Nite Jewel

I think the word of this SXSW is "moniker".  Nobody goes by their own name, they all take a moniker.  Nite Jewel is the moniker of Ramona Gonzalez, a singer/songwriter out of L.A.  She plays dance-pop with an R&B tilt.  Her 2nd album is coming out in March.  This is the title song.


One Second of Love

Supreme Dicks

Supreme Dicks started in Amherst, MA in the 80s, played through the 90s, then quit.  Jagjaguwar released a retrospective on them in the Fall and now the band is playing a reunion show at SXSW.  I can't do their story justice but read the comment on this blog for their history.  They had quite a cult following.  Interesting comment from the blog:  "Among those who have played as honorary Supreme Dicks: Courtney Love, Neutral Milk Hotel, Beck, Cat Power, J Mascis and Lou Barlow, Jens Jurgensen of Boss Hog..."


This song doesn't sound like something that would come from a band called Supreme Dicks.  It reminds me of Modern Lovers, also originally from Amherst.  I think their music is all over the map, though, based on what I've read.  We'll see.


Jack-O-Lantern

Exitmusic

Thursday once again has lots of choices among showcases so I won't be upset if we can't make my Plan A.  But this is quite a showcase*.  Start with the Mohawk and its 2 stages so there's always music playing.  Then add their new, much larger balcony which should be complete.  Mix in esteemed labels Secretly Canadian(Yeasayer), Jagjaguwar(Bon Iver), and Dead Oceans(Destroyer), and you can't go wrong.  Not enough?  How about throwing in these bands already discussed at the Fan Club:

Bear In Heaven-future Mrs. Smith's favorite
Sharon Van Etton
The War on Drugs
Gardens & Villa- my predicted breakout band

Still not enough?  I'll post songs from some of the other bands today to convince you.  First up is Exitmusic, a duo out of L.A.  The singer just so happens to be Aleksa Palladino aka Jimmy's wife, Angela Darmody (no spoilers for those who haven't seen "Boardwalk Empire").  Haunting music.  They'll be playing inside.

The Sea

*I'm assuming we can get in if we're early but who knows.  The Pitchfork showcase Thursday w/Fiona Apple is badges only.  Nothing has been announced for Stubb's or ACL yet.

Apparat

The final "band" on the Wednesday KCRW bill is Apparat, which is the moniker of Berlin-based Sascha Ring.  Originally a techno/house music musician, he's now doing ambient/dubstep chill music.  The song on KCRW's website, Ash/Black Veil, sounds a lot like Radiohead.  Go listen.  In the meantime, this song is really good.

Black Water

Kimbra

She'll be a household name in the U.S. once this song reaches #1.  Of course, she's already known worldwide thanks to the 75M views of that video on Youtube.  But that was someone else's song.  She also has her own music.  The buzz will be high and everyone will want to check her out.  I'm not such a big fan of what I've heard so far, though.  It's soul/pop a la the Supremes or Amy Winehouse but more on the sugary side of pop.  Maybe there's more to it.  This song is more mellow.

Good Intent