Cory Graves
Benjamin Curtis Is Remembered and Home By Hovercraft's Musical Gets Revamped.
While it is has been covered by just about every major music-related media outlet in the country — and even previously by our own site — we would be remiss not to at least mention the passing of former Dallas musician and School of Seven Bells founder Benjamin Curtis in our weekly music notes column today.
Rather than pretend like we knew Curtis that well — or that we even truly grasped the magnitude of his greatness — we feel as if pointing you toward a pair of obits posted by other sites would better serve his legacy. Robert Wilonsky's piece in the Morning News, and Zac Crain's touching memorial for Spin each perfectly summarize the breadth of Curtis' talent.
Crain's piece, in particular, laments the fact that Dallasites didn't truly understand just how incredible the guy really was until he'd left them for the greener pastures of New York with his band The Secret Machines. That's a phenomenon that's not all that uncommon around these parts, we admit. The list of local musicians who've risen to national acclaim after relocating to one of the coasts is a fairly lengthy one.
For its part, though, local booking agency King Camel Productions hopes that its new local music series at Three Links will help highlight some of the better local bands in our midst while they still claim North Texas as home. The first edition of King Camel's recurring Local Education series will kickoff on January 15 with sets from Dallas' The Phuss, Fort Worth's Panic Volcanic and Denton's Chris Ryan & The Grave.
Speaking of getting a little national shine: Snow Tha Product earned a mention in an article posted earlier this week by Gawker called “11 Awesome Songs You Didn't Hear This Year.” In the post, writer Max Read recommended readers to listen to Snow' song “Cali Luv” while “showing up at a house party, but, like, in a way where the whole party is like, Who is SHE?! — probably you parked your car on the front lawn or something — and the whole party kind of parts around you as you walk in.”
Another rising local hip-hop act that should be on your radar? Dallas rapper -topic, who will release his second LP, Be Good & Do Well, on New Year's Day. The album, says the emcee, will be available on Bandcamp sometime tomorrow.
Other albums currently being prepared for release in the coming weeks include: Andrew Tinker's Hand Drawn Records debut; the debut full-length from Jessie Frye, who will celebrate that disc's release with shows February 7 and 8 at Lola's and Three Links, respectively; the debut from West Windows, whose original album release date bash was canceled due to #Icemageddon but will get a second chance on January 10 at Three Links; and the new one from St. Vincent, who is offering limited edition, golden triangle 12-inches for those who pre-order her new album.
Also? Be on the lookout for the second annual Dreamy Soundz/Lo-Life Recordings compilation in the coming months as well. A whole slew of bands like Son of Stan and War Party are gearing up for a marathon recording session for Group Therapy: Volume Two this weekend at Fort Worth venue The Where House.
Lastly, we'll leave you with a couple of quick show announcements.
First up? On the Eve, that Home by Hovercraft-penned and -starring musical featuring a time-traveling Marie Antoinette that was staged as a workshop production last year, will earn its professional premiere in 2014. The upgraded version of the show will run from January 16 to February 9 at Theatre Three.
And, finally, that Fucked Up show at Dada that we mentioned last week has tapped Power Trip to open. The inaugural Red Bull Sound Select show curated by Parade of Flesh will only cost you $3, but you will have to RSVP here to make sure you get in. And, as always, you still have to show up early to guarantee admission into the show.
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