I’ve been listening to Chicago’s Empires all afternoon. I thought that perhaps seeing them at SXSW would make me crave them less…but the exact opposite has occurred. I hope everyone in Chicago knows how lucky they are to have this band! Their next local date is May 21st at The Beat Kitchen. Don’t miss it!
If you haven’t heard of Empires, just go to their webpage where you can get a link to a free download of their song “Damn Things Over”. While there, check out all their videos…like this one for their first single “Bang.”
Empires is one of the bands that made it to round 2 of Rolling Stone’s choose the cover competition. Go here to vote for Empires and download two additional tracks (for free!!), including my new favorite song “Hard Times.”
I’m still working on my annual SXSW Mix. It’s shaping up to be mostly new artists that I’d never heard of before or that really came to my attention at SXSW this year. As excited as I am about all my new discoveries, it occurred to me that some of my very favorite experiences of the festival aren’t represented. As such, I was inspired to make a separate list of my top 10 sets of SXSW ’11.
It was their first set at SXSW and I was just SOOOO excited that they were there and that I was there and that everything was happening. The venue itself added the additional bonus of watching Lauren masterfully deal with an awkwardly placed banister AND allowed me to watch all the people walking past, stopping, and being drawn to the window by the music…LOVE watching new people fall in love with my favorite bands! It was a SXSW moment for sure.
I saw The Silent Comedy more than any other band at SXSW. Each set they did was slightly different but their final show at Antiquiet’s The Axis of Audio showcase was the most unique, featuring some new tunes as well as other songs not found in their typical setlist. It also helps that the set was dedicated to me (and Amanda and our TSC gang).
Empires was one of the bands I was most looking forward to seeing play. They had grabbed my attention when they played in LA with Biffy Clyro and seeing them in Austin reminded me why I loved them so much. The way the band, especially singer Sean Van Vleet connects to the audience, drawing them in with an intense energy…it was one of those sets in which I became completely lost in the music.
After a solid day of amazing music, it was incredibly difficult for a band to completely knock me off my feet (as many highly anticipated bands failed to do). Yet Dead Sara had me head banging and rocking out with their 1am set Weds night (or I suppose Thursday morning) at Lipstick 24 like no other. I think this was the hardest I rocked out all week…
You know I love The Kin. Their performance at Antone’s was one of the most memorable of the week. I finally got to hear some of their new material, the audience was completely enraptured especially when they got off the stage to come sing a song on the floor, and Isaac managed to “re-create” his didgeridoo using some sort of pipe that could be found out in the street. When they played “Waterbreaks”, I was SO happy to be seeing them play again (it had been awhile…they’re based in NYC), it brought tears to my eyes.
I had NO CLUE that Doll & The Kicks was even going to be at SXSW, let alone be playing at the British Invasion showcase I was attending on Thursday. It was the best surprise of the week! Their new song “Skeleton” is fantastic and must be downloaded now…!
I had never seen AWOLNATION before, but I’d been enjoying their tunes. I liked the band, but what really gets this set on my top 10 list was the intensity of the audience. I love being swept up in that kind of energy…it was insane without me ever feeling physically threatened. The perfect audience. When they played “Sail”, I was taken to another place…and I couldn’t even really see the stage!
Most of the bands on this list are ones I’d seen (or at least known) before SXSW. It’s easier to really get into a set if you know the songs. But Twin Atlantic I had never really heard of before arriving in Austin. I had come across one of their tunes and that was enough to put them on my watch list. By the end of their set at Antone’s, they were my fave new discovery from SXSW.
9. Viva City at The Dart Music International House
Tuesday afternoon, before the music festivities officially began, we gathered to go see Viva City at The Dart Music International House. I saw this UK act several times over the course of my stay in Austin, and each time it was a crazy fun dance party, but this very first set marked the beginning of my SXSW experience and it will never be forgotten.
That whole evening at St. David’s Sanctuary (one of the Hotel Cafe showcases) was quite magical (see story), but I think my favorite set of the bunch was Brian Wright’s. It’s hard to describe why the set moved me so much. I have seen Brian play plenty of times, but something about this place and time and my specific mood really elevated his performance and songs. It was truly a perfect SXSW moment.
So many things were going on in Austin the week of SXSW that it’s impossible to do/see/even know about it all. One thing I was tangentially aware of was Hanson’s efforts to raise money for those in Japan suffering from the tsunami fallout. Apparently the brothers put together a fundraiser in less than 24 hours that brought in over $100,000 worth of donations for the Red Cross. The fundraiser was in the form of a telethon that took place on the last Saturday of SXSW and featured so many wonderful artists coming in and giving exclusive performances that were then streamed live.
Even more exciting, ITunes and Amazon.com are now selling a digital album called SXSW4Japan featuring nearly 50 tracks from the artists that participated. All proceeds are going to the Red Cross.
Some of my favorite artists featured include: Hanson, The Lonely Forest, Cary Brothers, The Boxer Rebellion, Laura Jansen, Alpha Rev, Jenny O, Keaton Simons, Anna Nalick, The Parlotones, Kina Grannis, Michelle Branch, and Rooney…but there are SOOOOOO many more!
I absolutely LOVE that the very first thing you hear when you press play on Jim Bianco’s new album, Loudmouth, is laughter. I have been a fan of Mr. Bianco for a couple years now, seeing him play at The Hotel Cafe, Hotel Carolina, and, most recently, SXSW, and one of the things I love most about his live performance is that it always puts you in a good mood. Not afraid to speak/sing his mind and often delivering the unexpected, this CD succeeds in capturing the essence of a live show and takes the listener on a journey to fun and somewhat unexpected places.
My first thought after l began listening was “I can’t believe these songs haven’t been released already!” Seriously, “Elevator Operator”, an infectious tune about a woman who aspires to be an elevator operator, was the first song I remember hearing Jim Bianco sing a couple of years ago. And the song “Sinners” has long been the anthem I’ve associated with Bianco; that song that calls all the musicians in the room to the stage and gets the crowd on their feet singing along.
I suppose it’s appropriate to open the album with this song that goes, “Heave ho to hell we go. Look out here we come!” Bianco’s voice lends itself well to the more debacherous tune and I’m fairly sure he could make a children’s nursery rhyme into a song that would turn your cheeks pink. But don’t let the theme of the first tune deceive you into thinking the entire album follows this lead.
The rest of the album goes back and forth between upbeat tunes with a devil may care attitude like “Take You Home” and “Shut Up and Kiss Me” and songs showing more emotional vulnerability such as “Talented” and “Ok, I Suppose”. The gruff in Bianco’s unique voice pulls off both ends of the spectrum equally well and with the aid of the musical arrangements (horns versus strings, the piano versus keyboard, acoustic versus electric guitar, an array of percussion), this CD has the ability to take you from headboppin’ smiles to heartbreaking sighs in the matter of minutes.
Let Loudmouth grab your attention with catchier ditties like “Sinners” and “Elevator Operator”, but stick around to see this loudmouth’s softer side. After several listens, the tune that really stays with me is the album ender, “Home”. I’ve always enjoyed this song, but there is something about how it’s arranged on the album that seems to elevate its emotional intensity.
“Home” also brings the album great closure. It’s like that “Sinner” from track one, who has been through all these emotional ups and downs has come to some sort of conclusion about life.
“Amazing grace how sweet the sound. A sinner’s prayer is heard while falling to the ground. I once was lost but now I’ve found. Home.
“There is only one voice whispering in our ear. There is only one place, we’re already here. There is only one word. It’s the word you’re thinking.”
Loudmouth is a seamless transition from Bianco’s 2008 release, Sing. If you are a fan of that album, or enjoy any of Bianco’s brethren on the Hotel Cafe circuit (Cary Brothers, Laura Jansen, Jay Nash, Meiko, Brian Wright, etc.), this album will fit quite nicely in your collection.
And if you’re in Los Angeles TONIGHT (Monday April 4th), Come to Bardot to celebrate the release of Loudmouth. Jim Bianco plays at 10pm!
Couldn’t really tell the difference between the last two days and the five that proceeded it. The world looks the same when all you can see is your computer screen with that darned blinking line, so taunting on the blank white page…ah writer’s block. On top of the fact that I worked through the weekend, I will probably be limiting my concerting schedule once again this week. Life of a grad student…
For those of you with a more sane work schedule, please go out to these events in my stead. Trust me, there’s not a bad one in the bunch!:
Monday: Jim Bianco CD release at Bardot (10pm)…free with RSVP http://www.itsaschoolnight.com/
ALSO: Graham Colton at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)
Tuesday: Jonathan Clark and Satellite at Molly Malone’s (8,9)
ALSO: Run Devil Run at The Viper Room (8:50)
Weds: SO and SO and Armada at The Viper Room (8:50, 9:40)
ALSO: Little Red Radio at The Central in Santa Monica (midnight)
ALSO: Maniac at Crazy Girls (9pm)…yes it’s a strip club…
ALSO: Little Hurricane at Silverlake Lounge (8:30)
ALSO: Pete Yorn at The Wiltern (7pm)
Thursday: Little Red Radio and Queen Caveat at Tommy’s Place/USC (8pm)
ALSO: Satellite at Harvelle’s (8:30)
ALSO: Holly Conlan at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
Friday: The Oak Creek Band at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: The Naked and Famous at The Echoplex (10pm)
Saturday: Parade of Lights at The Vault in Temecula (6:30)…I know it’s a drive…but it’s worth it ALSO: Warner Drive at The Roxy (10pm)
ALSO: The Entrance Band at Bootleg Theater (??)
ALSO: The Naked and Famous at The Echoplex (10pm)
Sunday: Milk Carton Kids at The Hotel Cafe (two performances 7, 9)…it’s seating only so get your tickets ‘cause it WILL sell out
To Keep in Mind:
April 11th: Chris Robinson Brotherhood at The Echoplex
April 15th: Scarlet Grey at The Roxy
April 16th: Matt Wertz and Ben Rector at The Troubadour
April 16th: 10,000 Maniacs at The HOB Sunset
April 20th: Ellie Goulding at The Music Box
April 22nd: Purple Melon at The Roxy
April 25th: Airborne Toxic Event at The Satellite
April 25th: The Head & The Heart at The Troubadour
April 27th: Andy Clockwise at The Troubadour
May 2nd: Xavier Rudd at The El Rey
May 4th: The Pipettes at The Satellite
May 7th: The Silent Comedy at The Roxy
May 9th: KT Tunstall at The El Rey
May 15th: Eisley at The Troubadour
May 27th: The Script at Club Nokia
May 27th-29th: Sasquatch Music Festival (Washington)
June 2nd: Manchester Orchestra at The Music Box
June 7th: Death Cab for Cutie and The Lonely Forest at The El Rey
June 9-12: Bonnaroo (TN)
June 13th: Florence and The Machine at The Greek Theater
June 29th: Brooke Fraser at The Music Box
July 26th: The Indigo Girls at The Troubadour
August 18-20th: SSMF
September 22-24: Hotel Carolina (SC)
Not only do I love this band, but I love their taste in music. Tom Petty, Foo Fighters, The National, etc. Check out The Lonely Forest’s mixtape on Baeblemusic.com.
Some excellent tunage currently spinning on my IPod (and helping me through the this particularly difficult work day). If you’re looking for some new music to check out, here’s what I’d recommend:
One of my favorite Philly (as well as Hotel Carolina) artists, I’ve been looking forward to this release for awhile. I just purchased it today so time will tell how it stacks up against his last CD which I consider to be a masterpiece. Looking forward to getting to know One Day Die a little better and to seeing Matt again (hopefully he’ll come out to LA sometime soon).
I’ve been in love with this band from Anacortes, Washington since SXSW ’10. “We Sing In Time” struck me from note one. Their first full length album came out last week. It features that song as well as many other gems. Seriously, I really like every single song on this album…
Wakey!Wakey!-Almost Everything I Wish I’d Said The Last Time I Saw You…
Wakey!Wakey! has been on my radar for awhile now, but since seeing Mike Grubbs perform live, this CD has taken permanent residence in my best of playlist. My fave tune right now? Anything heavy with the violin…like “Almost Everything” or “Light Outside”
You all know I’ve been obsessed with this CD since I first saw these Scottsmen open for Manchester Orchestra, but this week, the CD has finally been released in stores in the US. SO, what are you waiting for? GO OUT AND GET IT! This is hands down my favorite CD released in the last couple of years. Now if only I could get a copy of Lonely Revolutions (B-sides for this CD)…
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