BLOGSCHU

Summer Loving

Hopefully it is finally starting to feel like SUMMER in your part of the world. Some would argue that it always feels like summer here in Southern California and well, they would be right, but there is something about school being out and the beaches getting crowded that sort of seals the deal. I have just sent my two kiddos off to summer camp so I finally have some time to catch up on stacks of New Yorkers, books I have been stashing away, and of course the latest and greatest in music.

Sorry for the lapse in Music Monday blog posts for the past two weeks. I have been experiencing some frustrations with the playlist website that we use; namely, it suddenly will not allow me to post certain songs due to licensing issues. I think I have worked out some of the kinks but I still won’t be able to always post what I want to when I want to. In the meantime, I am exploring some alternatives.

Without further adieu, here are this week’s Music Monday picks:

“Monday Morning” Death Cab for Cutie from the album Codes and Keys
Death Cab is back with their seventh studio album and this song is appropriately titled for this day of the week. The entire album is very good and you can catch them live on tour this summer.

“We Have Everything” Young Galaxy from the album Shapeshifting
This Canadian group has been around since 2005 and has toured with big acts like Arcade Fire, Death Cab, etc. but I have not heard of them until now. For this recent album, the group recorded their songs in Canada and sent them overseas to Sweden where acclaimed producer Dan Lissvik electronically enhanced them. 

“Old Man” by Redlight King from the album Something For The Pain
I heard this song last week on the Howard Stern show. Yes, I listen to Howard - I have for many years. While I’m not a huge fan of his tawdry antics, I do think he is one of the most talented comedians around and his interviewing skills are unrivaled. Anyway, Howard and many of the guys on his staff are huge Neil Young fans and they were discussing this song and whether or not it was a good use of the “Old Man” riff. I must think so as I have listened to it a lot over the past few days!

“Morning Thought” by Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. from the album Morning Thought
I first heard this Detroit duo when they performed a live set on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic here in Los Angeles before they headed down to SXSW. In addition to making great music, these guys have a good sense of humor (see band name for proof of that) and they blog for the ESPN music site.   

“Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall” Coldplay from their yet-to-be-named fifth studio album
I can hear the collective groan now...“Ugh, Coldplay?” What can I say? I like their sound and they are one of my favorite bands to see live. This song is from their upcoming fifth studio album and while it does sound an awful lot like every other song they have put out there, I don’t think that is really such a bad thing. Their music just makes me feel good. And if you were at their Glastonbury show this past weekend, well then you were really lucky.

“Summertime” performed by the incomparable Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong from the Porgy and Bess soundtrack 
This song is dedicated to Erik Rogers who passed away a few days ago from brain injuries sustained after falling off a step ladder while trimming trees. Erik was part of a close circle of friends that I am lucky to have in my life and we are all shocked and devastated that he is no longer with us. Erik and I shared a love of music, especially jazz, and in high school we always swapped Ella Fitzgerald cassettes. This song is one of my favorites, and Erik’s too, and I close out this week’s Music Monday with it as a tribute to my friend. 

Cheers, Lisa

Can't see the playlist below? Click here.

The Great Pinzgauer Adventure

A few weeks back, we gathered a couple of staff and some friends to climb aboard our 'baby elephant' -- an open-air, 12 person Swiss army truck called a Pinzgauer -- to make our very own Gundlach Bundschu music video. We had no song in mind, actually, but we thought it would be cool to make a film showing how much fun we have on our weekly vineyard tours.

The tours are a truly unique and special way to visit wine country, and seeing where the grapes are grown is the best way to get to understand why we make the variety and styles of wines that we do. But most of all, its just beautiful out there, and a hell of a lot of fun to see the property and hear its many stories, usually with Rob Bundschu as your guide.

It was such a tough day at work! Sarah & Peter Berkley of Belle Creative hopped on the tour with cameras in hand, and captured the spirit of the beautiful day.  Peter paired it with a rollicking tune called 'Sister Rosetta' by Indian Valley Line which has had us all bouncing around the office for days.

We hope you enjoy The Great Pinzgauer Adventure, and hopefully you can visit us in person to take the tour sometime too. Reservations and details are at www.gunbun.com/tours

 

The Capital of Weird

What do New Orleans, Boston, Memphis, Charleston, Chicago and now Austin all have in common? Gundlach Bundschu WOMers have reveled in each city and brought them to their knees – or is it vice versa? If Austin is an example, it is the latter. Your fellow adventurous WOMers have just returned from a sold-out trip to the Texas capital having celebrated together the joys of Bacchus and camaraderie.

We first rendezvoused at the Stephen F. Austin Hotel on a Thursday afternoon. Upon checking in we were handed an envelope which contained instructions to the first event. “We are meeting at the Continental Club at 5:30, take a cab or walk only six blocks away.” WOMer queen Kathy’s GPS was evidently malfunctioning for the distance was more like a mile and a half. But Bacchus was smiling. If it had been a typical hot Austin afternoon we would likely had WOMers resigning their memberships, but instead a cool breeze accompanied them along the easy trail.

The Continental Club is a classic; an authentic roadhouse which arguably provides one of Austin’s most authentic music venues. Name an old line country and western or blues performer and they have been there. Jeff Bundschu greeted us all, and we greeted each other, shook off the day’s trail dust with Merlot, Chardonnay, Tempranillo Rosé and plenty of southwestern appetizers. The first gathering of any Revel is always a combination of experienced WOMer Revelers catching up accompanied with the introduction of first timers. Quite soon, with wine and gentle coaxing from Jeff, other Bundschus and staff, everyone “knows” one another.

A few short hours later, we walked en masse across the street to America’s most famous boot and western wear emporium: Allen’s Boots. The store stayed open just for us WOMers and even allowed GunBunners to be served and enjoy wine among the racks and racks of boots. Multiply the distinct smell of a brand-new, leather-upholstered car by ten and that’s the way it smelled inside Allen’s. Ever respectful, WOMers spilled nary a drop. Many WOMers walked out with a new pair of boots. Who would have thought, cowboys and fine wine?

Nine a.m. the next morning, we met in the hotel lobby and were divided into groups for Jeff’s annual WOMer competition: a timed zigzag race trough the streets of downtown Austin with city landmarks as check points. Each of these places having to be attended by the entire team; no cheating! All teams arrived at the finish line approximately at the same time except for Jeff’s. Seems he zagged rather than zigged and ended up in the state capital building which in fact was not one of our intended landmarks.

Dazed and confused, they at last arrived at the finish line, just in time to board the two buses that took us on a trail through the outskirts of Austin. We drove into rural, brush covered hills and arrived at the famous Texas barbeque house, “The Salt Lick.” It is a destination restaurant established on an old Texas ranch. Recently vineyards have been planted adjacent to the restaurant, a comforting backdrop for WOMers. Sumptuous quantities of barbequed ribs, chicken, sausages, baked beans, corn bread, cole slaw, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel and Gewürztraminer were served with enough time to sit back, sip and chat. Towards the meal’s end the third generation owner of “The Salt Lick” presented a spirited historical review of the restaurant, beginning with his grandfather cooking for local cowboys over a campfire on this spot up to the recent addition of vineyards and wine.

Tables were then pushed aside and a pretty, petite dance instructor appeared and announced we were about to learn how the dances of Texas. The great thing about WOMers is that they are up for most anything, so after digesting a rather bountiful meal along with ample wine, they charged the dance floor. Some were excellent students, some not so good, but none lacked enthusiasm. After instructions, we were divided into our teams once more for a team dance off. What ensued was no “Dancing with the Stars,” but at least there were no broken bones. Finally, we all cooled off under some large spreading oaks and listened to the restaurant’s winemaker discuss grape growing and wine making in the hill country of Texas. As he spoke, we enjoyed his wine.

We traveled back to Austin, and everyone had a free evening to experience the joys of the city. Some of us walked out to the South Congress Avenue Bridge to witness the well publicized nightly flight of bats. We were a bit skeptical, but there they were -- an endless ribbon of six million pairs of flashing wings beating into the night sky. A study revealed they consume twenty four tons of insects each night, thereby making them Austin’s favorite pets.

Eleven Thirty Saturday morning found us all gathered at the respected Paggi House for a formal four course lunch with accompanying Gundlach Bundschu wines selected by Executive Chef Ben Huselton. We do this at each Revel, and this chef hit a grand slam. Many WOMer ooooh’s and ahhhh’s were heard as each course was enjoyed. As good as the wine and food was, the highlight of the meal for many occurred when Jeff revealed that the 2011 winner of the annual Gundlach Bundschu poetry contest resided nearby and was a guest at the lunch. Jeff coaxed her into reciting her poem. A bit nervous at first, and rightfully so, as it was towards the end of the feast and given the considerable amount of wine enjoyed, the decibel level of conversation was no doubt daunting. But bravely she proceeded; after the first two lines and until her final word, you could have heard a pin drop. The poem about Rhinefarm and the Bundschu family was that good.

We adjourned the meal and headed to the bus, having been previously instructed by Jeff at “the Salt Lick,” to bring a change of clothes to the Paggi House for our afternoon’s adventure. He suggested hippie motif, fairy wings, tie dye, sparkles, etc. We were whisked away to Eeyore’s (yes, Winnie the Pooh’s pal) Birthday Party, held annually in Austin Park. Yikes! Two o three thousand celebrants, some clothed, others simply painted entirely silver or gold. Large drum circles, hoola hoop teams, ragamuffin little kids. And in the middle of it all was the Gundlach Bundschu tent serving chilled Gewürztraminer to the by now bug-eyed WOMers. Only a hardy few stayed until the last returning bus.

Back at the hotel, most took a short nap in preparation for the final evening, A short stroll down sixth street to the Iron Cactus bar and restaurant for a southwestern buffet and more Gundlach Bundschu wine, followed by speeches extolling WOMer fidelity, lots of hugs, and the eager “where are we going next year” questions (to be announced at the Harvest Party in September). Jeff had one final surprise: wrist bands to get us into the famous Parrish Club several doors down Sixth Avenue. Performing that night was “Joan as a Police Woman.” Unfortunately for Jeff, he never heard her sing but acted on the recommendation of a trusted friend. Most of us agreed Joan would have been a better cop than singer. Oh well, you never know unless you go. We went, we left, and Joan has become a part of WOMer legend -- a history that is beginning to fill binders.

A word of advice for those of you who have read this far: two buses are all that we will ever take on a WOMer Revel. The number of people is manageable allowing both enough flexibility to find a variety of adventures and for WOMers to get to know one other. So make sure to sign up early for next year!

Salud amigos,

Jim Bundschu

P.S. - Plenty of photographic evidence is available on our Facebook page

Huichica: I'm gonna love you, come rain or come shine

This past weekend's Huichica Music Festival was, in one word, phenomenal. Congratulations to Eric Johnson, Jeff Bundschu and the entire Gun Bun family for pulling off a magical event under less than ideal circumstances. As opposed to last year's festival where the biggest concern was heat stroke, this year's participants had to contend with rain, rain and more rain. Tents, umbrellas, a last-minute venue change, plentiful Gun Bun wine, and the unbreakable optimism of everyone involved prevailed and for another year, Huichica has restored my faith in the goodness of people and the power of music.

 The sun bounced off the beautiful hills of Sonoma in the distance
while ominous rain clouds gathered over the festival. 

I had the privilege of serving as the "band liaison" this year which basically meant that I was in charge of keeping the band members happy. This was not a difficult task as I have never met such a group of supportive, cheerful, gracious people in my life. We got to hang out in what might be the world's most extraordinary "green room," Gun Bun's 10,000 sq ft wine cave, where we nestled in amongst over 1000 barrels of wine.

 

Band members hanging in the Green Room aka Gun Bun's wine cave.

I won't bore you with the details behind the story of how in a lame attempt to ingratiate myself with the legendary musician J Mascis, I mistook his young son for his "beautiful daughter" (I'm still trying to pull my foot out of my mouth). That minor blip aside, everything went smoothly and I feel truly honored to have interacted with these amazing people. I am in awe of their creative spirit and unyielding determination to share their gift with the world. I strongly encourage you to experience and support the bands who participated in this year's line-up by purchasing their music and checking them out if they come to your neck of the woods:

Fruit Bats

J Mascis

Sonny & The Sunsets

Richard Swift

These United States

Breathe Owl Breathe

Tu Fawning

David Williams

CB Brand

And don't forget that Daytrotter was there to capture the entire event (and let me tell you, that was NOT easy in those weather conditions) so stay tuned for more information on that in the near future.

Tu Fawning performs in the Gun Bun wine production room
which became the impromptu replacement for the "second stage."

Richard Swift takes to the outdoor stage to jam with the Fruit Bats.

I would like to give a special shout-out to Megan, Heather, Brian and Susan from Gun Bun and the entire crew from Daytrotter for inspiring me with your "let's do whatever it takes" attitude and to Jeff and Eric for allowing me the opportunity to participate behind the scenes. I hope to see you all at next year's Huichica! In the meantime, here is the playlist of tunes that I have been digging this past week:

Vetiver was one of the bands who participated in last year's inaugural Huichica Music Festival and we were lucky to have a few members show up this year as well. "Can't You Tell" is from their soon to be released album The Errant Charm. 

Thurston Moore is best known as a founding member of Sonic Youth but he has also released many albums as a solo artist including Demolished Thoughts which is produced by his friend and fellow artist Beck. "Benediction" is the lead song from this recently released album.

"Coyote" is one of those songs that mysteriously found its way onto my iPod. I can't remember how it initially crossed my path but I have certainly played it a lot. The Lonely Forest is a band of gents from Washington State and it looks like they are playing here in LA tomorrow night so I might just have to go check them out.

I do remember how I heard about Hooray for Earth: they blew up my twitter feed a few days ago with the release of this video. "No Love" is from their forthcoming album True Loves which will be released tomorrow. I think they have one of the best band names that I've heard in awhile.  

Dear Dawes: Please play at next year's Huichica Music Festival. That would make me very happy. Sincerely, Lisa. "If I Wanted Someone" is from Dawes' new album Nothing Is Wrong which also drops tomorrow. For those of you who live in my hometown of St. Louis, you can celebrate the release tonight with the band at one of the country's best record stores, Vintage Vinyl.

Cheers, Lisa (@see_hear)

Can't see the playlist below? Click here.