, the elusive music producer: Kind of like the Wizard of Oz, but instead of standing behind the curtain and pulling levers to control a giant booming head, these guys sit behind soundboards, tweaking knobs and coaching musicians. The end result is a recording that takes the live sounds and weaves them into a tapestry that aurally represents the musician’s vision.

Danny Reisch/Good Danny (photo by Trevor Ray Thompson)

But working behind the scenes has its tragic price: No one can spot a producer in a crowd, which means producers get less groupie action than musician. Yes, while it’s easy to recognize your favorite Austin artists, you might not always recognize the producers who made their albums great. That may all soon change thanks to Soundboard, a new series from From The Mind of Adi and Shoot Good Media.

According to Adi, Soundboard hopes to shine a spotlight on the production talent shaping today’s Austin sound. Each 5-minute episode gives us an insider’s perspective  of the recording process through personal anecdotes from the producers. And Shoot Good Media beautifully captures the little details in such a raw way that you feel like you are actually sitting in the studio.

School yourself by checking out the first three videos in the series:

Danny Reisch/Good Danny’s

Danny Reisch has worked with some of our favorite Austin musicians, including: The Boxing Lesson, The Bright Light Social Hour, Hollywood Gossip, Reverse X-Rays, Suzanna Choffel, and White Denim. And you may also recognize him from the Lemurs.

Erik Wofford/Cacophony Recorders

Our favorites Erik Wofford has worked with include: The Black Angels, Candi and the Strangers, The Octopus Project, Voxtrot, and Explosions in the Sky. In the video, look for a cameo by The Pons!

Frenchie Smith / Frenchie Smith Records

A member of legendary Sixteen Deluxe, Frenchie Smith has been on the Austin scene for a while. In Austin, some of our faves he’s worked with are: And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead, Speak, Ringo Deathstarr, Ume and Scorpion Child. Speaking of Scorpion Child, they make a cameo appearance on this video.

Who else should these guys profile?

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Find something Austin-related that you want to share? Photos, screen shots, articles, news? Email us attips@republicofaustin.com.

Want more RoA? Be our friend on Facebook. Add our RSS feed! [what’s that?]. Start your morning with Republic of Austin in your InBox. Or read us 24-7 on Twitter!

As a kid, I effing loved drum kits. Not the scrawny drum kits of the indie rocker variety, no I loved the massive drum kits employed by 80s hair bands. You know, the big shiny ones that were loud as a freight train and took up half the stage? Def Leppard, Motley Crue, Poison–man, those guys were to drums what Jimi Hendrix was to a guitar: Gods who love to show off and play with so much fanfare they’d showboat their way into a yacht contest and then drop some bombs battleship style, obliterating the competition.

Excuse me if that last metaphor didn’t make sense. My brain was suddenly flooded with testosterone, causing a momentary relapse into the nonsensical land of a teenage boy.

That’s right, I effing love drums. In fact, the first time I saw Austin’s cosmic electronic pop duo Zorch play live, I froze in awe of the shiny loud goodness of their drum kit as if I’d been stunned by Star Trek phasers. And then the space-like keyboards and synths floated and danced above the thunderous, roaring rat-tat-tat, mesmerizing me like I’d just seen a spaceship soaring through a dark, rolling storm cloud so powerful that it’d take our parched earth out of liquid debt and return us to our natural water-loving state.

Sorry, there goes that testosterone again.

Yup, I’ve been in love with the sound created by the melodic pairing of keyboardist/vox Zac Traeger (nickname Zorch) with drummer Sam Chown (aka Shmu) for the last year and a half. Fun and playful while simultaneously sophisitcated and complex, the guys bridge the gap between ELO, Brian Eno and The Who’s Keith Moon [Dude, check this drum solo]. Inherently 70′s tinted, to me, Zorch’s first serious album, the Demo EP, was like peeking into a snow globe that aurally encapsulated all the acid and lasers of a late-night showing of Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon at the local planetarium. But don’t let that make it trite: The band taps some primal source of explosive expression that feels authentic and raw.

LISTEN: “Zut Alore!” by Zorch

LISTEN: “Gimmie the Axe” by Zorch, from the Demo EP

This Saturday, the band will release Cosmic Gloss, a cassingle–yes, you read correctly, a cassingle–showing a slight softer side. Instead of thunderous flashes booming through a storm cloud, the drums on Zorch’s Cosmic Gloss Single feel more like flashing strobes pulsing through a smoke-filled dance floor. Dreamy with flashes of pastel pinks and baby blues, it’s beautiful, ethereal, and I can’t stop playing it.

LISTEN: “Cosmic Gloss/E.M.F” by Zorch

WATCH: Earlier this week, I met up with Zac and Sam at one of their favorite hangouts, Blazer Tag. Since I’d never played laser tag before (my mom thought it encouraged violence), the guys had to give me pointers. Check the 5-minute video to see the duo school me at laser tag and watch me cry as little kids shoot me. Oh, and you’ll also learn a little more about the band’s new single.

A Chilling Game of Blazer Tag with Zorch

You can catch Zorch THIS SATURDAY at the Zorch Single release party/Spiderhouse’s 15th Birthday. We’re super proud to be sponsoring this event. SEVEN of our favorite Austin bands will be there, including Fresh Millions, Butcher Bear, Marmalakes, Boyfrndz, Boy’s Life, and Forever Overheard. And it’s just $5!!

• EXPERIENCE: Spiderhouse 15th Bday & Zorch Single Release; (Saturday, 08.06.2011); 29th Street Ballroom at Spiderhouse (2906 Fruth St, 78705); 9P-2A; $5 Facebook Event

And if you can’t get enough Blazer Tag, be sure to check out a special Blazer Tag party with our boys over at Learning Secrets and NEON INDIAN happening in September!