The Llano Idea

So we’ve caught you up through San Francisco thus far, and now we make the long exodus out of California and into Oregon.

Our next show was at Diablo’s in Eugene, where we played with a Vancouver band and a band from Belgium called Wallace Vanborn. Not only were these guys a lot of fun, but the lead singer looked just like Cody from Rocky’s. Luckily, our good friend Dylan Kuhne now lives in Eugene and just so happened to have a zombie party that night. Memory is a bit fuzzy considering the stellar hospitality provided to us by Dylan (i.e. whiskey), but I believe everyone partied their faces off.

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Feature Amanda Shires, Thrift Store Cowboys

Photo courtesy of In the Wings Photography. Check out the entire set here.

Thrift Store Cowboys & Amanda Shires recently returned from a two-week West coast tour and were gracious enough to provide us here at The Llano Idea (and you, of course, considering the beauty of trickle down) with a glimpse of what it was like to pack in a van and cover over 4,000 miles of America’s right side (we’re going with the country’s perspective here). Also, for easy reading and my own lack of effort (?) the rest of this post will be done in first person.

It all began with a killer show in El Paso @ The Percolator alongside good friends The Lusitania. Tech may have lost that night, but TSC definitely won. We stayed with ex-KTXT DJ and med school extraordinaire Grant. Tugboat invented a tasty root beer-flavored drink out of two gnarly ingredients and there was a bassett hound. Word.

We then traveled to Tucson, Arizona, to do an interview/in-studio at the University of Arizona’s radio station KAMP. On the way we saw one of the largest dairies I’ve ever seen, and Cory picked up a sweet wolf shirt at a New Mexico tuck stop. Pearl flew in and did her own radio gig and then we all met up at the lovely Dell’s house where we were welcomed by a gigantic spread of Mexican food, High Life and pool with hot tub. After recharging our batteries we played a great show at Plush and were treated to a Bethtini, a signature drink invented by and made specifically for our wonderful hostess (who, by the way, runs the grand establishment Beowulf Alley Theatre Company). Then we soaked in the hot tub and sprayed each other with water gun thingies. Very fun.

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Feature, Music Amanda Shires, Thrift Store Cowboys

Spring break is finally upon us here in Lubbock which usually means we get the opportunity to go to the amazing experience that is the SXSW music conference. Once a year Austin is bombarded with all things music. Acts from all over the country come out and play shows and parties giving Texas the opportunity to experience the latest and greatest in our own back yard.

The thriving music scene in Lubbock will also be out in force hoping to expand its reach ever further; here is a handy guide to Lubbock at SXSW.

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RIGHT HERE.

Well kids, we’ve had some killer shows this semester, and we’re just getting started. This Wednesday we have Amanda Shires strutting her stuff at La Diosa, as well as My America, Syrens and Before the Aftermath at Whiskey Dix. Also, there is an all-local surprise show Friday at Whiskey Dix. Who’s playing? Who knows. Could be anybody. Maybe your grandma started a band. Or maybe your girlfriend and I did. What what.

In the weeks and months to come we have shows including The Visitations, Wovenhand, Treasure Mammal, Paleo, No Age, The Mae Shi, The Goat, Dark Meat, Health, Pictureplane, Monahans, Antiseen, Joe Buck, Warren Jackson Hearne, Thao, Pataphysics, Mika Miko and a ton of others in the works; those are just the ones that are confirmed.

So keep us in your Internet-browsing thoughts and, if it’s not too much trouble, can you help us spread the word? We want everyone in Lubbock who is interested in music, art and culture to not only visit this site, listen to the stream, and see what we’re attempting to provide, but also to give us feedback and help us harvest this great crop of local talent and opportunity. Cheesy? Of course it is, but Velveeta ain’t rich for nothing.

Take care Lubbock.

Music, Upcoming Shows Amanda Shires, HEALTH, Joe Buck, Mika Miko, Monahans, No Age, Paleo, Pataphysics, Pictureplane, Thao, The Goat, The Mae Shi, The Visitations, Treasure Mammal, Velveeta, Warren Jackson Hearne, Wovenhand

Formerly of Thrift Store Cowboys, Amanda Shires relocated to Nashville and has been churning out her unique brand of West Texas tumbleweed country mixed in with only the finest of traditional Western music. Her influences are many, and can be heard clear on her latest solo effort West Cross Timbers. Though she now plays her fiddle in Tennessee, Amanda is still proud to call Lubbock home. I recently chatted with her briefly at the Buddy Holly Center, and below are the results.

 

 Amanda Shires interview [8:17m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I hear a rumor that Amanda (she is still referred to as Pearl by her closest friends) will be playing at Jake’s tonight with her old buddies in TSC (opening for Devotchka), and the Llano Idea highly suggests that all attend.

Amanda Shires Myspace

Music, Podcast Amanda Shires, audio, Devotchka, interview, local, Music, Podcast, Thrift Store Cowboys, West Cross Timbers

A-prime: So Daniel Fluitt of Thrift Store Cowboys, why are you so excited about the Devotchka show this Saturday, February 7?

Daniel Fluitt: Well, not only is Devotchka the absolute best band I have ever seen live, they are also old friends of ours. We have done shows and tours with them off and on the past six years, and it is exciting to see how they have really grown, not only in their music, but in their fan base. It is also the perfect opportunity for people to see a band that really has succeeded by doing it themselves, on their own terms, and making fantastic music along the way.

A’: And word is, your band will be playing with Devotchka Saturday night. Eh?

DF: Indeed. I have been trying to get the guys down here for the past 4 years, and finally their management contacted me about this show. I am extremely excited; it has been about 2 years since we last played with them, so I guess we will have to bring our A-game.

A’: I heard a dear part of Thrift Store Cowboys will be playing with you that night as well. A sort of + on the A.

DF: Yes, we will have the lovely Amanda Shires playing violin and singing with us. Chances are you will probably see her joining Devotchka on a song or two as well.

A’: Well now, that sounds mighty fine. I guess it sounds that sweet to many others as well, because I heard the tickets available at Ralph’s Records on 82nd & Indiana are going fast.

DF: We still have some, but the sooner you drop by, the better chance of getting in. Tickets are $15 in advance, probably a bit more at the door. The show is actually an early show, with doors at 7, and the show starting at 7:30.

A’: So’s you can make it to church? I heard it’s good to R.S.V.P. Jesus.

DF: So I’ve been told. Jesus doesn’t tolerate tardiness.

A’: Neither does Devotchka.

Saturday, February 7

Devotchka / Thrift Store Cowboys

@ Jake’s (50th & Slide)

Doors – 7:00 p.m.

tickets available @ Ralph’s Records – $15

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