Bill Callahan

Also known as Smog, he now makes Austin his home. He plays Mohawk May 2nd. Pretty mellow stuff. He had a song on the "High Fidelity" soundtrack and his songs have been covered by others. His new album comes out April 19th. May be worth checking out.

Baby's Breath

Still Corners

We saw this London band at the French Legation Museum right after the free Lone Star and PBR ran out and before heading to Uncorked for some delicious Chicken Pot Pie and Stash IPA. It was a beautiful day on the lawn and not too crowded: we got to stretch out on the grass and take in the dreamy pop. Whoever says SXSW is chaotic wasn't with us that day.

Endless Summer

The War on Drugs

Moving on from SXSW, this band is opening for Destroyer tomorrow (Friday) at Mohawk. Sounds like a good mellow show. These guys are from Philadelphia and count Kurt Vile as a collaborator. They're on Secretly Canadian.

Comin' Through

Recap Part 2

I could go on for paragraphs on why SXSW is so great but you don't want to hear me get all mushy. I'll just stick to the standard boilerplate of my top bands, even though it's hard to leave the other bands out. When you think that these bands mostly paid their own way here to play for free it's hard to knock them. They have to play in front of an audience tweeting on their iphones yet I found the bands still had a great time just sharing their music and hoping that someone in the audience enjoyed it.

I'll break down the bands into 4 groups of 3 for my top 12:

1. ACL Bound
Head and the Heart
Oh Land
Jessica Lea Mayfield

These three were polished, professional, and had a full catalog. Not one-hit wonders, I expect them all to be making the talk-show/festival/Grammy circuit. They'll be getting lots of press soon so Michael Corcoran should discover them and write about it in the Statesman about two years from now.

2. Adult contemporary/Americana sounds
Still Corners
Zoe Muth and the Lost High Rollers
Storyhill

Three unknowns for me that had a great mellow sound. They would easily fit on KUT or KGSR playlists. I'll post some songs soon.

3. Indie/pop sounds
Harrys Gym
Chapel Club
Jezabels

Probably my favorite shows among all the indie bands I saw. I wished I'd seen a whole Jezabels set but I was impressed by what I heard. The others had strong sets throughout. I previewed them earlier.


4. Surprises
The Belle Brigade
Yuck
Leslie Stevens and the Badgers

I'll cover each of these individually:
a. The Belle Brigade: I figured they got the KCRW showcase because of their connections to the LA music scene and not for their musical catalog. I was wrong. This band was excellent. Their energy and enthusiasm was contagious. Plus, their music was really good. I'm hoping to see them again.
b. Yuck: I heard a couple of their songs on XMU that were straight 90s alt. rock fuzz/distortion and read the comparisons to Sonic Youth and My Bloody Valentine so I blew them off. Thanks to Leana and Casey I was talked into checking them out. I'm glad I did. Their music is much mellower than they let on, with good pop sounds. I've listened to their album now and it's really good. I'm a convert.
c. Leslie Stevens: didn't know anything about her but I'm glad she played. She won my sister over and proved once again that you can find your new favorite bands at SXSW if you just get out and listen.

SXSW Recap Part 1

Please excuse a couple of rants.

First rant: I'd like to comment on the negative spin coming out about crowds, barriers, traffic, etc. It reminds me of those letters to the editor after a marathon race where people complain that they can't believe the streets are closed for 6 hours on Sunday morning. This despite the fact that the race happens every year, there are news reports, signs posted on street closures, diagrams in the newspaper, etc. If people don't understand that SXSW is in a VERY concentrated area (basically a 1 mile radius around 6th and Red River) and plan accordingly it's their own fault, not SXSW. Don't drive into that area! AT ALL. IDIOTS.

Second Rant is regarding massive crowding/people. To understand what got us here, my opinion is that SXSW Music has evolved over time to encompass 4 categories of bands/people.
1. First there are the bands that just love to play music and the fans who come to hear them. They have dreams of success to help pay the bills but most likely they'll never be successful. But they don't care. That's still the majority (80%) of the bands that play SXSW today. You'll see them play house parties for locals and have a blast. You could have a great SXSW just by watching these guys play.
2. Next up is the bands with raw talent learning to master their craft, or bands that are one break away from national exposure. They don't have a PR team, a label, or anything. These are the bands that put SXSW on the map for the music industry as it's a perfect place for labels, bookers, promoters, and press to see new bands and nurture them to reach the next level. There's no buzz for these bands yet but they all hope to get discovered at SXSW. Us regular folk have a tough time researching these bands in advance as they look just like the bands in group 1 at first.
3. The success of SXSW has made it a perfect place for the latest category of bands: those with indie label or major label backing looking to get exposure to the crowds of bloggers and press that have come to dominate attendees. These are the buzz bands. These include bands with success overseas trying to break into the US market or new bands about to kick off a tour that want the exposure that SXSW brings. I tend to focus on these bands as they're the one's with songs posted on blogs and with information online that helps me plan my week. With luck I'll get to see some of the bands in group 2 during the day parties or showcases with the bands in group 3.
4. The last group of bands/people are the already multi-platinum artists that for some reason come to SXSW. I call this group the attention whores and their sycophants. They come to town in a blaze of glory and get all the headlines by the adoring press. Every year there are 5-10 parties that dominate all the attention and the crowds, which leads to the bad press about congestion. The Strokes just headlined ACL to a massive crowd that paid over $180 to get in. You think they'll draw a crowd to a free show in a venue that holds a fraction of that? Who would go to that show thinking it wouldn't be crowded? IDIOTS. Why do Kanye and Foo Fighters need to play SXSW? Do they really need more exposure? Attention whores.

So, do I think the Rachel Ray's and the Perez Hilton's and the headliners they invite should stay away? No chance. They deflect attention and press away from the bands I want to see. (Proof? Look at the Statesman's music critics' choices of top shows at SXSW. They get paid for that shit?) If they weren't here all the douchebags and trend-followers would be going to the day parties and showcases I want to attend. That would be horrible.

Rants over. The gist of my argument is that SXSW doesn't need to change at all. The great thing about the chaos is that it rewards those willing to make the effort to find the truly great music. To use a baseball analogy, music discovery is similar to spotting undervalued "Moneyball" players: avoid overvalued players and focus on the players currently undervalued that have the potential to be great.

Numbers

Still processing the week so nothing enlightening about what I saw at this point. Here's the data dump:

Saw 54 bands in 5 days.
Saw 24 of the 81 bands previewed here with the SXSW2011 tag.
So 30 of the bands we saw were not posted. I'll post songs from some of those soon.

The daily tally in the order that we saw them:

Tuesday

Dan Dyer
Sahara Smith

Wednesday

Head and the Heart
Kids of 88
Operator Please
Jezabels
Fierce Creatures
Generationals
Caitlin Rose
Thousands
Marques Toliver
Still Corners
Tristen
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.
The Belle Brigade
Chapel Club

Thursday

Lord Huron
Lower Dens
Das Racist
Oh Land
Mother Mother
Twin Shadow
Janka Nabay
Sharon Van Etten
Lia Ices
Low
Wye Oak
Zoe Muth and the Lost High Rollers
Cobirds Unite
Or, the Whale

Friday

Class Actress (Leana)
Cloud Nothings
Colin Stetson
Diamond Rings
Gold Panda
Baths
The Soft Moon
Yuck
Dirty Beaches
Edwyn Collins
Sun Airway
Harrys Gym
Jonny Gray (at 6 rooftop)
Birds and Batteries
Leslie Stevens and the Badgers
Gabby Young and Other Animals
Talking to Turtles

Saturday

The Lonely Forest
If By Yes
Jessica Lea Mayfield
Shinyribs
Kevin Welch
Storyhill
Middle Brother

Starfucker

Since I probably won't post anything tomorrow I'll hit one band playing Saturday at ND at 2:30pm. That ND day party is really good: Starfucker, John McCauley and Ian O'Neil of Deer Tick, Baths, Thao...and more. Hmm.

This is an indie/electro/pop band out of Portland. Most of their SXSW shows are late night rave appearances that I won't be attending so this is probably the only chance for us to see them (if you like and the schedule works...)

Julius

Rural Alberta Advantage

While we're in Canada I guess it's time to post this band. We saw them at Mohawk during SXSW last year (?) and I really liked them. This year they're coming in with a lot more hype off what is supposed to be a great new album that just came out. I need to check it out. They're playing the Phoenix at 3:30 pm and Home Slice at 6:25 on Friday. They also play the Paste Party at 5:00pm on Thursday. Hopefully they'll be coming to town again with a full show soon.

North Star

City and Colour

Now Friday. Speakeasy is having an interesting day party, with singer-songwriters mixed in with dancy/pop bands. City and Colour is a side project of Dallas Green, a Canadian singer-songwriter from the band Alexisonfire. This is a sweet song.

The Girl

Edwyn Collins

Closing out Thursday at the French Legation is Edwyn Collins. From Scottland, formerly in Nu-Sonics and Orange Juice in the 70s, he's still cranking out music. His latest album was recorded with the help of members of Franz Ferdinand, Aztec Camera, the Drums, and even Johnny Marr. That's some serious backing.

This song has been in lots of movies.

Girl Like You

Low

To continue the trend, today is Thursday day show options. The French Legation has quite the mellow lineup. Low is a band from Minnesota that has been around awhile (1994) but never has had mainstream success. Pretty mellow, the French Legation would be a good place to see them. Robert Plant covered two of their songs on his recent Band of Joy album: "Monkey" and "Silver Rider". That's enough of a recommendation for me.

Try to Sleep

Violens

Okay, last post of the day. This band is playing the Lipstick24 party on Wednesday. That's my first choice. I'd like to see Jezabels at Mohawk which is my only big conflict. We'll have plenty of time to see Grouplove and The Head and the Heart. If not, they'll be through town again shortly I'm sure.

This band is from New York. Interesting mix of styles. They describe themselves as a mix of "60s psychopop, thrash metal, and Miami freestyle." We'll have to see.

Violent Sensation Descends

Kids of 88

This is a duo from New Zealand. Very dance-able. They're playing the MTV Garage day party between Friendly Fires and Matt & Kim. Not a bad gig. Like Cloud Control, it doesn't appear their album has been released in the US yet. The only thing available on Amazon is an import.

Just a Little Bit

Esben and the Witch

These guys are playing quite a few day shows. They're from Brighton. Signed to Matador. Their sound is compared to Siouxie and the Banshees but I hear a little Kills, too. Good old-fashioned goth.

Marching Song

Cloud Control

Since there are only a few days left until the Best Week of the Year I figured I'd focus on each day and the showcases we may hit. I'll cover some of the other bands playing showcases we may want to check out. First up is Wednesday. Cloud Control is playing a few day shows so there's a good chance we'll get to see them.

Another Australian band! Poppy harmonies. They won the Australian Music Prize, which I guess is a big thing. They've toured with Local Natives and Temper Trap, which is a good barometer for their style.

There's Nothing in the Water We Can't Fight

Agnes Obel

Another Danish singer/songwriter. Much mellower than Oh Land. This song was featured on "Grey's Anatomy" and KCRW has been praising her latest album. She's making her US debut at SXSW so see her before it's too late! It looks like the best time for us to see her is Friday at 1:20pm at Speakeasy, before Mother Mother at 2pm.

Riverside

Vandaveer

Mark Charles Heidinger goes by Vandaveer. He's from Lexington, Kentucky and has been playing awhile but success in the U.S. has not been quick. Apparently he's very popular in Europe, especially France. So most of his touring is over there. Maybe this year he'll break out here.

He plays at Fado at 1:30pm on Saturday.


Concerning Past and Future Conquests

Eilen Jewell

A little country/Americana music today. Eilen Jewell is based in Boston. She sounds a bit like Lucinda Williams in this song. She's been around for a few years and has toured extensively but this is the first time I've heard her. I gotta get out more.

It looks like the best opportunity to check her out is 5:30pm Saturday at Zax. Maybe grab dinner before walking over to Auditorium Shores?

Rain Roll In

Alessi's Ark

Alessi Laurent-Marke is a singer-songwriter from Hammersmith, London. She sounds a little like Kathleen Edwards. Good stuff. She plays at 11:10 am Wednesday at Threadgill's and at the French Legation Museum later that day.

The Horse

Kurt Vile

He's not exactly unknown but he's not a big name yet. From Philadelphia, this song reminds me a little of Freedy. He and his band are playing Auditorium Shores Saturday night along with Middle Brother and Bright Eyes. Should be a good fit.

In My Time

Oh Land

Nanna Øland Fabricius goes by Oh Land. She's from Denmark so I'm sold. Her first album comes out March 15th and she's getting major label promotion. She's playing a lot of day parties all over town, including Friday at 4pm at Waterloo Records.

People compare her to Robyn but I think there's a little Lykke Li in there, too.

Son of a Gun

James Vincent McMorrow

From Dublin. He's being compared to Bon Iver. This song is really good. Another mellow songwriter. I'll post faster-paced stuff tomorrow.

I think the best opportunity to see him is Wednesday at the Day Stage in the Convention Center. He's not playing many day shows.

If I Had A Boat

Sharon Van Etten

Currently residing in Brooklyn, she has been very busy touring the world. She opened for Junip at the Mohawk in November but the line to get in was so slow we only caught her last song. I think this was it. Her music is pretty mellow so the best place to see her is a quiet venue, not a loud bar. Probably why one of her showcases is at Central Presbyterian Church.

Buzz is big for her. She's playing Bonnaroo and getting a lot of the big showcases. I think the best opportunity to see her is Thursday at 4pm at the French Legation Museum, right before Lia Ices.

One Day

Richard Barone

From New York/New Jersey. Originally with the 80s band the Bongos. This reminds me of Johnny Goudie. He plays Continental Club Friday with the Mother Truckers but his more interesting set is Friday. Check out the lineup. A lot of Athens, GA bands. Peter Buck in The Baseball Project. Michael Stipe's sister closing out. Michael Stipe is in town for SXSW Film. REM has a new album out. Hmm.... If that doesn't pique your interest, this is sponsored by Dogfish Head. I now have major conflicts on Friday.

Getting back to Richard Barone, his style is described as glam/power-pop. He plays a T.Rex cover on his new album. Could be worth checking him out.

Glow

Tristen

This week I'll be posting singer/songwriters. There are tons at every SXSW so I'm going to post the ones getting a lot of buzz. I'm skipping the local acts and the ones already getting airplay on KGSR (Sahara Smith, Sarah Jaffe, Dan Dyer, Suzanna, etc.) and will try to post people you may not have heard.

First up is Tristen. Originally from Chicago, she's now in Nashville. She's on the KCRW showcase Wednesday and the A.V. Club's day show at the Mohawk Friday. Two very high-profile performances. I don't think she'll be unknown for long.

Baby Drugs

Lanterns on the Lake

Okay, I have 1 or 2 more I may post. This may not be retro. If I had to make a retro comparison I'd say it sounds like something from Air's "Moon Safari", released in 1998. They're from Newcastle, signed to Bella Union, have already played Glastonbury. I'd say they're on the way to big things.

They play Wednesday at 1pm at the French Legation Museum. That's a perfect place for them. Could be amazing.

Lungs Quicken

Grouplove

I think this is my last retro music choice. Grouplove's sound is compared to early 90s alt rock/pop. Reminds me a little of Cracker. They're on KEXP's day recording schedule so they're poised to get lots of attention. Now in LA but their backstory is quite interesting. Their European sojourn reminds me of a quite famous Cracker song. Check out more here if you're interested.

Naked Kids

Dry the River

On to the 90s. This London band is getting lots of buzz thanks to the success of Mumford and Sons. They are playing a day show Thursday at the Jo's parking lot on South Congress and a couple showcases. This song reminds me of early Radiohead mixed with The Call. I miss The Call. RIP Michael Been.

New Ceremony

Ear Test

Okay, this won't be up long. Just want some corroboration. There is a band coming to SXSW that is getting a lot of buzz. I think they're blatantly copying other artists' songs. Not Skyrocket covering. Not even Pearl Jam riding the grunge fad led by Nirvana. I'm talking completely taking parts of another song and pretending they're original.

With that, I'll present my two cases.

Exhibit 1:

This band's "hit"

Eerily similar hit from a couple years ago.

Exhibit 2:

This band's "hit"

Eerily similar hit from a couple years ago.

Class Actress

Here's a Brooklyn trio that mixes a little Yaz with Human League. They're among the privileged few playing the Pitchfork show at the East Side Drive-In Friday. Good for them.

Journal of Ardency

Geographer

Here's a band started by a guy from New Jersey now in San Francisco. They play two showcases, one on Wednesday at ND and one Thursday at Maggie Mae's. (That Wednesday ND showcase is pretty solid.) They also have one day show on Wednesday at Emo's Annex. Decisions, decisions...

This song reminds me of A-ha.

Kites

The Holidays

Finally at 80s day! No impartiality here: I love 80s music. First up is a band from Australia (another one!?). Their debut album came out in Australia in September to rave reviews. I don't think it has even been released in the US. This song reminds me of a mix of O.M.D. and Tears for Fears. They play their showcase Saturday at ND. They also play the Austinist day party at Mohawk on Wednesday. Good thing you took that vacation day!

Broken Bones

Chapel Club

This London band is coming in with a lot of buzz. Their music is influenced by the late 70s post-punk movement led by Joy Division and Echo and the Bunnymen. I think the singer sometimes sounds like Morrissey. They're playing the KCRW showcase on Wednesday which is by far the best showcase of the week to me. They better let us in.

Surfacing

Belleruche

A pseudo-disco song from a London trio. They're mainly dance/trip-hop but this song has a Donna Summer/Chaka Khan feel to it to me. They only have one show scheduled so far.

Clockwatching

AM

Today is 70s day. First up is a singer-songwriter from Louisiana but now in LA. This song is perfect 70s pop that could be straight from the Laurel Canyon scene in LA. It would fit right in on KEOM or in a Skyrocket set. This isn't his only style, though. It looks like he is playing with Shawn Lee at SXSW as part of an electro soul album they're making. Could be interesting.

It's Been So Long

The Bees

Pure late 60s psychedelic folk on this one from a UK band originally from the Isle of Wight. The Band of Bees (as they're known in the US) have been around awhile and have a good following overseas. The SXSW website has a story about how they're coming to the festival but there are no showcases listed yet. Maybe they cancelled and the website never pulled the story. Anyway, here's the song:

I Really Need Love

Cults

This is one of the big buzz bands this year. They're getting lots of play on XMU. Not much is known about them other than it's a boy/girl duo from New York. This song is a blend of 60s girl group mixed with mid-60s Pet Sounds/Revolver psychedelic. Really good.

Go Outside

Generationals

This song reminds me of the Beach Party movies of the 60s with Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon. We saw this New Orleans band at SXSW last year at the Mohawk inside and they were great. I'm looking forward to seeing them again. They are playing Waterloo Thursday.

Trust