There are lots of ways to make a living; Hank Schyma makes his like this.
Born and raised in Houston, Hank is a storm chaser, watching weather patterns and going anywhere the sky touches the earth.
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Haute Wheels Food Truck Festival
Spread Those Wings And Fly
Sustainable Living Fest
SugarHill CD Proceeds Benefit Charity
Houston Press: Hank Schyma, Storm Chaser
The Wheel Workers Wrestle Westward
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Haute Wheels Food Truck Festival
Fire up those appetites, music fans . . . . You’re going to need to stretch them as long as you can. On Saturday May 12th on the HCC West Loop campus, The Haute Wheels Food Truck Festival shall rise again! This years festival promises to be bigger, better, louder, and tastier. Our friends from Haute Wheels have passed along some helpful info that we’re are more than happy to share with you. See you then!
34 Reasons and Then Some to Visit Haute Wheels
Houston, Texas…With so many great food trucks in Houston, it’s hard to choose. Haute Wheels, the Food Truck Festival slated for May 12-13, offers up 34 delicious reasons to attend the 2nd annual food truck fest. Guests can experience newcomers like the French-inspired L’Es-Car-Go, the latest truck to hit the streets or Bare Bowls Kitchen with its freshly sourced ingredients. There’s Coreanos, rated one of the best food trucks in the U.S. and of course local burger fan favorite, Bernie’s Burger Bus. This year, festival organizers have increased the number of trucks—nearly 50% more trucks than last year and will limit tickets sold. Benefitting the Houston Community College Foundation, this 2-day festival will feature 34 gourmet and fun food trucks, the H-E-B Beer and Wine Garden, live music on the Saint Arnold Momentum Mini stage, a vendor village as well as interactive activities and fun for all.
What will the trucks be serving? Most trucks will be serving some kind of sample portion and streamlining their menus so Haute Wheels patrons can feast on a variety of food. How about fried Chicken and Waffles for $3 or pulled Pork and Gouda Mac for $4 from Zilla Street Eats or a Japanese-inspired hotdog (100% beef hotdogs served on fresh-baked Hawaiian sweet bread; homemade daily) like the Zen with cream cheese, scallions, bacon bits, katsu sauce for $6 and an order of Shanghai eggrolls (10 pieces) for just $5 from Happy Endings? Just hitting the streets with its French-inspired and inventive menu is L’Es Car-Go and Coreanos, named the #1 food truck in Texas and the 8th best food truck in the nation by Smithsonian Magazine. For those with a sweet tooth, expect lots of yummy cupcakes, fresh mini pies and homemade chocolate truffles.
With 34 trucks, nearly double the number of trucks of the prior year, guests can expect lots of delicious food choices.
In the H-E-B Beer and Wine Garden, sample a variety of wines and craft beers from Alexander Valley Vineyards, Freixenet, Saint Arnold, GreatBrewers and Blue Moon.
Tune in to the Saint Arnold stage as seven outstanding local bands perform. This will be one of the last performances for fan favorite, Roky Moon & BOLT!
Sat. May 12
12:30 – Two Star Symphony
2:00 – Craig Kinsey
3:30 – Southern Backtones
Sun. May 13
Ancient Cat Society: 12:15
Wheel Workers: 1:30
Winter Wallace: 2:45
Roky Moon and BOLT!: 4:00
Join fellow foodies from across the city who seek cutting-edge culinary experiences and flavors as they feast on the latest culinary menus from these Haute Wheels participating trucks: Angie’s Cake, Bernie’s Burger Bus, Zilla Street Eats, MMM Cupcakes, Coreanos, Frosted Betty, Green Seed Vegan, The Lunch Bag, Eatsie Boys, Good Dog, Phamily Bites, Rolling Hunger, Katfish Kitchen, Pi Pizza, Kurbside Eatz, H-town StrEATS, It’s a Wrap, Oh My Gogi, Happy Endings, Ladybird, The Waffle Bus, Firehouse Tacos, Bare Bowls, StickIt Food Truck, Fork in the Road, Porch Swing Desserts, NOLA’S Creole2Geaux, L’Es-Car-Go, St. John’s Fire, Chocolate d’Arte, Kickers BBQ, Firehouse Tacos and more.
Interested in participating as a vendor, or sponsor? Email debraf@foodandvinetime.com or dylanb@foodandvinetime.com. Participating sponsors include: H-E-B; Saint Arnold; Momentum Mini; GreatBrewers; Blue Moon; Freixenet; Alexander Valley Vineyards, The Houston Press, KHMX, Hot 95-7, Talk 650, Mega 101 and 100.3 KILT, and ZenHill Records.
Haute Wheels takes place on the HCC Southwest West Loop Campus, 5601 West Loop South. Hours are 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 12 and 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 13. Tickets are $16 for adults, which include $5 worth of sampling/drink concession tickets, music and $1 donation to the HCC Foundation. Children 12 and under are free. Purchase tickets online and find a complete list of food trucks and entertainment at www.hautewheelshouston.com
Spread Those Wings And Fly
Spirits are high around the Zenhill camp. When we began this endeavor with one another to make indie music sustainable, it took us a little while to find our feet. Once we gathered our strength and formed a collective effort, we had to find our voice to be heard. Now that you’re listening, someone has come along to help us find our wings.
We were recently approached about an opportunity to help Zenhill artists’ music reach the masses, and we are delighted to divulge that it is underway. Just earlier this week, we handed over thirty copies each of eleven different albums across eight different artists; the cataclysm has begun.
This represents a huge step forward for us, and we admit exactly how excited we are about it. For the past couple of years that Zenhill has been together, we’ve been leaning exclusively in the digital distribution direction, trying to wrap our heads around where our artists are wanted most and how their fans want them delivered. Behind the scenes at the littlest label that could, it’s really just a bunch of people donating their time, energy, sweat and enthusiasm to make this all come together (sort of like the local bands you see on stage). The costs of physical distribution can get a little hairy when you lack that crucial person to spearhead the department, as the rest of the cast of characters are all busy plugging away in their own manner to add to the effort. When that right person comes along . . . well that’s when that ‘next step’ moment can happen.
Enter Armando Sanchez; with over two decades of experience in national distribution (nine of those spent with Sony), he is recognized by the National Association of Record Industry Professionals as president of South Central Music Source, LLC. He’s well known for his latin artists and growing library of roots and americana, but he’ll now being spreading the word of Zenhill on a local, regional, and national level.
So what does that mean? Baby steps. You’ll start to see our artists pop up on the shelves of more national and independent stores throughout Texas; Houston, Austin, Dallas, San Antonio . . . lookout. Beyond that, we’ll also be able to strategically deploy records in proper places ahead of tour routes, which could really set the stage for fan growth. So when Canton, Ohio loves the show but forgets to buy the cd, they can march on down to Buzzbin or The Exchange (or Target, for that matter). Then they’ll REALLY be ready for you when you come back.
Great things really can happen when like-minded people come together under a common purpose. We’ll keep doing what we always have, helping local artists get their music out there and heard by the people that want to hear it. Don’t be alarmed if you happen to be shopping at a major retailer and suddenly notice Craig Kinsey‘s mug staring back at you. Just know that everything is going according to plan. And know that if you realize you never got your copy of that last Roky Moon and BOLT! record and you can’t find one at Cactus Music, Sig’s Lagoon, Vinyl Edge, Soundwaves, or Vinyl Junkie . . . have you tried Target?
Sustainable Living Fest
Get ready to go green, gang.
May 5th at Market Square Park, a festival will spring from the ground like never before in Houston. Sustainable Living Fest will mark the next step in the evolution that began with Earth Week at Georgia’s Market West Houston . . . find out more about the growth of this green love on their site.
We’re happy to announce that Zenhill friends and family will be taking the stage to show you their version of sustainable living! The Honky Tonk Blood cast will be together again for the fist time since the Southern Backtones’ record release last February at The Capitol. If you haven’t seen Craig Kinsey, Hank Schyma, John Evans and Emily Bell mix their their southern magic right before your very eyes . . . you ain’t been liven’, m’friend.
They’ll be joined by some ragtime rousties called The Wheel Workers, whose crystal clear sounds are steadily entrancing the Houston landscape. Their recent release Unite is winning more and more praise among the airwaves and interwebs alike; we’re proud of the rowdy little ragamuffins!
When Runaway Sun take the stage, it’s gonna get rocked pretty hard. Comprised of local songsmiths Andrew Karnavas, Daniel de Luna, Brian del Castillo, and Marshall West, these guys have been hitting pretty hard since ’08. With their latest record cut at the legendary Sugarhill Recording Studios, The Bridge has that tried and true, southern masterpiece sound that haunts us all. Get a peak at them and the rest of the artists on the bill over at the festival’s music page.
You think live music is the only thing you’re getting at Sustainable Living Fest? WRONG! There will be a full on farmer’s market, sustainability demos, an eco-friendly fashion show, children’s activities, and over 50 vendors on hand to provide you with a little leisurely sidewalk shopping. Enjoy all the conscientious fun knowing that this is a near-zero-waste festival, the only one of its kind in Texas. How cool is that?
So we’ll see you at Market Square Park on Saturday May 5th, right? Don’t forget your reusable shopping bag to take all those goodies home with you. And bring the pooch. They like to go green, too.
Viva Big Bend!
We’re not used to saying it here in Houston, but Big Bend is right around the corner.
Texas Music magazine is gearing up to host another installment in what is quickly becoming the seminal music experience in Texas. Viva Big Bend is coming together as equal parts music festival and industry conference, combining all the wonderful things that make is so special to be a part of the culture here. If you’ve never made the trip out to Marfa, played shuffleboard with the music lovers at Padre’s, and layed out on a cold slab in the night under a clear sky at the Marfa Lights Lookout Post, you have not yet experienced Texas music.
You’ll get your chance, though . . . there are three days in july where Marfa and Alpine will become their own little Texas music love fest, and you can find out all the details in their official press release.
What does this have to do with Houston? Well I’m glad you asked! Tomorrow night, Wednesday April 11th, Natachee’s Supper’n Punch will host one of three events, wherein the initial lineup will be announced (accounting for about half of the 50 bands to be in attendance). The night will begin with a VIP media event from 6p-7p followed by a reception and party open to the public, joined by our very own Sideshow Tramps.
We’ll see you at Natachee’s for some punch, and here’s hoping your favorite Texas artist is announced for the festivities. Either way, you might want to go ahead and plan on being in Marfa July 26-29. I guarantee you have no better place to be.
Do it!
SugarHill CD Proceeds Benefit Charity
Chief Engineer Andy Bradley of SugarHill Studios (center) hands over proceeds from the House of Hits 70 Year Commemorative CD (distributed by ZenHill Records) to Houston’s Musicians Benevolent Society directors Dave Thompson (left) and Steve Sucher (right). The CD is a companion piece to the award winning book about the history of SugarHill Studios, House of Hits. All proceeds from the sale of the CD benefit the Benevolent Fund which celebrates 21 years of helping Houston musicians in need.
The “Hits From The Hill” release features 4o songs recorded at SugarHill Studios that became national (and international hits). The tracks on the album are all new recordings by the original artists or new arrangements of the songs recorded by contemporary artists at SugarHill. The project has been a labor of love overseen by Andy Bradley who also co-authored the book House of Hits with Roger Wood.
The two-cd set is available from Cactus Music, Sig’s Lagoon and all major online retailers. Proceeds will continue to support the Musician’s Benevolent Society.
Ben Wesley Guest Star Fest
Tonight at Fitzgerald’s Houston, in celebration of the release of his new album, the talented Benjamin Wesley is putting on a unique show featuring guest performers on several songs. The collaborative effort is a great community builder and will make for a great show. Ben takes the stage at 11pm and will be joined at various points by Tyagaraja, Cornbread and more including our own Aaron Echegaray of Roky Moon and BOLT!. Also on the bill tonight are The Nice Guys, and Khruangbin. $10.00 buys you an E-ticket for a ride through the magic kingdom…. don’t miss out. BUY TIX HERE!
Houston Press: Hank Schyma, Storm Chaser
By Chris Gray Wed., Apr. 4 2012 at 11:00 AM
Categories: Only In Houston
If you saw the dramatic footage out of North Texas Tuesday, hopefully from the safety of your living room or gathered around a TV at work, you know that weather events like those tornadoes can make pretty compelling television. And someone has to head straight into those storms to film all that video.
Since 2000, that’s what Hank Schyma, front man for long-running Houston modern-rockers the Southern Backtones, has done for a living. He hasn’t quite started his own storm season yet, but even Tuesday afternoon, “people are blowing up my phone telling me what I’m missing out on,” he says.
Schyma can trace his interest in tornados and weather back to being “obsessed” with the tornado scene in The Wizard of Oz, and looking out the windows of his family’s home near Dallas hoping to see a funnel cloud whenever a “tornado watch” would come on TV. But he confesses he doesn’t really know why he decided to pursue storm-chasing as a career.
“I still haven’t figured it out,” he says. “Why do some people become an accountant?” …READ THE WHOLE STORY HERE.
The Wheel Workers Wrestle Westward
The Houston Press Rocks Off music blog just passed on the harrowing tail of a band’s foray into the hellish maw of SXSW. Just as the ring must be borne unto Mordor, just as Luke must confront his father, just as Indiana Jones must go back for his hat, so must a band make their maiden voyage to the strange and dangerous land of Austin to offer up their pilgrimage to the Gods of Rock.
You never know how these adventures are going to go. Will a companion turn on you in a crucial moment of weakness? Will a creepy old bearded guy in a robe convince you that he’s going to show you how to ‘harness your inner powers?’ Or will you just make the show, do alright, and be kinda cool?
You never know. Guess there’s only one way to find out . . . get the full story here.
So you real soon, gang.
