SXSW Day 0: A Story

Posted on by Kristen

If you don’t know anything about SXSW, you might, at first glance think that it is all about the music. But you’d be wrong. SXSW is really all about networking. You might think that someone only peripherally involved in the music industry (AKA The Scientist who moonlights as a music enthusiast) would not benefit as much from this aspect of the conference, but you’d be wrong.

Also, the idea that the bar is the best place to mix and mingle (a concept I’ve never really warmed up to) might not be entirely correct.  I feel like the van rides back and forth from the hotel to the conference center downtown might be the new “bar”. Last night’s transport back, lead us into conversation with a professional “foodie” (from the food network) and someone who works at Bryn Mawr College of all places (my alma mater). So I may not have been able to whisper the names of my favorite bands into some big executive’s ear over a couple of whiskey sours, but I know the best place to go eat in downtown Austin AND I got some top secret intel regarding my 5 year college reunion coming up in May.

Such random encounters really gets me excited about the unknown and unexpected possibilities for the rest of the week!

 

But back to the music, TONS to look forward to today! The Kin, The Silent Comedy, Twin Atlantic, Oh Land, AWOLNATION, The Blue Pages…all on my list for today.

 

AWOLNATION plays 10pm at Rusty Spurs for the AustinROX showase…

 

~ Kristen

(Unofficially) Day 1: SXSW Part Two

Posted on by Amanda

My oh my what a day it’s been! As you can tell I’m writing this post at 2:46 a.m. (central time) and I’m not even in bed yet. Although, I do have my pjs on.

Needless to say, it has been one crazy day full of line waiting, wristband/badge picking up, music, and food. We actually retired to the hotel around 11 to get rested, charged and ready for tomorrow. We just spent the last few hours going over our schedules for tomorrow and who wants to see what and where.

I really should be in bed right now but I just wanted to check in a share a few photos from today…

 

This was how the line looked after we spent 2 hours in line for our wristbands. I’m super glad we got there at 12 instead of any later.

 

Fader Fort Line- After our pickup

 

This is one of the four members of Viva City. Chelsea and Trina boasted about them so we decided to go see what the fuss was about after we picked up our Purevolume badges. I’m super glad we got to see them. They remind me of a hybrid of Parade of Lights and Kill Hannah but with a harder edge. I dig.

 

Viva City

Until next time.

~Amanda

p.s. Follow us on Twitter @_localmusicnat if you don’t already! We will be updating throughout the day as much as we can 🙂

Amanda’s SD Show Calendar 3/14-3/21

Posted on by Amanda

Hey folks! This post is coming to you from the backseat of Kristen’s car. We are currently in New Mexico and on our way to SXSW. If you aren’t familiar with SXSW, don’t worry because we will be posting video from our experience daily (fingers crossed) and hopefully get to chat with some bands as well!

But I digress. Despite a lot of fantastic local music being in Austin this week, there are still some great bands to see in San Diego this week. Also, you get an extra day of my calendar this week due to SXSW.

 

Monday: Little White Teeth @ Tin Can Alehouse @930 $8
AND: Cave Singers @ Casbah @9 $12

Tuesday: The Black Heart Procession, Maren Parusel, and The Hot Moon @ Soda Bar @9 $10

Wednesday: The Paragraphs @ Bar Pink @10
AND: The Midwinters @ Soda Bar @9 $5
AND: Tapes ‘N Tapes @ Casbah @9 $15
AND: Abbey Road- A Beatles Tribute @ Belly Up @8 $12 adv/$14 day of

Thursday: Tyler Hilton and Josh Damigo @ Lestats @9
AND: 80s vs. 90s with Zoo2 (U2 Tribute Band) @ Belly Up @ 9 $10 adv. $12 day of

Friday: Get Back Loretta @ Soda Bar $7
AND: A Scribe Amidst the Lions and The Howls @ Casbah @9 $8
AND: Jackson Price @ Lestats @9
AND: Stepping Feet- Dave Matthews Tribute @ Belly Up @9 $12 adv/$14 day of

Saturday: An Evening with Tainted Love @ Belly Up @9 $17 adv/$19 day of

Sunday: Devo @ Belly Up @8 $89 adv/$94 day of

Monday: Tapedeck Mountain @ Casbah @9 $8 adv/$10 day of

 

Keep in Mind:

March 22nd- Girl Talk @ Soma
March 23rd- The Appleseed Cast @ Casbah
March 24th- Fierce Creatures and Kevin Martin @ Ruby Room
March 25th- Hoots and Hellmouth @ Soda Bar
March 26th- Endoxi @ Belly Up
March 29th- Fitz and the Tantrums @ Belly Up- Sold Out!
April 2nd- Little Hurricane @ Casbah
April 3rd- A Rocket to the Moon, Valencia, and Anarbor @ Soma @630 $13 adv.
April 4th- The Sounds @ Belly Up
April 8th- Rise Against w/Bad Religion @ RIMAC Arena- UCSD
April 9th- Pete Yorn @ House of Blues
April 14th- Billy Clyro @ Belly Up
April 14th- Brandon Flowers @ House of Blues SD
May 2nd- TV on the Radio @ 4th & B
May 3rd- James Blunt @ Humphreys
May 6th- Ghostland Observatory @ 4th & B
May 6th- Chris Cornell @ Humphreys
May 6th- Fleet Foxes @ Spreckles Theater
June 11th- Airborne Toxic Event @ House of Blues

 

On the Road…. SXSW: Part One

Posted on by Amanda

This has got to be one of the most unique and important posts I’ve ever done so far.

In case you haven’t heard, LMN is heading to SXSW (aka: South by Southwest), which is a huge music/film festival in Austin, Texas. I’m not talking about Coachella or Bonaroo size. Think bigger. Bands come from all over the world to play as many showcases as possible in the hopes of breaking out and making it big. Anyone who is anyone has been through and come out of SXSW. According to the SXSW website….

“The SXSW® Music and Media Conference celebrates its 25th Anniversary in 2011. Reaching a quarter of a century of being the biggest and most anticipated convergence of all things music, SXSW is ready to keep the reputation alive by programming the best event yet.

By day, thousands of conference registrants network in the halls of the Austin Convention Center on their way to do business in the SXSW® Trade Show, sit in on informative panel discussions featuring some of the industry’s key players, gain insight from legendary keynote speakers or plan out their abundant party schedules. At night, SXSW showcases hundreds upon hundreds of musical acts from around the globe on over eighty stages in downtown Austin. All this and so much more, combine to make SXSW one of the most revered music events, year after year.”

AND

“With numerous avenues for exposure to over 36,000 key industry representatives, SXSW® 2011 is the most valuable addition to any marketing plan.”

So there you have it. And we are on our way there as I type this. It’s been interesting so far as I only just met up with my cohorts last night. I drove out of San Diego yesterday with local photographer geniuses Kevin and Rebecca Joelson who are riding to SXSW with The Silent Comedy. We met up with them in Tempe and had quite a few adventures along the way including an impromptu photo shoot at an empty car wash and a stop at a Waffle House. Other than that, it’s been a whole lotta desert and some cool looking trees (even one with Christmas decorations!).

Kristen and Brooke drove out of LA and met up with me at the Marquee Theater last night and we’ve been together since. We got some rest at a Comfort Suites last night so we would be fresh for our 12 hour drive today. We are currently in New Mexico and are Austin bound. I’m hearing we will be in Texas rather soon!

In the meantime, I’m going to leave you with Hugo’s 99 Problems video. And you can check him out at The Force’s Texas Tornado Showcase at Red Eye Fly @ 3:30

[youtube LloIp0HMJjc]

<3 Amanda

p.s. Be sure to follow our Twitter feed. We will bring you pics and updates along the way as often as we can!

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar 3/14-3/21

Posted on by Kristen

Currently watching the latest episode of Supernatural. This afternoon, I’m starting my birthday week off by heading to the PaleyFest Supernatural panel so I want to be prepared. Then it’s time to go to Austin! SXSW will be insane!! Hopefully there will be time for updates, but check out my list of the artists I’m most looking forward to seeing. When I get back I’ll work on preparing my annual SXSW mix.

If you’re not joining me in Texas, there are still plenty of shows to keep you busy here in LA. Go celebrate my bday on Friday by heading to The Troubadour to watch George Stanford and Truth & Salvage Co.

Here’s what else I would be up to if I weren’t enjoying the music elsewhere…

 

Monday: Honeyhoney at Bootleg Theater (10:30)
ALSO: Maniac at The Troubadour (8:30)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)

 

Tuesday: The Shakers at Molly Malone’s (8pm)
ALSO: Papercranes at Bootleg Theater (10pm)

 

Weds: Semi Precious Weapons at On the Rox (10pm)…FREE with RSVP
ALSO: Moderne Man at The Viper Room (8:50)
ALSO: Chasing Kings at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)

 

Thursday: Makepeace Brothers at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Alkaline Trio ad Dead Country at The Mayan (8pm)
ALSO: Winchester Rebels at The Mint (11pm)

 

Friday: Foster Timms, George Stanford and Truth & Salvage Co at The Troubadour (9, 9:45, 10:45)
ALSO: The 88 at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)
ALSO: The Canyons at Molly Malone’s (11pm)

 

Saturday: Tyler Hilton at The Hotel Cafe (11pm)

 

Sunday: ??

 

Monday March 21st: Honeyhoney at Bootleg Theater (10:30)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)

 

To Keep in Mind:

March 22nd: War on Drugs at The Troubadour
March 26th: Lady Danville at The Troubadour
March 28th: Chris Robinson Brotherhood at The Echoplex
March 30th: Imagine Dragons at The Viper Room
April 11th: Chris Robinson Brotherhood at The Echoplex
April 16th: Matt Wertz and Ben Rector at The Troubadour
April 25th: Airborne Toxic Event at The Satellite
May 27th: The Script at Club Nokia
June 9-12: Bonnaroo!!!
June 13th: Florence and The Machine at The Greek Theater
September 22-24: Hotel Carolina

~ Kristen

https://twitter.com/_localmusicnat

 

Gearing up for SXSW: Kristen’s 10 “Must See” Artists

Posted on by Kristen

TOMORROW, we leave for Austin. I’m in the midst of frenzied preparations. I haven’t been posting much these last couple of weeks, in part, due to the fact that every spare second I have managed to accumulate has gone to listening to artists I may get the chance to see at SXSW and preparing my lists and schedules.

I thought I’d share some of the artists I’m most looking forward to (a combination of old favorites and new discoveries). So, here it is. My 10 “Must See” Artists at SXSW ’11:

1. The Silent Comedy

These San Diego boys have been on my must see list for awhile now. Their growing popularity means they’ve been spending more time away from Southern California so I relish even more every chance I get to see them.

When to see them: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=208828575799105

2. Queen Caveat

I’ve gotta go support my favorite up-and-coming LA band. For those of you not in LA, don’t miss one of the first opportunities to see Queen Caveat play outside of their hometown. SO much love for this band!

When to see them: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=109420832465650&ref=ts

 

3. The Kin

These Australian brothers are favorites of mine from back east. One of the exciting things about SXSW is that it brings together favorite artists from all over the country/world. Also, be sure to follow The Kin on twitter so that you’ll know where they plan to do their next musical robbery on Saturday in Austin.

where to see them: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=184993854877046

 

4. Empires

One of my favorite bands out of Chicago. I’d been itching to see them again since they opened for Biffy Clyro at Bootleg Theater.

where to see them: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150171769950225&set=a.499768780224.291271.62617580224&theater

 

5. Dash & Will

Two girls from Australia whose tunes caught my ear immediately. I’m even more excited to see them and buy their music, because finding their tunes to download in the US= nearly impossible.

where to see them: http://www.facebook.com/dashandwillofficial?sk=events

6. Dead Sara

I’ve seen them three times in LA in the last month or so and I can’t remember the last time a band has blown my mind quite this much. Any chance I’ll get to see Dead Sara, I’m taking!

where to see them: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dead-Sara-Official/124013447614437?sk=app_2405167945

 

7. SINAI

I’ve been wanting to see this new band out of Philly since its inception at the end of last year. I’ve been very jealous of all my Philly friends who have gone to their shows. Now it’s my turn!

where to see them: Friday 8pm: Austin Music Hall (208 Nueces) at the Monster Energy Showcase

8. The Lonely Forest

I adore this band out of Washington. They were actually on my SXSW ’10 mix. I was terribly sad to miss them play The Echo last week. I only justified my absence with the thought of seeing them play multiple times at SXSW.

where to see them: http://www.facebook.com/thelonelyforest?sk=app_178091127385

 

9. Twin Atlantic

They’re from Scotland and they’ve opened for Biffy Clyro. What more do I need? Oh, I also am loving this tune…

where to see them: http://twinatlanticonline.com/2011/02/25/twin-atlantic-to-play-sxsw-scotland-stage-in-texas/

ALSO: Weds 4pm at The PureVolume House (504 Trinity St)

 

10.Mother Mother

A band from Canada that I fell in love with a couple years ago thanks to the song “Hayloft”. I keep missing them when they come through LA, so I’m not going to miss out in Austin!

where to see them: http://mothermothersite.com/live/

 

Honestly there are SO many excellent bands I’m looking forward to seeing at SXSW…can we say “scheduling conflicts”..Here are a few more (still not even half of what’s on my list)

We Barbarians
Fitz & The Tantrums
Hoots & Hellmouth
Joey Ryan
Atomic Tom
Jamestown Revival
Andy Clockwise
Hollerado
Hugo
Chelsea Automatic
Jukebox the Ghost
AWOLNATION
The Blue Pages
The Gallery
UME
Saint Motel
Brooke Fraser
The Stone Foxes
Augustana
Allen Stone
Semi Precious Weapons
Fierce Creatures
Lelia Broussard
Halos
Nicole Atkins
Taylor Locke and The Roughs
Dan Wilson
Meriwether
Taddy Porter
Forrest Day
Scars on 45
Little Red Radio
Toy Bombs
Andrew Belle
The Deaf
Brett Dennen
American Bang
Ram’s Pocket Radio
Admiral Fallow
Makeshift Prodigy

 

We shall see how many of these bands make my final SXSW ’11 mix!

to check out last year’s mix click here

See you in Austin!

 

~ Kristen

Do You Know: Kill The Alarm?

Posted on by Kristen

I would call this a new band love post expect I’ve been following the music of Garen Gueyikian since 2004 when he’d frequent The Point in Bryn Mawr, PA. Back then he would go by the name Granian. He had just released a CD, On My Own Two Feet. Songs like “My Voice” and “Contagious” really spoke to me and his live shows never failed to captivate, as each show seemed to offer a fresh perspective on the songs I quickly came to know and love.

In 2006, Garen started playing under the name Kill the Alarm. Kill the Alarm released Fire Away the next year and I was thrilled to add more tunes to my collection, which by this point included several CDs and EPs dating back to 1996.

Being based in NYC, I haven’t seen (or really heard much from) Garen or Kill the Alarm since I moved out to California. But TODAY, I discovered that Kill the Alarm not only has a new EP in the works, but has, for download, a collection of cover songs including the K’s Choice tune “Not An Addict” (LOVE!). I am very happy right now listening to this tune as well as my old Garen faves, so of course I needed to share!

Go check out Kill the Alarm and download The Covers today!

I’d also recommend getting that old Granian gem, “On My Own Two Feet”

 

Listen and LOVE!

 

~ Kristen

 

Garen really kills the guitar on this one: