SXSW 2015: Mandolin Orange

I posted about this band last year but we didn't go see them.  They are 2nd on the Holy Mountain Wednesday showcase.  They have a new album coming out May 5th and this is the lead track.  Good mellow folk/Americana sound.  Like it.

Old Ties and Companions

SXSW 2015: Anthony D'Amato

Here's one Wednesday night showcase option if we don't go the the Austin Music Awards:  Holy Mountain.  Heavy on Americana.  Since we usually don't stay late I like to find the showcases with good bands starting early.  First is a singer-songwriter from NYC.  He's on New West Records and is compared to Rhett Miller and Ryan Adams.  Sounds good to me.

8:00PM Anthony D'Amato

9:00PM Mandolin Orange

10:00PM Quiet Life

11:00PM The Mastersons

12:00AM The Tontons

1:00AM The Suffers

Was A Time

SXSW 2015: Austin Music Awards

Trying to get back into the swing of things.  Looking at Wednesday's night shows the one that stands out is the Austin Music Awards:  Gary Clark, Jr, Charlie Sexton, Patty Griffin, etc.  We always skip this for other showcases but this year it may be the best choice.

http://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2015-02-20/playback-behold-the-austin-music-awards/

SXSW 2015: SUSTO

This is a band out of South Carolina.  Right up our alley: some AM-era Wilco, some Whiskeytown era-Ryan Adams.

Friends, Lovers, Ex-Lovers...whatever

SXSW 2015: MisterWives

The schedules have come out so this is the last day for random previews.  Next week I'll start to focus on specific showcases for each night.  The day party schedules should be coming out soon, too.

This is for informational purposes only as they are one of the nominees for best emerging artist at the MTV Woody awards.  Very poppy.  It's a trio of of NYC.  Their first album comes out next week.

Reflections

SXSW 2015: Springtime Carnivore

Time for some name-dropping as this act is surrounded by big names.  The band is the moniker of LA via Chicago musician Greta Morgan and the album is being released by Acquarium Drunkard's Autumn Tone label.  It was produced by Richard Swift who has played and/or produced with the Shins, Black Keys, Ryan Adams, Wilco, etc.  She has toured with Generationals and is opening for the Dodos at the Parish tomorrow night.

Nice pop sound.  This song reminds me a little of Tennis, some Bird and the Bee, maybe some Jenny Lewis.

Name on a Matchbook

SXSW 2015: SOAK

Mellow stuff from Ireland.  This is the moniker of 18 year-old Bridie Monds-Watson.  She's signed to Rough Trade Records and has a full album coming out this year.  So yea, you'll be hearing a lot more from her soon.

Reminds me of Lykke Li.


B a noBody

SXSW 2015: Marion Hill

One more love-related song for the day.  This is a duo of of Philadelphia.  Dance-pop.  Reminds me of Kirsty MacColl with synthesizers and a big dance beat.


Lips

SXSW 2015: Elliphant

This is the monikor of Ellinor Olovsdotter, a Swedish singer/rapper.  She collaborated with Danish singer MØ on this song.  It was produced by Lorde producer Joel Little.

Dance-pop song about a woman trying to convince her lover to stay.  Catchy.

One More

SXSW 2015: Jack Garratt

Since Valentine's Day is tomorrow here's a song about love. Well, trying to love.  This London-based singer/producer has gotten lots of buzz for this song.  Kind of all over the place.  A little James Blake, a little Portishead.  Maybe a little TV on the Radio in there as well..  BBC One called this the Hottest Record in the World.  Apparently he's exploding in England and everyone expects him to blow up here.  We'll see.

The Love You're Given

SXSW 2015: TORRES

Here's another female indie/guitar rock buzz act.  It's the moniker of Mackenzie Scott originally from Macon, Georgia now in Nashville and/or Brooklyn.  Pitchfork loves her and all the big bloggers are writing about her.  Reminds me of PJ Harvey. I guess having a former PJ Harvey producer and some of her band on the album may influence that.

Her second album comes out in May.  This is the first song released from it.

Strange Hellos

SXSW 2015: Courtney Barnett

While we're covering Mom + Pop recording artists I might as well preview another artist generating a lot of buzz online.  She's from Melbourne and is playing Bonnaroo and Sasquatch in addition to opening for Spoon on some dates.  What a coincidence:  I saw Spoon play in Melbourne (in 2008 I think).  Wonder if she was there.

Indie/Guitar rock

Avant Gardener

SXSW 2015: ELEL

We're in a lull waiting for schedules to come out so I'll post a few bands that are getting buzz online and could play some of the bigger showcases and day parties.

This is an 8-piece band out of Nashville drawing comparisons to MGMT and Vampire Weekend.  Their first EP comes out right before SXSW, yet they're already booked to play Bonnaroo. They're on Mom + Pop Records, the same label as Polica, Andrew Bird, and Lucius.  Good company.

Catchy song.

40 Watt

SXSW 2015: Kate Tempest

This London-based poet/singer was nominated for the Mercury Prize (along with Jungle and East India Youth, among others).  Alas, she didn't win but it generated lots of buzz for her anyway.

This reminds me of Citizen Cope.  A lot.

Bad Place for a Good Time

SXSW 2015: Kate Boy

Another European electro-pop band, this time from Stockholm.  This reminds me of Tegan and Sara.  The singer's voice especially.  She's originally from Australia.

The Way We Are

SXSW 2015: Years and Years

Sam Smith was the big breakout at SXSW last year (as I predicted).  Before that, he won the BBC's Sound of 2014 poll.  The winners of the BBC's Sound of 2015? This trio from London.  They're signed to Polydor so they'll have major label promotion and airplay.

Electronica.  This song has a Local Natives riff with saccharine dance-mix on top.  Maybe a little more Euro-pop than U.S audiences like so I'm not sure if they'll be as big over here.  We'll see.

Desire

SXSW 2015: Joseph

Also called The Band Joseph.  This is a trio of sisters from Portland.  Reminds me of a mix of Lucius and First Aid Kit.  Really good song.

Cloud Line

SXSW 2015: Max Jury

We'll stick with mellow throwback soft-rock.  This is a singer-songwriter from Iowa.  This song reminds me of Cowboy Junkies.  A little Americana, a little 70s vibe.  Could be worth checking out.

Black Metal

SXSW 2015: Natalie Prass

Indie buzz level: exploding.  Nashville via Cleveland singer Natalie Prass used to sing backup for Jenny Lewis but now she's the hottest thing on the indie blogs.  Pitchfork is calling this one of the best new albums of 2015.  Everyone is bending over backwards to praise it.

Kind of a throwback Laurel Canyon sound of the 70s, like Father John Misty.  She's his earnest girlfriend putting up with his antics and hoping he comes around.  Would be a nice double bill.

This is a really good song.

Bird of Prey

SXSW 2015: Odesza

Another electronic dance band, this one a duo from Seattle.  They're playing the 11pm slot at the KCRW showcase but they're also playing all the festivals this year.  I fully expect them to be at ACL.

Say My Name

SXSW 2015: Big Data

Playing at 10pm on the KCRW showcase is a band that will get the party started.  It's the moniker of Brooklyn-via-Rochester producer Alan Wilkis.  He's released an EP and his first LP is expected at the end of March.

He collaborates with other bands on the songs.  This one is with Joywave.  It reminds me of Spoon with pop choruses sprinkled throughout.

Dangerous

SXSW 2015: Hiatus Kaiyote

Playing the 9pm jazz/R&B slot in KCRW's showcase is a band out of Melbourne.  This song was  nominated for a Grammy but didn't win.  Reminds me a little of Erykah Badu.  They don't post to Soundcloud so a video is the best I can do:

Nakamarra

SXSW 2015: Wolf Alice

KCRW announced their showcase and all my predictions were wrong.  I'm a little underwhelmed, actually.  First, they moved to Parish, which has less capacity than the former location at Pangea/whatever it's called now.  Their announcement also specifically says it's for wristbands and badgeholders.  So very little chance we'll get in.

I already previewed BØRNS, who goes on at midnight (later than we stay).  Also later is Delta Spirit who seems to always be in town.  I'll preview the other bands so you can decide.

First up is a band out of London.  They're currently on tour with Alt-J.  This is the rock slot for KCRW's eclectic mix.

Moaning Lisa Smile

SXSW 2015: Oso Leone

We'll follow up a hot buzz act with an under the radar band.  They're from Majorca, Spain.  This song reminds me of Foals.  Really good.  I wouldn't mind checking them out as I don't know how often they'll tour the U.S.

Ficus

SXSW 2015: Laura Welsh

Expected breakout artist alert.  She lives in London and her album just came out on Polydor Records so she'll have major label backing.

Obvious Florence and the Machine comparisons.  Listen here first or wait for it to be played incessantly on KUTX.

Break the Fall

SXSW 2015: Natasha Kmeto

One more for today.  This is from a Portland-based artist that's on Federal Prism Records, helmed by Dave Sitek of TV on the Radio.  She has been opening for them on their tour and recently did a taping at KCRW.

What a voice.  Another KCRW/KEXP possibility.

Inevitable

SXSW 2015: Amason

We'll stick with KCRW-type mellow tunes.  This is band out of Sweden named after a Volvo car from the 60s.  It's a supergroup of sorts, comprised of members from Miike Snow, Idiot Wind, and Dungen.

KEXP likes these guys as well.  They've played CMJ and just released their first album.  I'm sure they'll be on some big showcases.

Reminds me of a Fleetwood Mac/Kate Bush mashup.

Duvan

SXSW 2015: Tei Shi

A possible KCRW showcase artist. This is the moniker of Valerie Teicher, a Columbian now living in NYC.  Lots of buzz.  The Guardian says "she’s going to be all over everywhere like a virtual, viral rash."

Very cool song.

Bassically