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Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Old Settler's 2016: HoneyHoney

I know you like to get home quickly on Sunday but I got stranded there last year and had a really good time at the campground stage.  We don't have to stay all day but it may be worth it to stick around to see this band at noon.

This is a duo out of L.A.  Their last album was produced by Dave Cobb who also has produced the last albums by Jason Isbell, Sturgill Simpson, and Chris Stapleton.  Suffice it to say everything he touches has been turning to gold.  We'll see if this band is next.




Old Settler's 2016: Sierra Hull

Two weeks away.  We know most of the bands playing and there are only two stages so it's not hard to jump around.  However, this musician is playing at 1:30pm on Saturday.  We don't usually get to the main festival grounds that early so we may want to make an exception for this.

Sierra Hull was a child mandolin prodigy that is now in her 20s.  NPR really likes her new album, calling it "a stunning coming of age album."  I like this song.

Weighted Mind


Monday, March 21, 2016

SXSW 2016 Recap

Let me know if I missed something.

Wed 3/16
@Lamberts
Amasa Hines
Bird Dog
Marlon Williams
firekid
The Strumbellas
@Clive
Big Thief
@Container Bar
Pure Bathing Culture
@Van Zandt
Possessed by Paul James (end)
@Tap Room
Harriet Brown
Still Parade
Methyl Ethel

Thurs 3/17
@GSD&M
Eliot Sumner
@Brew Exchange
Swimm
@San Jose
Lydia Loveless
@Yard Dog
Hardy and the Hard Knocks (end)
Blackfoot Gypsies
The Wans
@San Jose
Eleanor Friedberger
Rayland Baxter
@Trinity Hall
Lawrence Taylor
Alice Phoebe Lou
Julia Jacklin

Fri 3/18
@Waterloo
Margo Price
@Frontgate
Universe Contest (end)
Freakabout
Mobley
Bassh
Little Hurricane
@Lucy's Fried Chicken
Ian Moore and the Lossy Coils
Jesse Dayton
@Embassy Suites
Suzanna Choffel

Sat 3/19
@Urban Outfitters
Joy Again
Haelos (aka HÆLOS)
@BD Rileys
Oh Pep!
@Gingerman
Basia Bulat
Hey Marseilles
The Wild Reeds
@Waterloo
Bombino

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

SXSW 2016: Air Traffic Controller

Last year on Wednesday we met at Shiner's Saloon and saw July Talk.  This year they have one band I want to see, Horse Thief , at 4pm.  This band out of Boston is playing at 5pm.  They've been around a few years and are pretty dance/pop-oriented.  This is a new song just posted 5 days ago that is more mellow.  I like it.

Warrier

SXSW 2016: Sunflower Bean

I thought I had posted about this band as they're on quite a few of the buzz lists but a quick search shows I didn't.  It's a trio out of Brooklyn that just released their first album.  The buzz factor is high.

This is their mellow pop song that's got a Real Estate-esque guitar riff. They also do psych rock and one song reminds me of Missing Persons. Quite a mix of sounds.  They're on all the big party lineups: Sidewinder, Fader Fort, Flamingo Cantina, Urban Outfitters, etc.  The best chance to see them is at Waterloo Records at 2pm on Friday.

Easier Said

Monday, March 14, 2016

SXSW 2016: Bassh

Friday at the Frontgate party is this band composed of members of Band of Horses and Matrimony.  This song has made the rounds of the blogs and NPR.

There aren't times listed so we'll see if this works out for us.

Body

SXSW 2016: Julia Jacklin

Thursday morning is the ACL lineup from 10-2 which is my first choice but Brooklyn Vegan just came out with their lineups and Thursday from noon-3pm at Cheer Up Charlie's inside is pretty good.

12:00 Your Friend
12:45 Julia Jacklin
1:30 Daniel Romano
2:15 Little Scream

I previewed all but Julia Jacklin so here's one of her songs.  She's from Australia and is also playing the Trinity Hall stage at the Hilton Thursday at 8pm, after Alice Phoebe Lou.

Pool Party

Friday, March 11, 2016

SXSW 2016: Faith Healer

I'm not sure how this band slipped past me as they're on the NPR 100 and it's right up my alley.  It's the moniker of Edmonton-based Jessica Jalbert.

I can't find any day parties and the showcase is probably not on our radar.

I'll highlight one song but I've liked everything I've heard.  Here's a link to an interview with a playlist of more songs.  Another one to watch.


Again


SXSW 2016: Carroll

I was holding off posting this band until I found a time we could see them.  They're playing at midnight Wednesday at the Tap Room which is one of the showcases on my list but I doubt we'll be out that late.  Unfortunately that's the only show I can find for them at the moment.  I'll post anyway because I like this song.  They're from Minneapolis.

Alligator



SXSW 2016: Alice Phoebe Lou

Something we've never done but could be fun is the Second Play Stages at various hotels around downtown.  The shows are during HH between 6-9pm, between the day parties and the night showcases.  I think they're mostly acoustic since they're in hotel lobbies/bars.

One act playing Thursday at 7pm at the Liberty Tavern in the Hilton is this 21 year-old singer originally from South Africa but now in Berlin.  Mellow sound but I like her voice.  Here's a long interview with her that talks about how her TEDx appearance went viral.  Could be good in an intimate environment.

Walking in the Garden



Thursday, March 10, 2016

SXSW 2016: Mothers

I promised not to post any of the myriad girl-group garage rock bands inundating SXSW this year so I apologize in advance.  However, this song was just released by Mothers, a band out of Athens, GA, that I thought I should share.  They're playing lots of shows, including the Lambert's show Wednesday.

My original notes based on earlier songs were that they remind me of Courtney Barnett.  This song doesn't change that but it's more like "Depreston" than "Pedestrian at Best".  I like it.

It Hurts until it Doesn't

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

SXSW 2016: Expert Alterations

Looking around at other options for Wednesday night I see a pretty good early showcase at Valhalla on 6th St Red River.  It has Pearl Charles  at 9pm, Fear of Men at 11pm, and this trio out of Baltimore starting off at 8pm.

Reminds me of old R.E.M./Real Estate/VU/Joy Division.

Midnight Garden

SXSW 2016: Pumarosa

Cedar Street came out with their showtimes and both Wednesday and Friday are good days.  On Wed. they've got Haelos at 3pm, The Heavy at 5pm, and this band from London at 4pm.

This is a really good song.

Priestess

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

SXSW 2016: Holly Macve

Here's a 20 year-old plucked from an Open Mic performance in Brighton, England by the head of Bella Union last year.  She only has two songs released but she's been booked to play Willie's party and is being mentioned as one to see by Spotify.

I don't see any other day parties but her showcase is Wednesday at 8:15 at Elysium.  That also has Horse Thief playing.

Really mellow.

The Corner of My Mind

SXSW 2016: SWIMM

Another day party just announced: this one is Wednesday at Swan Dive.  They even have a soundcloud playlist with all the bands.  Mostly indie pop.  I've previewed a few already so here's a duo originally out of Florida but now in L.A.

Nice sound.  They're also playing at 5pm at Soundbites off Rainey (right before My Bubba at 6pm).

Beverly Hells




SXSW 2016: Mitski

One week away from SXSW starting and we are still waiting for some parties to be announced and for start times to be posted for many other parties.  This has been a crazy year.  Still nothing from Home Slice, Rachel Ray, Dogwood, or the Gingerman.  One other big pain is that sched.org skipped SXSW this year, which really makes it hard to keep track of everything going on.  With sched.org I could search for an artist and they'd list all the day and night shows they were doing and I could choose the ones I wanted to follow.  Then those would be synced with my calendar automatically.  Now it's all manual (and time-consuming).

While we're waiting here's another singer getting booked for some of the bigger showcases.  She's playing the NPR show Wednesday at Stubbs.  I see a couple day shows, including Hole in the Wall Friday, but no times yet.  I'll keep watching.

Mellow music.

First Love/Late Spring

Monday, March 7, 2016

SXSW 2016: Miya Folick

This singer out of L.A. is only listed as playing one showcase so far: Thursday at 9:15pm at 800 Congress.  I think that's the old Hickory Street Bar and Grill.  Interesting.  Anyway, she's not listed for any day parties yet but I really like what I've heard.

She's on the NPR Austin 100 so you can listen to "Talking With Strangers" there.  It's pretty mellow so here's something different.  She's compared to Fiona Apple and PJ Harvey.  I'm not sure that's accurate but  I can't think of another comparison at the moment.



SXSW 2016: RY X

Some more day party announcements trickling out today, including YouTube at Copper Tank and Vans @Mohawk.  YouTube is badges only all day and Mohawk is always insane during SXSW.  If there's any day we would want to brave the crowds it would be Friday. That day includes Methyl Ethyl, Vallis Alps, and Lower Dens inside and this guy outside at 3:30.

RY X is the moniker of Ry Cuming out of Australia.  He's on the NPR Austin 100 list so you may have heard his song "Sweat".  It's really mellow, as is this one that was just posted on Soundcloud.  It's on his new album that comes out May 6th.

Reminds me of Bon Iver.  Good song.

Only

Friday, March 4, 2016

SXSW 2016: Fear of Men

The Under the Radar parties at the Flamingo Cantina were just released.  Haelos is playing at noon on Wednesday if you want to see them.  Also, Petite Noir is playing Thursday at 3:15.

This band out of Brighton, UK is playing Wednesday at 2:25pm.  They've been around a few years and play my kind of music (as you always call it) so I'm not sure how they've slipped past me.   I'll have to make up for lost time and catch a show.


Luna

SXSW 2016: Oh Pep!

Playing Thursday at 3pm at Clive Bar is this Americana duo out of Melbourne.  They're also playing the big Wednesday night Parish showcase.  They were big hits at CMJ with NPR, KCRW, and the New York Times all singing their praises.

Nice sound.  This one is more poppy but their other stuff is more mellow folk.

The Race

SXSW 2016: Petite Noir

Wednesday at 5pm at Urban Outfitters is this band, the moniker of Yannick Ilunga.  He's of Congolese/Angolan descent but splits time between Cape Town and London. Solange Knowles has been a big backer and all the blogs love him.  Now Urban Outfitters is jumping aboard.

He's also playing the Hype Hotel Wed. night and Central Presbyterian Church Friday night.

Nice mellow stuff.  I'm not sure how it will sound in the back parking lot of Urban Outfitters but could be worth checking out.  I'll look for other day parties, too.

Chess

SXSW 2016: Phases

If we don't do Lambert's Wednesday this is the choice at noon at Waterloo.  It's an indie-pop band out of L.A. that contains members of other bands, including Rilo Kiley.  They're signed to Warner Brothers Records and are on the fast-track to popularity.  In addition to SXSW they're playing Coachella and are touring with Maroon 5.  I doubt we'll see that show :-)

This song is catchy.  A nice summer song.

I'm in Love With My Life

Thursday, March 3, 2016

SXSW 2016: Bird Dog

Listed 2nd on the B&Q BBQ party at Lambert's on Wednesday is this band of members originally from Texas and Oklahoma but now in L.A.

This song reminds me of Fleet Foxes at the beginning but then it starts rocking at the end.  Pretty good.  "Dogs" is a pretty good song, too.  May be worth checking them out.

The Ocean and the Sea

SXSW 2016: Amasa Hines

The Wednesday C3 day party at Lambert's is now "B&Q's BBQ Party" sponsored by Live Nation.  It has Marlon Williams and the Strumbellas  as well as a few other buzz bands like Mothers and Hinds.

This band is out of Little Rock and there's not much on the internet about them, not even many songs. However, they're on this showcase and are also playing Willie's party in Luck.  Either they've got a really good booking agent or they're about to get lots of exposure.

No showtimes yet but they're listed first so I assume they've got the noon time slot.

Coltrane

SXSW 2016: Sam Outlaw

Still waiting for the announcements of quite a few of the big day parties, including Home Slice, Cedar Street, and Flamingo Cantina's Under the Radar.

While we're waiting here's another Americana singer.  He's originally from South Dakota but now is out of L.A.  He enlisted quite a list of impressive musicians to help him with his first album including Ry Cooder as well as members of Dawes and My Morning Jacket.  He's playing a big showcase with Hayes Carll and Winona Judd on Thursday at the Gatsby but he's also playing quite a few day parties.

Reminds me a little of Ryan Adams.

Ghost Town

I can't get Spotify to allow an embed at the moment so here's the YouTube video.



Wednesday, March 2, 2016

SXSW 2016: Dylan LeBlanc

I guess he doesn't need a preview since you just listened to him on KUTX last night but here are the options to see him during SXSW:  he's playing Willie's party in Luck on Thursday and South x San Jose on Friday.  That Friday afternoon at San Jose is really strong (Riothorse Royale, Joseph, him, Haelos). I don't see him on an evening showcase yet.

I'm sure we'll want to catch him when he comes through town again.

If the Creek Don't Rise



SXSW 2016: The Heavy

Also playing the ACL Bloody Mary Morning is this band that really doesn't need a preview.  This song has been played everywhere the last couple years, including at Obama's election night party.  The band is out of Bath, England and is releasing their new album.  They're already playing Coachella and I'm sure they'll be at ACL Fest.  Would be cool to see them at an intimate site like the GSD&M courtyard.

How Do You Like Me Now


SXSW 2016: Eleanor Friedberger

GSD&M is hosting the ACL Bloody Mary Morning again on Thursday from 10am-2pm.  They always get some really good bands and this year is no exception.  There's Caveman, Eliot Sumner,  Margaret Glaspy, Joseph, and Thao and the Get Down Stay Down.  Damn!  And that's not it.  I'll preview the other 2 now.

This is one half of the Fiery Furnaces.  She's originally from Illinois but now resides in NYC but apparently went to UT.  Indie cred: she has dated Brit Daniel and used to be on Merge Records.  Her new album is coming out on French Kiss Records.

Indie folk/rock.

He Didn't Mention His Mother

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

SXSW 2016: Aubrie Sellers

"Garage country" is a term I saw for this singer, the daughter of Lee Ann Womack and Jason Sellers.  Those are some serious Nashville via Texas bona fides.  She was just on Colbert and is playing the KGSR morning broadcast on Friday and at Swan Dive as well.

I don't see any showcases for her yet which means she's probably in line to play Stubb's or Moody since the big showcases are the only ones left to announce.



SXSW 2016: Margo Price

This country singer out of Nashville was recently on "Late Show with Stephen Colbert." She's been a mainstay in the Nashville scene and Sturgill Simpson once played in her band.  Now she's going national with a big push at SXSW.  This is her first album as a solo artist and it's being released by Jack White's Third Man Records.

She plays Thursday at the Pandora evening showcase at the Gatsby (across from Easy Tiger) with Hayes Carll and Jack Ingram.  She's also playing Friday at noon at Waterloo Records.

Hurtin' (On the Bottle)

SXSW 2016: The Strumbellas

Today is country/folk day.  It's also "already appeared on late night tv" day.  First up is a 6-piece out of Toronto.  They've been around for a few years and their 3rd album is due in April.  It looks like they're getting great advance PR since they played Jimmy Kimmel last night and they're booked to play some big day and night showcases.  They play the Parish on Thursday night with Polica and the DMAs and play the StubHub party on Friday at Banger's on Rainey with Ghostland Observatory and a whole host of buzz bands.

Sounds a lot like many of the other pop/folk bands out today: Lumineers/Edward Sharpe.


Spirit