We're just one week out from the release of Yellow Ostrich's sophomore album Strange Land . Judging by the sounds of the freebie downloads "Marathon Runner" and "The Shakedown," it's clear Alex Schaaf has more tools at his disposal now that he's with Barsuk Records . "Marathon Runner" is a solid track that (within two seconds of playing) brands itself as a Yellow Ostrich song. "The Shakedown" is a bit less telling, but I dig its spark all the same. If nothing else, this louder, more rockin' kind of YO should inspire listeners [...]
Trying to get into a Bright Eyes show at SXSW is just about as brutal as trying to win a seat to the 3:30 am Kanye show. Even attempting to stand in a line that wrapped around the building for a few hours to "maybe" get in doesn't sound like a dream show. The "pop-up" show started a couple hours later than expected and the poor, shaky legs of the mostly teeny boppers got a free glass of wine, if they were old enough, to ease their pain. For most of us that missed it, here is the [...]
There are a lot of factors that can negatively contribute to your appreciation of a live act at SXSW. The risk factors include: fatigue, exhaustion, intoxication level, extreme climate conditions, improper venue and obstructed visualization of the stage. The risk factors can make your experience and interpretation of a performance completely different than a fellow comrade. That being said, here are my personal picks of shows that turned out to be the most pleasing. Below, are the best web videos I could find for each artist. Seryn, Lost In the Trees and Typhoon's live shows I attended had much [...]
Burst Apart might not be out for almost two more months but the band debuted almost the entire album yesterday and NPR's SXSW showcase. You can listen to each track from the show in order below, you'll notice track 7, "Tiptoe" is missing. Apparently the band wants to leave something for release day and decided to skip that song during their set. The audio isn't great on these so it won't be a replacement for the actual studio release but it should give everyone an idea of the direction the new album will be taking. Overall [...]
Austra - Beat and the Pulse Boy & Bear - Rabbit Song Braids - Lemonade Colin Stetson - The Stars In His Head (Dark Lights Remix) Fredrik - Rites of Spring [...]
Fredrik will soon release their third full-length album, Flora , on April 12. "Rites of Spring" is the first sample of what's to come from Flora . The album quickly follows their full-length release, Trilogi (Feb. 2010) , and their 3-song EP, Origami (Nov. 2010). The album was recorded in their garden studio last summer. " Flora marks a departure from the wintry moods of the band’s first two outings as according to Fredrik, flower season is anything but limonades and hammocks. The music paints a vision of summer as the darkness [...]
![[Video] Austra – “The Beast”](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/3240284_lg.jpg)
With each song that surfaces from Austra's upcoming debut album, Feel It Break (May 17), the mystery and anticipation for the release elevates. The Toronto trio is led by singer and co-founder, Katie Stelmanis. Stelmanis' operatic upbringing started at the mere age of 10. While simultaneously learning viola and piano, Stelmanis studied opera for four years. Much like Shara Worden (My Brightest Diamond) who received a BA in Opera at the University of North Texas and Sierra Casady ("Rosie" from CocoRosie) who studied opera at the Conservatoire de Paris, Stelmanis had plans to study opera at a collegiate [...]
Alright! A fast-paced tune that once again showcases Meric Long's fingerpicking dexterity. Neko Case donates her chops on The Dodos upcoming album, No Color (March 15). "Don't Stop" is praised as Case's favorite song on the upcoming album, although her vocals are obsolete. The band has a multitude of gigs coming up in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. If you are so lucky, you can also feast your eyes on The Dodos at SXSW this year. The Dodos - Dont Stop
![[Video] and Remixes: Asobi Seksu – “Trails”](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/3213730_lg.jpg)
Yesterday, Asobi Seksu released their fourth full-length album, Fluorescence (Feb. 14). The song, "Trails," is on the album along with the Deerhoof remix if you purchase the Bonus track version. Asobi Seksu is about to embark on their Spring tour that includes supporting acts: Cults, Sun Airway, Braids, and Brahms. One of their stops is a little music festival known as SXSW. For your listening pleasure, here are three very different remixes of "Trails." Asobi Seksu - Trails (Deerhoof Remix) Asobi Seksu - Trails (Holy Other Remix) [...]
![[Video] Maps & Atlases – “Living Decorations”](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/3213735_lg.jpg)
Maps & Atlases just released their new single and androgynous video for "Living Decorations." The single will be included on their upcoming 73 single that will be released this month. The single is a follow up to their recent album, Perch Patchwork (June 2010). These guys will also be playing SXSW this year. You’re watching Living Decorations . See the Web's top videos on AOL Video ( home | myspace | facebook | twitter | tour )
One of the most beautiful and talented artists to break-out this year is Lia Ices . Her amazing and latest album, Grown Unknown (Jan. 24), has helped her land a spot in the Mexican Summer x Gorilla vs. Bear SXSW showcase with other artists like The Fresh & Onlys, Toro Y Moi, White Denim, and the Grimes. No other song released this year has been as moving and monumental as her eloquent single, "Daphne." Justin Vernon's (Bon Iver) vocals only enhance the already magnificent masterpiece. The freshly released video for "Daphne" was shot in California wine country otherwise [...]
Jessica Lea Mayfield got her start by singing back-up vocals for the Black Keys album, Attack & Release (2008). The guys from BK saw Mayfield's twinkle-eyed talent and helped the 19 year old with her debut album, Blasphemy So Heartfelt (2008). Her second album, Tell Me , will be released this upcoming Tuesday (Feb. 8). Stream the entire album over at RollingStone . She will be playing 35 Conferette Festival in Denton and SXSW in Austin this year. Jessica Lea Mayfield - Our Hearts Are Wrong [...]
( email | facebook | linkedin ) Fred is on assignment. He will return promptly. In the mean-time, be held by this irresistible, minimal, and apparently live tender by our new favorite Austinites. (Keep it weird, friends.) The ensemble is Agent Ribbons, and the track, "The World is a Cigarette." (Disagreed, but only on technical grounds. By point of fact the world is an ashtray.) If this isn't what you would call "dark cabaret," there is no dark cabaret: Some links: [...]
Lord Huron is a musician that we featured a few months ago based on his immense song writing ability. Now he has his first video to add to his increasing resume. "The Stranger" video, off the Mighty EP, plays out more like a short film than a contemporary music video. Director Jacob Mendel choose the arctic Michigan wilderness for the shoot which sees Schneider meeting his untimely demise. Get out this spring and see Lord Huron as he tours with Tennis, Superhumanoids, Edward Sharpe and Rural Alberta Advantage.
![[Video] Ham Sandwich – “Ants” (SXSW Watch List)](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/3159868_lg.jpg)
The mouth-watering Ham Sandwich have been around since 2003, but released their debut single in 2005. They hail from County Meath, Ireland, and formed from a "creative urge to be always one step ahead of the posse." Singer/guitarist Podge McNamee didn't know how to plug in a guitar before the band and during the first year of gigging he "showed up to be trained!" Podge explains their early stage presence: "We were a total mess back then... I wanted to go crazy on stage, but I didn't have the skills to keep the music together at the same time. If [...]
The Muse In Music
Listen to Pharrell Williams’ new song “Happy”, off the Despicable Me 2 soundtrack
Listen to an unreleased version of Talking Heads’ “Psycho Killer” with Arthur Russell on cello
Bass Drum of Death – “Dregs”
