This is fine.
People, it’s the last business day before SXSW kicks off this weekend and into next week. We will be shutting this ‘ol site down while we are out finding the next big thing so this will be some of our last coverage. Hopefully this has been fun for everyone to catch some differing perspectives of bands coming into town. Our Friday interview set comes by way of another Welsh band, HMS Morris. Hit the jump for all them usual deets.
If you can believe it, (I can’t) we’re less than a month away from two weekends of crazy fun at Zilker Park once again. Whether you’re a veteran fester or new to Austin City Limits Music Festival, we’re here to try and help you navigate a few days in the still-too-hot-for-October-Texas Sun with a few hundred thousand of your closest friends. Click past the jump to check out five of my must see bands, both obvious choices and more under the radar acts. You can buy your tickets / passes here.
There’s been whispers of an Elva full-length ever since they dropped their first single, but they’ve picked up over the last month…and that time is apparently near. The group, featuring former members of Allo Darlin and Making Marks, have announced Winter Sun via Tapete Records. At this point, we’re only getting snippets, but they’re lengthy snippets, so it warrants a post…not to mention it’s always wonderful to hear Elizabeth Morris voice coming through my speakers. It looks like she and Ola will be trading vocal duties for the band’s forthcoming release, or at least that’s what we get here in these teasers. So for now, just over 4 minutes to show you how wonderful Elva can be…and then we wait until April!
It looks like I’ll have my electronic dancing shoes on a lot this week, hitting up my second electronically influenced show tonight at 3Ten. Why? Well, for starters, Moving Units will be playing a set filled with Joy Division tunes (and an original set too); you never get tired of hearing those tracks, no matter who plays them (as long as they do it well). But, an even bigger highlight for me is that Soviet is kicking the night off. I remember catching the band a long time ago at SXSW, and played the song I’ve got below for every friend that came into my life; I always tried to turn them onto the great dance tunes. Doors are at 8 PM, and you can maybe grab tickets and dancing shoes right HERE.
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ACL Festival is this weekend, and while a great deal of the acts are well-known, the fest is still scoring some great acts on the undercard, like Lucy Dacus. She’s been writing some incredible songs that seem to have gone about rather quietly, which is unfortunate, for you. Matador Records released No Burden earlier this year, and it’s filled with these tracks that take personal recordings, and expand them into something wholly intoxicating. I mean, just listen to “I Don’t Wanna Be Funny Anymore,” and tell me that you’re not rushing to find out more about her. I included the track below to do some of the work for you. And while you’re all about Radiohead this week, don’t forget you paid to see tons of tunes, so schedule yourself some time at 2:30 over on the BMI Stage on Saturday.
Saturday is THE day. No days are bad, but Saturday is chock-full of ridiculous talent. Ultimate Painting and Parquet Courts have been covered and talked about til the Internet was blue in the face…and apparently this Brian Wilson guy is a big deal. Plus, you’ve got perennial indie rock powerhouses in Animal Collective and Black Mountain, but let me point you in the right direction, a little off the beaten path, perhaps. Read more
There’s only a few times in the year when I bite off more than I can chew, and this whole SXSW time is one of them…but I’m always happy. Not only have I been helping SXSWfm with a radio podcast, but I also have been working behind the scenes on their preview guide for the festival…along with other notables like OVRLD, Sterogum and Pigeons and Planes. Short version…it’s live. Check it out below.
It’s Thursday night ya’ll…and that means, at least this time of year, time for you to get out and see a really great local show. Now, admittedly, two of the ATH Records bands, Rose Selavy and Shivery Shakes, are playing, but I’m not just pulling the homer card here. I really really enjoyed the Roses set on NYE this year. At times they had this indiepop feel, other times I felt a Kurt Vile vibe, both which I dig. Also, Typical Girls are making the drive in to bring their dreamy pop tracks to the stage as well. It sounds like a perfect night for all you pop fans; Doors are at 9 PM.
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ACL Festival is still in town, still going down. But, we’re letting B. Gray get the glory for our team with his camera work. Still, despite the attraction there, you’ll find tons of really incredible local shows you need to attend, including some great album releases by some of Austin’s best (in my opinion anyways). Here’s a quick rundown of the highlight, and we hope you consider attending at least one of these show. Read more
Hump day requires celebration. It means the weekend’s almost here. So check out these two shows going on that beg your attendance.
You can hit up the Generationals show at the Parish. They’re a Louisiana based pop group, built on maximizing hooks and memorable lyrical content. But, to be honest…nothing has hit me as hard with this band as Con Law…but that’s just one man’s opinion. The gig starts at 8 PM sharp!
Or, for you late night rockers…you need to be at Hotel Vegas to catch Jonly Bonly. The local band is fueled by the excellent guitar play of Jason Smith (ex-OBN IIIs); they’re debut Put Together was one of my favorite records last year, so you can take that to the bank. Plus, they’ll be joined by locals Slow , Mike Melindi and Caroline Says…two other acts on the rise in town, so you’ve got to be sure to show up early. This one kicks off at 10 PM.
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