South By Southwest

SXSW Reviews: Anamanaguchi, March 12, Karma

Posted on March 20, 2014 by Gary in Everything, South By Southwest | Leave a comment

If you watch anime, play video games and carry a backpack with your pokeman balls everywhere, we have a band for you at SXSW. The New York based chiptune artists Anamanaguchi make bright and blazing electronic pop/rock music with the help of NES, gameboy and other ancient devices. The Miniature Tiger logo was still on the stage when they played. Having a sense of humor, they cajoled and ridiculed (“I think we are called Miniature Tigers from Arkansas!!”) on the stage all while dishing out fluent electronic jams that make highly energetic a poor descriptor.

The audience was also energetic and fairly forgiving toward my photo-taking antics. Although their latest, Endless Fantasy, is a good track, the kicker was still Airbrushed. The whole floor exploded when the crowd realized what song it was. The tracks are not very different from those recorded sessions, but 200 people jumping up and down to the beat makes it a wholly exhilarating experience, despite the fact that someone spilled beer over my camera… I would still go and see them the next time I have a chance.

SXSW Review: Guantanamo Baywatch, March 13, Sailor Jerry House

Posted on March 20, 2014 by Paul in South By Southwest | Leave a comment

guantanamobaywatch

At any given time at SXSW, you can find free stuff all over the place – free beer, free booze, free tacos, free BBQ, I even stumbled upon a free oyster bar at one party!  But the oddest iteration of free SXSW swag was the free tattoos that you could get at the Sailor Jerry House.  Yes, from what I could see, one could choose from a selection of tattoos on a wheel.  Just spin the wheel and whatever it landed on, that was your tattoo.  I must confess I considered it for a millisecond or so; after all, what would be a more badass souvenir of Austin than a tattoo?  Then I realized I’m not much of a tattoo guy and just took in the music at the event, which included the plenty badass (and awesomely named) Guantanamo Baywatch.

The Portland band offers up some straight ahead, dirty, fuzzed out garage rock and I had been waiting to see them live ever since seeing their name on the bill for last year’s SXSW because, really, with a name like that, you know it’s gotta be pretty good.  The highlight of their set for me was their cover of Paul Anka’s “Diana,” to which they added a bit of grit.  All in all, a fun set.

SXSW Quick Reviews: The Brits – Sam Smith, Chloe Howl, Bipolar Underground, Eagulls, Casual Sex

Posted on March 20, 2014 by Ricky in South By Southwest | Leave a comment

I like British music, this is no lie. So when SXSW comes around, I usually get my fill of British music. Here is some quick hits on bands I saw.

Eagulls – One of the bright up and comers this year, Eagulls’s live show backs the swagger of their noisy yet strangely melodic rock. Lead singer George Mitchell already has the charisma and gravitas for a big star and the band and their music seemed primed for pretty big things.

Bipolar Sunshine – All the things seem like it’s in the right place. However, something about them seemed a bit too by the book. Lead singer Adio Marchant is about as smooth as it gets, but the tracks sound like every other popular indie pop schtick out there. There’s definitely a few songs that I can already see as big radio hits (ala Where Did The Love Go), but I feel like they are capable of more.

Chloe Howl – This red headed fireball might be England’s big hope this year for female stardom. Following on the heels of Charlie XCX, Marina and Ellie Goulding, Chloe Howl hoped to take advantage of the new crowd and launch her north american career. The music was good electro-tinged pop, but I found that she lacked the girl next door charm of Ellie, weirdness of Marina or the don’t really care attitude of Charlie XCX. Maybe she is still trying to find her niche.

Sam Smith – This guy has a fantastic voice and he will probably go places. His falsetto is outrageous and will be the envy of many karaoke singers for years to come Money on my Mind has been stuck in my head for days now after his show. If his debut record carries the strength of the tracks we know from him, this man will be onto many, many big things.

Casual Sex – Perhaps the most humorous band at SXSW, Scotland act Casual Sex showed a lot of fun attitude along with their 80’s inspired post-punk music. Lead singer Sam Smith had some well timed one liners in between songs and even put on lipstick during the set, much to the amusement of the crowd. I’m not sure how much their music will stick, but it was a fun time regardless

SXSW Review: Suzanne Vega, Central Presbyterian Church, March,15

Posted on March 19, 2014 by Gary in South By Southwest | Leave a comment

SXSW is no Montparnasse. Case in point: many of the people at SXSW, ourselves included at times. So it is refreshing to put up an intellectual Trojan horse, if only for an hour, amongst this bastion of commercialized revelry. And that’s what Suzanne Vega did at the Central Presbyterian.

With her newest effort, Tales From The Realm of the Queen of Pentacles, Vega is telling stories and reflections through her songs. Using hand gestures and body language to get her point across, her message was so smartly crafted that it’s hard to argue with. Either inspired by the setting or Vega’s perch in the pulpit wearing a magician’s hat, people around me actually seemed to be praying, appearing to be in deep thought during each song. It’s like she’s preaching from the lectern ala a professor about dress color, child abuse, war, people watching, amongst other intellectual pursuits.

It wasn’t a perfect concert – it was initially marred by sound issues, and then Vega herself ran into a vocal hiccup midway through a song. But her stage presence made it barely noticeable. She diffused the issues, taking time to introduce each number and set up the audience through humor. Predictably, she ended the set with “Luka” and “Tom’s Diner.” Since she is on tour promoting her new album, I would encourage y’all to go to a show. With class and style, it’s a world apart from what the current crop of artists represent.

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