+ Ben Kweller – Go Fly A Kite CD $11.98 LP $24.98

“While it’s important for the music industry to have daring artists willing to push the limits of what music can be and how it’s perceived, it is equally as important to have artists that pull us back every now and then and remind us what we liked about it in the first place. Go Fly A Kite makes a respectable argument that Ben Kweller is of the second type.” http://consequenceofsound.net/

We would like to wish you all a Happy Easter & Passover.

Cactus will re-open, Monday, 4/9 @ 10am!

“Point of Go is a big surprise, a feel-good pop-rock album that comes out of nowhere and brims with an excess of positive energy. This album is pure indie pop sunshine.” http://consequenceofsound.net/

English indie rock collective Jonquil were formed in Oxford by (then) 20-year-old multi-instrumentalist/songwriter Hugo Manuel in an attempt to flesh out what was initially a bedroom recording project. The band, whose myriad influences include everyone from the Microphones to Joan Baez, blends the swirling cacophony of “freak folk” acts like Animal Collective and Skygreen Leopards with the indie pop sensibilities of Modest Mouse and Fleet Foxes. Jonquil released their debut, Sunny Casinos, in 2006, followed by Lions in 2008. One Hundred Suns arrived in 2010. 

It is our distinct pleasure to host one of the Houston dates on Micah’s first tour through Houston. He will be playing at Under the Volcano with a full band 4/11 8PM and a solo gig Tuesday 4/24 8PM at Leon’s Lounge

“His music is difficult to categorize, combining the unfettered realness of old field recordings with sweeping, sometimes baroque instrumentation and the dark moody rock undercurrent of ’80s British alterna-rock. The songs are part dream and part boneyard, full of little contrasts and contradictions that give them a depth, a lingering intrigue and a range of interpretation. ” Andrew Dansby 29-95.com

JACK SAUNDERS @ 1:00pm

Most of the ’80s and half of the ’90s Jack played with Shake Russell – first as a bassist in his band and then for 6 or 7 years as a duo mate and lead guitarist, sharing the writing and singing. As a duo, Shake and Jack were a fixture in the Texas music scene and beyond, releasing several CDs together. Recording all those albums, he learned about and fell in love with the art of recording.

In 1996, Jack opened White Cat Recording in Houston. Since then, he’s split his time at the studio, performing solo or with a band, and has released four CDs of his own. He has also played in the bands of many of his favorite artists, such as Ray Wylie Hubbard, Greg Trooper, Randy Weeks, Susan Gibson and Hayes Carl, while at the same time producing and recording dozens of titles in his studio for other songwriters.

2012 finds Jack Saunders releasing his fourth solo CD, A Real Good Place to Start, which is an ironic title, given his lengthy experience as a musician. Though Jack can reflect upon a long satisfying career in music, he is always looking forward to the future and a new batch of songs. journey-man sensibility that has kept him on quest through a myriad of detours. Over the years, he’s done stints with cover bands, house bands, road bands, and all points in between. “Sometimes you happen on situations that you never intended or believed you’d be involved in. I try to put music first and hope it all works out. I guess it’s all just part of the ride”, offers Rios. The closing cut, The Grand Design, delivers an introspective seat as it veers to the edge of that fork in the road. Lean either way…and the journey begins.

RAY WYLIE HUBBARD @ 3:00pm

“It wasn’t that long ago that Ray Wylie Hubbard allowed to an acquaintance that he wouldn’t mind being a hybrid of Guy Clark and John Lee Hooker. Now, I’m no seer or mystic, but my instincts suggest that wish came true. And then some. A. Enlightenment, B. Endarkenment (Hint: There is no C) confirms it.

Ray Wylie Hubbard writes the kind of songs that make you want to ride along no matter where he’s going, because you know it’s gonna get strange somewhere along the way. The references to Muddy Waters
being as deep as William Blake (“I really do believe it,” Ray says) and lipstick pickups, resonator slides, the dreams of drunken poets, deceased call girls, opium, wasp’s nests, clouds growing a tail, his ability to segue
seamlessly from primal exclamations of carnal lust into songs about salvation without pausing for irony; and a craftsmanship that manages to rhyme mescaline and gasoline and Volkswagen with dragon while
painting vivid portraits of characters both real and unreal, all evoke a sense of place that is larger than life but in no way made up.

Anyone who’s followed Ray Wylie Hubbard over the long and winding path he has traveled already knows he possesses the kind of exceptional gift for observation that any songwriter yearns for. His sense of
wonder is tempered by an accumulated wisdom and knowledge that comes with experience that has elevated him into the Wylie Lama of Texas Music, freely imparting songwriting verities to all kinds of aspiring musicians, which allows him to lay all his cards on the table and let the listener decide what it all
means.”

FUNKY MUSTARD @ 5:00pm

“The Funky Mustard Band is a project begun by singer/songwriter/
guitarist “Larry D. White” & drummer/ percussionist/singer “Kevin Crenshaw” in the summer of 2002. After playing together for more than 15 years in a couple of different local bands in Houston and performing covers as well as some originals, they decided to change gears and began work on creating “Funky Mustard”… a collective musical project of only true originals. Their approach to writing music would be one without format or genre. With influences like REM, ZZ Top, Led Zeppelin, Bob Marley, Weather Report, U2, Joe Sample, Steve Miller, AC/DC, The Allman Brothers, Van Morrison and many others, it is no wonder they have been compared to these and other great artists.

Rapidly recognized as one of the best bands coming out of Houston, Texas, these guys really know how to bring a song to life. Their songs take you there and bring you back in one comfortable ride. “Open with caution… these guys mean business”. Be prepared to be taken to an all new musical zone. They are never afraid to use strings, horns, or even bagpipes to achieve the mood. There’s no mistaking these guys for a full blown rock band with a little something extra up their sleeve. Breaching all genres and musical categories, there is something for everybody on their fourth disc release… “Embarcadero”.”

April 1st come celebrate a foolish holiday as DJ Black Slacks spins cool and strange cover versions, parodies, and novelty records in the Record Ranch. Featuring oddities by David Bowie, Johnny Cash, Bob Wills, Mae West, Korla Pandit, the Rolling Stones, and others!

Refreshments provided by St. Arnold’s Brewery.

As anyone who’s ever seen Benjamin Wesley perform live, you know that he has an innate ability to keep the crowd entertained and engaged in the flow of the music. This talented gentleman is no mere street corner denizen spinning hackneyed tales of unrequited love; he is a master craftsman who fashions songs, straight from the heart that’s been run roughshod by life, yet still stands tall.

BONUS! The first – 25 Benjamin WEsley CDs sold, receive a ticket to his Friday, 4/6, CD Release Party.

Refreshments By St. Arnold Brewing Co.

Incendiary rock band originating in Austin, Texas fusing classic and contemporary influences resulting in a high energy live show and arena-ready anthems.

Their sound is often likened to Island Records label mates The Killers, along with Kings Of Leon, but with members hailing from both sides of the Atlantic this exciting 5-piece delivers a unique brand of British-American Rock music.

Refreshments by St. Arnold Brewing Co.

Tone It Up Records proudly presents, Fork In The Road, the debut EP from Max Rios. Fork In The Road sets like a reliable retread hugging the Americana asphalt as it maneuvers through the many junctures in Max’s musical journey. The five original songs lay broad reflective stokes as they portray an artist venturing out to find his own voice. Max has always considered himself the hands-on type and it’s this journey-man sensibility that has kept him on quest through a myriad of detours. Over the years, he’s done stints with cover bands, house bands, road bands, and all points in between. “Sometimes you happen on situations that you never intended or believed you’d be involved in. I try to put music first and hope it all works out. I guess it’s all just part of the ride”, offers Rios. The closing cut, The Grand Design, delivers an introspective seat as it veers to the edge of that fork in the road. Lean either way…and the journey begins.

Grammy-nominated Alex Meixner will perform at Cactus Music on Thursday, March 29, from 5:30-7 PM. Experience Alex’s unique musical world fueled by a fusion of polka, jazz, pop, classical and world folk. Enjoy the versatility of the acoustic accordion in the informal setting of the Cactus stage where Alex will explain his music and take audience questions. Then, prepare to be blown away by the high-octance performance of the Alex Meixner Band at the Tomball German Heritage Festival, March 30-April 1.

X man appearance at Cactus and Tombal festival sponsored by polkabeat.com.

BONUS: Jimmy Brosch and Theresa Cernoch Parker will be on hand at Alex’s in-store performance to sign their book “Jimmy Brosch Remembers Twenty Legendary Texas Czech Polka Bands.”