Tag: sxsw

ATH SXSW Guide

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guideSo we here at ATH are finally ready to give you some advice on what you should be doing during SXSW. To do this, we got together and created a fancy SXSW website to guide you on your way. The site features the lowdown on the best Free/RSVP parties for each day starting tomorrow! We’ve included lineups, times, links to RSVP and even a handy PDF that you can print and take with you. If that wasn’t enough, our good friend Bonnie Walton (she’s kind of a big deal) created a food guide for you out-of-towners. Head to sxsw.austintownhall.com now to check it out. We hope you enjoy!

FT5: SXSW Myths

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0313top5coverWhen surfing the ol’ interwebs around this time of year I find all kinds of posts about our famous little SXSW festival that goes on every March. Lucky for me, I chose a career in education so I get to spend the whole week wasting my life away and killing precious brain cells with loud music and alcohol. It seems like every year I come across a music fan or two who really wants to be a part of this party but just doesn’t know where to begin. Do I need to drop the cash on one of those wristband thingies? Do I need tickets? Ladies and gentlemen, I’ll answer those questions and more in our Friday Top 5 focusing on the top myths about SXSW.  Follow the jump to read the full list.

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SXSW Watchlist: Elvis Perkins

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2007_10_elvisperkinsElvis Perkins has persevered through a lot of adversity in his lifetime.  His father, famous actor Anthony Perkins, passed away while Elvis was still in high school and his mother perished on famous American Airlines Flight 11 during the tragic September 11th attacks.  Most individuals would succumb to such tragic losses, but Elvis Perkins pressed on to create a beautiful piece of music in his debut album Ash Wednesday out in 2007.  That album masterfully captured a lot of the feelings towards those events and the aftermath in our country.  Fast forward to this year and Elvis has moved on to release new album Elvis Perkins in Deerland which came out this week.  His music falls in well with some of the best singer-songwriter material coming out today and should find a place in a quiet corner of your home.  Let’s hope Elvis keeps making his beautiful music.

You can catch Elvis Perkins with his band Deerland on these dates during SXSW:

Thursday March 19th – Auditorium Shores Stage 6pm

Wednesday March 18th – Austinist Party @ Mohawk 12 – 6pm

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/elvis_whileyouweresleeping.mp3]

Download: Elvis Perkins – While You Were Sleeping [MP3]

Free Music From SXSW Artists

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sxsw_09A whole slew of websites & record companies are giving away some free MP3s from artist participating in SXSW.  NPR has one featuring 16 tracks from artists involved in some of their events during the week.  Famous UK label 4AD also has a sampler of artists playing their showcase available for download after you give them an email addy.  And of course Amazon won’t be outdone with a sampler of artists playing the IODA opening day bash party.  Are you ready for the party?

SXSW Watchlist: Jeremy Jay

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jjIn case you didn’t follow our list of best albums of 2008, odds are you missed one of the gems of the year, Jeremy Jay. He’s got a new record slated this Spring off of K Records, and its been kicking around in our heads over here at ATH for the last few weeks. It’s a slow-burner, but as with all Jeremy Jay outings, it reveals more each listen.

This time out, he’s got a bit more of a step to his tunes, which is sure to delight audiences, as his unique stage dancing is one of the many reasons he’s so endearing. His understated speak-sing delivery is reminiscent of Calvin Johnson. His reliance upon classic R&B musical stylings, is more than just a throwback, as no one seems to do it with more passion. Simply put, its this passion and classic tinged tuneage that makes Jeremy Jay worthy of your time during SXSW.

He’ll be playing Wednesday, March 18th at the Beauty Bar at 1 AM.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/05-slow-dance.mp3]

Download: Jeremy Jay – Slow Dance [MP3]

SXSW Watchlist: Kevin Devine

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kdevineLong ago Kevin Devine was just your average singer/songwriter, coasting along on the coattails of pop-punk, although it was clearly that he never really fit in musically. His early shows were intimate affairs, as witnessed by last year’s performance at SXSW where the entire audience sat down to watch him intricately pick at his guitar. Still, there’s plenty of passion in his voice.

Kevin has a knack for writing careful lyrics combined with his innate understanding of melodies. He matches it all with his fervor and personality, as his stage banter makes it easy to fall in love with the man singing on stage. This year, he’ll be bringing his God Damn Band in tow to fill out the sounds for his upcoming release Brother’s Blood.

He’ll be playing at the Radio Room Patio on Wednesday, March 18th at 11:oo PM.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/09-i-coule-be-with-anyone.mp3]

Download: Kevin Devine – I Could Be with Anyone [MP3]

SXSW Watchlist: Telekinesis

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telekinesisMichael Benjamin Lerner records under the moniker of Telekinesis, and he’s the most recent signing to indie stalwart Merge Records. His self-titled album is set to come out on April 7th, and its precisely the sort of album one would want with a Spring release; its full of warmth, yet filled with memorable pop moments.

His whole sound is difficult to put down on paper, as there seem to be many underlying elements. At some moments, he sounds like the more mature brother of young Ben Kweller, when Ben was geared towards the poppier side of life. Still, you might find some resemblance to Brendan Benson‘s solo works here, as fuzzed out guitar is mixed with precision drumming.  Even more interesting is a song like “Foreign Room,” which recalls Elliott Smith moments before picking up pace, all done to perfection. Mark my words, Telekinesis should be on your radar, and not just for SXSW.

He will be playing at The Parish on Saturday, March 21st at 8 PM.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/06-foreign-room.mp3]

Download: Telekinesis – Foreign Room [MP3]

SXSW Watchlist: Choo Choo

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choochooWe continue our attempts to bring you some lesser known SXSW acts today with Swiss artist Choo Choo.  Originally formed as a 3 piece back in ’06, the band now performs their brand of 60s style garage rock as a 4 piece out of their home in Berne, Switzerland.  Catchy hooks infused with fuzzy guitar and some pop stylings all their own characterize the sound on Choo Choo’s debut self-titled LP out in 2008.  The band’s going to be hard at work making a name for themselves during SXSW and playing more shows than any band ever should.

Catch an official showcase @ B.D. Riley’s Thursday March 19th 9pm.

Or for you freeloaders, check the band’s myspace for a whole slew of other unofficial parties planned.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/a-little-wiser-now.mp3]

Download: Choo Choo – A Little Wiser Now [MP3]

SXSW Watchlist: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

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pains1The Pains of Being Pure at Heart have recently been lauded, not just by ATH, but by many others for their self-titled release. It’s shrouded in atmospherics and melody, the perfect blend of everything going on nowadays. Suffice it to say, that very record is one of the only albums released thus far in 2009 that succeeds in every song. Follow the jump to find out a little more about the band.
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SXSW Watchlist: VEGA

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vegaNo we’re not talking about the Vega from Street Fighter, or Lou Vega, rather the VEGA spelled in all caps.  VEGA is the new project from Alan Palomo who used to front Denton, TX based electro/pop band Ghosthustler.  We’ve always been big fans of the dance beats produced by Ghosthustler so we were excited to hear about this new project from Mr. Palomo.  VEGA sports a lot of the same 80s oriented electronic beats you may be familiar with, but with a unique take on things.  An album/EP is expected from the new project sometime this year.

VEGA will be in town for our little festival in March.  Check with the official SXSW website for official times and dates.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/all-too-vivid-originalmix.mp3]

Download: VEGA – All Too Vivid [MP3]

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