SXSW

SXSW Preview: SXSW announces new list of bands playing, we analyze.

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Ricky in South By Southwest | 2 Comments

sxsw

Once again, South By Southwest (SXSW) has announced a new list of bands playing in 2013 and since this sort of stuff makes for really easy and thoughtless posts, we figure we would take a look at the new announcements and comment on it.

Alien Ant Farm – No doubt they are in Austin to celebrate the 12 year anniversary of their greatest success, a cover of Smooth Criminal, originally a song by Michael Jackson. To their credit, they had a great music video. What ever happened to this kid?

Allo Darlin – This cute English/Australlian four piece group first entered our hearts a few years ago with their self titled album. They are back with a new album. I’m excited to see them with new material.

Aloe Blacc – Aloe Blacc was fantastic when I saw him live in August, and I have no doubt he will shine at whatever showcase he will have in Austin. I really hope he writes a song called “I Need A Dollar (no longer)” or something.

Bonobo – This English electronic act is a favorite of Brian, one of our writers who has since disappeared since he created offspring. In his honor, we shall go to this show, which is probably going to end up being pretty good.

JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound – JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound have positioned themselves to be the break through act at next year’s SXSW if they haven’t done it by then. Energetic shows and fantastic music are two key components to success and JC Brooks and company has it in droves.

Charli XCX – Charli XCX will be following in the footsteps of Ellie Goulding and Marina and the Diamonds, two other notable UK pop/female acts to test their talents in Austin before launching a full scale invasion of North America.

DJ Yoda – If this guy just remixes Star War soundtracks, I would give his show a highly favorable review.

Everything Everything, The Enemy – Two UK acts you didn’t know still existed until you saw their names on this list. I hope their new material is good.

Fuck Art, Let’s Dance! – German band with arguably the best band name ever.

Hayden – If you are wondering where all the girls went during a certain time slot, it’s probably the time when Hayden is playing.

The Heavy – Phenomenal live act will once again bring their soul-rock interpretation to Austin. They were a highlight last year, don’t miss them this year.

The Joy Formidable – The hard rocking duo will bring their stadium ready rock to Austin once again. Probably one of the last times you get to see crazy eyes perform in a small environment. These guys are primed and ready to take the world over.

Ed Kowalczyk – Ex-Live member will attempt to sing solo material over drunken requests of “lightning crashes”, “I alone” and maybe “Lakini’s Juice” for the diehard Live fan. We’ll see how long he lasts before he breaks. I will attend just to say I’ve heard the term “and her placenta falls to the floor” over loudspeakers.

Lianne La Havas – Mercury Prize nominated singer-songwriter looks like a lock to play her jazz influenced music in that church in Austin that I have never been to.

Little Boots – It’s been three years since Little Boots wowed the world with her catchy dance tracks and her love for the tenori-on. She’s back now and I am quite excited to hear her new material.

Los Claxons – Me and Paul really hope this is the Klaxons singing their tunes Mariachi style. Atlantis to Interzone to Juarez. Or something.

The list goes on and on, check it out here

SXSW Preview: We lazily analyze the first round of bands

Posted on November 8, 2012 by Ricky in South By Southwest | Leave a comment

Of Monsters And Men

Because we love South By Southwest and once again, we will be attending this little music festival in Austin next year, we feel obliged to tell you that the first round of bands have been announced for SXSW next year. Click here for the full list, but here are some bands that interest us.

Alt J – Can’t ignore the most recent Mercury Prize winner

Bastille – up and coming English band named after the infamous French date. Surely they are interesting.

Tego Calderon – is this guy Jose Calderon’s brother? Only time will tell.

Charlotte Church – You are lying if the prospect of seeing Charlotte Church in some divey biker bar doesn’t appeal to you.

Peggy Hsu – Last year we checked out a Beijing band, this year, if only for our native Taiwan photographer Gary, we will check out a Taiwanese act.

Klaxons – Does anyone remember Nu Rave? despite that genre’s predictable yet timely death, you can’t escape the fact that the Klaxon’s put out two wonderful albums and of course there’s always a chance Keira Knightley will be in the crowd.

Thurston Moore – SXSW always has showcases for people you would normally have to see in much larger venues, I guess Thurston Moore might fill that quota this year.

San Cisco – American indie pop band put out some nice EP’s this year, let’s hope they can build on that.

Spain – Holy mother of god Spain is playing SXSW. I love this band. Formed by Josh Haden, son of legendary Charles Haden.

Impressive and versatile list, can’t wait to see what’s next.

Concert Review: Of Monsters and Men, April 12th, Phoenix Theatre

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Ricky in Music | Leave a comment

Of Monsters and Men is basically the gentle love child of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros and the Arcade Fire. They combine the humble, folk sound of the former with the frenetic well layered and explosive sound of the latter. It’s a perfect marriage, much like Arnold and Maria Shriver before all that random crap happened.

Here’s a one word review of their live show: Awesome.

It’s just so great to be able to go to a concert venue and just hear the pleasant music that Of Monsters and Men create. I’ve been a fan of their debut album for a long time (you can win it! we have a contest here) and to be able to hear it live was just a wonderful treat. The horns, the drums, the vocal interplay, the cute Icelandic accent banter, it’s all great. Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir’s voice is so precious it makes me want to go to a Catholic church and tell the priest of all the (petty) crimes I’ve committed in my life and beg for forgiveness.

If there was a hippy commune where everyone was treated like equals and lived in perfect harmony, I feel like Of Monsters and Men can soundtrack it. Their live show just leaves a fuzzy feeling in your stomach. I really regret missing their inaugural show at the El Mocambo (was in Peru) and after witnessing their superb show at the Phoenix, I regret missing them at SXSW (under the guise that I already had tickets for them here). Some bands you can see many times, Of Monsters and Men is one of them.

I believe this was the last show of their current tour. I’m pretty sure Of Monsters and Men will be back stateside at some point this year, make sure you catch them.

Concert Review: Howler, April 5th, Drake Hotel

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Ricky in Concerts | 1 Comment

Of all the bands that did the usual post SXSW swing through Toronto, Howler was the only band I saw in Austin that I decided to catch on this side of the border. Their brand of no nonsense surf meets garage rock coupled with a truly entertaining live showcase in Austin got me excited. They had a certain swagger and thing about them that had me thinking they were going to be big. Seeing them at the Drake was a no brainer. Much like their songs, this review will be short and sweet.

First of all, since when did they have cell phone reception at the Drake basement? Ahhhhmazing. Howler played a solid forty minute set for the packed crowd. They showcased their two most solid skills (to this date) – short and catchy rock tracks and hilarious banter.Lead singer Jordan Gatesmith has got a good sense of humor and a certain presence on stage. It’s hard to explain. NME probably loves them already. Hit single and potential breakout anthem Back of Your Neck finished the set. It’s a great tune and sounds like a cross between a 50s greaser diner soundtrack and the Strokes. While I found their sxsw showcase to be better, Howler was still entertaining and are breathing fresh life into the whole garage rock genre.

Catch them when they come to your town. Their debut album America Give Up is out already.

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