GET YOUR TICKETS NOW TO THE SOUNDS OF EAST MUSIC EVENT ON FEBRUARY 23 AT 6PM
THE JAMMIN'
TURN IT UP LOUD & HEAR THE SOUNDS THAT ARE MAKING WAVES HERE.
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33 Years of Filmmaking in East Austin.
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1801 East 51st Street, Suite 365-501 Austin, Texas 78722 512.331.0406 eastsideatx.com Publisher Nillo Studios Creative Director Will Bowling Publishing Editor Ashley Bowling
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eastside / publisher's letter
T
Sounds of East
his Music Issue is somewhat sentimental for me and my co-publisher, who also happens to be my wife. 2018 will be the start of year three for EASTside Magazine. We’ve been overwhelmed by the feedback, the changes, and the people we have met along the way. Going into this year, we have experienced our fair share of growing pains—it’s been quite an investment and a labor of love over the last few years. However, we’ve learned so much from so many and are truly grateful for those who have stepped up alongside us in this endeavor we like to call "storytelling." Storytelling. It’s what we do best. It’s also what the four artists who we have lined out in this year’s music feature do best. We both tell stories through art, hoping that others can relate and be moved. The difference between our approaches is these bands—Quiet Company, SaulPaul, Riders Against the Storm, and Harvest Thieves—move listeners through sonic melodies. But we don’t want you to just read about it. We invite you to come experience the connection for yourself at our Music Issue Release Party: The Sounds of EAST Music Event, Friday, February 23. Furthermore, we have exciting news to announce. Along with our customary eight issues, two of which are specials editions: our Homes Issue & Women's Issue. EASTside Magazine is throwing some big events in 2018! To start things off, we are thankful to have some great and very local talent playing for you guys on February 23. In addition to this event, we will be putting on a Brunch Event this summer and our 2nd Annual Women's Event in the fall. We’re particularly thrilled over the growth that has happened over the last two years thanks to your support. Notably, eastsideatx.com has seen over 400% growth in readers this last year. Despite our astronomical online growth, we still hold to the belief that print has a soul that one can't simply reproduce in the high-speed world of online where words disappear with a click or a swipe. There is a craft, a handheld memory, and a comfort in knowing someone spent time and resources on printed words to make sure they stick. The production efforts, interviews, photoshoots, creative direction, design time, and printing costs all communicate we care; this story is worth it. So, once again, please enjoy the stories we have produced on the following pages and remember to read often, speak intently, and live with purpose. We sure try. Cheers to No. 3! Will Bowling
GET YOUR TICKETS NOW TO THE SOUNDS OF EAST MUSIC EVENT ON FEBRUARY 23 AT 6PM
THE JAMMIN'
On the Cover The musician on the cover is the talented and inspirational SaulPaul. This image was taken at the historic Scoot Inn on East 4th Street. Eric Morales captured the essence of SaulPaul's genuine personality (Eric is good at that). We were honored to get the chance to sit down and talk with such an honest and candid human who shines in all the photos.
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33 Years of Filmmaking in East Austin.
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info@agnesseebass.com
agnesseebass.com eastsideatx.com
5
contents
20 36 features 08 Eastside History
Publisher's Letter 05 Local 08
From the front lawn, The French Legation Museum seems fit for rocking chairs and long afternoons, not for government proceedings. The quaint cottage, owned by the State of Texas but built by the French, dates back to when Austin was filled with open plains, the Colt Walker revolver was first designed, and Texas was its own country.
Art+Entertainment 10 Style+Beauty 17
20 Turn It Up
Go+Do 33 Home+Away 39 Sip+Taste 43 6 EASTside | Feb/Mar2018
44 eastsideatx.com
For local four artists, the same notes can translate into different stories, each of which compels the listener to glide deeper down the sonic path to decipher the meaning in the melody. Listen carefully. Hear beyond the notes and heed the music. Words and their accompaniment are filled with meaning. It is the listener’s responsibility to hear the message.
CAFE
N E N A’ I
MOTHER DAUGHTER DREAMS, ARE MADE OF THESE 1700 Montopolis Dr. Suite A | 512-840-9066 | cafenenai.com | @cafenenai
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7
eastside | local
The French Legation Museum History Spotlight
WORDS BY AMANDA COVO PHOTOS COURTESY OF TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION
Originally built to be a diplomatic residence for the French government in the Republic of Texas, East Austin’s French Legation Museum boasts the oldest—and, perhaps, least well-known—structures in the city.
I
t’s the kind of quaint cottage made for a Nicholas Sparks book: white columns, batten exterior doors, wide baseboards and a gracious gallery porch, fit for rocking chairs and long afternoons. Yet despite its Creole architecture, the setting is no Louisiana bayou. The cottage, owned by the State of Texas but built by the French, dates back to when Austin was filled with open plains, the Colt Walker revolver was first designed, and Texas was its own country.
France’s King Louis Philippe officially recognized the Republic of Texas as a sovereign nation in 1839 when he signed a treaty of amity, navigation and commerce. Dubois de Saligny was ordered to stay and establish an official French presence, but life for the French diplomat was growing complicated.
The French Legation Museum, built in 1841 to be a “French embassy” of sorts, is the oldest wooden structure in Austin. It’s also, perhaps, one of the least well-known historic landmarks in the city.
“One of the principal objectives of Dubois de Saligny's mission was the passage of the Franco-Texian bill, under which substantial portions of West Texas would be settled by French colonists,” according to the Association’s Handbook of Texas Online. “Suspicions arose that Dubois de Saligny and certain French entrepreneurs would profit handsomely by the Franco-Texian bill.”
Perched on a hilltop overlooking downtown Austin and beneath a canopy of thick shade trees, the wood-framed cottage and its 2.5 acres of lush lawn are easy to miss. It sits set back on a sleepy residential road just east of I-35 at the west end of 8th Street; however, its origins are anything but placid. Following Texas’ independence from Mexico in 1836, the French government sent a secretary of the French legation in Washington, Alphonse Dubois de Saligny, to explore the benefits of a partnership between France and the new rebel republic. At the encouragement of Dubois de Saligny, 8 EASTside | Feb/Mar2018
His relations with the Texian government started deteriorating under President Mirabeau B. Lamar, according to the Texas State History Association.
Meanwhile, Dubois de Saligny’s reputation was all but ruined after a local hotelkeeper claimed the French official slaughtered his pigs following a dispute. What became known as the “Pig War” contributed to Dubois de Saligny being ordered to leave the country, with the cottage still unfinished. A French Legation would now have little use in Austin, anyhow. In 1841, Sam Houston was re-elected president (he first served in 1836, prior eastsideatx.com
to Lamar) and moved the Republic’s capital from Austin to Houston. Construction of the cottage was eventually finished but the legation was recalled after annexation, and the property sold to a Catholic bishop. It has changed hands several times over the decades, now serving as a museum and event space at the hands of its custodians, the Texas Historical Commission. The museum opens six days a week for tours of the home. Its grounds, though, are equally as impressive, serving as the site for occasional weddings, outreach events and a children’s story time the first Thursday of every month, at which there must be no shortage of tales to be told in a setting as rich in history as the French Legation.
The French Legation Museum is open 1-5pm, Tuesday - Sunday, where you can join a tour of the historic house and reconstructed kitchen. Alliance Française d’Austin hosts pétanque with a potluck picnic every second and fourth Sunday afternoon each month. Alliance Française provides the necessary equipment and happily invites new and seasoned pétanque players.
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9
KEEPIN’ IT
Low - Key EASTON LPARK ife Austin
Located just 12 miles from downtown, Easton Park is a vibrant community with more than 350 acres of planned trails, parks and green space. It’s everything you love about Austin, with a welcoming lifestyle, state-of-the-art amenities and leading homebuilders. Our newest neighborhoods, Union Park and Skyline Park, are opening in early 2018— keep an eye on our website, newsletter and social media for more information. Or come out for yourself and see what all the excitement is about.
VISIT US AT eastonparkatx.com
Arts+ entertainment February +March 2018
12 arts& entertainment THE CREATIVE BACKBONE OF THE LOCAL FILM COMMUNITY RESIDES IN A DECOMMISSIONED AIRPLANE HANGER.
14 event calendar OUR FAVORITE EASTSIDE EVENTS HAPPENING IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH
“Once the city began to realize that this was really great for economic development and Austin’s image and position in the world, they agreed to make an investment in it.” p.12
eastside | arts&entertainment
Make. Watch. Love.
Austin’s film fabric begins at AFS WORDS BY JESSI DEVENYNS PHOTOS BY ERIC MORALES & COURTESY OF AFS
F
or 33 years, Austin’s creative film engine has resided in East Austin. Begun in 1985 in the building that now houses La Escuelita del Alma, Austin Film Society (AFS) had humble beginnings as Richard Linklater’s personal project to showcase more of the independent films that were being created in the community. Today, however, his passion has evolved into a non-profit with 20 acres of stages and blacktop dedicated to creation, as well as projection. Ensconced in the north side of what is now Mueller, Campbell says, “We were the very first people here when the airport closed.” When they arrived in 2000, Campbell remembers stepping out of her trailer office and surveying 700 acres of blank silence. Although a desolate description, this flat expanse of tarmac turned out to be a boon for both creatives and the city.
12 EASTside | Feb/Mar2018
Within a couple of years, what was once a club for the initiated became a permanent, citysponsored hub for imaginative expression and creative nurture. Besides simply opening the doors of reconverted airplane hangars to filmmakers in all financial strata, AFS offers grants “that form the backbone of a local film community where people help each other out creatively,” explains Campbell. Depending on the applicant’s needs, grants range from $1-15K and can cover anything from travel to production needs. In 2017 alone, 39 grants totaling $110,000 were given. The only catch to qualifying for one is that you must be a resident of Texas. Campbell shrugs over the last requirement. “I think the idea is more to attract people to stay here to do their creative thing here.” In Texas, it’s becoming a challenge to be involved
eastsideatx.com
Did You Know?
In addition to their production and post-production studios, the Austin Film Society has an education branch called Austin Public that is dedicated to turning visionaries into filmmakers.
What's a Film Society without a Cinema? In May of 2017, AFS opened its own arthouse cinema at the new Linc shopping center. They are open 7 days a week and show a variety of films from French New Wave to local, low-budget experimental film. Feel free to attend hungry—they offer full bar service and dinner menu items to make an evening into an immersive experience.
in the film industry’s big-production projects. As governmental incentives dry up, more and more productions are moving to other locales like Philadelphia. But, according to Campbell, “That’s why it’s so important that we’re developing our indigenous community.” The locals are, she explains, the engine that runs AFS. Beyond grants, there are more subtle ways that AFS works to ensure that those who are driven to make films are able to access the equipment and space that they need. “We have a long-term lease with the city that is very favorable. So, we can pass on our savings to all of the productions,” explains Campbell. Although space is available on a budget, it isn’t necessarily what you would expect. Out of the seven airplane hangars on site, only two are renovated. The renovated stages are, according to Campbell, “more traditional airplane hangars.” Having such a wide range of refurbishment, however, is the key to keeping AFS’s space inviting to every level of filmmaker.
The two renovated stages were sponsored by the City of Austin and are generally intended for higher budget films that come in. “Once the city began to realize that this was really great for economic development and Austin’s image and position in the world, they agreed to make an investment in it,” remembers Campbell. That investment she referred to was a $6 million bond that was issued in 2006. Since then though, the only capital that has been put into the stages is the rent that tenants pay. Nevertheless, in Campbell’s opinion, that’s exactly the right balance. If they improved all the stages then, “the rent would be so high it would drive people away.” And that, she says, would defeat the purpose of making film accessible to all.
N E W E AS T AU S T I N LO CAT I O N We’re excited to share great coffee with the East Austin community. Swing by our cafe for a fresh brew or get comfy and stay a while in our 6000 square foot state of the art roastery and training lab.
Contact: (512) 322.0145 1901 E 51st St. austinfilm.org @austinfilm
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13
O U R FAV E E V E N T S
Pick 12
FOR THE EASTSIDE
&
FEBRUARY MARCH Parent’s Night Out
Lovefest No. 3: Blooms + Brews
February 10, 11am-5pm Fall in love with the gifts and florals at REVELRY’s annual Valentine’s pop up. This soirée is the perfect date destination or shopping. The market is free, open to all ages, and will feature sips by Wright Bros. Brew & Brew and sweets from other local makers. 908 E 5th St. | thisisrevelry.com
OUTsider Fest
February 14-18, 2-9pm Witness wild creativity intersect with powerful commentary at the nonprofit OUTsider’s annual extravaganza at various locations around Austin, including The VORTEX. This community-hosted LGBTQ+ festival features performances, art, music and much more from local artists and academics. Discounted festival badges are on sale now for $40, or $25 for students. Various locations | outsiderfest.org
February 16, 5:30-10pm Thinkery puts an exciting twist on the classic PNO on Valentine’s weekend. Forget a babysitter at home—kids 4 and up will get full hands-on access to the Thinkery museum while they snack on pizza and play interactive games. Plus, Thinkery has a list of partners who give discounts on date night. Ask for free popcorn at Alamo Drafthouse location or free s’mores at Halcyon Mueller. PNO is $40 for members and $45 for non-members. 1830 Simond Ave. | thinkeryaustin.org
Chilly Chili Cook Off
February 16-17, 4-10pm The Longhorn Corvette Club knows that the best way to raise money for charity is also the most delicious way. Register to show off your southern cooking skills and win cash prizes, or show up to taste test the best BBQ, salsa, and margaritas in Texas at the 29th annual Chilly Chili Cook Off. A portion of the proceeds goes to Travis County Special Advocates for Children, the Boy Scouts, and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
500 VFW Rd. | facebook.com/8787ChillyChili
A Delicate Ship
February 15-25, Thu-Sat 8pm, Sun 5pm The recently-launched and women-led Filigree Theatre Company dishes out the humor and the heartbreak in equal measures with their performance of A DELICATE SHIP at the Santa Cruz Theatre. This play follows the relationships of lovers and friends caught up in a love triangle through an unexpected series of events. Tickets are $30. 1805 E 7th St. | filigreetheatre.com 14 EASTside | Feb/Mar2018
Maslenitsa-Slavic Mardi Gras
February 17, 2-9pm This Mardi Gras, experience the Maslenitsa holiday of the Eastern Slavs. This celebration isn’t nicknamed “Butter Week” for nothing—nosh on Slavic delicacies and traditional ethnic fare like blini pancakes while you watch traditional performances, costume parades, and carnival games. This special Mardi Gras carnival will also have live music and dances, body painting, and eastsideatx.com
vendors with time-honored treats and wares. Free and open to the public. 5220 Farm to Market Rd. 973 | slavicmardigras.wixsite.com/maslenitsa
The Sounds of EAST
February 23, 6pm-12am This epic event will be held in a centralized East Austin location at the historic and spacious Scoot Inn with phenomenal headliners, musicians, and bands that have made their mark in Austin: Quiet Company, Harvest Thieves, SaulPaul, Dossey, & Deer Fellow. It’s time to celebrate the release of EASTside Magazine’s music issue and show off the local music scene. There will be food, drinks, and some outstanding local music! Tickets are $20 pre-sale and $25 at the door. 1308 E. 4th Street | eastsideatx.com/sounds-of-east-event
Intro to Modern Calligraphy
February 25, 3pm Craft your own Etsy-worthy items with local artist Jesilyn Kay at this calligraphy class for beginners by CRAFT. Learn how to create sophisticated stationary, and take home the techniques and tools you need for the perfect save-the-date or Mother’s Day card. Tickets are $85-92 and include all supplies. 4704B E Cesar Chavez St. | madeatcraft.com
Whiskey 101
March 2, 6-8pm Boost your bartending skills to the next level with this creative cocktail workshop by REVELRY. The workshop is an interactive whiskey experience full of sips and snacks. You’ll leave with an impressive knowledge of bourbon, scotch WORDS BY SAVANNAH WHITMER
H O M E D E TO X K I T so many combinations of wellness in one box.
and rye and a list of recipes just in time for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Tickets are $55, 21 and up only. 908 E 5th St. | thisisrevelry.com
Pampered in Pink Brunch
March 3, 11am-1pm In honor of health awareness month, guest speaker Carla Johnson will empower women through a discussion on health at a mother-daughter brunch, hosted by the Carver Museum & Cultural Center. RSVP at (512) 974-4926. 1165 Angelina St. | austintexas.gov
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Rocket Yoga
March 7, times vary Take off at this donation-based Rocket Yoga class. Bikram Yoga’s Gil Perez teaches in the Ashtanga Vinyasa style for this class, offered on first Wednesdays each month. No need to sign up online—just pop in to Bikram Yoga East Austin. 3801 Berkman Dr. B | bikramyogaeastaustin.com
Hip-Hop Orchestra
March 17, 7-9pm This SXSW performance is the perfect way to kick off spring break, and possibly the only time you’ll ever hear a full orchestral ensemble meet hip-hop beats. Thee Phantom & The Illharmonic Orchestra return for their fourth year with music and comedy duo Treelah, along with other talented local hip-hop acts at Bates Recital Hall. Tickets are $15, and they go fast! 2406 Robert Dedman Dr. | universe.com/events
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Style + beauty February +March 2018
Artful wardrobes are not only for show time. See how these local artists express themselves on and off the stage. p.20
18 beauty
in lenses BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER'S CAMERA.
20 fashion
in music
MOST ARTISTS ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR STYLE, FROM THEIR VOCALS TO THEIR CLOSET.
eastside | beauty How do you define beauty? What draws you in?
Sarah: For the most part, I would interchange the word interesting for beautiful. But the two aren’t mutually exclusive. Because a lot of times, the things I find beautiful are really weird, banal, everyday things. Eric: It can’t be squeezed into words. The only thing I know about beauty is that it’s everywhere, waiting to be noticed or discovered. [When] I recognize [it], I’m drawn in by all of life, immediately as it exists before me.
What about your work do you find beautiful?
Sarah: I’m always looking for composition and color blocking, [and] I often use humans as just one part of a concept. When I see [shadows], I see them just as physical an element as maybe the wall in the photo. A color block is just as real to me in that time as whatever [other] physical objects are around as well. Deep down, I feel like I’m trying to make a far-side cartoon. It’s very dry. Eric: Beauty is inherent in all beings. When I have the opportunity to witness and experience that beauty up close, whether my subject be still or in motion, calm or shy, fully present or painfully distant, I get a little glimpse into the truth of what we are.
How has your idea or perception of beauty evolved since growing as a photographer?
Sarah: It’s become more distilled; sometimes it’s straight minimal. When I’m able to say just what I want to get across in the photo and nothing more, that’s when I’m happy. Eric: I’m continually learning to see how beauty within people extends in all directions. To photograph someone’s pain definitely has potential to awaken a new and wider perception of beauty that most of us would otherwise willingly turn away from.
Captured Beauty through a different lens
The definition of beauty can differ from person to person. So, to understand just how those perceptions vary, I sat down with two photographers whose work strives to capture beauty in everything.
S
18 EASTside | Feb/Mar2018
Sarah: The Eastside is just way more visually interesting. You have a really unique blend of old stuff and new stuff. You have way more color on buildings on this side of town. Eric: Being allowed to be weird is the most beautiful thing I can think of about Austin, or of any place. It’s a treasure in Austin I hope is never lost.
WORDS BY SOMMER BRUGAL PHOTOS BY SARAH FRANKIE LINDER & ERIC MORALES
arah Frankie Linder is a commercial, editorial, and fine art photographer. She focuses on finding playful elements in unconventional spaces. Eric Morales is a self-taught photographer, who is evidently keen on capturing an individual in any circumstance.
What about Austin or the Eastside do you find beautiful?
Both photographers, yet each occupy different perceptions of beauty. But according to Linder, that’s the beauty of photography. “Everyone has their own style and what they’re drawn to.”
eastsideatx.com
Contact:
Sarah Frankie Linder sarahfrankielinder.com sarahfrankielinder@gmail.com @sarahfrankielinder Eric Morales ericmorales.com ericmphoto@gmail.com @ericmphoto
PRESENTED BY:
eastonparkatx.com
: 02.23.2018 N E H W | N IN T O O C S : WHERE T TIME: 6:00 TO MIDNIGH
FOR TICKETS AND INFORMATION VISIT EASTSIDEATX.COM
SAULPAUL
Y QUIET COMPAN
DOSSEY
DEER FELLOW
HARVEST THIEVES
#SOUNDSOFEAST
SPONSORED BY: LA MATTA | AMLI RESIDENTIAL | STRAIT MUSIC
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RIDERS AGAINST THE STORM
ACTIVATE YOUR SWEAT COMMUNITY OUTREACH WITH A BEAT
T {the jammin' side of austin}
eastsideatx.com
21
C
haka and Qi Dada, the husband and wife duo behind Riders Against the Storm (RAS), didn’t start out making music, but instead were part of an artist-activist circle in Rhode Island, where they met in the early 2000s. It wasn’t until they realized their art had a stronger impact on the community than their grassroots efforts that they shifted focus. The pair moved to Austin just as their move from activists to artists took flight, and according to Qi Dada, it was perfect timing. “Austin was already changing,” says Qi Dada, “and people needed a place to come together to feel like their city, their community, wasn’t falling apart.”
Building community is instinctual for RAS. From the way they curate spaces for events they throw to the music they write to Chaka’s clothing line, Nefrfreshr, community is MAKING present in every aspect of the work.
HISTORY
In 2013, the City of Austin named August 29 Riders Against the Storm Day in Austin. Every year on that day, the couple organizes RAS DAY Festival, where they bring together more than 200 artists, the majority being people of color, for a community-wide music event. More information can be found at www.rasdayfest.com.
Body Rock with DJ Chorizo Funk is just one example of that community. Qi Dada describes it as a safe place for people of different backgrounds to come together. The duo says parties like Body Rock enable them to build a community within the community. RAS’s concerts are no different. They embody a healing environment; they have a restorative energy people don’t typically expect from a hip-hop concert.
When RAS first arrived in Austin, one of the biggest issues they faced was being given the moniker of “conscious hiphop.” They had always blended social justice issues into their art, but Qi Dada says it wasn’t an accurate depiction of their music. Today, RAS is appreciated for their overall style; the couple says people are more interested in letting them be whoever they want to be, to focus on their art. In 2014 and 2015, the duo was awarded the ‘Band of the Year’ honors at the Austin Music Awards. For RAS, that appreciation feels like people recognize the work they’ve done and support the work they hope to do. “There’s not much we can do about this wave of things that is happening [in Austin],” admits Chaka. “Instead we need to build up the institutions that can create a safe space for everyone.” Contact: rashiphop.com/home @rashiphop
Big Plans
QUIET COMPANY
Though the band released an EP just a few months ago, the group hopes to release four EPs throughout 2018. When asked what fans can expect, the band was a bit mysterious, to say the least, saying; “Something is in the works for 2018.”
IN GOOD COMPANY FOR THE LOVE OF ROCK AND ROLL
S
itting in a room with Quiet Company is like being with your best friends. Friendly banter, jokes, shared memories, and an obvious love for music make up the conversation. Despite the close dynamic, Taylor Muse, the band’s lead singer and songwriter, says the four members weren’t friends when the band started out. “I knew I didn’t want to play [in a band] with my friends,” admits Muse when speaking of Quiet Company’s beginnings. It simply hadn’t worked out in the past. Instead, he took note from another band, New Frontier. “[The members] became friends after they were in the band together because they shared a common purpose: to play rock and roll.” Today, Quiet Company has four key band members: Taylor Muse, Tommy Blank, Trevor
Dowdy, and Jeff Stringer. They’ve been compared to bands like Death Cab for Cutie, Arcade Fire, and even The Beatles. Such comparisons, Muse says, are just reflections of the band’s growth. “When we first started, the Death Cab for Cutie comparison was a lot more accurate; Arcade Fire was more our third album,” Muse contemplates. “Now a days, I think we’re more in the vain of Weezer. We’re a bit louder than before.” According to the members, the band’s sound is authentic, with personal aspects influencing each song. With Muse as the lead songwriter, the band jokes that listening to their music in chronological order is like following a blog of his life. Still, Dowdy says the band approaches song writing in a democratic way. “There’s a stated rule that if someone has an
idea, we take the time to learn it and listen to it,” Dowdy explains. “We respect each other enough to hear it, play it, then discuss whether it will work or not.” Quiet Company released its latest EP, Your Husband, the Ghost, last August. From the aesthetics to the sound to the recording process, Muse says it’s his favorite record the band has produced thus far. More than ten years after Muse put up his first Craigslist ad calling for band members, Quiet Company is still making music they’re proud of. Most importantly, the group can confidently say they’re not just band members but friends, too.
Contact:
quietcompanymusic.com @quietcompanytx
CHANGING HANDS
Scoot Inn has had many owners over the years, the latest of which is C3 Concerts who took over in September 2017. Besides a modest makeover of the interior, however, very little was done to alter the Scoot Inn that the neighborhood has come to love. One notable cosmetic modification, though, is the installation of a new bar, whose wooden backsplash came directly from Charles Attal (one of the C’s of C3 Concerts) who stopped construction on his own home in favor of using his personal contractors to quickly reopen the venue to the public. {the jammin' side of austin}
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"I DIDN’T CHOOSE MUSIC; MUSIC CHOSE ME."
SAULPAUL
MUSIC WITH A MESSAGE ENTERTAIN INSPIRE EMPOWER
24 EASTside | Feb/Mar2018
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BEYOND THE MUSIC
SaulPaul is 2017 Austinite of the Year, placing him alongside previous recipients like Kendra Scott and Andy Roddick. He also serves as the Texas Governor for the Recording Academy and the Official Creative Ambassador for the City of Austin. He says all roles enable him to continue serving people in the community.
S
aulPaul is a singer-songwriter in Austin who uses music to encourage youth. With every song he writes, the Austin native strives to tell his full truth. It’s what defines him as an artist.
Speaking his full truth means discussing his journey from prison and incarceration to college and graduation. SaulPaul says his personal story influenced his desire to serve others and inspire youth, specifically Hispanic and African American males. Though he’d never considered music as a career, SaulPaul said something clicked when he wrote his first verse in 1999. He says “I didn’t choose music; music chose me.” A few years later, while speaking at Garza High School in East Austin, SaulPaul says he felt that light bulb once again. Realizing his talent as an artist and a public speaker, he combined the two, determined to positively impact those in his community. It was at this time his mantra, ‘musician with a message,’ was born. WeDreamIn3D is SaulPaul’s latest project. Last fall, he partnered with Pecan Springs Elementary School to work with students grades K through five. For two days, he deconstructed his songs with students, teaching them the meaning behind each.
“Great songs [have] layers, deeper layers with a meaning and a purpose,” he explains. “The coolest thing [about the residency] was that I was able to go deeper than the surface, talk to the students about the meaning of each song, and help them see what the songs are really about.” One of the songs they worked with shares its name with the project’s title, WeDreamIn3D. Its meaning, SaulPaul says, is that everyone was born with a purpose, for a purpose, and that they, too, can make their dreams come true. “Being the kid who grew up in the hood [I recognize] that having someone come talk to [me] didn’t work,” he recalls. “So being able to spend time with the kids and have a positive impact was an incredible experience.” SaulPaul has worked with just about every school in AISD. Although he’s incredibly proud of the work he’s accomplished as an artist, he hopes to continue expanding his reach, working with youth in areas outside of Austin and around the country.
Contact Info:
saulpaul.com @SaulPaul youtube.com/user/SaulPaulVEVO
{the jammin' side of austin}
A GHOSTLY SURPRISE According to staff, there is a ghostly presence who dwells within the walls of the Scoot Inn. According to the Scoot Inn Venue Operations Manager Crisene Casper, the spirit is male and has been there since the late 1800s. Although he is apparently a harmless spirit, he takes issue with some of the newly installed electronics and likes to interfere with the frequencies. Keep your eyes peeled, and you may catch a glimpse in your peripheral vision.
A COLORFUL HISTORY Scoot Inn has a long and libation-filled history that began in 1889 when Sam and Nancy Wilson first opened the property as a grocery store. But by 1913, the property took its first step on the path to revelry when it acquired a liquor license (the 4th oldest in the city) and was transformed into a saloon. Since then, it has always had a hand in letting the good times roll on the Eastside. Alternatively operating as a saloon, bootlegging business, gambling house, and a restaurant, the Scoot Inn has been a staple in the neighborhood for generations. In 2007, the property added music venue to its list of qualifications when it was purchased by Jim Stockbauer, who owned the Longbranch Inn on East 11th Street. Since then, the Scoot Inn has developed a reputation as one of the premier music venues in Austin.
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HARVEST THIEVES
THOSE COUNTRY ROOTS
WITH A LITTLE BIT OF ROCK AND ROLL
PICKING FAVORITES
" OUR BAND IS INCREDIBLY VERSATILE. WE CAN PLAY AT HOTEL VEGAS ONE NIGHT WITH A GROUP OF INDIE BANDS AND PLAY AT WHITE HORSE THE NEXT WHERE EVERYONE IS TWO-STEPPING."
When asked what venue feels most at home to them, the band was unable to choose just one, but Eastside venues like Hotel Vegas, The Scoot Inn, and The White Horse topped their list. Reinisch continued by saying, “Almost every single venue in Austin is run by good people, and they usually take care of you. It’d be hard to say we’ve ever had a bad time anywhere.”
26 EASTside | Feb/Mar2018
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A
ccording to the members of Harvest Thieves, you can drink a cold beer to any one of their songs. Not craft beer, though; instead they recommend a Lone Star with a shot of whiskey or tequila on the side.
Harvest Thieves blends country music with Rock and Roll seamlessly. Cory Reinisch, the band’s lead singer and songwriter, says many of the band members’ upbringings directly influence the alt-country sound. “Most [members] come from a rural background with parents who listened to country music,” says Reinisch. “But in learning [how to play] an instrument, you go through a big rock phase, and I don’t think we’ve completely abandoned that.” Still, the band says their songs are incredibly versatile, crediting the vague messages in their songs as opposed to direct storytelling often found in country music. “Most of our songs [can be] left up to interpretation,” explains Reinisch, which allows them to hold their own at a variety of venues in town. “We can play at Hotel Vegas one night with a group of indie bands and play at White Horse the next where everyone is two-stepping.” Bands that Reinisch listened to in college, like Uncle Tupelo, Old97’s, and The Jayhawks, employed some rock and roll elements in their music and has inspired Harvest Thieves to do the same. Harvest Thieves released its first EP in 2013, Lightning in a Bottle, and its first full-length album, Rival, in 2016. The band recognizes the momentum they’ve created and the sizeable following they’ve gained during that time, but admits to the difficulties they—like many local musicians—face in Austin. Wes Cargal, percussion, who’s been living and playing in Austin for 12 years, says it’s become increasingly hard to develop as a band, not just because venues are shrinking, but because most musicians typically need to have multiple side gigs to afford Austin’s current prices. Despite the changes affecting Austin’s music scene, Reinisch says the band embodies two characteristics needed to maintain its presence in town: a talented group of musicians and a strong work ethic. Harvest Thieves’ six members—which also include Annah Fisette on keys and vocals, Mike Mangalindad on bass, Michael Gibson on lead guitar, and Dustin Meyer, the band’s multi-instrumentalist—are currently working on a new album and plan to have some studio time in the spring of 2018. In the meantime, they’ll have a few cold beers and maybe a shot of whiskey, too.
HELPING FOLKS LOVE WHERE THEY LIVE 512-786-9472 PUREAPARTMENTLOCATING.COM
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harvestthieves.com @harvestthieves
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NOTABLE ACTS
Since the Scoot Inn was converted to a music venue in 2007, there have been many notable acts to come through including The Dandy Warhols, Jackie Greene, and Snarky Puppy. This year, the impressive parade of shows will not slow down. Slated to appear on stage this spring are Clean Bandit, EDEN, and COIN. {the jammin' side of austin}
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COMMUNITY DRIVEN, HONEST SERVICE “Like a lot of us, I looked at the world and saw all the great changes that could happen,” remembers Juke Ball, the owner of Juke Automotive. However, after years of marching for human rights and shouting his ideals to the heavens, Juke says that maturity caught up with him and one day he found himself asking, “What sort of a difference can I make myself?”
F
be able to get lost in the puzzle to or Juke, the answer seemed to come up with a solution. be that a better world started by growing roots in his own For the mechanically minded, this is community and uncompromisingly often second nature, but for those who living his values of honesty, integrity, merely associate automobiles with and positivity. Again, he found himself driving, a guide is required to find a musing, “If I wish the community solution when things go awry. “One of around me was better. Why the things that sets us apart from don’t I treat my community “WE BASED other shops is the amount of time better?” The solution came our service advisors are willing THE SHOP in 2004 with the purchase of to spend explaining what’s going ON THIS IDEA an auto mechanic garage. on with somebody’s car, as well THAT YOU Suddenly, Juke realized he as the importance of that,” Juke could bring all those things TREAT YOUR remarks. Addressing reparations he wished the world could CUSTOMERS in this manner gives customers be to his shop as the core confidence in their decision and AND YOUR tenants of his business. aids them in understanding their EMPLOYEES
vehicle. “We based the shop on HONESTLY,” this idea that you treat Juke laments that this practice your customers and your is not the standard. “I’d love for employees honestly,” explains Juke. everybody to raise the bar,” he insists, According to him, one of the best ways “because that would [bring solutions] to do that is to hire staff with a positive to the community.” In the meantime, attitude. The other cornerstone of Juke he says that he’s content cultivating Auto is an interest in the mechanical a better world within his own shop enigma. “For a mechanic shop, we where he can offer heartfelt service to tend to encourage a continuing each and every customer who walks education in all makes and models.” through the door. To be successful, however, one must {the jammin' side of austin}
DID YOU KNOW?
Juke Auto works with Asian and domestic vehicles that were made in 1996 or newer and European vehicles that are 2000 or newer. Check out Juke’s current auto repair specials by giving them a call.
924 Shady Lane (512) 385-5853 jukeauto.com
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SPECIAL PROMOTION
RAISING EMOTIONALLY INTELLIGENT CHILDREN The preschool years are a crucial time for school-readiness, but what about life-readiness? We are social beings, and it is our connection with others that helps us learn and grow. Social skills are life skills that must be nurtured and developed carefully in the early years. “We place the social and emotional well-being of our children and their families first,” says Hannah Bricker, Program Director at The Rise School, a fully-inclusive preschool in East Austin. Social skills lay the foundation for children’s entire academic journey. The Rise School understands that social-emotional learning does not just “happen,” but rather, it is carefully coached using strategies grounded in research. “As a society, we assume that children pick up these skills by simply being around their peers, but research has shown that is not the case. Children must be supported and taught how to self-regulate, respect and manage their emotions, interact with others, and problem solve with their peers,” says Meg Bethune, Executive Director at The Rise School. “These are the life skills that are essential for success.” Audra Roach, a Rise parent, explains, “I deliberated a lot over our preschool choice. As a professor of education, I came into my school search with a strong vision of what I wanted in a high-quality, democratic education. Talk about a tough customer! After my tour of Rise, I sat in my car
“Above all, we hoped that our children would grow up to be kind. We wanted them to be people who see best in others, see the best in themselves, and use those strengths to make a better world that is kinder and more fair for everyone.” –Audra K. Roach, parent of two Rise School students (1 graduate, 1 Pre-K)
and just wept tears of joy. At Rise, I knew that my children would have the opportunity to celebrate difference, right from the start. At the heart of high-quality education is humanity – and this is what I was looking for most of all. Now five years into our Rise experience with two children, I couldn’t be happier with our choice to become a part of the Rise School family. My children are both knowing and compassionate. My greatest hopes for their early years have been realized.” These skills carry over to kindergarten and beyond. “Now that our daughter has graduated from Rise, we see how she has carried the lessons of love and leadership into kindergarten,” says Roach. “When someone is lonely, she sees that they need a friend. When someone is teased on the playground, she stands bravely by their side and talks things out. I have heard many similar stories from parents of Rise graduates, now in kindergarten. They recognize in themselves the courage to be kind and the compassion to lead.” Not only are these students equipped with the social skills they need to be confident and successful in the school setting, but also their academic skills soar as well. It all begins with the relationships we build with others. It is the sense of connection and the feeling of belonging that optimizes the function of our brain.
WHY CHOOSE THE RISE SCHOOL OF AUSTIN PRESCHOOL? • 3:1 Student to Teacher Ratio
• Handwriting Without Tears
• Master's Level Teachers
• Creative Curriculum
• Exceptional Academic, Physical & Social Curriculum
• Individualized Play-based Instruction
• Conscious Discipline • Zoo-phonics
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• Serving Children 14 Months to 5 Years Old
THE RISE SCHOOL IS NOW ENROLLING FOR THE 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR. 512-891-1682 RISESCHOOLAUSTIN.ORG 4800 MANOR RD BUILDING J
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Go+ do February +March 2018
34 go
create
BLACK FRET GIVES THE MUSIC-OBSESSED A LICENSE TO CREATE BY
"What we all have in common is we’re obsessed with music, and we want to see the Austin music scene thrive.” p.34
AWARDING GRANTS TO MUSICIANS WHO ARE DEDICATED TO HELPING AUSTIN MUSIC THRIVE.
36 go&do
camping
GRAB YOUR BACKPACK, LACE UP YOUR HIKING BOOTS, AND GET OUTSIDE TO EXPERIENCE THE HILL COUNTRY AS IT'S MEANT TO BE SEEN.
eastside / go&do
Community Voices
Creating a space for the future of music WORDS BY SAM LAURON PHOTOS BY DAVE PEDLEY, AMY PRICE, & NICOLA GELL
Black Fret, a local music nonprofit, is on a mission to build a supportive community that empowers Austin musicians to create and perform new work.
E
ach year, Black Fret members nominate artists and bands who then perform in private listening sessions across the city. These intimate gatherings lead up to the end of the year Black Fret Ball where 20 winners are awarded major and minor grants formed from annual member dues. The membership-based organization has been awarding grants to Austin musicians since 2014 and recently hit a major milestone: surpassing one million dollars in payments to musicians. With 450 members (and counting), it’s clear that each person involved wants nothing but success for Austin’s music community. “It’s an interesting community,” says Director of Member Experience, Erin Ivey. “All of the members
34 EASTside | Feb/Mar2018
that I have met up to this point have been really dynamic, interesting individuals. What we all have in common is we’re obsessed with music, and we want to see the Austin music scene thrive.” Among the 2017 grant winners were David Ramirez, The Bright Light Social Hour, Mobley, Jackie Venson and Whiskey Shivers. A former grant winner herself, Ivey knows firsthand how much the award can impact both the career and the perspective of a musician. “It is such an amazing vote of confidence for an artist,” Ivey grins. “Money is fantastic and allows for new work to be created and performed, but more than that, it’s a clear sign from a strong community that your work is valued…it’s really powerful.”
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How are Artists Nominated? While Austin’s music scene has certainly transformed over the years, it’s organizations like Black Fret that help build a strong community that remains excited for the future of music. Ivey knows that change isn’t always a bad thing; adapting to new ways is the key to success in this industry. “As the city grows and changes, the face of it will change, but the DNA is very strong,” she says. “I think a lot of people who will be succeeding are looking at it as a challenge and an opportunity to create what they want in this new space.” To become a Black Fret member or to learn how you can get involved, visit blackfret.org/join.
Contact: sustain@blackfret.org blackfret.org @blackfret
• By Members: Who have the largest voice • By an Advisory Board: Made up of over 40 industry professionals • By Public Vote: Two spots left open for the Best New Band and Best New Band runner up from the Austin Music Awards
{the jammin' side of austin}
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35
6 eastside / go&do
Camping Spots
best
Not too far from home WORDS BY SAVANNAH WHITMER PHOTO COURTESY OF CYPRESS VALLEY
Whether you need a queensized bed and a heater or just a backpack and some s’mores to enjoy the great outdoors, central Texas offers all kinds of camping opportunities within 100 miles of the city so you can unplug, relax, and recharge. weather. Take to the trails during the day to discover the best views of the hill country and the small lakes that dapple the park, but make sure you visit on a clear night to experience some of the best stargazing in central Texas. Daily fee is $7. 90 miles from Austin. Dogs welcome. twpd.texas.gov |
16710 Ranch Rd. 965, Fredericksburg
1
Tejas Park
What Tejas Park lacks in water or electricity at its campsites, it makes up for in impressive hiking opportunities. This primitive camping spot has great hill country views along the Goodwater Trail, which ends at the falls at Crockett Gardens. One can also kayak and fish on Lake Georgetown and the San Gabriel River. Visit in late spring or early summer when wildflowers bloom on the banks of the river. This camping spot just outside of Georgetown is the perfect place to unwind when you want to get away for the weekend or even a day trip. Campsites start at $6 per night. 35 miles from Austin. Dogs welcome.
recreation.gov | Co Rd. 258, Liberty Hill
2
Inks Lake State Park
Inks Lake State Park offers inexpensive camping spots where you can cash in on hill country views. Though the park is open year round, plan a trip early in the summer, before it gets too hot, so you can cool off at Devil’s Waterhole after a morning hike. Rent canoes, paddle boats, or kayaks for exploring Inks Lake, or view scenic waterfalls from the trail. The park is free for kids 12 and under, so make sure to bring the whole family to picnic, climb the rock outcrops, and watch stunning sunsets turn into even better star36 EASTside | Feb/Mar2018
scapes. Campsites start at $11 per night. 70 miles from Austin. Dogs welcome.
twpd.texas.gov | 3630 Park Rd. 4 W, Burnet
3
Green Acres
With a Green Acres getaway, you don’t have to compromise luxury living to benefit from the rejuvenating properties of the outdoors. Unplug from city life in the comfort of a quaint yurt or a chic airstream camper, from the Green Acre’s Spartan Mansion or an eco-cabin known as The Lodge. This 25-acre property just half an hour from Austin offers a charming bohemian retreat complete with hammocks, bathtubs, and friendly alpacas and miniature donkeys. Spend the day on the farm and enjoy the comforts of gourmet s’mores and a queen-sized bed after the stars come out.Yurt and airstream stays start at $165 per night. 25 miles from Austin. Dogs not allowed. greenacresatx.com
4
Enchanted Rock
It may be a rock, but it’s not just any rock. This 1600-acre park offers a full family experience: camping, hiking, rock climbing, picnicking, and bird watching opportunities. While Enchanted Rock is open year round, the best time to visit is from October to April, so you can enjoy the cooler
eastsideatx.com
5
Colorado Bend State Park
As the grand finale to a moderate hike in this state park, rock outcrops and river bends give way to breathtaking views of the 60-foot Gorman Falls. Similar gems can be found throughout the park with plenty of shady spots overlooking waterfalls so you can sit and relax between trails. Besides 32 miles of trails suitable for all ages and levels of expertise, the park also offers cave tours, swimming, mountain bike trails, and kayaking. Campsites start at $10 per night. 100 miles from Austin. Dogs welcome.
twpd.texas.gov | 2236 Park Hill Dr., Bend
6
Cypress Valley
At Cypress Valley, you can adventure in the treetops by day and relax in cabins nestled within those same trees by night. This property is an adult playground, with ziplines, canopy tours, and sky bridges that boast beautiful bird’s eye views of the hill country. After a long day of trapezing through the valley, retreat to magical lofts nestled 30 feet high in the trees, where you can enjoy amazing views of the stars with up to 30 people. Take a trip during the fall to watch the leaves change from your lofty perch. Treehouses start at $200 per night. 30 miles from Austin. Dogs not allowed.
cypressvalleycanopytours.com | 1223 Paleface Ranch Rd., Spicewood
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Home+ away February +March 2018
40 neigh-
borhood
home
HOME COOKING ALWAYS TASTES BETTER WHEN THE SURROUNDINGS LOOK LIKE CHILDHOOD MEMORIES OF YOUR GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE.
42 away
SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY AND GREAT MUSIC AREN'T EXCLUSIVE TO AUSTIN. TAKE A WEEKEND AND EXPERIENCE NASHVILLE'S LAID BACK ATTITUDE AND
Cozy up in a modern suite at the Thompson Hotel in Nashville for a weekend in this lyrical and eclectic city. p.42
EASY-GOING CHARM.
eastside / home
J
esse DeLeon, the chef of the location’s upcoming restaurant The Rosewood, laughs as he tells the tale of his renovation adventures. As a historical home, he explains that the city has exacting specifications on what can be altered on the property, and as he is attempting to convert the space into a fully operational restaurant, the regulations can be daunting.
House on the Hill An Old Victorian Home Gets Filled with Food,Friends, & Laughter
WORDS BY JESSI DEVENYNS PHOTOS BY ERIC MORALES
On the corner of 11th Street and Rosewood Avenue looms a gabled 1890s home, its façade enclosing an unused space that has descended into the first degrees of dilapidation. Formerly the home of one of Austin’s premiere black physicians, Thomas DeLashwah, as well as one of Austin’s first City Council members, this structure has had its fair share of businesses call its historic walls home. Its latest revitalization, however, is truly a labor of love.
40 EASTside | Feb/Mar2018
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However, DeLeon says it’s worth it because if he wasn’t cooking in a house, he doesn’t believe that he could truly call his food home-style cooking. “This house has influenced the direction of the food more than anything else,” DeLeon explains. “It has let me become much more casual and simple with what we’re planning on doing.” What he is doing is South Texas cuisine, which he hopes to offer in an earnest made-inyour-mom’s-kitchen approach to entice neighborhood residents to stop by and reclaim this historic property as their own. As the house is nestled at the entrance into the Rosewood neighborhood, DeLeon feels that capturing the essence of the community is the critical component to successfully opening this restaurant. In order to accomplish this, DeLeon has taken the unusual approach of letting the house dictate the direction of the renovation. “The house basically told us what to do with it,” he shrugs. “Our goal is just not to screw up the space.” The bones of this house are regal. With two levels that can be accessed by a tightly twisted staircase, the interior has an airy feel that is accentuated by the floor to ceiling, double-paned windows that sit atop well-worn wooden parquet. A pair of identical fireplaces proudly divide the front of the home from the back, their chimneys encircled in old oak panels that DeLeon intends to preserve for their continuity to the past. The overall effect is like stepping into a photo of your grandmother’s childhood home.
With surgical exactitude, DeLeon and a team of architects have been meticulously peeling back the layers of this historical home and, in the process, have revealed original ornamentation that DeLeon says is more ornate and inviting than anything he could hope to design himself. In a twist, DeLeon chose to mute these elaborate embellishments to create a feeling of curiosity and encourage diners to engage with the home. “I love the aspect of turning this into something much less in your face,” he grins and sheepishly explains that when you mute the gaudiness inherent to the Victorian architecture, one is compelled to look closer. “You kind of start just wanting to touch it.” Perhaps it’s due to his own inherent proclivities, but DeLeon has planned many portions of the restaurant to be interactive. From Bocce ball courts on the front lawn to a bar that faces into the kitchen, DeLeon explains his approach saying, “I don’t want people to be worried about being too loud or too happy.” After all, the best part of home cooking, according to him, is not the food but the atmosphere that it creates.
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A Weekend In
Nashville
more than music WORDS & PHOTOS BY KATY CHADWELL
Home to the Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman and countless honky tonks, Nashville is dubbed the Music City for good reason. With its laid back attitude and easy-going charm, the city makes for the perfect weekend getaway for those looking to experience a little Southern history and hospitality.
Friday Nashville is the place for hot chicken, and Prince’s Hot Chicken is the original game in town. You can even call in your order to avoid the line. There is a spice level for everyone, including mild if you want to try the amazing flavor without breaking a sweat. Be sure to save room for dessert. Once mouths are fed, check in to the Thompson Nashville. The surrounding Gulch neighborhood is easily walkable and has several murals that are a part of the Nashville Walls Project. Plan your trip around a concert at the Ryman Auditorium, considered to be one of the best music venues in the world and the original home Katy Chadwell is a member of the team at Austin-
of the Grand Ole Opry. Grab dinner and drinks at Gray and Dudley before or after the show.
Saturday
and the Nashville Farmers Market for lunch. Add to your collection at Third Man Records, a combination record store, venue, and headquarters of Jack White’s label.
Enjoy breakfast at Killebrew Coffee before setting out for the day. No trip to Music City would be complete without a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Take time to browse the historic RCA Studio B, where more than 1,000 hit songs were recorded, and don’t miss the Hatch Show Print tour to learn about the art of letterpress from the folks who have been making classic concert posters since 1879. Make your way over to the Tennessee State Capitol Building
Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the Germantown neighborhood. Wilder is the place to go for stylish home goods or treat yourself to a premium handcrafted leather handbag at Peter Nappi. End up at Henrietta Red in time for dinner (reservations recommended). Known for seasonal American cooking with an emphasis on seafood and oysters, it was named one of the top new restaurants of 2017 by Bon Appetit, and the dining
based Century Travel and would welcome the opportunity to help you plan a trip to Nashville or wherever your travels may lead you! Contact
42 EASTside | Feb/Mar2018
her at katy@century-tvl.com and enjoy complimentary room upgrades, food and beverage credits, and more on your next vacation! eastsideatx.com
room is a feast for the eyes. Enjoy the city’s premiere venue for Bluegrass and Roots Music, The Station Inn, while indulging in “a thing of popcorn” for $2. If you’re in the mood for a nightcap, choose from the extensive cocktail menu at Patterson House.
Sunday Enjoy southern fare for brunch at Marsh House. Head down to 12South district to see some iconic murals and for some retail therapy at Draper James, Imogene + Willie, and White’s Mercantile. Try The Filling Station for sampling local beers on tap and feast on a treat at Five Daughters Bakery. Make your way to East Nashville—similar to East Austin, an area that is somewhat eclectic with a low-key vibe. The Five Points area has plenty of restaurants
if you go... The Thompson is the perfect place to call home while in Nashville. Located in the Gulch neighborhood, it is close to the action without being in the fray of downtown. The service is top notch, and the modern interiors feature mid-century touches. We also love the 21c Museum Hotel, a boutique property that showcases curated contemporary art exhibitions near Printer’s Alley. and locally owned shops such as Local Honey. Grab the best burger in town at The Pharmacy Burger Parlor and Beer Garden or hit up Pepperfire if you’re in the mood for another round of hot chicken.
Sip+ taste “Growing up, if we went to a backyard barbecue, my mom would just throw on a whole fish, like a mackerel instead of ribs or beef.” p.44
February +March 2018 44 taste feature
AT KEMURI TATSUYA, CULTURES COLLIDE TO CREATE NEW SENSATIONS FOR THE CITY'S MOST ADVENTUROUS DINERS.
46 taste
expert
INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED TAMALES ARE FILLED WITH AN UNWRITTEN MESSAGE THAT SAYS, “TRAVEL SAFE, EAT WELL, COME HOME SOON, I LOVE YOU.”
48 dining
guide
A CURATED GUIDE TO OUR FAVORITE EAST AUSTIN RESTAURANTS
50 sip
feature
STELLA PUBLIC HOUSE HAS COCKTAILS THAT PLEASE A VARIETY OF PALLETS.
eastside | taste
Culinary Alchemy When Cultures Collide WORDS BY BEN HAGUEWOOD PHOTOS BY ASHLEY HAGUEWOOD
Like East Austin, familiar and the pioneering preparations mingle to create new sensations for the city’s most adventurous diners.
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hink of Kemuri Tatsuya as a biography in restaurant form, a reflection of co-owners’ Tatsu Aikawa and Takuya ‘Tako’ Matsumoto’s lives up until now, a story as much as a restaurant concept. In this case, it means being authentically Japanese and authentically Texan, which is not a stretch for chefs who were born and raised in Japan for the better part of their first ten years and then transplanted to Texas. “Growing up,” says Tatsu, “if we went to a backyard barbecue, my mom would just throw on a whole fish, like a mackerel instead of ribs or beef.” At Kemuri Tatsuya, the charcoal smoke that fills the dining room is the favored treatment for the flavorful fish cuts like tuna collars, though the pair doesn’t have anything against brisket or ribs, which they came to love growing up and amply incorporate into their playful menu. Like a traditional izakaya, or Japanese pub, the menu runs from small to large. A good way to start is with some salty, sharable bites like Tokyo street corn, their Japan inflected take on Mexican elote, smoked fish, or ribs with Japanese spice. Bigger bites include wooden kushiyaki or yakitori skewers of crisp beef tongue, pork belly, or chicharon cooked over a traditional Japanese coals. Each dish pairs well with a shot of sochu or sake to get the conversation and the beer flowing as one anticipates the next round of plates. Kemuri Tatsuya is not a place to drop in for a quick bite. That’s not really the point of the izakaya; it’s a place to meet after work, relax, and just order until
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you’re full. If you’re feeling brave after a couple of pints, this is the only place in town you’ll find a menu of exotic and rare specialties like grilled ray fins and monk fish liver, rated for funkiness on a scale of Kenny G (not so much) to James Brown (You Nasty!). These bites are sure to keep the laughs and signature cocktails from the Tiki-inspired menu flowing. (The Puff Puff pass serves 2!) The menu is rounded out by some comforting classics such as Texas Ramen, with smoky beef broth, and the sticky rice tamale, steamed in a corn husk with chorizo and shitake mushrooms, dishes that will leave diners feeling satisfied and full, whether you’re headed home, or out onto the streets of East Austin looking for the next new experience.
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Time-Honored Tamales A Family Tradition
Tamale means ‘I love you.’ People have been saying ‘I love you’ with these steamed treats for thousands of years. WORDS BY KAYLA & JUSTIN BUTTS PHOTOS BY RACHEL BENAVIDES
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echnically, the word tamale comes from the Nahautl, or Aztec, word tammalli, which means “wrapped.” Aztec women made tamales wrapped in corn husks or banana leaves for their husbands and sons when they had to travel far from home. The message wrapped up in tamales was, “Travel safe, eat well, come home soon, I love you.” Tamales are a tasty travel treat, because they come in their own wrappers. Staying true to tradition, tamales 46 EASTside | Feb/Mar2018
can still be given as ‘I love you’ gifts during the holidays or spring break when many families are on the road. Making tamales is a tradition in homes across Texas. Typically, the family gets together in the kitchen for tamale-making parties with a lot of laughing, talking, teasing, and catching up. The house fills with the wonderful smells of delicious food on the stove. As family and friends come and go, they are given tamales to take with them, to make sure they eat well as they travel home. eastsideatx.com
We keep our farm-fresh tamale recipe simple, just like the Aztecs. Tamales are made up of only three components: masa (ground hominy), filling (typically some type of shredded meat), and wrapped in a corn husk. To make their masa, the Aztecs dried corn, then boiled it in wood ash, dried it again, then ground it into powder. We save some time by purchasing a nice bag of prepared masa harina, not to mention the corn husks, spices, and lard. These ingredients can all be found at a local grocer. For the filling, the ancient Aztecs used frog, flamingo, fish, or rabbit. For our recipe, we use a beautiful pork roast from our own pastured hogs. If you have family coming over, there is no better way to celebrate than to throw a tamale-making party. Everyone, even the little ones, can join in the fun. As guests depart, make sure everyone has a package of warm, homemade tamales in hand. When they open the wrapper on the road for that delicious taste of home, they will know that you love them.
3317 Manor Road/Dharma-Yoga.net
3317 Manor Road/Dharma-Yoga.net
3317 Manor Road/Dharma-Yoga.net
2 t. salt 1 c. high-quality lard Directions: Place roast, onion, garlic, and spices in a large pot. Cover ingredients with water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer roast for about 3-4 hours, or until tender (alternately, you can place all the ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours).
Traditional Tamales Makes: 3 dozen Prep time: 2 hours 30 minutes Cook time: 4 hours, 45 minutes Ingredients: 2-3 lbs. ham roast 1 large sweet onion, sliced 6 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed 2 T. chili powder 2 t. dried oregano 2 t. cumin Salt and pepper to taste One package corn husks For Masa: 4 cups masa harina 1 t. chili powder 1 ½ t. baking powder
While the roast is cooking, submerge husks in a bowl of hot water for about an hour, or until pliable. Remove husks from water and pat or air dry. Tear thin strips from some of the smaller corn husks to use as twine to bind your tamales. Once tender, remove roast from the pot and shred it with your hands or a fork as soon as it is cool enough to handle. Reserve the ham bone for another use. Using a food processor or immersion blender, blend the remaining cooking liquid ingredients until smooth. Combine dry ingredients for masa in a large bowl. Using a fork or pastry cutter, incorporate lard into masa mixture until it resembles coarse oatmeal. Add enough reserved cooking liquid (about two cups), until a soft dough is formed. To assemble the tamales, spread about 1 tablespoon masa thinly on a corn husk. Add 1-1 ½ tablespoons shredded pork in the center of the masa. Starting at one end, carefully roll the tamale and fold the bottom of the husk up, securing it by tying a strip of husk into a knot around the tamale. Place the tamale open side up in a pot fitted with a steamer basket. Steam over boiling water for about 45 minutes, until masa is firm. Serve with your favorite salsa. {the jammin' side of austin}
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O U R FAV E R E S TA U R A N T S
Pick 26
FOR THE EASTSIDE
eastside dining guide Hillside Farmacy
Austin Daily Press
Austin Daily Press has spent the last five years honing their craft, and it shows! The ADP team, led by Chef Reed Faitak and coowners Dustin Knef and Chase Rushing, have found their voice through creating incredibly flavorful experiences sandwiched between locally baked telera. 1900 E MLK Jr. Blvd. | 4620 E Cesar Chavez St. austindailypress.com
Fukumoto Sushi & Yakitori
With intricate dishes that appear to be as much a work of art as they are a meal, Fukumoto is a restaurant that pleases your other four senses as much as it does your taste buds. Whether it’s hand rolled sushi and charcoal-grilled yakitori dishes, this is where a meal is meant to be enjoyed. When you visit, expect a unique dining experience where you are served gastropub cuisine gradually over several courses. 514 Medina St. | fukumotoaustin.com
Something about Hillside Farmacy’s happy hour oysters, weekend brunches, and dinner cocktails just make you feel better. Perhaps that's due to its historical location in the lovingly renovated 1950s Hillside Drugstore. Or perhaps it’s because the fresh, carefully selected seasonal food that comes from local farms and onto your plate is just good medicine. 1209 E 11th St. | hillsidefarmacy.com
El Sunzal is a quintessential hole-in-the-wall that makes up for its bare-bones appearance with its exceptional El Salvadorian fare. Make sure to sample the fried yucca, seafood soup, and the pupusas. 642 Calles St.
Juan in a Million
Made famous by the Don Juan, this no-frills establishment has more to offer than insurmountable breakfast tacos. Try the migas or the huevos rancheros for starters. 2300 E Cesar Chavez St. | juaninamillion.com
Buenos Aires Café
Flyrite Chicken
Disrupting the fast food industry one sandwich at a time, Flyrite is a drive-thru with all-natural, antibiotic-free chicken as well as gluten-free and vegetarian options. 2129 E 7th St. | flyritechicken.com
American cocktails and Argentinian fare make their home side by side at Buenos Aires Café. The locally inspired menu offers Argentinian mainstays like empanadas as well as seasonal favorites. Don’t be surprised to find yourself falling in love with the live Latin music and flavors that come out of this restaurant. 1201 E 6th St. | buenosairescafe.com
The Doughminican
Find Caribbean beats, happy people, and soul-filled food at this trailer. Try the legendary empanadas that are rolled out fresh for everyone, the quipes, and the sweet bean dessert. 1403 E 7th St. | thedoughminican.com
Kyoten Sushiko
At Kyōten, Chef Otto Phan’s attention to detail makes for an impeccable dining experience. With such measured preparation and presentation, you can trust that you will be dazzled with each visit. 4600 Mueller Blvd., Ste.1035 | kyotensushiko.com
La Fruta Feliz
A happy place is where breakfast is served all day. Of course, you can also get lunch, but why would you when you can have chilaquiles, huevos rancheros, and authentic breakfast tacos at 8PM? 3124 Manor Rd.
Micklethwait Craft Meats
Artessano
Although known for their beef ribs and brisket, if you’re headed to Micklethwait’s, you can’t forget about the sides. Your meal won’t be the same without a scoop of the jalapeño cheese grits or lemon poppy seed coleslaw. 1309 Rosewood Ave. | craftmeatsaustin.com
The fresh tropical fruit juice and the arepas are why you need to visit Artessano. As a food trailer specializing in Colombian food, expect dance music and lots of friendly conversation when you visit. 1211 E 6th St. 48 EASTside | Feb/Mar2018
El Sunzal
eastsideatx.com
WORDS BY JESSICA DEVENYNS
eastside / dining guide
Yellow Jacket Social Club
La Matta
La Matta is a cozy corner shop featuring classic Italian paninis, salads, salumi boards and hand-selected wine & beer on tap. It’s the perfect spot for a quick business lunch, casual dinner & drinks on the patio, or soccer watching with friends. 501 Comal St. | lamattaaustin.com
Come for brunch, come for happy hour, come for a good time. Whether you’re on the shaded patio or inside at the bar, the food is always good and the drinks are always cold at Yellow Jacket Social Club. Plus, this is a pet-friendly establishment. 1704 E 5th St. | yellowjacketsocialclub.com
Rockstar Bagels
Go for breakfast of go for lunch. Joe’s ingenuity has produced some of the best bagels on the block. Made in an authentic New York fashion, you won’t be disappointed as you consider the texture of every chewy bite. 1900 Rosewood Ave. | rockstarbagels.com
A tiny kitchen with a walk-up window, Taco Mex nevertheless manages to serve up healthy-sized & fairly-priced breakfast tacos and chicken quesadillas with Tex-Mex flavors. 2611 Manor Rd. | tacomexorders.com
This unassuming store-front houses an outstanding array of donuts, kolaches, and breakfast croissants. Even if the food wasn’t enough, owners Socea and Sarorn make the trip to S-H worth it every time. 5313 Manor Rd.
Under the wizened oak trees of Springdale Farm is an unmarked trailer whose plain façade belies hyper-seasonal, farm-to-table dishes. Whether it’s a farm-fresh breakfast on market days or a sit-down prix fixe dinner under the stars, Eden East reinvents the idea of eating local. Keep an eye out for their a-lacarte nights one Thursday a month. 755 Springdale Rd. | edeneastaustin.com
Justine's Brasserie
Dee Dee Colleen’s Kitchen
This eatery was designed for Southern beaus and belles by a Southern belle. Filled with south of the Mason-Dixon line staples, you won’t be able to believe your eyes (or your taste buds.) 1911 Aldrich St., Ste. 100 | colleensaustin.com
Hummus Amongus
Eden East
This little barbecue truck produces a mountain of smoky flavor. With large portions and an affordable menu, you’ll be tempted into ordering the ribs and the turkey just because. 1149 1/2 Airport Blvd. | jleonardibbq.com
Known for late-night dining and artistic flare, Justine’s should be on the radar of anyone who is craving French fare. Sit on the patio, enjoy a cocktail, and revel in the experience. 4710 E 5th St. | justines1937.com
Taco Mex
S-H Donuts
J. Leonardi’s Barbecue
Arriving via a twisted trajectory through Israel, Spain, and NYC, Berty Richter landed with an inkling that Austinites needed real hummus in their lives. He wasn’t wrong. With Turkish and Israeli roots, his fresh-to-order hummus is bold and daring with just the right amount of spice to make it a welcome addition to East Austin. 1906 E Cesar Chavez St.
Tso Chinese Delivery
Raised in Thailand, Lakana brings the region’s flavors to East Austin. With a name that means “good good,” no one can argue that this food truck has set itself up for success. 1906 E Cesar Chavez St. | deedeeatx.com
Mongers Market + Kitchen
Fish doesn’t get much fresher. Check out the catch of the day blackboard for stellar raw bar creations, or order Gulf-inspired dishes from the curated menu. 2401 E Cesar Chavez St. | mongersaustin.com
Café Nena’í
If the idea of a strong cup of coffee and smallbatch pastries make you smile, then try Café Nena’í. This mother-daughter duo have deep South American roots that can be savored via pastafrola, empanadas, and arepas. 1700 Montopolis Dr., Ste. A | cafenenai.com
Unlike most eateries around, Tso is carryout and delivery only, but that doesn’t mean that the cuisine suffers. Each meal is made fresh to order, delivery is free, and tipping is discouraged. (512) 774-4876 | tsodelivery.com
For more information about the dining guide: Jessi@eastsideatx.com
{the jammin' side of austin}
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eastside / sip expert
is ad Bring in th ve ai and we’ll w
$150 on
in applicati fees
Elysian at Mueller offers luxury apartment homes and a wide range of community amenities including clubhouse with TV lounge, business center, conference rooms, 24-hour fitness center, yoga studio, virtual fitness classes on demand, sun-lit pool with tanning deck, monthly social events, and more. elysianmueller
4646 Mueller Blvd Austin, TX 78723 (512) 474-7368
Twisted Sips
Beer or Liquor? Now you don’t have to choose. WORDS BY ERIN MCWILLIAMS PHOTOS BY THAMICA MCCOOK
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tella Public House is putting a spin on cocktails by adding a little beer to the mix. For those who are scared off by the term “beer cocktail,” head bartender Charles Czech assures, “There’s more cocktail than there is beer; it’s more of a splash-in than anything else.” The three cocktails—Backwoods Barbie, Meridian Sting, and the Eclipse—are made by mixing the liquor cocktails, then adding the beer to top it off. The end result is a cocktail unlike any other, built for beer lovers and nonbeer drinkers alike. Backwoods Barbie brings to mind the warmth of a cozy fire inside when brisk weather blows outside. With its sweet combi-
nation of whiskey, chamomile, and honey, topped with IPA, bitters, and crushed black pepper, it pairs best with a savory or spicy pizza like the Spicy Italian Sausage or East Side Pepperoni. Perfect for spring, Meridian Sting is a twist on the French 75. Meridian Hive’s Rhapsody Mead offers a flowery hibiscus taste that is matched with gin. Garnished with thyme, it even looks the part. The Eclipse cocktail has crushed strawberries and blueberries that make this tequila-take on a mojito feel like a sweet and savory summer day. Both of these cocktails pair perfectly with the Roasted Beet & Pistachio Pesto Pizza or one of Stella’s seasonal salads layered with flavors. All three of these drinks can be enjoyed year-
Did you know?
Stella Public House is a farm-topizza restaurant concept, “centered on farm to table food practices and the development of strong partnerships with local growers, ranchers and purveyors.” They never have the same beer on tap twice, and everything on the menu but pizza rotates with the seasons. Their unique small plates and layered salads are the perfect introduction to a wood-fired pizza (baked in an Italian Modena oven) and the ideal complement to a beer cocktail.
Contact:
(512) 472.9637 1905 Aldrich Street, #110 stellapublichouse.com location/austin
Stella has a killer brunch menu available on Saturday and Sunday from 10am-2pm, complete with a $10 mimosa flight—pick 5 different mimosas to accompany the stuffed French toast. If you’re feeling coffee instead of mimosas, Stella serves coffee from Halcyon, right next door.
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round, and each has a seasonal flare to satisfy a variety of pallets.
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2018 Share the joy of giving with your family and friends by asking them to donate with you on Amplify Austin Day, March 1 at 6pm - March 2 at 6pm. This is the one day every year we come together to support the local nonprofits that make all the things we love about Central Texas possible. From the outdoor jewels of our city to the arts, to our children and our pets, to caring for our neighbors. It’s not much to ask. Invite a friend to get online and give with you on March 1. It could mean so much good for our community.
MARCH 1 at 6PM - MARCH 2 at 6PM LEARN MORE at AmplifyATX.org
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March 10-24, 2018 craft beer & wine garden food trucks live music & good times
Where Weird Meets Western RodeoAustin.com