BLK JKS Tomorrow

I feel like I have probably mentioned this show once or twice already but I wanted to remind y'all that tomorrow night BLK JKS will be back in Austin for the first time since their LP was released. I had a chance to catch this S. African band at SXSW '07 and they blew me away. Their music is instantly classic yet completely fresh at the same time. Given that a ticket will only set you back about $10 you should probably check them out. I suspect that the next time they swing through town they will be exponentially more famous then they are today. For some reason I truly expect them to be playing Coachella, Lollapalooza and all that business next summer. So catch 'em now while no one has heard of them yet.


BLK JKS - Molalatladi video via YouTube


Speaking of exciting, up-and-coming, African artists, I picked up Warm Heart of Africa by the Very Best yesterday. I had the mixtape from last year and I have been playing it quite a bit lately. But it's that title track, Warm Heart of Africa that has really made a home in my brain. BLK JKS actually spent some time in the studio with the Very Best contributing some instrumentation and vocals to their LP. I don't expect to see the Very Best here in Austin until SXSW but I did notice they will be doing some showcases in NYC for CMJ Fest later this month. If you're going to be in the city be sure to check them out.


the Very Best - Warm Heart of Africa video via YouTube

Oh, and yes that was Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend fame. That guy has been popping up all over the place lately. First he was on that track Carby by VW/Ra Ra Riot side-project, Discovery now this, the Very Best track. Up next is a new Vampire Weekend LP, the first track of which, can already be downloaded from their official site.


Discovery - Carby video via YouTube

The Emo's site doesn't say whether BLK JKS is an inside or outside show but I would venture to guess that's it's going to be an indoor event. If you get there early enough you can check out local artists, Wine and Revolution as well as TV Torso.


TV Torso - Live @ the Scoot Inn video via YouTube

Read more!

BLK JKS, Robots, Throw Me the Statue and Secrets

Damn y'all BLK JKS album is finally out! I saw this, South African, band at SXSW 2 years ago. I had never even heard of them at that point and they made me pay attention. That's saying alot considering there's free booze and a hundred million bands trying to get your attention for a week or two. Their new album is called After Robots and is here in the states via Secretly Canadian. BLK JKS sound is Mbaquanga-influence classic-rock. That's so obvious right? Think Deep Purple X Dirty Projectors ÷ Vampire Weekend ≈ BLK JKS. I like indie-rock math, which is strange because I hate actual math or at least the doing there of, if ya know what I mean. But I digress.

Free Mp3 courtesy of Secretly Canadian

Free Mp3---> BLK JKS - Molalatiladi


BLK JKS - Summertime video via YouTube

I have a further point,
below the break,
regarding an upcoming rock show,
which is not BLK JKS
however it is
Secretly
shhhh
Canadain
*gasp*...

This post was supposed to be about Throw Me the Statue coming to town but when I got to the Secretly Canadian page I just swept up in BLK JKS fever for a moment. Back to the matter at hand. Throw Me the Statue is a different brand of indie but it's still a brand, which interests me. They'll be rocking the Mohawk Friday late night, inside. That's a small space y'all so if you want to get in on this action you better squat your spot early, or at least be satisfied with listening from inside the same room. That can be good too, that way you can watch the crowd and spot d-bags while having a drink, sweating it out and listening to some pleasantly jangly rock tunes.

Free Mp3's from Throw Me the Statues' latest LP Creaturesque courtesy of Secretly Jag, thanks.

Free Mp3 ---> Throw Me the Statue - Ancestors

Free Mp3 ---> Throw Me the Statue - Hi-Fi Goon


Throw Me the Statue - Lolita video via YouTube

Oh, and tickets will set you back $8, which includes the Brunettes and Nurses plus d-bag spotting for no extra charge! I'll take show line-ups that could form complete sentences for $500 Alex.




Throw Me the Statue - Yucatan Gold video via YouTube

Read more!

Thao with The Get Down Stay Down

Thao - Swimming Pools video via YouTube

Have y'all heard Thao? She played the NPR showcase during SXSW along with the Get Down, Stay Down. That same showcase featured the likes of BLK JKS, Dirty Projectors, Blind Pilots and K'NAAN. Well Thao with The Get Down Stay Down are coming back to the Parish Room tomorrow night and if you want to stay ahead of the curve then I suggest you get some tickets. By the way, in case you're not the curious type, that NPR link up there takes you to a page where you can listen to the full sets from the above-mentioned showcase.

Free Mp3's courtesy of Kill Rock Stars, thanks.

Free Mp3 ---> Thao - Bag of Hammers

Free Mp3 ---> Thao - Beat (Health, Life, and Fire)

There's a little bit more after the jump...

Since, I mentioned a list of artists at the top of the post I should mention at least one other. I've talked about my love for Dirty Projectors before, so I won't re-hash all that. However, I will mention that there was a lot of K'NAAN buzz at this past weekend's Coachella festival. I haven't heard a lot from this guy, but his story is intriguing I highly recommend the Wiki article.

I just fear his cross-over appeal may land him major success and thus remove his indie-cred. Oh indie-cred, such a fickle, fluid bitch. Oh wait, this guy is touring with Snoop Dogg does that mean he has NO indie-cred? But he played the effing NPR showcase! I don't care I'm still blogging it, indie-cred be damned!


K'NAAN - Dreamer video via YouTube

Just for the record, K'NAAN is also a member of the evil, Sony/Universal Music Group anti-embedding conglomerate INC. Soooooo NOT indie.

As opposed to AustinBloggyLimits favorites, BLK JKS who have mad, indie-cred y'all!


BLK JKS - Summertime video via YouTube

You can download this song over at RCRD LBL, they don't like embedding either but they still get my love and support...sorry UMG.

Summertime is a great song but it doesn't really capture how great BLK JKS are live perhaps the "single" is a better representation.


BLK JKS - Lakeside video via YouTube

I really hope you were patient enough to hear when Lakeside gets to the skank, that's when they really get down. It's another band doing that Paul Simon/Vampire Weekend rhythym, but check this out...are you ready...BLK JKS is ACTUALLY African...from Africa. Take that Ivy League "African-Influenced" bands...whom I also <3 dearly.

Read more!