Venues played....

.. ..

Texas....

Beerland, Austin....

Club DeVille, Austin....

Beauty Bar, Austin....

End of an Ear, Austin....

The Parlor, Austin....

Elysium, Austin....

Redrum, Austin....

Plush, Austin....

Club 1808, Austin....

Mesa Ranch, Austin....

The Dirty Dog, Austin....

End of an Ear Record Store, Austin....

Trophy's, Austin....

The Vibe, Austin....

The Darkside Lounge, Dallas....

Texas Ski Ranch, New Braunfels....

The Damn Red Barn, Canyon Lake....

Sam's Burger Joint, San Antonio....

Blue Bubble Ballroom, San Antonio....

.. ..

Florida....

Café Tsunami, Pinellas Park/St.Petersburg....

The Tavern on Main, Sarasota....

The Copper Rocket, Maitland/Orlando....

Revolution Nightclub, Orlando....

Lockhaven Park, Orlando....

The Orpheum, Tampa....

Pastimes, Sarasota....

Jazid, Miami....

Tiny’s Lounge, Longboat Key....

.. ..

New York....

Arlene's Grocery, NYC....

The Annex, NYC....

.. ..

Massachusetts....

Midway Café, Boston/Jamaica Plain....

.. ..

California....

The Gig, Los Angeles....

.. ..

Missouri....

The Brick, Kansas City....

Harlings, Kansas City....

.. ..

Wisconsin....

Cherry Lanes, Sturgeon Bay....

The Frequency, Madison....

Art Bar, Milwaukee....

McAuliffe’s Pub, Racine....

Paradigm, Sheboygan....

.. ..

Illinois....

Martyr’s, Chicago ....

.. ..

Festivals&Showcases....

Tropical Heatwave Music Festival, Tampa, FL.....

Steel Bridge Festival, Sturgeon Bay, WI....

Sled Island Music Festival, Calgary, Alberta, Canada....

North VS. South Music Festival, Kansas City, MO....

Texas Rock Fest, Austin, TX....

GO GIRLS unofficial SXSW showcase, Austin, TX....

The Grid, electronic music showcase, Austin, TX....

Orlando International Fringe Festival, Orlando, FL....

Kansas City Fringe Festival, Kansas City, MO....

Austin Regional Grilled Cheese Invitational, Austin, TX....

.. ..

Radio/Television/Podcasts....

Fox Channel 7 Morning Show, Austin....

I Radio L.A.....

The Smiths Podcast....

WMNF 88.5....

Whiskey from a Wire Radio, KC, MO.... 

Ourobouros Podcast UK....

Gearwire.com....

http://eepurl.com/clz9

Drowning - Before Dawn

By:  T. Mathenia

Before Dawn an Austin, TX based duo has delivered an complexingly simple New Wave album called Drowning.  Rob Houle and Kate Arpke have created an album is full of rich layers.  There's the New Wave feel which rests firmly in electro beats that are driving and hypnotic.  Rob Houle's voice is a murky blend of emotional tremble and fierce seriousness that is reminiscent Adam Ant.  The keyword here is reminiscent as Houle's voice has more soaring range to it.  Like another male/female duo Mr. Gnome, it's hard to believe that its just two people creating such a thick and robust yet perky sound.

 

Where 'Lover' has a definite electro feel to it, 'Score' is more rock influenced.  The guitar riffs on 'Drowning' are strong and catchy while Kate and Rob's vocals combine to lend an urgent feel to the tune that boils the blood and escalates the senses.

In Spanish:
Intensa emoción electro-voltaica, guitarras y disco. Independientemente de todas las sensaciones presentes en su música hay una cosa que haréis irremediablemente cuando estéis escuchando a Before Dawn, MOVEROS. Incluso si los percibís en todo momento como una banda de rock el motor es electrónico y el pulso disco es sólido y casi invariable. Puede parecer una dualidad simple pero el número de influencias es notable y el tratamiento de las guitarras es amplio, incluyen detalles de electro, techno, after punk, punk y sonidos más oscuros y no notaréis ninguna ruptura en el constante y bailable ritmo de la máquina. Pero lo más atractivo para un lector de Inanna Naked es el hecho de que tienen algo, son intensos, espasmódicamente intensos; la música es como una mezcla de un impulso nervioso y una emoción amplificada; la voz está entre un grito, un gemido y un lamento y el conjunto es siempre penetrante e irresistible.

In English:
Intense electro-voltaic emotion, guitars and disco. Independently from all the sensations present in their music there is one thing you will irremediablely do when listening to Before Dawn, MOVE. Even if you perceive them at any moment as a rock band the engine is electronic and the disco pulse is strong and almost invariable. It can seem a simple duality but the number of influences is notable and the guitars treatment is wide, they include subtle details from electro, techno, after punk, punk and darker sounds and you won’t notice any rupture in the constant and danceable rhythm of the machine. But the most attractive thing for an Inanna Naked’s reader is the fact that they have something, they are intense, spasmodically intense; the music is like a mixture of a nervous impulse and an amplified emotion; the voice is between a shout, a moan and a wail and the whole is always penetrating and irresistible.

Here is the link:
http://www.inannanaked.com/index.asp?ID=698&IDF=14

"For a two-piece, it would only be appropriate that Before Dawn is a band based on duality. The music of Rob Houle and Kate Arpke has an unrefined edge masked by a veil of mechanics; an interplay that serves as the crucial element permeating throughout the group's songs. Whether they are exploring the nuances of indie rock, mixing in bits of new wave sass or crafting a dancy electro pop beat, Before Dawn does everything with a sense of polarity. For the Austin duo, every raw chord comes with a polished rhythm, each perfection with a refreshing imprecision. It's a delicate balance that few bands can approach with anything near the consistency and creativity as Before Dawn.

At times, it's surprising that two people can create so many layers in their music. Before Dawn is by no means a "small band", but rather a kick-in-the-balls sequence of strong guitar riffs and infectious bass lines. This isn't simplistic head bopping music, but ass shaking tunes with a heartbeat, a direct reflection of the sincerity and integrity of the group. Rob and Kate never give the impression that their performance is overly calculated or redundant, but rather come off as the band that will drive 50 miles to play for a drink and a slice of pizza, just for the chance to perform and spark the crowd.

They wear their influences on their sleeve; Interpol-esque basslines complement the epic rock style of Muse or the post punk sounds New Order. However, their sound is entirely their own, a culmination of both familiar influences and fresh innovations.

With "Drowning" set for release, Before Dawn is able to bottle the genuine expression of their live show. Tracks like "Lover" reveal Before Dawn's electronic influence. "Score" allows the band to show off their rock n' roll chops with a touch of new wave revival. "Drowning" is as consistent as it is diverse, making for an appropriate introduction to the group's eclectic influences and styles, as well as their distinctive sense of contrast."

- Elliot Cole
Soundcheck Magazine

"...This could worm its way into the UK New Rave scene....Try this and you will jump off of a bandwagon that's died, and straight on to a fresh one - bags of potential here."

We have finished the recording of our 5th song! Yay! Check out the latest recording and mix of "Happy"!

A lot of work went into this song, the guitars were re-recorded in post production twice. Rob was very concerned about making every aspect of this song perfect because it is our friend and photographer, Evan Mora's favorite song and he did not want to disappoint him.

I love the new synth lines we have added, they are subtle, simple and a 3 year old could play them, but nevertheless add a lot. I also like Robs bare bones distorted, note bending guitar solo, I think it is particularly Joey Santiagoesque.

This song was written during and about a very specific period of time in our lives. It was in 2005 when Josh Potter was still in our band so he was up here in Austin all the time. And we had another friend, Glen who lived at our apartment complex that frequently would hang out with us. The four of us would usually be getting into some kind of trouble either downtown, on the river, at home and especially on bicycles. Glen is the guy in the picture brandishing a giant stick with one hand, and a cold one in the other hand while sporting a sweet Before Dawn shirt when the song plays on myspace. He was our #1 fan long before we had ever played a live gig, he would listen to us rehearse in the livingroom. He unfortunately moved back to Ohio.

So there you have it, a song about an Era. It was a difficult and stressful era yet tons of fun too. It was an era that reminded us of the importance of good friends who can make you laugh and don't mind when you cry too.

Oh and I might mention, Rob wrote the Lyrics on this song, a deviation from our normal formula.

So, enjoy, because, "we call this Happy."

You might feel neglected as we have been out of town and just returned. Well we made this just for you, so you can't be mad...

Finally a new recording and mix of an old favorite, LOVE ROBOT.
It has been a long time coming and has taken us a long time to figure out the needs of this song after becoming a 2 piece. We now have a mix that we are excited about and that has been approved for listening. The build at the end of the song is our favorite part. Also I am kind of proud of my bass playing in this song, it makes me sound better than I am. We hope that you enjoy this old/new song and that our little LOVE ROBOT might just work his way into your heart.

If anyone is interested in LOVE ROBOT merch shoot me a message and let me know what you would like to see. I would like to get an order together and a few people have expressed an interest...

The next few songs on deck are Happy (very soon), Turning off and Score. I will most certainly post a bulletin for these, however you may have to go to www.beforedawnband.com to listen to them.

This is the song that we refer to as our bump and grind number. It is filled with treats, and goes many places, so make sure you listen to the whole song. Rob has a great guitar solo at the end that I am very proud of. I am proud of him for playing it and myself for producing it and pulling it out of him.

Have a fresh listen to Drowning as well, it has been remixed on our new speakers. I am interested to know if any of you audiophiles can tell the difference.

Also check out my latest blog entry. Some people seem interested in the blog, but mostly just my mother.