SxSW 2009--who should I see from your area/ expertise?
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So, the list of bands at SxSW 2009 is growing (and it's even bigger if you include unconfirmed bands). Much like previous years, it's a bit overwhelming.
What I was thinking is that we have a lot of people who are pretty much experts in particular areas/ scenes/ etc and that would be a good place to start with recommendations. Who should I check out from your area at SxSW? I'd also love recommendations from people that have expertise in places they don't live (I'm thinking Songsillinois and Sweden).
As for the San Francisco Bay Area: I love Two Sheds (unconfirmed) and Or, the Whale. There's a good amount of buzz growing right now for both Sholi and Thee Oh Sees. The Heavenly States are also worth checking out. . -
Portland bands at sxsw that I enjoy.
Go see Shelley Short and Laura Gibson if you like folk, and she's on my DVD that I just put out.
Loch Lomond is damn good as well, I have worked with them before. -
you should check out the seedy seeds from cincinnati. i was surprised when they told me they made it, since they haven't played outside of a three hour radius of cincy. and even then, they haven't made it out of cincinnati that much.
i feel like 2009 could be their year. especially if i have anything to do with it. they're going to be hitting the road some more, getting to bigger markets.
www.myspace.com/theseedyseeds -
There are plenty I would see--OMG! The Vaselines!!!! Pigs do fly!
I'd see everybody from Scotland, and Two Hours Traffic, The War On Drugs, and Handsome Furs because Dan is my man.
But I will tell you about the ones I have actually seen. Let's see...
The Mae Shi: wild and hilarious performance-punk, totally unpredictable!
Laura Gibson: sweet, mild folk. Dresses like a schoolmarm and tells very funny stories between songs. Very good--I bought everything she was selling.
Red Cortez: I saw them last year when they were The Weather Underground and was very impressed--bought all three of their EPs that night. They've changed a couple of band members, but three of the original four remain. I'd definitely try to see them.
Roll the Tanks: I saw them last fall as the first opener. They need more time for growth, in my opinion.
Say Hi: Seen them twice--their songs are great. At the second concert, Eric Elbogen claimed he remembered us from the first one. Sweet of him to say so!
Stars of Track and Field: saw them open for Joseph Arthur in 2007. I would think they'd be introducing some new material now. Pretty good jangle-rock.
J. Tillman: currently Fleet Foxes' drummer. He needs a quiet venue for full enjoyment. If he gets it and he's in a good mood, his dry humor comes out.
Young Galaxy: We saw them in Fall 2006 on only their 4th performance ever, and they were damn good then. Kind of like Stars. They will also be bringing out new songs.
The Queers: Holy cow, I saw them 13 years ago when they opened for the Muffs at the Whisky. I'd have to go just to see what those old punks look like. -
i'm looking forward to the mae shi and say hi. never seen either, but have wanted to for sooooo long.
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Rural Alberta Advantage and Ohbijou are heading down from Toronto. My highest recommendation to them both.
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From my area of expertise:
1. Scott H. Biram
2. Black Diamond Heavies
3. The Legendary Shack Shakers
4. NQ Arbuckle
5. Radio Moscow
I'll keep it short in hopes you actually catch some of them. -
FOUND are absolute definites from Scotland. It would be nice if anyone went to see Come On Gang, not because I think they're brilliant, but because they're tiny, local and it would be fun to think some of you had heard them play.
FOUND have been described as bleep-hop (not by me) folky, electronicky, and really good. -
A Classic Education and Fanfarlo would be my bets if I were going.
also, now that I've looked at the list, Broken Records, DM Stith and Fight Like Apes should be absolutely packed. -
Broken Records are bloody marvellous - didn't realise they were on that list. They're recording their debut album as we speak.
Others:
David Thomas Broughton - Leeds - looping, a bit of physical performance, and just generally brilliant. Be prepared to pay attention though.
Samantha Crain & the Midnight Shivers - Oklahoma - folky, soulful with a bit of rock 'n' roll too. Basically, just a gorgeous singer-songwriter FFO Neko Case, Jolie Holland, Dylan etc...
Loch Lomond from Portland - more chamber folk, but really bloody good. We're releasing some of their stuff over here this year.
Micachu - London - a bit prone to spastic mentalism, but even though it's not my kind of thing I really enjoyed their show up here.
Mumford & Sons - London - slightly gospelly folk, with all four of them singing, lots of banjo and fucking amazing vocal harmonies. Definitely see these guys.
Mother Mother from Vancouver are one of my best friends' new favourite bands. Indie rock with plenty of pop in it.
Wild Beasts - Leeds - a bit much for me, but these guys have been the hipster hits over here this year.
That's just from a quick scan. -
Actually, the Scottish contingent is pretty piss-poor this year. With a couple of exceptions - Broken Records, The Pictish Trail and FOUND - they seem to have chosen what we would call mediocre A-Level bands. High school bands that sound sort of trendy, but for all their frantic shouting really just don't have a shred of a tune between the lot of 'em. Not impressed.
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I'll be there but I'll only catch something Swedish if by mistake. The bands they have from Sweden are mostly either boring or vanity projects. The bands that decide to submit have to be able to afford transport, lodging, etc., so it's a self-selecting group of bands with money or label/governmental support. The smaller bands that I'm most interested in won't be there.
However I'll be checking out lots of roots music, hopefully these couple:
Sam Baker
Tommy Brousseau
Murry Hammond
Grant Hart
and from Chicago: Joe Pug
Might check out Those Dancing Days and The Tiny from Sweden -
In Scotland (not England I don't think) you can actually get Arts Council support if you're invited. This is pretty nice, because as you say, that would wheedle out all but the rich.
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Not that I know much, but...
My suggestions:- Samantha Crain, Samantha Crain, Samantha Crain, - I heart her soooo much - she won me over with her recordings then live, her voice kills me!
- Joe Pug, - hometown folk and very very good.
- Passion Pit, - electronic, innovative, dancetunes, experimental in all the right ways. They represent the new American techno (?) without sounding like Holy Fuck at all.
- Ruthie Foster, - she's the "real thing" when it comes to blues/R&B from the southern persuasion, I've been following her for a couple of years, since her debut.
- Heartless Bastards, - solid indie trio with a female lead who woos you with aching twisting vocals, new album out soon.
- O'death - amazing folk/gospel/gypsy/punk (!) band that I would just about kill to see... "frantic and sweaty" they were described by a commenter on my blog.
- Poison Arrows - a Chicago group, synth heavy on recordings, guitar heavy when I saw them live, they're still evolving but have so much talent and draw heavily on 70s rock to infuse their new sound, I enjoy their EP so much.
If I were going, that's who I'd see (so far)!
xoxo,
Tart -
Somewhat unrelated to who to see, but I am planning to hit this bad boy for the first time ever this year, but I think I am going no wristband/badge and going to try and hit day parties and just wing it. So when does news start to come out about what day parties there are and such?
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Posted by: I Correct Myself,...Not that I know much, but...
My suggestions:- O'death - amazing folk/gospel/gypsy/punk (!) band that I would just about kill to see... "frantic and sweaty" they were described by a commenter on my blog.
phenomenal live show.
they're playing here (Tampa) in 2 weeks. -
O'Death is, indeed, fantastic live. but i wasn't aware that they're heading to SXSW... are they?
anyway, add them to this list if they are... here are some early selections from me for bands from NYC that are worth your time if you'll be in Austin:
Black Swan Green
Goes Cube
Grizzly Bear
Here We Go Magic
Holy Hail
Project Jenny, Project Jan
The Secret Life of Sofia
Tanya Morgan
Violens -
haven't seen Secret Life of Sofia yet (i missed their chi show earlier this year) but fraser & chris' old band (mistakes) were incredible. ditto on seedy seeds & o'death..
haven't seen a lot from chicago that's really noteworthy, beyond the obvious (like andrew bird) but i know there's still more to come. first communion afterparty (from minneapolis) is a must for brian jonestown massacre/jesus & mary chain fans.. -
Another Portland band you should check out is Blind Pilot. Lovely orchestral folk music.
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Yup, their album is really nice.
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Heres a link to DoneWaiting's list: http://www.donewaiting.com/2009/01/14/sxsw-band-list-update-11409/
and another, earlier list: http://www.donewaiting.com/2009/01/05/sxsw-band-list-2009-confirmed-and-unconfirmed/
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Mother Mother is a must see.
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warning, huge bias alert, but I would highly recommend checking out a Henry Clay People show. if your bag is pavement/mats/hold steady you will find much to enjoy here, and the live show is exceptional.
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- I second The Mae Shi and Loch Lomond. I gotz to see me some Mae Shi this yr.
dredg - prog-rock with a more tolerable sound than Mars Volta.
The Bloodsugars - yummy NYC 80s synth pop with infectious grooves
Cage - I don't know if you're that into hip hop but this guy is insane. Super dark white boy rap.
Delta Spirit - you probably already heard them, but it's worth mentioning.
Ferraby Lionheart - lovely and kind hearted songwriting.
Gang Gang Dance - experimental dance rock that has been growing on me lately. Good stuff.
The Life and Times - If you are at all familiar with Shiner or a fan of any kind of post-rock, this is a must see.
Maserati - if Les Claypool joined Explosions in the Sky
Port O'Brien - actually I don't know why I'm mentioning this. I think I found out about him through you...
fuck it. See Devo if you can. -
this year is going to be weird. Acts that had previously committed to going are bailing at an alarming rate. No one can afford the trip. Stupid recession.
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Band I know who are attending:
The Whip
Vulture Whale
13ghosts
Poison Arrows
...As I think of more, I will list them here. -
Crooked Fingers (unless they bailed)
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Posted by: wendy williamsCrooked Fingers (unless they bailed)
which they did. -
Go see Mae Shi, they are likely to be playing the same bill as slow club / doing some songs together. Slow Club for sure.
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Lord T & Eloise (Memphis)
Cory Branan (Memphis)
River City Tanlines (Memphis)
The Third Man (Memphis)
Bo-Keys (Memphis)
Al Kapone (Memphis)
and if you don't know about it already, highly recommend you get hip to http://fivedollarcover.com, a new web-based series by Craig Brewer based on Memphis music that will premiere at SXSW. -
yo peoples i might have room for one more person in my suite if you're interested get a hold of me. raddison town lake
(suite = 1 bedroom, 1 living room.... i aint no pimp)
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this is who i'd try to see.
eugene francis and the jnrs.
youth group
two hours traffic
delta spirit
sky larkin
horsefeathers
the long winters (shouldn't they be coming out with something new soon?)
andrew bird -
We (Despotz Records) from Sweden will bring one of our artists called Kaka over to SXSW
www.myspace.com/kakaricky
I also have to say that there is one other Swedish artist that I definately will not miss, Tallest Man On Earth (sadly not on our label)
These two lonely men with guitars sound totally different but they are putting on some of the best live performances I've ever experienced .
//Carl-Marcus
Despotz Records, also home of Twiggy Frostbite, The Deer Tracks, Hellsongs and O'Spada -
I wish could go to that this year.
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I'm about to book flights and am in the process of getting a press pass... How much will I need for hotel / space to lay my head for a week folks?
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Posted by: nialler9I'm about to book flights and am in the process of getting a press pass... How much will I need for hotel / space to lay my head for a week folks?
You've applied for a press pass or know you're getting one? SxSW is very stingy about giving out media badges for online. I was offered a wristband only. Not to say you won't have better luck, but if you're unsure...
as for hotels - without a badge, you don't get access to the reserved hotels which is moot since they've all been sold out since October if not earlier. You likely won't find anything within a 6 mile radius of downtown. If you do, they won't be all that expensive - maybe $100-$150 a night? - but you have to budget for cabs, rental car, whatever. And getting a cab at 2AM on 6th St is pretty much impossible. SxSW is offering shuttle bus services this year but I haven't seen anything about what hotels are serviced. -
i'm covering it for a national newspaper too so it looks likely.
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Posted by: nialler9i'm covering it for a national newspaper too so it looks likely.
ah, you're lucky then. I also realized after posting that State might get you in. I took the gamble of not buying a badge as soon as they went on sale this year in hopes of getting a badge, but by the time they went through my application and decided, the prices had gone up and more importantly, the choice hotels were all booked. NExt year I'm just going to be on that stuff ASAP. The extra cost of the badge is offset by the joys of being in bed 15 minutes after the last band of the night finishes. -
You have to see Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band, because I can't. :( I love both of their albums (they were my #1 of 2008). Punked up hillbilly blues-rock.
I saw Sarah Borges & The Broken Singles (rockabilly), Hamell on Trial (punk acoustics), and The Low Anthem (soft indie-folk) and enjoyed all of them.
Artists who I haven't seen, but love their albums:
Back Door Slam (blues-rock, but they just broke up)
Guy Davis (blues)
Laura Gibson (folk)
Alela Diane (folk)
Oh Susanna (country-folk)
Luke Doucet (Americana)
Sarah Jaffe (folk-rock)
Ruthie Foster (folk-blues) -
Anyone who doesn't go and see Alela Diane is an idiot.
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I like the sound of this panel; doesn't mince words:
"Bloggers Are Now In Charge" -
So what bands have bailed out? Anyone keeping a tally?
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Watch Explode Into Colors. All girl trio of drums, percussion and keys and a baritone guitar player. If you like that that dancy electro stuff, these ladies will blow your minds. Recently signed to kill rock stars.
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i wonder what bloggers are in charge of, besides copy-pasting Pitchfork news items
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Well, I saw the Heartless Bastards last night here in Chicago and if you want a hard-rocking, garage-rock, indieish and vocal driven mega set, go see them at SXSW. They blew away a sold out gig and played for almost two hours. Erika Wennerstrom, the singer/songwriter who fronts this band opens her mouth and pours out unbelievable energy. RUN TO THIS SHOW.
Tart -
heartless bastards are going to blow up. and i mean genuinely blow up, not blow up relatively speaking.
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Just noticed that Shilpa Ray is going to be down there, though I didn't see her name on the official list. You should let her voice blow you the fuck away.
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Wasn't she in Beat the Devil? They were fucking amazing.
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-The Henry Clay People
-Le Switch
-Blank Blue
I'm not sure how the rest of the world perceives Silversun Pickups, but I wouldn't miss them. Think they're playing Stubbs. -
Posted by: SongbyToadWasn't she in Beat the Devil? They were fucking amazing.
Yup. This is her new group. I think the new material's stronger.
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