SXSW 2010 Preview: Avi Buffalo

The moment I heard Avi Buffalo's song What's In It For? I knew I had to see them at SXSW. Whenever a casual music-listener asks me what kind of music I listen to, I tell them I'm looking for anything that sounds instantly classic. Avi Buffalo sounds classic the moment the needle hits the record. They hail from Los Angeles, but they sound like they enjoy Nuggets-era, psychedelia mixed with their L.A. canyon-folk. There full-length LP, due out in April, is already garnering lots of critical buzz as well as endorsements from fellow musicians. Did I mention they were all born in the 90's? *Blech* I'm getting so old! Maybe they'll give me an exclusive if I buy them some beer?

I used to enjoy "deep-linking" free Mp3's from Sub Pop but that's poor blogging-etiquette so now I'll just point you to where you can get this free Mp3, courtesy of Sub-Pop, thanks.


Avi Buffalo - What's In It For (Solo Performance) video via YouTube

Find out when and where you might see Avi Buffalo whilst at SXSW (Mere days away y'all) after the jump.

You'll have several chances to catch Avi Buffalo while they're here in Austin but they're also touring with Rogue Wave right now, so catch 'em wherever you are, if you wish.

This show info is courtesy of those tireless readers of promotional materials over at Do512. Thanks for reading all those e-mails from press agents and combing through all of those party listings so I don't have to. <3 Bloggy.

Thu 03/18 @ the Mohawk *Free Day Show*
Thu 03/18 @ the Galaxy Room *Official Showcase*
Fri 03/19 @ the Galaxy Room *Free Day Show*
Fri 03/19 @ Mess With Texas 4 *Free*
Sat 03/20 @ Red Eyed Fly *Free Day Show*
Sat 03/20 @ Klub Krucial *Free Day Show


Avi Buffalo - Remember Last Time video via YouTube

Also, if you'd like to hear more from Avi Buffalo they recorded a session with Daytrotter and look for a WOXY session after SXSW.

Read more!

SXSW 2010 Preview: Sleigh Bells

Twitter has already been a flurry about Sleigh Bells coming to SXSW and now I have a _____ Bells theme going. Like Broken Bells, Sleigh Bells is a duo but that's pretty much where the similarities end. Well, I suppose both bands are American and they probably enjoy lots of the same things but I digress. Sleigh Bells makes in your face dance music out of over the top noise matched up with basic dance-floor boom-bap. It makes me feel woozy, disoriented, excited and entranced, all the while dancing I might add. This is the soundtrack for the modern disaffected youth of the world.


Sleigh Bells - A/B Machines video via YouTube

While I was listening to the above track, I was reminded to remind YOU to protect your ears at SXSW. You obviously love music, you'll want to hear it when you're older too. On that note, find out where you, and your protected ears, can experience Sleigh Bells in person, after the break.


Once again the Cyrano to my Christian for this scheduling information comes from Do512, merci. With a little padding from the bands MySpace, linked above the break.

Wed 03/17 @ the Parish *Free Day Show*
Wed 03/17 @ Malverde *Free Night Show*
Thu 03/18 @ Mexican American Cultural Center *Free Day Show*
Sat 03/20 @ the Scoot Inn *Official Showcase*

That Wednesday show at the Parish is the one Do512 was missing, that's the NPR showcase, which is usually stellar. No need to worry if you don't get into the small space though, they record and broadcast/podcast etc. Also, some of the above mentioned free parties require RSVP so click the Do512 link if you need that sort of info. The party at the Mexican American Cultural Center is going to be absolutely bonkers!


Sleigh Bells - Infinite Guitars video via YouTube

Read more!

SXSW 2010 Preview: Broken Bells

For me, SXSW is supposed to be about discovering new artists on the rise. However, I'm also not opposed to discovering artists I'm familiar with in new configurations of artistry. You already know the Shins and you should be aware of DJ Danger Mouse well as you've probably heard by now these two forces have collided, sort of. It's actually James Mercer of the Shins, not the entire band, although at this point the Shins are basically a concept. Mercer fired two founding Shins awhile back and now one of them is the proprietor of a food-cart in Portland, OR. The Broken Bells album came out yesterday in the U.S., Monday internationally and the duo have already performed their first gig. I'm curious to see if they will play simply as a duo or if they will have a full band. I'm thinking they'll probably have a full band, we'll see very soon.


Broken Bells - The High Road video via YouTube


I don't know about you, but the first time I heard the High Road I was overwhelmed with how much I missed hearing James Mercer's voice. I spent a lot of time with the album Chutes Too Narrow back in the early 00's. I felt the same way when I saw Jason Lytle of Grandaddy last year. He started singing and I just felt like I was 19 again listening to the Sophtware Slump. But I digress. Normally, I would post another video from the Broken Bells but methinks it best not to eff with Sony on this one. Chances are they've got the Web Sheriff harassing people about Broken Bells already.

Here's the spots where you can try to catch Broken Bells during SXSW. Per usual, I'm relying on the diligence of Do512 for the information I've hastily copied below.

Wed 03/17 @ Stubb's *Official Showcase*
Fri 03/19 @ Lustre Pearl *Free w/RSVP*
Sat 03/20 @ the Mohawk *Free, Badges are >*

In lieu of posting another Broken Bells song I wanted to loop this whole thing around. You may recall that Danger Mouse was working on a project with Sparklehorse for David Lynch called Dark Night of the Soul. Well, this track is how James Mercer and Danger Mouse first came to work together. It should also be noted that in very tragic news, this past weekend, Mark Linkous aka Sparklehorse passed away unexpectedly. Let his music live on and I submit this pseudo-video in actual-tribute to his legacy.


Dark Night of the Soul - Insane Lullaby video via YouTube

Read more!

SXSW 2010 Preview: Casiokids

I feel like all I need to tell you about Casiokids is that they are a super-fun Norwegian band. Are you sold yet? No? Well, they have also been opening for Hot Chip on their current European tour and don't tell Hot Chip but there are critics who are saying the opening act is outshining the headliner. Apparently they also have a song on the FIFA video game or something but I don't play video games and if I did they wouldn't be soccer-related. We certainly won't hold that against them though, I just want to dance y'all and maybe have some free alcohol. Oh, SXSW, you so crazy!

Speaking of crazy, one of the things Casiokids are known for are their shadow-puppets. Seriously, that's a documented fact that I'm not making up. I wonder how that's gonna work out at these outdoor day parties? I'm looking forward to finding out.


Casiokids - Fot i Hose video via YouTube

Here's what Casiokids' label Moshi Moshi has posted for them during SXSW this year:

Wed 03/17 @ Creekside Lounge *Free*
Wed 03/17 @ Epoch Coffee(?) *Free*
Thu 03/18 Official Showcase, not sure where.
Thu 03/18 @ Cedar Street *Free*
Fri 03/19 Lose control party @ TBA
Sat 03/20 Polyvinyl showcase @ Galaxy rooms *Official*

The party info above I've culled from the band's label but as you may have noticed some of the information seems to have holes in it. You can always see what my brethren of the blog over at Do512 have for info as well.


Casiokids - Grønt Lys i Alle Ledd video via YouTube

Read more!

SXSW 2010 Preview: Freelance Whales

I don't care what Rolling Stone thinks, I'm a big fan of the upcoming Freelance Whales album. The official release date for Weathervanes has been pushed back to April but the Whales have already been tapped to play the always-stellar Levi's Fader Fort party at SXSW this year. So, chances are they've got a big bright future once that record hits stores. They've already been featured on Stereogum and their impromptu performances at various locales through NYC has already garnered them much praise/buzz. I'm looking forward to the energy of their live performance. I'm expecting something along the lines of an Arcade Fire show although those are pretty high expectations but that would be nice wouldn't it?


Freelance Whales - Generator ^ Second Floor video via YouTube

Find out when and where you may or may not catch the Freelance Whales at SXSW after the break.

All of the shows I'm listing here I have culled from the Internet Jedis over at Do512. Also, it should be noted that I haven't listed the aforementioned Levis Fader Fort because at the time of my writing this the line-up hasn't been released.

Wed 03/17 @ Galaxy Room (Formerly Radio Room/Bourbon Rocks) *Free Day-Party*
Thu 03/18 @ Yard Dog Gallery *Free Day-Party*
Fri 03/19 @ Galaxy Room *Official SXSW Showcase*
Sat 03/20 @ Red Eyed Fly *Free Day-Party*
Sat 03/20 @ the Mohawk *Free Day-Party*

I should mention that a lot of the above-mentioned "free shows" are free with RSVP you can find on the links on that Do512 page linked above. That's way too much coding for Bloggy. I'm what's known as a "lazy blogger", now watch this video.


Freelance Whales - Generator ^ First Floor video via YouTube

Read more!