Austin Kiddie Limits 2008 Preview: The Rest of the Weekend

Well, if I don't finish this series of previews of the artists who will be playing the Austin Kiddie Limits stage at the 2008 edition of the Austin City Limits Festival soon, I'll never finish. So I'm going to wrap up by briefly mentioning the rest of the artists. (Previous artists: Buck Howdy with BB, Uncle Rock, Jambo, The Jimmies, Big Don, mr.RAY.)

First off, the Q Brothers:
-- Official Website
-- Myspace page

The Q Brothers are the other hip-hop artist(s) to play AKL this year. They performed last year. I didn't see 'em perform on stage, but I did see them teach a whole bunch of kids how to scratch and rap at their booth between sets. They'll be doing that again this year.

The Q Brothers play 12:30 Friday.

The Q Brothers - Promo for "Funk It Up About Nothin'" (a promo for a blend of Shakespeare and hip-hop)

More artists after the jump...
Paul Green's School of Rock All-Stars:
-- Official Website
-- Audio
-- Some YouTube

Kids shredding it up on guitar. And, in the meantime, teaching young kids how to shred guitar. Plenty of video to go around at that YouTube site. They play 3:30 on Friday and Sunday.

Anthropos:
-- Official Website

Anthropos is an Austin-based institution that... well, let's let their website (partially) speak for itself... intends "to provide professional quality music instruction to economically disadvantaged youth - free of charge; to create opportunities for professional musicians from our community to serve as mentors to youth; and to encourage youth to create, compose, and improvise: we want to prove to them that they are already qualified to do so." So expect to see some really talented kids play music in Friday's "guest artist" slot at 3:15. (They played the stage in 2004, too.)

Nicole Atkins:
-- Official Website
-- YouTube

Nicole Atkins and the Sea play folk-rock. She's got a great voice -- listen and watch here for example -- and I fully expect her 3:15 Sunday "guest artist" appearance to be the most crowded AKL stage time this year, seeing as she's playing the freakin'-huge AMD stage earlier that day.

As for the 3:15 Saturday "guest artist" slot, I'm guessing Mason Jennings, who's playing that evening and who did a similar guest artist slot at Lolla/Kidzapalooza. But maybe Sam Beam from Iron & Wine will surprise me...

Austin Kiddie Limits 2008 Preview: mr. RAY

We're nearing the end of our ongoing series of previews of the artists who will be playing the Austin Kiddie Limits stage at the 2008 edition of the Austin City Limits Festival. Today it's mr. RAY. (Previous artists: Buck Howdy with BB, Uncle Rock, Jambo, The Jimmies, Big Don.)

First, the technical specs...
-- Official Website (or here if you're British)
-- Videos
-- Myspace page
-- Zooglobble archives.

mr. RAY might just be the biggest artist to play the AKL stage this year... if you're British. That's right, the New Jersey-based mr. RAY (aka Ray Andersen) is signed to Universal Records for the UK and Ireland and has a big following across the pond. Here in the US, his fanbase isn't quite as big yet, perhaps, but those of you in Austin next weekend will get a chance to hear his Beatles-y pop for preschoolers and see what'll definitely be the coolest guitar on stage barring the surprise appearance of Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen.

mr. RAY plays 1:30 Saturday, 2:30 Sunday.

mr. RAY - "Roy G. Biv"

One more video after the jump.
mr. RAY - "Gimme a Hi-5"

Austin Kiddie Limits 2008 Preview: Big Don

We're continuing our ongoing series of previews of the artists who will be playing the Austin Kiddie Limits stage at the 2008 edition of the Austin City Limits Festival. Today it's Big Don. (Previous artists: Buck Howdy with BB, Uncle Rock, Jambo, The Jimmies.)

First, the technical specs...
-- Official Website
-- Videos
-- Myspace page
-- Zooglobble archives, though this entry is it for the moment.

For those of you thinking you can't break into Austin Kiddie Limits, Big Don (aka Austin hip hop artist Don Robinson) proves ya wrong. How do I know? When I was at Austin Kiddie Limits last year, I got a copy of Big Don's Big Beat... because somebody was passing them out to any interested party. I'm assuming Tor Hyams was one of those people who got the CD, too. Anyway, the album is nothing too complicated, just good, solid hip hop for preschoolers, mostly. I have no idea how he'll be in concert, but I'm looking forward to bopping along.

Big Don plays at 2:30 on Friday and 11:30 Sunday.

Big Don - "Humpty Dumpty"

Austin Kiddie Limits 2008 Preview: The Jimmies

Another day, another entry in my ongoing series of previews of the artists who will be playing the Austin Kiddie Limits stage at the 2008 edition of the Austin City Limits Festival. Today -- The Jimmies. (Previous artists: Buck Howdy with BB, Uncle Rock, Jambo.)

First, the technical specs...
-- Official Website
-- Videos
-- Myspace page
-- Zooglobble archives, including an interview with lead Jimmy ("lead Jimmie"?) Ashley Albert.

The Jimmies will rock harder than anyone else at the AKL stage next weekend with the possible exception of the Paul Green School of Rock All-Stars, and is the School of Rock bringing a giant tap-dancing robot? I didn't think so. Well, neither are the Jimmies, but they've brought one to a concert taping before, so they've got that going for them. Anyway, their debut album Make Your Own Someday features some great powerpop and a sense of humor that will greatly amuse your seven-year-old. And probably you.

The Jimmies play at 3:30 Saturday and 2:30 Sunday. Bring your own tap-dancing robot.

The Jimmies - "Do The Elephant"

More videos, including the much-loved "Spanimals," after the jump...
The Jimmies - "Spanimals"

The Jimmies - "Taddy"

Austin Kiddie Limits 2008 Preview: Jambo

In my ongoing series of previews of the artists who will be playing the Austin Kiddie Limits stage at the 2008 edition of the Austin City Limits Festival, next up is Jambo. (Previous artists: Buck Howdy with BB, Uncle Rock).

First, the technical specs...
-- Official Website
-- YouTube channel
-- Myspace page
-- Zooglobble archives

Whereas Uncle Rock explores the "rock" side of roots rock, Jambo (AKA Steve Pierson and his band), from Southern California, explores the bluesier side of roots rock. Not in any "my baby left me" sort of way, but he does play a pretty slick guitar. Oh, he also sings about ladybugs, dogs, and other topics left virtually unexplored by, say, BB King. Jambo is one of the AKL veterans -- they played the stage last year -- so he'll at least be smart enough not to wear something insanely warm. And it'll be a good, solid set.

Jambo plays Friday at 1:30, and Saturday at 11:30 as well.

Jambo - "Where Do They Go?" (Live)

One more live video after the jump.
Jambo - "It's A Good Day" (Live)