Blog: Strangeglue

I am a bit anxious about seeing for the first time Low perform. The feeling is akin to what I would imagine it would be to anticipate sighting a leprechaun. Beyond the fact that Low will claim a legendary space in indie Valhalla, my personal Low lore is rich with memories and meetings, serendipity and surprise.

Without a doubt, David Thomas Broughton's performance is the most singular thing I see at SXSW. It is moving, funny, surreal, genuine. He is a natural at contrition--with talent that seems to make making pretty sounds come easily to him, he challenges the audience by challenging himself.

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Photos happily provided by Team Note Well gallery:files/SXSW11/tUnE-yArD s.

Photos by Team Note Well gallery:files/SXSW11/Retributi on-Gospel-Choir.

The characteristic that makes the guys of Deer Tick great fun is the same one that makes Deer Tick a stand-out band: an uncompromising sense of humor. When they're not good-naturedly ribbing each other, their friends, or Pitchfork, the members of Deer Tick target their own project: For the closing set of a SXSW-closing showcase, Deer Tick forgo presenting their original material and opt instead to perform as Deervana, a Nirvana tribute band.

My first time watching Adventure is unforgettable. After much debating, I decided to join my friend Michael for what then to me was a random band in a random Brooklyn DIY space. It was a weird show, but our group dutifully danced through what seemed to be an unhappy time for Benny, Adventure's then-only member.

Photos happily provided by Team Note Well gallery:files/SXSW11/Deer-Tick .

Dan Deacon [in photos]: Cheer Up Charlie's Photos happily provided by Team Note Well gallery:files/SXSW11/Dan-Deaco n.

I first came across Suuns in a poorly furbished basement in London--appropriately stark and dark environs for this gloomily radiant melodic noise outfit. My friend Bobbie started managing their European tours, and I heeded his notice to come see the new band.

Parts & Labor released their latest album Constant Future just this week and it's a belter. They're one of the few bands that we absolutely must see. So we were delighted to get some time with P&L's BJ Warshaw to discuss their SxSW plans: ------------------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------ -------- 1) How many times have you been to SxSW? I *think* this will be our 4th.

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Scottish electro-rockers Errors are making their second appearance at 2011's South By Southwest Festival. Signed to Mogwai's Rock Action Records, they're heading to Austin to promote last year's wonderful ʻCome Down With Meʼ which has garnered exceptional reviews just about everywhere.

We've spent a lot of time covering Todd Goldstein, aka Brooklyn's ARMS. After labelling him and his band "one of CMJ's most promising acts" in 2009, you can be sure Arms will also be one of the highlights of this year's South By Southwest Festival.

Good news! On May 23rd of this already fine year for music, Matador Records will be releasing Demolished Thoughts, the 4th solo album from Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore (5th if you count 1998′s 'Root'). It's the first to be produced by Beck Hansen and was recorded in Los Angeles and Northampton, MA over the course of a few months this past autumn and winter.

Fresh from releasing a brand new cut from the Kills new record, Jamie and Alison are at it again, this time showing off DNA, a song just as beguiling as its predecessor. This time it'll cost you an e-mail address I'm afraid, but the second offering from their upcoming album Blood Pressures certainly isn't a wasted spam e-mail.

Floridian musician John Vanderslice recently put out the excellent White Wilderness album earlier this year, released via Dead Oceans. He recorded the album with Minna Choi and her Magik*Magik Orchestra in just three days in San Francisco. Now he heads to Austin for the South by Southwest Festival with just three days to make an impression.

Philadelphia bliss-pop outfit Sun Airway have one of the most hectic schedules known to man at this year's South by Southwest Festival. One of the commendable shows the duo will take part in is the Invisible Children show, which involves 25 bands who will busk in the streets of Austin to help out and bring awareness to the plight of child soldiers in Uganda.

Vancouver based indie-rockers are heading to Austin for the first time this year. Hopefully they'll make it, despite the events of this Monday when they became the latest band to have their equipment stolen. We caught up with them to hear about their plans for South By Southwest as well as their seeming addiction to Pulled Pork Sandwiches: ------------------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------ -------- 1) How many times have you been to SxSW? This is our first time.

Black Gandhi are a reggae group from Barcelona. They're made up of six artists who were inspired by pacifist leader Mahatma Gandhi and influenced by the traditions of black music. Their philosophy comes with a message: let's live a joyful life, let's be aware of what we do.

Arctic Monkeys have announced the details on their fourth album, entitled Suck It and See. It'll be released on June 6th on Domino Records (June 7th in North America). Suck It and See features 12 new Arctic Monkeys' songs and was produced by James Ford at the legendary Sound City Studios in Los Angeles.