Once again, our focus is on the music side of things.
South by Southwest is on brains across North America and beyond. An article in today's New York Times, The Texas Shuffle, profiles Texas acts that it predicts will create a buzz at this year's festival. Is it worth checking out some of our local flavors while you're in town for SXSW? The Times' Andy Langer thinks so: "Traditionally, Texas-based artists — there are more than 350 on the schedule — enjoy something of a home court advantage: they perform free of jet lag and can draw huge audiences of locals who prefer the tried and true to checking out the supposed next big thing from Scandinavia." From Austin, along with the more established Kat Edmonson and Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, I like Langer's pick Quiet Company. I've heard a couple of their songs over the last couple of years and liked both. Nothing groundbreaking, but catchy, thoughtful pop/rock that makes you want to sing along.
Speaking of Black Joe Lewis, this little snippet from ANTImusic runs down his busy SXSW schedule. There's also a link to the trailer for new album Scandalous. Joe and his Honeybears will be promoting the sophomore release heavily during the festival. Looking forward to checking it out.
Clumsy & Shy, a cool little music blog from a former Fort Worth Weekly intern/writer, is co-hosting an event with Redefine Magazine March 18 at House of Commons. The lineup includes Woodsman, St*rf*ck*r, and headliner Prince Rama. Check out the blog for more audio samples.
South by Southwest just wouldn't be yumm-o without Rachael Ray's annual Feedback party. This year's lineup at Stubb's is delish: The Bravery and Tapes 'n Tapes are on the top line. Others include Austin fave Bob Schneider, Royal Bangs and buzzy Das Racist, recipient of a "Best New Music" badge on Pitchfork not too long ago for album Sit Down, Man, which it described as "an infinitely entertaining result of extreme reverence toward rap and irreverence toward everything else, themselves included." RSVP here. Then arrive early -- the venue will close after it reaches capacity. RSVP does NOT guarantee admission.
SXSW is not all about the new. The old school always has a presence at the festival. Since I'll bet there are hundreds of acts at this year's festival that draw inspiration from the sounds of the 80s, one appropriate old timer that will be active in Austin this year is Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. They've been warming up on a tour that was thrown together once SXSW was in their sites. Here's a review and video of a show from Toronto, courtesy of Digital Journal.
Keeping with the "on everyone's brain" theme, acts come from every part of the globe for SXSW now. The Aussies included. Apparently, this year, Australia is sending its "finest acts." One cool feature at SXSW are the "speed sets" (short gigs), and the Aussies are well represented on March 18 with The Chevelles, DZ Deathrays, Wolf and Cub, and Washington hitting the stage according to this article from The Music Network. The short article notes a few other contributions from Australians. Here's one of the finest songs from one of the finest acts from Down Under:
Finally, also on the international tip, Scotland/England-based magazine Clash is hosting a couple of events filled with artists from the homeland. "Reinforcing Clash’s commitment to new music and homegrown talent, the night offers a selection of fresh sounds - from ripping guitars to dazzling electronica; from intrepid rap to rousing folk." Each of the artists playing at the events are profiled in the linked article. Random Impulse is described as "if Rage Against The Machine’s Zach de la Rocha had grown up in Hackney. Intriguing. And if Goldheart Assembly really is the "British Fleet Foxes," they'll do quite well attracting crowds at SouthBy.
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