Ooooooooh Sweet Child of Mine!  Wild Child, Austin’s sweethearts of folk music are fixin’ to release a brand new CD, entitled “Pillow Talk” this Thursday (10/27) at the Parish.  To celebrate the release, they’ve lined up some of the best bands in town to open for them: Little Lo, Shakey Graves and Agent Ribbons!

Wild Child, composed lead singers Kelsey Wilson and Alexander Beggins, with band members Evan Magers Carey McGraw, Sadie Wolfe and Matthew Mares, sounds like a family band of prairie settlers, singing sweet songs about love and troubles.  This is how I imagine listening to Wild Child: it’s like them having you over for a home cooked dinner, with turkey, cornbread and mashed potatoes.   Then they let you knock back a couple of beers while they play you soft ukulele music by the fire.  Picture that.  You can’t help but smile when you hear the harmonies between Wilson and Beggins, and the soft strings, keys and percussion make you feel right at home.  Their new album, Pillow Talk will be available to the show, so make sure to get yourself a copy.

Now, onto the other bands opening the show:

Here’s the lo down on Little Lo:

Often compared to Arcade Fire, (which is a good band to be compared to) complete with saxophones, violins, percussion and multiple voices, this band in undeniable when it comes to live performances.

Shakey Graves –  this guitar slingin’ one man band is especially entertaining because he sits on top of a suitcase that’s been converted into a bass drum/tambourine machine!  As a result, this guy can get pretty dancy, and will have you bobbing your head along with his tunes.

Agent Ribbons – a girl group from right here in town, and they’re aminimalist folk group, having only guitar, violin and drums.  But don’t let that fool you, they’ve got a full sound and have some catchy songs to share.

Wild Child CD Release Party w/ Little Lo, Shakey Graves and Agent Ribbons

Thursday, October 27th @ The Parish

Want to go for free?  Like the event here for a chance to win a pair of tickets! 

Soulful vocals with an Alabama twang: Matthew Mayfield is an AL native, recently turned solo artist after a successful run with the group Moses Mayfield.  Releasing six EPs between 2009 and 2010 and giving away a free song from each, this guy is a songwriting powerhouse, as well as tactful businessman, (which is how you gotta roll these days in the music biz.)  He can also dress sharp:

His latest album, Now You’re Free, released this year is full of catchy, clean-cut and driving melodies and textures.  Here’s a cut from it, entitled Fire Escape:  http://soundcloud.com/briterevolution/fire-escape-matthew-mayfield

Reed Turner will be opening the show, and even though he’s lived in LA, Nashville and Portland, we can still claim him as our own, as he was raised in Austin:

Matthew Mayfield with Reed Turner 10/26 at Stubb’s – 8:00

Like it here for a chance to win a pair of tickets!

Then…

The very next night (10/27,) Stubb’s has Melissa Ferrick.  With 12 years of formal music training, including a few years in the Berklee College of Muisc program, she comes to Austin with serious talent and well spindled, lyrically rich tunes:

Washington, D.C.’s Vandaveer is opening, and if you haven’t heard them, check them out.  D.C. recently survived earthquakes and hurricanes,  If their music is nearly as smooth as their name, you won’t want to miss them.   

Melissa Ferrick with Vandaveer (10/27) @ Stubb’s

(Like it here for a chance to win free tickets!)

Keep A Breast is a national grassroots educational foundation who have teamed up with House of Blues Entertainment to present their first ever music tour featuring Uh Huh Her and Jarrod Gorbel. And since October is National Breast Awareness month, they are touring strong all month long to show you a good time and hopefully make people more aware of what they can do to prevent breast cancer, as well as hope those in need.

Uh Huh Her is an electro-indie group consisting of two babes, who like their boobs, and they like yours too. Member Camila Grey has played for such artists as Dr. Dre and Busta Rhymes and is currently a member of Adam Lambert’s live band. Leisha Haley has played in Gush and the Murmers and even had a major role in the Showtime original series, The L Word. You won’t want to miss these vixens!

Jarrod Gorbel is ex-lead singer of The Honorary Title, who decided after a trying year with the band that he had   drifted from what his true intentions as an artist were. His debut solo album, Devil’s Made a New Friend, blends soul, americana and folk. His beautiful voice and shockingly comedic interludes make him a must-see. So do some good, for boobs and for you, get to Antone’s next Tuesday!

This isn’t to say that the upbeat guitar riffs and quick tempo doom The Drums to pure bubblegum pop status. A listen to the band can’t help but draw comparisons to professed influences The Smiths and Joy Division (give “Best Friend” a spin to hear the echoes of Manchester-era Britpop bands past). Tracks like Money invoke a pop sound popularized by other more recent indie outfits. Fans of fellow British-sounding We Are Scientists will recognize the kindred spirits on The Drums’ “Money.” In fact, Danny Lee Allen, the drummer for We Are Scientists, joined The Drums for their tour starting in June of this year. If you end up the drummer for a band that’s named after your instrument, you know you’ve made it. At least, that’s how Jimmy Paige felt during his short stint with “The Lead Guitars.”

Up next in U.S.-based bands with faintly Limey sounds is io echo, the Los Angeles pop group. The pair of Leopold Ross and Ioanna Gika have already opened for Florence and the Machine, and they’ve been catching a lot of attention for their songs that mix equal parts ethereal and electric. Check out When The Lilies Die to get a good feel for the duo’s tone of pop poised on the verge of chaos (also, whistling!)-

When The Lilies Die by ioecho

If you’ve had your fill of listening to the Internet versions of these two bands, check them out live this Sunday at The Parish. The show promises to be a great night of pop music that swings from the conventional to the surreal. If only there were some free tickets to be found for the show…oh yeah. We’re giving out a pair of tickets at 100% no cost to you. Actually, there’s the opportunity cost of the time it takes you to visit the event page and click “I like it,” but there’s no such thing as a free lunch.

The Gypsy Picnic Trailer Food Festival will be rolling in and setting up this Saturday, Oct. 22 at Auditorium Shores from 11am-8pm. Entrance is FREE and there’s plenty to do for everyone.

This festival is fitting for the entire gypsy family. Tiny gypsies and furry gypsies are welcome and will have lots to do! Tiny gypsies can enjoy face painting, an interactive chalkboard in the kids area, music and of course, food. There will also be story time and various sideshow acts throughout the park.

Live music will be happening all day and will feature Delta Spirit, Hacienda and Alabama Shakes will be there for a rock n’ roll revival, so be sure to check ‘em out.

Your furry gypsies are more than welcome but there are some guidelines in place in order for everyone to have a good and safe time. Your pets must be on a leash and at your side at all times, so please do not extend retractable leashes! Be sure to pick up that poop too, no one wants dog mess on their feets while they’re trying to indulge in all the treats-bag it & trash it fools! Also, do your best to prevent any aggressive behavior between the pups, pet owners-do your part to ensure that everyone can have a wonderful time. Even though it’s getting cooler, please provide your dog with plenty of drinking water and remember that human food may be harmful to our furry gypsies. Don’t worry, it’s not all work and no play for the pups. The picnic has kept them in mind, and they can enjoy activities in the dog area. They can get their fortunes told by a dog behaviorist and can play dress up and participate in the puppy parade! CUTE!

Promise that it won't be this creepy, but, just so you get the idea...

While you are enjoying your food this year, remember your faves! KGSR is back to find the fan favorite of the festival! Each trailer will have a “text to vote” number on it, may the best trailer win. Also, those that vote will be entered to win a pair of season passes to the 2012 KGSR Music Lounge. Experts will be voting to, on categories such as: Best Taco, Best on a Bun, Best Vegetarian, Best Ethnic, Best Drink and Best Dessert.

PARKING: There is no parking at the festival, but there are plenty of spaces within walking distance:
- 301 Congress Avenue
- 300 San Antonio
- One Texas Center Garage at Barton Springs Rd. & S. 1st St.
- Austin Convention Center Parking Garage at 2nd & Brazos
- Austin City Hall at Cesar Chavez & Guadalupe

BIKE PARKING: Take eco-friendly transportation to the Festival by walking or biking to Auditorium Shores. Bike Parking will be available at two of the four festival entrances:
- the West entrance on West Riverside Drive closest to Lamar
- the main entrance on West Riverside Drive and South First Street
Bonus: Mellow Johnny’s will be at the West entrance to fix minor repairs and fix flats for all you gypsy cyclists.

DON’T SMOKE! Remember that day it rained? Yeah, well, it wasn’t enough and the burn ban is still in effect so please follow city guidelines and keep the stogies at home.

So now that you have zero questions, we hope to see you this Saturday!

They are also known for putting on a seriously badass show. Their live performances are a musical mishmash of “jazz-rock, neo-psychedelia, R&B, trance electronica, progressive rock and anthemic arena rock.” Best of all, their powerful sound is matched with an equally powerful LIGHT SHOW that is sure to mesmerize.

I don’t know about you guys, but there is absolutely nothing like a great band performing against the backdrop of a ridiculously cool light show. The intensity of the lights and the music together just make the live music experience MAGICAL.

Perpetual Groove’s awesome reputation has carried them to festivals across the country, such as Bonnaroo and All Good. Now they’re touring across the country and, obviously, Perpetual Groove is bringing their powerful, live music prowess to the Live Music Capital of the World.

This Friday, October 21 Perpetual Groove is bringing their groovy show to The Parish. If you want to jam out and perpetually groove this weekend then the Parish is where you want to be!

Check out: “Sundog” by Perpetual Groove

An awesome live band AND a cool light show all in one? Who wouldn’t want to check this out??

Doors open at 8 p.m….be there!

And we have free stuff! Click “I Like It” for the chance to win a pair of free tickets!

The Dillinger Escape Plan are seriously hardcore. Band members have suffered injuries such as nerve damage, a torn rotator cuff and a broken vertebra! Rolling Stone said they are “possibly the most unhinged band in America.” With claims such as these, don’t get busted for sitting on your couch watching lame crime shows next Wednesday. Instead, get your ass to Emo’s East. You could possibly suffer some injuries, which could possibly make you more appealing to the opposite sex, which could possibly get you laid. We’re just looking out for you dude!

Kill the Client is a Dallas based grind band that will tear the place up. They have earned a reputation for their live shows and have played festivals such as the Maryland Deathfest and the Boston Doom and Grind fest. They don’t mess around.

Lions of Tsavo came to Austin from Columbus, Ohio to tear us a new one! Don’t be skurrd.

Jordan Kaye and Marshall Altier’s How to Booze: Exquisite Cocktails and Unsound Advice is a side-splitting satirical guide to life for the indulgent, impulsive, and thirsty. For all the potentially disastrous yet hopefully hilarious obstacles life throws at us, there exists a perfect cocktail. “Much more than just a guide to mixology, How to Booze is a hilarious and remarkably prescient, if somewhat degenerate, guide to life – or at least that part of life that would be greatly improved in the company of Johnny Walker or Jack Daniels.” The book offers advice on literally every situation one may find themselves in, at several different points of life, all of which would be wildly enhanced (good or bad, who cares? it’s a party!) by alcohol. But not just any drink will do. Kaye details the perfect cocktail for occasions such as awkward first dates, being laid off, stalking your ex, drunk dialing, suffering through sports games, and even suffering on your death bed. Needless to say, I doubt you’ll dare miss out on Jordan Kaye, Brooklyn’s finest author and cocktail connoisseur, at the Cooking Tent at the Texas State Capitol on Saturday, Octber 22nd at 3pm. And no, 3pm is never too early to start boozing. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Kaye has already dedicated an entire chapter to the unparalleled joys of day drinking. Cheers!

Uchi: The Cookbook is as full of surprises as the restaurant itself. If you haven’t been yet, this is an experience as unique as Austin itself. The nationally acclaimed restaurant’s owner, Tyson Cole, prides himself on his dedication to honoring Japanese tradition while putting a fresh spin on this culinary art form by incorporating ingredients we in the states are more familiar with – like cilantro and sun-dried tomato. The result is what Food & Wine has refered to as “food that’s utterly delicious and wildly inventive.” Cole’s cookbook not only walks you through a wide variety of dishes served at Uchi, but treats that are just the opposite (bacon candy! compressed watermelon!). The Cookbook shares Cole’s amazing personal story, starting with his meek beginnings of washing dishes, his youthful aversion to raw fish, chronicaling his journey all the way up to challenging  Masaharu Morimoto on Iron Chef America. Of course, Cole will be preparing several dishes during his Book Festival session at the Texas State Capitol Cooking tent at 11:00am on Sunday, October 23rd – so don’t miss out!

Case in point – take my two experiences downtown last week. The first is the typical barhopping checklist: 1) Walk into bar 2) Order drink 3) Get approached by douche bag wearing a glittery shirt two sizes too small 4) Take a couple sips of the drink and head back to the bar to close out 5) Wait for the bartender to notice me while I pray that Ed Hardy guy doesn’t take the back of my head as a cue that I’m interested 6)Rinse, repeat

Whoa, girl, where are you going? You haven't even paid your tab! Now what am I going to do with all of these roofies?!

The other side of the bar experience Venn Diagram was the one with Tabbedout. Once you download and set it up (free, by the way!), you never have to pull out cash or plastic again because you pay with your phone. The Tabbedout app let me make my quick escape from compromising drinking situations by skipping the paying at the bar step entirely. It’s like a mobile getaway car, except that the car is your iPhone and the bank being robbed is that dude that keeps putting his arm around you and asking if you’ve heard of his band.

Other perks include being able to see an actual receipt. This meant that once I had successfully shielded myself from gross bar denizens and actually found a place good for drinking and lingering, there were no surprises come bill time. We’ve all had the experience where you pick up your tab and think “$27?! There’s no way I’m 27 bucks worth of drunk!” Or maybe that’s just me, but Tabbedout takes away the uncertainty at least. Best of all, you never have to wonder “Did I leave my credit card at that bar?” or try to answer the age old question “Should I just cancel it or try to hunt it down?” Speaking of hunting, I also no longer have to hunt down the other Kristin whose card I took home the night before after the bartender erroneously handed it to me in his rush to kick me out of the bar and start closing up shop . You know, the Kristin who took out her 15 sorority sisters on her tab. Nope, I don’t have to worry about that because I can see an itemized version of my receipt in real time as items are added.

Since Tabbedout helped make my nights out much more enjoyable,  Do512 is hoping to share the wealth with all of our loyal fans. Right now, we’ve got a couple of sweet deals for Tabbedout users. Everyday, check out the Daily Hook Up to snag some super cheap drinks by using your Tabbedout App. If you’re the photogenic type, you have the chance to win a $200 tab courtesy of your friends at Tabbedout and Do512. All you have to do is:

1. Download, set-up, go out and pay your tab with Tabbedout. Available for free at the Apple Store & Android Market 

2. Take a picture of how you tab out

3. Email your picture to TabbedOut@Do512.com

4. Check Do512′s Facebook and tell your friends to “like” your image for your chance to win!

5. Winners will be announced November 18!

Story as told by Kristin Owen, and made better by Jordan Ripley

We posed the simple question: How do you like YOUR Schlotzsky’s? What’s your favorite sandwich? Are you all about the original?  Maybe a combo meal with salt n’ vinegar chips and a lemonade ? Or are you more of a Guacabeefsky guy?  Perhaps the BBQ Chicken pizza floats your boat?  That sort of thing.

We figured we’d get some good responses. We know that people can be very picky when it comes to their sandwich choices.

We really had NO idea how much you people frickin’ LOVE your Schlotzsky’s!

Not only have we received some incredibly specifically detailed descriptions of lunch orders from all over the country, we’ve also been sent some pretty touching, sentimental stories. You people aren’t just passionate about your Schlotzsky’s.  You’re really passionate. You’re crazy passionate. You’re “you can have my Original when you pry it from my cold, dead, mustardy fingers” passionate.

Sandwich to some. Religion to others.

Take a look at some of the entries we’ve received so far:

“I have been hooked on Schlotzsky’s since 1979. Once or sometimes twice a week these days at my Brodie Lane Austin location or Wichita Falls or Waco or Katy or Dallas or at the airport. I really miss the Butterworth Building location in downtown Austin. My contribution to Schlotzsky’s started at the wonderful Wichita Falls location in 1979 while at school and which may be harmlessly delusional that I came up with the “extra hot” method and add on of the Point of Sale button from my suggestion and preferred way to eat an Original. A little more cooked, crispy and crunchy.

Loved the original Schlotsky’s when it was in that first building on SoCo, now home to an Amy’s Ice Cream!! The original first Schlotsky’s sandwiches made back there, back then are still favorite memories, but I have to say my best Schlotsky’s experience was when I was on a long road trip, hundreds of miles from Austin (maybe Amarillo??!) and finding a Schlotsky’s there. It was a great touch of home for a little while. I felt safe, and I knew I’d get a great sandwich!!!!!
I love the original sandwich. To me it represents bonding with my family as we often ordered a handful of large original sandwiches and would sit around and catch up with how each other’s lives were going. IN this big city of Austin, few things are familiar to a small town girl like me. That’s why I love Schlotzsky’s so much. It is one of the few familiar places that I remember from growing up in my hometown. It once brought my family closer together every time we ate there, and now it is bringing my new family of friends together whenever we can. To you an Original Schlotzsky’s sandwich may not mean much, but to me it is so much more then food; it is a maker of so many wonderful memories in my lifetime.

HAPPY 40th, SCHLOTZSKY’S! I’ve enjoyed Schlotzsky’s original sandwich since moving to Austin in 1975. In fact, my first job in Austin was within a block of the original location on South Congress, which was SO yummy and convenient!
I will confess, however, I’ve found heaven on a bun when it comes to Schlotzsky’s 8″ Combination Pizza! I say “bun” ’cause the pizza bread is Schlotzsky’s very own. Nice touch!I hope I’m the lucky winner of the Grand Prize so I can chow down on my favorite Schlotzsky’s meal every week, compliments of Schlotzsky’s! Thank you for all you do, and I wish you 40 more years of success!

“Loved the original Schlotzsky’s when it was in that first building on SoCo, now home to an Amy’s Ice Cream!! The original first Schlotzsky’s sandwiches made back there, back then are still favorite memories, but I have to say my best Schlotzsky’s experience was when I was on a long road trip, hundreds of miles from Austin (maybe Amarillo??!) and finding a Schlotzsky’s there. It was a great touch of home for a little while. I felt safe, and I knew I’d get a great sandwich!!!!!”

“I am an Austin girl. Lived there for 48 years. Moved to Maryland 15 years ago. Now when I visit Austin – my FIRST stop is Schlotzsky’s at the airport…. then at least once or twice while I visit – and my LAST stop is Schlotzsky’s at the airport where I get one to eat and 3 to take home to my family. We miss Austin & Schlotzsky’s….to us the two go together. So how do I like my Schlotzsky’s?…. I fly 1500 miles to get one………………boy do we need you in Maryland………………now I’m depressed because I want one and can’t have one until I go back home to Texas.”

The Original. I’ve been eatin’ them schlotzskys since ya’ll first opened on Congress. Wish ya’ll still had that one. It was quaint and small. Every now and then you might accidently rub elbows with other schlotzskians. I miss that place. Regardless, that sandwiches are just as good as they were back then. I also miss the elbow rubbin’. Sincerely, Deborah 

I love the Smoked Turkey Light with avacado & extra tomatoes. I have been a loyal customer of Schlotzsky’s since the beginning…living in North Austin most of my life, our favorite location was on Burnet Road since the 70′s. We all love Schlotzsky’s!!!

Schlotzsky’s is where my husband gets his energy to unicycle around downtown Austin. Schlotzsky’s helps keep Austin awesome.

“My husband and I were one of the first customers when you opened on Congress in 1971.. We fell in love with the original sandwich…Now our favorite is the Deluxe Original Style meal…It is great..we have tried all your sandwiches, but the original is still our favorite..We have been married since 1960 and Schlotzsky’s has been our place to eat that stayed around all these years…others places would come and go…we still pick up Schlotzsky’s to go at least twice a month, we would go more often but we are now retired on a budget..keep up the great work.”

“You know, it’s a funny thing, my relationship with Schlotzsky’s.Growing up, I only ever got the cheese pizza kid’s meal with a chocolate chip cookie. The drink was always raspberry lemonade. All of my friends liked the Original/#1 sandwich. I hated it. Mostly because I hated olives. Did I think to get it without olives? No. Why? Because the cheese pizza was just so darn good I didn’t ever think of getting anything else. Plus it came with a cookie! Nowadays, I LOVE the Original. I *only* get a small original, unless I’m really hungry, then I get a medium original. Succinctly, how I like my Schlotzsky’s is: the #1 combo, everything on the sandwich, thumbs up on the free pickle, jalapeño chips, and I still always get the Minute Maid raspberry lemonade. Some things never change. If I have a sweet tooth that day then I get a sugar cookie. So Good! Oh, and with the sandwich, I mustn’t forget the Louisiana hot sauce. The sauce is boss.  On a side note, I’m so happy you have a Schlotzsky’s at the airport. It’s the only place I go to when I’m there. I fly away, but get to take a little piece of home with me. Also, my first job was at Schlotzsky’s. There will always be a soft spot for this eatery in my heart. You never forget your first…”

Pizza? The circle of life. With pepperoni.

See what we mean? Clearly, Schlotzsky’s makes a damn fine sandwich, but it is more than that. Oh so much more. Between those freshly baked buns, nestled among the savory meats and cheeses,  hidden between the lettuce and olives and drizzled in your choice of sauces, are the memories, hopes, and dreams of people. People just like you and me.

Got a great story about how you like YOUR Schlotzsky’s? There’s still time for you to wow us with your ode to the sublimity of the Schlotzsky’s sandwich, and get entered for a chance to win A YEAR’s worth of sandwiches (or one of 40 FREE combo meals).  Let us know HERE. Contest ends November 30th, 2011!

While you’re at it, you can follow Schlotzsky’s on Twitter, and Like ‘em on Facebook.