|
|
 |
|
|
|
Pam! Pow! Zam! Or so many people expect comic books to say. A trip to a comic book store such as Atomic Comics & Gaming or the Dragon's Lair Comics & Fantasy, however, is just enough to make anyone reconsider their misconception of speech bubbles and exclamation marks. The range is fantastic: in one aisle you'll comedic superheroes, while the action in another aisle mixes crime-fighting with another kind of action, namely, one capable of leaving the comic book with an NC-17 rating. Another favorite is anime, a Japanese style of cartoons. It’s fantasy at its most graphic and diverse.
Limited edition pieces are a huge part of the comic world, and weekly pieces sell out fast. The cartoons designs are enthralling and capable of keeping you browsing for longer than you’d expected, comic junkie or not. San Antonio’s got a treasure trove of comic shops for comic lovers. Just like some of its characters, these comic book shops really pack a punch.
|
|
|
|
|
|
San Antonio's local music scene just got better,
thanks to the release of local band Morris Orchid's self-titled EP. One
listen to the album, and you can’t help but think: this is some beautiful
stuff. The vocal harmonies and unique percussion that resembles the sound
of clapping and fast-paced footsteps--foot taps, really--make for a sound that
makes it obvious that not only is this band up-and-coming, but that there’s not
much out there with as distinct a sound.
The band, formed in 2003,
consists of Chris Guerra, Mike Maldonado, brothers Jaime and Leonard Rader, and
Matthew Thomas. The combination and layering of electronic and organic
sounds are the defining element for the opening piece, "Bonnie,” and its
combination of humming and keyboard percussion. Or take our
personal favorite, “Eyes,” which radiates a kind of trippy serenity as a result of such smooth-flowing harmony. The band recorded most of their album in their practice space, an
abandoned church, which can’t help but make us think that the gods were smiling
down on them as they recorded the album. You can download the album at
morrisorchids.bandcamp.com and pay whatever it is you want to pay, a la
Radiohead, or sample their music through their Myspace page. Although their music has a very dreamlike quality, the fact
that they’ll be going places far and wide is something that’s much more reality
than it is a dream.
|
|
|
|
|
|
When we called Chris Taylor about an article, he was in Kerrville playing the guitar and harmonica with children
who are cancer patients at Camp
Discovery. When we met with him, our conversation
progressed from his music to his upcoming CD to his art to the children’s books
he’s currently writing. That’s the kind
of guy Chris Taylor is: the kind of guy who makes our job very difficult by
having to cram a fantastic two-hour conversation into 250 words, but who also
makes writing easy by giving such great material.
The 6’1, bleached-blond artist-of-many-trades is currently
working on a CD, in addition to the “15 or so” albums he has under his belt
(he’s been playing since the 90s). His
sounds include alt rock (with his 90s band Love Coma), acoustic soloist, and
his new album, which is trippier and somewhat harder than its predecessors. The combination of sounds ranges from the
drum-oriented, darker-voiced “Written on the Water” to “Junkyard Heart,” a more
upbeat, melodic piece. Taylor focused on keyboards, drums and loops
for a trancey sound, or in his words, “…as far from the harmonica as you could
possibly get. I love music that sounds like it came from outer space, and this
is my first time combining rock with other planets.” All this combined with the duet effect of the
looped pieces creates a sound that is “wonderfully chaotic.” You can find his
music and art on http://www.myspace.com/officialchristaylormusic
and http://www.facebook.com/christaylormusic.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Local musician Laura Marie is like a Norah Jones and Natalie
Merchant love child. Her heartrending lyrics
get deep thoughts flowing on autopilot, especially with such a soft, smooth
voice. Marie holds the Summer Songwriter
Series at Candlelight Café every second and third Wednesday, inspiring local
songwriters to present their lyrics and music.
Her album "Drawn,” which was produced by Grammy-nominated producer Mack
Damon, has been received with great reviews.
Her style is a mix of pop and folk, with poignant lyrics that many audience
members will be bound to relate to, which is important because, as she told us,
“Seeing how my songs connect to people is very interesting and means a lot to
me.” Musicians such as the Police, the
Beatles, Joni Mitchell, Dunken Sheik, and David Poe were her early influences,
but she says that “…now that I work with so many great musicians, such as Chris
Taylor and Reza Keleel, they have also become pretty influential on my
music.” She's about a month or so away
from putting out an EP, also produced by Damon, with whom she says she has a
great working relationship. She began
the Summer Songwriter Series, which will continue through September, because
she wanted to support other professional working musicians by presenting them
to the crowd at the Candlight Café. The
feedback, both from audience members and artists, has been great. Join the rest of the audience by watching her
at the Summer Songwriter Series or at any other of her live shows; for dates,
visit her website at http://www.lauramariemusic.com.
|
|
|
|
Previous Page
|
Page:
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
Next Page
|
|
|
