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.

Read more!

SXSW 2010 Preview: The Middle East

Ever since I heard the song Blood on satellite radio I've been in love with, Austrailian band, the Middle East. As far as I know, the only music they have available in the U.S. right now is a gorgeous 5 song EP. The EP is self-titled and I found my copy at End of an Ear for $3.99. A SXSW day-party isn't really the ideal setting for a band with a quiet, nuanced sound but I think the bursts of gypsy music mania will translate quite nicely in a live setting. If you haven't heard the song Blood yet you should check out this beautiful video. Also, I've listed some of the places you can catch the Middle East at SXSW below the break.


the Middle East - Blood video via YouTube

According to the info culled by Do512, the Middle East will be playing only four times during the festival. It looks like two of the events will be unofficial/free and two of the events are official, requiring a SX badge or wristband. As you may know, Bloggy only does SX in an unofficial capacity so you'll probably catch me, catching them at the Paste Magazine Party. But here's their full list as of this moment:

Official showcase, shows:

Wed, 03/17 at Club de Ville.
Sat, 03/20 at Maggie Mae's.

Free and/or unofficial shows:

Thu, 03/18 at Paste Magazine Party at the Galaxy Room.
Sat, 03/20 at Austin Convention Center day-stage.

Here's one more tune to sample from the Middle East:


the Middle East - Lonely video via YouTube

Read more!

B. Benson + A/Fam Follow-Up + Vids

I never got back to y'all after my Wednesday debacle. As you may recall, I had tickets to two shows on the same night and I didn't know what I was going to do. Well, I ended up attending pieces of both shows. It was pretty stressful, but I need the practice for SXSW when at any given moment there will be a billion bands I want to see all playing at once in different venues scattered across multiple zip codes. I went to the Parish room first Wednesday night. I only caught 1.5 songs from Warpaint but it was enough to make me want to seek them out when they're here for SX. Akron/Family went on afterward and they started their set out in a pretty low-key way. They started about 30 minutes later than I expected so I only got to hear them play 4-5 songs and I wasn't really feeling it. They were getting a little avant for my mood that evening and crowd was very chatty. I did manage to capture their opening tune in this sub-par video though.


Akron/Family - River video via YouTube


I left the Parish as soon as someone on Twitter posted that Brendan Benson was on stage at the Independent. Now, it's kind of unfair to compare B. Benson and Akron/Family since they are sooo different but it was a welcome shift for me on Wednesday night. Akron/Family challenges their audience to find the beauty and participate in the moment of the show experience. Brendan Benson churns out perfect pop-rock at break-neck speeds, effortlessly shifting from one beautiful melody to the next. Needless to say it was pleasant to not be challenged in a rock setting after having been awake for 10+ hours. I had never been to the Independent but I highly approve. It's pretty much a bare-bones warehouse space with a stage in the corner. The audience was pretty thin, the room was full but not packed tightly, so I was able to stroll right up to the stage.


Brendan Benson - A Whole Lot Better video via YouTube

Austin was Benson's last night of his current tour so he took the opportunity to do some cover songs in the encore. He ended up doing 3 different one, 2 of which I would have expected and 1 of which I didn't. Remember that song, "Who Sucked Out the Feeling?" Well, I had forgotten all about it until Brendan Benson covered it and apparently that's not an unusual cover for him since he also did it at his Daytrotter session. He also did a Graham Nash song as well as this one originally by Tom Petty.


Tom Petty - Listen To Your Heart video via YouTube

All in all both shows were good but completely different vibes. If I hadn't had other places to be I would have enjoyed Akron/Family more but I just wasn't feeling patient enough to be enveloped in their vibe that night. All of my Twitter friends who stayed for the whole show had nothing but positive things to say. Just goes to show, if you end in a big way that gets people involved that's what they'll take away from the show as a whole. They won't even remember that you played a shitty, slow, boring song as the SECOND song in your set?!?! Seriously, bands let's keep the energy high for the first 2-3 songs then you can dial it back and preserve your energy ok?

Speaking of dialing-it-back, don't forget you can catch the hypnotic sounds of Warpaint at SXSW2010.


Warpaint - Stars video via YouTube

Read more!

Wednesdilemma

Brendan Benson and Akron/Family are both in town Wednesday and I have tickets to both shows! What's a Bloggy to do y'all? It might be possible for me to catch pieces of both headlining acts, but do I really want that stress? Besides it would be kind of rude to B. Benson or the A/Fam if I just walked out of their shows. They might stop performing and call me out, "Whose that extremely handsome man putting his jacket on?!?!". Most likely, what will happen, is I'll give away the Akron/Family on Twitter and end up going to see Brendan Benson. Not that I don't like the Fam but they play Austin with much more frequency than B. Benson. Specifically, a solo Brendan Benson show is a particular rarity 'round these parts. If you're interested I believe tickets for both the Akron/Family and the Brendan Benson shows are still available.


Brendan Benson - A Whole Lot Better video via YouTube

This B. Benson show will be my first time at the Independent but I seem to recall that Joel over at Ultra8201 told me the place is tiiiight. For those of you who are all, "Who the eff is B. Benson? A/Fam is WAAAAYY better!". I say to thee, "Whilst I 'respect' your opinion, B. Benson is a pop-songwriting machine who should be preserved in some sort of glass case so he may write distraction free for the rest of time". Hell, let's throw A.C. Newman in there too. Actually I'd love to hear that collabo, you hear me Universe? Oh, also, you probably know Brendan Benson better as "that other guy in the Raconteurs".


the Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely video via YouTube

For those of you not familiar with Akron/Family...I'm trying really hard not to judge you right now but seriously? You're not down with A/Fam? Where you been dawg? They've been making ripples since their song Running, Returning hit the interwebs 3 blog-decades ago. Their reputation as a stellar/transcendent live-band precedes them and if you know anything about Bloggy you know I loves me some Parish Room. So, if you're really not feeling Brendan Benson, fear not dear reader, you will also have a GREAT time at the Akron/Family show. Who knows, maybe you'll see me there getting yelled at by Akron/Family for being tardy.


Akron/Family - Everyone Is Guilty video via YouTube

In case you didn't get my A.C. Newman reference it's the dude in this BEAUTIFUL Black Cab Sesion video:


New Pornographers - All the Old Showstoppers video via YouTube



Read more!

Four Tet Video + jj Mini-Preview

I really had no idea what to expect from a Four Tet show but last night at the Mohawk was pretty much superb. The show was sold-out and we were packed in there tightly. I checked out sight lines from all over the venue but all of the best spots to see were jam packed. I was pleased to see that most of the people were at the show to hear the music although there were people talking over the music in certain crowd pockets but that's to be expected. When I arrived around 10pm Nathan Fake was already on and had the crowd moving, but he was done by 10:15 or 10:20. Four Tet was on by 10:45 and played till at least 12:15am but the set didn't seem long to me. I managed to get a good point of view for video during the encore.


Four Tet - Smile Around the Face video via YouTube

In a totally un-related note, I'm excited that mysterious Swedes, and recent Secretly Canadian signees, jj will be here in Austin for SXSW this year. I was kind of late to the party on their, hard-to--find, 2009 release, jj n° 2 but since I've acquired it I can't get enough. Be forewarned there really aren't any official videos but I want you to hear some of the songs from the LP, so here's a non-video or two for your enjoyment.


jj - From Africa to Málaga video via YouTube

Personally, I don't have a badge or wristband for the official SXSW events, nor do I plan on purchasing one. So, this means I'll be restricted to catching jj at a free event outside the festival, but something tells me that won't be a problem given the tsunami of hype they'll be riding in on. My brethren in blogging over at Do512 have put together a great SXSW section and if you create a profile and tag jj you'll have their complete SXSW schedule as it's revealed/modified.

This song is from their third album and first on Secretly Canadian to be released on March 9th, just a few weeks before SXSW.


jj - Let Go video via YouTube

Read more!

Four Tet Four Tet Four

I've had my tickets for this Saturday's Four Tet show since circa Thanksgiving '09 so I almost forgot it's this weekend. I'm not really sure what the story is on this Nathan Fake character but I'm getting there early enough to see him. Mostly, cause I want a good spot to stand and I know there will be hipsters camped out in chairs at all the best spots on the upper and side decks. Hey Mohawk can I get on the roof of the out bar this weekend? Pretty please?

I found this non-video on YouTube. The song is from some mythical 12", black, label-less collaboration between Burial and Four Tet. Good luck finding it in your local record shop. Oh, and pre-apologies if the video gets pulled for copyright infringivitis.


Four Tet/Burial - Moth video via YouTube


There Is Love In You is the fourth, official, and latest full LP from Four Tet and its first single, Sing will be released circa SXSW 2010. I just wanted an excuse to mention SXSW for internet traffic purposes, you like how I did that? Here's that forthcoming single via another non-video, hope you're okay with that.


Four Tet - Sing video via YouTube

According to the intense research I just did reading Nathan Fake's Wiki article he's a progressive-house producer. I just hope he keeps his progressive-house, tea-party politics off the dance floor. Looks like his first album came out in '06 and his most recent, Hard Island came out last year. Let's see what I can find for video so we get an idea of what we will see/hear. Well, this non-video is 2 years old but I suppose it will be an adequate introduction for those of us who know nothing of this Nathan Fake.


Nathan Fake - The Sky Was Pink video via YouTube

I know this is totally unrelated but I really want to put something from Burial since I opened this post with that collaborative track.


Burial - Archangel video via YouTube

Did you know, Burial, Four Tet and at least one member of Hot Chip all went to school together? I bet the kids in that neighborhood have easy access to club drugs, glitchy synths and glow-sticks.

Read more!

Transmography + La Snacks Videos

Last night's tour kick-off show at the Ghost Room was a smashing success. The room wasn't packed but it wasn't empty either, lots of good energy flowing around. It was my first time in the, former Gingerman, now Ghost Room and I must say I was quite impressed. The lay out is cozy, intimate, classy without being over the top. There are places to sit and watch the show as well as an area to stand and nod/dance/hipster-the-f*ck-out, not to mention surfaces for setting down drinks, jackets etc. The sound was also quite nice, it was loud without clipping or sounding unnecessarily noisy. As far as the performances I didn't see the very first band but both Transmography and La Snacks delivered solid performances. Don't take my word for it though, check out the video I captured:


La Snacks - Kristin Was a Meteorologist video via YouTube


Lead singer for La Snacks, Robert, must have drank 4-5 pints of beer while they performed their 45 minute set. His rants got more comical and venomous as the set progressed, unfortunately I decided to omit those clips from the Bloggy YouTube this time around. Don't be surprised if you witness a similar scenario when you catch La Snacks on tour though.


La Snacks - Christsakes & Milkshakes video via YouTube

Now, I'm kind of upset with myself that I didn't write down the name of this Transmography song I'm about to post but I didn't and those are the breaks. At some point in the future I'll remember/be told the name of the song and I will properly label it. In the meantime here's an Untitled track from Transmography:


Transmography - Live at the Ghost Room video via YouTube

I already knew the name of this next song, it's on their album Polydactyl. However, it doesn't feature that cool Zelda keyboard sound like the last song.


Transmography - IceCreamManFromJapan video via YouTube

Read more!

La Snacks + Transmography Tour Kick-Off

Tonight is the big tour kick-off show for La Snacks and Transmography. The bands will be hitting the road for a couple of weeks playing as far away as Ithaca, NY. Let's give 'em lots of good Austin energy for their farewell show at the Ghost Room tonight. Admission will be $5 and Transmography goes on at 11:00, with La Snacks playing the headlining slot just before Midnight. For those of you reading this site from outside of Austin, I have the full tour line-up after the break and you should try to catch these local bands in your city. Also, if you can't make it tonight, fear not dear reader, for both bands will be playing shows during SXSW this year.


La Snacks - Roman Yell video via YouTube


So, all of the below dates will feature both Transmography AND La Snacks:

02/13 The Ghost Room Tour Kick Off Austin, Texas
02/15 The Hub Beaumont, Texas
02/16 Egan’s Tuscaloosa, Alabama
02/17 The Go Bar Athens, Georgia
02/18 The Cave Chapel Hill, North Carolina
02/19 The Broad Street Cafe Durham, North Carolina
02/20 Velvet Lounge Washington DC
02/21 Danger Danger Gallery Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
02/22 Cake Shop Manhattan, New York
02/23 Zebulon Brooklyn, New York
02/24 The Shop Ithaca, New York
02/25 Now That’s Class Cleveland, Ohio
02/26 Skull Alley Louisville, Kentucky
02/27 RadRadRad House Little Rock, Arkansas


La Snacks - Jolly Rancher video via YouTube

I know, it's Saturday night and there's a lot going on but I hope to see you at the Ghost Room tonight. I'll buy you a beer, just kidding I'm broke. Buy me a beer?

Read more!

Golden Boys, TV Torso, Aoki, Yaks

This is a pretty last minute post about the Golden Boys show at Trailer Space Records tonight but I wanted to mention it. It's inside, so no need to worry about the rain. It starts at 7 and ends at 10 or earlier so if you have other plans or need to wake up early you can still do those things. Also, it's free so you can still buy yourself and that special someone something nice. You can also purchase anything you see whilst in the Trailer Space but don't get too decadent I mean you are at a free show, you're probably not Donald Trump or anything. Last week Golden Boys had the crowd packed tight into Beerland for a $5 cover, this week we rock out with them fo' free. Their Myspace page classifies, Golden Boys as "Rock / Psychedelic / Country". The Austin Chronicle called them "...real Texas punk rock". I'm going to up the ante and call their sound "Bloggy-Approved".

*This is the area where I would normally embed a video for you to hear the above mentioned band. Alas, I could find nary a video of the Golden Boys. They may be out there but you try searching that phrase. Instead, I shall put a video for an artist mentioned BELOW the break. Whoa!*


TV Torso - Live at the Scoot Inn video via YouTube


I need to hear more from TV Torso I'm always whining about how I want a record player because a lot of local artists release their music on vinyl first and/or exclusively. Well, last week while I was perusing the selection at End of an Ear I decided to look through the bin full of 10" vinyl and what did I find? TWO, different, 10" offerings from TV Torso and at least one, but I believe both, offered Mp3 download code w/$5 purchase. So, don't give up if you don't have a record player. Buy the record anyway, it may have an Mp3 or CD with purchase and then you'll already have a collection going.

In any case, TV Torso will be playing at Beerland tonight as part of the WOXY residency series. Or something to do with WOXY maybe not the residency I feel like that's something else. Generally these things cost $5, a nominal fee. I feel like having WOXY around is very good for Beerland. It's a great little rock club, very intimate setting for seeing a band. It's certainly not fancy or anything but they've booked some really good shows of late. Not to mention they managed to get Surfer Blood almost secretly back in the fall, take that Transmission! Just kidding, luv u Trannysmission let's play dice sometime.


Surfer Blood - Swim video via YouTube

I had to randomly put that Surfer Blood video in there to get my normal flow back. Steve Aoki is in town tonight as well. If shakin' your ass off with some dranks is how you get down on a Thirsday night then you should definitely get yourself over to Republic Live on West 5th. I know, it can be weird that far away from Red River but fear not, dear reader, you'll be dancing through crowds bumping into hipsters trying not to spill your martini Lone Star in no time.


Steve Aoki - I'm in the House video via YouTube

Lastly but not leastly as far as I knowstly, we've got hipster-delegates from Brooklyn in town. They go by the name of Wild Yaks you may have caught them at previous SXSW? If not, your chance is tonight, over at the ole' Scoot Inn. I'm thinking it's going to be on the inside stage. What do you think?


Wild Yaks - River May Come video via YouTube

Read more!

Tonight, Tomorrow, and the Next Night ight ight ight

Live at Beerland in Austin, TX weighing in at...ok I think that's far enough. Are you going to any of the 3-night mini-fest that is the CD Release party for Casual Victim Pile: Austin 2010? I'm thinking I might go tonight. Beerland is a good place to be on a rainy night, it's quite cozy really and the outside area is covered with lots of good people watching. Downside to the outside area? People trying to get your attention/change/cell-phone usage/etc from the sidewalk region. Back to the show, as I mentioned it's a CD release party, the CD is a compilation via Matador Records if you're a blog-geek you already know all about it. If you're not a blog geek, the pertinent information is this: A)Casual Victim Pile is an anagram for Live Music Capitol. B)The compilation has 19 tracks, 17 of which feature Austin artists. C)It's a nod to a similarly-themed compilation of New York bands, which Matador previously released.

Here's something from tonight's headlining band to give you a taste. The full info is below the break and from what I can tell it's going to cost $5 at the door.


Follow That Bird! - Where They Rest video via YouTube

So, this whole affair will be going on for 3 days but be aware that Beerland is small and Matador is popular so bar service will be slow and standing space will be valuable. Get there early to stake your claim and/or drop a big tip early so the bartender remembers you later.

Here's the way they've chunked the bands together for the different nights:

Tonight

Follow That Bird!
Dikes Of Holland
Kingdom Of Suicide Lovers
The Distant Seconds
The Persimmons


the Persimmons - Love at Seven/I Can Only Love You Once a Week video via YouTube

In case you're wondering the above video is your standard house-party in Austin, TX. Take that, places that are satisfied with an iPod DJ house-party!

Friday

Woven Bones
The Young
Wild America
Flesh Lights
Elvis
The No No No Hopes


Woven Bones - Your Sorcery video via YouTube


Listening to Woven Bones always makes me feel like I'm in a Bret Easton Ellis novel, vampires in the valley and all that dark, L.A. stuff.

Saturday

Harlem
The Golden Boys
Bad Sports
Love Collector
The Stuffies
Lost Controls


Harlem - Scare You video via YouTube

Wow! What a great video of Harlem who shot that anyway?

Read more!