Curtis Hammell is yet another talent that will be showcasing at San Marcos’s very own Mr. Fest this year. He began his career in comedy in March of 1980. His inspiration is driven primarily by personal experiences that he has been through.

Hammell was a member of the Marine Corps as well as a father and a husband. Many people find him to be hilariously crude and blunt. He leaves nothing to the imagination and his audience truly enjoys his sense of humor. Curtis also has a history of working with some pretty impressive comedians such as; Doug Stanhope, Billy D. Washington, and Ron Shock. He entertains many and is expected to draw a large crowd when performs in San Marcos for Mr. Fest! 

            Located off East Hopkins Street in the heart of the San Marcos square, The Coffee Pot has been a “hot spot” downtown for about 5 years ( even though the building itself has been around for much longer!) and will be one of the many venues hosting this year’s Mr. Fest occurring April 26^th- 28^th.  

          Their main time slots will take place on the 28^th starting at 3pm with, acoustic artist, Joe Rice. He is followed by Pastor Cory Cross and Ali Holder at 4pm, Elaine Greer at 5pm and finishing the night with Rebecca Butler at 6pm. This venue has the perfect atmosphere for music and relaxation along with tasteful drinks that range from coffees to smoothies and teas. The dim lighting and comfortable setting provide a great environment to get in touch with the artist’s performance. They plan to host other events like this one in the future and pride themselves on giving students a comfortable place to hang out and be entertained. So if you are in the mood for an intimate music experience, be sure to check out The Coffee Pot on April 28^th for the Mr. Fest free weekend!

-Emily Burns

            Aaron McDavis is one of the prominent comics in the San Marcos comedy scene. McDavis, originally from Rowlett, Texas, is a theater major at Texas State University- San Marcos. He began doing stand up comedy in 2007 in North Dallas after meeting another comedian in one of his classes who sparked his interest in performing.  “Comedy makes people laugh, and I do it because everyone seems to like it,” McDavis said.

            McDavis gets much of his inspiriation for jokes from a perverted mind set. “I’m pretty observational and weird.” Some of his comedic influences include Woody Allen, Dave Chappelle, and Richard Pryor. McDavis also spends a lot of time watching comedy and reading comic books for joke ideas.

            McDavis currently performs at least once a week at Open Mic Night at Taxi’s in San Marcos, but has also done many shows in the Austin area. He is also a member of the Improv group, Centaur of Attention. “One of the main things I enjoy about comedy is it makes me happy,” he said. In the future, McDavis hopes to put on shows in the Chicago area. “I think what makes me different from other comedians is that I’m more self deprecating, and I’m one of the few black comedians out there,” McDavis said.

Aaron McDavis Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Aaron-McDavis/204527549653780

Centaur of Attention Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Centaur-of-Attention/243000965793188

-Andrea Carr

A collective word list and a walk around Hastings Entertainment partly inspired members to name their band Broken Umbrella Academy. The band’s vocalist and guitarist Matthew Schuster, Texas State alumnus, and vocalist and musician Casi Moss, Texas State communication design junior, saw a comic book series called The Umbrella Academy written by Gerard Way while walking the aisles of Hastings. The Umbrella Academy series is about a disbanded group of superheroes who are reunited after the death of their adoptive father. “[U]mbrella, the word, is such a beautiful word, and then when you put broken in front of it is has this sort of sadness about it,” Schuster said. “If you have a broken umbrella in the rain it’s still raining on you.” Schuster said the Broken Umbrella Academy name was also influenced by the idea of umbrella corporations and is the band members’ way of “breaking the economic mode.”

The six piece lineup began when Schuster, who is also a member of the Gypsy-funk band Kabomba!, decided he wanted to start a more acoustic and folk based band. The Dallas native asked his girlfriend Moss, who was also a member of the San Marcos band The Jenna Tellyas, and fellow Kabomba! band mates Bryce Gorski, who left the band for personal reasons shortly after its formation, and Talley Barnes to join the band. He placed an advertisement on Craigslist for a cello or violin player. Josh Weber, Broken Umbrella Academy cellist and vocalist, answered Schuster’s advertisement. Weber is a Texas State Sound Recording Technology student. The band’s vocalist and pianist Shannon O’Shea, Texas State alumna, and drummer Luis Omar Rodriguez rounded out the lineup. Broken Umbrella Academy started in May 2011 and played their first show at Triple Crown. The Austin/San Marcos-based band performed on KTSW’s specialty show Other Side Drive last semester and is available to play at local house parties. The band’s first studio album will debut November 2012. I had the opportunity to speak with Schuster on the phone after a Kabomba! rehearsal, who said being in two bands simultaneously keeps him organized. 

- Jordan Gass-Poore

JGP: When did you start playing the guitar?

MS: I’ve always had music as a part of my life. I started taking piano lessons when I was four-years-old. I played saxophone in the fourth grade and began playing guitar in 7^th grade, but became serious about it in college, when I began playing in bands in 2007 when I moved to Austin.

JGP: What was the first band you joined?

MS: It was called Next To Building One. My buddy had a duplex and behind it was an apartment complex. Building one was in his backyard. We played together for a year, and then I moved to San Marcos. I then became involved in the band One Less Car. It was my first endeavor in an ensemble band. The band split and then I became involved with Kabomba!

JGP: I understand you write for both Kabomba! and Broken Umbrella Academy. Can you describe your songwriting process?

MS: I’ve been writing songs since I took up the guitar. I learned a few cords after my first guitar lesson and then went home and wrote a song based on those cords. I probably don’t still remember it. It’s really weird where songs come from. They can come from you and a personal experience, or they can come from just what’s going on around you now. We have one song with Broken Umbrella Academy called “Ode to Traffic.” My roommates put up these traffic signs, that they just hung up on the wall, and I was playing this riff and just started singing all the different traffic signs that were around, like, “My car only goes five miles per hour. Road construction ahead.” That became a song that we play.

JGP: How did you find out about KTSW’s MR Fest?

MS: When I moved to San Marcos I found out about MR Fest. When I started playing music in San Marcos it had been a goal of mind to play the festival. Kabomba! played at the Texas Music Theater last year on opening night with Soul Track Mind and Zeale. Henry from Henry + The Invisibles backed out because he was double booked. The Organics reminded me in January.

JGP: What has been your favorite venue to play at with Broken Umbrella Academy?

MS: Tantra Coffeehouse because the sound is so good. The crowd is always amazing and in to it. We played an intimate gig at the Center for Music Therapy. The center utilizes music as a means to help people with various issues. Shannon works there, she leads group activities.

JGP: What are some of your favorite local bands?

MS: I love the San Marcos music scene. It’s so great. The music scene that’s going on in San Marcos is the best thing that I think I can be a part of. One of my favorite local bands is Whistle and Fish. I put on a music festival called All Hollows Preamble in 2010 with local artists Henry + The Invisible, The Blue Hit and Green Mountain Grass. I was running around that festival like a chicken with its head cut off trying to handle and organize everything. The only show that I got to just sit and be at was there’s. There music was so perfect for what I needed right then.

John Foster is a comedian based out of the San Marcos and Austin area. He has been in the comedy business for over 2 years, and it all began at a local “open-mic” night. “I really appreciate the fact that I tried it because performing on stage genuinely sparked my confidence”, Foster says. “At the beginning I wasn’t very good,” but eventually comedy nights became a weekly routine for John, and he continued to expand on his new passion, evolving into the talented comedian he is today.

Foster now performs weekly and does showcases primarily in the Austin, San Marcos and San Antonio area. “I love the comedy scene, it’s great. It has become more popular in last few years, and if it weren’t for weekly ‘open-mics’ I would have never picked up the microphone, so it’s great to have that outlet especially for new comics. I’ve also met great people, and am truly blessed.”

 Although John is a seasoned performer, he still finds himself becoming nervous before a performance. “A little nervousness is a good thing. It drives me to be more prepared,” Foster states. He has high hopes for his future in comedy, and there is plenty of room for growth.  “Career-wise I would like to broaden out to more collaborative efforts, and incorporate more improvisation with my sets,” he says.

Over time, John has changed his focus to homing in his comedic style, but “you get a little bit of everything.” Foster’s overall style stays true to natural, organic inflexions and a broad range of humor. “Performing stand-up is fun. The most intensive process is when you’re actually on stage,” he explains. John Foster will be commanding the stage at this year’s 5^th annual MR. Fest in San Marcos, Texas. “I’m definitely excited for MR. Fest. I’m expecting a solid set, anticipating a shifting audience, and generally hoping to get their attention, and make them laugh.”

Foster will perform April 28^th at The Vault at 6:50 p.m. You can also catch John Foster at the weekly “open-mic” nights, Thursdays at 9 o’clock at Taxis Piano Bar in San Marcos, TX.

-Reyna Caraveo

Twitter-@ johncfoster

Michael Monsour is a name I had heard around the Texas State campus frequently. I had no idea who everyone was talking about, or why, but clearly this guy was making a name for himself. I ended up having class with Michael this semester, and he is one hilarious dude. Michael Monsour is a local comedian and Communication Studies major at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. Not only is he a student and comedian, Monsour performs music, sings, and acts; basically making him an all-around performer. He has been in the comedy scene for about a year now, and continues to develop his career. The 22 year old has already achieved a great amount in a short period of time, especially at a young age. Monsour has been in various competitions and contests, featured in commercials, independent films, and magazines, plus has been an opening act for some big name writers and other comedians.

Michael

 “I do comedy because it’s a good way to entertain, I’m not afraid to get up on stage, and it’s different than playing music,” Monsour states. Although, Michael occasionally incorporates music into his sets, he would love to do it more because he finds that, “performing comedy songs is a lot easier.” Of course, when you’re a seasoned performer that plays guitar, bass, and piano, like Monsour, it’s no surprise that comedy songs come easy. Generating material for shows isn’t difficult for Michael either. “When you hang around crazy kids it helps, especially because I do it on a daily basis,” he says about his outgoing friends and fellow comedians. “Improvisation, punch-lines, suggestions, and generally bouncing ideas off of each other helps a lot.”

Michael Monsour is the headline comedian at this year’s 5^th annual MR. Fest. He is very excited for the festival and anticipates a great show. Monsour has also been very involved with the implementation of comedy for this year’s MR. Fest. He initiated all of it! Michael hopes to expand the San Marcos comedy scene in a new way by continuing local shows, touring and performing large showcases. If things work out as planned, prepare for Fall 2012 to see what Michael has in store for San Marcos comedy.

Check out the always entertaining Michael Monsour, headline comedian at this year’s 5^th annual MR. Fest!

- Reyna Caraveo

April 26^th - MR.Fest W/Henry and the Invisibles at Tantra Coffee Shop

April 28^th - KTSW 89.9 MR. Fest Comedy Headliner at The Vault

https://www.facebook.com/MichaelMonsourComedy

@monsooncomedy

Michael Nieto a local comedian, originally from San Antonio, took the stage for the first time three-years ago at an open mic at the Taproom. The motivating force for him to take that first step onto a stage and try stand up, was a natural competitive nature. “I can do this, I’m funnier than half these people,” said Michael full of confidence. After preparing for a year, Nieto was ready to take his stand up outside of San Marcos and hit up Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club in San Antonio, and the Funniest Person Contest in Austin in 2011.  As a result of his performances, Michael opened for Ron Shock and Doug Stanhope in the Summer of 2011.

Most comedians when writing their material, draw from their own personal life experiences or childhood memories; such is the case with comedians like George Lopez. Michael, however, strays away from the usual or personal and instead focuses in on the ridiculous situations we all sometimes find ourselves in. His unique approach to writing has not always been successful; Michael has had his fair share of silent crowds and says there’s a valuable lesson to be learned from them. “If you’re awesome and make people laugh all the time, you will never get better… Sometimes you have to have your weakness shown to grow.”

Catch Michael’s stand-up act every Thursday at Taxi’s open-mic. or at Mr. Fest’s comedy line-up showcasing at the Vault, April 28th at 7pm!

“Is there any questions?”~ Michael Nieto

-Stephanie Cavazos

“I have been playing acoustically since I was 14,” said Lauren, who is twenty now, “music has always been a part of my life.” Lauren and the Blacklists is rock band composed of Lauren Burton, Bryan Winslow, Lance Osborn, and Kyle Vanderhoof. A lot of their influences stem from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Garbage and the Pixies to name a few. Lauren is originally from Kentucky but grew up in the self-proclaimed, “Live Music Capital of the World,” Austin. After some encouragement by lead singer Polly Mackey, a friend from the UK, from the band called, Polly Mackey and the Pleasure Principal who performed in the 2009 SXSW event.

“It’s really fun; you should really try it,” said Polly. Since then Lauren decided to expand her band and start creating originals. Now, Lauren and the Blacklists have hit the ground running. With SXSW 2012, an EP released this pass January, and “Band of the Month” by Room 13 Magazine in their rear view mirror, what’s next for this rock band? “Mini regional tour in Houston, San Antonio, Dallas and Shreveport,” said Lauren, “we’re ready to expand our audience.” After performing their 5 unofficial performances during this passed SXSW, the Blacklists were contacted by a booking manager to perform possibly outside of Texas.

This band are a must see! If you’re as eager as I am to check Lauren and the Blacklists, they’ll be performing on April 19th for Mr. Fest pre-party, and on the 28th at Sean Patrick’s at 4pm for Mr. Fest. See you there!

-Stephanie Cavazos

Photo Courtesy of Facebook

http://vimeo.com/24905608

The Austin, Texas based band, Technicolor Hearts, consists of members Naomi Cherie and Joseph Salazar. Both artists are former members of other projects and have brought their talents together to form the “arts + crafts rock” band. Cherie, the band’s violinist, has previously collaborated with bands Agent Ribbons, Southern Drama, and Mariachi de los Gallos. Salazar worked with the group Death is Not a Joyride and remains a multi-instrumental musician in his current band incorporating the guitar, bass, and synths.

Technicolor Hearts formed in 2010 and has formed a fan base in the Austin area since their first tour kicked off in November of 2011. The band also released their first set of recordings via a 3-track EP, Corpus Christi in 2011including songs Pocahaunted, Corpus Christi, and Pretty. Technicolor Hearts has played shows with many known local artists such as Zola Jesus, Marmalakes, and the Sour Notes, and Talk Normal.

After playing shows in Oklahoma and Missouri, Technicolor Hearts will be hitting the stage for the Chairlift After Party with Chairlift, Les Rav, Love Inks, and Nite Jewel on April 17^th at Mohawks in Austin, Texas. Fans can also catch the duo at Sean Patrick’s during MR Fest on April 28^th.

Twitter: @technicolorhrtz

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hellotechnicolorhearts

Bandcamp: http://technicolorhearts.bandcamp.com/

Photos by Tim Griffin @griffinshot

Looking for a cool spot where you can enjoy good jams and not have to drive to Austin for it? Right here in San Marcos we have our very own live music venue called, Triple Crown. Triple Crown isn’t just an all rock venue, their music is quite eclectic ranging from punk rock to jazz to blue grass. How did this venue evolve to be known as the ‘Live Music Capital of San Marcos?’

“When we first opened, no one else was doing live music, there was a void in the scene,” said Eric Shaw, the booking agent for Triple Crown, “it was kinda natural.” Another contributing factor is Triple Crown recently hit 5,524 days of consecutive live music, and still counting. “There was a moment their when a band bailed due to bad weather, but a local band stepped in,” said Shaw.

Triple Crown opened their doors on November 22, 1996, sixteen years ago. They have shared their staged to many artists and bands; however, the most memorable band was Blue October. 

“Ya, Blue October came in on a Sunday night during their early years for an open-mic; I remember, because we normally don’t allow full bands on those nights,” said Shaw. Triple Crown also had the privilege of showcasing, Grupo Fantasma, who won a Grammy in 2011.(www.grupofantasma.com/bio) Triple Crown will also be participating in Mr. Fest in late April, featuring bands from 2-8p.

Next time you are in the mood for rock, jazz, or even blue grass, stop by Triple Crown located off 206 N. Edward Gary St.   Not sure what’s playing? Go to www.triplecrownlive.com  where they have a calendar on their website displaying who and when artists and bands will be playing. 

http://www.triplecrownlive.com/

http://www.grupofantasma.com/bio

Image for Google

By: Stephanie Cavazos