Slow It Down: The Best of The Week
The Suffers, Photo: Daniel Jackson
Well, last week started to get that “back in full swing” feeling with all of the show offerings we were given. This week, is pretty much more of a local thing with some out of town acts thrown in. Locals, like The Suffers pictured above, will be gracing our city and propping it up while we eagerly await the SXSW overflow. Houston, here’s where to spend your next seven days.
Brazilian Girls, Photo: Julian Ramirez
Wednesday you can kick the week off over at Walters to catch the pop electronica of Brazilian Girls. The Brooklyn four piece consisting ironically of three guys and one woman, have been burning up the underground since they dropped their debut back in 2024. Their known for a party like atmosphere when they perform, and their 2024 single, “The Critic” just shows that they aren’t slowing down anytime soon. The indie pop rock of Brooklyn three piece, Dreamers will be on as direct support. These guys make infectious tunes that make you just wanna’ dance and have fun. This year’s “You Are Here” is fun, poppy, and full of hooks, and should be great to hear live. Houston’s Matsu Mixu will be on the bill as openers, and should bring their darkwave electro pop to life. The all ages show has doors at 8:00 and tickets between $15.00 and $20.00.
Under The Volcano will host the Grammy award winning sounds of Los Texmaniacs. This conjunto four piece is like a force to be reckoned with while mixing elements of jazz, rock, and of course traditional Tejano. They’re known for an engaging live show and last year’s “Americano Groove” showcases their interesting and fun mixture of tunes. The 21 & up show has doors at 8:00 and a TBA cover.
Maybe you’re a fan of the poetry night at Notsuoh, and if you are, then you should go to it tonight cause’ it’s the last one ever. The traditional rules of the house apply to anyone who wants to go up. No music, three poems or nine minutes of performance time, be prepared. It sucks when long running nights come to an end, so make sure you help send this one off in style. More details are available here, it gets going at 8:00, and it’s 100% FREE.
Rudyard’s will have one of the most interesting artists you can see when former child prodigy and eclectic artist, Emily Wells comes to town. Wells, hauntingly mixes orchestral sounds, heavy vocals, and electronica into something all its own. Her latest album, “Promise” from this year is like falling asleep on a railroad track to wake up with a train bearing down on you. The minimalist techno darkwave sounds of Lorna Dune will be on the bill as direct support and opener. Though her new album isn’t out yet, 2024’s “Miamisphere” EP was a nice glimpse into her interesting and dance heavy sound. The all ages show has doors at 8:00 and tickets between $10.00 and $12.00.
King Finn, Photo: Misa Constante
Thursday you can begin at Nightingale Room for a very special evening with Houston’s King Finn. Looking at the facebook page invite brought me to tears when I realized that the now departed and founding member, Alan Huynh had actually invited me to this show. However the band asks that you not mourn his passing but celebrate his life and his kind genius at this show. Last year they released the beautiful and hook heavy album, “As Part Of Me,” and they’re set to release its follow up later this year. These guys are impressive to see live, and they’ll have some special guests in tow for this set as well. The 21 & up show has doors at 7:00 and it’s 100% FREE.
Satellite Bar will have some fast and furious rock when New Mexico’s Russian Girlfriends bring their speedy tunes to town. The five piece plays old school rock with plenty of fury, and their newest album “All Around” from last year is pretty impressive. Houston anarcho pop punks, The Ancient Gods will be on as direct support, and the shoegaze math rock of Hear You Me will be on prior. The crazed and intriguing sounds of Houston’s Cornish Game Hen will open things up. This band kind of sounds like if a bunch of guys with complete opposite tastes in music formed a band and then created their own sound. The all ages show has doors at 8:00 and cover between $3.00 and $5.00 bucks.
If you’re a fan of Say Girl Say, then you should head to Axelrad to catch a set from the three piece. Last year they dropped the intimate and swoon filled album, “Say Girl Say,” and their sets are always a mix of hippie mysticism and heartfelt beauty. The 21 & up show starts at 8:00, it’s tied to a fundraiser with info available here, and it’s 100% FREE.
You could close your evening at Boondocks for another edition of Booty Call with Vic G. These dance parties are always a trip, and always full of fun jamz. This edition will have a guest spot from No Diggity’s Jeff Cash. The 21 & up show gets going around 10:00 and it’s 100% FREE.
Another Run, Photo: Jean Valez
Friday Raven Tower will host a benefit show for the family of King Finn’s Alan Huynh. If you were unaware, Huynh passed away recently, and his family is still attempting to pay for his funeral. The show has a who’s who of the Houston music scene performing, starting off with a set from Chase Hamblin. I’ve said for a long time now that Chase is one of our city’s best songwriters, and his sets are always engaging and fun. His latest single, “Way Back” showcases his strengths and showmanship at the same time. The prog metal of Houston’s Agamemnon will go on after him, while the hardcore punk of Houston’s Some Nerve will go on prior. Not only are these guys intense live, but they just dropped a pretty crazy EP called “Vultures” that was dedicated in Huynh’s memory. After them, the newly reformed two piece pop rock sounds of Catch Fever will perform. So these two might be the most driven guys you’ll meet, they’re putting the finishing touches on a new album out this year, and after seeing them at the Nextwave release show; I can say their new setup is on point. The always entertaining and high energy of Houston’s Another Run will follow, and bring their back catalog alongside their new release “Be Honest” to life. The night will get closed off with a series of sets from various projects that Huynh was involved with, and a set from his bandmates, King Finn. With a new release on the horizon, these guys dropped the beautifully intense album last year, “As Part of Me.” This should be the place to be Friday night and should also be reasonably packed. The all ages show has doors at 6:00, music at 6:30, and tickets for $10.00. More information is available here.
If that’s not your thing then you could head to Nightingale Room to catch a set from dance pop duo Night Drive. These two make electro pop that makes most who see them immediately get down, and last year’s “Easy To Lie” showed that they’re not stopping that vibe anytime soon. The electronic darkwave of Houston’s Matsu Mixu will open the 21 & up show with doors at 6:00 and music at 8:30 on the FREE show.
Dean’s Downtown will host an evening with Houston’s Kristal Cherelle. The singer songwriter will be performing for the bulk of the evening all on her own. The intimate set will include songs from her debut release, “Fighter” from 2024, and she’s one of those artists you need to see sooner than later. Her songs and her live shows mix her sultry and down to earth vocals with a sweet and personal guitar accompaniment. The 21 & up show has doors at 7:00 and it’s 100% FREE.
If you wanna’ get your art fix with breakfast foods, then you should head to Warehouse Live for the Pancakes & Booze art show. Basically there’s a ton of underground artists’ work on display, live body painting, music and of course pancakes…seriously there’s a complimentary pancake bar. This thing usually sells out, it’s all ages, and the tickets are between $5.00 and $10.00. The doors are at 7:00 and it gets going around 8:00.
Ja Rule, Photo: Courtesy of Artist
If you wanna’ get your R&B on, then you could head to Arena Theatre to catch the pop urban goodness of Ashanti. If you didn’t know that she’s sold a ton of albums, or that she puts on a great show, then this is your chance to see her. Her latest single, “Let’s Go” from last year shows off her traditional sound with a new vibe. The 200’s popular jams of rapper, Ja Rule will be on as direct support and opener. His latest, “PIL 2” from 2024 isn’t as strong as his earlier jams, but he’s pretty good in a live setting. The all ages show has doors at 8:00 and tickets between $39.50 and $49.50.
Saturday you can start off at Houston Makerspace to get your East End on at the East End Open House. There will be tons of local artisans with plenty of wares on display as well as about twenty different spots to check out what that side of town has to offer. Things get going around 1:00 and run until 5:00, it’s all ages & it’s 100% FREE. More information is available here.
If that’s not your deal and you missed out on grabbing tickets to the band’s two shows this weekend, then you can catch an in-store set from The Suffers at Cactus Music. They’re going to the armband system and you can only get an armband by buying a physical copy of the album beforehand, so I’d suggest getting there early and enjoying the complimentary adult drinks. It’s all ages, it starts at 1:00, and it’s 100% FREE.
You could get your laugh on at Beta Theater for another edition of Password. The fake game show will feature guests Antoine Culbreath and Peter Zama. Prizes, jokes from Coleman Cox, and plenty of laughter alongside a male Vanna White are all on this show hosted by Jerry Emeka. The 18 & up show has doors at 6:30, and a pay what you can cover with more information available here.
Later on you could make it over to MKT Bar for the Cupid’s Karaoke and Cuddlefest. You can start the night off getting down to the jams of DJ Tempty, who actually gets down while he spins tunes, from 7:00 to 10:00. Then you can follow that up with karaoke emceed by Houston’s Rosewood Thievz. There’s a bunch of dinner specials, FREE parking in the attached garage, and I’m sure some terrible singing to your favorite torch songs. The all ages affair runs until 1:00 am and it’s 100% FREE.
The Waughford will have a barn burner, when they host the album release for Austin’s BUHU. This three piece plays indie pop rock that’s pretty infectious, and the album they’re releasing “Relationshapes” should sound dope live. The multifaceted indie rock of Whit will be on as direct support, while Pfaffenberg will show up and do his electronic synth thing. The new emo meets screamy goodness of Mouthing will be there to open things up, and I promise they’re worth getting there early for. The all ages show has doors at 8:00 and cover for $7.00, or $12.00 for the kids.
Ringo Deathstarr, Photo: Allison Taich
Of course, I’m guessing that the bulk of you will be at Satellite Bar for the fuzz heavy sounds of Ringo Deathstarr. Mixing sounds like early Smashing Pumpkins and Starflyer 59, this three piece never disappoints live. They’re here in support of last year’s “Pure Mood,” and should be worth making it our for. The gulf coast indie swag of Houston’s Deep Cuts will be on as direct support. These guys are kind of in a place where they’re dropping tunes left and right without slowing down. Their latest, “Gulf Coast Companion Vol. 1” is everything they’ve done up until 2024. The indie rock goodness and all around good times of Young Mammals will be on to open things up. Gearing up to release a new album this year, Two years ago they gave us the very forward sounding “Alto Seco,” making me wonder what their new album will be like. The all ages show has doors at 8:00 and tickets for $12.00.
If you were lucky enough to snag tickets, then you’ll be at Continental Club for the first show of two celebrating the album release for Houston’s The Suffers. Though the show is sold out, don’t think that the crowd won’t be entertained while the band does their thing which is always impressive. the 21 & up show has doors at 8:00 and things get going at 9:00.
Sergio Trevino, Photo: Trish Badger
Over at Alley Kat, you can watch a very intimate set from Buxton frontman, Sergio Trevino. Sergio’s unmistakable voice permeates every project he’s in whether it’s Buxton, Guess Genes, or Ancient Cat Society, but rarely does he perform on his own. The lead singer for UK band, Buriers, James Honey will go on prior. Honey’s alt folk songs are pretty amazing, and it should be cool to hear him at such a small venue. The indie folk of Houston’s Grandwolves will open the 21 & up show with doors at 8:30 and a $7.00 cover.
Over at Khon’s they’ll have a dance party from Eroda One and Angiesliste. These two drop more fire behind the decks than most, they both know how to make feet move, and they’re both in the top tier of performers in Houston’s electronica world. The all ages affair starts at 9:30 and it’s 100% FREE.
You could end up at Beta Theater for their Valentines Thing. The show will feature all of the house improv troupes, stand up comedy, and jamz from birdmagic. The 18 & up show has doors at 10:00 and a pay what you can cover.
Sunday you might want to make it out to The Beans’ Heartbreak Holiday over at Karbach Brewing for some comedy and music. The music will have a headlining set from The Beans with sets from Young Girls and Get A Life on prior. The comedy will come from Gabe Bravo, Andrew Youngblood, Jaffer Khan, and Dale Cheesman. That’s basically the universe’s way of telling you to make it out. Things get going at 1:00 and the all ages event is 100% FREE.
Later on at Eastdown Warehouse you can catch another Generator’s Playground, this time with the Love You to Death event. The Tarantino themed event will have tons of art, food trucks, and music from Pitter Patter, The Clicky Boots, Biz Vicious and many many more. The all ages event has doors at 5:00, tickets for $10.00, and if you dress up as a character from a Tarantino film; you might win a prize.
You could make it over to Continental Club if you were lucky enough to grab tickets, for the second show from The Suffers. The show is sold out, but if you grabbed tickets then prepare for an assault of live music grooves. The 21 & up show has doors at 7:00 and the music starts at 8:00.
Over at Beta Theater, you can get a Valentine’s Day full of improv, music, and stand-up, for the Britt & Coleman’s Break Up show. The stand up will be coming from Ryan McGhee, Jermaine Warren, Britt Vasicek and Coleman Cox. The improv and music is still TBA, but the 18 & up show has a pay what you can price, and doors at 9:00 for anyone who wants to laugh.
Monday you could trek down to Scout Bar to catch a set from Creed Bratton from the US version of “The Office.” In a bizarre twist, the guy who played Creed Bratton is also named Creed Bratton in real life. He tells jokes, he plays songs, it’s a mishmash of entertainment. There’s also comedy sets from Andrew Youngblood, Gabe Bravo, Dexter Gutierrez, and Justin Bresean. The all ages show has doors at 7:00 and tickets between $20.00 and $25.00.
Milo, Photo: Courtesy of Artist
Of course, you’d be idiotic to miss the hip hop of Chicago’s Milo over at Notsuoh. So, aside from the fact that Spin & Rolling Stone called this guy’s 2024 album, “So The Flies Don’t Come” next level, or aside from the fact that he’s known for a killer live show…maybe you should go so you can see him in a small club before he blows up. Seriously, he drops jams akin to the likes of MF Doom with crazed beats like JJ Doom. LA’s SB The Moor will be on as direct support while San Antonio’s Chisme will also perform. Houston’s Dad’s Records will kick the all ages show off with doors at 7:30 and a $7.00 cover.
That’s about all that’s going down. No matter what you do remember to drink like an adult, act like a human, and treat others with respect.
