The B-Side
By Darcie Stevens, Fri., Aug. 11, 2006
Down by the C-Side
Once upon a time, music was about expression, an escape from life while expounding upon it. The last decade has seen that drop by the wayside in favor of image, but last weekend's C-Side Showcase at Flamingo Cantina went back to the old-school. Founded in 2002 by Matt Pittman and Austin band the Channel, Round Rock's C-Side Records sponsored a show Friday that did just that. Chris "Grizzle" Gregory and his troupe of nonchalants in fellow C-Siders Golden Bear became invigorating with the addition of the Royal Forest Horns. All dewy-faced and bright-eyed, the band bounced through organic pop songs off their eponymous debut, leaving only one question: Where did these guys come from?
"[Golden Bear and the Channel] have both been around for five years or so," Pittman replies. "They're truly unique and wonderful people, who are putting their heart into their music." That sentiment blasted contagious in "Ten Thousand Orchestras," as a room full of friends and strangers beat the air in unison. Half of Golden Bear, plus a few friends, went on last as the country-tinged Channel, a bit more discombobulated than the Bear but with no pretension or formula. Their new double LP, Tales From the Two Hill Heart/Sibylline Machine – the fourth for C-Side – is an exercise in theory, genres overlapping fragile, eclectic sounds.
"I wish I had the money to properly promote and market these records," Pittman says. "Realistically, I just hope that we make enough of a wave that some more-established indie label will decide to give our artists a pleasant home on their roster. It would be bittersweet for me, kind of like watching your kids leave home, but I'd be very happy for the bands. They deserve something better."
