January 5, 2009 – 5:21 pm | Written by Robert Duffy
We’ve split the list up into two categories: CONFIRMED BY SXSW and NOT CONFIRMED BY SXSW. There is no middle ground.
The unconfirmed list is a mixture of band’s Myspace accounts (a large majority), news articles, e-mails and other shadow sources. Sometimes bands list SXSW but what they really mean is they’re playing Austin while SXSW is taking place. (Keep reading, the list is long as hell) (more…)
December 30, 2008 – 12:47 pm | Written by Robert Duffy
Also known as my birthday.
Come volunteer for SXSW 2009 and earn perks like wristbands, film passes, and even badges. We have tons of different crews and shifts available to fit your desires and skills.
It’s only a matter of time before we start hearing about day parties. And, be on the lookout during the second half of January for Donewaiting’s pre-coverage of SXSW 2009 to kick into full steam. Without giving too much away, we’ll be taking things to a new level in ‘09 and beyond.
December 9, 2008 – 9:46 pm | Written by Chip Midnight
I caught this Australia band on my one and only trip to L.A. a little over 3 years ago and they were phenomenal. Youth Group just inked a deal with U.S. label World’s Fair Label Group and have announced that they’ve been invited to perform at SXSW 2009 in March.
A short snippet I filmed at the Spaceland in L.A. in 2005.
August 1, 2008 – 7:16 pm | Written by Robert Duffy
Oh god, do we have to think about this already?! This excites and scares me at once.
Anyway, SXSW has launched the 2009 website. Registration is open for people wanting to attend the festival and applications are being accepted for bands. Click here for complete details.
Every year I come to SXSW hoping to find that one band that represents everything I love about both the festival and music in general. It’s a lofty goal, but I believe! The first year I came to SXSW I found that in the form of The Decemberists. This year it was Florence and the Machine.
I think I learned about her though an article in NYLON, I’m not sure. Anyway, I got to her BBC showcase early to get up front and what transpired over the next 40 minutes was the best time I had all week. Florence had a guitar player with her and she played the drums during one song, but mostly just sang and had one single drum on her side that she would occasionally hit. She had a great sense of humor to the whole event and a voice that would make even Darlene Love proud.
She ran through a set of covers (Cold War Kids, Beirut) and originals that really showcased her vocal range. And oh her lyrics! Whether it was singing about a woman whose eye she had to cut out (see mp3 above), or a bird she had to kill to stop talking, each song was just a delight to hear.
During the show she had mentioned that she was getting a bit hot and she said she was going to jump into the indoor fountain before her set was over. Of course everyone thought this was a joke, but she actually dove off the stage, grabbed a friend, and went into the water! Drenched, she came back to the microphone and finished her song. I’ll never forget this set. And thanks to Youtube, you can see this watery moment yourself:
According to the BBC, her first release was limited to 500 tapes and she’s currently working on a full length album. I am hoping she makes it out to the US for a tour, or at the very least for SXSW again so we can book her at our next donewaiting.com day show!
So many musicians just run through the motions when they’re onstage, it’s a joy to see someone actually putting on a show for the audience.
Here’s another song she performed at the event: (more…)
The last day started with a great breakfast at Progress Coffee with some friends. If I would have discovered this place earlier, I probably would have went every morning. So good, Austin, so good.
As mentioned on the Wumme, we started Saturday off at The Fader Fort with Dri, not D.R.I. as we thought it was gonna be. Oopst. Rookie mistake! Ah well. They were okay I guess but not memorable.
It was time to see Lykke Li. It was my first time seeing them, but for some it was their fifth time in 3 days. And I could understand why - her music and stage presence is infectious. I’m thinking that her career is going to get a big boost thanks to SXSW.
Left Fader for Filter where I caught the second half of Devotchka’s set. It seems every time I go to SXSW I never can see their entire performance. Ah well, what I saw was great as always. Up next was Grand Archives, a band that I didn’t know anything about but totally blew me away. They sort of reminded me a Wilco meets Beulah combination, and I hope to see them live again soon. I need to start looking into their recorded output…
After Grand Archives it was time for Seawolf, another band I really like, but I was starting to get a little loopy. It was time to head to the hotel and relax a little before the evening shows.
The evening began with my UK cousin Duffy at Stubb’s. I had been listening to her album for awhile now and was hoping that she would be able to pull it off live. And.. she did! I know people are going to want to peg her as the new Amy Winehouse, but I think there’s a lot more going on than just that.
It was time to go to the Barsuk showcase. Caught Jim Noir’s excellent set. I’d previously not paid much attention to Jim but I need to change that. Then it was time for Nada Surf, but unfortunately the sound at the rooftop of Maggie Mae’s was so terrible (not the band’s fault) that I left early.
My entire SXSW journey ended with Matt and Kim (mp3). Like I’ve siad when I’ve written about them in the past, it’s hard not to smile during the band’s entire set. A perfect way to end another great year at SXSW. Thanks, Austin, see you soon.
This is coming in late, and if you check more than one music website on the internet, you’re probably sick of this SXSW talk. But we’ve promised to end our coverage in 24 hours, so be patient and be understanding, and maybe download an mp3 or two.
Friday for me started out at the Filter party to see Shout Out Louds. This was the third time I’ve seen them, and probably the best performance of them all. Band is just amazing live, and the textures of their album really carry out during their performances. This is a band that I can never get sick of.
Then it was time for Los Campesinos!, a band that I was really looking forward to seeing at the festival. To be honest, until I saw this post on Brooklyn Vegan, I thought the band was some Mexican alt-rock band. Couldn’t be farther from the truth. Imagine the “Legal Man” side of Belle and Sebastian with a whole lot more pop and you’re almost in the ballpark. Two of the dudes played with their shirts off and I am pretty sure they had sun poisoning by the time their set was over. All for the love of rock… hope they come to Ohio..
Those were the only bands I saw in the afternoon. After that I was on the radio with Andyman for CD 101 in Columbus OH talking about SXSW. Slaybaugh came along, and I grabbed Adam Smith from CDR to join in on the adventure, too.
Evening started at the Big Shout Touring evening showcase with Ravens and Chimes (mp3). I described them as Arcade Fire meets Polyvinyl Records, if that means anything to anyone. I enjoyed their set, wish they sold their record at the show.
After them was The Builders and the Butchers (mp3). This was a band that I easily fell in love with, sounding like the music Devotchka might make if they lived in the Americana genre. I’ve been told that Chris Funk from the Decemberists has produced their new album, so I’m expecting big things from these guys.
From there I went to the WFMU show to see Carla Bozulich’s new band, Evangelista (mp3). Some sound problems early on seemed to upset Carla, but once the band got into a good groove it was a great blend of noise and melody. I need to pick up the album to hear what the band sounds like recorded.
I ended the night with two legends: J Mascis and Thurston Moore. A nice ending to another great day at SXSW.
