SXSW 2010 Preview: The Very Best

You may not have heard of the musicians who have dubbed themselves, the Very Best but if you're a fan of M.I.A, Santogold, or any of the Mad Decent family of artists then you're going to become a fan. The sound is world-beat samples with western influences to create a dance-able sound that straddles the line between electronic, hip-hop and tribal influences. The track you may be most familiar with features Vampire Weekend's Ezra Koenig who also guested on another electronic album this year by Discovery. This song is the title track from the Very Best and if it doesn't make you smile you should probably get your face fixed.


the Very Best - Warm Heart of Africa video via YouTube

Find out where you can catch the Very Best during SXSW 2010 after the break.

At the moment the Very Best only has two shows listed on the Do512 site but something tells me they'll be playing a couple of high-profile day parties as well. I'm going to surmise that they'll be making an appearance at the elusive Fader Fort. Also, we still haven't heard any details from a Perez Hilton party OR the always mythical Rock the Rabbit party.

If you're going SX in an official way you can catch the Very Best at either of these official venues. Both shows they'll be playing the 1am, headlining slot I expect some serious drunken dancing. Oh, and for the record the Very Best's Myspace page shows a third show on the 20th with no other details.

Thu 03/18 at Beauty Bar.
Fri 03/19 at Emo's.

I'm not sure, which Emo's stage they'll be playing but it you have a badge or wristband you'll probably be able to figure it out once you get there. This next song isn't the best track on the album but it's definitely my favorite after I got sick of that Ezra Koenig one. Sorry in advance for the non-video but I'm sure you wanted to look at the cover art for the LP, right?


the Very Best - Julia video via YouTube

Another thing the Very Best are known for is adding their own vocals to an existing track and making it their own. They broke onto the scene with a remix/sampling of Architecture in Helsinki. Their latest song in this style uses Yeasayer's Ambling Amp.


the Very Best - Mulomo video via YouTube

In an almost, totally, un-related note. Here's that song by Discovery, which also feature Ezra Koenig. In case you missed it somehow.


Discovery - Carby video via YouTube

Here's my favorite song from Discovery after I got sick of THAT Ezra Koenig song:


Discovery - Osaka Loop Line video via YouTube

For the record, Discovery will NOT be at SXSW 2010. However, Ezra Koenig will be at Stubb's with Vampire Weekend about a month AFTER SX so there's that.

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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

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