Explosions in the Sky to Play Town Lake

That's right kids, as you'll read again and again on this blog, the best thing about SXSW is all the free stuff going on. I just heard on KGSR that Explosions in the Sky will be headlining a show at Auditorium Shores on the last Saturday of SXSW.

I have seen these guys before at FunFunFun Fest volume 2, and I highly reccomend you take the time to see them. That is, of course, unless there is a better party with MORE free stuff happening at the same time and me thinks there probably is.

Just in case you have never heard Explosions in the Sky, you'll find mp3's below and video after the jump. You can also hear their music on Friday Night Lights, both the TV show and the movie versions...the book too if you read it while playing these mp3's

Mp3's courtesy of Temporary Residence Limited

Free Mp3 ---> Explosions in the Sky - Welcome, Ghosts

Free Mp3 ---> Explosions in the Sky - Look Into The Air

Free Mp3 ---> Explosions in the Sky - Memorial

Free Mp3 ---> Explosions in the Sky - A Poor Man's Memory


Explosions in the Sky - The Birth and Death of the Day video via YouTube


Explosions in the Sky - You Hand in Mine video via YouTube

And in case you STILL can't get enough EITS there's always the good ole archive right?

Read more!

Yeah Frightened Rabbit!

Frightened Rabbit - Modern Leper video via YouTube

Like it or not, Pitchfork is a taste-maker. I always try to collect their top 100 tracks every year because there is so much music to be discovered that way. That's how I stumbled upon Frightened Rabbit. I did attend a SXSW party or two that Frightened Rabbit played but I just never caught their set. Then they got lost in the deluge of SX hype and music. In any case Pitchfork called these guys out a while ago and I'm going to repost their mp3 of the song.

Free mp3 ---> Frightened Rabbit - Modern Leper

More videos after the jump...


Frightened Rabbit - Head Rolls Off video via YouTube


Frightened Rabbit - The Greys video via YouTube

Read more!

Warehouse Party, Eastside, Tonight

Initial part of the post

That's right you can party at an east-warehouse till 3am tonight for $15 tonight, courtesy of Do512 and Vinyl Entertainment. What Made Milwaukee Famous will be headlining, along with The Story Of. You will also hear sets from some of Austin's finer DJ's including a set by Austin's own Octopus Project.

Speaking of the Octopus Project they are doing a "Visual Music" show at the Alamo Drafthouse this week, which should be a pretty cool show. I suspect if you're interested in that you better get your tickets like yesterday.

Free Mp3 ---> Octopus Project - I.O.I.O.
Free Mp3 ---> What Made Milwaukee Famous - Resistance Street

Video after the jump...

Before we get to the video may I direct you to some more free mp3s from the Octopus Project?

I'm pretty sure I posted this video like a year ago...actually I wasn't writing this a year ago, but in any case here's a video courtesy of Barsuk Records from What Made Milwaukee Famous:


What Made Milwaukee Famous - Sultan video via YouTube


Octopus Project - I Saw the Bright Shinies video via YouTube

Read more!

Charity Rock Rocks!

So there has been a lot of pre-release hype for a new compilation called, Dark Was the Night. It's a Red Hot compilation, which means all the proceeds benefit AIDS relief. If that's not reason enough for you to check it out, I should mention it's 2 discs, the music is over 2 hours long, almost every track is previously unreleased and it only cost me $12 at Waterloo. It's only $10 if you buy it online.

If you're still not convinced check out the artists featured on the comp:

Andrew Bird,
Antony,
Arcade Fire,
Beach House (iTunes Version Only(?)),
Beirut,
Blonde Redhead,
Bon Iver,
David Byrne,
Cat Power & Dirty Delta Blues,
The Decemberists,
Dirty Projectors,
Kevin Drew,
Feist,
Ben Gibbard,
Grizzly Bear,
Iron & Wine,
Jose Gonzalez,
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings,
Stuart Murdoch,
My Brightest Diamond,
My Morning Jacket,
The National,
The New Pornographers,
Conor Oberst,
Spoon,
Sufjan Stevens,
Gillian Welch,
Yeasayer,
Yo La Tengo

Check out a sample after the jump...



The quality on this video kind of sucks, but I wanted you to hear at least a version of one of the Grizzly Bear songs from the compilation:


Grizzly Bear - Deep Blue Sea video via YouTube

Read more!

Lykke Li Does Kings of Leon *Updated*

So, I just got back from Waterloo Records, where I saw a 20 minute acoustic set from Lykke Li. Someone in the audience shouted, "Knocked Up!", to which Lykke responded, "That's not my song, but I'll play it if you buy my album.". I didn't recognize the reference until the band started playing the Kings of Leon song.


Lykke Li - Knocked Up video via YouTube


The audio isn't the same as what I just heard, because the set at Waterloo was much more stripped down and acoustic. I expect you'll be able to see the performance I just saw in the near future though. Waterloo has their own YouTube channel that they post their in-stores on.

In fact here's two shows from this week:


...And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead - Fields of Coal video via YouTube


Andrew Bird - Natural Disaster video via YouTube

***Follow-Up Video Added Later***


Lykke Li - I'm Good, I'm Gone live at Waterloo Records video via YouTube

PS.
My friend Tessa, who was also at this show, thought Lykke Li looked like an Olsen Twin (hehe)

Read more!

I Heart SubPop/Blitzen Trapper

I'm sure I've mentioned this in the past, but I love blogging about bands on the SubPop roster. They have such a blogging-friendly website. There are almost always mp3 samples to download, and video too. Not to mention easy to embed press photos. Pay attention UMG, this is how you promote your roster in an internet age.


Blitzen Trapper - Furr video via YouTube

Free mp3 ---> Blitzen Trapper - Furr <--- Thanks SubPop

I highly recommend you head on over to their list of artists. Any of the names in bold are current and you will most likely find free samples to check out. You can also peep their YouTube channel to stream 134 vids.

Here's a couple of highlights from the aforementioned channel:


Fleet Foxes - Mykonos video via YouTube

This CSS jam is the most viewed video on the channel. Go Brazil!!


CSS - Let's Make Love and Listen to Death From Above video via YouTube

I always love the chaos, noise-pop of the Go! Team, even if this isn't my favorite track of theirs:


the Go! Team - Doin' it Right video via YouTube

This track has been played to death by now, but it's still a great tune that stayed our little secret for the first year or so it was out:


The Postal Service - The District Sleeps Alone Tonight video via YouTube

Read more!

RSVP Quick and Dirty

I want to preface this video, for those of you who have never been to SXSW, by saying that the audience at a typical SXSW gig is a bunch of Meta-Hipsters who can't be bothered to look like they care about whatever band is on stage. I mean, if you think about it, SX is for industry types more than it is for fans. Who else could afford those damn badges? I'm straying here, back to the video...

This takes place at the Levis/Fader Fort, it was at roughly 1 or 2 in the afternoon. The place wasn't very full, it's broad daylight and everyone is sort of casually standing around with their free drinks and cameras. Well Gallows didn't really like that...If you look real close you may spot me, I was to the camera man's right.


Gallows UK - Live @ SXSW '07 video via YouTube

You should click the word YouTube above and read the comments, it's hillarious.

Ok, so there is a quick and dirty list of RSVP links is after the jump.


My friend, Bonnie has been scouring the internets and compiled a handful of parties to RSVP.

Dandy ID

Pure Volume

SXSeattle

Talking House Records

Space Out Party

The Bay Area Take-Over

Are we getting excited yet?

Of course we are still looking/waiting for the Levi's/Fader Fort party. Last year I RSVP'd before the line-up was announce, which was good because I think the list was open for less than a week. These folks know how to book a party! Free booze (obvs it's SX), places to sit and watch a performance in a parking lot, free shiz (last year I won some Ray-Bans, Levis and Pumas(thanks)). As far as the music, well, check out last year's Line-Up.


Read more!

No Mo Vo Co...Der

Blame Kanyeezy, but as I was listening to the latest release from Bon Iver, Blood Bank, I reached the closing track and decided the moment for the Auto-Tune is officially over. That's my opinion, I welcome yours.


Bon Iver - Woods video via YouTube

Sample mp3 goes here ---> Bon Iver - Blood Bank mp3 via JagJaguwar


Somehow, I didn't mind the Auto-tune as much on Wolves (Act I & II) but it was used much more sparingly...


Bon Iver - Wolves (Act I & II) video via YouTube

Other great moments in Auto-Tuning:


Imogen Heap - Hide & Seek Marissa shoots Trey courtesy of YouTube


The Church of Cher - Believe video via YouTube

Kanye West's - Heartless was supposed to go here. But his label/imprint/music is part of the evil Universal Music Group umbrella (Insert Boo) so no embedding aloud. I could put a link...but I won't. Sorry Yeezy, you don't need the exposure anyway...not that the Church of Cher does either. Same to you T-Pain.

Check it out, even the New Yorker is weighing in on this issue (Insert Eye-Roll).


Slightly Related Randomness goes here (ish) --->
Los Simpsons - Homerpalooza episode video via YouTube

Read more!

SXSW music schedule/Free Music

The schedule for SXSW showcases is out, so you can start thinking and wishing and hoping and praying. Speaking of praying I couldn't help but notice what a kick-ass line-up the Central Presbyterian Church will have. It looks like both Department of Eagles AND Grizzly Bear will be playing the church (on separate days). I think we can expect to hear some brand new Grizzly Bear tunes at SXSW. I'm still waiting for a free party that features Grizzly Bear. Can you tell I'm excited about Grizzly Bear or what?

Of course they are only one of the thousands of bands that will be playing in churches, backyards, bridges and parking structures all over the city. I love SXSW because that last statement is not hyperbole. There will be shows in parking garages, the Lamar pedestrian bridge, and tons of backyards. I'm starting to squirm already :-).

Some random video and helpful tips after the jump..

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that SXSW.com also has some official listings of free parties you can check out here. But if you're going to get serious about combing through the interwebs for day parties you have to check out a few different sites:

ShowListAustin is pretty much your go-to guide for quick and dirty music info...always, but especially during SXSW.

SXSWbaby not as quick, nor as dirty but still helpful.

Do512 could be the sleeper hit of SXSW '09. They've got all your social-networking widgets and do-dads. They're also the first and only people thus far to mention anything about the Mess With Texas 3 party at Waterloo Park.

DoneWaiting is sort of your official, unofficial-seeming SXSW blog.

Sched SXSW is pretty self-explanatory, it straddles the gap between the official and unofficial information.

Tips are king at SX, leave your HELPFUL ones in the comments if you wish.

And now for a little tale: SXSW '07 was my first year. We rented our spare room out using SXSWbaby to these two gentlemen from England. They drank cider, they took photos, they were aghast at our food...a good time was had by all. Anywho, one of those guys is Russ Tannen who does this Oatmeal.Tv thing, courtesy of Polydor? Sweet. If I recall these two guys met in Texas at SXSW and exchanged info yada, yada, yada...So here's a little SXSW review from Oatmeal.tv.


Oatmeal.tv - Oatmeal TV Ep3 SXSW [Part 1]


Oatmeal.tv - Oatmeal TV Ep3 SXSW [Part 2] video via YouTube


Read more!

Play Free, Bird!

Andrew Bird is playing the Paramount Theatre with Loney Dear tomorrow but you can see the Bird for free at Waterloo today. That's right the day before he plays his sold-out theatre gig he'll be taking to the tiny stage at Waterloo Records at 5pm today. If you're interested in checking it out I suggest getting there an hour early. The parking is quite limited at Waterloo and there are only a few aisles to stand in where you get a good view of the performance.

Later tonight I suggest you head on over to the Mohawk where you can catch Transmography, among others, at the 101X homegrown-series show. But if that's not your scene either you can catch Austin music legend, Alejandro Escovedo at the Cactus Cafe, on the UT campus.

Loney Dear - I Am John
mp3 courtesy of SubPop Records

Video after the jump...

Before I get to the videos I wanted to note that Andrew Bird allows his shows to be posted on archive.org. So there are tons of free, downloadable performances on that site.


Andrew Bird - Imitosis video via YouTube


Loney Dear - I Am John video via YouTube


Transmography - Calerpa video via YouTube


Read more!