Roscoe Bandana

Since Friday night is usually when we all try to go out together I doubt a group will want to venture into the Red River chaos.  A good option, with music more in line with the group, is Javelina on Rainey Street.  It has Hollis Brown, who Leana likes, bluegrass from The Giving Tree Band, and this band from Mississippi.

Good Americana/country-rock.  Should be a fun show.

Time to Begin

St. Lucia

Speaking of Brooklyn, St. Lucia is Jean-Phillip Grobler.  Originally from South Africa, now in Brooklyn.

The Thursday showcase at Empire Automotive is all Neon Gold (Passion Pit) artists. Thus the pop sounds.

This song sounds like a throwback to 80s pop ballads.  I'm thinking A-ha.

All Eyes on You

Sir Sly

Now the Friday showcase choices.  I'll start with the one at Empire Automotive.  This has Haerts, Haim, St. Lucia (who I'll post shortly), and Sir Sly, among others.  Good pop bands.  Should be a fun show.

Sir Sly is a trio from where else: LA.  This seems to be the year of LA.  One year it was Brooklyn, another it was Australia.

Anyway, this reminds me a little of Yeasayer, a little of Foals.  A little more poppy, though.

Ghost

Lake Street Dive

If we want to avoid the crowds and chaos of Red River on Thursday we can try the Creekside at the Hilton Garden Inn.  More mellow stuff, too.  The first act is Shonna Tucker, formerly of Drive By Truckers.  There's no music for her anywhere I've found and she just formed a new band called Eye Candy.  However, her showcase is listed just as her.  So don't know what to expect.

The second band to play is from Boston.  Kind of jazz/pop.  This song got some radio airplay.  The third act is Missy Raines, who is kind of  jazz/bluegrass.  A nice mellow evening if we want it.

Hello?/Goodbye!

Terraplane Sun

If we don't want to do Mohawk or Red 7 we can try Empire Automotive, across the street from Red 7.  This showcase is more mellow.  It's got pre-superstar Lianne La Havas and Terraplane Sun, among others.

These guys are from L.A.  This is a nice chill song.  Reminds me a little of Dan Dyer.

Ya Never Know

Cayucas

This would be my #1 choice if it wasn't at Red 7.  It's all ages so it's always packed and the line to get in is ridiculous.  Plus, it's a dump.  But this is the Secretly Canadian/Jagjaguar/Dead Oceans showcase.  And it's Thursday so we will only be slightly exhausted by then.

The outdoor showcase has Bleached, Foxygen, Unknown Mortal Orchestra (at 1am), and Cayucas.  It's the moniker of Zach Yudin out of California. This song sounds like Beck.

High School Lover

Baio

Another option for Thursday is the showcase at Blackheart.  It has Emma Louise, Gepe, and Baio, among others.

Baio is Chris Baio, bassist for Vampire Weekend.  This is his side project and leans more electronic.

Sunburn Modern

Pacific Air

After Wake Owl at the Mohawk on Thursday is this band from Southern California, hence the name.  It's two brothers.  They don't have an album out yet but the hype is high for them.

Float

Wake Owl

Now the Thursday showcases.  One option is Mohawk.  Local Natives and Cold War Kids play the Midnight and 1am slots so I doubt we'll last for them.  However, some of the earlier acts are good, including Solid Gold, who we saw two years ago at Rusty's one SXSW morning.  Free Champagne morning.  It's made up of the guys who were/are part of GAYNGS.  I liked them then and wouldn't mind seeing them again.

The first act on the bill is Wake Owl, the moniker of Colyn Cameron out of Vancouver.  He's also playing the KGSR morning show at the W.  Nice sound.

Gold

Field Report

The next option for Wednesday is at the Stage on 6th.  It includes Diamond Rugs, John McCauley and Friends, Heartless Bastards, and Field Report.  A bourbon-fueled hootenany.

Field Report is the most mellow of that lot.  It's the moniker of Wisconsin native Chris Porterfield (the band name is an anagram of his last name).  His first album was on many best-of lists last year.  I got it with my Xmas gift certificate to Waterloo based on that.  I'm not in love with it, although it has some good songs.  This is one of those.

Incommunicado

Hundred Waters

One option if we can't get into Haven (assuming that's our first choice) is the Tap Room.  It includes Keep Shelley in Athens, Poolside, and Hundred Waters.  A more mellow, synth-laden showcase.

Hundred Waters is from Gainesville, Florida.  This is a nice song.

Visitor

Wild Belle

Also on Wednesday is our normal tradition: the KCRW showcase at Haven.  It includes Toro y Moi, Atlas Genius, Ra Ra Riot, and Wild Belle, among others.  Kind of a stacked lineup.  I hope they let in cash customers this year.

Wild Belle is a brother-sister duo from Chicago.  Their first album on Columbia Records is coming out in March.  This song has a Deborah Harry sound.

It's Too Late

Bastille

Tuesday is light on showcases so there's not much more to preview.  The Parish has a good showcase of local Austin bands that is a good backup.  No need to discuss them.  We've seen them all before.

I'll head to Wednesday.  One option is Club de Ville, which has The Neighbourhood, Half Moon Run, and Bastille, among others.

Bastille is a band out of South London signed to EMI Records.  This is an okay song.

Flaws

The Lone Bellow

Time to begin the showcase analysis.  Things start on Tuesday this year.  One option is the Blackheart, a new place on Rainey St.  That area has tons of showcases this year so it may be better hanging out around there than the chaos that is Red River.  The only downside is that most of the bars are small so it may be hard to get in.

Anyway, this showcase has Houndmouth at 8, Lone Bellow at 9, Jason Isbell at 10, and Spirit Family Reunion at 11.  I doubt we'll make it much later than that but Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers are the last band on the bill.

The Lone Bellow is a band out of Brooklyn (Park Slope) that plays traditional southern country/folk.  It's mostly mellow.  They're getting lots of critical praise.  Their album just came out in January so expect to hear more from them as they get airplay.

You Can Be All Kinds of Emotional

The Last Royals

Might as well end the day with another 80s -ish song and end the week with "Friday Night".  No, it's not an Old 97s cover.  This is a duo from Brooklyn.  No showcase scheduled yet and no day parties, either.

Friday Night

Gold Fields

A little 80s sound for you.  Gold Fields is out of Australia and it looks like the publicity machine is strong for them.  They're playing Jimmy Kimmel next week and are signed to Astralwerks (Beth Orton, Bat for Lashes, Air).  Their showcase is the Aussie BBQ on Saturday so if you want to see them we'll have to look for a day show.

Dark Again (Lights Out)

Cheers Elephant

Next up is a band from Philadelphia.  Apparently their live shows are pretty fun.  This song has some quirkiness mixed in with old-fashioned rock-n-roll.  They don't have a showcase listed yet.

Leaves

Telekinesis

Today I'll wrap up the general music sampling with some of the better songs I've heard so far.  Next week I'll try to focus on some specific showcases we could attend.  After that I'll look at some of the better day parties.

First up is a band that played ACL on Saturday back in 2011.  I previewed them/him here.  As you know,  we didn't make it to ACL on Saturday or Sunday that year. Still angry.  Oh well, now we have another chance.  This is a new song and it looks like he's still got the talent for making great pop songs.  This has a riff that reminds me of the Cure.

Please Ask for Help

Atlas Genius

Final Band You Should Know for the day.  They're from Australia and seem to have lots of hype behind them.  I haven't listened to anything other than this song but it's their hit. They're headlining Emo's East in April with The Neighborhood so expectations are high.  This song is good but I don't love it.  Just seems a little too catchy.  Maybe their other stuff is more to my liking.

Trojans

Bernhoft

Another Band You Should Know.  Well, it's one guy:  Jarle Bernhoft.  I think he even plays all the music on his albums.  He's from Oslo, Norway and it looks like 2013 could be his year.  He's playing Bonnaroo and is set to play some of the bigger day parties. Doesn't sound like a Norwegian.  His big song is "C'Mon Talk" but it was too much for me so here's a slower song.

Stay With Me

Family of the Year

Here's another band that has recently been on the late night circuit.  They were on Jimmy Kimmel last week and are on Conan tonight.  They've got members from Wales, Florida, and California but are now based in L.A.  I wasn't too impressed with the song they played on Kimmel but this song isn't bad.  Maybe I'll like them more live.

Hero

Gus and Scout

Today I'll post some Bands You Should Know.  I'm not sold on the sound but there's buzz around them for various reasons so you may think otherwise.

First up is Gus and Scout, a male-female folk duo.  That's Gus Wenner (son of Jann Wenner)  and Scout Willis (daughter of Bruce and Demi).  Celebrity watchers will fill up their showcase.

Don't Bother You Much

Keep Shelley in Athens

This band played FFF Fest at noon.  Due to a ticketing issue we got there late and only saw one song.  They're from Greece (a full day without an LA band!).  I'd like to be able to see them play more than one song this time.

Our Own Dream

Humans

Here's a dance song.  A mix of LCD Soundsystem and New Order.  This is a duo from Vancouver.  The second half of this song really shows the James Murphy influence.  They don't have a full album out yet but they've gained quite a following.

avec mes mecs

Amtrac

Next up for synth day is the moniker of Caleb Cornett from Kentucky.  His showcase is Thursday at Haven with The Crystal Method.

Fame or Shame?

Ryan Hemsworth

Today I'll post some guilty pleasures of mine.  These will be on the synth-driven side.  First up is a producer from Halifax.  A really cool song.

Three Hours In

Nikki Bluhm and the Gramblers

Final band for the day.  This band from San Francisco sounds like The Band with Linda Ronstadt at the helm. For Kim, obviously.

Little Too Late

On an On

One for Leana.  This reminds me a little of Yeasayer.  This is a trio that formed after the breakup of Scattered Trees.  More on that here.  They're from Chicago and Minneapolis and look to be playing the Paste day party at the Stage on 6th but I'm not sure what day.

Ghosts

Hurray for the Riff Raff

Another one for Kim.  The singer is originally from the Bronx but the band is based in New Orleans.  They played SXSW last year.  Good bluegrass sound.  The only showcase is at 1am on Wednesday so we'll have to look for a day show.  Old Settler's needs to book them.  They've been around awhile and have played here before, including at Hole in the Wall.  I'm sure I've heard them on KUT but this song is new to me.

Look Out Mama

Night Beds

Night Beds is the moniker for Winston Yellen, a 23 year-old from Colorado Springs but now in Nashville.  This song is straight-up Whiskeytown, which is a good thing.  He's signed to Dead Oceans (Bear in Heaven, Destroyer) so he's got strong backing.  Showcase is Thursday at Red 7 as part of the Dead Oceans/Jagjaguar/Secretly Canadian showcase.  Could be a good one to check out.

Ramona

Roadkill Ghost Choir

This song is for everyone.  Not much publicity for them but damn this is a great song.  Banjo, Hammond organ, even a little trumpet.  They're from DeLand, Florida which is between Daytona and Orlando.  I'd really like to check them out.  I've listened to their E.P. and it reminds me of My Morning Jacket.  It's very, very good.  My #1 band to see now.

Beggar's Guild

Wildcat! Wildcat!

Speaking of GAYNGS.  Here's one for Leana.  This song has got that 70s Supertramp sound mixed in with modern sounds a la MGMT. Believe it not, these guys are from L.A.

Mr. Quiche

Foxygen

This is for Kim.  Mix in the Animals, old Roxy Music, Joe Jackson, and bits and pieces of the 60s and you get Foxygen.  They're from L.A. and have been signed to Jagjaguar (Bon Iver, GAYNGS) so expectations are high.  They'll be all over SXSW.

Make It Known

The Neighbourhood

This one is for Leana.  The momentum is building and they are about to blow up.  They're opening up for Atlas Genius April 24th at Emo's East but I have a feeling it will be like seeing The XX open for Friendly Fires.  They won't be opening for long.  They're out of L.A.

Female Robbery

Hollis Brown

This one is for Leana.  The band is out of NYC but sounds more like NC.  A little Ryan Adams, a little Deer Tick.  Fittingly, John McCauley sings on some of their songs.  Maybe they're part of the "friends" in his new band.

Gypsy Black Cat

Half Moon Run

This one is for Kim.  Some CSNY with Mamas and Papas thrown in.  They're opening for Of Monsters and Men at Stubbs in June, too. (tickets on sale tomorrow)  They're at a lot of the high-profile day parties so expect big things.

Full Circle

Aloe Blacc

This song is for Leana.  It has been out for a couple years so you've heard it I'm sure.  Straight up Bill Withers.

I Need a Dollar

Houndmouth

I think I'm a pretty good judge of my followers' musical tastes.  Both of them.  To test that theory I'm going to post songs I think will be enjoyed by them.  First up is Kim.  Tell me this isn't right up your alley.  These guys are from New Albany, Indiana.  I'll keep an eye out for the day parties they're playing.

Penitentiary

In The Valley Below

Another Valentine, this one to the other female in our household.  This is a duo out of L.A.

Peaches

John McCauley & Friends

To start off today here's a little Valentine present for my wife.  John McCauley always seems to make it down to SXSW in some iteration: Deer Tick, Middle Brother, Deervana... This year he's coming as John McCauley and Friends.  I bet whatever he plays will be great. (H/T OEB for this video)

Blondfire

Another L.A. band.  This is a brother-sister duo that's about to break out.  See this article (Title: Blondfire=En Fuego) for all their coverage.  They just signed with Warner Brothers and are opening for Foals on their upcoming tour.

This song reminds me a little of Joy Formidable.

Where the Kids Are

Poolside

Might as well stick with L.A. bands.  This is a duo that would fit right in on KCRW.  Perfect name.  Great music for chilling by the pool.  These guys are playing the Filter party at Lustre Pearl but it's badges only.

Next to You

Haim

The hype is huge for this band.  A trio of sisters from L.A., they topped the BBC Sound of 2013 poll as the most promising act of the new year, have been touring with Mumford and Sons, Florence and the Machine, and Edwarde Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, and recently signed to Polydor records.  It's expected they'll have a full album out soon.

This song has a Fleetwood Mac sound.

Falling

High Highs

This is a really nice song.  The band is from NYC and based on this article I bet they'll play the KEXP showcase at Mellow Johnnys.  Their first album just came out so we'll be hearing more from them.  Perfect sound for an early afternoon at ACL.

Flowers Bloom

MS MR

Autotune has been borrowed from the pop stars who can't sing and co-opted by indie bands looking to accentuate already great voices.  It started with Polica last year, was used by Cat Power in her latest, and now can be heard in this song from NYC duo MS MR.  This could easily be mistaken for Polica but it's still good.  I think this band will be at some of the bigger day parties.

Hurricane

Haerts

This song is so new it's not even on Spotify yet.  It's the only song by this band but it's marvelous.  Just a great pop song.  Expect a lot of hype if these guys can deliver a whole album like this.  KEXP has taken notice, and they're getting lots of hype in New York, too.  They're based in NYC but from Germany, England, and the U.S.

Wings

Vintage Trouble

We saw these guys last year during SXSW at the Stage on 6th before Of Monsters and Men.  They were unknown then but really won the crowd over.  Great party band.  It's no wonder they've been opening for The Who on their current tour.  Here's a video of them on Conan with the legendary Booker T. Jones on organ.




 Here's a song from Spotify:

Blues Hand Me Down

2012 SXSW alumni at the Grammys

All of these bands were relatively unknown last year when they arrived at SXSW.  Some had lots of hype behind them when they arrived, as I said in my previews about them (see links).  The last year was still a whirlwind for them all, culminating in Grammys performances.

Ed Sheeran

fun.

Alabama Shakes

Lumineers

Which bands from this year's SXSW will be playing at the Grammys next year?  I have some guesses.  Stay tuned...

MØ

Might as well post one more Danish singer.  She doesn't have an album out and nothing is on Spotify but this single is making waves. She's being compared to Purity Ring and Twin Shadow.

Pilgrim

Fallulah

We'll finish up the week with another SXSW alumni.  The moniker of Maria Apetri from Denmark, I previewed her last year but we didn't get to see her.  Always trying to catch those Danish bands.  This is a poppy dance number a la Oh Land.  She's also compared to Bat for Lashes and Florence and the Machine.  I'd like to see her this year.

Out of It

Emma Louise

Continuing with the female singers, Emma Louise is from Brisbane and played SXSW last year.  Not much else out there other than this song was on "Greys Anatomy".  This song is good.

Jungle

Lianne La Havas

I expect you may know this one but she's new to me. She's from London and had a very good 2012. She was named on the BBC Sound of 2012 list, toured with Bon Iver, has played with Alicia Keys, and had her album named the iTunes album of the year. Whew. She played the Tonight Show Tuesday and now she's making her way down to our little festival.

Don't Wake Me Up

ZZ Ward

Here's another SXSW alumni that is on the verge of breaking out.  She's from Oregon but has been in L.A. making a name for herself.  Since SXSW last year she put out a full album, hit the late-night shows, had songs featured on TV shows, and has been touring with Delta Rae.  She's got major label backing so  the hype will continue.

Put the Gun Down

Elle King

I guess I'll make this week all-female week.  This singer is the daughter of a successful comedian/movie star but grew up with her mother in Ohio.  I won't tell you who her father is.  Listen to the song and decide if you like her before you find out.

Kind of an Adele sound.  She played SXSW last year but was low profile.  Since last year she signed with a major label, played the late night shows and has toured with the likes of Of Monsters and Men and Michael Kiwanuka.  All that and she only has an EP out.  Expect more visibility when an album is released.

Playing for Keeps

Josephine

Here's someboy that's going to be a hit at SXSW. She's from Manchester and has been getting lots of press in England. Here's one article from the BBC.  Kind of a jazzy pop sound.  Nice.

I Think It Was Love