Estelle at Antone's

I feel like tomorrow night's show with Estelle at Antone's is completely under the radar. You probably remember Estelle from her hit song with Kanye West, American Boy but this U.K. songstress has continued to release great music since then. The current tour is in anticipation of a full-length LP called All of Me, which is due out on the 28th. In the meantime, Estelle has released a series of singles including her latest, Wonderful Life. Unfortunately, those of us in Austin don't have an "Adult Urban" radio station so artists like Estelle, Jill Scott, and Anthony Hamilton don't enter our consciousness as much as they should.

For a place that calls itself the "Live Music Capitol of the World," Austin's radio is severely lacking. Generally speaking, you won't hear music from most of the artists who perform in Austin, on Austin radio. That's one of the reasons I am so obsessed with platforms like Spotify or Rdio, where you can find all of Estelle's newest singles as well as her earlier work. Tickets to see Estelle at Antone's are still available and to be honest I don't expect the show to sell-out even though it really should.


Estelle - Wonderful Life video via YouTube

I really don't want to harp on this point but wouldn't it be great if Austin had a station that played music like Estelle? Last year I saw Raphael Saadiq in a partially filled Stubb's and it made me sad to realize that there is no market for artists like him in Austin. We have a diverse population and people in this city have very diverse tastes in music but you won't hear Sade or John Legend on any Austin frequencies. That's why it is so tricky when those artists perform here, the show's promoters have no outlets to advertise on. The tweens who listen to stations like The Beat want to hear dance music not slow-jams, besides that station plays the same 15-20 songs on a 2-3 hour rotation. Seriously, tune to 102.3 RIGHT NOW and I can bet you'll hear Rihanna's We Found Love within 10 minutes of finding the station on your dial. I know this sounds like hyperbole but I tested the theory and it was the 2nd song I heard. I don't mean to single out The Beat, 101x, KLBJ and most other radio stations in the United States are dying dinosaurs who need to wake the fuck up and realize how much they suck.

In any case, this post is about Estelle not the pathetic state of modern day American radio. You should go see her tomorrow.


Estelle - Thank You video via YouTube


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SXSW 2012 Preview: Electric Wire Hustle

New Zealand band, Electric Wire Hustle make contemporary soul music. Using loops, samples and break-beats along with live instrumentation they create a lush musical landscape that their, D'Angelo-like vocalist makes his home. You can't quite pin-down the genre of music that Electric Wire Hustle creates because it is heavily influence by a jazz, soul, R&B, hip-hop and electronic sounds. All you really need to know is they make jams that you need to sing along to in the car or soundtrack your love making with or both.

So far, Electric Wire Hustle have one full-length LP under their belt, which is available via BBE Music with or without vocals. They have been back in the studio since the 2010 release of their eponymous LP so I would expect their sets at SXSW to be a blend of released and unreleased material.


Electric Wire Hustle - Again video via YouTube


I would expect showcase details for SXSW 2012 to be revealed later this week or early next week. In the meantime I'm still just spouting conjecture about where you MIGHT catch Electric Wire Hustle at this year's festival. I know that the folks over at Okay Player are big fans of EWH so you might find them performing at one of their showcases. Other than that if BBE Music has a showcase they'll definitely be playing there. For unofficial listings check Show List Austin, Do512 and SWShhh.

I highly recommend you listen to the full, eponymous, album from Electric Wire Hustle as soon as possible. It's available on Spotify but I have yet to see it in physical form in the real world away from my computer. Personally, I would love to grab a copy on vinyl but I have a feeling that won't happen in the near future. Hopefully, they pick up U.S. distribution at the festival and we'll only have to wait until later this year but only time will tell.


Electric Wire Hustle - They Don't Want (Live) video via YouTube


Electric Wire Hustle - They Don't Want (Studio Version) via YouTube

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SXSW 2012 Preview: Solander

One of the greatest thing about the SXSW music conference is that it's truly a global experience. Artists from around the globe make their way to our lovely city to play for us and lots of times it's their first time on U.S. soil. To be honest, I'm not sure of Solander has played in North America before but I'm glad they are in March. Based in Sweden Solander plays gorgeous, layered, pastoral indie-rock with beautiful melodies and lush production. Their latest album is called Passing Mt. Satu and I really want to buy it on vinyl. It looks like they don't have a U.S. distributor yet but I would guess that they'll get picked up after the fest this year. In the meantime you can listen to both of their LPs on Spotify and I'll be sure to post their album via Bandcamp below the break. For now, you should watch the gorgeous visuals with this gorgeous song:


Solander - Flight video via YouTube

To be honest, it's hard for me to guess when and where Solander will play because I don't know if their Swedish label, Tenderversion Recordings will have their own SXSW showcase. Regardless of whose banner they play under, I REALLY hope they play at The Parish and//or Central Presbyterian Church. Per usual, keep an eye on Show List Austin, Do512 and SXShhh to find out when and where Solander will be playing unofficial showcases.




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Return of the Polyphonic Spree

It feels like it's been ages since Polyphonic Spree played a show in Austin. In reality it's probably only been a year, possibly two. In any case, they're BACK and you can see them in all of their overwhelming glory at La Zona Rosa tomorrow night. The tickets will set you back roughly $20, which is pretty inexpensive when you consider how many people will be on stage. They actually have to take 2 vans on tour and I imagine each van is packed to its full capacity. I'm not, exactly, sure what The Polyphonic Spree are promoting on this tour but it seems like they might have an upcoming album called What Would You Do?. However, that might just be the name of a video contest they are running. The tour is the You + Me tour, which could mean the next album will have THAT title but what I know for sure is they have a new song called Bullseye.

The Polyphonic Spree - "Bullseye" from Good Records Recordings on Vimeo.

The Polyphonic Spree will be donating 25% of the profits from their merchandise to Girls Rock Camp Austin in honor of Esme Barrera at tomorrow night's show. They will also have a donation bucket if you'd like to just donate directly to that cause. Not only that but you will see The Esme Barrera Fan Club Band performing She's a Rainbow at La Zona Rosa tomorrow night. I, for one, find The Polyphonic's love and support for the memory of Esme and everything she did for our community to be incredibly touching. She truly did touch so many lives in this city, country and world and she is still greatly missed.


Esme Barrera Fan Club - She's a Rainbow video via YouTube

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SXSW 2012 Preview: Boog Brown

Generally, when people think about SXSW music they think about indie-rock. British dudes in skinny jeans smoking hand-rolled cigarettes playing jangly, retro tunes to a crowd of disaffected industry-types. While this image is largely true it excludes a huge swath of artists who also trek to Austin in March to catch some industry ears. That is why today, I am featuring Detroit via Atlanta poet and hip-hop artist, Boog Brown.

Brown collaborated with fellow Detroit-native, Apollo Brown on their 2010 release, Brown City Study. The album is filled with gritty, honest hip-hop production. Brown's vocals remind me of what was once referred to as "Backpack hip-hop, " her flow is effortless and draws the listener to pay attention to the lyrics. If you're a fan of Apani B or Jean Grae then you will definitely be a fan of Boog Brown as well.


Boog Brown - UPs video via YouTube

At SXSW you can expect to find Boog Brown at a showcase hosted by the Mello Music Group and/or Audible Treats. Other than that keep your eyes on Show List Austin, Do512 and SXShhh. You can listen to a lot of music from Boog Brown streaming from various internet sources including Spotify. I'll include all of the Bandcamp streams below.








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SXSW 2012 Preview: Lee Fields

When you hear a voice like Lee Fields', a voice with so much conviction, power and honesty you realize where the term "soul music" came from. Then you wonder, where has this man been hiding and why am I just hearing this for the first time now? I discovered Lee Fields' music while I was creating my Spotify playlist of SXSW 2012 artists and I knew within the first 15 seconds that I would be featuring he and his band. Lee has been working in the music industry since the late '60's and even released a legendarily hard to find funk-soul classic called Let's Talk it Over but it wasn't until his most recent work with The Expressions that he has begun to truly gain some recognition.

If you're a fan of Sharon Jones, or Charles Bradley then be sure to catch Lee Fields at SXSW this year. He has a new LP due out on March 13th called Faithful Man but for now you can grab a free track over at his Facebook page. I also highly recommend listening to his 2009, Truth and Soul Records release, My World on Spotify.


Lee Fields and the Expressions - Honey Dove via YouTube

I'd expect you to find Lee Field and the Expressions playing a free day-party hosted by the Windish Agency but as far as official showcases, I'm not too sure. Perhaps, Truth and Soul Records will have an official showcase or maybe he'll just get lumped together with some unaffiliated like-minded artists. Regardless, you can bet you'll see me in the crowd for at least one performance from this powerful funk-soul group.


"Problems" by Lee Fields & The Explorers

As usual, keep an eye on the official SXSW music site for official showcase listings. You can find information about unofficial events at Show List Austin, as well as Do512. You can also create a customized, free party schedule from one of the most comprehensive SXSW party lists over at SXShhh.

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SXSW 2012 Interview: Of Monsters and Men

It's hard to judge these things but without any sort of scientific evidence I would say that Of Monsters and Men have more buzz coming into SXSW than any other band I have or will feature here. They are already critical darlings and their debut LP, My Head is an Animal hasn't even been released worldwide yet. For now, those of who don't live in Iceland can listen to their brilliant and exuberant 4-track EP, Into the Woods. The full EP is available to listen to on Spotify or their Facebook BandPage and of course you can also purchase it on iTunes.

As a sign of the buzz for Of Monsters and Men in the United States, their state-side tour, which will follow their SXSW appearances is largely sold-out. They actually had to add a second date in Los Angeles and even that is on the verge of selling out. Check the band's tour post to find out if they're coming to your area.


Of Monsters and Men - Little Talks video via YouTube

I had the chance to send some questions to Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir from Of Monsters and Men, you can find the full interview below the break.

• Did you have any other monikers before arriving at Of Monsters and Men? 
  

  For a moment we did. We were competing in Iceland's Músiktilraunir which is like a battle of the bands competition. We only decided to compete like an hour or two before they closed-off the application process. We didn't have a name and time was short so we pretty much decided on something and entered as Hachiko. We slept on it, realized our error and changed it to Of Monsters and Men. 

• Are you fans of Steinbeck?  Or is the name simply an allusion/alliteration?  
  

  The name is kind of a spin-off of Of Mice And Men... what a weird sentence there. The main reason for the name is that we liked how it sounded. It sounds mystical and adventurous and our lyrics are often in that atmosphere. We are really taken by stories and the name seems to be very fitting to what we want to create with our music. 

• What has been the most surreal experience in your music career(s) thus far?
  

  Probably people's reactions. We are always very pleasantly surprised when people in the crowd really get into it and start singing with the songs. It's always so nice when that happens here in Iceland but when you have a room full of people in a country that you have never been to singing their lungs out with our songs, that is a pretty surreal experience.

• What are your expectations of the United States?  Are there places you want to see?  Foods you want to eat?  Etc.
  

  We are going on tour in March and we are so excited for all the places we are going to visit. Seattle and Philadelphia have been very kind to us and we are excited to be able to play for the people there. I think LA and Texas will be great too. I'm looking forward to seeing all the different landscape, I've heard it varies a lot so, like, driving through a desert will be cool. As with food, I think we'll at least try to avoid all the millions of McDonald's that we will pass. That might be our biggest challenge.

   
• What is the most common misconception people have about Iceland?  What will you miss most about Iceland when you're on tour?
  

  I think one of the biggest misconception that I get asked about a lot is that in Iceland there is only music like Sigur Rós and Björk. Some people are surprised that music like ours would come out of Iceland. We have a very diverse music scene. We have a strong metal scene, a strong electro scene and everything in between. We will definitely miss our friends and family the most while we are on tour.

• What do you most look forward to in 2012?
  

  I'm looking forward to releasing our album to the world and for touring. I'm excited to have my Dad come to our first show. He lives in Canada and hasn't gotten a chance to see us live but I still think he is our biggest fan! 

• If you were on a desert island with one piece of music, one book and one film what would you choose?
  

  Speaking for myself, my new favorite album is Metals by Feist. I'd bring that one along, the book would be The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov. It's such an insane and surreal world and I'm very fascinated by it. A movie? I'd choose the Lord Of The Rings trilogy 'cause it's good and really long so the chances of getting sick of it are a bit less, or is naming a trilogy cheating?

Feist - The Bad in Each Other video via YouTube
• Did you ever have non-musical jobs or have you been playing music for most of your lives?
  

  We all had non-musical jobs. Between us we have had jobs like plumber, video store clerk, airport security, meat packing, kindergarten teacher, sewage cleaner, music teacher, cemetery groundskeeper just to name a few. Many of us played music on the side for a long time but being able to only do that is a very new and fun reality for us, we used to just play for beers. 

• Using the band as a family metaphor, what roles do each of you play?  Who are the bratty children?  Who are the responsible parent types?
  

  This is a hard one :)
  
  Kiddi is most definitely the Dad, just because he worries and is ALWAYS fixing something! He likes to think about stuff like finance and stuff that the rest don't find appealing but that's a perfect thing. It's probably easy to list me as the Mom, as I'm the only girl in the group. Brynjar would be the baby, he's the youngest and he's got the baby face. Raggi is the 5 year old with too much energy for his own body. Arnar is the bratty teenager and Árni is the really pissed-off Grandpa, who complains about how the young people don't eat traditional Icelandic food anymore and then passes out drunk. 

• If you could collaborate with any artist from any time period, who would you choose and what would you work on?
  

  This would be different for all of us because we like a lot of different things. Off the top of my head, we would debate amongst us if we should work with Alex Turner, Ray Charles, Justin Vernon, Tom Waits or we could form a super group! 

Alex Turner - Hiding Tonight via YouTube

So, there you have it folks. Keep your eyes on the usual resources to catch Of Monsters and Men at SXSW, they're going to be a hot ticket so don't show up 5 minutes before their set and expect to waltz in the venue without worries. In other words, PLAN AHEAD!

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SXSW 2012 Preview: Princeton

Los Angeles-based indie-pop band Princeton make music, which is nothing short of adorable. Their sound is twee, precious and clever with simple, catchy melodies that you'll be humming days after hearing. Their debut LP was released in 2009 and they toured extensively to support it with other, higher-profile indie-pop acts like Vampire Weekend and Ra Ra Riot.

This year's trip to SXSW is to support their sophomore album, Rememberance of Things to Come, which will be released on February 21st. Since their first album was released, Princeton have released a series of singles including To the Alps/The Electrician, and Florida. The song The Electrician features another Bloggy-favorite artist Active Child. You can listen to all of these singles now on Spotify and find lots of other songs and remixes on Soundcloud. Also, if you pre-order the upcoming LP from Princeton on vinyl you'll receive the 7" for To the Alps as part of your order and of course the digital download codes will also be included. It costs $20 in total to order these things and have them shipped to Austin.


Princeton - To the Alps video via YouTube

At SXSW, I'd expect to find Princeton at showcases hosted by Solid Gold and/or Hit City U.S.A.. I'm not sure if one or both of these entities will be hosting official showcases but I would expect at least one them is. Since Princeton is based in L.A. you might also find them at some day-parties hosted by other Los Angeleans. Keep an eye on the official SXSW music page for official listings and Show List Austin or Do512 for all unofficial festivities.




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SXSW 2012 Preview: Ava Luna

I had the chance to see, Brooklyn-based, Ava Luna perform on the Mohawk's inside stage about a week ago and they instantly because a band I wanted to highlight for SXSW 2012. Like most contemporary bands, their sound doesn't fit neatly into any one genre but you can hear influences of R&B, soul, indie-pop and some avant/experimental tendencies as well. They perform as a 6-piece, with 3 people doing vocal parts, often with crisp, clear harmonies reminiscent of The Dirty Projectors. One of the things I was most struck by at the Mohawk was how the band doesn't hide their vocals, there were no crazy effects on the mics and they weren't buried in the mix. Most of the songs are sexy, with driving beats, great bass-lines and sensuous vocal parts. The lyrics can be quirky but I think it really works for their sound and shows off the band's personality. They have a series of singles and EPs out right now but still no full length LP.


Ava Luna - Clips video via YouTube

As I mentioned yesterday, the problem with starting these preview posts so early is it makes it difficult to tell you when and where to check out the bands I'm highlighting. So, I'm leaving it up to you to check the official SXSW site as well as, Show List Austin, and/or Do512. In the meantime, you can check out Ava Luna on Spotify, or if you're not down with Spotify I've embedded several of their songs, including their latest single Wrening Day, from Bandcamp.









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SXSW 2012 Preview: Hospitality

I know there are several weeks to go but with the volume of bands playing SXSW, I'm starting my highlights now. The first band I want you to keep an eye on for SXSW 2012 is Hospitality. This Brooklyn-based, indie-pop trio released their debut LP on Merge Records last week but you can also listen to it on Spotify. It features almost child-like female vocals that I find really endearing with pleasant melodies and a jangliness that I always adore. The album, as a whole, is roughly 30 minutes of pop perfection. An excellent soundtrack to a lazy afternoon in the sun or a pleasant Mimosa morning. I expect the live experience to be a guitar-fueled sugar-rush and I can't wait.


Hospitality - Friends of Friends video via YouTube

The problem with doing these preview posts so early is, as of the moment I'm writing this the official schedule isn't out yet. Also, most of the parties have not been announced so I can't really tell you when and where to catch Hospitality at SXSW 2012. I can tell you that typically the Merge Records showcase happens at the Parish on Thursday or Friday night so, keep an eye out for that. For the possibility of catching Hospitality at an unofficial event just scour Show List Austin, Do512 or SXShhh.

In the meantime, you should pick up Hospitality's debut or at least give it a few spins on Spotify. Mr. S. and I listened to it so much during its preview on Spotify that when it came out we just picked it up on vinyl. If that's your preferred method, and you're in Austin don't forget End of an Ear gives 10% off if you have a Go Local card.



For the record, the above track is from Hospitality's debut EP, not the self-titled LP.

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