There’s a good possibility that you’ve run across one of these posters for the new album, Think/Thoughts, from none other than one Benjamin Wesley. It’s Wesley’s first release since his initial solo effort, Geschichte, was put out in 2009. My initial brush with Ben was at his release show at Walter’s, and it blew my mind. I fell in love with his songs immediately. In the time since, Ben and I have become friends, and I’ve had the pleasure of watching him perform a number of times. Whether he arrives on stage with his complex electronic setup or just his acoustic guitar, he brings a delightful show. I’ve been fortunate enough to hear the songs on Think/Thoughts develop in a live setting, and they’re damn good. On Thoughts, Wesley picks up his geschichte (German for history/story) and expands upon it. While his first output was less plotted and more immediate, there’s been a lot of rumination with this album. Wesley mixes his delightful storytelling, audacious imagery, light falsetto, playful abandon, and a dark pensiveness into his well-crafted beats, guitar riffs, and looped layers of sound. It’s a concoction that’s been brewing for a while, aging not in oaken barrels but rather in whiskey tumblers and wine glasses. I’d urge you, both as a music lover and a friend of Ben’s, to check out this new work. Think/Thoughts has been available digitally since early March via iTunes. “Catch My Shadow” is available to stream through Ben’s bandcamp. <a href=”http://benjaminwesleymusic.bandcamp.com/track/catch-my-shadow” data-mce-href=”http://benjaminwesleymusic.bandcamp.com/track/catch-my-shadow”>Catch My Shadow by Benjamin Wesley</a> Along with any good album release, there’s a host of events for you to partake over the next week. Ben performs and in-store at Cactus Music at 5pm on Saturday, March 31. The next day, he’s supporting the unequivocal Jandek during a performance at Big Star Bar (April 1, 4pm). On Thursday, Double Trouble is going to host a listening party for the new album, which will be available to purchase next door at Sig’s Lagoon. Any copies of the album bought at the Cactus in-store or at Sig’s during the listening party will come with a complimentary ticket for the release show at Fitzgerald’s, on April 6. Tickets are $8 pre-sale, $10 at the door. Supporting cast for the release includes the illustrious DJ Dave Wrangler, local hip-hop wizards The Niceguys, and Khraungbin. Please give Ben’s new album a listen. I think you’ll be glad you did.
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There’s a good possibility that you’ve run across one of these posters for the new album, Think/Thoughts, from none other than one Benjamin Wesley.

It’s Wesley’s first release since his initial solo effort, Geschichte, was put out in 2009. My initial brush with Ben was at his release show at Walter’s, and it blew my mind. I fell in love with his songs immediately.

In the time since, Ben and I have become friends, and I’ve had the pleasure of watching him perform a number of times. Whether he arrives on stage with his complex electronic setup or just his acoustic guitar, he brings a delightful show. I’ve been fortunate enough to hear the songs on Think/Thoughts develop in a live setting, and they’re damn good.

On Thoughts, Wesley picks up his geschichte (German for history/story) and expands upon it. While his first output was less plotted and more immediate, there’s been a lot of rumination with this album. Wesley mixes his delightful storytelling, audacious imagery, light falsetto, playful abandon, and a dark pensiveness into his well-crafted beats, guitar riffs, and looped layers of sound. It’s a concoction that’s been brewing for a while, aging not in oaken barrels but rather in whiskey tumblers and wine glasses. I’d urge you, both as a music lover and a friend of Ben’s, to check out this new work.

Think/Thoughts has been available digitally since early March via iTunes. “Catch My Shadow” is available to stream through Ben’s bandcamp.

Along with any good album release, there’s a host of events for you to partake over the next week. Ben performs and in-store at Cactus Music at 5pm on Saturday, March 31. The next day, he’s supporting the unequivocal Jandek during a performance at Big Star Bar (April 1, 4pm). On Thursday, Double Trouble is going to host a listening party for the new album, which will be available to purchase next door at Sig’s Lagoon.

Any copies of the album bought at the Cactus in-store or at Sig’s during the listening party will come with a complimentary ticket for the release show at Fitzgerald’s, on April 6. Tickets are $8 pre-sale, $10 at the door. Supporting cast for the release includes the illustrious DJ Dave Wrangler, local hip-hop wizards The Niceguys, and Khraungbin.

Please give Ben’s new album a listen. I think you’ll be glad you did.

Mastodon Signing At Cactus Music Thursday

Georgian metal-sleuths Mastodon are in town on Thursday. Their certain-to-be epic show at Fitzgerald’s is already sold out, but fans have the opportunity to meet the band during an in-store signing at Cactus Music that afternoon.

Fans who purchase Mastodon’s The Hunter on CD or any title on vinyl from Reprise Records will receive a wristband that will guarantee a place in line to meet the band.

Note: All fans are welcome, and no purchase is necessary, but fans presenting wristbands will receive priority placement in line.

The signing will be held from 4:30 - 6 pm on Thursday. Cactus Music is located at 2110 Portsmouth, Houston TX 77098. For more information visit cactusmusictx.com or call 713-526-9272.

Check out the official video for “Curl Of The Burl,” directed by Robert Schober, below.

The Ton Tons “Golden” EP release at Cactus Music from Ella Egg Films. It’s not too late for you to hit up The Tontons EP release at Cactus Music on Saturday evening. Simply head over to Cactus, snag a copy of the new EP (which we’ll have a review of soon, trust me) and gain your wristband for the 5:00 pm show, which will be a full-length, full-throttle set from the foursome, and not the traditional stripped-down instore. For some more female-fronted rock fury, make sure to be at Cactus at 3:00 pm, in order to catch Ume, an act you simply have to see to believe. They’re former Houstonians who settled in Austin a couple years ago, but they haven’t let that sour the music. Like most events at Cactus, these will feature notorious refreshments provided by Saint Arnold, which always makes for a fine Saturday.
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The Ton Tons “Golden” EP release at Cactus Music from Ella Egg Films.

It’s not too late for you to hit up The Tontons EP release at Cactus Music on Saturday evening. Simply head over to Cactus, snag a copy of the new EP (which we’ll have a review of soon, trust me) and gain your wristband for the 5:00 pm show, which will be a full-length, full-throttle set from the foursome, and not the traditional stripped-down instore.

For some more female-fronted rock fury, make sure to be at Cactus at 3:00 pm, in order to catch Ume, an act you simply have to see to believe. They’re former Houstonians who settled in Austin a couple years ago, but they haven’t let that sour the music.

Like most events at Cactus, these will feature notorious refreshments provided by Saint Arnold, which always makes for a fine Saturday.

Wild Moccasins Join Tumblr

Following the path of their label-mates, Wild Moccasins have hopped on Tumblr as well. Head over and give ‘em a follow.

For those not familiar with the Moccasins’ music, Cactus Music is also hosting a listening party for the re-release of their album Skin Collision Past on New West on July 29th. It appears that the band will be dropping some of their own selections on the turntables as well, and there will be free beer available.

Buxton at Cactus Music

Buxton - Oh My Boy

While I’m recapping performances, here’s a pair of videos captured by Mr. Mark Austin at Cactus Music during Record Store Day. The above is my favorite new Buxton song, “Oh My Boy” and below you’ll find “Lynchburg Ferry.” Mixing it up a bit for the in-store, Jason Willis opted for a banjo instead of his usual electric guitar, providing the songs with an stripped feeling.

Buxton - Lynchburg Ferry

For The Record: Cactus Music | 29-95.com

I also did a nifty writeup on Cactus Music for 29-95, which you can find in this week’s print edition.

PJ Bond in Houston

PJ Bond is a great songwriter from New Jersey. I was introduced to him when Prairie Cadets had the good fortune of playing a house show with him back in November 2009. Those were the early days, when we had only an acoustic guitar and our Wurlitzer.

Anyhow, PJ swang through town recently, and I worked my butt off to find him a few spots to play on extremely short notice. Quinn at Cactus Music was kind enough to greenlight an in-store on two days notice, and Robert Ellis blessed us with an opening slot at Fitzgerald’s for his weekly Whiskey Wednesday.

The song above is called “Grow Your Smile” and it’s on PJ’s first album, You Didn’t Know I Was Alphabetical, and it’s from the Cactus in-store. Below is a new song that PJ is tentatively calling “Bad Way,” and it’s a pure heartbreaker. I’m stuck on it.

Mason Lankford & The Folk Family Revival - Falling (via marcbrubaker)

I wound up at Cactus Music on Saturday for yet another in-store. I won’t lie, the free beer never hurts, and I almost always snag a used LP or two. But this weekend I wanted to check out Mason Lankford, to whom my friend Mark Austin had tipped me.

I drug along the trusty old Fuji S5100, which is my ghetto way of recording video at the moment. Take a gander at this tune - I’m not sure what he calls it, but it’s got some soul.

Source: youtube.com

The Energy plays live at Cactus Music this Saturday. Oh yes. We’re big fans, if you didn’t know already. That’s why you’ll find us there, sipping on some Saint Arnold brew and flipping records, waiting for the band to start.How can you not love that flyer? We want one.Also of note is the fact that Austin’s Leatherbag will be performing at 3 pm. Looks like it’ll be a two show, break for Freebird’s or Amy’s Ice Cream, getting day drunk sort of Saturday. Feel free to join us.
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The Energy plays live at Cactus Music this Saturday. Oh yes. We’re big fans, if you didn’t know already. That’s why you’ll find us there, sipping on some Saint Arnold brew and flipping records, waiting for the band to start.

How can you not love that flyer? We want one.

Also of note is the fact that Austin’s Leatherbag will be performing at 3 pm. Looks like it’ll be a two show, break for Freebird’s or Amy’s Ice Cream, getting day drunk sort of Saturday. Feel free to join us.