Beatles First Record Up for Auction
How much would someone pay to own the first ever Beatles pressing? The world will have an answer to that question on March 22nd when a 10-inch record credited to “Paul McCartney & the Beatles” goes up for auction at the Omega Auctions sale in Warrington, U.K.. The vinyl- inscribed with manager Brian Epstein’s handwriting- features early tunes “Till There Was You” and “Hello Little Girl” (famously miswritten by Epstein as “Hullo Little Girl.”) While the item is expected to bring in over $10,000 at auction, it’s forecasted that the vinyl won’t be as lucrative as the lock of John Lennon’s hair that went for $35,000 earlier this month.
Austin Gets More Willie
Austin, the city that proves you can never have too much Willie. The music and culture icon has a street named after him and a statue in his likeness here in the ol’ Texas capital, and now, he’s got a building-size mural. Artist and musician Wiley Ross, who’s “78704” mural graces Manchaca Road, worked with Heart of Texas Rockfest founder Adam Brewer to bring the 60 X 20-foot mural into fruition in time for this year’s festival on March 16-19, which happens to coincide with SXSW. Like the Mona Lisa of Austin, it’s said that Willie’s eyes follow you wherever you go…
Mark Mothersbaugh Interview During SXSW
SXSW music is trickling out the keynote and interview line-ups for this year’s festival. Late last week they announced their third musician slated for interview: DEVO’s Mark Mothersbaugh. The interview will cover not only the artist’s career with DEVO and composing music for Wes Anderson films, but his practice as a visual artist as well. Fortunately (or maybe conveniently), the interview runs parallel to Mothersbaugh’s Myopia retrospective exhibit showing at the Contemporary Austin through April 17th. Mothersbaugh will be interviewed by SXSW curator Adam Lerner On Thursday, March 18th and the Austin Convention Center.
Ennio Morricone Wins First Oscar
The 88th annual Academy Awards ceremony was last night, and yes, yes Lady Gaga was amazing and Leo won his first Oscar, but so did someone else. 87-year-old composer Ennio Morricone won his first Oscar for Best Original Score last night for Quentin Tarrantino’s The Hateful Eight. Morricone has five previous nominations, a six-decade career, and over 500 movie credits to his name.
Steve Adler Reacts to AMP’s Music Industry Economic Impact Study
Last Monday, the Austin Music People released its latest study covering the economic impact of Austin’s music industry, and the results were stacked against local music. Last Friday, Austin Mayor Steve Adler responded to the study, acknowledging the decline of impact from local artists and smaller venues. Adler has tasked City Manager Marc Ott with reviewing ideas to reverse the decline. Ott has 90 days to complete this task.
-Taylor Wallace
