SXSW 2014: Post-mortem

I didn't write this but he hit the nail on the head re: "journalists" and the all the whining about SXSW:

"In 2014 there seems to be a consistent theme as I move from site to site, piece to piece.  For every excited review of a life-affirming new discovery, there are tales of self-imposed misery from journalists and music industry heads overwhelmed by the whole SXSW experience.  For the latter, I have a few words to share.  In short – you are failing us."

The whole thing is worth a read.

Get in Line Ahead of Me – A SXSW Editorial

SXSW 2014: Wrapup

Best in Show (non-Willie category): Lucius.  Mesmerizing. Must-see again.

Much better live than expected: Ages and Ages

Most likely to succeed: Jamestown Revival

Overenders Award: Lukas Nelson

Underenders Award: Clear Plastic Masks

Most provocative outfit: Nikki Lane

Best tribute to SXSW victims: Sons of Fathers

The rundown:

(p)=part of the set

Wednesday

@Lambert's
Spanish Gold

@Gingerman
Future Monarchs

@Mellow Johnny's
Hurray for the Riff Raff

@Brew Exchange
The Griswalds
Black Taxi

@Mellow Johnny's
Yellow Ostrich

@Austin Ale House
Della Mae

@Dogwood
Ian Moore (p)
Billy Joe Shaver

@Haven
Glass Animals
Kins
Jamestown Revival

Thursday

@Heartbreaker Banquet
Insects vs. Robots (Jam in the Van)
Sons of Fathers
Elle King
Wild Feathers
Nikki Lane
Clear Plastic Masks
Felice Brothers
Lucius
J. Roddy Walston
Shovels and Rope
Lukas Nelson
Willie Nelson & Family

Friday

@Home Slice
Gossling

@Frontgate
St. Paul and the Broken Bones
Syd Arthur

@Home Slice
Little Hurricane
sivu (p)

@San Jose
Hooray for the Riff Raff (p)

@Yard Dog
Lydia Loveless (p)

@St. Vincent de Paul
John Fullbright
The Mastersons
My Jerusalem
Washed Out (p from Town Lake)

Saturday

@Home Slice
Snapping Chowsky

@San Jose
The Districts

(T.Hardy Morris playing Home Slice but we were outside talking)

@Snack Bar
San Saba County

@San Jose
San Fermin

@St. Vincent de Paul
Roxy Roca
Sarah Borges
Drivin' and Cryin'

@Home Slice
Ages and Ages
The Octopus Project

SXSW 2014: Wednesday

Here's what I'm thinking for tomorrow's shows:  mainly stay around the West side: Lamberts, Mellow Johnny's, Dogwood, Gingerman, Waterloo during the day.  Parish/Haven/Tap Room at night.

If I get motivated I may head to the Four Seasons for the KUTX shows: Typhoon at 9 and Rodney Crowell at 10.

At noon is the C3 day party at Lambert's but they don't have the set times listed so I'm not sure which band will start.  We may have to walk over to see the list.  San Fermin is listed first.

Here is my day schedule.  I have the shows at Weather Up listed but I doubt I'll get over there.

As for the night shows, I'd say there are three options depending on what you think.  Here's the link to the bands by venue

One option is the Parish which is mostly electronic indie pop:  Claire,  Parade of Lights, the Kooks, Lemaitre.

Another option if we can get in is the KCRW show at Haven.  Glass Animals, Kins, Jamestown Revival, Sam Smith

The third option is the Americana/alt-country/folk showcase by Single Lock Records: Dan Dyer, Donnie Fritts, the Bear, St. Paul and the Broken Bones, etc.  It's at the Tap Room.

SXSW 2014: San Fermin

Also playing at San Jose Saturday is this orchestral pop band started by a Yale graduate.  Here's the whole story.    In that article/interview he mentions comparisons to Sufjan Stevens, The National, Dirty Projectors, as well as Paul Simon and the Beatles "Abbey Road".  Quite a mix.  Could be interesting.

Sonsick

SXSW 2014: Cody ChestnuTT

Also on Saturday is SxSanJose, which always has good bands.  Syd Arthur, The Districts, and this soul singer from Atlanta.  He's compared to Al Green but this song reminds me of Marvin Gaye.  He also has a song out featuring Gary Clark, Jr.  Maybe he'll be there.

That's Still Mama

SXSW 2014: Ages and Ages

I'll finish up the Music by the Slice previews with this band out of Portland.  Seems pretty good.  Their second album is coming out March 25th.  This is on it.  They have another song called Diversionary (Do the Right Thing) that is getting more hype but I like this one better.

Playing before these guys is one of my favorites, Roadkill Ghost Choir, and afterward is Austin's-own The Octopus Project.  Two killer bands.

I See More

SXSW 2014: Sonny Knight and the Lakers

Time to start the party.  Some musicians from Minneapolis to get the people dancing.  Another band following in the footsteps of the funk revival spawned by the success of Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings.  That's a good thing.

Hey Girl

SXSW 2014: Saint Rich

Up next on Saturday is a band out of New Jersey signed to Merge Records.  Glam rock style compared to T Rex/Bowie/Eno.  This guy has a review of their album and he likes it.  Says there's some Kinks to it, too.  May be worth checking out.

Officer

SXSW 2014: The Pack A.D.

Playing Home Slice Friday at 2:40 is a female duo from Vancouver that plays grunge blues/rock a la the White Stripes.  Loud guitars after T. Hardy Morris' mellow Americana.  This is off their new album that came out in January.

Battering Ram

SXSW 2014: T. Hardy Morris

Next up is a solo project from Athens, GA-based T. Hardy Morris from Dead Confederate (and Diamond Rugs).  Twang and tumbleweed is how Paste described his debut album.  Should be a good alt-country set.

OK Corral

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SXSW 2014: Lawrence Rothman

Next up is someone that just popped on the scene.  Now based in LA, he has opened for Sam Smith and shares a little of the same sound: dance/soul/pop.  Apparently his show is worth checking out, according to Brooklyn Vegan.

This song is a little bit Sade, a little bit Communards, and something else.  Pretty good.

#1 All Time Low

SXSW 2014: Avi Buffalo

On to the Saturday Music by the Slice day party, sponsored by RetailMeNot.  First up is Avi Buffalo, an indie-pop band out of Long Beach.  They've been around for a few years and haven't put out an album since 2010 but one should be coming out soon.  I assume that's why they're here.

This is a nice pop song.  Reminds me of the Shins.

What's In It For

SXSW 2014: EMA

I doubt we'll get to see this as none of her shows fit our schedule but this song is pretty damn cool.  EMA is the moniker of Erika Anderson.  She's from South Dakota.  I'm sure there are lots of goths there.

Here's where shes playing during SXSW:

Sat, March 8 - Tumblr @ Mohawk (8:45 PM)
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Wed, March 12 - Under The Radar @ Flamingo Cantina (5:00 PM)
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Thurs, March 13 - Stereogum @ House Of Vans (4:00 PM)
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Fri, March 14 - Pitchfork @ Central Presbyterian Church (7:20 PM)
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Sat, March 15 - Moog @ Elysium (11:30 PM)

That's the A-list of indie cred.  Oh, her label is Matador.  So she's got that going for her, which is nice.

This reminds me of my younger years.  Elysium is a perfect place for this show.

Satellites

SXSW 2014: Splashh

One more band on the Friday Home Slice bill.  KCRW introduces them pretty well:

"The rest of the album is a fuzzy throwback to 90’s grunge, but decidedly dreamier. Kind of like a male version of Best Coast combined with a poppier version of Wavves.

The project is from Kiwi Sasha Carlson (guitar/singer) and Aussie Toto Vivian, who crafted their shoe-gazy poppy songs during a summer spent in Byron Bay.  “Comfort” is out now in the U.S. via Brooklyn indie Kanine Records."

They also list London as one of their locations.  UK/Australia/NZ roots.

This song is pretty good.

All I Want to Do

SXSW 2014: Sivu

Here's another act playing the Friday Home Slice Show. Lots of hype precedes this 24-year old from Cambridge.  Expectations are high.  Signed to Atlantic Records and helped by Alt-J's producer.  More indie-pop.  This is a pretty good song.

After his set Solander plays, who I previewed earlier and for SXSW 2012.

I Lost Myself

SXSW 2014: Mirah

Also on the Friday Home Slice bill is Gossling at 12:10, who I previewed earlier with a really good song.  After that is Mirah, a singer-songwriter out of Brooklyn.  She was at SXSW in 2009 and has also toured with Thao Nguyen as Thao and Mirah.  She has a new album coming out in May.  This is on it.

Oxen Hope

SXSW 2014: The Casket Girls

Another Friday party is Pizza Music by the Slice at Home Slice (sponsored by RetailMeNot!).  I plan to go there Saturday for sure but if you want we can go for awhile Friday, too.

This band plays at 2:40 and has been getting some buzz.  It's a trio from Savannah, Georgia which includes 2 sisters on vocals.  Dream-pop.

Holding You Back

SXSW 2014: Wet

Continuing with the Friday day parties, here's one we'd need to get to early and stay all day.  It's the Windish Agency party at the Mohawk, which always has good bands.  This year is no exception: Phantogram, Lee Fields and the Expressions, and Jungle, to name a few.  It also has Tove Lo, who I previewed earlier.

This band is a trio out of NYC.  Another indie-pop band with a sound you'd say is just my type.

You're the Best