Speaking of music....

The Austin City Limits Festival is this weekend, meaning that blogging may be heavy or light depending on what my schedule looks like. If you're going, recommendations:

Friday
Friday is looking kind of meager. A number of friends have shows they swear up and down on, but I don't swear up and down on their taste.

*Mostly we're interested in seeing Franz Ferdinand at 8:00, having heard a couple of their songs and liking them. Otherwise, I know shit, so don't come crying to me if you don't like them.
*For country fans, Rosanne Cash is coming back after canceling last year due to the very immediate death of her father.
*Don't believe the hype. Bob Schneider sucks ass.
*However, if you want to catch an authentic local Austin act that will actually be fun, you must catch Dale Watson. If you ever wondered what the appeal of country/rockabilly is, he'll make it clear.

Saturday
Much better. *Ahhh*
*The main attraction is the last show, which begins at 8:45--The Pixies. Squelch your pointless objections. That is what I call the knee-jerk hipster reaction--the automatic desire to hate something because everyone else is excited. Get over it. It makes you annoying. You got into the subculture because you liked music; act like it once in awhile. All the cool kids like The Pixies in the day. Nothing has changed.
*I somewhat hate to say it, because they aren't my cup of tea, but if you like that sort of laid-back, kinda alt-country whatever music, you'll like The Gourds.
*I've never seen Cat Power live. It's early so I probably won't make it. But I will say that I think she's pretty cool.
*I've seen the Old 97's. I'm sorry, but I don't get it. Maybe it's because I know country, and that ain't it.
*We're totally going to see Modest Mouse.

Sunday
Last day. Don't be too hungover, as they put some good stuff on Sunday, those fuckers.
*Again, I'm there to see Elvis Costello at 4:30. Anyone who is not excited about this is on my shitlist right now.
*American Analog Set is a great band doing an early set.
*The Roots will be there if you like that kind of thing.
*Funky, weird, highly entertaining Drive-By Truckers are well worth checking out if you've never heard of them before.
*Spoon is a local band that is better than most.
*Some people have a strange urge to see Wilco. Once again, I don't get it.
*Cake is going to the be the biggest draw on Sunday.
*But we're probably going to go see Medeski, Martin & Wood.