101X continues to celebrate local live music by assembling stellar bills with some of the city’s best bands. Last month was a bill featuring The Tontons, Good Field, Speak, and Slomo Drags. This past Saturday at Mohawk, we were treated to a show with Ume, Megafauna (who were celebrating their album release), Black Books, and Young Tongue. The force behind these shows is radio host Deidre Gott, who has been producing the live events for some time now. From these bills, it’s evident that she has her ear to the ground and is providing excellent opportunities to see Austin’s up-and-coming music scene.
Young Tongue opened the night and are perhaps the band that we were most excited by on the bill. Formerly the Baker Family, Young Tongue is a new incarnation that released their first song “Cat Calls” recently. This name change and release of new songs marks the best material we’ve seen from these musicians. The group will be releasing a future effort with Austin-based label Punctum Records, which has been ahead of everyone recently in signing talented young Austin artists.
Following Young Tongue, Black Books played a set of piano tinged, somber indie rock. Perhaps it’s just because the National’s three back-to-back dates in Austin begin today, but I was reminded of that New York indie rock outfit for the first time ever watching this band. Black Books possess a completely different sound and sonic texture, but something in the underlying aesthetic of the band feels similar. The band won two awards at this year’s Austin Music Blogger Awards and continues to be a local favorite.
Megafauna and Ume served as co-headliners of sorts since the former celebrated the release of a new album and the latter has become something of a buzz band in Austin. Interestingly, both are female-fronted acts and play a set of guitar-shredding rock that leans gently toward metal. Guitarist and vocalist Dani Neff possesses wonderful poise onstage, wearing an endearing smile as she destroys guitar riffs. The band’s new album Maximalist features smooth focals that float over a sea of cacophony. I’m reminded of late 90s indie rock like Rainer Maria. Megafauna has come a long way in recent years; at the moment, they’re at the top of their game.
Closing out the night was Ume, featuring the stunning and talented Lauran Larsen on guitar. Larsen must be an inspiration for Megafauna’s Neff, and the two bands have much in common. Larsen takes shredding to a whole new level, issuing one punishing riff after the next as she jumps into the air and falls to the ground in a tangle mass of hair and wailing guitar notes. Ume has gained steam progressively over the last few years, headlining bills and playing festivals. They’re one of a handful of bands that sits poised to take the national stage in the coming year.
All photos © Bryan Parker & Pop Press International. Click any image to open in slideshow viewer.
