Elaine Greeris a name that many people in Houston remember fondly.  Greer, made a name for herself as a powerful singer songwriter in Houston, releasing many low-fi CDRs before heading off to Austin a few years back.  Before she her departure, she decided it was time to move up a bit and enter the studio.  The resulting EP, Making Plans and Going Places, far exceeded anyone’s expectation.  Greer took advantage of the larger palatte  offered by the studio and dramatically expanded her sound in a way that never overshadowed her rich voice and intelligent songcraft.  Now, Greer (who also plays with Austin’s Sour ... Read More »

Elaine Greer vs. Bubbles by Jim Dillon Elaine Greer is someone readers of this newspaper and blog should be quite familiar with (See our profile of her from March 2008). She’s one of Houston’s best singer songwriters – packing a sharp gift for melody in one holster and strong and distinctive voice in the other. If anyone’s work in Houston has been long overdue a proper CD release, it’s Elaine Greer’s! Thankfully on Thursday at Mango’s Elaine is finally letting the hen out and releasing her first proper CD – a six-song EP “Making Plans and Going Places.” The songs ... Read More »

Yes, you’ve probably been wondering where our posts have been over SXSW. Well, first off, only I was supposed to to do daily blogging; Levi and April were going to do theirs this week as recaps. So why no posts? Well, lets just say that the rest of my posse showed up Thursday and when you are in the middle of a hurricane you just try to make it through alive. See here is the thing about SXSW, sure you have all the issues revolving around this big overblown marketing beast where small independent bands scream to be heard above ... Read More »

Yeah, it’s gonna be a good night when the first thing you encounter on your way to the White Swan is a van parked in the street with the overwhelming smell of pot and sound of Van Halen emanating from inside. I guess that means it’s either 1978 or some Gulf Coast Hardcore kid feels that Women and Children First is the only way to get stoked for hours of the city’s best hardcore/Grind/Metal bands.. Have you seen junior’s grades? gneaw! gneaw! gneaw! gneaw! gneaw! gneaw! gneaw! Yes folks, The White Swan was hosting the second night of Noisefest. Here’s ... Read More »

Wednesday the Papermoons were playing their last show in Houston before their departure to far off lands. Their new album New Tales has been spinning endlessly at work, in my car, and in my head. So, given my obsession with the music (not to mention the good and endearing nature of Daniel and Matt), this was required attendance. This show could have been bittersweet and sad but it was instead a very joyous affair of friends and fans there to celebrate the ‘Moons and their talents. If you missed out on seeing the Papermoons live or haven’t heard their new ... Read More »

If you weren’t at Walter’s on Sunday because you were busy whining about Houston sucking, you missed out . Four bands, seven bucks, and a room full of happy cheerful people having a great time. If you ignored the invitation and missed the festivities, you’ll get no sympathy from me. But let me give it to you short, sweet, and with pictures; hopefully you’ll perk-up your ears and get away from that couch next time these bands play in town. Roll Call! Elaine Greer – Elaine, backed up by members of News on The March, The Wild Moccasins, and some ... Read More »

There is a very exciting point in a musician’s career when, after a long time of working on their craft, they realize what they do has a value outside of their own bedroom. If you were at the Proletariat and saw Elaine Greer perform to a packed crowd last month opening for the Fiery Furnaces, you couldn’t help but feel the giddiness of a musician at that stage. Standing on stage behind her Telecaster, you could almost hear her take a deep breath before diving in. Greer’s songs drip with sweet and simple melodies that hum inside your head long ... Read More »