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Kristen’s SXSW ’11 Mix: Part 4

Posted on by Kristen

This year’s SXSW experience was a little different than in years past (ie I actually got to GO instead of my usual just listening to all of the artists). Still, I wanted to maintain the spirit of my annual SXSW Mix being a list of artists that are mostly new to me that I somehow discovered or was inspired to write about due to my SXSW experience.  I am so excited about every one of these artists/groups. I can’t wait for them to come through LA and play!

And the list keeps going. Here’s part 4:

 

13. “Fashion Kills” – Sabrosa Purr

These LA natives just get better and better every time I see them. They also get the award for favorite band to photograph at SXSW. Check out a couple pics and download their song “Fashion Kills”. Keep tabs on my calendar for their upcoming shows.

 

 

14. “Squealing Pigs” – Admiral Fallow

Another Scottish band to add to my list. I love how this song builds. Plus, it features a clarinet (my favorite instrument)! What’s not to love about this song and this band?

 

15. “Come On and Move Me” – Monarchs

Austin natives Monarchs got me with this song, featured on Bandcamp’s SXSW playlist. You can download it for free here.

 

16. “Look Away” – Brett Hite

The more I listen to Brett Hite’s album, “Visible”, the more I fall in love with it. “Look Away” is the tune I kept coming back to. I also enjoy this video which has Brett playing this song acoustically as we get treated to a lovely view in Brett’s home state of Washington.  I would say I can’t wait for Brett to come play in LA, but maybe I’d rather take a drive up north…

 

~ Kristen

 

more to come…

Free Music Download: Fair to Midland

Posted on by Kristen

New music from Fair to Midland! They finally have a new CD coming out!!! If you’re a fan of the band, you will know how exciting this is. We’ve been waiting years for a follow up to 2007’s brilliant Fables from a Mayfly.

Arrows & Anchors is officially released on July 12. You can buy the first single, “Musical Chairs”, on Itunes, but Fair to Midland is offering a free download on their website of the song “Armadillo Sleeps on My Pillow”.

http://www.ftmband.com/

 

One of my favorite Fair to Midland songs (featured on my best of ’07 mix):

~ Kristen

 

 

 

New Music Tuesday: Kill The Alarm, Hugo, Manchester Orchestra

Posted on by Kristen

It’s new music Tuesday! Anything you’ve been looking forward to? The return of The Cars? Or perhaps, the much buzzed about Christina Perri…or maybe SNL spawned The Lonely Island? Gleeks out there might be interested to check out Matthew Morrison’s new album. While you’re in the music-buying mood, might I suggest some CDs I’ve been looking forward to that officially come out today:

 

Against The Grain– Kill The Alarm

I’ve been a big fan of anything by Garen Gueyikian for quite some time. He hasn’t put out much in the way of new original music in ages, so I’m most excited about the release of this EP, Against The Grain, from his band, Kill The Alarm. I can’t wait to give it a proper listen (here).

Here’s an acoustic performance of the first single, “Don’t Run Away”

 

Old Tyme Religion– Hugo

I first came across the bluesy-rock of NYC-based Hugo at SXSW. I’ve been jamming out to Old Tyme Religion for a couple weeks now, but it’s official release is today. To learn more about Hugo, read this recent interview. To go straight to the downloading bit, here’s the itunes link.

You might be familiar with Hugo’s take on Jay-Z’s “99 Problems”, but I’m really digging this track:

 

Simple Math– Manchester Orchestra

The “I’ve Got Friends” hitmakers have a new CD out today. I haven’t heard any of Simple Math yet, but I don’t need to to know that I will need this album in my collection. This band puts on one of the best live shows and I will need to be familiar with all their new tunes to more fully enjoy their June 2nd show at The Music Box.

The band stopped by the studio for my favorite radio station in December. Here’s an acoustic version of the title track off their new album.

 

~ Kristen

Vote Empires!

Posted on by Kristen

I am pleased to see that my favorite Chicago band, Empires, has made it to Round 3 (of 4) of the Rolling Stone cover competition for unsigned bands. This is most exciting to me because it means they are one step closer to being at Bonnaroo (AKA when I could see them play again). I’m actually really happy with all of the bands that made it to round 3. You can download new songs from all four groups here.

Below are a couple Empires tunes. If you have a few seconds, please go to their page and rank them five stars!

 

~ Kristen

Song of the Day: “Mother Mother” by Tracy Bonham

Posted on by Kristen

Since its release, I’ve been listening to a lot of Hugo’s Old Tyme Religion. It’s a great CD and I’ve been enjoying it…but driving into work the other day, my roommate and I made the decision that the general tone of the album was just too positive for our current state. Posing questions like “what in the world were you born to do” was just too much…

I needed to find a song that more accurately reflected my current outlook on life. I flipped through my Ipod until I landed on this song. Tracy Bonham’s “Mother Mother” fit so perfectly I put it on repeat.  Tracy may scream “everything’s fine” but we all know what she really means. Plus, it’s highly cathartic to join in.

I’ve seen The Veronicas do a version of this song live. Jess does a fine job with the screaming…

 

 

~ Kristen

Hanson’s 12 hour SXSW4Japan Benefit: Album now Available!

Posted on by Kristen

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.

Sxsw4japan.org is re-streaming the performances RIGHT NOW!: http://sxsw4japan.org/

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.

So, what are you waiting for? GO and get it!

http://www.amazon.com/Sxsw4japan/dp/B004UY1TSY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1302031272&sr=8-1

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!

Charlie Mars at the SXSW4Japan benefit:

Hanson covers “Lean on Me”

~ Kristen

Watch live streaming video from sxsw4japan at livestream.com

SXSW Highlight: Queen Caveat

Posted on by Kristen

One of my favorite aspects of my SXSW ’11 experience was getting to share it with some of my very favorite bands. Queen Caveat also drove out from LA to spend the week in Texas. I saw them play four times in as many days and they never failed to impress.  I watched them fight lost voices, broken bass guitars, and stages like saunas. They overcame it all with their amazing energy and general enthusiasm for their craft, garnering plenty of new fans who flocked to the stage for each performance eager to get a hold of one of the EPs the band was tossing into the crowd.

Having watched this band grow from an early stage, I couldn’t help but feel immensely proud of them and their accomplishments…and that was definitely a highlight of my own SXSW experience.

While in Austin they stopped by 5th Street Studios to record a version of “Bullet” which happens to be one of my favorite Queen Caveat tunes.

Check it out:

 

~ Kristen

p.s. if you’re in LA, Queen Caveat is playing a FREE show this Friday at Bardot (11:30). Don’t miss it!