Thursday: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

By Jessica Paul

I felt the need to allude to the infamous phrase that best describes the bands I witnessed around Denton on Thursday night.

Glen Farris

I've seen Glen perform at multiple venues around the Denton area since last fall, and I must say that the man has quite the talent. The folk song-writer was the first to perform at Sweetwater on Thursday and he started off the night well. The entire set was very enjoyable and Farris never fell short of perfection. Glen's music is a gem of the music scene in Denton and I have found few who can perform so well as him. If anything was to be complained about, it was the amount of time the song-writer performed. Mr. Farris could have played all night and he would have had at least one fan sticking around.

Seryn

I'm going to be bluntly honest when I say that this was the one band I was most excited to see this weekend, even more so than The Flaming Lips. Call me crazy, but this band has become an incredible success in Denton since it's formation last spring. The five-member group radiates passion in every single one of their songs, and I find myself craving more every time. This was my fifth time to see the band perform, and just as it is every time, the performance was flawless. There seems to be an almost Arcade Fire-inspired influence with its variety in instrumentation and vocals. Nonetheless, this band will go far and it's already proved that assumption with its first album, according to Nathan James Allen, one of the members of Seryn, expected to be out next September. Set to play at this week's SXSW in Austin, the band has proved itself to be a promising addition to Denton's success in the music field. Seryn's performance was an absolute joy to witness; they'll be playing in Urban Outfitters faster than we can say "indie".

Saboteur

This group was the main reason for this post's title. Nothing good can be said about this performance, and I almost want to refrain from using the word "band". Asking others what they thought after the set at Hailey’s, "nonsense" and "noise" were probably the most popular choice of descriptors. I honestly have no idea how this band made the line-up for NX35. This statement is not biased; I appreciate punk bands and what they've brought to the music scene. Saboteur, however, has done none of this. The four-member group was painful to hear and I found myself covering my ears in an attempt to save them. What I would describe their sounds as would be, simply, noise. There were no melodies, no harmonies, and nothing that this group, musically, excelled at. I found myself rejoicing in ecstasy when the band announced that it was playing its final song, and was shocked at the amount of people who looked to be in just as much pain as I did. Maybe this was just not Saboteur's night. Maybe they just should never have another night of performing. Either way, it should have been dropped from the music festival's list. ASAP.

The Crash That Took Me

This group ultimately has potential. However, nothing about Thursday night's performance at Hailey’s would have given me reason to think so. In essence, the seven-member group that is The Crash That Took Me brings a lot to the table with the band's sound. And to be honest, it doesn't mesh well. With guitar, violin, keyboard, and drums, the band has an overcompensated amount of, well, stuff, to be able to be considered anything close to a coherent group. The melodies were difficult to pick out, and I was completely distracted by the lead singer who resembled more of a hippie who never grew out of the 70's than an actual guitar player. In his mind, he must have thought he was jamming. With the lead singer and his counter-part also singing, the violinist, I came to the conclusion that the violinist was better off leaving this group and starting another band. Her talent exceeded that of any other member, and I'm not really sure how she's stuck with them this far. However, the band did have its good moments. Some songs, after visiting their Myspace, are clearly great music samples; the live performance is not a direct reflection of this. Overall, I would not recommend seeing this group live unless you have some strange desire to play witness to a cacophony of sound. Only then would I actually start to judge you.

This Will Destroy You

At this point, I was thoroughly convinced that Thursday night’s music could only get better, and I was right. Hailing from San Marcos, the four-member group put on a crowd-pleasing show, albeit a much later performance time than anticipated. However, I would say the wait was worth it. The band’s post-rock sound gives hints of an Explosions in the Sky concept, and the group’s two albums give reason to believe so. The only complaint I would give would be the group’s last song, which was almost a musical face-plant. Announced halfway through the band’s performance, the drummer’s birthday was apparently that night. Jeremy Galindo, one of the guitarists, had found reason to intoxicate himself to the point of almost not being able to finish the set. As a result, the guitarist was told by his band-mates to just cease playing halfway through their last song in an attempt to refrain from a total epic fail ending. As disappointing as that was, This Will Destroy You was certainly a wonderful way to end the night.

Danny Masterson talks music

By Graciela Razo
Photo by Ingrid Laubach


Danny Masterson is slowly but surely breaking away from his television persona of That 70s Show's Hyde.
However, with a beer bottle in his hand and a straight face, he still has that cool guy vibe and loves music just like his famous character.
Masterson played a DJ set at the NX35 Music Conferette yesterday. He said he never plans out what he'll play but wanted to put on some dance-worthy, indie music for fans going to his show.
He began DJing in 1997 out of "necessity."
"I've been DJing forever because it's sort of my fun thing to do," he said.
Masterson said he couldn't find a DJ or music he could identify with or listen to over and over again. This is when he decided to become his own music maker and started to spin his own beats and put together his own songs.
He's always been a music fan but said he never had the patience to be in an actual band or play an instrument. "I'm not talented enough to be a rock star, but being a DJ is kind of like being a fake rock star," Masterson said.
Besides checking out Denton locals and friends Matthew and the Arrogant Sea later Saturday night, Masterson said the Flaming Lips show was going to be one of the highlights of NX35.
"I've seen them play five or six times, but all the times I saw them they were just the greatest shows," he said. "Their live performances shows their a real rock band."
He was also planning on seeing The Black Angels and Kiss Away Trail while in town.
Masterson is no stranger to Denton. He is friends with local bands and has caught some shows in town when he plays in Dallas. He said he likes the "cool vibe" of the mom and pop shops and the Square.
"It's an amazing place," Masterson said. "I'll make sure to stop by next time I play in Dallas."

Saturday at NX35 Music Conferette

By Graciela Razo
Photos by Ingrid Laubach

Just by the size of the crowd and the anticipation in the air, you could tell March 13 was going to go down in Denton history. Ever since the announcement in January, people around town seemed to be in disbelief that this was actually going to happen.
With Denton-grown band Midlake and three-time Grammy award-winning Oklahoma musicians The Flaming Lips taking the same stage that day, the free Saturday NX35 Music Conferette concert was certainly going to be the biggest show this college town had ever seen.
The line to get into the show at the North Texas Fairgrounds snaked in and out of the gates outside of the field since the early morning. The few who bought wristbands walked right in and took their stance on the grass only to be treated to see the bands doing their sound check. Already, Wayne Coyne was getting everyone rattled up.


The scores of people grew larger and larger when finally just before the first band, Oklahoma's StarDeath and White Dwarfs came to the stage, there was a sea of music fans ready to get the afternoon started.
StarDeath put on a crowd-pleasing show. Even though they were probably the least anticipated band of the show, they definitely gained some fans after their set of bass-heavy, perfectly synthesized songs. Even frontman Dennis Coyne's uncle Wayne was seen on the side of the stage pumping his fist and waving his white streamers along to the beat.

Next up was what seemed to be the calm before the storm: Midlake. It was their first Denton appearance in nearly three years, and they wanted to make it a good one. The band played many of their newer songs off of their latest album "The Courage of Others," but didn't leave their classics out either.
Led by vocalist and guitarist Tim Smith, Midlake did more jamming and improvisation than you can find on their albums. Especially with the appearance of guest guitarist Max Townsley and flutist and pianist Jesse Chandler, their live set sounded more intense and lively than their studio albums.




Then it was what everyone had been waiting for since the announcement broke.
The production of a Flaming Lips show began with setting up massive screens, gathering dozens of balloons and getting Wayne Coyne's famous space bubble crowd walk.
Coyne also came out to give an announcement about keeping the Fire Marshall happy by not pushing to get to the front to get by the bubble.



Finally after waiting all afternoon, NX35 festival goers no longer seemed to feel anticipation but just pure adrenalin and excitement.
Fans screamed and cheered for the band to come on, and at last, the show was ready to begin.
Members Steven Drozd, Kliph Scurlock and Michael Ivins walked through the light screen, and a stage crew helped Coyne's bubble inflate.






Drums were beating to get everyone ready for Coyne to run out into the crowd. Just as he was about to get a running start into the pit of fans, something completely unexpected happened.
The power went out.
The fairgrounds went dark and the amps were completely silent. Coyne didn't care though.
He still ran out into the audience as everyone cheered and yelled, trying to get a grasp of him and his space bubble.



The power went back on, and the spectacle began.
Orange, yellow and white balloons soared over the audience like popcorn kernals popping up and down. Confetti and streamers of the same colors rained down as the band got the show started. The band had finally put to rest the expectations everyone had for that night and even before the first song was over, had already exceeded them.



After yet another power outage and a "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt. 1" sing-a-long came an emotional moment for the band.
The Flaming Lips paid tribute to friend and musician Mark Linkous of band Sparklehorse who committed suicide on March 6. Coyne worked with Linkous on "Revenge," a song off of an unreleased album by Sparklehorse and Danger Mouse called "Dark Night of the Soul."
Wayne introduced the song by telling about the musician and saying, "You have to make your own happiness."
They dedicated the song "Waitin' for a Superman" to Linkous as Coyne held a fluttering bird while singing.

The night ended with arguably the Lips' most famous song "Do You Realize??" a song that had even those who hadn't heard the band's music before singing nearly every word.
After an amazingly solid entertaining set, the Flaming Lips bowed and left the stage.





More photos and videos coming soon.

Interview with Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips

By Graciela Razo
Photos by Ingrid Laubach
Interviewed on March 13, 2010

Graciela Razo: Is this your first time in Denton?
Wayne Coyne: I’ve been through it. I don’t know if there’s been any other reason to come to Denton. I know there’s a really great Thai restaurant here that the guys have been to. I have tried to see a couple of groups play here, but I didn’t make it. Me and Michelle were in Dallas maybe a year ago or something, and we were staying in South Dallas, so it was quite a drive into Dallas. I think we were thinking we’d leave at nine o’ clock and see the show then we realized it was an hour and a half away from where we were, so we kind of misjudged the distance between Denton and Dallas and Dallas traffic on a Saturday night. So this is my first time to be in Denton.


Graciela: How do you like it so far?
Wayne: Well it’s kind of a lot like Oklahoma City. I’m from Oklahoma City, so it’s kind of non-descript, kind of Midwest, kind of south, kind of forgotten little town. It doesn’t seem desperate or overly exciting. But I think it really is your experience and the people there that make the difference. I’ve never thought that the tress and the dirt and the buildings really mattered. But this here seems phenomenal. This would not happen in Norman or Oklahoma City where we’re from. It’s cool. Let’s hope it works.

Graciela: You all are known for your live shows. So how did you all decide what you were actually going to do during the show?
Wayne: We work out all these things or else they probably wouldn’t work at all. You kind of need to know what you’re going to do. We do this entrance where the guys come out of a big screen up there. On each song we’ve worked out little cues with our lighting guys and sound guys, but all groups do this. You get together and rehearse what’s going to happen when you’re in front of people. For me, doing something like coming out in the space bubble I just simply think if I was in the audience, I would think ‘Man, it would be cool if Wayne came out in a space bubble.’ So I just think I’ll just come out in a space bubble and walk on people’s heads. But you really don’t know how you’re going to do it but until you think you’re going to do it, you just start to work it out. If you do it a hundred times, you start to figure out what works and what doesn’t. But it’s mostly just that. I just think it would probably look cool. F*** it, let’s do it. But it’s not easy as it looks. For a lot of these things you really have to have a good crew and a bunch of gadgets.


Graciela: Do you try to evolve your live show so that people who see you more than once get to see a different show each time?
Wayne: I don’t always worry about that so much. I think there’s an element of knowing what to expect, which people like that. They know you’re going to do these things. They know you’re going to sing these songs. Then I just leave it up to our own whims to be like ‘What do we want to do?’ We never feel restricted by these things anyway. We never feel like ‘Jeeze, why do we have to go up there and why does Wayne have to have giant rubber hands? Why cant we just play songs?’ We never feel like that. Most of the things that are going on are things I’m doing. The group really has a quite a task just playing this music. A lot of this is complicated, and it’s hard music to play. I mean they’re great musicians, but it’s a difficult task anyway. But I don’t know. I think we want to have the audience involved. We want everybody to have a picture on their phone at the end of the night saying ‘Look, Wayne walked on my head.’ We throw balloons out and confetti. We want everyone to be involved. That’s the reason you do these sort of big things. If we played to like a 100 people a night in a small club, it would be easy to reach the people there with really doing hardly anything. You simply talk and play, and it’s pretty effective. Sometimes we play where there’s 100,000 people there. They’re not going to see you playing some little guitar part. I’m not saying that’s not significant, but there’s reasons why Radiohead has a giant light show because it’s cool. You want to look at some cool sh**.




Graciela: You did work with Sparklehorse on Dark Night of the Soul and with the recent suicide of Mark Linkous this past weekend, is there any truth to the rumor that the album will officially be released?
Wayne: Well in a way its already been released. So many people download things immediately anyway. There were just some legal dilemmas with Danger Mouse and Mark’s record labels. But I think in the spirit of a lot of the things that Danger Mouse does, he just fucking does it and is like ‘F*** it. We’ll work it out.’ I think he’s exactly right. So we worked with Mark quite a few times. We like him. We’ve done shows with him. We played a tour that was three weeks or something that was maybe in 2003. We know him good enough. As sad as it is, I would never say it was ever out of the realm. If someone calls you up and says ‘Mark Linkous committed suicide,’ at first you would despair for a moment, but you would think ‘Yeah, he did live with a lot of pain all the time when we were around him and he did suffer from depression.’ I know that for sure. It’s definitely a struggle.

Graciela: How was it working on that album?
Wayne: Well you know I wish I could say we all got together, and we had fights, and we got drunk, but you don’t really do that these days. A lot of the things we did over the computer over e-mail. He could e-mail us a song at 10 o’clock in the morning, and we could throw it on the computer, and by 11 o’clock we can have a song finished. You don’t have to arrange flight schedules or anything because everyone has a studio right there on their computers these days. The song we did for him… but it wasn’t even a song. He just sent us a series of chords, which he’d do a lot. Sometimes he’d send us stuff when he was alive. Sometimes we’d write the whole song, and he would have one little part. He’s funny that way. But with this one I had a song in mind that would be Sparklehorse or Mark Linkous-esque, and we just got lucky it worked out. He liked it. It moved along. We never really worried about it that much. When you do collaborations with people, you don’t always have a say. You don’t always know it’ll be the greatest thing ever. You just say ‘F*** it. It’s cool. He’s fun.’ It doesn’t have to stand as an epic piece of art, though I think that one can. I think if you put too much into, it you don’t always have a lot of control.



Graciela: How is it to be playing with Midlake again?
Wayne: We’re kind of in contact with them all the time. They come to Oklahoma City several times just for occasions for parties and things like that. It’s great. Their hair is longer. They’ve put on a little weight (laughs). When they played with us they were a slim, trim, fighting indie rock band. No, I’m kidding. They’re wonderful. We wouldn’t play with them if we didn’t like them.

Graciela: How’s the tour been promoting Embryonic?
Wayne: I don’t really look at it as promoting. I know we play shows for people who like the Flaming Lips and then we have new songs to play. But it’s great. I don’t know if we realized just how fun it is to play new music. We just sort of decided with “Embryonic” that we would play a lot of it and see how it went. We don’t do that a lot. Sometimes we put out a record and just play one or two songs from it because we have so many records, and people want to hear so much stuff. But I think with this one we were like ‘F*** it. Let’s play these weird new songs.’ But the people really seem to like it. It’s been very intense. That’s a good word because they’re weird songs. They’re not songs just about the power of the human spirit sort of things, which I love. Don’t get me wrong. But there’s an element of these songs are just intense, just sort of primitive, freaky things, which is fun to sing about. I don’t know why, but it is fun to sing about.

NX35 coverage

Check often starting Friday, March 12 for coverage of the NX35 Music Conferette. Bloggers for this week include:

• Gracie Razo, Senior Staff Writer
• Christina Mylinski, Staff Writer
• Jessica Paul, Staff Writer
• Tim Monzingo, Contributing Writer
• Amber Arnold, Arts & Life Editor

We'll have coverage of all the best shows and sights around Denton.
Until next time, enjoy the music and visit ntdaily.com.

First post

To all faithful readers of the NT Daily and others out there in the blogosphere, this is the first official post of the new NT Daily life blog, where the staff will post their thoughts, observations and other arts-and-life stories. Check back often.