SXSW 2013 Preview: Palma Violets

Thank God for bands like Palma Violets y'all! While radio, the Grammys and my Mom are all being wooed by the sounds of Nouveau-Hillbilly bands like Mumford & Sons there are still bratty kids who just want to fucking rock. Palma Violets are one such band. Their debut record isn't out in the states yet but if the single is any indication this is a band that we're going to be hearing a lot from in the near future. With elements of Elvis Costello doing surf-rock, this group of under 21's is bound to impress at SXSW 2013.


Palma Violets - Last of the Summer Wine video via YouTube

You can catch Palma Violets at the following SXSW-related events:

• Wednesday, March 13th - Mellow Johnny's Bike Shop for KEXP (Unofficial)
• Thursday, March 14th - Mohawk Inside - 5:00pm (Unofficial)
• Thursday, March 15th - Red 7 - 3:00pm (Unofficial)
• Friday, March 15th - Club De Ville - 1:00am (Official)

If you're going to Coachella after SXSW, first of all I don't envy you. Secondly, you can see Palma Violets there as well. Per usual these posts are intended to highlight artists, not to plan your time for you. Lots of the unofficial events require an RSVP and it's possible Palma Violets will or won't be playing events other than what I've listed above.

***Previously Highlighted artist: Gold & Youth***

SXSW 2013 Preview: Gold & Youth

Photo Credit:Michelle Ford

I almost didn't feature Canadian band, Gold & Youth amongst my highlights. Not because I don't feel they are a great band but because they already have so much buzz I was worried that it would seem like I am just jumping on the bandwagon. Then, I listened to the singles they've released thus far and I just couldn't resist. Their debut album, Beyond Wilderness, is due out via Arts and Crafts records within the next few weeks. In the meantime, there are two songs that are readily available via your favorite streaming service.

Their sound is dark, brooding, synthesizer-indie. If you're a fan of Polica, Depeche Mode, The XX or Interpol this could be the band for you. Gold & Youth create the sort of music that is great for licensing deals so, pay attention music supervisors!


Gold & Youth - Time to Kill video via YouTube

You only have a few opportunities to catch Gold & Youth during SXSW 2013 so plan accordingly.

• Wednesday, March 13th - SIX Lounge Presented by Sony (Unofficial Event)
• Thursday, March 14th - The Parish Underground (Official)
• Friday, March 15th - Maggie Mae's (Official)

I always like to add the disclaimer that it's possible this band is playing at other times and other locations. My goal with this highlight posts is to draw your attention to specific artists, after that you're (somewhat) on your own with figuring out when and where is the best time to catch them.

***Previously highlighted SXSW 2013 artist: Suburban Living***

SXSW 2013 Preview: Suburban Living

I am a complete and total sucker for any and all things Dream Pop. I know, I know that's a pretty vague term but I just can't resist something that makes me want to sway and bop around on the balls of my feet. Virginia-based band, Suburban Living makes me want to sway around until I get tired and then I want to lie in a field, with sunglasses on as I watch the clouds drift by. If you're a fan of The Cure, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Real Estate, Wild Nothing or DIIV, chances are you're going to like Suburban Living.


Suburban Living - I Don't Fit In video via YouTube

As you can see from this poste, you have several opportunities to catch a set from Suburban Living in both official and unofficial capacities. I almost feel like The House Party set would be the most perfect setting for an artist like this but that could also be really difficult to deal with. Really, it's none of my business how you choose to see Suburban Living, I just don't want you to miss out. I'm on your side here.

Matmos in Austin Tonight

So, you know those crazy (like a fox) Bjork records where all of the beats and instruments are sampled sounds from nature? Well, that is the influence and genius of experimental electronic duo, Matmos. They have re-invented the way electronic music is both recorded and performed and the fact that they are playing The North Door tonight is pretty mind-melting. The Marriage of True Minds is the latest release from Matmos and it's also the first full-length from the duo in five years.

I'm going to do something I rarely do, which is to copy and paste a section of the press release for the album explaining the concept behind it because there is no way I could do it justice.

For the past four years the band have been conducting parapsychological experiments based upon the classic Ganzfeld (“total field”) experiment, but with a twist: instead of sending and receiving simple graphic patterns, test subjects were put into a state of sensory deprivation by covering their eyes and listening to white noise on headphones, and then Matmos member Drew Daniel attempted to transmit “the concept of the new Matmos record” directly into their minds. During videotaped psychic experiments conducted at home in Baltimore and at Oxford University, test subjects were asked to describe out loud anything they saw or heard within their minds as Drew attempted transmission. The resulting transcripts became poetic and conceptual scores used by Matmos to generate the nine songs on this album. If a subject hummed something, that became a melody; passing visual images suggested arrangement ideas, instruments, or raw materials for a collage; if a subject described an action, then the band members had to act out that out and make music out of the noises generated in the process of the re-enactment. “The Marriage of True Minds” boasts a promiscuous cast of guest musicians, an array of sonic tactics, and a broad swathe of musical styles, but this diversity is joined together with a common purpose: the translation of this archive of psychic experiments into a delirious hybrid of conceptual noise and electronic pop.

Matmos - ESP (Live at Thrill Jockey 20th Anniversary) video via YouTube

Tickets for tonight's Matmos show are not sold-out and I haven't noticed a lot of buzz for the event. In other words, you could probably make a last-minute decision to check it out and PROBABLY not have much trouble just paying at the door.