Kristen’s Top 10 Acts to See at SXSW ’13

I’ve listened to over 1600 bands, RSVPed to countless parties, and have a schedule that is twenty some pages long. It’s impossible to see everything you want during SXSW, so in order to help keep me sane, I’ve selected a few bands that I hope to prioritize in the coming week.

 

1. twenty one pilots

This band is my current obsession after seeing them play in LA at The Troubadour. Their unexpected yet compelling songs and insane live energy make them a can’t miss and I intend to see them upon every opportunity.

Where to catch twenty one pilots:

Wednesday at 4pm at Waterloo Records Outdoor Stage (600 N Lamar)…playing with the also buzz-worthy Tegan & Sara and Macklemore & Ryan so be sure to get there early

Wednesday at 5:30 at The Warner Sound Party at The Belmont (305 W 6th St)

At some point in the week at The Spotify House click here for more information and to RSVP for this pop up show: http://spotifyhouse.splashthat.com/

 

2. BOY

Boy’s album “Mutual Friends” is my favorite album to come out this year so far.  After seeing them live at The Troubadour last week, they have firmly cemented themselves as one of my top picks for SXSW.

Where to catch BOY:

Wednesday 3pm at The Radio Day Stage at The Austin Convention Center

Wednesday 12:30am at The Central Presbyterian Church (200 E 8th St)

Friday 12am at Hickory Street (800 Congress Ave)

Saturday 1:30 at Never Clock Out Day Party at Peckerheads (402 E 6th St)

 

3. Leogun

If you’ve been reading any LMN lately, you know I’m in love with this band from the UK. And one day I will see them play “Drunk Enough” live…

Where to catch Leogun:

Thursday 10pm at StubHub Live Showcase at Old School (401 E 6th St)

Saturday 10:45 at VEVO TV Control Room (304 W 4th ST)

 

4. Frank Turner

I had to miss Frank Turner at The Roxy last week due to illness…sigh. I will not make that mistake again at SXSW. Frank is an amazing performer and has a new album coming out in April which means new songs!!

Here’s the video for the first single off the forthcoming album, Tape Deck Heart:

Where to catch Frank Turner:

http://frank-turner.com/blog/2013/03/south-by-south-madness/

 

5. Bastille

Bastille’s “Flaws” made one of my end of year mixes two years ago and the guy has yet to play a city that I can get to. Sure, he’s from the UK, but still…I’ve been waiting far too long to miss out on a Bastille show.

What to catch Bastille:

Tuesday 1am at The British Embassy/Latitude 30 (512 San Jacinto)

Wednesday 10pm at Club DeVille (900 Red River Rd)

Thursday 1pm at The Filter at Cedar Street Courtyard Party (208 W 4th)

 

6. Young Guns – of all the bands I listened to, Young Guns was probably my favorite of those I’d never heard before
See them Thursday 3:30 at The Wind Up Records Party at Empire Control Room (606 E 7th St)

7. Sir Sly – after finally getting a sense of who these guys are last month at their Echo residency, I’m just craving more
See them Thursday 1pm at The Hype Hotel (301 Brazos St)

8. The Milk Carton Kids – hands down one of my favorite live performances come from this acoustic duo
See them Saturday 10pm at The Central Presbyterian Church (200 E 8th St)

9. Andrew McMahon – because Something Corporate will always hold a very special place in my heart
See him Friday 3:05 at Quantum Collective’s Whole Foods Rooftop Showcase (525 N Lamar)

10. Lions In The Street  – I’ve been wanting to see this Vancouver band for more years than I care to admit…SXSW’13 will mark the first time we’ve been in the same city at the same time!
See them Saturday 1am at BD Riley’s (204 E 6th St)

 

I could go on…but follow LMN on twitter (@_localmusicnat) to see what we’re up to all week and stay tuned here for nightly recaps of our adventures!

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s 2012 Mix – Track 9 – Leogun

I spend all year going to shows and collecting songs and pictures and stories. I’ve spent the last month or so compiling some of my top musical memories into a music mix with accompanying booklet (my favorite little crafting project). So, here I share with you my top tracks of 2012.

Enjoy!!

Leogun

Leogun was a facebook recommendation from Biffy Clyro’s Simon Neil. I listened (of course) and immediately like the band. I was more than a little excited when a mere week after I first heard them, this UK band booked a show in LA at The Satellite. Their live performance only further cemented my love.

~ Kristen

New Band Alert: Leogun

 

Leogun stormed into my life Wednesday night when they played an electrifying set at The Satellite. I don’t think this band has been around for too long (they joined facebook in April of 2012), but I’m sure it won’t take too long for their popularity to grow. They are the kind of band that demands notice. For a quick summary, their fb page gives two definitions for the term “Leogun”. The first is “a three-piece band from London, surging with a mix of blues, soul and a whole lotta rock & roll. With “bite your head off” choruses and a hunger to groove, LEOGUN mixes the musicality and heart bleeding emotion of The Racounteurs with all the sexual prowess and break-neck attitude of Queens of The Stone Age.” The second definition is “believed to be a were-lion, LEOGUN was a half man, half lion.” I think that sums up my experience of the band quite nicely.

Their debut self-titled EP comes out next week (10/16). Here are my quick thoughts on each song:

“Let’s Be Friends” – their first single, a great introduction to their rockin’ style with stand-out guitar licks, soaring yet gritty vocals, and brazen attitude all wrapped in a catchy tune.

“End of The World” – sung with abandon, it will seduce you

“You’d Better Love Me”- a blistering rock song that rightly demands the attentions of its listeners

“Everyday” – a slower-building jam that showcases the groovier side of the band but will have your head banging by the end

 

Here’s the band’s first official video:

 

Other important info to get you connected to the band:

Website: http://leogunband.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LeogunBand

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeogunBand

They are currently touring around the US. Be sure to catch them if they near a city by you!

 

DATE CITY VENUE INFORMATION
10/10/12 Los Angeles, CA The Satellite More Info
10/14/12 Phoenix, AZ Hard Rock Cafe More Info
10/17/12 Philadelphia, PA North Star Bar More Info
10/18/12 Easton, MD Nightcat More Info
10/19/2012 New York City, NY Fat Baby – CMJ Convention More Info
10/23/2012 Somerville, MA Johnny D’s Restaurant & Music Club More Info
10/31/2012 – 11/04/2012 Miami to Great Stirrup Cay Kiss Kruise II More Info
11/07/2012 Chicago, IL The Ace Bar More Info
11/08/2012 Madison , WI The Rigby More Info
11/09/2012 Minneapolis, MN 7th Street Entry More Info
11/11/2012 Saint Louis, MO Heartbreakers Rock-N-Roll Saloon More Info
11/12/2012 Lee’s Summit, MO Jerry’s Bait Shop More Info
11/14/2012 Denver , CO Hi-Dive More Info
11/16/2012 Colorado Springs, CO Stargazers Theatre More Info
11/20/2012 Boise, ID Neurolux More Info
11/21/2012 Spokane, WA Knitting Factory Concert House More Info

Listen! Learn! Love!

~ Kristen