Hunx and His Punx

Here's a take on the girl groups of the 50s from a Bay Area band. They still sing about boyfriends and young love but this time the singer is male, too. They are getting lots of press for their over-the-top shows so may be worth checking out. Waterloo has them playing one day. It looks like they'll be back in April at Emo's with Shannon and the Clams. A double-bill of camp I'm sure.

Too Young to Fall in Love

Brent Amaker and the Rodeo

This week is retro week. The term is debatable but I'm describing music that is influenced by a certain style at a certain time. First up is the 50s from a Seattle band that plays country. This song is straight up Johnny Cash/Jimmy Dean country with a modern twist of New Age lyrics about an intervention for a friend.

Man in Charge

Boy & Bear

The Statesman beat me to a band! He's right, these guys are completely derivative, of Fleet Foxes. Still, not a bad sound.

This is the final Australia post and final for International week. Next week is retro week.

Mexican Mavis

Operator Please

This band and The Jezebels couldn't be more different. Interestingly, they both formed within an hour of each other: The Jezabel's in Byron Bay and Operator Please in Gold Coast. That seems fitting since Byron Bay is a mini-Austin/SF and Gold Coast is a mini Dallas/Vegas. Their music fits their hometowns.

I've listened to their first album and really like it. I have to say this year is the year of Australia. Last year it was Brooklyn.

Back and Forth

The Jezabels

Australia ends the week. This band is in my top 5 Must See list, if not top 1. I've listened to their last EP repeatedly and it just grows on you. None of the songs are perfect but they all are great. This may not be their best song but it demonstrates a little of everything I like. The voice is obviously the main draw. Neko Case? Bat for Lashes? Siouxie? Karen O? Doesn't matter, it's amazing. Very cool. Since they hardly tour the US and don't have many shows at SXSW so far, we'll need to work hard to catch them.

Mace Spray

Pedropiedra

One more Chilean. Another singer-songwriter. There are 2 Chilean showcases but maybe there will be a day party, too.

Inteligencia Dormida

Francisca Valenzuela

Another singer-songwriter from Santiago. Apparently pretty popular. Her first album went Gold in Chile. Her second album is coming out March 11th.

Quiero Verte Mas

Gepe

Today is music from Chile. First up is a singer-songwriter from Santiago. Mellow folk/pop sound.

Por la Ventana

Russian Red

Another name to confuse the populace. This band is not Russian. It's also not a band. It's a singer-songwriter from Spain. Wikipedia calls her the Spanish Feist. She has a new album coming out in the Spring. I'll post more singer-songwriters soon but figured she would fit into the international category, too.

Cigarettes

Baskery

Meet this year's Katzenjammer. Baskery is three Swedish sisters that play bluegrass/country punk. They play Saxon Pub the weekend before SXSW and I'm sure they'll get lots of press given that their style of music fits right in with Austin. Their looks probably don't hurt, either.

Here to Pay My Dues

FM Belfast

Contrary to what you would expect, this band is from Iceland. This song reminds me of my high school days. It probably describes any kid raised in the suburbs, actually. The ennui and disaffection in the lyrics meld perfectly with the mechanized, robotic vocals and synths. Plus, it's got a good beat you can dance to. I mentioned that the last song I posted wasn't my typical cup of tea. Well, this song is just right.

Underwear

My Little Pony

Another Norway band. Not an easy name to Google. This guy's voice is similar to Ben Gibbard's, or maybe Lightning Seeds. Their sound is more cheery/sweet than I normally like but they could put on a nice afternoon show. Their new album comes out in March.

Hard to Be Good

Harrys Gym

Moving on to Norway. This reminds me of Blonde Redhead. Right now they're only playing Filter's Thursday day party at Cedar Street which is going to be packed. Noon set, though. May be able to get in and out before the crowds.

Old Man

WhoMadeWho

Here's another band from Denmark. They've been around awhile and apparently put on a great show. There are no day party listings for them yet, though. This song sounds a bit like Fujiya and Miyagi.

Keep Me In My Plane

The Rumour Said Fire

This week is a celebration of what makes SXSW so special: bands from all over the world coming to our little town to play music. We'll start with a country near and dear to me: Denmark. These guys have a blend of Fleet Foxes, Mamas and the Papas, and Simon and Garfunkel. Nice mellow start to the week.

The Balcony

Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr

Sr. died 10 years ago today. Jr. races in the Daytona 500 Sunday. It's only fitting to end the week with these guys. Despite the name they are actually considered a Next Big Thing. Why? They're from Detroit. They wear NASCAR uniforms on stage. Imagine what they'll sound like. Now listen.

Nothing But Our Love

That ends Next Big Thing week. Next week is International Bands.

Lower Dens

I loved this song so I grabbed the whole album and I can't believe I missed it when it came out. Mix Cowboy Junkies with Joy Division. Very mellow but still edgy. They're from Baltimore and the main singer is from Houston but they could be from 70s Manchester. A new album is supposed to be coming out soon. Maybe with the success of the XX these guys will get more publicity.


Hospice Gates

Eliza Doolittle

Another budding pop star in the UK making an appearance at SXSW. This is a fun song and an even funnier video. I had to post it.

Skinny Genes

The Joy Formidable

2011 is likely to be a big year for this trio from Wales. They've had success in the UK and even opened for Paul McCartney at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Their new album drops March 15th in the US on Atlantic Records and Rolling Stone is calling them a band to watch in 2011. These guys rock and I'd really like to see them. It may be tough, though. They aren't playing any open day parties so far and their showcase could be badges only. Fingers crossed...

Whirring

Jessica Lea Mayfield

Another prediction for ACL Festival. She's getting praise for her songwriting skills and she's only 21 years old. Album produced by Dan Auerbach. Invited to Bonnaroo. Next Big Thing in Rolling Stone. Dollars to doughnuts, she's a lock.

Kiss Me Again

The Head and the Heart

Here's a prediction: these guys will be playing ACL Festival this year. They are exploding right now, probably due to the success of similar artists like Mumford and Sons and Avett Brothers. Formed in Seattle, Subpop is re-releasing their debut album nationally. Oh, and it appears they are playing Moody Theater on the Monday before SXSW begins. ACL taping? Hmm.


Down in the Valley

Ellie Goulding

Pop success in Europe doesn't necessarily crossover to the US. We'll see how Ellie Goulding does. A breakout success in the UK and Europe, her album is being released in the US in March by a major label subsidiary. She'll have lots of buzz. The video for this song has over 13M views on Youtube.

Starry Eyed

Suuns

I don't know if these guys will break into the mainstream but this song is great. It's the kind of song that drives audiences to a frenzy. Montreal based and signed to Secretly Canadian, they've toured with the Black Angels and are readying a new album. Definitely worth watching.

Arena

Alex Winston

Young, pretty, talented. This Detroit native has some serious backing and is being called the Next Big Thing for 2011. Probably going to be hard to get into any events where she's performing as she's landing all the big parties/showcases. Worth a try.

Sister Wife

The Naked and Famous

In tribute to the Arcade Fire at the Grammys last night, this week I'll post bands Most Likely to Appear on the Grammys someday. That or most likely to be at ACL. First up has blown up in their home country of New Zealand. Their album is being released in the US by Universal Music on March 15th so expect lots of promotion soon. They're opening for Foals at La Zona Rosa in April. I guess it's the movie studio strategy of playing Academy Award movies in limited release before saturating the country.

Here's the closest to a Valentine's Day song I could find:

Young Blood

Hundreds

One more duo to end the week. Here's a brother and sister from Hamburg, Germany. Nice pop sound.

Happy Virus

Eternal Summers

The final duo post is from Roanoke, VA. While this song is straightforward 3-chord retro punk/pop, that's not their sole style. I'd like to check them out.

Pogo

Tennis

Another duo! Tennis is a Denver husband/wife. They are getting lots of airplay on XMU so I'm sure the crowds will be big. More retro stuff.

Marathon

Summer Camp

Here's a London duo with a retro sound. These guys are getting lots of hype. With song titles like Veronica Sawyer (Heathers) and Jakey Ryan (16 Candles), they could be a fun band to watch. This song reminds me of Bird and the Bee.

Ghost Train

Phantogram

So my theme this week was male-female duos in tribute to the demise of the White Stripes. As it turns out there are a lot of these duos at SXSW. I'm forgoing my typical daily post in order to share my favorites. First up is a band from Upstate NY. This song sneaks up on you. You think it's going one way but changes direction. Very pleasing.

Mouthful of Diamonds

Tamaryn

This duo(!) from San Francisco (by way of New Zealand) is touring with Raveonettes. Totally fitting. Their songs go from dreamy to goth to upbeat, with a nod to Lindsay Buckingham in parts. Unlike some SXSW bands that have just one single, their whole album is pretty good. Worth checking out.

Mild Confusion

The Belle Brigade

Here's an LA band with quite the connections to the LA music scene. They even snagged a plum spot on the KCRW showcase. That's some good exposure.

Sweet Louise

The Civil Wars

An acoustic choice today from a Nashville group. This week follows a theme based on a big story from last week. See if you can figure it out.

Barton Hollow

Wye Oak

Baltimore. Merge Records. Hammond Organ. Can't get more indie cred than that. This song delivers, too. Expect big things.

Civilian

Noah and the Whale

How about a sweet song of love and fun in the sun on this snowy day? A London band that also has quite a following and history. I'm so out of touch. Any good music blogs out there that can keep me up to date on new bands?

5 Years Time

Great Lake Swimmers

These Canadians have been around for awhile and have built a good following but for some reason they just crossed my radar. Nice folk country sound. I'd like to check them out.

Pulling on a Line

Silje Nes

A mellow tune from a Norwegian on a cold day. Stay warm.

The Grass Harp

Talking to Turtles

Don't know much about these guys but I like this song. I think it's two members: one from Leipzig, Germany and the other from Rostock (near where Ted's wife Jessi is from). Funny band name, interesting song title.

Beam Me Up Scotty