SXSW Recommendations 09

Some of the SXSW Noteworthy Bands/Recommendations(with descriptions!) Excluding the always awesome Japanese bands, bands someone will recommend to me while walking through the events, or some of the secret bands who seem to fly in to play like one non showcase thing. No this doesnt have schedules(due to the party list not being up).

Presenting Pt 1. A-L

Airborne Toxic Event-LA indie rockers, that a lot of people seem to like. They are wrong. You can join them if you wish, but quite frankly it’s way cooler over here on the hater side.

Tori Amos- There are no snide comments necessary when the name symbolizes crappy music. I put this on here for Megan. 

Asobi Seksu-shoe gazey new york band with vocals from Tokyo. They did “Thursday”…download that track’s beautiful woozyness and tell me they aren’t worth seeing.

Amanda Blank- She’s a sexy white girl mc associate of Diplo/Hollertronix/M.I.A./Spankrock. Can rap and sing and was really good when we saw her at ze Mad Decent party last year.

The Asteroids Galaxy Tour-I hate ipod ads…hyping poor bands who haven’t even had a chance to grow. Go back to your coldplay hyping-bastards.
Anyway, they are Danish, kinda 60s pop, kinda early Nelly Furtado, the singer is strangely cute like Cassie from Skins. Verdicts out, but they could end up being quite the pop band. 

All The Saints-3rd best band from Atlanta(Deerhunter being 2 of course). That’s really why they are on here, I’m showing some ATL pride. They sound a like yet another moody 80ish band.

Steve Aoki- He’s got a hot sister and a bad ass rolodex. His Djing=so so. It could be a dance party worth attending.

Abe Vigoda- Um Callie, who knows her music, swears by them, so if you don’t dig them blame her. From LA, named after the actor… they sound like a shoegazy Interpol with maybe a dash more rhythm to me.

Au Revoir Simone-Dreamy piano/synth indie pop made by 3 way hot NY hipster girls. Good for all those woozy, lovelorn morning. I shoulda seen them two years ago when they were here. 

Avett Bros. I heard I missed the Avett Bros. in all their Bluegrass madness. I just think I don’t have a gray enough beard. Or a beard of any kind for that matter.

Beach House-You do realize they are the new Mazzy Star right? From Baltimore, more dreamy woozyness. I fucking love Beach House. Victoria Legrand is quite the singer…You should see them. I saw them two years ago at sxsw at urban outfitters of all fucking places. 

Bearsuit-Rambunctious British band from the Los Campesinos and Johnny Foreigner school, should be quite enjoyable. Kinda reminds me of the middle era Blur(you know the good era) as well. I’m eager to see them, actually. 

Big Boi-The underrated other half of Outkast, I’m cool with that.

Andrew Bird-People love him. I don’t get it. Countryish madness.

Martina Topley Bird-former Tricky ingénue/total GENIUS singer. Just did an album with Danger Mouse and Im a huge fan for over a decade. Martina is amazing, need I say more.

Black Lips-Again people like them, I’ve never gotten it. Prob the biggest non-rap Atlanta band, which deserves some props.

The Bronx-LA punks named after a NY borough are back, and weren’t bad in all their noisy fury. Havent heard anything new though.

The Brunettes-Boy/girl dup from Australia that reminds me of the lounge/Phil Spector 60s pop of Broadcast mixed with strangely adorable indie pop. They should be bigger. I will prob have them on my must see list.

Cage the Elephant-Kentucky band huge in England, plays with a strange neurotic ranty lyrical style that’s old school rockin. I’m shocked they have no US momentum at all, but have a UK fanbase already. Worth a look.

Camera Obscura-Plucky Scottish twee honky tonkers have a new album and I will be there and so should you. Seriously a MUST see.

Care Bears on Fire- 10 year olds playing rock tunes. Ok they may be 14, but still. It could be fun, my friend Super J from NY says so. I think she might be right…of course last years teens(Be Your Own Pet) were better.

Choc Quib Town-Columbian hip hop…I’ve heard some, it reminds me of Bonde do Role’s party vibe(no metal samples though). Amy enthusiastically swears by them, so they are on my list.

Cold War Kids-A perfectly fine rock band that people who don’t know about rock and roll like far too much.

Dan le Sac vs Scroobius Pip-It’s some pretty good dance shit, I don’t know very much about them. More friend recommendations again, blame them if you hate it.

Datarock-Jittery Danish new wavers rock out like a gay David Byrne and make you like it.

The Decemberists-They are way famous and they suck. See them if you want, I’m not touching those whiny maggots.

Dead Prez-The White House is the Crack House. Still good MCs, even if they aren’t prolific. 

Descartes A Kant-Harajuku Goth Lolitas by way of Mexico playing avant garde metal. Seriously, thats the only way to describe them. Not great musically, but the spectacle is well worth a peek. I have a feeling Tree might want to swing by and see this band, if only for a song or two.

Devo-You are a mongoloid if you don’t want to see Devo, of course most of us wont be able to, myself included.

Dinosaur Jr.-They are fucking Dinosaur Jr. Don’t really need to say more, ya know.

Duke Spirit-Liela Moss is a hot, soulful singer and the band has gotten way tighter, since I first saw them. They are a great rock and roll band, that’s really all you need to know. Worth seeing for sure(but Ive seen em twice, so I may not go out of my way to see them.)

Echo and The Bunnymen-Last I heard they are still good, they better be doing old songs. But, I’m scared they have a new album.

Efterklang-Folktronica is a term I have read for them…I say they sound like Mum-lite(before/after they let those Elvish voiced twins sing every song) Not that that is a bad thing.

8ball and MJG-Southern underground legends, have done their share of good work over the years. Always good to see them together, I’m not gonna hate.

Freeway-Two words fuck you…pay me… He was on that classic tune with Mos and Kanye, I have no idea if he’s still a good mc or not.

Glasvegas-They are probably on their way to being the biggest rock band in the world. You should probably see them now, before their tixs get all expensive. I’m not saying they are that amazing mind you, but I’d be ok with them taking that U2/Coldplay arena rock band spot in the next few years. Still the album’s not bad.

The Girls-Some Seattle punk band, I’ve heard rumblings about. Can’t say I’ve actually checked out any of their tunes.

Holly Golightly-She’s kind of a 50’s/Link Wray style trobadour, lots of ramblin and rockin guitars.

Sebastian Granger-Former Death From Above 1979 frontman has a solo album out, and I haven’t heard it- but I know it’s not as noisy as that. I’ll give him a shout out, for being in DFA1979.

PJ Harvey/John Parish-You’re not rid of her. I’m seeing PJ if I can. She is a rock legend after all, even when doing new songs with underrated collaborator, Parish.

Health-Noise rockers are 3rd in the hierarchy of LA scene bands for me. Avant guard, noisy, brash, it’s not for everyone. I do like them though. Live show was a little underwhelming.

Hearts Revolution-They are from NY. And sure while they may be Crystal Castles-lite, they’re Crystal Castles with an ice-cream van! Wow that sounded elitist, cuz I actually like them, but still CC-lite, lets not kid ourselves.

Heloise and the Savoir Faire-Tree and Amy vouch for them and the small EP I heard made me want to check them out. Kinda CSS new raveyness with a dash of the Gossip soul and the campyness of Scissor Sisters. Should be a good time.

Holy Hail- New wavey post punk meets a little bit of B-52s. Flashes of greatness with a hot guitarist and Cat, the totally sexy former MC of Fannypack! Book it, I’ll be there. 

Juliette and The New Romantiques-You like actresses who sound like a mini Patti Smith? You like the film Kalifornia? Sure you do. You could do worse I guess. I just figured I’d throw Juliette in, the way I had Zooey Deschanel on last year’s list.

Kid Sister-She’s a sexy mc who has owned the dancefloor with her flow on such recent classics as Southside and Control. Now there just needs to be an album…
Still a personal fav. Totally going to see Kid Sis with her toenails done and her fingernails matchin.

King Khan-Who is King Khan? What motivates such a man? I don’t know but, he does rock out in a fantastic 60s way and is way more cartoony and camp for just one singer to handle. Spectacle and fun times to be had, totally worth checking out.

Ladyhawke-New Zealand 80s revivalist, equal parts Heart, Pat Benatar, and Annie. Prob this years Robyn, could do the business. I do love single Dusk Til Dawn, so I’ll prob be seeing her.

Lady Sovereign-Everybody get Random! Last shot for British MC(now slightly sexier). If she doesn’t kill it she’s done. If she really has the hunger, then it will be great. Otherwise it’ll be ok, and people will forget about her again.

Late Of The Pier-Arguably my fave 08’ band. New rave meets glam rock. It’s unlike anything out there, and when it works it works brilliantly.(Of course sometimes they fail…) Probably number 2 or 3 on my must see bands.

Lenka-Isn’t she just Lykke Li with better PR and crappier songs? Kind of. But, that single of hers isn’t bad.

Lil Jon-Yeeeeaaaaahhhhh!!!! 

Little Boots-England’s version of Glass Candy, but the singer’s waaaaay more Kylie. I just heard the single (Stuck on Repeat)again. Pretty good actually, even though it’s not as good as say…Quicksand by La Roux(who will not be here, sadly)

Matt and Kim-NY partyers make bopping tunes with keys and drums, like a good redbull jolt. Fun if you haven’t seen them before.(I will be passing, catching them three times is more than enough thank you very much.)

 

Meat Puppets-More nostalgia circuit from SXSW(even though we’d all rather have fucking My Bloody Valentine) Austin/Arizona grunge/country rock pioneers put out some classics, I’m glad they are back, but I’m not dying to see them.

 

Mika Miko-Teenage/Twenty somethings are 1st in the LA scene hierarchy with their sloppy punk madness. I love the Clavin sisters and I will not be missing them this year.

 

MSTRKRFT-The other Death from Abover has made a harsh dance band that is reminiscent of Justice. In fact they are the North American Justice, that should be high enough praise.  Totally worth it.

 

N.A.S.A-They have the rolodex of Steve Aoki x 8 (see the most absurd list of guest stars on an album ever) and their album is a pretty solid danceable good time. It’s kind of like a movie with bad ass side players, but shitty leads.(Which quite frankly is still a movie worth seeing sometimes.) Oh the main guy is Spike Jonze’s bro and his sidekick is some skater guy. I’ll probably be seeing them.

 

Nellie Mckay-Is one brassy,hot chick. And she plays a mean piano. Along with some biting/witty songs. Why see Tori Amos when Nellie Mckay is like the good version of a piano songstress? I would have her babies.

 

New York Dolls-Dude they are the NY Dolls, kinda of. It’s basically David Johansen and Sylvain Sylvain doin some of their new stuff, hopefully with some old ones thrown in. I’m down, since I do love the Dolls.

 

No Age-2nd in the LA scene hierarchy. Duo makes a rawkus sound with a little bit of California dreamyness thrown in for good measure. Really good, I saw them last year.

 

Okkervil River-Austin’s country-ish types have won me over. That dude reminds me of Jonathan Richman’s strange vocals(without the unique genius mind you) Might be seeing them.

 

The Pains of Being Pure At Heart-Bad band name-Good 80s c86ish guitar band sound. Not as special as some will tell you, but think Wedding Present/House of Love. Verdicts out, could be better than the hype says and could just own it live, Probably will try and catch them.

 

Paranthetical Girls-Strangish indie band, I can’t really describe. Some of you out there might like them. I’m not really sure, what I think, I’m leaning more toward pretentious bollicks.

 

Katy Perry-Is boobs, boobs and more boobs. Don’t front, you’ve heard THAT song and seen the pinup style. You kinda have to at least mention her, but I’m sure seeing her is your own misery.

 

Peelander Z-Theatrical Japanese madness, that has to be seen to believed. I really can’t say the songs are anything special, but the spectacle=awesome.

 

Peter Bjorn and John-Back from the whistling Swedish wilderness, haven’t heard any new songs, but Bjorn has produced about 5 good albums in the past calendar year. So that alone, deserves props.

 

Perry Ferrell-Wait didn’t he just reform the REAL Jane’s Addiction, if that’s who we’re getting, I’m going. Otherwise, his solo stuff just disappoints.

 Ponytail- Now this fucking band I forgot. Baltimore Noise Rockers have been all the rage and should be quite the torrent of madness.

Primal Scream-Revolution you can dance to so they said in 2000. But, you know what I still love the fucking Scream, the new album is a good return to form.  Scottish/Manc badasses are the ones turned dance clubs into a good rock scene. I’m 100 percent seeing the Scream if I can.

 

Pretty and Nice- Like post punk without the artyness-Boston rockers are enegetic and poppy…not bad.

 

Proclaimers-You would walk 500 miles, but I wont.

 

Pictureplane- Denver dance artist, anchors the fledgling scene there, perfectly good avant garde idm. I might check him out actually.

 

Radio 4-Try to think back to pre 9/11 when Radio 4 post-punked their way through a triumphant mini Clash album celebrating the underground NY rock scene. Flash forward, it’s 09’, and they are back again with yet another album that makes you forget all about how good they were and how good they should’ve been.

 

Razorlight-Didn’t their frontman have sex with Kirsten Dunst? Wow, she will fall for any crappy brit-pop singer, won’t she?

 

Reflection Eternal-It’s Hi-Tek and Talib Kweli. I’m thinking classic underground hip hop at it’s finest.(even if mos doesn’t show up)

 

Rick Ross-Is he still hustlin’? Everyday you say?

 

Riverboat Gamblers-They are loud, from Denton/Austin, and a good spectacle even if the songs get samey in a fast Stooges kind of way after 10 mins.

 

Shiny Toy Guns-Better than they have any right to be. Oklahoma band are still the 80’sish band for people who have no idea who Ladytron are.

 

Silversun Pickups-Who are the real Silversun Pickups? No one really knows. They are from LA, they have a varied sound that reminds me most of early 90s alternative.  Lots of people like them, so it’ll probably be crowded. I’d be interested to see how they pull it off live.

 

Solange-She’s the more talented sister(who woulda thought that Crazy in Love singer would fall off so much) doin her retro-soul turn, and is pretty good at it, thin voice aside.

 

The Sonics-At some point they were the arguably best garage band…that was the 60s. Now they are probably someone’s granddad.  Oh you know it’s true, they could still bust out some classics though.

 

St. Vincent-Adorable Amelie lookalike from Dallas/NY is a pretty good singer/composer. Kinda like a less depressed El Perro Del Mar or even a more talented Beth Orton.

 

Team Robespierre-Callie says to me last year oh you have to see Team Robespierre!!!  What I’ve heard of them reminds me of both the good things and the bad things about Les Savvy Fav. Maybe this year I will catch them?

 

Thao with the Get Down-They are on the rise, growing bigger and bigger. It’s moody indie rock with a country tinge at times…Not as great as Camera Obscura, but still pretty damn good and Thao is quite the singer.

 

 

These Arms Are Snakes-Seattle rockers make a racket that some dig- computer says– meh.

 

3 oh 3!- They are from Boulder! They also sound like MGMT, but only less fucking pretentious and quite a bit crappier.

 

The Thermals-Adorable bassist and good time rock-outs make me happy, so I will indeed try to catch them.

 

Third Eye Blind-Why?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

 

Pete Tong-was an ok DJ at some point, again more reputation than history.

 

Toxic Avenger-Kavinsky/Justice esque French DJ—someone better bust out with some fucking Tektonik. Should be good enough times to check out.

 

Tricky-Trip pop pioneer has had a ho-hum past five or years or so, but people seem to like the new concept album. Here’s hoping for a Martina Topley Bird duet or two.(If that happens…it’s a must. Otherwise it’s a perhaps.)

 

The Urges-Dublin’s preminent gothy 60s garage/surf group. All the typical benchmarks, Stooges, Cramps, Zombies, pretty good rock out for you psychobilly types.

 

Vivian Girls- From NYC They kind of remind me of a power trio version of Electrelane. Which is a very good thing. Dreamy, drony, rockin, angular, I’ll be catching them for sure.

 

Von Bondies- Cmon Cmon!. Their heyday 5 years ago was strong, nowadays not so much. But, I caught em last year and they got it done in their typical boy/girl Detroit rockout style.

 

The Warlocks-LA psych rockers lost the extra drummer, but still play the classics and are STILL better than the Brian Jonestown Massacre.

 

White Denim-Hometown heroes still reign in UK, less so here, but not a bad rock and roll band.

 

White Lies- Kinda remind me of a moodier Franz Ferdinand with more of a mid 80s influence. Not great. Seeing them live will make or break them for me I think.

 

White Shoes and The Couples Company-I totally dig them. They are a Indonesian lounge band in the spirit of Stereolab. I’m eager to see them.

 

Yacht-I saw Yacht last year and let me say he has great beats and has one hell of a spastic stage presence. Im interested to see how the new songs have progressed since a new album didn’t materialize last year, despite moving to a bigger label. Oh the description-Glitchy, adorable spazzy dance music…similar to the work he did with the Blow!

 

Young Love-Austin/NY dance pop artist is the definition of overrated, but is perfectly ok.

~ by icomf on February 25, 2009.