Wednesday, March 6, 2013

SXSW 2013 Preview: High Highs



New York band, High Highs is certainly deserving of all of the "Band to Watch" attention they've been receiving. With beautiful, delicate songs that start as meditations and then evolve into big, grand tunes it's easy to compare them to bands like Local Natives or The National. This is music you listen to with the windows down on a breezy summer night or even better on your turntable with the lights turned low. If you're doing SXSW the free route, I don't think you're going to appreciate High Highs as much. I feel like their music will be ruined by drunk people talking over their set and if they get an amateur sound person the whole effect will be ruined. In other words, it could be worth it to buy your way in to their Wednesday night showcase.


High Highs - Flowers Bloom video via YouTube

There are at least three opportunities for you to get swept up into High Highs at SXSW:
  • Wednesday, March 13th - Empire Control Room - 9pm
  • Thursday, March 14th - Homeslice Pizza - 6:15pm
  • Saturday, March 16th - Dirty Dog Bar - 1:00pm

***Previously Featured Artist: Robert Delong***

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Posted by Unknown at 9:05 AM
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Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Nightlands and Efterklang



People of Austin, hear me now! This could be your last chance to attend a show at the Mohawk before it's overrun by people who are drinking Lone Star because it's quaint! Efterklang have traveled all the way from Denmark to perform for you on the Mohawk's outside stage. Tickets are still available and will only set you back $12. I know this is a tough time of year to head out to a show since you'll be taking time off work and you'll be seeing SO much music next week. However, it's a good chance for you to stretch out your liver and break in some new concert shoes. It's also a good chance to make friends with the bartenders, tip big, become Facebook friends and hopefully they'll remember you and hook it up next week. Don't you wish there was some sort of secret handshake or wink that would let people know you live here year round so they could charge you regular price?


Efterklang - The Living Layer video via YouTube

Tomorrow night's Efterklang show is most definitely a, don't miss the opening act, situation. Playing the support slot right before the Danes is, War on Drugs spin-off project, Nightlands. The Nightlands project is a, somewhat creepy, take on R&B music through an indie-rock filter...sort of. Does that sound confusing? Confusing or not, I love this trend of indie-boys doing their own spin on R&B and I credit Active Child. This show starts early, which means you can expect Nightlands to begin shortly after 8pm.


Nightlands - I Fell In Love With a Feeling video via YouTube
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SXSW 2013 Preview: Robert Delong



I feel like Robert Delong doesn't need my promotional help in the least. He has been signed to Glassnote Records and everything he touches is a motherfucking JAM! If his song, Global Concepts isn't lauded with Best Song of 2013 reviews then there is no justice in this world. At his point he's already been embraced by Satellite and non-commercial radio. After SXSW Delong goes on tour with Two Door Cinema Club then I'd expect a large-club tour followed by the Summer Festival circuit. Robert Delong should reach Phoenix/Passion Pit levels of success by 2014 or I'll eat my hat.


Robert Delong - Global Concepts video via YouTube

I only noticed three sets from Delong listed so far but that is bound to change.\

  • Wednesday, March 13th - Frank - 4:20pm
  • Wednesday, March 13th - Waterloo Records - 6pm
  • Thursday, March 14th - Empire Automotive - 11pm *OFFICIAL*

If you live here in Austin, Delong will be in April when he'll open for Two Door Cinema Club at Stubb's.

*UPDATED LISTINGS FOR RDL*



***Previously Featured Artist: Toy***

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SXSW 2013 Preview: Toy



To be honest, I was hesitant to feature U.K. buzz-band Toy. Not because I don't like their music but because I'm still not sure if their Visa issues have been sorted out. They posted on Facebook that they had to cancel some New York gigs due to Visa issues but they were working on still being able to perform at SXSW. So, at this point I'm not really sure if they will actually be in Austin. If they do show up, we all need to do our best to see them. Their music sounds like what I would imagine would be rock music for the World of Harry Potter. It's somewhat glam, somewhat goth and 100% English. It gives me 70's psychedelic-vibes but it's also a little bit My Bloody Valentine. Are you confused yet? Well, you should be.


Toy - Motoring video via Toy

It's pretty clear that with three *OFFICIAL* SXSW showcases the festival organizers are putting a lot of promotional weight behind Toy. This is a good thing for those of us with official credentials but if you're planning to only attend unofficial events you don't really have a lot of opportunities to see a set from Toy and if they don't get their visa issues in order you might not have another chance for awhile. In other words, keep an eye out and plan hard.

  • Thursday, March 14th - Cedar St. - 9pm *OFFICIAL*
  • Thursday, March 14th - Hotel Vegas - 12:45am *OFFICIAL*
  • Saturday, March 16th - Lustre Pearl - 4pm
  • Saturday, March 16th - Latitude 30 - 10:00pm *OFFICIAL*

***Previously Highlighted Artist:  So Many Wizards




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SXSW 2013 Preview: So Many Wizards



As I have mentioned before, I am a big fan of any and all things dream-pop. Music that makes you want to dance like a Peanuts character is the perfect music for me. This is why when I first heard California band, So Many Wizards, I was sold on them within the first few bars. Like, Lips whom I highlighted earlier today, So Many Wizards are coming into SXSW with very little support. They have received a bit of press from the L.A. music blogs but they still aren't getting nods from the big boys. This means they need people like you and I to talk them up and see their shows. If you enjoy Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Tennis or Atlas Sound then you should be listening to So Many Wizards.


So Many Wizards - Lose Your Mind video via YouTube

This is going to sound rude, which is not my intent but I feel like the name So Many Wizards could be a buzz-preventer. I'll admit when I saw their name on the SXSW list I thought I was going to hate them before I even listened to their music. I was proven quite wrong when I listened to their album though and I'm confident that when people hear them performing they'll want to know more about them. I could only scrounge up two listings for So Many Wizards but that doesn't mean they won't play more, so keep your eyes peeled.

  • Tuesday, March 12th - Valhalla - 1am *OFFICIAL*
  • Wednesday, March 13th - Cheer-Up Charlies

***Previously Featured Artist: Lips***

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Posted by Unknown at 10:27 AM
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SXSW 2013 Preview: Lips



I am incredibly excited to highlight Lips. This is one of my strongest recommendations of this series both because I'm completely in love with the cool, smokey, electro-80's grooves of Lips but also because I feel like this is a highly overlooked artist. Several of the bands I've highlighted so far are coming into SXSW with the backing of big labels, big management groups, and lots of attention from the press. This is not the case with Lips. Hailing from New Zealand, Stephanie Brown aka Lips won't be swinging through Austin many times in the near future and really isn't playing very often while she is here in town. It is for all of these reasons that I strongly implore you to make a point to catch one of her performances during SXSW. Also, if you are promoting SXSW artists as well, feel free to jump on the Lips train I won't hate on you. Recommended if you like, Oh, Land, Lykke Li or Kate Bush


Lips - Everything to Me video via YouTube

It is hard to believe that you only get three shots at seeing Lips during SXSW but these are the times in which we live y'all. So, plan accordingly.
  • Wednesday, March 13th - Brush Square Park - 5:00pm
  • Friday, March 15th - The Velveeta Room - 10:00pm *OFFICIAL*
  • Saturday, March 16th - Free Now! - The Brew Exchange - 12:30pm

***Previously Featured Artist: Dan Croll***

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Posted by Unknown at 9:12 AM
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Monday, March 4, 2013

SXSW 2013 Preview: Dan Croll



Dan Croll is one of those artists that other artists love to hate. Everything he has released thus far has gained attention including one of his first demos, which was highlighted by Q Magazine. Forgetting that he's cute and riding a Tsunami-sized wave of buzz into SXSW 2013, Dan Croll is a legitimately talented songwriter and musician. If you love indie-pop artists like Geographer, Generationals or Yeasayer then be sure to catch a performance from Dan Croll. Also, he's from the U.K. so you might not get another chance in the near-future.


Dan Croll - From Nowhere video via YouTube

There aren't a ton of listings for Dan Croll during SXSW but there are a few chances to catch one of his sets. I should note that, I know that the Friday event, at least, is a private event so be sure to check all details before planning to show up at any of these places.
  • Wednesday, March 13th - Cheer Up Charlies
  • Wednesday, March 13th - Windish Showcase - Red 7 - 9pm *OFFICIAL*
  • Friday, March 15th - Asos Party - Cedar Door
  • Saturday, March 16th - British Music Embassy - Latitude 30

***Previously Featured Artist: The Crookes***

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SXSW 2013 Preview: The Crookes



The Crookes are one of those bands that I fully expect to breakout every year and then year after year they get overlooked. Well, I'm putting their hat in the ring again for U.S. success this year. Their music is incredibly accessible, radio-ready rock but that doesn't equate automatic success. In the U.K., The Crookes would be considered mainstream rock but in the U.S. I'd expect to hear them played on an Adult-Contemporary station like KGSR. If you are, or wherever, a fan of Oasis, Of Monsters and Men or Snow Patrol you're going to be a fan of The Crookes.


The Crookes - American Girls video via YouTube

There only seems to be one unofficial chance for you to see The Crookes at SXSW. However, I find it hard to believe that this band would fly all the way from England to Austin and only play three sets while they're here. Keep your eyes peeled for more chances to see them but here's a few to get you started.

  • Wednesday, March 13th - Volumen/ACHE Producciones - The North Door - 9pm *OFFICIAL
  • Friday, March 15th - Music for Listeners - Flat Top Burger Shop - 2pm
  • Friday, March 15th - Latitude 30 - 11pm *OFFICIAL*

***Previously Featured Artist: Ex-Cops***

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SXSW 2013 Preview: Ex Cops



Ex Cops make shoe-gaze through a pop filter. Their songs sound simultaneously precious and rollicking. Rolling elements of 90's college-rock, brit-pop and surf music into a shiny blend of power-pop bliss. Their debut LP, True Hallucinations is the first album released by New York City record shop, Other Music. It's basically like part of the plot for High Fidelity has become realized. If you're a fan of The Joy Formidable, Teenage Fanclub or The Feelies you might enjoy Ex-Cops.


Ex Cops - Separator video via YouTube

I could only hunt down three scheduled sets for Ex-Cops but I suspect there might be more than what I've listed below. If you live in Austin, I'd expect that you'll have a couple of more chances to catch this band in town within the next few months. However, we all know if you don't catch the band at SXSW you forfeit all bragging rights for the rest of the year. Also, if you're traveling to Austin from Idaho or something, this could be your only chance!
  • Wednesday, March 13th - Cosigns II - Parish - 3pm
  • Wednesday, March 13th - High Road Touring Showcase - Parish *OFFICIAL*
  • Thursday, March 14th - Volstead Showcase - Hotel Vegas *OFFICIAL*

***Previously Featured Artist: Flume***

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SXSW 2013 Preview: Flume



Hailing from Sydney, Australia Flume is the stage-name of Harley Streten. He is playing all over Austin during SXSW and wherever he is you can expect to see asses a shakin'. After playing 8 showcases at CMJ, Flume is poised to become one of the big names in the indie-electronic community. It wouldn't surprise me to hear his production work hit U.S. radio within the next year as his work starts to be commissioned by bigger-name pop stars. In a day-and-age where an artist like Calvin Harris can finally break-thru it seems like this could be Harley Streten's moment. If you're a fan of Chet Faker or Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs I'm sure that you'll enjoy Flume.


Flume - Stay Close video via YouTube

As I mentioned, you'll have many opportunities to catch a set from Flume during SXSW 2013. I've listed some of them below but as usual, it's possible that these listings will change so keep an eye out.


  • Wednesday, March 13 - Windish Showcase - Red 7
  • Wednesday, March 13 - Spotify Party - Spotify House
  • Thursday, March 14 - I Guess I'm Floating - Hype Hotel
  • Thursday Mar 14 - Austin - Transgressive Showcase - Latitude 30
  • Thursday Mar 14 - Austin - And/Hidden/Kobalt - The Blackheart
  • Friday Mar 15 - Austin - Laneway Party - Red 7
  • Friday Mar 15 - Austin - Future Classic x Bond - Electric Lounge
  • Saturday March 16 - Austin - Aussie BBQ - Maggie Mae's
***Previously Highlighted Artist: Hey Ocean!***

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Posted by Unknown at 10:31 AM
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